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When OnePlus launched its first televisions in 2019, there have been blended reactions from reviewers and lovers alike. The OnePlus TV Q1 series is spectacular for quite a few causes, however with costs beginning at Rs. 69,999, it’s nonetheless far too costly for a lot of to even take into account. The corporate’s new televisions for 2020 aren’t replacements for the OnePlus TV Q1 sequence in any respect; these are extra reasonably priced TVs that may enchantment to extra value-conscious consumers.
The corporate has now launched the OnePlus TV U series and Y series, with the latter being probably the most reasonably priced, meant for price range sensible TV consumers. The previous is what we’re reviewing in the present day. There is a single 55-inch mannequin on this sequence for now – the OnePlus TV 55U1 4K LED Android TV. Priced at Rs. 49,999, this is not a price range choice by any means, however it’s considerably extra reasonably priced than the OnePlus TV 55Q1 due to the extra cost-efficient LED-backlit LCD display.
Other than that, this tv guarantees every little thing else that you just’d get with the OnePlus TV Q1 sequence, together with varied software program tweaks and enhancements which were launched since that mannequin was first launched. Is the brand new OnePlus TV U Sequence (55U1) a great choice to think about should you’re in search of a not-so-expensive big-screen 4K HDR TV? Discover out in our evaluate.
OnePlus TV U Sequence (55U1) design and specs
The OnePlus TV Q1 sequence is kind of radical by way of design, with its carbon-fibre-like texture on the again and considerably controversial stand. With the OnePlus TV 55U1, issues have modified a bit. The tv is simply 6.9mm thick on the high and sides, with an aluminium physique. The borders across the display are slim, with a small OnePlus brand just under the display that is barely noticeable except you are proper in entrance of it. The screen-to-body ratio is a powerful 95 p.c, and this makes the TV look unimaginable from all angles.
It is also reasonably heavy for a 55-inch TV due to the premium supplies used. From the entrance, the 55U1 carefully resembles the OnePlus TV Q1, and has rear-positioned audio system, whereas the ability button is on the backside close to the lower-right nook.
The marginally thicker backside part has a well-known carbon-fibre-like texture, with the wall mount sockets within the centre and all ports on the correct, with a removable shroud. If you happen to’re table-mounting the TV, you may need to maintain this on after plugging in any exterior gadgets, to keep up the uniformity of the again of the TV.
The OnePlus TV 55U1 helps the 12-bit Dolby Imaginative and prescient HDR normal
The TV has an honest set of ports, together with three HDMI inputs (considered one of which helps HDMI ARC), two USB ports, an AV-In socket that can be utilized with an adapter, an RF socket for an antenna, an optical audio output, and an Ethernet port for wired Web connectivity. A notable omission here’s a 3.5mm audio jack, however there’s Bluetooth for wi-fi audio system or headphones.
If you happen to intend to table-mount the OnePlus TV U Sequence (55U1), it is a good bit simpler to put in, and extra steady than the OnePlus TV Q1 sequence. The stands connect firmly and securely close to the corners of the TV, and you will due to this fact want a large sufficient desk to put the tv on. It has normal VESA sockets on the again for wall mounting, and might take just about any VESA-supported wall mount package for the dimensions.
Wall mounting was a bit difficult for me, since OnePlus does not embrace a package within the gross sales package deal. I used an ordinary VESA package, however due to the slanting again of the TV, this made it tilt barely upwards. This wasn’t a severe concern for me due to the peak and positioning of the TV at my residence, but it surely might be an issue for some, and undoubtedly regarded awkward on my wall.
You get a number of helpful ports on the OnePlus TV U Sequence, however there isn’t any 3.5mm headphone jack
OnePlus states that an official wall mount package shall be introduced alongside by the corporate’s set up technicians, may be fitted at no cost, and can right the lean subject. Nonetheless, the corporate wasn’t capable of present any additional particulars on this, together with the design of the wall mount package, on the time of this evaluate. Nonetheless, the truth that customers may face this subject with something however the official wall mount package is a bit bothersome.
The OnePlus TV U Sequence (55U1) has a 55-inch Extremely-HD (3840×2160-pixel) LED-backlit VA panel, with help for HDR as much as the Dolby Imaginative and prescient format. There may be additionally MEMC for movement interpolation. The TV has a complete rated sound output of 30W, by means of a four-speaker configuration on the backside. Sound codecs as much as Dolby Atmos and DTS:HD are supported, and a Bluetooth Stereo mode permits you to use the tv as a Bluetooth speaker with supply gadgets equivalent to smartphones or tablets.
OnePlus TV U Sequence (55U1) distant and options
OnePlus went with a minimalist distant for the Q1 sequence, with a built-in battery and USB Sort-C charging. With the extra reasonably priced U sequence, the corporate has gone again to a extra conventional design, whereas retaining some good concepts. The 55U1’s distant is plastic and runs on AAA batteries, however nonetheless appears to be like loads like that of the Q1 sequence. It does not really feel nearly as good within the hand, but it surely’s gentle and extra practical than earlier than.
There’s a D-pad for navigation on the high, a Google Assistant button, Android navigation keys, hotkeys for Amazon Prime Video and Netflix, and common quantity and mute buttons on this Bluetooth and IR distant. There may be nonetheless no devoted energy button; the OnePlus button controls energy when the TV is in standby, and a long-press reveals the restart, shut down, and standby choices. This button additionally prompts the Oxygen Play launcher with a brief press when the TV is on.
OnePlus appears to have taken suggestions significantly, and there’s one vital new button that makes utilizing the TV very straightforward. The multi-function button – signified by three squares and a circle – permits you to entry fast settings from wherever you might be on the TV, with out forcing you to return to the Android TV residence display as was the case earlier than.
The distant is much more practical than the one which shipped with the OnePlus TV Q1
From this pop-up menu, it is doable to regulate community settings, select a distinct supply, regulate image and sound modes, toggle Bluetooth Stereo mode, and go into the complete Settings menu. All of this may be completed even whereas one thing is enjoying on the TV, with out interrupting playback whatever the supply system. This was a lot wanted, and fixes one thing that I thought of to be a serious downside when utilizing the OnePlus Q1 sequence.
As is to be anticipated on an Android TV-powered tv, there’s built-in Chromecast and help for Google Assistant on the OnePlus TV U Sequence (55U1). Moreover, it is doable to hyperlink the OnePlus TV U Sequence to Alexa, letting you utilize any Echo or different appropriate system you might need at residence with the TV for voice instructions.
OnePlus TV U Sequence (55U1) software program and interface
Not loads has modified on the software program entrance for the OnePlus TV U Sequence (55U1); the tv runs the acquainted Android TV 9 Pie with OnePlus’ personal Oxygen Play launcher. You get entry to apps and video games by means of the Google Play retailer for Android TV, and a handful of apps together with Netflix and Amazon Prime Video are preinstalled on the tv. There are not any notable app omissions right here, so that you’re getting the full-fledged Android TV expertise on this TV.
What I am blissful to report right here is that OnePlus has managed to iron out many of the early software program points that I encountered on the OnePlus TV Q1 Pro. This TV is quick, responsive, and a breeze to make use of. The one subject I did discover throughout my time with the TV was that the Dolby Imaginative and prescient brand was usually seen on display though the toggle was off. It is a small subject although, and will simply be fastened by going into the settings and toggling it on and again off.
Moreover, the settings are detailed, and tweaking image and sound settings is rather more responsive on the OnePlus TV 55U1. Variations in image high quality had been seen, and switching off movement interpolation and different image processing modes truly confirmed a distinction. It was straightforward to tune the TV to the correct image settings for varied sorts of content material, whereas HDR and Dolby Imaginative and prescient content material took by itself particular settings that did not have to be adjusted a lot.
There may be additionally an AI image high quality mode that lets the TV regulate settings on the fly in keeping with the content material on display, and this too labored fairly nicely. The tv was fast besides, beginning up from standby in nearly two seconds. On the entire, I am fairly impressed with how straightforward it’s to make use of the OnePlus TV U Sequence, and the way polished and hassle-free its software program is.
The OnePlus TV 55U1 runs Android TV 9 Pie, together with the Oxygen Play launcher
Oxygen Play was somewhat half-baked when it was launched with the OnePlus TV Q1 sequence final yr, for my part, but it surely does appear to have improved fairly a bit since then. Numerous streaming providers equivalent to Sony Liv, Hungama Play, and Zee5 are formally supported on the platform, providing you with a content-centric method to the interface with fast entry to particular motion pictures and TV reveals. Nonetheless, as earlier than, you do have to be subscribed to those providers, and hyperlink your accounts to have the ability to use Oxygen Play correctly.
One massive enchancment now’s the addition of Amazon Prime Video, however surprisingly this has its personal tab reasonably than being part of the final record of content material. It is a bit foolish, for my part, since I might simply as simply use the Amazon Prime Video app to entry the identical content material with the native Prime Video person interface. Whereas I did not use Oxygen Play a lot, I do see the enchantment for individuals who may choose the content-centric interface and the power to find new motion pictures and TV reveals with out a lot effort.
OnePlus Join returns on the OnePlus TV U Sequence (55U1), and can also be largely freed from the bugs and points that had been prevalent final yr. This app permits you to use your smartphone as a distant, solid content material in your smartphone to the TV simply, and uncover content material based mostly on suggestions. Like earlier than, this is not a really elaborate app, but it surely does its job nicely sufficient.
OnePlus TV U Sequence (55U1) efficiency
OnePlus has taken issues down a notch with the U Sequence utilizing an LED show in comparison with the Q sequence’ QLED panels, however image efficiency remains to be largely good. The OnePlus TV U Sequence (55U1) is priced a bit greater than equally specified choices from Xiaomi and Vu, however is only a bit extra reasonably priced than the TCL 55C715 which has a QLED show. Apparently sufficient, the OnePlus TV 55U1 suits completely into what I really feel is the perfect center floor by way of efficiency for the worth.
As can be anticipated, the OnePlus TV U Sequence (55U1) performs greatest with Extremely-HD Dolby Imaginative and prescient content material, however I used to be additionally very impressed with how good full-HD content material regarded on it. Decrease-resolution content material naturally confirmed some flaws due to the dimensions of the display, however I discovered efficiency with 720p and SD content material to be higher than on among the barely extra reasonably priced choices I’ve used.
Beginning out with Dolby Imaginative and prescient content material on Netflix, I performed what I imagine to be probably the most visually beautiful tv present ever made – Our Planet. The tv instantly confirmed the Dolby Imaginative and prescient notification within the high nook, and produced an image that was detailed, clear, and correct when it got here to color replica. I notably appreciated how easy and polished it regarded, avoiding among the sharp and jagged edges that some 4K TVs produce by over-processing the image.
Dolby Imaginative and prescient content material naturally regarded greatest on the OnePlus TV 55U1
The LED show additionally meant that the OnePlus TV might push the brightness as much as ranges that do Dolby Imaginative and prescient justice. It was spectacular simply how nicely the tv dealt with distinction, guaranteeing that brilliant zones had been brilliant whereas darkish zones regarded as they need to. Daylight specifically regarded as life like as a TV could make it look, and scenes shot in brilliant daylight had been spectacular.
Nonetheless, darker reveals equivalent to Night On Earth and Snowpiercer revealed a serious shortcoming within the OnePlus TV U Sequence – unusual black ranges. The TV might by no means fairly produce something that even got here near a real black, with virtually all black components of scenes wanting extra like darkish gray.
That is considerably to be anticipated from an LED-backlit TV due to the constraints of the know-how, however the OnePlus TV 55U1 performs a bit beneath expectations when in comparison with the competitors. Barely higher outcomes on the entire might be seen with my assortment of 4K and HDR pattern clips, than with streaming media, however this wasn’t a marked distinction.
Subsequent up was ‘Recreation Over, Man!’, additionally accessible in Dolby Imaginative and prescient on Netflix. This action-comedy film was a bit too edgy for my tastes, however the viewing expertise itself was spectacular for one massive purpose – movement dealing with. The OnePlus TV U Sequence (55U1) makes use of MEMC (Movement Estimation, Movement Compensation) to wonderful impact, making for a easy image (if that is what you want) that was largely freed from judder and artefacts.
Upscaling is great on the OnePlus TV 55U1; full-HD content material regarded virtually like 4K
That is to not say these weren’t seen – all movement interpolation produces some results – but it surely was all the way down to a minimal and was barely noticeable. Switching it off produced the movement blur that lots of people do need to see, but in addition appeared so as to add a little bit of judder to the image. I fairly appreciated the sleek movement, which helped maintain the image sharp and made watching TV a bit simpler on the senses for me.
What maybe impressed me probably the most concerning the OnePlus TV U Sequence 55U1 is how nicely it handles full-HD content material. I watched all the Matrix trilogy streaming in full-HD, and the TV upscaled it so nicely that at occasions it regarded like I used to be watching the films in Extremely-HD decision. The smoothness, element, and colors had been notably spectacular, whereas movement interpolation held up impressively even within the quick motion scenes. The long-lasting inexperienced tinge of the sequence when the characters are within the Matrix was reproduced completely, as had been the remainder of the colors and pores and skin tones.
Upscaling on the OnePlus TV U sequence is respectable even when working with lower-resolution content material, with 720p and SD video clips wanting a good bit higher than we have seen on most reasonably priced big-screen TVs. The movement interpolation and smoothening capabilities of the TV do appear to be doing a giant a part of the lifting right here, and there are nonetheless some anticipated artefacts and uninteresting edges to be seen. Nonetheless, for probably the most half, that is among the many higher large-screen TVs to think about should you aren’t able to let go of your cable or DTH connection, or should you watch numerous content material on YouTube.
The OnePlus TV U Sequence (55U1) has a 30W box-speaker setup consisting of 4 drivers (two full-range audio system and two tweeters), and help for as much as the Dolby Atmos format. Whereas all of it appears good on paper, I used to be largely unimpressed with sound high quality on the TV. Other than an absence of uniformity in quantity ranges, the sound was additionally oddly tuned and a bit too boomy for a tv.
Motion scenes had been loud and aggressive, whereas speech and mild background scores had been usually too mushy to listen to clearly. I normally needed to maintain the distant in my hand and maintain adjusting the quantity whereas watching the Matrix trilogy to maintain the wildly fluctuating quantity ranges in verify. Dolby Atmos content material did repair this barely and sound higher, however there is not an excessive amount of commercially accessible content material on this format for now. With most streaming content material utilizing the decrease Dolby or DTS codecs, this TV does not fairly dwell as much as expectations in the case of sound high quality. I might advocate budgeting for a great soundbar or speaker system as nicely, should you’re planning to purchase the OnePlus TV U Sequence.
It’s kind of costly, however the OnePlus TV U Sequence does provide higher efficiency than price range 4K choices
Verdict
OnePlus’ first try at televisions was removed from perfect, however the firm has labored on enhancing that product with software program updates over time. This new mannequin has benefited from that studying, and comes throughout as rather more centered, polished, and calculated. Priced extra affordably than final yr’s Q1 sequence, the Rs. 49,999 OnePlus TV U Sequence (55U1) will get most issues proper, from the design and software program, to image high quality. The 55U1 comes throughout as a way more succesful product than the Q1 sequence did on the time of its launch, providing precisely what it guarantees for the worth, and doing a great job with the core expertise.
That is not to say this TV is with out its points. The potential incompatibility with aftermarket wall-mounts, poor black ranges, and inconsistent sound are value holding in thoughts should you intend to purchase the OnePlus TV. Nonetheless, the professionals far outweigh the cons right here, and the OnePlus TV U Sequence (55U1) is a powerful mid-range LED tv that makes numerous sense for consumers who will not be solely closely invested in streaming platforms, but in addition nonetheless considerably hooked up to good outdated cable or DTH.
That stated, you may also need to take into account the TCL 55C715, which is priced only a bit greater however provides barely higher image and sound high quality. Alternatively, if Rs. 49,999 sounds a bit too excessive for you, choices such because the Vu Premium 4K Android TV and Xiaomi Mi TV 4X 55 are almost nearly as good for a good bit much less.
Mi TV 4X vs Vu Cinema TV: Which is the very best price range TV in India proper now? We mentioned this on Orbital, our weekly know-how podcast, which you’ll subscribe to by way of Apple Podcasts or RSS, download the episode, or simply hit the play button beneath.
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