OnePlus 8T
Verdict
Key specs
Critic consensus
“If you are looking for the best smartphone camera around, the OnePlus 8T might not be the right choice for you. While it does produce decent top-range images, others do an even better job. If, on the other hand, you want the best performance and great connectivity for the least amount of money, you're in the right place.”
“The OnePlus 8T is one of these offers we usually call a smart choice. It is a premium mid-ranger at an attractive price that offers a superb pick of flagship features - the screen, the SoC, the charging. The camera may not seem like a winner - it is not disappointing, but it's not ideal either.”
“We only reserve our recommendation of the OnePlus 8T to those for whom the camera isn't a priority. It has plenty of qualities that still make it a good smartphone. However, it's not the most well-rounded phone in its price range, and as weird as it feels to say this, the OnePlus 8T is outclassed in value by the Samsung Galaxy S20 FE.”
“Although the new adjusted price of the OnePlus 8T makes the phone a better value proposition for the money, it still can’t keep up with similarly priced phones. Furthermore, the cameras have not improved enough through updates over time. The software experience and display are both great, but they don’t make up for the more considerable downsides. Six months later, the OnePlus 8T sits at an awkward price point, offering a great user experience at the sacrifice of good camera performance and a few key essentials for any modern, value-centric flagship.”
Watch before you decide
In Depth
There are so many similarities between the OnePlus 8T and its predecessor that it’s a little hard to tell them apart. Given they both came out in the same year, are the updates worth the incremental upgrades if you’ve already bought the OnePlus 8? How does the phone stack up to the best mid-tier releases of 2020?
Design
The OnePlus 8T comes in two colors: Aquamarine Green and Lunar Silver. Its body is about the same as its cousins in terms of design. The most obvious difference in the phone is the altered camera bezel. Unfortunately, reviewers don’t like it very much.
The bezel is a rectangular protrusion in the upper left — very similar to most smartphones these days. But therein lies the problem. Reviewers said that the way OnePlus arranged the cameras on previous models — a vertical bump in the middle of the phone’s rear shell — gave the phone a unique appearance in a market of similar designs.
Display
The OnePlus 8T has a beautifully crisp, 6.55-inch, Fluid AMOLED display. Reviewers found nothing to complain about regarding the viewing experience. It has double the brightness of the previous OnePlus 8, allowing easier outdoor use. It also has a 120Hz refresh rate, making everything from menu swipes to the latest games feel super smooth and fast.
Performance
The OnePlus 8T does not have the newest chipset on the market. However, that doesn’t seem to hold it back in any way. Reviewers were more than happy with the speed with which apps opened and the phone bounced between tasks. Many reviews credit the 120Hz refresh rate and OxygenOS skin for keeping things looking silky smooth.
Software & Storage
The phone ships with Android 10. However, reviewers found the new OxygenOS 11 made great adjustments to the experience, both making the phone easier to use and keeping things running smoother. With 256GB of onboard storage, there’s plenty of space at hand as well.
Cameras
With each new phone comes an even bigger list of expectations for mobile photography. While reviewers considered the OnePlus 8T’s camera okay, none felt it was great. Reviewers owe that to the lack of a telephoto lens. Without it, that makes the existence of the macro lens somewhat superfluous. The wide-angle lens captured a wider viewer, but the detail suffered. Blotches and blurs appeared throughout images once reviewers zoomed in to inspect them.
Battery Life
The OnePlus 8T has a solid battery. Most reviewers easily made it through an entire day’s worth of work without worrying about their charge. But if you’re an avid gamer, you might need to top off at some point during your day.
Audio
Dolby Atmos stereo speakers make for compelling sound in the OnePlus 8T — a claim that isn’t common among smartphones on the market right now. You’ll still want headphones for the best experience, but reviewers found the built-in speakers very nice.
Specs at a Glance
- Aluminum chassis
- 6.55-inch AMOLED display
- Qualcomm SM8250 Snapdragon 865 Processor
- 8/12GB of RAM
- Android 11
- 128/256GB of storage
- 48MP rear-facing, 16MP selfie, ultra-wide lens, monochrome lens camera
- 4500mAh battery
Bottom Line
The OnePlus 8T doesn’t exactly stand out from other OnePlus phones, but there are some improvements that would be useful to avid tech fans. While some upgrades may seem minimal at best, those upgrades could be major if you’re coming from another phone — especially if you’re looking to upgrade from a model released two or three years ago.
The monochrome lens for instance is not a common occurrence in phones for those looking for interesting photography features. The fluidity of a 120hz display and stereo speakers that actually work well enough not to need headphones also make it a great choice for anyone who likes to dive into games or streaming media on their phone as well.
Tom’s Guide says, “The OnePlus 8T could have been a new flagship phone-killer, with its strong specs, excellent display, and super fast charging. But the cameras don’t quite measure up to other leading phones.”
The Verge comments, “OnePlus has always been very proud of the raw specs of its phones, and the OnePlus 8T is no different. The phone is better specced in almost every way than the OnePlus 8 it succeeds from earlier this year. It’s got quicker 65W fast charging, a higher 120Hz refresh rate display, a bigger 4,500mAh battery, and an extra camera.”
What people actually want to know
When was the OnePlus 8T released?
The OnePlus 8T was released on October 16, 2020.
How long does the battery last on the OnePlus 8T?
The OnePlus 8T has a 4,500 mAh battery.
Does the OnePlus 8T support wireless charging?
No, the OnePlus 8T does not support wireless charging.
Does the OnePlus 8T have a headphone jack?
No, the OnePlus 8T does not have a headphone jack. You'll need wireless headphones or a USB-C adapter.
Does the OnePlus 8T have NFC?
Yes, the OnePlus 8T has NFC. You can use Google Wallet, Apple Pay, and tap-to-pair with Bluetooth accessories.
Where can I get support for the OnePlus 8T?
Visit OnePlus's official support page for warranty info, repairs, and troubleshooting.
Where can I download the OnePlus 8T manual?
You can view and download the OnePlus 8T manual on our dedicated manual page.
Questions & answers
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