OnePlus 8 vs. Samsung Galaxy S20 FE 2022: A Deep Dive into Snapdragon 865 Performance and Value

Both the OnePlus 8 and the Samsung Galaxy S20 FE 2022 represent compelling options in the now-mature Snapdragon 865 space. The OnePlus 8 launched as a premium flagship, while the S20 FE 2022 aimed to deliver a flagship experience at a more accessible price point. This comparison dissects their similarities and differences to determine which phone offers the best value in 2024.
Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

For the average user prioritizing display brightness and faster charging, the OnePlus 8 emerges as the winner. While both phones share the same Snapdragon 865 chipset, the OnePlus 8’s brighter 803-nit display and 30W charging provide a more refined daily experience, justifying its original higher price point.

PHONES
Phone Names OnePlus 8 Samsung Galaxy S20 FE 2022
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, 32, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 46, 66 - EULTE
5G bands1, 3, 7, 28, 78 SA/NSA - EUSA/NSA/Sub6
SpeedHSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (5CA) Cat18 1200/150 Mbps, 5G 7.5 Gbps DLHSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (5CA) Cat19 1800/200 Mbps, 5G
TechnologyGSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE / 5GGSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G
 41, 78, 79 SA/NSA - CNCDMA2000 1xEV-DO
Launch
Announced2020, April 142022, April 01
StatusAvailable. Released 2020, April 21Available. Released 2022, April 01
Body
BuildGlass front (Gorilla Glass 5), 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)159.8 x 74.5 x 8.4 mm (6.29 x 2.93 x 0.33 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight180 g (6.35 oz)190 g (6.70 oz)
 -IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 min)
Display
ProtectionCorning Gorilla Glass 5Corning Gorilla Glass 3
Resolution1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~402 ppi density)1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~405 ppi density)
Size6.55 inches, 103.6 cm2 (~88.7% screen-to-body ratio)6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~85.7% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeFluid AMOLED, 90Hz, HDR10+Super AMOLED, 120Hz, HDR10+
 -Always-on display
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, upgradable to Android 13, OxygenOS 13Android 12, One UI 4.1
Memory
Card slotNomicroSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)
Internal128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM128GB 6GB RAM
 UFS 3.0, 2-LANEUFS 3.1
Main Camera
FeaturesDual-LED flash, HDR, panoramaLED flash, auto-HDR, panorama
Triple48 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF, OIS 16 MP, f/2.2, 14mm, 116˚ (ultrawide), 1/3.6", 1.0µm 2 MP (macro)12 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/1.76", 1.8µm, dual pixel PDAF, OIS 8 MP, f/2.4, 76mm (telephoto), 1/4.5", 1.0µm, PDAF, OIS, 3x optical zoom 12 MP, f/2.2, 13mm, 123˚ (ultrawide), 1/3.0", 1.12µm
Video4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/240fps, Auto HDR, gyro-EIS4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60fps, gyro-EIS
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDRHDR
Single16 MP, f/2.4, (wide), 1/3.06", 1.0µm32 MP, f/2.2, 26mm (wide), 1/2.74", 0.8µm
Video1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60fps, gyro-EIS
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
RadioNoNo
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, optical), accelerometer, gyro, compass
 -Virtual proximity sensing 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 4500 mAh
Misc
ColorsOnyx Black, Glacial Green, Interstellar Glow, Polar SilverCloud White, Cloud Lavender, Cloud Navy
ModelsIN2013, IN2017, IN2010, IN2019, IN2011SM-G781NK, SM-G781NK22
PriceAbout 840 EURAbout 520 EUR
Tests
Battery life Endurance rating 108h -
Camera Photo / Video-
Display Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal)-
Loudspeaker -22.5 LUFS (Excellent) -
Performance AnTuTu: 564708 (v8) GeekBench: 13291 (v4.4), 3399 (v5.1) GFXBench: 46fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)-

OnePlus 8

  • Brighter display for better outdoor visibility
  • Faster 30W wired charging
  • Potentially better thermal management due to premium build

  • Lacks wireless charging
  • Limited camera details available

Samsung Galaxy S20 FE 2022

  • Wireless and reverse wireless charging
  • Potentially more versatile camera system
  • More affordable price point (typically)

  • Slower 25W wired charging
  • Likely dimmer display

Display Comparison

The OnePlus 8 boasts a measured peak brightness of 803 nits, significantly outperforming the likely lower (though unconfirmed) brightness of the S20 FE 2022. While both utilize OLED panels offering infinite contrast ratios, the higher brightness of the OnePlus 8 translates to better visibility under direct sunlight. Both likely employ similar PWM dimming rates, but the OnePlus 8’s superior brightness provides a more comfortable viewing experience in various lighting conditions. The S20 FE 2022’s display, while still good, is likely a cost-saving measure compared to the OnePlus 8’s panel.

Camera Comparison

Both phones feature capable camera systems, but details beyond 'Photo / Video' are limited. The S20 FE 2022 likely benefits from Samsung’s more mature image processing algorithms and potentially a larger main sensor, offering greater dynamic range and detail in challenging lighting conditions. The OnePlus 8’s camera, while good, may lean towards a more natural color profile. Without specific sensor size or aperture information, it’s difficult to definitively declare a winner, but Samsung’s history suggests a more feature-rich and versatile camera experience on the S20 FE 2022.

Performance

Both devices are powered by the Qualcomm SM8250 Snapdragon 865 5G (7 nm+), featuring the same Octa-core CPU configuration (1x2.84 GHz Cortex-A77, 3x2.42 GHz Cortex-A77, and 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A55). This means raw processing power will be virtually identical for most tasks. However, thermal management could differ due to chassis design and cooling solutions. The OnePlus 8, being a more premium device initially, may have a slightly more robust cooling system, potentially leading to less throttling during sustained heavy workloads. Both phones utilize LPDDR4X RAM, so memory performance will be comparable.

Battery Life

The OnePlus 8 achieves an endurance rating of 108 hours, indicating solid battery life. The S20 FE 2022’s battery capacity is unknown, but its 25W wired charging (with PD3.0 support) is slower than the OnePlus 8’s 30W charging, which can reach 50% charge in just 22 minutes. The S20 FE 2022 adds the convenience of 15W wireless charging and 4.5W reverse wireless charging, features absent on the OnePlus 8. While the OnePlus 8 charges faster, the S20 FE 2022 offers more charging flexibility.

Buying Guide

Buy the OnePlus 8 if you need a brighter, more vibrant display for outdoor use and value faster wired charging speeds. It’s ideal for media consumers and those who frequently use their phone in direct sunlight. Buy the Samsung Galaxy S20 FE 2022 if you prioritize wireless charging capabilities and a more versatile camera system, and are comfortable with a slightly dimmer screen and slower wired charging.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Does the Snapdragon 865 in either phone struggle with demanding games in 2024?
While the Snapdragon 865 is a capable chipset, newer games may require reduced graphics settings for optimal performance. Both phones should handle most titles at medium settings, but sustained high frame rates in the most demanding games may be limited by thermal throttling.
❓ Is the lack of a dedicated telephoto lens on either phone a significant drawback?
Without specific camera specs, it's hard to say definitively. However, the absence of a dedicated telephoto lens means digital zoom will be relied upon for distant subjects, resulting in reduced image quality compared to optical zoom.
❓ How does the software experience differ between OxygenOS (OnePlus 8) and One UI (Samsung Galaxy S20 FE 2022)?
OxygenOS is known for its clean, near-stock Android experience with subtle customizations, while One UI offers a more feature-rich and visually distinct interface. Preference is subjective, but OxygenOS generally appeals to users who prefer a minimalist approach.
❓ Will either phone receive further major Android updates?
Both phones are nearing the end of their software support lifecycle. While they will likely continue to receive security updates, major Android version updates are unlikely.