OnePlus 8T buyer’s guide - Everything you need to know (Update - On sale!) - Android

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OnePlus 8T buyer’s guide - Everything you need to know (Update - On sale!) - Android

Update: You can now buy the OnePlus 8T outright without needing to pre-order it first.

OnePlus 8T rear quad camera bump

Credit: Ryan-Thomas Shaw / Android Authority


OnePlus took the wraps off its latest flagship smartphone, the OnePlus 8T. The latest T-series device is a subtle upgrade over the OnePlus 8 that launched earlier this year. Below, you’ll find everything you’ll ever want to know about the smartphone!

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

OnePlus 8T at a glance

OnePlus 8T Better than the OnePlus 8, but still not as good as the OnePlus 8 Pro
The latest flagship from OnePlus features some relatively subtle upgrades over the OnePlus 8. However, it does feature a huge new feature: Warp Charge 65, which will allow the 8T to charge faster than any other OnePlus phone.
  • $749.00 at OnePlus
  • £549.00 at OnePlus
  • ₹42999 at OnePlus

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 version this year.

Related: OnePlus 8T review: Flying too close to the Nord

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.

Related: OnePlus 8 buyer’s guide: Everything you need to know

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 this year

Is the OnePlus 8T worth buying?

OnePlus fans who already shelled out this year 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 11 based on Android 11, so that is no reason to upgrade either.

Related: OnePlus 8 Pro review: What the 7T Pro should have been

Buyers who haven’t yet purchased a phone this year, 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 865 Plus), 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 camera system doesn’t make us confident that that will change. Additionally, the recently launched 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 AA readers think of the OnePlus 8T

Prior to the launch of the OnePlus 8T, we ran two different polls for the phone. The first we’ve got is a simple choice: do our readers want the 8T or would they rather go with the OnePlus 8 Pro? Obviously, choosing the former will save you some cash while you lose out on some features, while the latter will do the opposite.

The results of that poll are in the chart below. Keep in mind, however, that this poll ran well before OnePlus officially announced the 8T, so these answers are based on pre-launch rumors:

OnePlus 8T or OnePlus 8 Pro Poll Results



The poll suggests that the majority of Android Authority readers would like the cheaper OnePlus 8T over the OnePlus 8 Pro. However, you can’t ignore how close the results are.

In another poll, we asked whether readers were interested in the 8T or the recently released Google Pixel 5. The latter phone has a much weaker spec sheet when compared to the 8T while still carrying a similar price tag. However, the Pixel 5 will get faster software updates and likely have a better camera when compared to the 8T.

Here’s how Android Authority readers answered that poll:

OnePlus 8T or Google Pixel 5 Poll Results

Credit: C. Scott Brown / Android Authority


As you can see, this poll was split right down the middle. Although the OnePlus 8T edged out for the lead, it shows that a terrific camera system and fast software updates are two very important features for our readers.

OnePlus 8T specs

Even though the OnePlus 8T is a powerful phone, it’s certainly not the most powerful handset of the year. Below, you’ll find the official specs of the 8T as compared to the OnePlus 8.

 OnePlus 8TOnePlus 8
Display6.55-inch AMOLED
2,400 x 1,080 resolution
20:9 aspect ratio
120Hz refresh rate
In-display fingerprint sensor
6.55-inch AMOLED
2,400 x 1,080 resolution
20:9 aspect ratio
90Hz refresh rate
In-display fingerprint sensor
ProcessorQualcomm Snapdragon 865Qualcomm Snapdragon 865
RAM8GB / 12GB LPDDR4X8GB / 12GB LPDDR4X
Storage128GB / 256GB UFS 3.1128GB / 256GB UFS 3.0
CamerasRear:
48MP, ƒ/1.7, 0.8µm, OIS, EIS
5MP macro, 3cm focal length
16MP ultra-wide, ƒ/2.2, 123° FOV
2MP monochrome

Front:
16MP, ƒ/2.4, 1.0µm, EIS, fixed focus
Rear:
48MP, ƒ/1.78, 0.8µm, OIS, EIS
2MP macro, ƒ/2.4, 1.75µm
16MP ultra-wide, ƒ/2.2, 116° FOV

Front:
16MP, ƒ/2.0, 1.0µm, EIS, fixed focus
Battery4,500mAh
Warp Charge 65 (10V/6.5A)
No wireless charging
4,300mAh
Warp Charge 30T (5V/6A)
No wireless charging
IP RatingNone for unlocked model
IP68 rating for T-Mobile version
None for unlocked model
IP68 rating for Verizon version
SoftwareOxygen OS 11
Android 11
Oxygen OS 11
Android 11
Dimensions and weight160.7 x 74.1 x 8.4mm
188g
160.2 x 72.9 x 8.0mm
180g
ColorsLunar Silver, Aquamarine GreenInterstellar Glow, Glacial Green

What’s up with these 65W charging speeds?

OnePlus 8T charger and cable

Credit: Ryan-Thomas Shaw / Android Authority


There are several differences between the OnePlus 8T and other OnePlus phones, but the brand new star feature is the 65W wired charging speed. OnePlus brands it as Warp Charge 65.

OnePlus says this allows you to charge from empty to full in 39 minutes, which our testing backs up. It’s using the slogan “A day’s power in a quarter-hour” because you can get from empty to 58% capacity in just 15 minutes. While that’s incredibly fast, we’ve seen slightly faster times with other 65W charging systems we’ve seen on phones.

The OnePlus 8T should charge faster than any other smartphone the company's yet launched.

Technically-minded folks might be concerned about how those speeds will affect the longevity of the internal battery. To be clear, ultra-fast charging speeds like this degrade battery longevity quicker than slower charging speeds. To compensate for this, the included 65W charger (when used with the included USB-C-to-USB-C cable) uses 12 different thermal monitors to slow battery degradation. What isn’t clear, though, is how effective this is. We will need to test this out ourselves.

Related: How fast charging really works

Additionally, there are two batteries in the OnePlus 8T. Combined, they pack the equivalent of a 4,500mAh cell. However, the two separate cells should, in theory, help prevent degradation of overall battery life.

Finally, the included 65W charger is also capable of charging other devices at high speeds. If you have a laptop that charges via a USB-C port, it is likely you’ll be able to use it with this charger, for example. For this to work, however, you’ll need to use the charger in tandem with the in-box cable.

How is the OnePlus 8T battery life?

23/10/2020 04:03 PM