Is There Bloatware on OnePlus 3/3T?
With the ongoing debate over bloatware, many users find themselves wondering whether their smartphones come pre-installed with unnecessary applications. For OnePlus 3/3T, the situation is slightly different. Depending on your perspective and definition of bloatware, the presence of such applications varies.
Definition and User Perspective
One user expressed that if all the apps included with the phone are being used, then there would be no bloat. They specifically mentioned dissatisfaction with the native Memo app, finding it sub-par compared to alternatives available on Samsung Galaxy devices. Although they have downloaded a replacement app, they still find it does not perform as well as the built-in Memo app on their Samsung devices.
How Bloatware is Perceived
The presence of bloatware largely depends on your definition of the term. According to one perspective, compared to other major brands like Samsung, Asus, or LG, OnePlus 3/3T has minimal bloatware. However, some users argue that Google apps like Google Play, Google Maps, and Hangouts (the messaging app) constitute bloatware.
Note: Not everyone is a fan of Google's ecosystem, even if they love the Android operating system.
Personal Perspective on OnePlus 3/3T
One proud owner of OnePlus 3/3T emphasized that when it first came out, it was running Oxygen OS 3.5.6 based on Marshmallow. The phone came with only necessary apps like Messages, Phone, Playstore, and Gallery. However, after the latest update to Oxygen OS 4.0.2, based on Nougat, one app could be considered bloatware: Hangouts, Google's own messaging app.
Despite this, the owner pointed out that the phone has 64/128 gigabytes of ROM, which means one unnecessary app is not a significant concern. However, not all users can delete this app due to system constraints or design choices, which can be frustrating.
Performance and Customization
Oneplus 3/3T runs on Oxygen OS, which is known for its close adherence to the Google Pixel experience. This means that the phone is optimized for a more lightweight and customizable Android experience.
Users can customize their phone to a great extent. For instance, downloading a Nova Launcher and setting the animation speed to 'faster than light' and the scaling to 0.5x via developer options can make the phone exceptionally fast and responsive. Some users have reported that the OnePlus 3/3T can perform as fast or even faster than the Google Pixel, thanks to these optimizations and the ability to tweak various settings.
With these features, OnePlus 3/3T offers a highly personalized and efficient Android experience that can appeal to both fans of the Google ecosystem and those who prefer a more customized setup.