OnePlus 8 launched…and this time flagship specs (and price) are included
Over the years, OnePlus established itself as the brand that got us accustomed to very good specs at more reasonable prices than their direct competitors, until this year that is.
The recent launch of their new phones namely OnePlus 8 and 8 Pro marked a new era for OnePlus. It seems that they wanted to send a message: “we are mature now, our best produce is ripe, we demand to sit with the big boys at the tech table and we want a share of the top tier cake too”.
Yes, because the OnePlus 8 Pro dear readers comes at around a grand, just like the Apples and the Samsungs out there, well, or their basic flagship models at least, while its smaller sibling the OnePlus 8 spares you $200.
In a nutshell, for the Pro you are paying extra for a better camera, slightly bigger battery and display. Oh yeah, the Pro supports wireless charging too, finally in the offing with OnePlus, but let`s delve more.
Both phones` designs are similar, with glass backs, crispy AMOLED slightly curved displays (more bended on the Pro) leaving thin bezels, with 6.8” on the Pro and 6.5” on the other, which makes it less hefty or bulky, more manageable with one hand.
Also, both feature the hole-punch selfie cameras and hold IP68 certification. They also boast high refresh rates at 90Hz for the OP8, while 120Hz for the Pro, but really and truly, over 60Hz is all buttery smooth, if you`re not sensitive as MKBHD (YouTube tech reviewer), or a demanding gamer.
We mentioned that one of the advantages the OP8 Pro has (which you pay extra for) is the wireless charging. Finally, OnePlus decided to include that blessed coil in their phone adapting to present times. There is a catch though, it charges quite slowly on a common QI device, you need to cough up some more bling for their proprietary wireless 30W warp charger, which can boost your OP8 Pro to 50% in 30 minutes, or 100% in 1 hour, not too shabby indeed. One of the fastest wireless chargers out there, also featuring an in-built fan to cool it down during those heavy sessions, which is erm, cool (pun intended).
Let`s talk cameras now, because let`s face it, simply put, they are controlling the phone market (together with refresh rates). More sophisticated cameras, lenses, and even the number of cameras on the phone`s back, are expected as the price tags go up.
The OP8 features a main 48MP, a 12MP ultra-wide and a 2MP macro (but why when you can zoom with better MPs I ask? the mind boggles), while the hole-punch selfie is a 16MP one. No telephoto present here.
While the OP8 Pro features a main 48MP, also a 40MP ultra-wide and an 8MP 3x telephoto. Hole-punch selfie is also a 16MP one, while there`s no macro here.
Camera sets on both phones make decent shots, however if you are after sharper ones, you`re better off with the Pro.
What about sound? I hear you audiophiles asking. Well, both phones feature stereo speaker setups, which are good, maybe missing some oomph in the bass section according to my humble opinion, and various online reviews.
OnePlus phones come with Android 10 out of the box, with proprietary Oxygen OS interface on top. Simply love it, snappy fast and close to stock Android.
In-screen fingerprint scanners are fast on both phones, while they both offer 128GB or 256GB storage options. It goes without saying that both phones are 5G ready.
Batteries are last on my list but definitely not the least in importance, extra juice is always welcome and needed.
The OP8 has a 4,300mah, while the Pro has a slightly bigger one at 4,510mah, but one has to take in consideration that it needs to support a bigger (by 0.3”) display, so things tend to pan out at the end. Both phones support warp charging, with around 40% in 20 minutes or 100% in 1 hour.
Concluding, OnePlus did it again, launching competitive phones with dope designs, copying maybe the hole-punch from Samsung to offer more display without a notch, for better media consumption.
Wireless charging finally launched in the OnePlus realm, and we also got some proper IP68 certification.
As a separate note, rumours go that OnePlus and McLaren aren`t collaborating anymore, with the McLaren logo no more visible on the OnePlus website. So, could be we won`t get a McLaren version down the line? What about OnePlus 8T? Who knows, we will follow those closely.
Finally, wrapping up, these are two fine phones with plenty to offer, however if, like many nowadays, you are after sharper cam shots and/or gaming, the Pro will suit you better, but you need to cough up those extra $200, apart from the wireless charger if you`re interested.
Let me know if you are one of the OnePlus loyals, or if you switched to OP for the first time.
I am regularly tempted, year after year, but with the new pricing now approaching the other big boys in the market, well, my final decision won`t be as easy and straight forward anymore, like it used to be for OnePlus, which remain an exciting innovative player in the tech industry.
