[OnePlus 7T Guides, News, & Discussion] skelzer:
Trust me, sounds like we've both been on the same path... I had the s5 long ago. Yes, this phone can be unlocked and you can install custom roms. Here's the kicker, unlike all of our previous phones, the OnePlus actually grew out of the custom ROM community. Their first phone, the OnePlus One shipped with the Cyanogen OS operating system pre-installed, a commercial variant of CyanogenMod. It's grown up a bit since then... and today it's on OxygenOS, which is pretty much a clean version of Android with some additional features added. Bottom line, this phone feels less-bloated and constricting than ANY of my previous Androids, including the Pixels and Nexus'. Everything is available and Oxygen OS adds some awesome features I've never before seen on a phone.

Once you are up and running, make sure to check these apps out... they'll help to keep you plugged in and backed up when updates go wild:

Oxygen Updater

OnePlus Community (Beta)

OnePlus Switch (Beta)

PS I edited and added some additional info to my previous post... be sure to re-read.

Edit. Forgot to add... yes, definitely get the case and glass screen protector in this bundle:

https://www.oneplus.com/product/oneplus-7t-keep-it-safe-bundle

Quality and fit of both accessories was a HUGE surprise. I've never had such a high grade glass protector that feels like butter... in ALL my years. And the case has a sandstone texture to it that both looks awesome and helps with grip. Everything else is optional... but I also got a second Warp charger/cable (this is a proprietary charging protocol that is way faster than others). Everything else can be purchased elsewhere.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

CAUTION!!! Just had my first experience with OnePlus After-sales Support via chat... HORRENDOUS! I was crazy enough to buy 2x of these screen protectors for $59.98 last month. Yesterday, my first cracked so I just opened the second package. I did all the right steps... after installing it, I noticed the top right corner wouldn't stick. Upon inspection, I could see that about 1x1.5cm of the corner was missing the sticker layer that adheres the glass to the phone. I won't walk through my experience step-by-step... but here's some high points. First rep, Lucy Francis, told me that I was supposed to notify them of the defect BEFORE opening the package (wow, that makes a lot of sense!?). She then continued to blame me for the defect and eventually disconnected the chat, dropping my connection. The second rep, Ethan Maximus, went back to the same flawed logic with "As per policy, the defect or damage should be reported within 72 hours of purchase." It took me 15 minutes to walk them through the fact that I bought TWO and that there's no way to discover the second was defective UNTIL IT WAS INSTALLED. Bottom line, considering the exceptional premium you pay for OnePlus accessories, I was expecting at-par support as minimum. This was excruciating!!! The reps are stuck on their scripts and do whatever they can to avoid ANY costs on their end. Never again, neither the phone, nor their accessories. This is easily the worst, most illogical support experience I've had in 15 years. My updated recommendation --> AVOID THEM AT ALL COSTS!

PM me if you want a copy of the chat log.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

If you really want to go the distance with the case I listed above... add these two skins to it:

https://dbrand.com/shop/oneplus-7t-skins

Here's selections:

Back - (don't select anything as you're using the case)

Camera - Black Swarm for $1.95

Logo - Orange for $0.95

Shipping will cost more than the skin parts... and although they don't mention it, dbrand will actually send you two of each item. Here's a pic that's close to the final result, note that you're applying the logo sticker to the sandstone case, so it'll look a bit more matte (matches XDA, not by accident):

https://prnt.sc/q5ckgf

Enjoy!