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The OnePlus 6T will be the company's first phone officially backed by a US carrier

By Adrian Diaconescu

Updated: Aug 20, 2018, 9:40 AM

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The OnePlus 6 is technically compatible with T-Mobile, but it's not specifically optimized for any US networks

OnePlus is about to go where fellow China-based smartphone manufacturers haven’t been able to recently. Just like last fall’s 5T, the OnePlus 6T is expected to be released five short months after the company’s previous high-ender. Only this time, a major US carrier should throw its weight behind the relatively inexpensive device.

“People familiar with the launch plans” say OnePlus and T-Mobile’s exclusive retail agreement is a done deal, although “technical approval” could still cause a bit of a delay. Either way, a “standard” unlocked global version of the 6T is likely to make its commercial debut sometime in October through the manufacturer’s official e-store.

The “tentative” plan is to price the new phone at $550, which would be only 20 bucks or so higher than the retail cost of a 6GB RAM/64GB ROM OnePlus 6 configuration. But everything could still change. Or at least that number.

Otherwise, recent history suggests the design will be “borrowed” from Oppo and Vivo’s latest flagships, while the specifications may not be radically altered compared to the OP6. The OnePlus 5T, for instance, jumped from a 5.5 to a 6-inch AMOLED screen, retaining the processor, memory, battery, and camera features of the OnePlus 5.

It’s definitely worth pointing out that the OnePlus 6 is already compatible with T-Mobile and AT&T’s GSM networks. But a “specific” version of the OnePlus 6T is reportedly in the works, with special T-Mobile optimizations, including support for the “Un-carrier’s” super-advanced 600 MHz Extended Range LTE technology.

We’re guessing T-Mo will handle sales of this “specific” OnePlus 6T model itself, presumably both on and offline, although today’s report does not explicitly confirm that detail.

Earlier this year, Huawei came close to signing a similar support and distribution deal with AT&T and Verizon, but the carriers backed out under alleged pressure from US government officials. Odds are OnePlus will not be deemed a national security threat due to the company’s smaller size and lack of interest in businesses like telecommunications and networking equipment.

source: CNet

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Adrian, a mobile technology enthusiast since the Nokia 3310 era, has been a dynamic presence in the tech journalism field, contributing to Android Authority, Digital Trends, and Pocketnow before joining PhoneArena in 2018. His expertise spans across various platforms, with a particular fondness for the diversity of the Android ecosystem. Despite the challenges of balancing full-time parenthood with his work, Adrian's passion for tech trends, running, and movies keeps him energized. His commitment to mid-range smartphones has led to an eclectic collection of devices, saved from personal bankruptcy by his preference for 'adequate' over 'overpriced'.

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