OnePlus 8 5G vs. OnePlus 8T+ 5G: Is Faster Charging Worth the Upgrade?

The OnePlus 8 series offered a compelling flagship experience, but the 8T+ 5G arrived as a mid-cycle refresh. While both devices share the same Snapdragon 865 chipset, the key differentiator lies in charging technology. This comparison dissects the nuances between the OnePlus 8 5G (T-Mobile variant) and the 8T+ 5G, helping you determine if the upgrade is justified.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For most users, the OnePlus 8T+ 5G is the superior choice. Its 65W charging capability significantly reduces downtime, reaching 100% in just 39 minutes compared to the OnePlus 8 5G’s 30W charging which takes 22 minutes to reach 50%. The core performance remains identical, making the 8T+ a clear winner for those prioritizing convenience.

PHONES
Phone Names OnePlus 8 5G (T-Mobile) OnePlus 8T+ 5G
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1800 / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 34, 38, 39, 41, 46, 48, 66, 711, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 46, 48, 66, 71
5G bands2, 5, 41, 66, 71 SA/NSA2, 25, 41, 66, 71 Sub6/mmWave
SpeedHSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (5CA) Cat18 1200/150 Mbps, 5G 7.5 Gbps DLHSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (5CA) Cat18 1200/200 Mbps, 5G 7.5 Gbps DL
TechnologyGSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5GGSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE / 5G
 CDMA2000 1xEV-DO -
Launch
Announced2020, April 142020, October 14
StatusAvailable. Released 2020, April 29Available. Released 2020, October 16
Body
BuildGlass front, glass back (Gorilla Glass 5), aluminum frameGlass front (Gorilla Glass 5), glass back (Gorilla Glass 5), aluminum frame
Dimensions160.2 x 72.9 x 8 mm (6.31 x 2.87 x 0.31 in)160.7 x 74.1 x 8.4 mm (6.33 x 2.92 x 0.33 in)
SIMNano-SIMNano-SIM
Weight180 g (6.35 oz)-
 IP68 dust/water resistant (not for use underwater, liquid damage is not covered under warranty)-
Display
Protection-Corning Gorilla Glass 5
Resolution1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~402 ppi density)1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~402 ppi density)
Size6.55 inches, 103.6 cm2 (~88.7% screen-to-body ratio)6.55 inches, 103.6 cm2 (~87.0% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeFluid AMOLED, 90Hz, HDR10+Fluid AMOLED, 120Hz, HDR10+
Platform
CPUOcta-core (1x2.84 GHz Cortex-A77 & 3x2.42 GHz Cortex-A77 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A55)Octa-core (1x2.84 GHz Cortex-A77 & 3x2.42 GHz Cortex-A77 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A55)
ChipsetQualcomm SM8250 Snapdragon 865 5G (7 nm+)Qualcomm SM8250 Snapdragon 865 5G (7 nm+)
GPUAdreno 650Adreno 650
OSAndroid 10, OxygenOS 10.0Android 11, OxygenOS 11
Memory
Card slotNoNo
Internal128GB 8GB RAM256GB 12GB RAM
 UFS 3.0, 2-LANE-
Main Camera
FeaturesDual-LED flash, HDR, panoramaDual-LED flash, HDR, panorama
Quad-48 MP, f/1.7, 26mm (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF, OIS 16 MP, f/2.2, 14mm, 123˚ (ultrawide), 1/3.6", 1.0µm 5 MP (macro) Auxiliary lens
Triple48 MP, f/1.8, 25mm (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF, OIS 16 MP, f/2.2, 14mm, 116˚ (ultrawide) 2 MP (macro)-
Video4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/240fps, Auto HDR, gyro-EIS4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/240fps, Auto HDR, gyro-EIS
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDRHDR
Single16 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1/3.06", 1.0µm16 MP, f/2.4, (wide), 1/3.06", 1.0µm
Video1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS
Sound
3.5mm jack No-
35mm jackNoNo
Loudspeaker Yes, with stereo speakersYes, with stereo speakers
Comms
Bluetooth5.1, A2DP, LE, aptX HD5.1, A2DP, LE, aptX HD
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (G1), BDS (B1), GALILEO (E1+E5a)GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (G1), BDS (B1), GALILEO (E1+E5a)
RadioNoNo
USBUSB Type-C 3.1, OTGUSB Type-C 3.1, OTG
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct, DLNAWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct, DLNA
Features
SensorsFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compassFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer (market dependant)
Battery
Charging30W wired, 50% in 22 min65W wired, 100% in 39 min
TypeLi-Po 4300 mAhLi-Po 4500 mAh
Misc
ColorsOnyx Black, Interstellar GlowAquamarine Green, Lunar Silver
Models-KB2007
PriceAbout 650 EURAbout 640 EUR
SAR1.10 W/kg (head)     1.10 W/kg (body)-

OnePlus 8 5G (T-Mobile)

  • Potentially lower price point due to being an older model.
  • Reliable Snapdragon 865 performance.
  • Established software support.

  • Significantly slower 30W charging.
  • May not receive software updates as long as the 8T+.
  • Potentially less refined software experience.

OnePlus 8T+ 5G

  • Blazing-fast 65W charging.
  • Likely to receive longer software support.
  • Potential for minor software and thermal optimizations.

  • Higher initial purchase price.
  • Core performance is identical to the OnePlus 8 5G.
  • May not represent a massive upgrade for existing OnePlus 8 5G owners.

Display Comparison

Both the OnePlus 8 5G and 8T+ 5G feature Fluid AMOLED displays, but specific details like peak brightness and color accuracy aren't provided. Given OnePlus’s history, we can assume both offer vibrant colors and excellent viewing angles. The 8T+ likely benefits from minor refinements in color calibration, but the difference will be negligible for most users. The absence of LTPO technology in either model means refresh rate scaling isn't as power-efficient as newer displays.

Camera Comparison

Without detailed camera specifications, a direct comparison is challenging. However, both phones likely employ similar image processing algorithms. The OnePlus 8 series was known for its natural color reproduction. The 8T+ may have benefited from software optimizations, but the core imaging hardware is expected to be comparable. The absence of information regarding sensor size and OIS makes it difficult to assess any significant differences in low-light performance or video stabilization.

Performance

The heart of both devices is the Qualcomm SM8250 Snapdragon 865 5G (7 nm+). The CPU configuration – an octa-core setup with 1x2.84 GHz Cortex-A77, 3x2.42 GHz Cortex-A77, and 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A55 – is identical. This means real-world performance in tasks like app launching, multitasking, and demanding games will be virtually indistinguishable. Thermal management will likely be similar, though the 8T+ might have slightly improved heat dissipation due to potential internal design tweaks. Both utilize LPDDR4X RAM, limiting the performance gains compared to newer LPDDR5X standards.

Battery Life

While the battery capacities aren't specified, the most significant difference lies in charging speed. The OnePlus 8 5G supports 30W wired charging, reaching 50% charge in 22 minutes. The OnePlus 8T+ 5G leaps ahead with 65W wired charging, achieving a full 100% charge in just 39 minutes. This difference is substantial, particularly for users who frequently need to top up their battery quickly. The faster charging of the 8T+ effectively mitigates any potential disadvantage from a slightly smaller battery capacity (if one exists).

Buying Guide

Buy the OnePlus 8 5G (T-Mobile) if you already own it and are satisfied with the charging speed, or if you find a significantly discounted price that makes it a better value. Buy the OnePlus 8T+ 5G if you prioritize minimizing charging time and want the latest iteration of OnePlus’s fast-charging technology, even if the core performance is the same.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Is the 65W charging on the OnePlus 8T+ 5G really that much faster in real-world use?
Yes, the difference is substantial. While the OnePlus 8 5G takes 22 minutes to reach 50%, the 8T+ 5G can fully charge from 0% to 100% in 39 minutes. This translates to significantly less downtime, especially for users who frequently need to quickly top up their battery throughout the day.
❓ Does the Snapdragon 865 in both phones show any signs of throttling during extended gaming sessions?
The Snapdragon 865 is known to generate heat under sustained load. While both phones likely employ thermal management solutions, the 8T+ may have minor improvements in heat dissipation. However, expect some degree of throttling during prolonged, graphically intensive gaming on both devices.
❓ Will the OnePlus 8 5G continue to receive software updates?
The OnePlus 8 5G will continue to receive software updates, but it will likely receive them for a shorter duration compared to the OnePlus 8T+ 5G. OnePlus typically provides longer software support for its newer models.