Here’s how Aussies can get the OnePlus 5 and how much it’ll cost

Chinese smartphone manufacturer OnePlus has announced that it will be ‘soft launching’ — essentially, doing a test run — its hotly-anticipated OnePlus 5 flagship handset in Australia on August 29.

According to the company, this initial test launch will consist of ‘a limited-stock open sales event’, where customers can purchase a single handset from oneplus.net/au, as well as two fan meetups in Sydney and Melbourne. Details on what the latter meetups will consist of are still to be confirmed.

The stock available from the oneplus.net/au store will be limited, and sales will cease when this runs out. If you’re super keen on picking up a handset, we’d therefore suggest getting in quick. According to OnePlus, the reasoning behind the limited event is to “test product and supply chains in Australia”, presumably ahead of any major launches the company may or may not be planning.

Crunching the numbers

The OnePlus 5 will arrive in two varieties, as quoted from the press release:

• The OnePlus 5 with 6GB RAM + 64GB storage in Slate Gray and Soft Gold colors will be available for AU$599. 
• The OnePlus 5 with 8GB RAM + 128GB storage in Midnight Black and Slate Gray colors will be available for AU$699.

These prices seem quite reasonable, considering the lower and the higher tier models launched for US$479 and US$539 respectively in the US only two months ago — these prices almost directly reflect currency-conversion rates, which we don’t often see with tech pricing in Australia.

Further to this, if you purchase either model during this soft launch phase, you will receive a free OnePlus 5 Sandstone protective case, although the company has been at pains to re-iterate that the above pricing and bonus offer only applies to the soft launch period.

If you’re considering getting accessories for the OnePlus 5, you’ll be given the chance to add select items to a handset order — unfortunately, Australians won’t be able to purchase them separately after the fact, although the company is offering a discount on regular accessory pricing:

• OnePlus Bullets (V2) for AU$14.95
• OnePlus 5 Karbon Bumper Case for AU$24.95
• Dash Car Charge for AU$24.95

There's always a catch

There’s one caveat to this soft launch — according to the press release from OnePlus, this first batch of handsets will unfortunately not come with an Australian charger, instead shipping with a UK Type G plug charger. Thankfully, the phones will work fine on all Australian mobile networks, however. 

Also of note is the company’s statement on where it is with obtaining official Australian certification: “As we are currently conducting a beta sales run, the OnePlus 5 has not undergone certification in Australia. However, it does meet FCC and CE standards.”

If you’re fine to charge via USB or travel adapter, and don’t necessarily mind that the handset hasn’t passed Australian certification, then get ready to visit oneplus.net/au on August 29.

• In the meantime, check out our in-depth OnePlus 5 review to see what all the fuss is about.

SOURCE - TECH RADAR posted by Campus94