Looking back at OnePlus's 2020 flagships.
OnePlus manages to release some of the most exciting and interesting Android phones every year. The concept of getting flagship specs for considerably less money than the competition is what's helped OnePlus stand out from other brands. Still, as prices rise with each new release and that cost gap closes, OnePlus has had to further refine and improve its phones to help them stand out.
For 2020, OnePlus brought two new handsets to the U.S. with the OnePlus 8 and the OnePlus 8 Pro. The OnePlus 8 is a pretty minor update to 2019's OnePlus 7T, while the OnePlus 8 Pro is where the company put all of its marbles to create its most premium smartphone to-date.
Whether you're interested in our review, full device specs, or a closer look at the OnePlus 8/8 Pro's best features, here's everything you need to know!
Done settling
OnePlus 8 Pro
OnePlus goes full flagship
The OnePlus 8 Pro marks a big shift in OnePlus as a company. While every device before this has cut some corner or feature, the 8 Pro does none of that. In addition to the beastly processor and RAM you've come to expect from OnePlus devices, the 8 Pro also delivers a stunning 120Hz AMOLED display, a 4,510 mAh battery, 30W wireless charging, an IP68 dust/water resistance rating, and 5G connectivity. Yes, it's expensive, but it's also one of the most fully-featured flagships on the market.
Jump to:
- Price and availability
- Which should you buy?
- Review
- Specs
- Upgrade
- Comparisons
- Tips & tricks
- Colors
- Accessories
- OnePlus 9
OnePlus 8 and 8 Pro Price and availability
OnePlus phones have long been seen as some of the best values in the Android space, and while the OnePlus 8 and 8 Pro are cheaper than some of their direct competitors, the margin isn't as drastic as it used to be.
The OnePlus 8 starts at $699 for the 8GB RAM/128GB storage configuration, going up to $799 if you want 12GB RAM/256GB of storage. The OnePlus 8 Pro is even more expensive, starting at $899 and going all the way to $999 for the same configurations. That's a lot of money, especially considering that the OnePlus 7 Pro debuted with a $669 price in 2018.
There's an argument to be made that you're still getting a good deal when the Galaxy S21 Ultra costs at least $1,200, but even so, prices like this for OnePlus devices will take some getting used to. Sales are open right now on OnePlus's website, and for the first time ever, Amazon.
While the OnePlus 8 Pro is only being sold as an unlocked device through those channels, the regular OnePlus 8 touts carrier availability through Verizon and T-Mobile. In other words, if you're trying to find out where to buy the OnePlus 8, you have plenty of options.
OnePlus 8 and 8 Pro Which should you buy?
As mentioned above, there are two variants of the OnePlus 8 to choose from. While OnePlus did launch both the OnePlus 7 and OnePlus 7 Pro in 2019, only the 7 Pro was released in the United States. This time, however, you're able to buy both the 8 and 8 Pro.
Taking a look at the OnePlus 8 Pro vs. OnePlus 8, the phones have a lot in common. They have the same processor, RAM, storage, and general design. If you choose to upgrade to the 8 Pro, you'll get that nicer display, wireless charging, and a more capable camera system.
When deciding which of the two phones to buy, those upgrades are what it all really comes down to. The OnePlus 8 Pro steps up from a 90Hz refresh rate to 120Hz, meaning everything on the screen looks faster and smoother than ever before. The more versatile camera system is also a nice upgrade for shutterbugs, and if you're like me, the addition of wireless charging is invaluable.
While all of that stuff is great, there is the matter of price. The regular OnePlus 8 is the best phone to get if you want a flagship-like experience without going broke, but if you do have a few more dollars to spend, it's worth splurging for the 8 Pro.
OnePlus 8 and 8 Pro Reviews
Yes! We've reviewed both phones here on Android Central, and each one has received high praise from our various writers.
Starting with the OnePlus 8 review, this was the baseline phone for OnePlus in 2020. The specs are about as solid as you could ask for, offering a Snapdragon 865 processor, up to 12GB of RAM, a 90Hz AMOLED display, 4,300 mAh battery, and OnePlus's excellent OxygenOS software that's based on Android 10.
It's a reliable all-around phone that just about anyone would be happy with, but the fact of the matter is that it's not much different from the OnePlus 7T. Plus, while the OnePlus 8 starts at $699 and it's pretty common these days to find the OnePlus 7T for $500, the 7T may continue to be the better purchase for folks looking to get the best dollar-for-dollar value.
As for the OnePlus 8 Pro review, this is where OnePlus went all-out. The display is bumped up to a 120Hz refresh rate, more interesting cameras, an even bigger battery, and (finally) wireless charging.
There's no doubt that it's the most technically impressive phone OnePlus has ever created, but with a starting price of $899, it's also the most expensive by a considerable margin.
OnePlus 8 and 8 Pro Specs
Specs have always been the big draw to OnePlus phones, and that's no different for the OnePlus 8 series. You'll find all of the latest and greatest specifications in these two phones, so if that's something you care about, OnePlus once again has you covered.
Here's a quick rundown of the OnePlus 8 and 8 Pro specifications:
| OnePlus 8 | OnePlus 8 Pro | |
|---|---|---|
| Operating system | Android 11 OxygenOS 10 |
Android 11 OxygenOS 10 |
| Display | 6.55-inch 90Hz Fluid AMOLED 2400x1080 (20:9) HDR10+ Gorilla Glass 6 |
6.7-inch 120Hz Fluid AMOLED 3168x1440 (19.8:9) HDR10+ 3D Gorilla Glass |
| Chipset | Snapdragon 865 1 x 2.84GHz A77 3 x 2.42GHz A77 4 x 1.80GHz A55 7nm |
Snapdragon 865 1 x 2.84GHz A77 3 x 2.42GHz A77 4 x 1.80GHz A55 7nm |
| RAM | 8GB/12GB LPDDR4X | 8GB/12GB LPDDR5 |
| Storage | 128GB/256GB UFS3.0 | 128GB/256GB UFS3.0 |
| MicroSD slot | No | No |
| Rear camera 1 | 48MP, 0.8um f/1.75, OIS 4K at 60fps |
48MP, 1.12um f/1.78, OIS 4K at 60fps |
| Rear camera 2 | 2MP, 1.75um f/2.4, macro lens |
8MP, 1.0um f/2.4, OIS, telephoto 3x hybrid zoom |
| Rear camera 3 | 16MP, 1.0um f/2.2, ultra-wide lens 116° FoV |
48MP f/2.2, wide-angle, 119° FoV |
| Rear camera 4 | No | 5MP Color Filter |
| Battery | 4300mAh Non-removable |
4510mAh Non-removable |
| Charging | USB-C 3.1 Warp Charge 30T (5V/6A) |
USB-C 3.1 Warp Charge 30T (5V/6A) Warp Charge 30 Wireless (20V/1.5A) |
| Water resistance | IP68 (some models) | IP68 |
| Security | In-display fingerprint (optical) | In-display fingerprint (optical) |
OnePlus 8 and 8 Pro Upgrade
It's no secret that OnePlus crafted a duo of excellent Android phones with the OnePlus 8 and 8 Pro, but as you probably know, OnePlus creating solid products is nothing new.
Year after year OnePlus has shown us that it's one of the better Android manufacturers in the business. And, because of that, its previous devices leading up to the OnePlus 8 series are still really darn good. If you have an older OnePlus phone and aren't sure if it's worth upgrading, we've made a couple of comparisons to help you out.
In the case of OnePlus 8 Pro vs. OnePlus 7 Pro, you're probably fine to keep on using it for another year or two. While the OnePlus 8 Pro does give you that 120Hz display, wireless charging, better cameras, and 5G, not everyone needs those things. If you're still perfectly happy with your 7 Pro, throwing down a minimum of $900 for the 8 Pro isn't necessary.
The conversation shifts a bit when debating the OnePlus 8 Pro vs. OnePlus 6T. A lot about the 6T still holds up surprisingly well here in 2021, but given that the phone is running an aging processor, only has a 60Hz display, and has considerably worse cameras, stepping up to a OnePlus 8 or 8 Pro isn't a bad idea.
OnePlus 8 and 8 Pro Comparisons
On their own, there's no doubt that the OnePlus 8 and 8 Pro bring a lot to the table. However, as you all know, that's not the world we live in. The Android space is filled with tons of different handsets, meaning the OnePlus 8 series is met with a great deal of competition.
One of the hottest Android phones of 2020 was the Galaxy S20, and as you might expect, the fight between OnePlus 8 vs. Galaxy S20 is a fierce one. The S20 has a 120Hz AMOLED display, Qualcomm's Snapdragon 865 processor, amazing cameras, and an official IP68 water/dust resistance rating. You get all of that in a genuinely compact form factor, making it one of the few flagship Android phones you can use with one hand. Almost everything about the S20 is great, but it also costs a lot more than the OnePlus 8 with a price of $1000.
Speaking of Samsung, there's also the behemoth battle that is the Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra vs. OnePlus 8 Pro. The Note 20 Ultra is one of the largest and most expensive smartphones around, but it also gives you one of the most premium Android experiences around. The Note 20 Ultra touts a gorgeous 120Hz AMOLED screen, Samsung's ultra-powerful One UI software, great cameras, and — of course — has the iconic S Pen. There's no doubt that the Note 20 Ultra is a fantastic device, but it's pretty impressive just how well the OnePlus 8 Pro is able to keep up with it despite that $400 price difference between them.
The Motorola Edge+ is an interesting alternative to the OnePlus 8 Pro, with its highlight feature being its waterfall display that flows over its frame. It's a truly remarkable design, and when you factor in things like a 3.5mm headphone jack and a 5,000 mAh battery, it becomes pretty interesting. Unfortunately for Motorola, the Edge+'s 90Hz display and lack of an IP rating actually make it worse than the OnePlus 8 Pro in a few regards — despite having a higher starting price. Even with that said, digging into the meat of OnePlus 8 Pro vs. Motorola Edge+ is still worth doing.
OnePlus 8 and 8 Pro Tips & tricks
There's a lot going on with the OnePlus 8 and 8 Pro, so we don't blame you if you buy either phone and feel a little intimidated by it. You have a lot to unpack if you want to get the most out of these devices, and rather than leaving you blind to find everything on your own, we're compiling a few how-to guides to ensure you can use your new OnePlus handset to its fullest potential.
For starters, do you know how to enable and use the screen recorder on the OnePlus 8? This is something Google just got around to adding to Android with the Android 11 update, but it's been available for a while thanks to OnePlus's OxygenOS software. You'll also want to know how to use Reading Mode on the OnePlus 8, which is a neat feature that effectively turns the phone into a makeshift e-reader.
Battery life and performance should be absolutely killer on your OnePlus 8, but as you use it for weeks and months at a time, it's possible things may start to degrade a little bit. This is natural for any Android phone to some degree, but if things are getting especially wonky, there are a few things you can do yourself to address the issues.
If you find that your battery is draining faster than it should, there are a few things you should know about how to maximize battery life on the OnePlus 8. Check for any misbehaving apps that are using more of your phone's battery than they should, and if that doesn't work, it's also worth using Battery Saver and the dark mode (both of which can help squeeze out a bit more use time per charge). If you aren't focused on just battery life and are looking for how to fix OnePlus 8 problems — whether it has to do with the performance or display — we have you covered there, too.
OnePlus 8 and 8 Pro Colors
With gorgeous colorways like Thunder Purple and Lava Red in its repertoire, OnePlus has become known for creating some truly gorgeous smartphone designs. If you're shopping for a OnePlus 8, you might find yourself asking which color OnePlus 8 & 8 Pro shold you buy. Here's our hot take.
That same attention-to-detail prevails with the OnePlus 8 series, with OnePlus offering Interstellar Glow, Glacial Green, Ultramarine Blue, and Onyx Black this time around.
Interstellar Glow is extremely reflective and showcases shades of blue, pink, and gold depending on how the light hits it. In exchange for the shimmering design, you'll have to put up with a heap of fingerprints.
Glacial Green and Ultramarine Blue, on the other hand, favor a matte finish that's less susceptible to fingerprints while being more slippery. At the end of the day, however, all you need to know is that you can't go wrong with any of these colors.
OnePlus 8 and 8 Pro Accessories
OnePlus did an excellent job designing the 8 and 8 Pro to look and feel great, but as with any smartphone, using it naked isn't always a good idea. Unless you want to end up with a shattered and broken mess after just one drop, we highly recommend picking up some accessories to go along with your new phone.
The best OnePlus 8 cases and best OnePlus 8 screen protectors are the most essential things you can buy, giving you an affordable way to safeguard your device from daily use and unwanted tumbles. Both are cheap purchases, and you'll be happy you picked them up in the event you drop your OnePlus 8.
One of the best things about owning a OnePlus phone is the large collection of first-party cases OnePlus offers for its phones, and that's no different with the OnePlus 8 series.
The OnePlus 9 is coming soon
As much as we love the OnePlus 8, we'd be remiss if we didn't remind you that the rumors for the OnePlus 9 are kicking into full gear.
OnePlus is expected to release three variants of the OnePlus 9, including the regular model, a OnePlus 9 Pro (shown in the render above), and a OnePlus 9 Lite. For the 9 Pro, the latest rumors hint at things like upgraded cameras, Warp Charge 65, and the latest Qualcomm Snapdragon processor.
We're expecting the OnePlus 9 series to launch as early as this March, which would be the earliest we've seen a new OnePlus phone in a long time.
Done settling
OnePlus 8 Pro
OnePlus goes full flagship
The OnePlus 8 Pro marks a big shift in OnePlus as a company. While every device before this has cut some corner or feature, the 8 Pro does none of that. In addition to the beastly processor and RAM you've come to expect from OnePlus devices, the 8 Pro also delivers a stunning 120Hz AMOLED display, a 4,510 mAh battery, 30W wireless charging, an IP68 dust/water resistance rating, and 5G connectivity. Yes, it's expensive, but it's also one of the most fully-featured flagships on the market.
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