Honor V30 Pro vs OnePlus 8 Pro: A Detailed Comparison of Flagship Power

The Honor V30 Pro and OnePlus 8 Pro represent distinct approaches to the flagship 5G smartphone. The V30 Pro, released in late 2019, aimed to deliver high-end features at a more accessible price point, leveraging Huawei’s Kirin chipset. The OnePlus 8 Pro, launched in early 2020, doubled down on premium features and Snapdragon power. This comparison dissects their key differences to help you determine which device best suits your needs.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For most users, the OnePlus 8 Pro is the superior choice, offering a more refined experience with its Snapdragon 865 chipset and generally better software support. However, the Honor V30 Pro presents a compelling value proposition, particularly for those prioritizing fast charging and a lower upfront cost.

PHONES
Phone Names Honor V30 Pro OnePlus 8 Pro
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1800 / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 18, 19, 26, 34, 38, 39, 40, 411, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 32, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 46, 66 - EU
5G bands1, 3, 41, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA1, 3, 7, 28, 78 SA/NSA - EU
SpeedHSPA, LTE, 5G (2+ Gbps DL)HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (5CA) Cat18 1200/150 Mbps, 5G 7.5 Gbps DL
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5GGSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE / 5G
 -78 SA/NSA - IN
Launch
Announced2019, November. Released 2019, December2020, April 14
StatusDiscontinuedAvailable. Released 2020, April 21
Body
BuildGlass front, glass back, aluminum frameGlass front (Gorilla Glass 5), glass back (Gorilla Glass 5), aluminum frame
Dimensions162.7 x 75.8 x 8.8 mm (6.41 x 2.98 x 0.35 in)165.3 x 74.4 x 8.5 mm (6.51 x 2.93 x 0.33 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight206 g (7.27 oz)199 g (7.02 oz)
 -IP68 dust/water resistant
Display
ProtectionYesCorning Gorilla Glass 5
Resolution1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~400 ppi density)1440 x 3168 pixels (~513 ppi density)
Size6.57 inches, 104.7 cm2 (~84.9% screen-to-body ratio)6.78 inches, 111.7 cm2 (~90.8% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeIPS LCDFluid AMOLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, HDR10+
Platform
CPUOcta-core (2x2.86 GHz Cortex-A76 & 2x2.36 GHz Cortex-A76 & 4x1.95 GHz Cortex-A55)Octa-core (1x2.84 GHz Cortex-A77 & 3x2.42 GHz Cortex-A77 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A55)
ChipsetKirin 990 5G (7 nm+)Qualcomm SM8250 Snapdragon 865 5G (7 nm+)
GPUMali-G76 MP16Adreno 650
OSAndroid 10, Magic UI 3, no Google Play ServicesAndroid 10, upgradable to Android 13, OxygenOS 13
Memory
Card slotNoNo
Internal128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM
 UFS 3.0UFS 3.0
Main Camera
FeaturesLaser AF, LED flash, HDR, panoramaLaser AF, Dual-LED flash, HDR, panorama
Quad-48 MP, f/1.8, 25mm (wide), 1/1.43", 1.12µm, multi-directional PDAF, OIS 8 MP, f/2.4, (telephoto), 1/1.0µm, PDAF, OIS, 3x optical zoom 48 MP, f/2.2, 14mm, 116˚ (ultrawide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF 5 MP, f/2.4, (Color filter camera)
Triple40 MP, f/1.6, 27mm (wide), 1/1.7", PDAF, OIS 8 MP, f/2.4, 80mm (telephoto), 1/4.0", PDAF, OIS, 3x optical zoom 12 MP, f/2.2, 16mm (ultrawide), 1.4µm, AF-
Video4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps, 720p@960fps, (gyro-EIS)4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/240fps, Auto HDR, gyro-EIS
Selfie camera
Dual32 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm 8 MP, f/2.2, 17mm (ultrawide)-
FeaturesHDRHDR
Single-16 MP, f/2.5, (wide), 1/3.06", 1.0µm
Video4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS
Sound
3.5mm jack NoNo
35mm jackNoNo
Loudspeaker YesYes, with stereo speakers
Comms
Bluetooth5.1, A2DP, LE5.1, A2DP, LE, aptX HD
Infrared portYes-
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO, QZSSGPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (G1), BDS (B1), GALILEO (E1+E5a)
RadioNoNo
USBUSB Type-C 2.0, OTGUSB Type-C 3.1, OTG
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi DirectWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct, DLNA
Features
SensorsFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compassFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass
Battery
Charging40W wired, 70% in 30 min 27W wireless Reverse wireless30W wired, 50% in 23 min 30W wireless, 50% in 30 min 3W reverse wireless
TypeLi-Po 4100 mAh, non-removableLi-Po 4510 mAh, non-removable
Misc
ColorsOcean Blue, Galaxy Black, Icelandic frostGlacial Green, Ultramarine Blue, Onyx Black
ModelsOXF-AN10IN2023, IN2020, IN2021, IN2025
PriceAbout 500 EURAbout 310 EUR
Pricing
128GB 8GB RAM-$ 428.39
256GB 12GB RAM-$ 853.51
RENEWED-$ 486.00
Tests
Battery life- Endurance rating 103h
Camera Photo / Video Photo / Video
Display- Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal)
Loudspeaker- -23.5 LUFS (Very good)
Performance AnTuTu: 381241 (v7), 500571 (v8) GeekBench: 12824 (v4.4), 3204 (v5.1) GFXBench: 35fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) AnTuTu: 573276 (v8) GeekBench: 3374 (v5.1) GFXBench: 24fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)

Honor V30 Pro

  • Significantly faster wired charging (40W)
  • Faster wireless charging (27W)
  • More affordable price point
  • Reverse wireless charging

  • Lower peak display brightness
  • Potentially limited software support
  • Less powerful chipset
  • Uncertain camera performance

OnePlus 8 Pro

  • Superior performance with Snapdragon 865
  • Smoother display with 120Hz refresh rate
  • Better software support and updates
  • Generally more refined camera system

  • Higher price
  • Slower wired charging (30W)
  • Limited reverse wireless charging (3W)
  • Can run warmer under sustained load

Display Comparison

Both phones utilize 7nm+ fabrication, but diverge significantly in display characteristics. The OnePlus 8 Pro boasts an 'Infinite' contrast ratio, typical of OLED panels, while the Honor V30 Pro achieves a 1230:1 contrast ratio. More critically, the Honor V30 Pro’s display peaks at 534 nits, significantly lower than what’s expected from a flagship in 2020, impacting outdoor visibility. While both offer vibrant colors, the OnePlus 8 Pro’s display is likely to provide a more immersive and readable experience in bright conditions. The OnePlus 8 Pro also benefits from a 120Hz refresh rate, absent on the V30 Pro, resulting in smoother scrolling and animations.

Camera Comparison

Both devices feature versatile camera systems, but details beyond 'Photo/Video' capabilities are limited. The OnePlus 8 Pro’s camera system, known for its color science and dynamic range, likely benefits from Qualcomm’s image signal processor (ISP) within the Snapdragon 865. Without specific sensor size or aperture information for the V30 Pro, it’s difficult to make a direct comparison. However, OnePlus’s reputation for computational photography suggests a more refined image processing pipeline. The absence of detailed camera specs for the V30 Pro makes a definitive assessment challenging, but the OnePlus 8 Pro is generally considered to have a more capable and consistent camera system.

Performance

The core difference lies in the chipsets: the Honor V30 Pro features the Kirin 990 5G, while the OnePlus 8 Pro utilizes the Qualcomm Snapdragon 865 5G. Both are 7nm+ chips, but the Snapdragon 865’s Cortex-A77 prime core (2.84 GHz) offers a slight architectural advantage over the Kirin 990’s Cortex-A76 (2.86 GHz). The Snapdragon 865 also benefits from Qualcomm’s Adreno 650 GPU, providing superior graphics performance. While the Kirin 990 is no slouch, the Snapdragon 865 delivers a more consistent and powerful experience, particularly in demanding games and applications. The OnePlus 8 Pro’s availability with 12GB of RAM, paired with LPDDR5, further enhances multitasking capabilities.

Battery Life

The OnePlus 8 Pro boasts an endurance rating of 103 hours, indicating solid battery life. The Honor V30 Pro’s battery capacity is not specified, but its charging capabilities are a standout feature. It supports 40W wired charging, achieving 70% charge in just 30 minutes, and 27W wireless charging, reaching 50% in 30 minutes. The OnePlus 8 Pro offers 30W wired charging (50% in 23 minutes) and 30W wireless charging (50% in 30 minutes). While the OnePlus 8 Pro has comparable endurance, the Honor V30 Pro’s faster wired charging is a significant advantage for users who prioritize quick top-ups. The V30 Pro also includes reverse wireless charging, a feature present but limited to 3W on the OnePlus 8 Pro.

Buying Guide

Buy the Honor V30 Pro if you need exceptionally fast 40W wired and 27W wireless charging, and are comfortable with the potential for limited software updates and a less polished user experience. Buy the OnePlus 8 Pro if you prioritize raw performance, a smoother software experience with OxygenOS, and a longer lifespan of software support, even if it comes at a higher price.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Does the Kirin 990 5G in the Honor V30 Pro experience significant thermal throttling during extended gaming sessions?
While the Kirin 990 5G is a capable chipset, it is known to be more prone to thermal throttling compared to the Snapdragon 865, especially under sustained heavy loads like prolonged gaming. This means performance may decrease over time as the phone heats up, potentially leading to dropped frames and a less smooth gaming experience.
❓ How does the software update situation differ between the Honor V30 Pro and the OnePlus 8 Pro?
The OnePlus 8 Pro benefits from OnePlus’s commitment to timely software updates and a longer support lifecycle. The Honor V30 Pro, due to geopolitical factors and Huawei’s software restrictions, may receive fewer updates and potentially lack access to the latest Android versions and security patches. This is a significant consideration for long-term usability.
❓ Is the 3W reverse wireless charging on the OnePlus 8 Pro useful for anything beyond earbuds?
The 3W reverse wireless charging on the OnePlus 8 Pro is primarily useful for charging small accessories like wireless earbuds or smartwatches. It's too slow to effectively charge a smartphone, making it a convenience feature rather than a practical charging solution for larger devices.