[OnePlus 5T  Questions & Answers] anterus:
At first I got OnePlus 5T.. in this phone everything was great, except for camera. Camera is a complete disaster - I do not know how people can be taking decent pictures without optical image stabilization. In my case when you look carefully at edges - there was a blur. Tried many camera softwares - the phone simply can't take good pics without OIS. Based on rumors, OnePlus 6 doesn't intend to include OIS in the camera either. Which is sad, as camera modules are about $15 a piece.. likely OIS would be a few dollars more. So, in summary:

OnePlus 5T:

Pros:

- Everything about the phone, screen, performance, development community

Annoyances (not a deal breaker)

- Separate switch on the side of Do not Disturb, Silent, Loud mode. Why on earth this can't be done via volume keys (Mute -> Vibrate -> Loud) and perhaps few other modes?

- Fingerprint reader., especially in the middle of the screen. Mobile device makers are attempting to convince us that bio-metrics are safe, while even US government wasn't able to prevent breach of biometric data of its own employees..

- Mobile camera in the corner, not in the middle of the back panel - in place of a fingerprint. Sometimes camera is obstructed by fingers, perhaps it is just a matter of habit.

Deal breaker:

- Crappy camera with lack of optical image stabilization. No matter what software does via EIS - it is not the same

Outcome: OnePlus 5T returned.

Then - decided to get Pixel 2 XL, hoping that it would get better shots. What a disaster of a phone it is.. around 1,100 Canadian - that is on sale.

Pros:

- Perhaps camera, but in two days took some photos, they didn't look nice either

Deal breaker/disasters:

- Screen - non bright, cheap looking

- I also didn't like the curvy screen. No benefits, as the image is displayed on front of the screen, not on the curves. Only adds to ridiculous and unnecessary cost of the device.

- Screen edges - round. Maybe this is Google's "Style", but falls into a complete disaster category in my book. Even worse - initial version of the software had these roundish corners on top, and at the bottom had three white software keys on black background. Of course when the menu was on, lower corners were squared. When you look at combination of round above, and squared below - you feel like you are not seeing right, and time to visit a nuthouse.

- Even better - with the update to fix burn in issue - menu became lighter / grey color, with transparency - with white buttons. When you are hitting the soft buttons - your mind registers as if you are hitting background.

- Support.. Google won't admit that they include screen burn in issue as part of their warranty. But they do - it took > 10 minutes in chat with Google Support to squeeze out of them the simple confirmation that burn in is covered by the 2 year warranty. So if you are unfortunate to end up with Pixel XL 2 and can't squeeze the confirmation from Google - IM me, and I will gladly share the conversation transcript

- Even better.. when you tap on the phone while it is off (and on too) - it is making hollow sound in the middle, hollow surface is approximately 2./3 of the width of the phone (in the middle) and 3/4 of the phone vertically (in the middle). This gives a feeling of a very cheap and uneven device which doesn't feel solid.

Outcome: Pixel 2 XL returned..

But the phone is still needed.. I looked on Ebay - there are many brand new Nexus 5 and 5X for couple of hundred bucks.. Also, yesterdays hardware is dirt cheap brand new. E.g. Lg G4 is $120. Yes, G4s randomly die, not all of them can be rooted, but still.

Nexues run Camera NX.. Also, just realized, that before Pixels, Google used to publish their camera software without limitations to their own hardware. APK sites should have old versions of the software. When you are looking for older hardware, remember that Camera NX needs 64 bit CPU.

If you are still on the fence, good luck with the choice! And remember that if you do not need latest and greatest - you can get solid performers (models from a year or few ago) for 1/5th of their initial price.