Xiaomi Mi 10T 5G vs OnePlus 8T: A Detailed Comparison for Value Seekers

Both the Xiaomi Mi 10T 5G and OnePlus 8T represent a sweet spot in the smartphone market – offering flagship-level performance at significantly reduced prices. Released around the same time, both devices leverage the Qualcomm Snapdragon 865 5G chipset, but diverge in areas like charging speed, display characteristics, and overall user experience. This comparison dives deep into these differences to determine which phone delivers the most bang for your buck.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For the average user prioritizing rapid charging and a slightly brighter display, the OnePlus 8T emerges as the winner. Its 65W charging capability, reaching 100% in just 39 minutes, is a significant advantage. However, the Mi 10T 5G remains a compelling option for those seeking a similar performance profile at an even lower price point.

PHONES
Phone Names Xiaomi Mi 10T 5G OnePlus 8T
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1800 / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 32, 38, 40, 411, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 32, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 66 - EU
5G bands1, 3, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 41, 77, 78 NSA1, 3, 7, 28, 41, 78 SA/NSA - EU
SpeedHSPA, LTE, 5G (2+ Gbps DL)HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (5CA) Cat18 1200/200 Mbps, 5G 7.5 Gbps DL
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5GGSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE / 5G
 -41, 78, 79 SA/NSA - CN
Launch
Announced2020, September 30. Released 2020, October 132020, October 14
StatusDiscontinuedAvailable. Released 2020, October 16
Body
BuildGlass front (Gorilla Glass 5), glass back (Gorilla Glass 5), aluminum frameGlass front (Gorilla Glass 5), glass back (Gorilla Glass 5), aluminum frame
Dimensions165.1 x 76.4 x 9.3 mm (6.5 x 3.01 x 0.37 in)160.7 x 74.1 x 8.4 mm (6.33 x 2.92 x 0.33 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight216 g (7.62 oz)188 g (6.63 oz)
Display
ProtectionCorning Gorilla Glass 5Corning Gorilla Glass 5
Resolution1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~395 ppi density)1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~402 ppi density)
Size6.67 inches, 107.4 cm2 (~85.2% screen-to-body ratio)6.55 inches, 103.6 cm2 (~87.0% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeIPS LCD, 144Hz, HDR10+, 500 nits (typ), 650 nits (peak)Fluid 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 11, MIUI 12.5Android 11, upgradable to Android 14, OxygenOS 14
Memory
Card slotNoNo
Internal128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 6GB RAM128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM
 UFS 3.1UFS 3.1
Main Camera
FeaturesLED flash, HDR, panoramaDual-LED flash, HDR, panorama
Quad-48 MP, f/1.7, 26mm (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF, OIS 16 MP, f/2.2, 14mm, 123˚ (ultrawide), 1/3.6", 1.0µm 5 MP (macro) 2 MP, f/2.4, (monochrome)
Triple64 MP, f/1.9, 26mm (wide), 1/1.73", 0.8µm, PDAF 13 MP, f/2.4, 123˚ (ultrawide), 1/3.06", 1.12µm 5 MP (macro), AF-
Video8K@30fps, 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240/960fps; gyro-EIS4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/240fps, Auto HDR, gyro-EIS
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDRHDR
Single20 MP, f/2.2, 27mm (wide), 1/3.4", 0.8µm16 MP, f/2.4, (wide), 1/3.06", 1.0µm
Video1080p@30fps, 720p@120fps1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS
Sound
3.5mm jack NoNo
35mm jackNoNo
Loudspeaker Yes, with stereo speakersYes, with stereo speakers
 24-bit/192kHz audio-
Comms
Bluetooth5.1, A2DP, LE, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive5.1, A2DP, LE, aptX HD
Infrared portYes-
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 (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometerFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer (market dependant)
Battery
Charging33W wired, PD3.065W wired, 100% in 39 min
TypeLi-Po 5000 mAhLi-Po 4500 mAh
Misc
ColorsCosmic Black, Lunar SilverAquamarine Green, Lunar Silver, Cyberpunk 2077 Edition
ModelsM2007J3SYKB2001, KB2000, KB2003, KB2005
PriceAbout 240 EUR€ 130.75
SAR0.97 W/kg (head)     0.98 W/kg (body)-
SAR EU0.57 W/kg (head)     1.00 W/kg (body)-
Tests
Battery life- Endurance rating 104h
Camera- Photo / Video
Display- Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal)
Loudspeaker- -24.0 LUFS (Very good)
Performance- AnTuTu: 586000 (v8) GeekBench: 3126 (v5.1) GFXBench: 46fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)

Xiaomi Mi 10T 5G

  • Potentially lower price point for similar performance.
  • Snapdragon 865 5G offers flagship-level processing.
  • 120Hz display for smooth visuals.

  • Slower 33W charging.
  • Display brightness likely lower than OnePlus 8T.

OnePlus 8T

  • 65W Super Warp Charge – 100% in 39 minutes.
  • Brighter 802 nit display for better outdoor visibility.
  • Refined OnePlus software experience.

  • May be slightly more expensive than the Mi 10T 5G.
  • Camera performance details are limited.

Display Comparison

Both the Mi 10T 5G and OnePlus 8T feature displays capable of a 120Hz refresh rate, contributing to smooth scrolling and animations. However, the OnePlus 8T boasts a measured peak brightness of 802 nits, suggesting superior visibility in direct sunlight compared to the Mi 10T 5G (brightness data unavailable). While both have an 'infinite' contrast ratio (nominal), the real-world difference in viewing experience will likely be subtle. The absence of LTPO technology in either device means refresh rate scaling isn't as dynamic as on newer flagships, potentially impacting battery life during mixed usage.

Camera Comparison

Both phones offer photo and video capabilities, but detailed sensor information is lacking. Without specifics on sensor size, aperture, or OIS, a direct comparison is difficult. The absence of information suggests neither phone prioritizes a groundbreaking camera experience. The inclusion of a 2MP macro camera on either device is likely a marketing gimmick, offering limited practical benefit due to the small sensor size and lack of optical image stabilization. Image processing styles will likely differ, with Xiaomi often favoring more saturated colors and OnePlus aiming for a more natural look.

Performance

At the heart of both devices lies the Qualcomm SM8250 Snapdragon 865 5G (7 nm+). The CPU configuration is identical – an octa-core setup with 1x2.84 GHz Cortex-A77, 3x2.42 GHz Cortex-A77, and 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A55 cores. This means CPU performance will be virtually indistinguishable between the two. The 7nm+ fabrication process offers a balance between performance and efficiency. However, thermal management, which isn't specified, will dictate sustained performance under heavy load. Both devices likely utilize LPDDR5 RAM, but the speed isn't specified, impacting multitasking capabilities. The GPU performance will also be similar, capable of handling demanding games at high settings.

Battery Life

The OnePlus 8T holds an endurance rating of 104 hours, indicating solid battery life. Crucially, it supports 65W wired charging, achieving a full charge in just 39 minutes. The Mi 10T 5G, with 33W wired charging and PD3.0, will take considerably longer to charge. While the Mi 10T 5G’s battery capacity isn’t specified, the faster charging of the OnePlus 8T effectively mitigates any potential capacity disadvantage. The difference in charging speed is a significant real-world benefit, especially for users who frequently need to top up their battery.

Buying Guide

Buy the Xiaomi Mi 10T 5G if you need maximum performance-per-dollar and are willing to trade off charging speed and a marginally less bright display. It’s ideal for gamers and power users who prioritize raw processing power. Buy the OnePlus 8T if you prefer a faster charging experience, a slightly brighter screen for outdoor visibility, and the refined software experience OnePlus is known for. It’s a better all-rounder for everyday use.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Does the Snapdragon 865 in either phone exhibit significant thermal throttling during prolonged gaming sessions?
The Snapdragon 865 is known to generate heat under sustained load. While both phones likely employ thermal management solutions, the effectiveness isn't specified. Expect some performance throttling during extended gaming, but the severity will depend on the phone's cooling system and ambient temperature. Neither phone is known for exceptional thermal performance.
❓ Is the 120Hz refresh rate adaptive on either the Mi 10T 5G or OnePlus 8T, or is it a fixed setting?
Neither the Mi 10T 5G nor the OnePlus 8T utilize LTPO display technology. This means the 120Hz refresh rate is likely a fixed setting, rather than dynamically adjusting based on content. While this provides a consistently smooth experience, it may consume more battery than an adaptive refresh rate.
❓ How does the software experience differ between Xiaomi's MIUI and OnePlus' OxygenOS?
OnePlus' OxygenOS is generally regarded as a cleaner, more stock-Android-like experience with fewer pre-installed apps and less aggressive battery optimization. Xiaomi's MIUI is more feature-rich and customizable, but often includes more bloatware and can be more intrusive with notifications. Preference here is subjective.