Everything you need to know about the OnePlus 8 and OnePlus 8 Pro

It’s 2020, and OnePlus is done settling.

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!

• Here’s our full review
• OnePlus is offering two models
• The specs are insane
• Is it time to upgrade?
• Let’s compare to other phones
• Tips & tricks you should know
• The 120Hz display is excellent
• Interesting cameras to talk about
• Wireless charging is finally here
• Would you look at these colors
• Check out these accessories
• These are expensive phones

Done settling

OnePlus 8 Pro

From $899 at OnePlus
From $899 at Amazon

OnePlus goes full flagship

The OnePlus 8 Pro marks a big shift in OnePlus as a company. While every device prior to this has cut some corner or feature, the 8 Pro does none of that. In addition to the beastly processor and RAM you’ve come to expect from OnePlus devices, the 8 Pro also delivers a stunning 120Hz AMOLED display, a 4,510 mAh battery, 30W wireless charging, an IP68 dust/water resistance rating, and 5G connectivity. Yes, it’s expensive, but it’s also one of the most fully-featured flagships on the market.

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

There are two models — OnePlus 8 and 8 Pro

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?

Here are all of the specs

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 resistance

Should you upgrade from an older OnePlus phone?

It’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.

OnePlus 8 Pro vs. OnePlus 7 Pro: Should you upgrade?
OnePlus 8 Pro vs. OnePlus 6T: Should you upgrade?

How the OnePlus 8 series holds up to other phones

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!

OnePlus 8

OnePlus 8 vs. Galaxy S20: Which should you buy?
OnePlus 8 vs. OnePlus 7T: Which should you buy?

OnePlus 8 Pro

OnePlus 8 Pro vs. Galaxy S20+: Which should you buy?
OnePlus 8 Pro vs. OPPO Find X2 Pro: Which should you buy?

Tips & tricks to get the most out of your OnePlus 8

There’s a lot going on with the OnePlus 8 and 8 Pro, so we don’t blame you if you buy either phone and feel a little intimidated by it.

You have a lot to unpack if you want to get the most out of these devices, and rather than leaving you blind to find everything on your own, we’re compiling a few how-to guides to ensure you can use your new OnePlus handset to its fullest potential.

We’ll be adding more of these as time goes on, so be sure to keep checking back for more tips & tricks as we add them!

• How to take a screenshot on the OnePlus 8
• How to enable VoLTE on the OnePlus 8
• How to maximize battery life on the OnePlus 8
• How to take the best photos with the OnePlus 8 Pro
• How to enable Bedtime Mode to slow wireless charging (and fan noise) on the OnePlus 8 Pro

Yes, the 120Hz AMOLED display looks great

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.

Another year of OnePlus cameras

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.

How to take the best photos with the OnePlus 8 Pro

OnePlus finally supports wireless charging ?

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.

OnePlus Warp Charge 30 Wireless Charger review: Great for OnePlus owners, and nobody else
Best OnePlus 8 Pro Wireless Charging Pads in 2020

These colors are downright gorgeous

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?

You’ll want to pick up some accessories

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.

These are all the official OnePlus 8 and 8 Pro Cases you can buy

OnePlus 8

Best OnePlus 8 Cases in 2020
Best OnePlus 8 Screen Protectors in 2020

OnePlus 8 Pro

Best OnePlus 8 Pro Cases in 2020
Best OnePlus 8 Pro Screen Protectors in 2020

Alright, let’s talk price and availability

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 are open right now 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.

Where to buy the OnePlus 8 & 8 Pro: Best Deals and Discounts in 2020
Should you buy a OnePlus 8 unlocked or from a carrier?
First 8 things to do with your OnePlus 8 or 8 Pro

Done settling

OnePlus 8 Pro

From $899 at OnePlus
From $899 at Amazon

OnePlus goes full flagship

The OnePlus 8 Pro marks a big shift in OnePlus as a company. While every device prior to this has cut some corner or feature, the 8 Pro does none of that. In addition to the beastly processor and RAM you’ve come to expect from OnePlus devices, the 8 Pro also delivers a stunning 120Hz AMOLED display, a 4,510 mAh battery, 30W wireless charging, an IP68 dust/water resistance rating, and 5G connectivity. Yes, it’s expensive, but it’s also one of the most fully-featured flagships on the market.