With the release of the OnePlus 8 Pro,the brand has eschewed its once-vaunted tag.

In the seven years since its inception, Chinese brand OnePlus acquired the tag of being a ‘flagship killer,’ i.e. providing premium grade smartphones at relatively affordable prices. It was a moniker the brand readily accepted and flaunted, not only in terms of marketing but also as a means of carving out a unique identity in a crowded marketplace.

However, with every passing year and every new iteration of their flagship device, keeping hold of its signature moniker was becoming task fraught with uncertainty. The prices of OnePlus devices continued to rise rapidly, and while still more affordable than smartphones at the upper echelons; the products of Apple and Samsung, OnePlus devices were rapidly exiting the ‘flagship killer’ price range. A situation that was only exacerbated by the rise of new smartphone brands that moved to occupy the slot OnePlus had made its own.

In light on that context, the recently launched OnePlus 8 and OnePlus 8 Pro signal a distinct change in strategy. The latter device, in particular, priced at USD 829, serves as the clarion call that marks OnePlus’ exit from the ‘flagship killer’ section.

The OnePlus 8 Pro is a flagship, in every sense of the word. While past OnePlus devices were held back due the exclusion of certain key features that are considered the bread and butter of flagships (wireless charging, IP rating), OnePlus have corrected course by throwing everything but the kitchen sink into the 8 Pro.

Starting from the screen, OnePlus has pushed the limits of what is possible in the current smartphone landscape. The 8 Pro’s QHD+ screen has HDR 10 support as well as a refresh rate of 120 Hz, which makes it one of the few phones in the world with that technology.

As touched upon earlier, a couple of features held back OnePlus from truly achieving flagship status. With the OnePlus 8 Pro, the brand has made the required adjustments. Finally, wireless charging has been included. And what’s more, the device also supports reverse wireless charging. Further, it also has IP 68 dust and water protection.

Another aspect where the OnePlus 8 Pro shines is in its camera. While OnePlus devices always had serviceable camera setups, this time around, the quad-camera set up on the OnePlus 8 seems prepped to rival the best in the business.

Essentially, that’s the story with every aspect of the phone – whether it be the screen, processor or battery, OnePlus has laid down the gauntlet.

And while the brand has made improvements to challenge its rivals, it lies sound in the knowledge that said rivals can’t reproduce what remains the crown jewel in OnePlus’ arsenal – the Oxygen OS. OnePlus’ proprietary operating system is widely touted as one of the very best in the business and routinely praised for its speed, efficiency and small footprint.

Paired with the top of the line Snapdragon 865 processor and a 120 Hz screen, the OnePlus 8 Pro is likely to operate at a speed that would make it a contender for the fastest phone in the world.

In Nepal, the pricing of OnePlus devices hasn’t reflected its ‘flagship killer’ status. Here, it was been a perennial flagship, owing to its hiked price point. The OnePlus 8 Pro is certain to be an expensive proposition, but given the pedigree of the device, prospective buyers can lay claim to a phone that rivals the very best the smartphone market has to offer.