UPDATED 01:38 EST / DECEMBER 04 2015

NEWS

OnePlus 2 goes invite-free forever, joined by OnePlus X for limited time

OnePlus, the Chinese startup behind last year’s OnePlus One Android-based smartphone, bucked tradition by adopting an invite-only system to sell its first product. When the company introduced its latest smartphones, the flagship OnePlus 2 and lower-end OnePlus X, it stuck to the invite-only sales model.

Now, in an effort “to enhance the OnePlus experience”, the company has announced that, starting December 5th, the OnePlus 2 will be available invite-free forever (via The Verge). Those wanting to get their hands on a OnePlus 2 will be able to order one via the company’s website and OnePlus guarantees that all OnePlus devices ordered before December 7th will arrive in time for Christmas.

In addition to dropping the invite-only approach for the OnePlus 2, the company is also waiving the invite requirement for its lower-end OnePlus X from December 5th-7th. Unlike the OnePlus 2, the OnePlus X will go back to the invite-only system on December 8th.

Along with making their devices more accessible, OnePlus is offering a number of holiday discounts during the same three-day period: OnePlus 2 StyleSwap covers are 50 percent off; select OnePlus One accessories are 90 percent off; all other accessories are 10 percent off; and a limited number of initial orders will get a ‘Never Settle’ mousepad.

For those in need of a refresher or those entirely unfamiliar with the OnePlus range, the devices run on OnePlus’ own OxygenOS based on Android 5.1.1 touted to deliver a “pure Android experience with powerful enhancements” such as off-screen gestures, customizable buttons and new Camera and Audio Tuner apps.

The 5.5-inch OnePlus 2 has an aluminum-magnesium alloy frame and comes standard with a soft Sandstone Black rear cover. A selection of swappable rear covers is available, including Kevlar, Black Apricot, Rosewood, and Bamboo.

Under the hood, the OnePlus 2 has a 64-bit 1.8GHz Octa-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 810 processor with up to 4GB of RAM and up to 64GB of onboard storage.

While offering slightly lower specs than the OnePlus 2, the 5-inch OnePlus X has a high-end look and feel to it thanks to the use of Ceramic crafted from zirconia or dark glass Onyx.

The OnePlus 2 starts at $329 and the OnePlus X retails for $249.

Image via OnePlus

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