OnePlus shows its 5G phone at MWC 2019, is likely to be OnePlus 7 that will launch in coming months

HIGHLIGHTS

• The 5G prototype is powered by the Snapdragon 855 chipset.
• The prototype device is using the Snapdragon X50 5G modem for 5G connectivity.
• The device sports a taller display similar to the 21:9 display that Sony debuted on Xperia 1.

A few months ago, OnePlus proudly announced its collaboration with Qualcomm to unveil one of the world's first 5G smartphones. So far, Samsung, Huawei and LG have shown commercial models of their 5G smartphones. OnePlus is also not behind and is demonstrating its 5G smartphone at the MWC 2019. However, don't be too excited - OnePlus is only showing a prototype and not an actual device at the MWC 2019.

OnePlus is taking the opportunity to showcase its working prototype of the 5G smartphone that's supposed to make a commercial debut sometime later in the year. The company is showing an actual 5G smartphone that can, sadly, not be seen. In fact, Oneplus has kept the device under a glass enclosure with the phone sitting in a thick case. However, the display is visible and it is evident that the next OnePlus device is going to bid goodbye to the notch. This is similar to the leaked device we saw a few weeks ago.

OnePlus says that the 5G prototype is powered by the Snapdragon 855 chipset, which is the latest Qualcomm flagship SoC available in the market. The prototype device is using the Snapdragon X50 5G modem for 5G connectivity. To showcase the benefits of 5G, OnePlus is showing a flight simulator game that is streamed from the cloud to the OnePlus device in real-time. TechRadar reports that the OnePlus device exhibits no latency and makes for super smooth gameplay experience, even though the game isn't primarily installed on the prototype device.

As for the device, the prototype OnePlus 5G handset showcased some interesting features. TechRadar reports that the device sports a taller display similar to the 21:9 display that Sony debuted earlier on the Xperia 1 and Xperia 10. Therefore, it seems that OnePlus could eliminate the notch by keeping slightly thicker forehead and chins, similar to the Meizu 16th. However, this is a prototype and there could be a high chance that OnePlus may opt for a sliding display as seen in the leaks to eliminate the notch.

Currently, OnePlus hasn't announced a tentative launch date for the 5G device. However, since the company promised a 5G device before the next mainstream OnePlus flagship, we could see the company coming up with a 5G device with the next few months. So far, it is confirmed that OnePlus is relying on Qualcomm's X50 5G modem instead of its own custom 5G chip that the company talked about during the Snapdragon summit in Hawaii last December. Similar to all 5G smartphones, OnePlus could end up offering the 5G device as one of its most expensive offerings to date.

As for the OnePlus 7, we expect the handset to draw in most of the features exhibited in the prototype device. The Snapdragon 855 is confirmed but OnePlus could rely on the X24 LTE modem for markets such as India where 5G could take a while to arrive. The OnePlus 7 could have a high chance of either going for a sliding display similar to the Mi Mix 3 5G or Honor Magic 2, or go for a more Sony-esque approach with a taller 21:9 display.

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