'No Corners Cut' on OnePlus 3, Display Criticism Is 'Insulting': Carl Pei

Two weeks since launch, the OnePlus 3 is now in the hands of many users, thanks to the open sale model. These users are now giving their own feedback, and negative comments have started to pour in. A fresh review of the OnePlus 3 ridiculed the display, and the author called it the 'worst display he ever examined'. Users started to point out flaws in the display (the absence of sRGB), and claimed that the company skipped it to achieve the set price of the smartphone. Co-founder Carl Pei, displeased at the harsh feedback, replied to the post giving some clarity as to the company's reasons.

The review was written by AnandTech's Brandon Chester, and it was posted on the OnePlus subreddit by a user. Pei replied to the post saying that he was tired of this sentiment, and found it quite 'insulting'. One of the commenters on the post also accused OnePlus of using Samsung displays that had come at a 'discounted price'.

(Also see: OnePlus 3 Review))

Talking about the display, Pei claims that not including sRGB was a product decision made by the company, and not done to "cut corners". He even said that the feedback was heard, and sRGB has been included in the next OTA. However, he asserts that the OnePlus 3 sports an Optic Amoled display (latest generation of Amoled), a specific decision that was relayed to Samsung, and not displays that came at a discounted price. Pei says that the OnePlus 3 display has been loved by many critics (Read our take on the Optic Amoled display).

Pei says that the company never burdens financial restraint onn the product, but only on the business model, marketing, and organisational structure. Here is his full statement:

"I'm sick and tired of sentiment like this. It may not seem so, but for a product company - it's insulting. It started with the OnePlus One, people trying to find explanations and faults that could have led to its reasonable price. People were complaining about screen variance (visible and common for LCDs, search for "iPhone yellow blue screen" images), vibration motor, and cheaper NAND, etc. Looking for any explanation, and quick to jump on bandwagons and to conclusions.

With our relationships in the supply chain, we know the BOM (bill of materials) of all other flagships. Out of all the devices that the OnePlus 3 gets compared to, it is one of, if not the most expensive to make. Do you think the price delta between a 2K Amoled and a 1080p Amoled is huge? It's a product decision, and spec by spec is not how to judge a product. The OnePlus 3 uses latest generation Amoled made to our specifications by Samsung. The vast majority of our users, and reviewers love Optic Amoled. It is NOT tuned to sRGB, and was never meant to be. sRGB tuning is a niche requirement and is not the right choice for the vast majority of smartphone users. Why do you think it's hidden under developer settings on the 6P? For those who need it, we've taken note, and have added it to the next OTA.

I want to make things really clear. There are no corners cut on the product, and there will never be. OnePlus cuts corners on business model (direct to consumer), org structure (nimble and fast team), and marketing (organic word of mouth focused)."

The OnePlus 3 Graphite colour variant is currently available on Amazon India without the invite system for Rs. 27,999. The Soft Gold colour variant is expected to hit the market in second half of July.