Product Reviews

OnePlus 8T buyer’s guide: 

            Everything you need to know

The OnePlus 8T is the company’s latest high-end smartphone. The device is a subtle upgrade over the one plus 8 that launched earlier this year. Below, you’ll find everything you’ll ever want to know about the handset!

Editor’s note: We’ll regularly update this OnePlus 8T guide with more tips, resources, and details. Stay tuned!

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OnePlus 8T at a glance

OnePlus launched the 8T at its fall hardware event on October 14, 2020. Historically, OnePlus issues a T-series upgrade to its earlier flagships in the second half of the year, so this launch wasn’t too surprising. What was surprising, though, is that the company didn’t also launch a OnePlus 8T Pro. OnePlus decided to skip that model this year.

Here are the most notable upgrades of the 8T over the OnePlus 8:

• ::A 120Hz display refresh rate instead of        90Hz
• ::65W wired charging instead of 30W
• ::A quad-camera system instead of triple-    cam
• ::Android 11 skinned with Oxygen OS 11        out-of-the-box
• ::Two new colorways
• 
  

Other than the changes above, the OnePlus 8T is very similar to the OnePlus 8. It has the same processor (Snapdragon 865), the same RAM/storage configuration options, and a very similar overall design. Because of the upgrades, however, the 8T now is an “inbetweener” for the series, sitting above the OnePlus 8 but still below the OnePlus 8 Pro.

The OnePlus 8T costs $749 in the US for the Lunar Silver or Aquamarine Green colorways. Either color comes with 12GB of RAM and 256GB of storage. Scroll down further in this article for pricing and availability options throughout the rest of the world.

In the US, the phone now directly competes with the OnePlus 8 and the Samsung Galaxy S20 FE. Outside the US, it’s in direct competition not only with those two but also with the Poco F2 Pro and the Xiaomi Mi 10T.

You should avoid the OnePlus 8T if you want:

• :: Wireless charging
• :: An IP rating against water and dust
• :: The fastest processor available
• :: Tons of internal storage and the ability to expand it
• :: The best camera you can get in 2020

Is the OnePlus 8T worth buying?

OnePlus fans who already shelled out for a OnePlus 8 or 8 Pro probably don’t need to upgrade to the OnePlus 8T. OnePlus 8 owners would be gaining a slightly better camera, faster charging, and a higher display refresh rate, but most other aspects would remain the same. Meanwhile, OnePlus 8 Pro owners would lose out on wireless charging, an IP rating, and getting a weaker camera. They will only really gain faster wired charging speeds.

Additionally, both the OnePlus 8 and OnePlus 8 Pro have already received Oxygen OS 11based on Android 11, so that is no reason to upgrade either.

Buyers who haven’t yet purchased a phone, though, might find some good things about the OnePlus 8T. Its incredibly fast charging speed (the fastest in the US at the moment) sets the phone apart from the competition. While it doesn’t have the latest-and-greatest processor (the Snapdragon 888), it will still be capable of doing pretty much anything you need a smartphone to do, including high-performance gaming. It also will be relatively “future-proof” since it supports 5G connections.

However, do keep in mind that OnePlus traditionally has trouble delivering high-quality photography results with its phones. This trend continues with the OnePlus 8T — more in the camera section below. Additionally, the Samsung Galaxy S20 FE will offer most of the same specs as the OnePlus 8T at a lower price, with wireless charging, an IP rating, and more on-board.

What the experts are saying about the OnePlus 8T

Android Authority’s own Ryan Thomas-Shaw reviewed the OnePlus 8T and was left with mixed feelings. There’s a lot to like about OnePlus’ latest flagship, such as the fantastic display, the incredibly fast charging, and the excellent software package. The phone’s performance is smooth and the battery life is solid. Every OnePlus flagship is known for these features, and the 8T is no different.

Unfortunately, he also finds the OnePlus 8T doesn’t do enough to stand out. Ryan says the design is uninspired, and the average camera performance is out of place for a 2020 flagship. It feels like an iterative update over the OnePlus 8 series, and the OnePlus Nordoffers more value for money.

Our own C. Scott Brown largely agrees with Ryan as well. He says that the OnePlus 8T isn’t a bad phone by any stretch of the imagination, and the 120Hz display and the 65W fast-charging are really impressive. Unfortunately, OnePlus’ previous releases offer far more, either in terms of features or value for money. He concludes by saying that when considering the competition, a “good enough” phone for $750 won’t cut it anymore.