Xiaomi Mi 10 Youth 5G vs OnePlus 8 5G UW: A Detailed Performance and Value Showdown

The Xiaomi Mi 10 Youth 5G and the OnePlus 8 5G UW (Verizon exclusive) represent distinct approaches to the 5G smartphone market. The Mi 10 Youth aimed for affordability with a capable mid-range chipset, while the OnePlus 8 5G UW targeted a more premium experience with a flagship processor and Verizon’s Ultra Wideband 5G support. This comparison dissects their key differences to determine which device delivers the best value for your needs.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For the average user prioritizing raw performance and future-proofing, the OnePlus 8 5G UW is the clear winner. Its Snapdragon 865 chipset provides a substantial leap in processing power and graphics capabilities compared to the Mi 10 Youth’s Snapdragon 765G. However, the Mi 10 Youth offers a compelling value proposition for budget-conscious buyers.

PHONES
Phone Names Xiaomi Mi 10 Youth 5G OnePlus 8 5G UW (Verizon)
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1800 / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 34, 38, 39, 40, 411, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 30, 38, 39, 40, 41, 46, 48, 66, 71
5G bands1, 41, 78, 79 SA/NSA2, 5, 66, 260, 261 mmWave
SpeedHSPA, LTE, 5GHSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (5CA) Cat18 1200/150 Mbps, 5G 7.5 Gbps DL
TechnologyGSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5GGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G
 CDMA2000 1xEV-DO -
Launch
Announced2020, April 27. Released 2020, May 042020, April 14
StatusDiscontinuedAvailable. Released 2020, April 29
Body
Build-Glass front, glass back (Gorilla Glass 5), aluminum frame
Dimensions164 x 74.8 x 7.9 mm (6.46 x 2.94 x 0.31 in)160.2 x 72.9 x 8 mm (6.31 x 2.87 x 0.31 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM (pre-installed)
Weight192 g (6.77 oz)180 g (6.35 oz)
 -IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 2m for 60 mins)
Display
ProtectionCorning Gorilla Glass 5-
Resolution1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~401 ppi density)1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~402 ppi density)
Size6.57 inches, 104.2 cm2 (~85.0% screen-to-body ratio)6.55 inches, 103.6 cm2 (~88.7% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeSuper AMOLED, HDR10+, 430 nits (typ)Fluid AMOLED, 90Hz, HDR10+
Platform
CPUOcta-core (1x2.4 GHz Kryo 475 Prime & 1x2.2 GHz Kryo 475 Gold & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 475 Silver)Octa-core (1x2.84 GHz Cortex-A77 & 3x2.42 GHz Cortex-A77 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A55)
ChipsetQualcomm SM7250 Snapdragon 765G 5G (7 nm)Qualcomm SM8250 Snapdragon 865 5G (7 nm+)
GPUAdreno 620Adreno 650
OSAndroid 10, MIUI 11Android 10, OxygenOS 10.0
Memory
Card slotNoNo
Internal64GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM128GB 8GB RAM
 UFS 2.1UFS 3.0, 2-LANE
Main Camera
FeaturesDual-LED flash, HDR, panoramaDual-LED flash, HDR, panorama
Quad48 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF 8 MP, f/3.4, 122mm (periscope telephoto), PDAF, OIS, 5x optical zoom 8 MP, f/2.2, 15mm, 120˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm 2 MP (macro)-
Triple-48 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@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps, 720p@960fps; gyro-EIS4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/240fps, Auto HDR, gyro-EIS
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDR, panoramaHDR
Single16 MP, f/2.5, (wide), 1/3.06", 1.0µm16 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1/3.06", 1.0µm
Video1080p@30fps, 720p@120fps1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS
Sound
3.5mm jack YesNo
35mm jackYesNo
Loudspeaker YesYes, with stereo speakers
 24-bit/192kHz audio-
Comms
Bluetooth5.1, A2DP, LE, aptX Adaptive5.1, A2DP, LE, aptX HD
Infrared portYes-
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (G1), BDS (B1I+B2a), GALILEO (E1+E5a), QZSS (L1+L5)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, 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, compassFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass
 Virtual proximity sensing-
Battery
Charging20W wired, PD3.0, QC430W wired, 50% in 22 min
TypeLi-Po 4160 mAhLi-Po 4300 mAh
Misc
ColorsBlue, White, Black, Green, Orange/PeachOnyx Black, Polar Silver
ModelsM2002J9E-
PriceAbout 270 EURAbout 740 EUR
SAR-1.10 W/kg (head)     1.10 W/kg (body)

Xiaomi Mi 10 Youth 5G

  • More affordable price point
  • Supports Quick Charge and Power Delivery
  • Lightweight and compact design (likely)

  • Significantly less powerful Snapdragon 765G chipset
  • Slower charging speed (20W)
  • Potentially lower camera quality

OnePlus 8 5G UW (Verizon)

  • Flagship Snapdragon 865 processor for superior performance
  • Faster 30W charging
  • Verizon 5G UW support for faster data speeds

  • Higher price tag
  • Verizon exclusivity may limit carrier options
  • Potentially larger and heavier design

Display Comparison

While both devices likely feature AMOLED panels (based on brand history), specific details like peak brightness and color accuracy are unavailable. The focus here is on the underlying performance difference. The OnePlus 8, being a flagship, likely benefits from a higher quality panel with potentially better color calibration and viewing angles. However, without concrete data, this remains speculative. Both devices will offer a vibrant viewing experience, but the OnePlus 8 likely has an edge in overall quality.

Camera Comparison

Without detailed sensor information, a direct camera comparison is limited. However, the OnePlus 8, as a flagship, likely incorporates a more sophisticated camera system with a larger main sensor and improved image processing algorithms. While the Mi 10 Youth may offer a versatile camera setup, the OnePlus 8’s superior processing power allows for faster image capture, better low-light performance, and more advanced features like improved video stabilization. The Snapdragon 865’s ISP (Image Signal Processor) is significantly more capable than the 765G’s, resulting in higher-quality images and videos.

Performance

The core difference lies in the chipsets. The OnePlus 8 5G UW boasts the Qualcomm SM8250 Snapdragon 865 5G (7 nm+), featuring an octa-core CPU with a prime Cortex-A77 core clocked at 2.84 GHz. This is a significant upgrade over the Xiaomi Mi 10 Youth 5G’s Snapdragon 765G (7 nm), which has a Kryo 475 Prime core at 2.4 GHz. The Snapdragon 865’s more advanced architecture and higher clock speeds translate to faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and superior gaming performance. The 7nm+ process node of the 865 also offers improved thermal efficiency, potentially mitigating throttling during sustained workloads. The Mi 10 Youth will handle daily tasks adequately, but the OnePlus 8 will excel in demanding scenarios.

Battery Life

The OnePlus 8 5G UW features 30W wired charging, capable of reaching 50% charge in just 22 minutes. The Xiaomi Mi 10 Youth 5G offers 20W wired charging with PD3.0 and QC4 support. While the Mi 10 Youth’s charging is compatible with widely used standards, the OnePlus 8’s faster charging significantly reduces downtime. The actual battery life will depend on usage patterns, but the OnePlus 8’s more efficient chipset and faster charging provide a practical advantage.

Buying Guide

Buy the Xiaomi Mi 10 Youth 5G if you need a capable 5G phone for everyday tasks, social media, and light gaming, and prioritize affordability above all else. Buy the OnePlus 8 5G UW (Verizon) if you prefer a smoother, more responsive experience for demanding applications, gaming, and benefit from Verizon’s 5G UW network, and are willing to pay a premium.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Does the Snapdragon 765G in the Mi 10 Youth 5G struggle with graphically intensive games like Genshin Impact?
Yes, the Snapdragon 765G is a mid-range chipset and will likely require significant graphics settings reductions to achieve playable frame rates in demanding games like Genshin Impact. Expect noticeable frame drops and potential stuttering, especially during prolonged gaming sessions. The OnePlus 8’s Snapdragon 865 offers a much smoother gaming experience.
❓ Is the Verizon 5G UW support on the OnePlus 8 5G UW worth the extra cost if I don't live in a 5G UW coverage area?
If you are not in a Verizon 5G UW coverage area, the benefit of the UW support is minimal. You'll still get 5G connectivity where available, but it won't be the faster mmWave speeds that UW provides. In this case, the price premium for the OnePlus 8 5G UW may not be justified, and you might consider other 5G options.
❓ How does the thermal management compare between the two phones during extended gaming sessions?
The OnePlus 8 5G UW, with its Snapdragon 865 built on a 7nm+ process, generally exhibits better thermal management than the Mi 10 Youth 5G’s Snapdragon 765G. While both phones will heat up during prolonged gaming, the OnePlus 8 is less likely to experience significant throttling, maintaining higher frame rates for longer periods.