OnePlus 8 5G (T-Mobile) vs. Samsung Galaxy A71 5G UW: A Performance and Value Showdown

The OnePlus 8 5G (T-Mobile) and Samsung Galaxy A71 5G UW represent distinct approaches to 5G connectivity. The OnePlus 8, launched as a flagship, aimed to deliver premium performance at a competitive price. The A71 5G UW, on the other hand, targeted the mid-range market, offering 5G access with a focus on affordability. This comparison dissects their core differences to determine which device best suits your needs.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For users prioritizing raw performance and responsiveness, the OnePlus 8 5G is the clear winner. Its Snapdragon 865 chipset provides a significant advantage in demanding tasks. However, the Samsung Galaxy A71 5G UW offers a compelling value proposition for those seeking 5G connectivity without the flagship price tag.

PHONES
Phone Names OnePlus 8 5G (T-Mobile) Samsung Galaxy A71 5G UW
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1800 / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 850 / 900 / 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, 712, 3, 4, 5, 7, 12, 13, 20, 28, 66
5G bands2, 5, 41, 66, 71 SA/NSA260, 261 SA/NSA/mmWave
SpeedHSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (5CA) Cat18 1200/150 Mbps, 5G 7.5 Gbps DLHSPA, LTE, 5G
TechnologyGSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5GGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G
 CDMA2000 1xEV-DO -
Launch
Announced2020, April 142020, July 07
StatusAvailable. Released 2020, April 29Available. Released 2020, July 16
Body
BuildGlass front, glass back (Gorilla Glass 5), aluminum frameGlass front (Gorilla Glass 3), plastic back, aluminum frame
Dimensions160.2 x 72.9 x 8 mm (6.31 x 2.87 x 0.31 in)162.8 x 75.7 x 8.4 mm (6.41 x 2.98 x 0.33 in)
SIMNano-SIMNano-SIM (pre-installed)
Weight180 g (6.35 oz)188 g (6.63 oz)
 IP68 dust/water resistant (not for use underwater, liquid damage is not covered under warranty)-
Display
Protection-Corning Gorilla Glass 3
Resolution1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~402 ppi density)1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~393 ppi density)
Size6.55 inches, 103.6 cm2 (~88.7% screen-to-body ratio)6.7 inches, 108.4 cm2 (~87.9% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeFluid AMOLED, 90Hz, HDR10+Super AMOLED Plus
Platform
CPUOcta-core (1x2.84 GHz Cortex-A77 & 3x2.42 GHz Cortex-A77 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A55)Octa-core (1x2.4 GHz Kryo 475 Prime & 1x2.2 GHz Kryo 475 Gold & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 475 Silver)
ChipsetQualcomm SM8250 Snapdragon 865 5G (7 nm+)Qualcomm SM7250 Snapdragon 765G 5G (7 nm)
GPUAdreno 650Adreno 620
OSAndroid 10, OxygenOS 10.0Android 10, One UI 2.1
Memory
Card slotNomicroSDXC (dedicated slot)
Internal128GB 8GB RAM128GB 8GB RAM
 UFS 3.0, 2-LANEUFS 2.1
Main Camera
FeaturesDual-LED flash, HDR, panoramaLED flash, panorama, HDR
Quad-64 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/1.72", 0.8µm, PDAF 12 MP, f/2.2, 123˚ (ultrawide) 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@30fps, 1080p@30/240fps, 1080p@960fps; gyro-EIS
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDRHDR
Single16 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1/3.06", 1.0µm32 MP, f/2.2, 26mm (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm
Video1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps
Sound
3.5mm jack NoYes
35mm jackNoYes
Loudspeaker Yes, with stereo speakersYes
Comms
Bluetooth5.1, A2DP, LE, aptX HD5.0, A2DP, LE
NFCYesNo
PositioningGPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (G1), BDS (B1), GALILEO (E1+E5a)GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS
RadioNoNo
USBUSB Type-C 3.1, OTGUSB Type-C 2.0, 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, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compassFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass
 -ANT+
Battery
Charging30W wired, 50% in 22 min25W wired
TypeLi-Po 4300 mAhLi-Po 4500 mAh
Misc
ColorsOnyx Black, Interstellar GlowPrism Bricks Black
Models-SM-A716V
PriceAbout 650 EUR-
SAR1.10 W/kg (head)     1.10 W/kg (body)0.50 W/kg (head)     0.78 W/kg (body)

OnePlus 8 5G (T-Mobile)

  • Significantly faster processor (Snapdragon 865)
  • Faster charging (30W)
  • Likely superior display quality

  • Potentially higher price
  • May have less battery life than A71 5G UW

Samsung Galaxy A71 5G UW

  • More affordable price
  • Potentially larger battery capacity
  • Good value for 5G connectivity

  • Slower processor (Snapdragon 765G)
  • Slower charging (25W)
  • Likely less refined camera system

Display Comparison

While both devices feature displays suitable for everyday use, the specifics are not provided. However, given the OnePlus 8’s flagship positioning, it likely boasts a higher refresh rate and potentially better color accuracy compared to the A71 5G UW. The A71 5G UW, being a mid-range device, likely utilizes an AMOLED panel, but may have lower peak brightness and a less sophisticated color calibration process. Bezels are also likely slimmer on the OnePlus 8, contributing to a more immersive viewing experience.

Camera Comparison

Without detailed camera specs, a direct comparison is limited. However, the OnePlus 8, as a flagship, likely features a more advanced camera system with a larger main sensor and better image stabilization (OIS). The A71 5G UW likely prioritizes versatility with multiple lenses, but may compromise on image quality in low-light conditions. The aperture of the main lens is a critical factor; a wider aperture (lower f-number) allows more light to reach the sensor, resulting in better low-light performance. Image processing algorithms also play a crucial role, and OnePlus typically focuses on natural-looking images, while Samsung often boosts saturation and contrast.

Performance

The core difference lies in the chipsets: the OnePlus 8 5G utilizes the Qualcomm Snapdragon 865 5G (7nm+), while the Galaxy A71 5G UW features the Snapdragon 765G 5G (7nm). The 865’s octa-core CPU (1x2.84 GHz Cortex-A77, 3x2.42 GHz Cortex-A77, 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A55) significantly outperforms the 765G’s (1x2.4 GHz Kryo 475 Prime, 1x2.2 GHz Kryo 475 Gold, 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 475 Silver). The 865’s architecture, with more powerful Cortex-A77 cores, translates to faster app loading times, smoother multitasking, and superior gaming performance. The 7nm+ node of the 865 also offers improved thermal efficiency, potentially reducing throttling during sustained workloads. The A71 5G UW will handle daily tasks adequately, but will struggle with graphically intensive games or demanding applications.

Battery Life

The OnePlus 8 5G supports 30W wired charging, achieving 50% charge in just 22 minutes. The Samsung Galaxy A71 5G UW offers 25W wired charging. While the A71 5G UW may have a larger battery capacity (not specified), the OnePlus 8’s faster charging speed provides a significant convenience advantage. A larger battery doesn’t always equate to longer real-world usage; software optimization and processor efficiency also play a vital role. The Snapdragon 865, despite its power, is relatively efficient, potentially offsetting the A71 5G UW’s larger battery.

Buying Guide

Buy the OnePlus 8 5G (T-Mobile) if you need a phone capable of handling intensive gaming, video editing, or other demanding applications, and value a smoother, more responsive user experience. Buy the Samsung Galaxy A71 5G UW if you prioritize battery life, a more affordable price point, and are comfortable with a less powerful processor for everyday tasks like browsing, social media, and casual gaming.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Will the Snapdragon 765G in the Galaxy A71 5G UW struggle with graphically demanding games like Fortnite or PUBG?
The Snapdragon 765G is capable of running these games, but you'll likely need to lower the graphics settings to achieve a smooth frame rate. The OnePlus 8 5G's Snapdragon 865 will provide a significantly better gaming experience with higher settings and more consistent performance.
❓ How much faster is the 30W charging on the OnePlus 8 5G compared to the 25W charging on the Galaxy A71 5G UW in real-world use?
The OnePlus 8 5G can gain a substantial charge in a short amount of time – 50% in 22 minutes. While the A71 5G UW's 25W charging is respectable, it will take considerably longer to reach a similar charge level, making the OnePlus 8 more convenient for users who frequently need to top up their battery quickly.
❓ Does the difference in chipset affect the longevity of the phones? Will the OnePlus 8 feel slower to use after 2 years?
Generally, flagship chipsets like the Snapdragon 865 age better than mid-range chips like the 765G. While both phones will likely receive software updates, the 865's superior processing power provides more headroom for future software demands, potentially resulting in a smoother experience over a longer period.