True flagship
OnePlus 8 Pro
Pros
- Bigger, better display at 120Hz
- Wireless charging
- Better cameras
Cons
- Tougher to use one-handed
- $200 more
- Same front-facing camera
OnePlus put together all of its strengths in hardware, specs, and software and finally added in missing features like water resistance, wireless charging, and a top-notch screen. It also has a fantastic quad camera setup, and as a result, this is the most expensive phone OnePlus has ever sold — but worth it.
Great value
OnePlus 8
Pros
- Less expensive for same core features
- Easier to use with one hand
- Same great specs
- Strong battery life
Cons
- Weaker rear cameras
- Smaller, lower-res screen at 90Hz
The OnePlus 8 follows more of the traditional OnePlus model: deliver a flagship-like experience with top-end hardware and specs for hundreds less. Even with a higher price than the 7T, you can still see great value in the 8. You just lose out on the top-end cameras, screen, and wireless charging of the 8 Pro.
Unlike 2019, OnePlus released both of its early 2020 models simultaneously in the same regions, giving you a direct choice between the top-end and more budget-focused phones. These are two of the you can buy, but which is right for you?
OnePlus 8 Pro vs. OnePlus 8: Pricing & release date
The OnePlus 8 Pro and OnePlus 8 were both released April 14, 2020, starting at $899 and $699 respectively. Both phones feature a Snapdragon 865 processor, along with baseline specs of 128GB and 8GB of RAM. Each model can be upgraded to 256GB of storage and 12GB of RAM for an additional $100, and since their release, both models have been discounted by $100.
Both phones are available in Glacial Green, though Interstellar Glow is exclusive to the OnePlus 8, while Onyx Black and Ultramarine Blue are reserved for the OnePlus 8 Pro. It's worth noting that the newer is also available in the U.S. as of October 23, retailing for $749 with faster Warp Charge 65 and a 120Hz display.
OnePlus 8 Pro vs. OnePlus 8: What are the differences?
The OnePlus 8 and 8 Pro are obviously part of the same family, but the branding should give you a hint that this isn't the same device in different sizes — these phones have different specs, features, capabilities, and qualities.
It's easiest to begin by laying out where the two phones are the same. Their external hardware quality and design are nearly identical, size notwithstanding. You'll see the same curved edges, stereo speakers, button placement, and even camera arrangement — at a glance, they're the same. The colors aren't identical, but they're similar: you can get glossy black or matte green for both, or deviate with glossy "Interstellar Glow" on the 8 and matte "Ultramarine Blue" on the 8 Pro.
Inside, they both have the same basic specs, with a Snapdragon 865, 8GB of RAM, and 128GB of baseline storage. Performance is the same, and the software is thankfully the same between the two as well — and that's a great thing because is wonderful to use. The 8 Pro has a slightly larger battery, fitting its larger overall size, but the battery life is effectively the same between the two phones as the 8 scales down its screen refresh, resolution, and size to match its battery capacity. Both phones stick with the standard OnePlus 30W Warp Charge wired charging, which is incredibly fast.
| OnePlus 8 | OnePlus 8 Pro | |
|---|---|---|
| Operating system | Android 11 OxygenOS 11 | Android 11 OxygenOS 11 |
| Display | 6.55-inch 90Hz Fluid AMOLED 2400x1080 (20:9) HDR10+ Gorilla Glass 6 | 6.7-inch 120Hz Fluid AMOLED 3168x1440 (19.8:9) HDR10+ 3D Gorilla Glass |
| Chipset | Snapdragon 865 | Snapdragon 865 |
| RAM | 8GB/12GB LPDDR4X | 8GB/12GB LPDDR5 |
| Storage | 128GB/256GB UFS3.0 | 128GB/256GB UFS3.0 |
| MicroSD slot | No | No |
| Rear camera 1 | 48MP, 0.8um f/1.75, OIS 4K at 60fps | 48MP, 1.12um f/1.78, OIS 4K at 60fps |
| Rear camera 2 | 2MP, 1.75um f/2.4, macro lens | 8MP, 1.0um f/2.4, OIS, telephoto 3x hybrid zoom |
| Rear camera 3 | 16MP, 1.0um f/2.2, ultra-wide lens 116° FoV | 48MP f/2.2, ultra-wide lens 119° FoV |
| Rear camera 4 | n/a | 5MP Color Filter |
| Front camera | 16MP, f/2.4 1080p video, fixed focus | 16MP, f/2.4 1080p video, fixed focus |
| Connectivity | 5G Sub-6, SA and NSA Wi-Fi 6 2x2 MIMO, Bluetooth 5.0 NFC, A-GPS | 5G Sub-6, SA and NSA Wi-Fi 6 2x2 MIMO, Bluetooth 5.1 NFC, A-GPS |
| Audio | USB-C Stereo speakers | USB-C Stereo speakers |
| Battery | 4300mAh Non-removable | 4510mAh Non-removable |
| Charging | USB-C 3.1 Warp Charge 30T (5V/6A) | USB-C 3.1 Warp Charge 30T (5V/6A) Warp Charge 30 Wireless (20V/1.5A) |
| Water resistance | IP68 (some models) | IP68 |
| Security | In-display fingerprint (optical) | In-display fingerprint (optical) |
| Dimensions | 160.2 x 72.9 x 8.0mm 180g | 165.3 x 74.3 x 8.5mm 199g |
| Colors | Onyx Black, Glacial Green, Ultramarine Blue | Onyx Black, Glacial Green, Ultramarine Blue |
Now, let's address the differences. The first is the size, of course. The 8 Pro's 6.78-inch screen expands the phone's height, width, and weight beyond the 8's body wrapped around a 6.55-inch panel. It doesn't seem like much, but the 8 Pro is very large and might be pushing the limits of what you can do with the phone in one hand. By comparison, the is a tad smaller than the Pixel 4 XL and Galaxy S20+, staying within the "normal" size realm. The other notable difference in hardware is wireless charging: the 8 Pro has it, the 8 doesn't.
The 8 Pro's display also looks marginally better and has a higher 1440p resolution and 120Hz refresh rate compared to the 8's 1080p and 90Hz. That extra refresh rate smooths out motion just a bit more, though the 8's screen looks great on its own. You probably won't notice the screen resolution, but your eyes will enjoy the 8 Pro's screen more overall — and there's just more room for anything you want to do.
Being a more expensive phone, the can deliver better cameras. The main sensor is still 48MP, but it's a larger and better sensor that produces improved photos across the board. It's also supported by a telephoto camera for zoom, which the 8 doesn't have at all, and an ultra-wide camera sensor that's better than the 8's as well. The only part of the camera experience that's equivalent is the front-facing shooter. Otherwise, the 8 Pro outperforms across the board.
Should you buy a OnePlus 8 Pro or OnePlus 8?
When it comes to actually choosing between these two phones, you have to start with the price. OnePlus upped prices on both models compared to previous years, with the 8 starting at $700 and the 8 Pro starting at $900. These aren't inexpensive anymore — the OnePlus 8 Pro, in particular, is getting up in the range of the top-tier flagships. If money's not a big factor, and you can handle (or prefer) a large phone, the 8 Pro is the one to get. But if either point is of concern, the OnePlus 8 still provides excellent value and is a really good phone in its own right.
There are also a couple of quirks with availability in the U.S. If you want to buy from a carrier, the OnePlus 8 is your only choice — you can get it from T-Mobile or Verizon. Though you can, of course, buy the 8 Pro unlocked and bring it to any carrier. Things get murky if you want to use Verizon, however, because the only way to get Verizon's 5G network is to buy a OnePlus 8 directly from the carrier. If you bring the 8 Pro to Verizon, you'll be on 4G.
True flagship
OnePlus 8 Pro
The best OnePlus phone yet, from top to bottom
The 8 Pro has everything you want, with no more shortcomings — and the flagship-level price reflects that. But you can't argue with how it all comes together.
Great value
OnePlus 8
Following more of a traditional OnePlus value proposition
You give up some screen size, camera quality, and a couple of extras, but the phone follows the usual OnePlus model of giving you way more than you paid for.