OnePlus 8 Pro and OnePlus 8 have launched in an online-only event. This year, the phones vaunt a significant upgrade on display, camera, and various other fronts. The Pro edition, in particular, brings marquee features justifying an “ultra-premium flagship title”. But, it comes at a big price jump, thus making the standard OnePlus 8 a relatively cheaper buy.
Having said that, OnePlus 8, at a starting price of $699 (which is roughly around Rs. 53,141.48) is still a top-shelf contender. In light of its high-end offering, a close comparison with the Samsung Galaxy S20 (review) is something one might wonder. Then there is 8’s predecessor – the OnePlus 7T (review), a still-going-strong phone, which is up for grabs at way less price.
And that’s what we are doing here –
OnePlus 8 vs OnePlus 7T vs
Samsung Galaxy S20 Specs Comparison
| Phone | OnePlus 8 | OnePlus 7T | Samsung Galaxy S20 |
| Display | 6.55-inch, AMOLED, 1080 x 2400 pixels, HDR 10+, (~402 PPI density, ~88.7% screen-to-body ratio, 90Hz refresh rate, Gorilla Glass 6 | 6.55-inch, AMOLED, 1080 x 2400 pixels, HDR10+, ~402 PPI density, 90Hz refresh rate, ~86.5% screen-to-body ratio, Gorilla Glass 5 | 6.2-inch, AMOLED, 1440 x 3200 pixels, 563 PPI, ~89.5% screen-to-body ratio, Gorilla Glass 6, 120Hz@FHD/60Hz@QHD |
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 865 | Qualcomm Snapdragon 855+ | Qualcomm Snapdragon 865 (North America, China, Korea, Japan) or Exynos 990 (Rest of the world incl. India) |
| RAM/ | 8/12GB LPDDR5 | 8GB LPDDR4x | 8GB LPDDR5 |
| Storage | 128/256GB UFS 3.0 | 128/256GB UFS 3.0 | 128 UFS 3.0 |
| Rear camera | 48MP, 8MP Ultrawide 2MP Macro | 48MP, 12MP, 2x optical telephoto, 16MP ultrawide | 12MP, 64MP, 3x hybrid optical telephoto, OIS, 12MP, ultrawide |
| Front camera | 16MP | 16MP | 10MP |
| Videography | Up to 4k@60fps (rear) HD@30fps (front) | Up to 4k@60fps (rear) HD@30fps (front) | Up to 8K @24fps (rear) Up to 4k@60fps (front) |
| Software | Android 10 based OxygenOS 10.0 | Android 10 based OxygenOS 10.0 | Android 10 based One UI 2.0 |
| Battery | 4300mAh 30W fast charging | 3800mAh 30W fast charging | 4500mAh 25W fast charging, USB Power Delivery 3.0 Fast Qi/PMA wireless charging 15W Power bank/Reverse wireless charging 9W |
| Color | Glacial Green, Onyx Black, Interstellar Glow | Frosted Silver, Glacier Blue | Cosmic Grey, Cloud Blue, Cloud Pink, Cloud White, Aura Red |
| Dimensions and weight | 160.2 x 72.9 x 8 mm; 180 grams | 160.9 x 74.4 x 8.1 mm (6.33 x 2.93 x 0.32 in); 190 grams | 151.7 x 69.1 x 7.9 mm (5.97 x 2.72 x 0.31 in);163 grams |
| Price | 8+128GB: $699 / ~Rs. 53,141.48 12+256GB: $799 / ~Rs. 60743.98 | 8+ 128GB: Rs. 37,999 8+ 256GB: Rs, 39,999 | 8+ 128GB: Rs. 66,990 |
Let’s compare based on various parameters one by one.
Design and Display
OnePlus 8 refines the matte finish, which is available in the idyllic interstellar glow, glacial Green and onyx black. Color-wise, the OnePlus 7T’s offering is a lot similar, but with different shades. You can pick the device in frosted silver and glacier blue hue. If you prefer something more sober and simple, S20’s cosmic grey, cloud blue, cloud pink, cloud white, aura red should be up to snuff.
All the three phones are glass sandwiches with aluminum railing holding them together. The OnePlus 7T has an older Gorilla Glass 5 while the rest two flaunts Gorilla Glass 6.
A long time pet peeve of fans was the lack of IP rating on the OnePlus phones. Well, that changes with the OnePlus 8 Pro. As for the OnePlus 8 though, the fine print is a bit murky. It is technically ingress-resistant. But since the company didn’t go for a testing process, it doesn’t claim an official IP rating. (Source) This puts it in line with the 7T. So, that leaves us with the S20 which does boast ingress protection as per IP68 certification.
Going by the numbers, S20 happens to be lightest of the lot. Both the display size and overall body dimension also favor S20’s ergonomics. Speaking of the display, the S20 should be an easy pick in lieu of better pixel density, screen-to-body ratio, and refresh smoothness. If the comparison were between it and OnePlus 8, the results would’ve been neck to neck. Either way, go with the 7T only if you prefer waterdrop notch over punch holes.
Camera
All the three phones sport a triple camera setup by the back. For cutting corners, OnePlus has snubbed the telephoto lens and replaced it with a 2MP macro lens on its new phone. The OnePlus 8 also has a smaller resolution ultrawide sensor. Rest, both phones share the same Sony IMX586 48MP primary rear shooter and 16MP selfie snapper.
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Samsung Galaxy S20, on the other hand, leads with a 12MP main camera. The triplet is competed by a 12MP ultrawide sensor and a 64MP telephoto sensor. The front optics is a 10MP sensor.
On the video side of things, S20 has a well-rounded setup considering both front and back cams. Its 8K-recording could come across as gimmicky as it’s not very practical at the moment.
Internal Hardware and Software
At the core, all three are running the latest chipset(s). Only with the S20, the inherent processor might differ depending on your location of purchase. In India, you get the Exynos 990 at the bedrock while if you’re buying in the Americas, it will be Snapdragon 865. The OnePluses don’t bear such confusion. The 8 ships with the newest slice of Snapdragon and 7T with SD855+ across all markets.
You get ample RAM and storage on all, starting with 8+128GB as the base model. Also, the OnePlus 8’s 12+ 256GB model and up to 1TB SD card expansion on the S20 is something worth noting.
On top of this hardware, you get Android 10 based software with all the three. The choice amid Samsung’s One UI and OnePlus’s Oxygen OS boils down to your taste. If I were to pick one, I would side with OnePlus’s rendition of Android. But, as I said, it’s still a subjective thing.
Battery and Connectivity
Samsung has the biggest battery of the bunch. But, it’s closely followed by OnePlus 8. As for the charging mechanism, OnePlus’s 30W wired as well as wireless fast charging is downright impressive and blows the other two out of the water. But do note that the 30W wireless charging works with a proprietary charger only (sold separately). Without it, you still get normal 5W Qi wireless.
S20’s saving grace could be that USB Power Delivery 3.0 and 9W reverse wireless charging support. Lastly, pick the 7T, if you can live with a slightly slower battery and absence of wireless charging, USB PD and the reverse thingy. Hey, you still have the 30W wired solution.
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The global variants of OnePlus 8 and S20 have 5G. But, like the S20’s case, we aren’t sure about an OnePlus 8 5G in India. They both have Wi-Fi 6, NFC, GPS + GLONASS, and USB Type-C port. OnePlus 8 also bears the latest Bluetooth 5.1, while the other two sticks to Bluetooth 5.0. While all the three come with an in-display fingerprint reader, the OnePlus’s scanner is a tad quicker.
Pricing
The OnePlus 8 is launched at a starting price of $699 (~Rs 53,000) for the base 8GB RAM + 128GB storage variant. The higher variant with 12GB RAM + 256GB storage comes at $799 (~Rs 60,600). OnePlus hasn’t revealed the Indian pricing yet.
The Samsung Galaxy S20, which was launched in February, at an MSRP of Rs. 66,999 for the sole 8GB RAM + 128GB storage edition.
Last but definitely, not the least, we have the OnePlus 7T which is available currently at Rs. 34,999 for the 8GB + 128GB storage model, whereas its 8GB + 256GB model carries a price tag of Rs. 37,999.
Since OnePlus 8 is yet to launch in India, the comparison had to be restricted to specs differences. Once, it’s here, we will have a better picture laid out for you. Still and all, considering the price and spec differences mentioned above, which one would you pick?
