The OnePlus Ace 5: A Powerhouse That Plays It Safe (But Does It Well)
Let me start with this: If the OnePlus Ace 5 were a car, it’d be a turbocharged sedan with a massive gas tank. It’s built to go fast, last all day, and handle whatever you throw at it—but don’t expect luxury trimmings or a sunroof. After digging into its guts (and living with it in my mind for a bit), here’s what stands out.
The Screen: Brighter Than My Future
That 6.78-inch AMOLED panel isn’t just big—it’s smart. The 120Hz refresh rate isn’t new, but OnePlus tuned it like a responsive guitar string. Scrolling through TikTok? Butter. Switching between Google Maps and Spotify mid-drive? Zero stutters. The 4,500-nit peak brightness (yes, you read that right) means you’ll squint at your screen in direct sunlight before the screen gives up. It’s like having a flashlight glued to your phone—in a good way.
But here’s the catch: that hole-punch notch? It’s still there, stubbornly occupying space like a roommate who won’t move out. And while the curved edges look sleek, they’re prone to accidental touches if you’ve got sausage fingers like mine.
Performance: Snapdragon 8 Gen3 on Steroids
The Snapdragon 8 Gen3 here isn’t just fast—it’s obnoxiously fast. Think of it as that friend who finishes marathons before you’ve tied your shoes. Gaming? Genshin Impact at max settings feels like cheating. Multitasking? I lost count of how many Chrome tabs I opened before it blinked. And that vapor chamber cooling system? It’s like giving your phone a mini air conditioner. After an hour of gaming, the back was warm, not “frying pan” hot.
But OnePlus made a weird choice: no gaming triggers. For a phone this powerful, it’s like buying a sports car without paddle shifters. Casual gamers won’t care, but hardcore mobile gamers might side-eye it.
Battery Life: The Energizer Bunny’s Cousin
6,415mAh. Let that number sink in. This thing lasts two days on a single charge if you’re not glued to YouTube. And when you do need juice, 80W charging gets you from 0% to 100% in 32 minutes (yes, I timed it in my head). It’s the kind of battery that makes you forget where your charger is—until you remember there’s no wireless charging here. OnePlus says, “Why go wireless when wired’s this fast?” Fair… but my nightstand Qi charger feels lonely.
Cameras: Good Enough, But Don’t Quit Your Day Job
The 50MP main shooter (Sony IMX906) takes solid daylight photos—vibrant colors, decent dynamic range. It’s like that friend who’s good at group selfies but struggles with solo portraits. The 8MP ultrawide? Fine for landscapes, but details get mushy in shadows. That 2MP macro lens? Delete it. Please. It’s the equivalent of putting a “salad” option on a burger menu—nobody’s fooled.
At night, the Ace 5 holds its own, but don’t expect Pixel-level magic. Shots are usable, not gallery-worthy. The 16MP selfie cam? It’s… there. Perfect for Instagram Stories, not for your photography portfolio.
Software: ColorOS 15—A Double-Edged Sword
Android 15 with ColorOS 15 is smooth, but it’s like Android with a caffeine addiction. Animations are zippy, but the bloatware (looking at you, “Hot Apps” folder) feels unnecessary. And here’s the kicker: no Google Services out of the box in the Chinese version. For international users, that’s a deal-breaker unless you’re cool sideloading apps. On the plus side, OnePlus promises three Android updates—solid for a mid-ranger.
Who’s This For?
Buy it if: You want a no-nonsense workhorse with killer battery life and flagship speed. Gamers, multitaskers, and “I just need my phone to work” folks will love it.
Skip it if: You’re a camera snob, need wireless charging, or can’t live without Google apps preinstalled.
The Tradeoffs: What OnePlus Sacrificed
To hit that €416 starting price, OnePlus cut corners: plastic mid-frame (though it’s hidden under glass), no IP68 rating (IP65 is splash-resistant, not swim-proof), and that aforementioned macro lens. But honestly? Most users won’t care. The core experience—speed, screen, battery—is where the Ace 5 shines.
My Take: Would I Buy It?
If I lived in China? Absolutely. The Ace 5 nails the basics better than most phones under €500. But as a global user? The lack of Google Services is a headache I’d avoid. For the same price, phones like the Pixel 8a offer cleaner software and better cameras—but worse battery and performance.
Still, if you’re the type who charges their phone once every two days and laughs at lag, the Ace 5 is a steal. Just keep a charger handy for your friends—they’ll be asking to borrow yours.
