This Cheap Smartphone Has 1 Simple But Amazing Feature
The OnePlus 2 is probably the most hotly-anticipated smartphone you've never heard of. An Android-powered phone from Chinese company OnePlus, it's meant to take on high-end phones like the iPhone 6 and Samsung Galaxy S6 at a fraction of the price 329 starting, unlocked. OnePlus has built a small but fervent fanbase thanks to clever marketing techniques, like only selling new phones to shoppers who get an invite from other fans or through online contests. The OnePlus 2 will be available for order in the U.S. on August 11. I received my review unit Monday, and while it's too early for a full-blown hands-on, I wanted to quickly highlight one feature that blew me away immediately The phone's back cover. That's right, the back cover. Almost every other modern smartphone has a back cover that might as well be made out of soap bar. It took me only weeks of going caseless with my iPhone 6 to see it slip from my clumsy hands and find its way to the New York City pavement, leaving me with a 100 repair bill and a ruined Tuesday evening. Accordingly, lots of smartphone cases on the market  especially the thinner ones  are less about offering protection from impacts and more about adding some actual grip so you don't drop your 700 device in the first place. But the OnePlus 2's back cover  I'm talking about the "Sandstone Black" option  feels something like a smooth sandpaper that's grippy but also comfortable. I would have absolutely no qualms about going case-commando with this phone. It's that good. So, other handset makers, China's OnePlus just put you on notice. Enough with the super-sleek stuff. Make some grippy phones, please.