OnePlus 8 5G UW vs Samsung Galaxy A71 5G UW: A Performance and Value Showdown

Both the OnePlus 8 5G UW and the Samsung Galaxy A71 5G UW represent Verizon's push for accessible 5G connectivity. However, they approach this goal from vastly different angles. The OnePlus 8, leveraging the flagship Snapdragon 865, aims for near-premium performance, while the A71 5G UW opts for a more budget-conscious approach with the Snapdragon 765G. This comparison dissects these differences to determine which device delivers the best experience for your needs.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For users prioritizing raw performance and responsiveness, the OnePlus 8 5G UW is the clear winner. Its Snapdragon 865 chipset provides a significantly smoother experience for demanding tasks and gaming. However, the Samsung Galaxy A71 5G UW offers a compelling value proposition for those seeking 5G connectivity without breaking the bank.

PHONES
Phone Names OnePlus 8 5G UW (Verizon) 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, 30, 38, 39, 40, 41, 46, 48, 66, 712, 3, 4, 5, 7, 12, 13, 20, 28, 66
5G bands2, 5, 66, 260, 261 mmWave260, 261 SA/NSA/mmWave
SpeedHSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (5CA) Cat18 1200/150 Mbps, 5G 7.5 Gbps DLHSPA, LTE, 5G
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5GGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G
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-SIM (pre-installed)Nano-SIM (pre-installed)
Weight180 g (6.35 oz)188 g (6.63 oz)
 IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 2m for 60 mins)-
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, Polar SilverPrism Bricks Black
Models-SM-A716V
PriceAbout 740 EUR-
SAR1.10 W/kg (head)     1.10 W/kg (body)0.50 W/kg (head)     0.78 W/kg (body)

OnePlus 8 5G UW (Verizon)

  • Significantly faster processor for demanding tasks
  • Faster charging speeds (30W vs 25W)
  • Likely superior camera performance

  • Potentially higher price point
  • May have a smaller display

Samsung Galaxy A71 5G UW

  • More affordable price
  • Likely larger display for media consumption
  • Good overall 5G experience for everyday use

  • Slower processor for demanding tasks
  • Slower charging speeds
  • Potentially lower camera quality

Display Comparison

While both phones feature displays suitable for everyday use, the specifics are absent in the provided data. However, given the OnePlus 8’s 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 larger device in general, may offer a more immersive viewing experience, but this comes at the cost of potentially lower pixel density. The OnePlus 8’s likely smaller form factor will appeal to users who prefer a more pocketable device.

Camera Comparison

Without detailed camera specifications, a direct comparison is limited. However, the OnePlus 8, being a flagship-adjacent device, likely incorporates a more advanced camera system with a larger primary sensor and potentially better image stabilization (OIS). The A71 5G UW will likely focus on versatility with multiple lenses, but image quality will likely fall behind the OnePlus 8 in challenging lighting conditions. The image processing algorithms will also differ, with OnePlus typically aiming for a more natural look, while Samsung often boosts saturation.

Performance

The core difference lies in the chipsets. The OnePlus 8 5G UW’s Snapdragon 865 (7nm+) is a significant leap over the Galaxy A71 5G UW’s Snapdragon 765G (7nm). The 865 features a more powerful CPU configuration – an octa-core setup with a prime Cortex-A77 clocked at 2.84 GHz versus the A71’s 2.4 GHz Kryo 475 Prime. This translates to faster app loading times, smoother multitasking, and a more responsive user interface on the OnePlus 8. The 865’s superior GPU will also deliver a noticeably better gaming experience. The 7nm+ node used in the 865 also suggests improved thermal efficiency, potentially leading to less throttling during sustained workloads.

Battery Life

The OnePlus 8 5G UW offers 30W wired charging, allowing for a 50% charge in just 22 minutes. The Samsung Galaxy A71 5G UW’s 25W charging is slower. While battery capacity isn’t specified, the faster charging speed of the OnePlus 8 mitigates any potential disadvantage from a slightly smaller battery. Real-world battery life will depend on usage patterns, but the more efficient Snapdragon 865 in the OnePlus 8 could contribute to comparable or even better endurance despite potentially having a smaller capacity.

Buying Guide

Buy the OnePlus 8 5G UW (Verizon) if you need a phone capable of handling demanding games, intensive multitasking, and future-proof performance. Buy the Samsung Galaxy A71 5G UW if you prioritize a lower price point, a larger display for media consumption, and a generally capable 5G experience for everyday tasks.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Will the Snapdragon 765G in the Galaxy A71 5G UW struggle with graphically intensive 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 UW’s Snapdragon 865 will provide a significantly better gaming experience with higher settings and more consistent performance.
❓ Does the OnePlus 8 5G UW benefit from Verizon's mmWave 5G network, and is it worth the extra cost?
Yes, the 'UW' designation indicates support for Verizon's Ultra Wideband (mmWave) 5G network. While mmWave offers incredibly fast speeds, its range is limited. Whether it's worth the extra cost depends on your location and how frequently you're within mmWave coverage areas.
❓ How does the thermal performance of the Snapdragon 765G in the A71 5G UW compare to the 865 in the OnePlus 8 during prolonged gaming sessions?
The Snapdragon 865, built on a 7nm+ process, generally exhibits better thermal efficiency than the 7nm Snapdragon 765G. This means the OnePlus 8 is less likely to experience significant performance throttling during extended gaming sessions, maintaining higher frame rates for longer.