It seems the last thing people want to do is stay with a phone more than 90 days. We’ve hit a cycle where devices get released, only to be shortly followed by something better. You buy one phone, and not long after there’s probably a better, newer device in your pocket. It’s just the way technology works. So it speaks volumes when a particular phone endured a barrage of fancier, more powerful competition. We take a look at the OnePlus One six months later.

You already know that the OnePlus One was TechnoBuffalo’s phone of 2014, and that’s in a market with competition from the Note 4, iPhone 6 Plus, Nexus 6, DROID Turbo, Moto X and many more. But we wanted to more deeply reflect on what our experience has been like all these months later. Oftentimes you have this honeymoon period with a device where things are great and everything works perfectly. But as you use it, issues begin to arise, and suddenly you realize maybe the phone you bought isn’t what you expected.

With the OnePlus One, the experience has held up admirably over the past six months (since our review in July). Since then, the OPO has been improved quite a bit thanks to CyanogenMod tweaks, while the hardware is still as premium as it was on day one. For a device that’s so affordable off-contract, it’s impressive how the design and durability has stood the test of everyday wear and tear. I’m still convinced it’s some of the best hardware we’ve seen in the past five years.

Beyond just pure aesthetics and performance, the OnePlus One’s battery still manages more than a full heavy work day, and the software is more fun to use than ever. I’ve used a lot of Android over the past several months, and I especially like using Lollipop. But CyanogenMod 11s, made especially for the OnePlus One, is still a contender for my favorite mobile OS. If ever there was a phone to introduce yourself to the CyanogenMod world, the OPO is it.

All that said, the OnePlus One still can’t out muscle some of the big boys, particularly the Note 4. For one, the OPO doesn’t have a removable battery, nor does it have expandable storage. And the Note 4’s higher resolution display is much easier on the eyes (not that the One’s screen is bad). However, even though the One doesn’t match the latest superphone spec for spec, it has still held up well over the past six months, and the experience has remained top notch.

Check out the video to hear even more thoughts on the OnePlus One six months later. We absolutely love the device, and still think it deserves consideration among today’s top flagships. It’s not the fastest, but it still sports a beautiful, elegant design, and the software is among the best there is. If only that pesky invite system would go away.