OnePlus 5T vs Essential Phone: Which phone deserves your $499?

Software is the key

In terms of software, the Essential Phone and OnePlus 5T are very similar. Both take a pretty clean approach, allowing the “stock” Android experience to shine through. If you’re looking for something close to what you’d get from the Pixel 2, look no further than the Essential Phone and OnePlus 5T.

There are some key differences between the two devices, however. In our review of the OnePlus 5T, we praised the company’s approach to software, lauding the phone’s performance and subtle but helpful tweaks.

Among a flurry of gestures, the OnePlus 5T allows users to tweak the look and feel of its software (dubbed OxygenOS). You can easily replace icons, change the system to dark mode, and enable a clever Reading Mode that mimics e-books for reduced eye strain.

The OnePlus 5T also features a facial recognition feature (that work well!), a Sunlight Display setting, and Parallel Apps, which allows users to clone selected apps, such as Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

Even if you don’t use these features every day, they’re great additions without feeling superfluous or bloated. They’re thoughtful, welcome inclusions that ultimately make the experience better.