OnePlus 5T Leak Shows Full-Screen Display?

Yes, leaked images and renders of the OnePlus 5T from late 2017 showed a full-screen display with thinner bezels and an 18:9 aspect ratio, replacing the traditional 16:9 screen of the OnePlus 5. The leaks, which surfaced from multiple sources including case makers and tipsters, accurately predicted the device that OnePlus officially announced on November 16, 2017.

What the Leaks Showed

The leaked images, which appeared on Chinese social media and tech forums, depicted a OnePlus 5T with a 6.01-inch Optic AMOLED display with a resolution of 1080 x 2160 pixels. The screen stretched nearly edge-to-edge, with slim bezels on the sides and top, and a slightly thicker chin at the bottom. The fingerprint sensor moved to the back, a change from the front-mounted sensor on the OnePlus 5, to accommodate the taller screen. The leaks also showed a dual-camera setup on the rear, arranged vertically in the top-left corner, similar to the OnePlus 5 but with a slightly different flash placement.

Background: The OnePlus 5 and the 18:9 Trend

The OnePlus 5, released in June 2017, featured a 5.5-inch 16:9 display with relatively thick bezels. By late 2017, competitors like Samsung (Galaxy S8), LG (G6), and even budget brands were adopting taller 18:9 (or 2:1) screens, which allowed for larger displays without increasing the phone’s footprint. OnePlus faced pressure to follow this trend to remain competitive. The 5T was a mid-cycle refresh, not a full redesign, but the display change was significant enough to attract attention. Leaks of the 5T began appearing in October 2017, about a month before the official announcement, and they consistently showed the full-screen display.

How the Leaks Surfaced

Leaks typically originate from several sources: supply chain insiders who see components in production, case manufacturers who receive phone dimensions to make accessories, and sometimes from the company itself as a marketing tactic. For the OnePlus 5T, the most convincing leaks were high-resolution renders that matched later official images. These renders often came from known tipsters like Evan Blass (evleaks) and Steve Hemmerstoffer (OnLeaks), who have a track record of accuracy. Additionally, Chinese social media platform Weibo featured photos of what appeared to be a real device, possibly from a factory floor or a lost prototype. The consistency across these sources made the leaks highly credible.

Key Specifications Revealed

Beyond the display, the leaks indicated that the OnePlus 5T would retain the Snapdragon 835 processor, 6GB or 8GB of RAM, and the same 3300mAh battery as the OnePlus 5. The camera system was also expected to be similar, though with improved low-light performance. The headphone jack remained, and the phone launched with Android 7.1.1 Nougat, later updatable to Android 8.0 Oreo. The leaks also suggested a price increase of about $20 over the OnePlus 5, which was accurate: the 5T started at $499 for the 64GB model and $559 for the 128GB model.

Comparing the Leaks to the Official Device

When OnePlus officially unveiled the 5T on November 16, 2017, the leaked images turned out to be almost perfectly accurate. The official device featured the same 6.01-inch 18:9 display, the rear fingerprint sensor, and the dual-camera setup. The only minor differences were in the exact shade of the aluminum finish and the precise placement of the antenna lines, which are hard to discern in renders. This high level of accuracy is typical for late-stage leaks, as final production units are already in the pipeline. The OnePlus 5T was well-received, with reviewers praising the display and performance, though some noted that the camera was only marginally improved.

Common Misconceptions About Leaks

One common misconception is that all leaks are equally reliable. In reality, early concept renders or fan-made mockups are often mistaken for real leaks. For the 5T, some early leaks showed a notch, which was not present on the final device. Another misconception is that companies always try to stop leaks; sometimes they intentionally leak information to gauge consumer interest. OnePlus, for instance, has a history of teasing features on social media before launch, which blurs the line between official and unofficial information. It’s also worth noting that even accurate leaks don’t guarantee a phone’s success; the 5T was a solid device, but it was quickly overshadowed by the OnePlus 6 in 2018.

How to Evaluate Future Leaks

If you’re following phone rumors, here are some tips to gauge credibility:

• Cross-check multiple sources. If several independent tipsters share the same image, it’s more likely genuine.
• Look for details that are hard to fake, such as regulatory filings (FCC, TENAA) or certification logos.
• Be wary of leaks that appear too early (more than 3 months before launch) as they may be based on prototypes that change.
• Check the source’s track record; some tipsters have a history of accuracy, while others are less reliable.
• Compare the leaked specs with the company’s previous releases; a drastic departure is possible but less likely.

Frequently Asked Questions

Was the OnePlus 5T’s full-screen display actually a leak or just a rumor?

It was a leak, not just a rumor. Multiple sources, including case makers and reputable tipsters, provided images and specifications that matched the final product. The consistency and detail of these leaks made them highly credible before the official announcement.

Did the OnePlus 5T have a notch?

No, the OnePlus 5T did not have a notch. The display was a traditional rectangular 18:9 panel with slim bezels. The notch trend became popular in 2018 with phones like the iPhone X and the OnePlus 6.

Why did OnePlus move the fingerprint sensor to the back?

Moving the fingerprint sensor to the back was necessary to achieve a taller screen with minimal bezels. The front sensor would have taken up space that could otherwise be used for the display. This design choice was common among 18:9 phones of that era.

Were the leaked specs of the OnePlus 5T completely accurate?

Yes, the leaked specs were almost entirely accurate. The display size, resolution, processor, RAM, storage, and battery capacity all matched the official specifications. The only minor inaccuracies were in visual details like color shades.

How much did the OnePlus 5T cost?

The OnePlus 5T launched at $499 for the 64GB version and $559 for the 128GB version. This was a slight increase over the OnePlus 5, which started at $479. The price increase was attributed to the larger display.

Is the OnePlus 5T still worth buying in 2025?

No, the OnePlus 5T is outdated by 2025 standards. It lacks 5G support, has an old processor, and won’t receive security updates. For a modern phone, you’d want a device with at least a Snapdragon 8-series chip from the last few years and a battery that hasn’t degraded.

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