OnePlus 10 Pro 5G Review: An Excellent Value Android Flagship Phone

The OnePlus 10 Pro 5G was originally released on March 31, 2022. While the device has been replaced by newer Android flagships, the 10 Pro still offers powerful features with a budget-friendly price tag. Despite being cheaper than other flagship Android handsets from Google, Samsung, and Motorola, we were impressed by the OnePlus 10 Pro’s beefy processor, excellent camera, and slick software.

Whether for everyday use, photography, or gaming, the OnePlus 10 Pro 5G's price-to-performance ratio is tough to beat, which makes it a solid handset for everyday use.

Learn if the 10 Pro is the right phone for you in our hands-on review.

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Where can I buy a OnePlus 10 Pro 5G?

Since the OnePlus 10 Pro 5G is no longer manufactured, you’ll have to find one from trusted resellers. You can still find new models of the OnePlus 10 Pro for sale from Walmart or Amazon, as well as refurbished models. 

If you decide to buy a refurbished phone, go to a trusted reseller. Reputable resellers, like Best Buy or Amazon Renewed, guarantee quality and a warranty against device defects.

You can buy a refurbished iPhone from:

• Black Market
• Amazon Renewed
• Best Buy
• Gazelle

Try to avoid peer-to-peer platforms (like OfferUp or Facebook Marketplace) where you run the risk of potential issues with the phone’s hardware and software. 

Why we recommend the OnePlus 10 Pro 5G

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With a stellar all-around feature set and a price tag undercutting its rival flagship phones, the OnePlus 10 Pro 5G is an outstanding alternative to mainstream picks from the likes of Samsung and Google. 

Let's look at our favorite components, including its high-quality camera and powerful processor.

What we like: Exceptional camera

OnePlus partnered with Hasselblad for the 10 Pro 5G's camera, and it’s a collaboration that paid off. When comparing similar shots on my Google Pixel 6 Pro, I typically preferred the Pixel but only slightly.  

Although the Pixel 6 Pro boasted better color accuracy, increased sharpness, and improved focus in my testing, the OnePlus 10 Pro still delivered quality images with subtle differences.

Both the Pixel 6 Pro and OnePlus 10 Pro excelled in portrait mode, but the 10 Pro 5G offers better setting options. In low-light scenarios with its Nightscape mode, the 10 Pro offers clear brightness and sharpness. Overall, the Hasselblad-tuned camera isn't just a gimmick, as the OnePlus holds its own among its premium phone brethren.      

What we like: Superb performance

At its core, the OnePlus 10 Pro 5G packs a powerful Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 chip as found in competitors like the Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra. Because of its reliable chip, the 10 Pro 5G handles demanding tasks like gaming easily. There's even a dedicated game mode and excellent thermals, offering a phone that stays cool to the touch even during hours-long gaming sessions.

I tested cloud gaming with Xbox Game Pass, GeForce Now, and Steam Link on the OnePlus 10 Pro. Since game streaming isn't as difficult as native Android gaming or emulation, I didn't encounter any issues. 

I averaged around 50 frames per second (FPS) in Genshin Impact, running at high settings. On an emulator (PPSSPP), the 10 Pro 5G easily handled God of War: Chains of Olympus. Several GameCube and PlayStation 2 titles also run well using Dolphin or AetherSX2 emulators.

What we like: Long battery life

In our testing, the OnePlus 10 Pro 5G's 5,000mAh battery yielded over 12 hours of use with the screen locked at 60 frames per second (FPS), and nearly 12 hours at 120 FPS. 

I enjoyed an all-day battery that held up to music streaming, gaming, and calling. What's more, you get 65W charging using the bundled power brick and 50W wireless charging, letting you quickly juice up your OnePlus 10 Pro.      

What we don't like: Limited software updates

Unfortunately, OnePlus only guarantees three years' worth of software updates. By comparison, Samsung offers four years of Android operating system (OS) updates with five years of security patches. Therefore, OnePlus's three years seem meager. Nevertheless, many folks trade in devices around the three- or four-year mark, so this isn't a huge issue.

What we don't like: Average telephoto lens

The OnePlus 10 Pro 5G's camera, co-developed with Hasselblad, is among the best flagship shooters. However, its 8MP telephoto lens resolution is lower than expected from a premium handset. While 8MP isn't disappointing, it's nothing to write home about.

OnePlus 10 Pro features and specs

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The OnePlus 10 Pro has a few areas for improvement, but its top features are high quality, from its construction to its cameras.

Great build quality

The OnePlus 10 Pro sports a soft-touch backing that, unlike many glossy phones, isn't a fingerprint magnet. 

Its camera array takes design notes from Samsung's Galaxy flagships, and the ceramic photography module is stylish yet durable. 

There's a powerful Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 chip at its core, which even trounces Samsung's Galaxy S22 Ultra. Both phones share the same chip, but the OnePlus 10 Pro offers better thermals. For instance, while running demanding apps like Fortnite, the 10 Pro remains cool.

Slick OxygenOS 12 Android software

OnePlus consistently delivers stellar software, and its OxygenOS 12 is no exception. We appreciate the snappy experience with cues from Google's Pixel user interface. 

The OnePlus Shelf is similar to Google Discover, and we appreciated various touches like work and personal modes, which let you rely on technology to maintain a work-life balance. Although the three-year upgrade policy isn't great, OxygenOS 12 is a treat to use.

Top-notch cameras

Outfitted with a camera co-created with Hasselblad, the OnePlus 10 Pro delivers fantastic picture and video quality. We enjoyed its lifelike colors, solid low-light performance, and Master Styles filters. OnePlus Master Styles are comparable to Apple's Photographic Styles, offering colors and filters easily applicable to pictures.

In our experience, the Google Pixel 6 Pro and iPhone 13 Pro Max often came out on top of the 10 Pro, but ever so slightly. Particularly at its initial release price of $799, the OnePlus 10 Pro gets you one of the best cameras on the market.

OnePlus 10 Pro vs. the competition

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Let's see how the OnePlus stacks up against rivals from Google, Samsung, and Apple.

OnePlus 10 Pro vs. Google Pixel 6 Pro

The OnePlus 10 Pro and Google Pixel 6 Pro match up extremely well. Both flagship phones offer incredible value for the money. With the OnePlus, you'll enjoy a better processor, longer battery life, and a gorgeous display. Although the Pixel 6 Pro's Tensor chip lacks the raw horsepower of the 10 Pro's Snapdragon 8 Gen 1, the Pixel provides several quality-of-life artificial intelligence (AI) features that OnePlus doesn’t offer.

Both phones also feature a similar camera performance, but we slightly prefer the Pixel 6 Pro. For instance, the Pixel 6 Pro's Magic Eraser makes it easy to remove unwanted items from the background of your phone.

Likewise, its onboard AI processing results in better voice-to-text accuracy and automatic photo enhancements. Ultimately, the OnePlus 10 Pro is a better choice for folks seeking blazing-fast processing power like hardcore mobile gamers, while the Pixel 6 Pro is a good pick for photography fiends.

OnePlus 10 Pro 5G vs. other rivals

The OnePlus 10 Pro features the same Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 processor as the Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra. While both handsets deliver similar performance, the OnePlus 10 Pro edges out the S22 Ultra thanks to its better cooling. 

We preferred Samsung's photo quality to the OnePlus, though only slightly. The 10 Pro also boasts a bigger battery and faster charging. On paper, it's pretty much a tie, but the 10 Pro's lower pricing makes it a better value.

If you're willing to switch to iOS, the Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max offers significantly better performance thanks to its A16 Bionic chip. It also includes an improved display and sleek software experience. However, the OnePlus is much cheaper, includes a longer-lasting battery, and nearly matches the 14 Pro Max with camera quality. 

We recommend the OnePlus 10 Pro for budget-conscious Android buyers and the iPhone 14 Pro Max for Apple fans. If you opt for the OnePlus, you can still FaceTime and run iMessage on Android.

OnePlus 10 Pro vs. OnePlus 10T

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The OnePlus 10 Pro is best for budding photographers, while mobile gamers and value-conscious shoppers may want to choose the 10T.  Although both the OnePlus 10 Pro and OnePlus 10T are incredibly similar flagship phones, there are marked differences between these devices. 

The 10 Pro gets you a higher-quality display, a better camera module, and wireless charging. On the flip side, the 10T steps up to a more powerful processor (the Snapdragon 8 Plus Gen 1) and improved wired charging speeds, but it cuts back on camera quality and nixes wireless charging. The 10T also undercuts the already reasonably priced 10 Pro by about $150.

Recap: Is the OnePlus 10 Pro right for you?

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While OnePlus receives stiff competition from Samsung and Google, the 10 Pro is a flagship phone with a nearly unrivaled price-to-performance ratio. It's a great phone with exceptional performance and a fantastic camera.

Here's what you get from the OnePlus Pro 10:

• Powerful Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 processor
• Terrific camera system co-created with Hasselblad
• Long battery life plus fast wired and wireless charging
• Snappy software experience
• Good value

Picture quality is occasionally uneven compared with the competition, carrier availability isn't great, and its three years of software upgrades lags behind Android rivals like Google and Samsung. However, you're hard-pressed to find a better value flagship than the OnePlus 10 Pro.

OnePlus 10 Pro 5G: Frequently asked questions

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