OnePlus 8 5G In-Depth Review
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OnePlus 8 5G In-Depth Review Image Gallery
May 6, 2020
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What We Love About OnePlus 8 5G
- Affordable 5G smartphone
- Impressive design
- 90hz refresh rate display
- HDR10+ support
- Powerful performance
- Excellent main camera
- Ultra-fast charging
- In-display fingerprint scanner
- Smooth interface
OnePlus 8 5G Overview
In April 2020, OnePlus released the OnePlus 8 and OnePlus 8 Pro smartphones. As a flagship, the OnePlus 8 Pro is a top-of-the-line device with the best specifications, while the OnePlus 8 is an affordable 5G smartphone offering powerful performance at a much lower cost. For years, the OnePlus flagship line has been a favorite among Android users. The OnePlus 8 series builds on this success by delivering premium specs and features into a sleek and durable design.
Both the devices have improved significantly over their predecessors with better performance and a longer battery life. While the OnePlus 8 phone shares the same Qualcomm Snapdragon 865 processor as the 8 Pro, it differs in terms of camera, display, and battery life. With the OnePlus 8, the brand wants to appeal to consumers who want flagship-level performance and 5G connectivity but don’t want to blow their budget. A few key features of this product make it a significant competitor in the market today. Let’s jump into our comprehensive OnePlus 8 5G review.
OnePlus 8 5G Unboxing
The OnePlus 8 comes in a lovely red colored packaging with an ‘8’ printed on the top right side and the OnePlus 8 branding on the edge. The packaging is similar to its siblings, the OnePlus 8 Pro and 8T. Opening the package reveals a red envelope containing a welcome letter, SIM ejection tool, OnePlus stickers, safety information, and quick start guides. Underneath this envelope is the OnePlus 8 covered by a protective film. The Warp Charge power adapter is available down to the side, and the Warp Type-C cable lies underneath the smartphone.
What’s in the box:
- OnePlus 8 smartphone
- Warp Charge 30 power adapter
- Warp Type-C cable
- Quick start guide
- Welcome letter
- Safety information and warranty card
- OnePlus stickers
- SIM ejection tool
OnePlus 8 5G Related Videos
OnePlus 8 5G Playlist
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OnePlus 8 5G Design
Built to look sleek and aesthetically pleasing in the hand, the OnePlus 8 has a contoured design for better gripping, making it easy to use. It comes in three elegant variants, including classy Onyx Black, Glacial Green with a matte finish, and Interstellar Glow with a glossy reflective back. We received the Glacial Green version. The smooth matte surface of Glacial Green minimizes fingerprints and reduces glare, so it looks as good as it feels.
On the front is a beautiful screen with truly smooth curves that flow onto the edges. There are thin bezels on the top and bottom of the phone. Unlike the OnePlus 7 Pro, the OnePlus 8 features a punch-hole selfie camera instead of a pop-up camera. The back hosts a vertical camera panel with LED flash just beneath it. There’s a minimal camera bump on the back that a phone cover can protect against. The OnePlus logo is centered on the back with ONEPLUS branding at the bottom.
OnePlus exclusive mute slider is on the right edge just above the power button. The volume rocker is on the left edge, and the microphone is on the top. The SIM card tray, USB Type-C port, and the primary stereo speaker are arranged left to right on the bottom edge. The device does not feature a headphone jack or a microSD card slot.
OnePlus 8 5G Camera
Whether you’re on a vacation or just hanging out with friends, this phone helps you capture every special moment in high-resolution clarity. The OnePlus 8 boasts an advanced 48 MP camera system that will keep you captivated with its professional-level photography capabilities and super stabilized videos. This device features the following cameras:
- 48MP main camera
- 16MP ultra wide camera
- 2MP macro camera
- 16MP selfie camera
The 48MP rear camera comes with Optical Image Stabilization, which enables it to capture great photos in any lighting condition. Photos taken with this camera are highly detailed, with accurate colors and a good dynamic range. The device automatically detects when your pet is in the frame and adjusts settings accordingly for improved results. Although there is no telephoto camera in this device, it has an in-sensor 2X zoom, which allows you to zoom up to 2x closer to your subject without losing clarity.
Using an ultra-wide-angle lens with approximately 116° field of view, this OnePlus phone lets you capture more detail in a single shot. This camera is perfect for landscapes, group photos, and getting those “Wow” shots that wouldn’t be possible otherwise. The OnePlus 8 Pro also features a telephoto lens, whereas the OnePlus 8 comes with a macro lens. The 2MP macro camera is built for close-ups and lets you focus as close as 4cm, losing no image quality.
A 16MP front camera with portrait mode clicks stunning selfies, perfect for sharing on social media. The device can record 4K videos at 60 fps with the rear camera, while the front-facing camera records 1080p videos at 30 fps. Under low light conditions, switching to Nightscape mode in the camera app adds brightness, clarity, and more detail to your images. The Super Stable feature ensures videos are much more smooth with low blur. Overall, the OnePlus 8’s camera system performs well and produces good results under good lighting conditions.
OnePlus 8 5G Display
Experience a more natural, smooth, and realistic viewing experience with high definition and vibrant details on the 6.55-inch display with Full HD+ resolution. Its 20:9 aspect ratio facilitates one-hand use and better grip. Featuring a 90 Hz refresh rate, it responds much faster than traditional 60 Hz smartphone displays.
Scrolling, swiping, and playing games feel super fluid and smooth on the OnePlus 8 screen. When upgrading from a 60 Hz refresh rate smartphone, you’ll notice the difference immediately. Gamers who don’t like compromises will love the competitive advantage from the faster display. HDR10+ support further brings out colors and details that were never visible before. The in-display fingerprint sensor works well and unlocks the phone in a flash.
The display also works well under direct sunlight with sufficient brightness. We didn’t face any issues as the content on the screen was crisp and readable. This device also features a reading mode to make reading more enjoyable by using a simplistic monochrome interface and altering the contrast to reduce eye fatigue.
OnePlus 8 5G Battery
With the OnePlus 8, you don’t have to worry about draining your phone during your busy schedule. A high capacity 4300mAh battery powers this OnePlus smartphone, ensuring you get through a full day on a single charge. When you’re low on battery, the Warp Charge 30T gets you a 50% charge in just 22 minutes, so you can be back in action in no time.
OnePlus 8 5G Storage
This OnePlus device is available in two storage options; 128GB or 256GB with UFS 3.0 support. It allows high-speed reading and writing speeds for apps, games, photos, videos, and more. According to OnePlus, the improved file system delivers 125% faster write speeds than previous generations.
We believe 128GB of internal storage is sufficient for most users. However, a 256GB option is also available for power users who like to store extensive files, shoot many videos, and play heavy games.
OnePlus 8 5G Performance
Featuring the same processor as its expensive sibling, the OnePlus 8 Pro, and the Samsung Galaxy S20 Plus, this Android phone is a beast in terms of performance. The Qualcomm Snapdragon 865 processor can achieve up to 25% faster performance than previous generations. This processor also includes Qualcomm’s 5th generation AI Engine, designed for premium experiences.
You can choose between 8GB RAM or 12GB RAM, depending on your usage, and both options will allow you to multitask seamlessly with no stalls or lag time. Playing graphic intensive games like Fortnite, PUBG Mobile, or Call of Duty is a breeze on this phone. 5G is a game-changer and dramatically improves network coverage, ensuring high-speed downloads. The x55 dual-mode 5G feature allows connections to multiple networks for broader coverage, further increasing download speeds.
Like other OnePlus devices, this smartphone runs on OxygenOS, which is one of the best Android based operating systems. It builds upon a simpler, cleaner Android system with intuitive features at the heart of the user experience. The UI is straightforward and clean, providing only necessary Android apps with minimal bloatware. OxygenOS provides tons of customizable features for a more personalized experience on this device. The stereo speakers on this phone deliver high-quality sound with Dolby Atmos. Overall, we were impressed with the performance of the OnePlus 8.
Where to Buy
Final Words About OnePlus 8 5G
OnePlus has always been a popular brand for flagship smartphones, and the OnePlus 8 continues the legacy. It takes everything you love about the OnePlus lineup and makes it even better, with upgraded internal components, 5G connectivity, a rear triple camera setup, and an overall design that looks great no matter how you choose to hold it.
The OnePlus 8 delivers a powerful experience that challenges flagship phones without charging a flagship price. So if you’re looking for a device that looks great, is loaded with high-end specs, and offers great battery life at a reasonable price, the OnePlus 8 is for you.
OnePlus 8 5G Specifications
- Android 10
- 6.55 inch FHD+ AMOLED display
- Pixel density: 402 PPI
- Qualcomm Snapdragon 865 processor
- Adreno 650 GPU
- 8GB/12GB LPDDR4X RAM
- 128GB/256GB internal storage
- Rear cameras: 48 MP + 2 MP + 16 MP
- Front camera: 16 MP
- 4300 mAh battery
- Dimensions: 160.2 x 72.9 x 8 mm (6.31 x 2.87 x 0.31 in)
Frequently Asked Questions About OnePlus 8 5G
No, the cheaper OnePlus 8 does not, but the more expensive OnePlus 8 Pro supports wireless charging.
The OnePlus 8 has a triple camera setup, including a macro camera. In contrast, OnePlus 8 Pro features four cameras, including a telephoto lens and a color filter camera instead of a macro lens.
The carrier version of the OnePlus 8 is rated IP68 dust/water-resistant, but the unlocked OnePlus 8 isn’t.
The OnePlus 8 is available unlocked on the OnePlus website or through carrier partners like T-Mobile and Verizon.
The OnePlus 8 5G was released on April 29, 2020.
| Carrier | Verizon Prepaid Phones, Verizon Smartphones |
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