OnePlus 8T vs older OnePlus phones - Should you upgrade - Android

At $749, the OnePlus 8T is another affordable entry in the OnePlus portfolio. Blending bleeding-edge performance, 5G, and a lower price tag than the OnePlus 8 Pro, there’s a lot to like. The phone’s a little more expensive than the company’s original value proposition but is still a steal compared to many of the pricer flagships on the market.

Here’s the OnePlus 8T vs older OnePlus handsets to help you decide if it’s worthwhile upgrading.

Our verdict: OnePlus 8T review

OnePlus 8T vs OnePlus 6 and older

If you’re still rocking an original OnePlus handset, I’m impressed. However, I would also strongly urge you to contemplate an upgrade. Smartphone hardware has moved on plenty in recent years and not just in terms of performance.

See also: OnePlus phones: A history of the company’s entire lineup so far

Customers with an OnePlus 5 or older will benefit from the faster Snapdragon 865 processor, much faster wired charging, an in-display fingerprint scanner, faster 5G data, and a smooth 120Hz refresh rate display. The OnePlus 8T is superior in every category, especially if you own a OnePlus 3 or 3T. The older quad-core processor, slower memory setups, and aging single camera are obsolete by modern standards.

However, OnePlus 5 customers may be able to make it through another year if they want to squeeze a bit more life out of their handset. The phone’s hardware has only really started to show its age this year. However, if you’re after the fastest update path to Android 11, picking up the 8T is definitely the way to go.

OnePlus 8T vs OnePlus 6 and 6T

You might not feel such urgency to upgrade if you’re still running 2018’s OnePlus 6. The phone is only a couple of years old, after all. It’s still a perfectly serviceable smartphone with solid performance and a design that’s aged well. However, even here you should contemplate the 8T for its better cameras, 5G networking, and some newer features, such as the in-display fingerprint reader.

Read more: OnePlus 6/6T redux: Are they still worth it?

The OnePlus 6 is stuck with 20W Dash Charge and a 3,300mAh battery, compared to the 8T’s 65W charging and 4,500mAh cell. Degrading battery life might tip the scales in favor of a new purchase. But only if you can live without a headphone jack.

The OnePlus 6T is a very similar phone to the OnePlus 6, so also sits right on the fence when it comes to whether an upgrade is worthwhile. It’s probably only worth spending money on the 8T if your 6T is starting to feel a little sluggish or the battery is on the way out.

OnePlus 8T vs OnePlus 7 and 7 Pro

OnePlus’ 7 series is far from outdated, so it’s much harder to justify splashing the cash on another phone so soon. You’ll find a similar main camera, plenty of performance, and equivalent storage options to the 8T here. Although the latter comes with Android 11 out of the box.

The OnePlus 8T has a more flexible camera setup than the OnePlus 7, with main, wide, macro, and monochrome lenses, versus the 7’s main and depth sensors. 65W charging is also faster than the 20W and 30W versions on the 7 and 7 Pro. The only truly compelling reason to switch to the OnePlus 8 is if you really want to make use of 5G. Although the current state of 5G deployment probably limits its appeal at this stage.

Long-term review: One year with the OnePlus 7 Pro

That said, the OnePlus 7 Pro actually offers a few features that you won’t find in the OnePlus 8T. Despite the display’s 90Hz refresh rate, it offers a more dense QHD+ resolution that some may prefer. The OnePlus 7 Pro’s camera package also has a telephoto zoom, in addition to a wide-angle lens. So it’s arguably the more practical flexible shooter, without the more gimmicky lenses included on the OnePlus 8T.

While some may be able to convince themselves to switch from the OnePlus 7 to the 8T, the 7 Pro is very hard to justify.

OnePlus 8T vs OnePlus 7T and 7T Pro

With a slightly speedie