The OnePlus Ace 5 Pro is here, promising flagship-level performance at a competitive price. While it shares similarities with the OnePlus 13R, it aims to stand out in the budget flagship segment. However, with tough competition from Realme GT7 Pro and Redmi K80 Pro, does it deliver enough value? Let’s take a closer look at its design, display, performance, cameras, battery life, and software experience to see if it’s worth your money.
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Design & Build Quality
The OnePlus Ace 5 Pro manages to balance premium aesthetics with practicality. The Purple variant has a fine-textured finish, which not only looks appealing but also provides a firm grip and prevents slipping. This adds to its usability, making it feel both premium and comfortable to hold.
The camera module follows the OnePlus signature design, making the phone immediately recognizable. The square frame with rounded edges gives it a modern and stylish look while ensuring comfort in hand. The flat-screen design also reduces accidental touches, which is a common issue with curved screens.
The phone weighs just over 200g, making it comparable to carrying a device with a protective case. It features a microphone, stereo speakers, and an IR blaster at the top. The power and volume buttons are placed on the right side, with a tactile and responsive feel. The left side is clean, while the bottom houses the USB-C port, speaker grille, and SIM tray.
One noticeable omission is the lack of an official IP68 rating for water and dust resistance. While this might not be a deal-breaker, it is something to consider, especially when some competitors offer better durability at this price point.
Display Specs & Features
The OnePlus Ace 5 Pro features a 6.82-inch AMOLED display with a Full HD+ resolution and 120Hz LTPO refresh rate. While it appears flat at first glance, closer inspection reveals that it has a quad-curve panel, making it a hybrid between traditional flat and curved screens.
The display’s peak brightness of 1200 nits ensures that it remains visible even in direct sunlight. Global DC dimming and high-frequency PWM dimming help reduce eye strain, making it comfortable for extended use. The thin and uniform bezels give it a sleek and modern look, while the always-on display functionality provides quick access to notifications.
For biometric security, the phone features an under-display fingerprint scanner, which is both fast and reliable, even when using wet hands. Face Unlock is also available, though it is less secure than the fingerprint scanner.
Media consumption on this device is excellent. The vibrant AMOLED panel delivers deep blacks and vivid colors, while the dual stereo speakers provide an immersive audio experience. Whether you’re watching videos, gaming, or streaming content, the Ace 5 Pro delivers a satisfying visual and audio experience.
Software & Updates
The OnePlus Ace 5 Pro runs on Android 15 with ColorOS 15, which offers plenty of customization options. Users can personalize themes, wallpapers, fonts, and fingerprint animations to match their style.
The UI is smooth and responsive, with an iOS-style notification shade and control center that some users may appreciate. The inclusion of an app drawer helps keep the home screen organized. However, the phone comes with pre-installed apps and bloatware, which might be disappointing for users expecting a cleaner software experience. Fortunately, most of these apps can be uninstalled.
A standout feature is the AI-powered object removal tool in the photos app, allowing users to erase unwanted elements from images. It isn’t perfect, but it is a handy tool for quick edits. Another useful addition is the Share with iPhone feature, which works similarly to Apple’s AirDrop, making file transfers between the Ace 5 Pro and an iPhone effortless.
One downside is uncertain software support. While OnePlus typically provides long-term updates for its premium phones, the Ace 5 Pro does not have a clear update roadmap, which might be a concern for those looking for longevity.
Performance & Chipset
Under the hood, the OnePlus Ace 5 Pro is powered by the Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset, paired with 12GB of LPDDR5X RAM and 512GB UFS 4.0 storage. These specifications make it a powerhouse for both everyday use and gaming.
The phone handles social media browsing, video streaming, and multitasking effortlessly. Gaming performance is impressive, with titles like Genshin Impact and Honkai Star Rail running smoothly even on high settings. The device maintains consistent frame rates, delivering a seamless gaming experience.
However, extended gaming sessions lead to noticeable heating. After about an hour of heavy gaming, the surface temperature rises significantly, which might require a cooling fan or reducing graphics settings to maintain comfort.
Battery Life & Charging Speed
The OnePlus Ace 5 Pro packs a 6,100mAh battery, which offers all-day battery life, even with intensive use. The combination of a large battery and an efficient Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset ensures that the phone performs well in terms of longevity.
For charging, the 80W SuperVOOC fast charging is a highlight. The phone charges from 10% to 80% in just 20 minutes and reaches a full charge in 42 minutes. However, charging speeds vary depending on the region. When using third-party PD chargers, the phone does not charge as quickly, which means users may need to rely on the original SuperVOOC charger for the best results.
Camera Specs & Performance
The OnePlus Ace 5 Pro features a triple-camera setup, but only the 50MP main sensor stands out. The 8MP ultra-wide and 2MP macro cameras lack strong performance compared to competing smartphones.
The 50MP Sony main sensor performs well in daylight conditions, capturing sharp details with good dynamic range. The Optical Image Stabilization (OIS) helps reduce motion blur, especially in low-light environments. However, low-light photography could be improved, as noise becomes more noticeable in darker settings.
The telephoto lens supports 3.5x optical zoom, delivering sharp and detailed results within a 3x to 7x zoom range. However, pushing beyond 10x digital zoom leads to noticeable quality loss. The ultra-wide sensor is decent for capturing landscapes and group shots, but it lacks the sharpness and detail found in the main sensor.
The 50MP selfie camera captures high-resolution images with accurate skin tones. The beauty mode, when enabled, can sometimes overly smooth facial features, but turning it off provides natural-looking selfies. The front camera also supports 4K 60FPS video recording, which is a welcome feature for content creators.
In terms of video capabilities, the phone supports 4K 60FPS on both the front and rear cameras. Video stabilization is effective, making it a solid choice for recording high-quality footage. However, there is no dedicated long exposure mode, though manual settings allow users to adjust ISO, shutter speed, and white balance.
__OnePlus Ace 5 Pro Review: Pros And Cons”__
Pros:
Flagship-tier performance with Snapdragon 8 Elite.
Sleek, grippy design with premium materials.
Excellent battery life & fast 80W charging.
Vibrant AMOLED display with 120Hz refresh rate.
Good main camera with OIS & 4K 60FPS video recording.
Competitive pricing compared to Realme GT7 Pro & Redmi K80 Pro.
Cons:
Ultra-wide and macro cameras are underwhelming.
No official IP68 water resistance rating.
Limited software update policy from OnePlus.
Conclusion
The Ace 5 Pro is an impressive device that delivers strong performance, long battery life, and a stylish design. However, it does cut some corners to maintain affordability.
The Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset ensures top-tier performance, while the 6,100mAh battery and 80W charging provide excellent battery life. The AMOLED display is vibrant, and the stereo speakers enhance the media experience.
However, the ultra-wide and macro cameras are underwhelming, and the lack of an official IP68 rating may be a drawback for some users. Additionally, uncertain software support raises concerns about long-term updates.
For those looking for the cheapest Snapdragon 8 Elite phone, the OnePlus Ace 5 Pro is a strong contender. But if camera performance and software longevity are priorities, alternatives like the Realme GT7 Pro or Redmi K80 Pro might be worth considering.
What do you think about the OnePlus Ace 5 Pro? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
Frequently Asked Questions About the OnePlus Ace 5 Pro
1. Is the OnePlus Ace 5 Pro worth buying?
Yes, the OnePlus Ace 5 Pro is a great choice for users looking for flagship-level performance at a competitive price. It features the Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset, 6,100mAh battery, and 80W fast charging. However, its secondary cameras are underwhelming, and software update support is uncertain, so buyers should consider their priorities before purchasing.
2. How good is the OnePlus Ace 5 Pro’s camera?
The 50MP main sensor with OIS (Optical Image Stabilization) delivers excellent results in daylight and well-lit conditions. The 8MP ultra-wide and 2MP macro lenses are less impressive compared to competitors. For video, it supports 4K 60FPS recording, making it a solid choice for content creators.
3. Does the OnePlus Ace 5 Pro support wireless charging?
No, the OnePlus Ace 5 Pro does not support wireless charging. However, it compensates with 80W wired fast charging, which can charge the battery from 10% to 80% in just 20 minutes.
4. How long does the OnePlus Ace 5 Pro battery last?
With its 6,100mAh battery, the OnePlus Ace 5 Pro offers all-day battery life, even with heavy use. For moderate users, it can last up to two days on a single charge.
5. Does the OnePlus Ace 5 Pro have an IP68 rating?
No, the OnePlus Ace 5 Pro lacks an official IP68 water and dust resistance rating. While it may handle minor splashes, it is not designed for submersion in water.
6. Can I use Google apps on the OnePlus Ace 5 Pro?
Yes, the phone supports Google Mobile Services (GMS), so you can use Google Play Store, Gmail, Google Maps, and other Google apps without issues.
7. What operating system does the OnePlus Ace 5 Pro run?
The phone runs Android 15 with ColorOS 15, which offers customization options, smooth animations, and useful features like AI-powered image editing and iPhone-like file sharing.
8. Is the OnePlus Ace 5 Pro available globally?
The OnePlus Ace 5 Pro is mainly available in China but can be purchased through online retailers. A global version might be released as the OnePlus 13R, which will have a more widely supported network band compatibility.
9. Does the OnePlus Ace 5 Pro support 5G?
Yes, the OnePlus Ace 5 Pro supports 5G connectivity, but its network band compatibility is optimized for Asia and Europe. Users in regions with different 5G bands, such as the U.S., should verify carrier compatibility before purchasing.
10. How does the OnePlus Ace 5 Pro compare to the Realme GT7 Pro and Redmi K80 Pro?
The OnePlus Ace 5 Pro offers better battery life and fast charging, but the Realme GT7 Pro and Redmi K80 Pro have better camera setups and display technology. The Ace 5 Pro is the most affordable Snapdragon 8 Elite phone, making it ideal for users prioritizing performance over camera quality.
