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, but 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 still stand out.
For 2020, OnePlus is bringing two new handsets to the U.S. with the OnePlus 8 and OnePlus 8 Pro. The OnePlus 8 is a pretty minor update to 2019's OnePlus 7T, while 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!
OnePlus goes full flagship
First, check out our reviews
Before you go any further in this guide, we recommend taking a look at our reviews of the OnePlus 8 and 8 Pro.
Starting with the OnePlus 8, this is the baseline phone for OnePlus in the first half of 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, 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 review: More of the same, for $100 more
OnePlus 8 Pro review: No strings attached
As mentioned above, you get two variants of the OnePlus 8 to choose from this year. While OnePlus did launch a OnePlus 7 and OnePlus 7 Pro last year, only the 7 Pro was released in the United States. This time, however, you'll be able to buy both the 8 and 8 Pro.
The phones have a lot in common, such as the processor, RAM, storage, and the general design. If you choose to upgrade to the 8 Pro, you'll get that nicer display, wireless charging, etc.
Also shared between the phones is that they both support 5G connectivity. OnePlus launched a couple of different 5G-specific models in 2019 to go along with its main releases, but this year, 5G is a default feature.
OnePlus 8 Pro vs. OnePlus 8: Which should you buy?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 most notable specs:
For a closer look at all of the parts that go into making the OnePlus 8 and 8 Pro, be sure to check out the complete spec sheet linked below 👇.
OnePlus 8 and 8 Pro specifications: 120Hz AMOLED panel, 30W wireless charging, IP68 water resistanceIt'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 show 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, here are some comparisons to help you out.
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.
We're doing our best to compare the 8 and 8 Pro against as many phones as possible, so keep checking back often as more of those comparisons are added below!
With the OnePlus 7 Pro, OnePlus ushered in fast refresh rates for its displays. The 90Hz AMOLED panel on the 7 Pro was a joy to use, as was the one on the 7T.
The OnePlus 8 also has a 90Hz AMOLED screen, but if you get the OnePlus 8 Pro, you'll be treated to an AMOLED panel with a 120Hz rate. That means even smoother animations, which is something we'll never complain about.
Unlike the Galaxy S20, which limits you to a Full HD resolution when running its display at 120Hz, the OnePlus 8 Pro allows you to retain its full Quad HD resolution whether you have it set to 60Hz or 120Hz. Add all of that together with 240Hz touch sampling, and this is one of the smoothest-feeling phones on the market.
If there's an Achilles heel for OnePlus phones, it's the camera. It's possible to take very good photos with a OnePlus device, but compared to the likes of Google, Apple, and Samsung this year with the S20 series, they always straggle behind in one way or another.
The OnePlus 8 and 8 Pro share the same 48MP primary camera of the 7T and 7 Pro, which is - good. OnePlus continues to use pixel-binning tech for a final result of a 12MP image, but you do have the option of taking legit 48MP shots for increased sharpness/detail. The sensor takes solid pictures, offering accurate colors, good HDR processing, and surprisingly good low-light performance. It should be more than good enough for most folks, but it doesn't get on the same level as a Pixel 4 or iPhone 11 Pro camera.
Both phones also have ultra-wide cameras, though the OnePlus 8's is a 16MP sensor while the 8 Pro gets a much higher 48MP one. Things get more interesting when looking at the third sensor, with the OnePlus 8 Pro having a fairly typical 8MP telephoto camera while the regular OnePlus 8 omits that for a 2MP macro camera.
Being able to get up close and personal with subjects with the macro camera is neat, but we can't help but shake the feeling that having a telephoto sensor like you get on the 8 Pro would be way more useful.
With every OnePlus phone that's been released up until now, one feature that's been sorely missing is support for wireless charging. That changes this year, kind of.
The regular OnePlus still doesn't have any wireless charging of any kind, but on the OnePlus 8 Pro, you get access to 30W wireless charging. Yes, it's just as impressive as it sounds.
With the new system OnePlus is calling "Warp Charge 30 Wireless," you can wirelessly charge the 8 Pro from 0 - 50% in just 30 minutes. You'll need the company's proprietary wireless charger in order to pull off these speeds, but it's very impressive regardless.
Furthermore, if you don't care about those speeds and just want a more convenient way to charge the 8 Pro, it's compatible with any Qi wireless charger you already have.
With gorgeous colorways like Thunder Purple and Lava Red in its repertoire, OnePlus has become known for creating some truly gorgeous smartphone designs.
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.
Which color OnePlus 8 & 8 Pro should you buy?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.
Cases and 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. We're building up lists of the best accessories currently available, and we'll keep adding more below as time goes on.
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 last year.
There's an argument to be made that you're still getting a good deal when the Galaxy S20 Ultra costs at least $1,400, but even so, prices like this for OnePlus devices will take some getting used to.
Sales begin on April 29 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. Verizon will also begin sales on April 29, offering the 12GB RAM/256GB storage model for $33.33/month or $799 outright.
OnePlus goes full flagship
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