From The Verge: After weeks of teasing, OnePlus has finally announced the new OnePlus 6T, which improves upon the OnePlus 6 that was released about six months ago and introduces some new technologies. You can check out our full review for all of the details on how the 6T works and where it slots in this crazy season of smartphone launches.
But as good as the OnePlus 6T hardware is, it’s only half the story for the company. The 6T represents two significant steps for OnePlus in the US: it’s the first OnePlus device to be compatible with Verizon’s network, and it’s the first OnePlus phone to be sold directly by a US carrier. Prior to the 6T, OnePlus phones could only be purchased directly from the company, and they would only work on AT&T or T-Mobile’s networks (and their derivatives). With the 6T, OnePlus is finally able to reach customers on the largest wireless network in the US, and at the same time, attract new phone shoppers walking into T-Mobile stores across the country.
Verizon compatibility is something that Americans interested in OnePlus’ affordable-yet-capable phones have been asking about for years. (It’s also something I’ve mentioned in every review of a OnePlus phone I’ve written.) In an interview, OnePlus CEO Pete Lau told me (through a translator) that getting a phone on Verizon’s network wasn’t possible for OnePlus until Verizon launched its certification program for open-market devices or phones not sold by Verizon. Once that was available, it took OnePlus about a year to get its devices certified for use on Verizon. OnePlus also extended its network compatibility worldwide: the 6T now works on 233 carriers in 74 countries.
The OnePlus 6T has support for Verizon’s primary LTE band as well as features like VoLTE and Wi-Fi calling on the network. According to OnePlus, the Verizon experience should be like any other carrier: pop a Verizon SIM card in, and it should just work. If you don’t already have Verizon service and want to activate a OnePlus 6T on the network, you just have to go to a Verizon store, and it can be done.
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