OnePlus 9RT 5G vs OnePlus 8: A Detailed Showdown

Choosing between a newer and a slightly older flagship can be tough. The OnePlus 9RT 5G brings a more powerful chipset and faster charging, while the OnePlus 8 remains a solid contender with impressive battery life and a refined design. Let's dive into a comprehensive comparison to help you decide which phone is right for you.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

The OnePlus 9RT 5G wins on performance and charging speed thanks to its Snapdragon 888 and 65W charging. However, the OnePlus 8 boasts exceptional battery endurance and a potentially more refined user experience for some. It depends on your priorities: power vs. longevity.

PHONES
Phone Names OnePlus 9RT 5G OnePlus 8
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1800 / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1800 / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 - Global1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 32, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 46, 66 - EU
5G bands1, 3, 5, 8, 28, 40, 41, 78 SA/NSA - Global1, 3, 7, 28, 78 SA/NSA - EU
SpeedHSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat18 1200/200 Mbps, 5GHSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (5CA) Cat18 1200/150 Mbps, 5G 7.5 Gbps DL
TechnologyGSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5GGSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE / 5G
 CDMA2000 1xEV-DO 41, 78, 79 SA/NSA - CN
Launch
Announced2021, October 132020, April 14
StatusAvailable. Released 2021, October 19Available. Released 2020, April 21
Body
BuildGlass front (Gorilla Glass 5), glass back (Gorilla Glass 5), aluminum frameGlass front (Gorilla Glass 5), glass back (Gorilla Glass 5), aluminum frame
Dimensions162.2 x 74.6 x 8.3 mm (6.39 x 2.94 x 0.33 in)160.2 x 72.9 x 8 mm (6.31 x 2.87 x 0.31 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight198.5 g (7.02 oz)180 g (6.35 oz)
Display
ProtectionCorning Gorilla Glass 5Corning Gorilla Glass 5
Resolution1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~397 ppi density)1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~402 ppi density)
Size6.62 inches, 106.3 cm2 (~87.9% screen-to-body ratio)6.55 inches, 103.6 cm2 (~88.7% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeAMOLED, 120Hz, HDR10+Fluid AMOLED, 90Hz, HDR10+
 Always-on display-
Platform
CPUOcta-core (1x2.84 GHz Cortex-X1 & 3x2.42 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A55)Octa-core (1x2.84 GHz Cortex-A77 & 3x2.42 GHz Cortex-A77 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A55)
ChipsetQualcomm SM8350 Snapdragon 888 5G (5 nm)Qualcomm SM8250 Snapdragon 865 5G (7 nm+)
GPUAdreno 660Adreno 650
OSAndroid 11, upgradable to Android 13, OxygenOS 13Android 10, upgradable to Android 13, OxygenOS 13
Memory
Card slotNoNo
Internal128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM
 UFS 3.1UFS 3.0, 2-LANE
Main Camera
FeaturesDual-LED flash, HDR, panoramaDual-LED flash, HDR, panorama
Quad50 MP, f/1.8, 24mm (wide), 1/1.56”, 1.0µm, PDAF, OIS 16 MP, f/2.2, 14mm, 123˚ (ultrawide), 1/3.6", 1.0µm 2 MP (macro)-
Single16 MP, f/2.4, (wide), 1/3.06", 1.0µm-
Triple-48 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)
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/2.4, (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 NoNo
35mm jackNoNo
Loudspeaker Yes, with stereo speakersYes, with stereo speakers
Comms
Bluetooth5.2, A2DP, LE5.1, 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 2.0, OTGUSB Type-C 3.1, OTG
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi DirectWi-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
Battery
Charging65W wired, 100% in 29 min30W wired, 50% in 22 min
TypeLi-Po 4500 mAhLi-Po 4300 mAh
Misc
ColorsHacker Black, Nano Silver, BlueOnyx Black, Glacial Green, Interstellar Glow, Polar Silver
ModelsMT2110, MT2111IN2013, IN2017, IN2010, IN2019, IN2011
PriceAbout 590 EURAbout 840 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 9RT 5G

  • Faster Snapdragon 888 Chipset
  • 65W Super Fast Charging
  • Likely Improved Camera Processing
  • Modern Design

  • Battery life potentially shorter than OnePlus 8
  • Software updates may be nearing end of life

OnePlus 8

  • Exceptional Battery Endurance (108h rating)
  • Refined User Experience (potentially)
  • Good Value (especially if found at a discount)
  • Infinite Contrast Ratio Display

  • Slower Snapdragon 865 Chipset
  • 30W Charging (slower than 9RT)
  • Older Software

Display Comparison

The OnePlus 9RT 5G likely features a slightly more modern display panel with potentially better color accuracy and brightness, though the OnePlus 8's infinite contrast ratio is noteworthy. Both phones offer smooth 120Hz refresh rates for fluid scrolling and animations. The 9RT 5G's display is expected to be brighter, offering better outdoor visibility.

Camera Comparison

Both phones offer capable camera systems, but the 9RT 5G likely has improvements in image processing and low-light performance. The OnePlus 8's camera is known for its natural color reproduction. Specific camera hardware details would need further investigation to determine a clear winner.

Performance

The Snapdragon 888 in the OnePlus 9RT 5G is a significant upgrade over the Snapdragon 865 in the OnePlus 8. Expect noticeably faster app loading times, smoother multitasking, and better performance in demanding games. The 9RT 5G's X1 core provides a boost in single-core performance.

Battery Life

The OnePlus 8's endurance rating of 108 hours is remarkable. While the 9RT 5G's battery capacity is likely similar, the 8's power efficiency gives it a clear advantage in terms of longevity. The 9RT 5G's 65W charging significantly reduces charging times, however.

Buying Guide

The OnePlus 9RT 5G is ideal for gamers, power users, and those who prioritize fast charging. The OnePlus 8 is a great choice for users who value long battery life, a balanced experience, and potentially a slightly more mature software feel.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Is the OnePlus 9RT 5G worth upgrading from the OnePlus 8?
If you prioritize performance and fast charging, then yes. Otherwise, the OnePlus 8 remains a capable device with excellent battery life.
❓ Which phone has better software support?
The OnePlus 9RT 5G likely has a slightly longer software support window, but both phones will eventually stop receiving major updates.