OnePlus 8: Everything you need to know

OnePlus 8 Specs, Price: OnePlus has surprised us with the launch of the 8th edition of former flagship killer smartphones amidst pandemic situations around the world. The online event consists of information that already been leaked online several weeks before the initial launch. I do have plenty of information to share on the new edition of OnePlus 8 series.

Now, let us jump straight towards the highlights of the phone and make a final decision on whether it is a suitable device to upgrade or stick to the older generation.

oneplus 8

OnePlus 8 Specifications

Flagship Processor

oneplus 8 processor
OnePlus 8 Processor

Qualcomm introduced Snapdragon 865 chipset, which stands as a flagship processor for 2020 and OnePlus added it to the latest generation. Of course, the 8th edition managed by 12GB of LPDDR5 RAM and up to 256GB (UFS 3.0) storage.

The eye candy technology is Snapdragon X55 modem onboard for 5G connectivity, but I want to point out that it won’t come in handy for most of the consumers. Talking about the future proof device, Snapdragon X55 supports SA and NSA 5G modes.

Note: 5G technology is being advertised around the globe, even though the majority of the countries don’t have the proper infrastructure to build a 5G spectrum. I want to inform the readers to consider other factors of the phone excluding the 5G network.

90Hz AMOLED Display

oneplus 8 display
OnePlus 8 Display

OnePlus 8 brings minor upgrades when compared to the previous predecessor.

The new display name is quite a mouthful name Full-HD+ Fluid AMOLED display offers a 90Hz refresh rate and a 180Hz touch sampling rate. The dual-curved edges display has a punch-hole cutout, where a high-quality 16MP selfie shooter being placed.

OnePlus took the resolution to maximum this time around and brought 1080 x 2400 resolutions with 20:9 aspect ratios. Similar to competitors, they brought HDR 10+ features to the 8th edition, and the brightness peaks 1100 nits. Speaking of the flagship, the OnePlus 8 display is secured by Corning Gorilla Glass 6 protection.

Note: 90Hz Display won’t make any difference in everyday usage, and the majority of the games don’t support the 90Hz refresh rate, and in short, it’s not a big deal for the average consumers.

Triple Cameras

OnePlus 8 Camera
OnePlus 8 Camera

OnePlus brand has always been criticised for not having a flagship camera setup on the phones. The authority has promised to invest heavily in this department in the last segment. The primary shooter packs 48MP (f/1.8) Sony IMX586 sensor with OIS, while 16MP is dedicated to ultra-wide pictures. The brand did add a macro camera, but I wouldn’t comment on it until we have a proper hands-on review on it.

The previous generation shortcomings were audio zoom, 3-HDR video, etc. Now, we have to keep an eye out for the independent macro camera, whether it compensates for the telephoto lens or not. I do ask the readers to wait for our in-depth review or watch a proper hands-on review from well-known YouTube creators.

Battery (No Improvements)

OnePlus 8 Battery
OnePlus 8 Battery

OnePlus 8 bundled with 4300mAh battery backed by 30T fast-charging (Warp Charge) support. Overall, OnePlus did not spend plenty of consideration in the charging department and most probably saving the upgrade for T-edition dropping later down the line.

The Realme X2 Pro supports 50W SuperWarp fast-charging and comes under the lesser budget bracket. Of course, I would point that 30T fast-charging is more than enough, but I would not consider this phone as an upgrade from the previous generation.

Connectivity

Speaking of connectivity, OnePlus is following Apple’s trend of removing 3.5mm headphone jack. You won’t miss out on essential connectivity options such as USB Type-C port (charging), Bluetooth 5.0, Wi-Fi 6th generation (802.11ax), NFC (for payments), GALILEO (location services), dual-band A-GPS and more.

You got Dual Stereo Speakers in OnePlus 8 that might compensate missing 3.5mm headphone jack option.

New OxygenOS Features

oneplus 8 oxygen os
OnePlus 8 Oxygen OS

OxygenOS 10 is based on Android 10 coupled with OnePlus 8 that supports Amazon Alexa, and Google Stadia out-of-the-box. The AOD (Always-on Display) packed with modern features including Live Captions, Dark theme, Dynamic wallpapers, and more. Overall, OxygenOS 10 runs on a modern Android mobile operating system and highly optimised for optimal performance.

OnePlus 8 (Compromise)

IP Rating or IP Certification is an important factor in 2020. Unfortunately, OnePlus did not introduce IP Rating to keep the manufacturing cost lower and reduce the selling price. However, OnePlus 8 Pro launched with IP Certification and is the first phone to have IP certified.

OnePlus 8 Price and Availability

oneplus 8 colour variants
OnePlus 8 Colour Variants

OnePlus 8 is available in 3 colours and two variants:

  • 8GB + 128GB base variant for $699
  • 12GB + 256GB high-end variant for $799

OnePlus 8 Colours:

  • Glacial Green
  • Interstellar Glow
  • Onyx Black

OnePlus authority announced that the phone is available from 14th April 2020 during the launch event, but the pandemic situation resulted in the unforeseen market shift. OnePlus is a Chinese brand and might not able to release the phones and ship them globally until the COVID-19 presence is eliminated.

Bottom Line

The popular Chinese brand is taking a lot of heat from global consumers because the company roots connect to the current pandemic situation. I have also seen tremendous backlash from the consumers for being an overpriced device, and I would love to see how everything will transpire. I would love to know your thoughts on OnePlus 8 features and pricing in the comment section below.

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