OnePlus One hands-on and first impressions (Video)

The OnePlus One is one of the most talked about devices in 2014. This budget flagship smartphone is here to take out the competition with high-end specifications that are comparable with any other top of the line device. OnePlus unveiled the device earlier this year and since then it has grabbed the attention of many consumers.

The first wave of devices are finally shipping and today we’re taking a look at the 64GB Sandstone Black model to find out what all of the hype is about. Check out our hands-on and overview video below for more information and a closer look at the OnePlus One…

As mentioned above, this device is loaded with specifications that put it in the same category as the Samsung Galaxy S5, HTC One M8, and LG G3. Inside you’ll find a quad-core 2.5GHz Snapdragon 801 processor, Adreno 330 GPU, 3GB of RAM, and a vivid 5.5-inch 1080p display (401 PPI). The 64GB model is featured in Sandstone Black ($349), while the 16GB model comes in Silk White ($299).

Those are definitely impressive specifications for a device that is priced at just half of what the competition is asking, but that’s not where the goodies end. Not only is this device made from quality components, but the entire experience screams high-end. The OnePlus One is packaged very nicely and every inch of the unboxing experience feels very premium.

Check out our hands-on video below:

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t7iqhs3G8po]

I’m honestly amazed at how excellent this device feels in the hand. The texture creating the Sandstone Black material on the back cover is unlike anything I’ve ever felt on the back of a device and it’s definitely something you’ll need to experience for yourself, but trust me it’s very great. This is a rather thin device with perfect weight distribution and feels very solid.

Overall, the OnePlus One wins the smartphone game so far in terms of presentation and performance for the money, but we’ll get more in-depth with its long-term capabilities in our full review. Meanwhile, this device stands as the best $350 you can spend on a smartphone, but you’ll have to jump through hoops in order to get it.

Currently, the OnePlus One is available via invite only unless you feel like shelling out an extra $100 for a slightly modified version. Hopefully this device will be available to the general public before its hype dies down because I have a feeling this is going to be one of my favorite smartphones this year. Stay tuned for our full review coming up in the near future.