Certain OnePlus smartphones are unable to stream HD content from popular on-demand services, including Netflix, Google Play Movies, and Amazon Prime Video.
OnePlus 5 and OnePlus 5T are unable to stream high definition video – despite boasting pixel-packed displays and powerful internals.
The deficiency in both smartphones was first noted in a thread on the OnePlus forums.
At the time of writing, the thread runs for eight pages, with some users vowing to return their new OnePlus phones because of the missing Widevine certification.
One user wrote: “OnePlus makes a huge deal about the large, HD screen so it seems very odd that a primary use would be video consumption so the lack of HD playback on the largest services would be a very odd omission.”
Another added: “Thanks for sharing, I just checked Amazon and where I get a HD symbol on my IOS device in the player I don’t get one when viewing on the 5T.
“I was on the fence whether I can live with a plus size device but now considering I cant use the 2 biggest streaming services in HD and take advantage of the bigger screen when traveling it seems pretty pointless to me.
“I will be retuning my 5T tomorrow, shame.”
According to users, the phones lack support for Widevine Level 1 DRM, which many services require for HD streaming.
OnePlus 5T includes built-in support for Widevine Level 3, which only covers streams in standard edition, forum users have claimed.
That means smartphone owners streaming video from Netflix, Amazon Prime, Google Play Movies or other on-demand services, will not be able to see anything better than SD resolution.
YouTube is not affected by the lack of Widevine L1 Certification and therefore can stream in full 1080p High Definition without any trouble.
OnePlus is purportedly looking to fix this in an upcoming update, The Verge reports.
However, there is no timeframe for when the operating system update will be available to users.
It’s a shame video streaming services are unable to take advantage of the stunning 6.01-inch AMOLED display that dominates the front of the OnePlus 5T, which launched last month.
Express.co.uk was thoroughly impressed with the smartphone during our testing.
The smartphone is one of only a few to receive five-stars in our OnePlus 5T review.
Express.co.uk has contacted OnePlus for comment on this story.