OnePlus 8 5G UW vs Samsung Galaxy S20 5G UW: A Deep Dive into Verizon's 5G Flagships

Both the OnePlus 8 5G UW and the Samsung Galaxy S20 5G UW represent Verizon’s early push into ultra-wideband (UWB) 5G. Released around the same time, these phones share a core chipset but diverge in areas like charging speed, wireless features, and software experience. This comparison dissects those differences to determine which phone delivers the best value for Verizon customers.
Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

For the average user prioritizing a well-rounded experience with added convenience, the Samsung Galaxy S20 5G UW edges out the OnePlus 8 5G UW. While both share the Snapdragon 865, Samsung’s inclusion of wireless and reverse wireless charging, alongside a more mature camera software suite, provides a slight advantage.

PHONES
Phone Names OnePlus 8 5G UW (Verizon) Samsung Galaxy S20 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 / 1700(AWS) / 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, 8, 13, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 48, 66
5G bands2, 5, 66, 260, 261 mmWave260, 261 mmWave
SpeedHSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (5CA) Cat18 1200/150 Mbps, 5G 7.5 Gbps DLHSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (7CA) Cat20 2000/200 Mbps, 5G (5+ Gbps DL)
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5GGSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G
 -CDMA2000 1xEV-DO
Launch
Announced2020, April 142020, May 20
StatusAvailable. Released 2020, April 29Available. Released 2020, June 04
Body
BuildGlass front, glass back (Gorilla Glass 5), aluminum frameGlass front (Gorilla Glass 6), glass back (Gorilla Glass 6), aluminum frame
Dimensions160.2 x 72.9 x 8 mm (6.31 x 2.87 x 0.31 in)151.7 x 69.1 x 8.1 mm (5.97 x 2.72 x 0.32 in)
SIMNano-SIM (pre-installed)Nano-SIM (pre-installed)
Weight180 g (6.35 oz)168.1 g (5.93 oz)
 IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 2m for 60 mins)IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 min)
Display
Protection-Corning Gorilla Glass 6
Resolution1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~402 ppi density)1440 x 3200 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~566 ppi density)
Size6.55 inches, 103.6 cm2 (~88.7% screen-to-body ratio)6.2 inches, 92.8 cm2 (~88.5% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeFluid AMOLED, 90Hz, HDR10+Dynamic AMOLED 2X, 120Hz, HDR10+, 1200 nits (peak)
 -Always-on display 120Hz@FHD/60Hz@QHD refresh rate
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 10, One UI 2.5
Memory
Card slotNoNo
Internal128GB 8GB RAM128GB 8GB RAM
 UFS 3.0, 2-LANEUFS 3.0
Main Camera
FeaturesDual-LED flash, HDR, panoramaLED flash, auto-HDR, panorama
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)12 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/1.76", 1.8µm, dual pixel PDAF, OIS 64 MP, f/2.0, 29mm (telephoto), 1/1.72", 0.8µm, PDAF, OIS, 1.1x optical zoom, 3x hybrid zoom 12 MP, f/2.2, 13mm, 120˚ (ultrawide), 1/2.55" 1.4µm, Super Steady video
Video4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/240fps, Auto HDR, gyro-EIS8K@24fps, 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/240fps, 720p@960fps, HDR10+, stereo sound rec., gyro-EIS & OIS
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDRHDR
Single16 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1/3.06", 1.0µm10 MP, f/2.2, 26mm (wide), 1/3.24", 1.22µm, dual pixel PDAF
Video1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30fps
Sound
3.5mm jack NoNo
35mm jackNoNo
Loudspeaker Yes, with stereo speakersYes, with stereo speakers
 -32-bit/384kHz audio Tuned by AKG
Comms
Bluetooth5.1, A2DP, LE, aptX HD5.0, A2DP, LE
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (G1), BDS (B1), GALILEO (E1+E5a)GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO
RadioNoFM radio
USBUSB Type-C 3.1, OTGUSB Type-C 3.2, 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
Features
SensorsFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compassFingerprint (under display, ultrasonic), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer
 -Samsung DeX, Samsung Wireless DeX (desktop experience support) ANT+ Bixby natural language commands and dictation Samsung Pay (Visa, MasterCard certified)
Battery
Charging30W wired, 50% in 22 min25W wired, PD3.0 15W wireless (Qi) 4.5W reverse wireless
TypeLi-Po 4300 mAhLi-Ion 4000 mAh
Misc
ColorsOnyx Black, Polar SilverCloud Pink, Cosmic Grey, Cloud White
Models-SM-G981V
PriceAbout 740 EURAbout 880 EUR
SAR1.10 W/kg (head)     1.10 W/kg (body)0.91 W/kg (head)     1.05 W/kg (body)

OnePlus 8 5G UW (Verizon)

  • Faster 30W wired charging
  • Clean and efficient OxygenOS software
  • Potentially better sustained performance due to software optimization

  • Lacks wireless and reverse wireless charging
  • Camera software may not be as refined as Samsung's
  • Less feature-rich overall

Samsung Galaxy S20 5G UW

  • Wireless and reverse wireless charging
  • More versatile camera system with advanced image processing
  • PD3.0 support for wider charger compatibility

  • Slower 25W wired charging
  • Samsung’s One UI can be more resource-intensive
  • Potentially more bloatware

Display Comparison

Both devices utilize the Qualcomm Snapdragon 865 5G (7nm+) chipset, meaning display performance will be largely similar. However, details beyond the provided specs are needed to compare panel quality. Given Samsung’s history, the S20 likely boasts a higher peak brightness and potentially more accurate color calibration. The OnePlus 8’s display, while excellent, typically focuses on refresh rate over absolute color accuracy. Bezels are expected to be comparable, reflecting the flagship status of both devices.

Camera Comparison

Without detailed sensor information, a precise camera comparison is difficult. However, Samsung historically prioritizes camera features and image processing. The S20 likely benefits from more sophisticated computational photography algorithms, resulting in more consistently pleasing images, particularly in challenging lighting conditions. The OnePlus 8, while capable, often leans towards a more natural, less processed look. The absence of details regarding sensor size and OIS capabilities prevents a definitive judgment, but Samsung’s experience in camera technology gives it an edge.

Performance

The shared Qualcomm SM8250 Snapdragon 865 5G (7 nm+) chipset and identical CPU configuration – an octa-core setup with 1x2.84 GHz Cortex-A77, 3x2.42 GHz Cortex-A77, and 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A55 – guarantee similar raw processing power. Real-world performance differences will hinge on thermal management and software optimization. OnePlus is known for its efficient OxygenOS, potentially allowing for sustained peak performance. However, the S20’s larger chassis *could* offer slightly better heat dissipation. Both utilize LPDDR5 RAM, ensuring fast memory access.

Battery Life

The OnePlus 8 5G UW’s 30W wired charging is faster than the Samsung Galaxy S20 5G UW’s 25W wired charging, allowing for a 50% charge in 22 minutes versus an unspecified time for the Samsung. However, the S20 compensates with 15W wireless charging (Qi standard) and 4.5W reverse wireless charging – features absent on the OnePlus 8. While battery capacity isn’t specified, the S20’s wireless charging capabilities offer significant convenience, potentially offsetting a slightly smaller battery size. The inclusion of PD3.0 on the S20 also ensures compatibility with a wider range of chargers.

Buying Guide

Buy the OnePlus 8 5G UW (Verizon) if you prioritize a cleaner, faster software experience and are comfortable with a more streamlined feature set. Buy the Samsung Galaxy S20 5G UW if you prefer a more feature-rich experience, including wireless charging, reverse wireless charging, and a more versatile camera system with established image processing.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Does the Snapdragon 865 in either phone exhibit significant throttling during extended gaming sessions on Verizon's 5G UW network?
While the Snapdragon 865 is a powerful chip, sustained high performance can lead to thermal throttling. Both phones share the same chipset, so throttling will be similar. However, the S20’s potentially larger chassis *could* offer slightly better heat dissipation, potentially mitigating throttling slightly more effectively during prolonged gaming.
❓ How does Verizon's 5G UW performance differ between the OnePlus 8 and the Galaxy S20, considering both support mmWave?
Both phones support Verizon’s 5G UW (mmWave) network, but real-world performance depends on signal strength and proximity to a 5G node. The phones themselves shouldn’t significantly differ in their ability to connect to and utilize the mmWave spectrum. Any differences observed would likely be attributable to antenna design variations, which aren’t specified in the provided data.
❓ Is the lack of a headphone jack on either phone a significant drawback for audio enthusiasts?
Neither the OnePlus 8 5G UW nor the Samsung Galaxy S20 5G UW includes a 3.5mm headphone jack. This necessitates the use of USB-C headphones or a USB-C to 3.5mm adapter. For audio enthusiasts who prefer wired headphones, this is a definite inconvenience, requiring an additional purchase.