OnePlus Ace Review: Mid-Range Marvel with Flagship Speed

The OnePlus Ace has emerged as a formidable contender in the mid-range smartphone market, offering a compelling blend of power, style, and affordability. As someone who has put this device through its paces, I can attest to its impressive capabilities and overall value proposition.

Design & Build: A Touch of Premium

The OnePlus Ace sports a sleek and modern design that wouldn’t look out of place in a higher price bracket. The glass back panel, coupled with a plastic frame, feels surprisingly premium in the hand. The phone is thin and lightweight, making it comfortable for one-handed use. The vibrant color options add a touch of personality to the device.

Display: Smooth and Immersive

The 6.7-inch AMOLED display is undoubtedly one of the Ace’s standout features. With a 120Hz refresh rate, scrolling and animations are buttery smooth, enhancing the overall user experience. The display is also plenty bright and offers good color accuracy, making it enjoyable to watch videos or play games.

Performance: Dimensity 8100-MAX Flexes Its Muscles

The Ace is powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 8100-MAX chipset, a powerhouse that delivers flagship-level performance in many scenarios. In day-to-day use, the phone handles everything with ease, from browsing the web to multitasking between apps. Even demanding games run smoothly, with little to no lag or slowdown.

Camera: Reliable and Versatile

The triple rear camera setup on the Ace consists of a 50MP main sensor, an 8MP ultrawide lens, and a 2MP macro lens. The main sensor captures detailed photos with good dynamic range, while the ultrawide lens offers a wider perspective for landscape shots. The macro lens is fun to experiment with, but results can be mixed. Low-light performance is decent, thanks to the Night Mode.

Battery Life: A Day and Then Some

The 5000mAh battery in the Ace easily lasts a full day with moderate to heavy usage. With lighter use, you might even be able to squeeze out a day and a half. The phone also supports 150W fast charging, which is incredibly fast – you can get a full charge in just 17 minutes.

Software & User Experience: OxygenOS Delight

The Ace runs on OxygenOS, OnePlus’s custom Android skin. It’s a clean and well-optimized interface that offers a smooth and snappy user experience. OxygenOS also includes a few useful features, such as a built-in screen recorder and a gaming mode.

Connectivity & Additional Features: Keeping Up with the Times

The Ace is well-equipped in the connectivity department, with support for 5G, Wi-Fi 6, and Bluetooth 5.2. It also features an in-display fingerprint sensor, which is fast and reliable. One notable omission is the lack of an official IP rating for water and dust resistance.

Buying Recommendation:

Who’s it for? The OnePlus Ace is an excellent choice for budget-conscious consumers who crave a high-performance smartphone with a great display and fast charging. It’s also a solid option for gamers who want a smooth and responsive gaming experience.

Pros:

• Powerful performance thanks to Dimensity 8100-MAX
• Stunning 120Hz AMOLED display
• Long-lasting battery with super-fast charging
• Clean and user-friendly OxygenOS

Cons:

• No wireless charging
• No official IP rating
• Camera performance could be better in low light

Overall: The OnePlus Ace is a compelling mid-range smartphone that punches above its weight in terms of performance and features. It offers excellent value for the price, making it a strong contender in its segment.