OnePlus 8, OnePlus 8 Pro Pro Review: become the flagship

It’s been a couple of months since OnePlus released the new OnePlus 8 and OnePlus 8 Pro, and both devices have received many software updates that enhance the device experiences and camera qualities. Today, it’s time to completely brush up on the full overhaul of both devices, which OnePlus is no longer really calling “iconic killers” but simply flagships.

The OnePlus 8, and especially the OnePlus 8 pro, are major redesigns from the company, significantly raising the bar in terms of phone specs and features. The OnePlus 8 Pro is essentially a checked wish-list of features missing from last year’s OnePlus 7 Pro, as the company has addressed some of the biggest criticism from its predecessors. The slightly smaller and less expensive OnePlus 8 more closely follows the spirit of its predecessors as well as competitive pricing, while embracing the new design language that has been updated with this year’s devices.

Starting with the specs, both phones run on Qualcomm’s newest Snapdragon 865 SoC, which means they will both offer the best performance and experience one can have today on an Android device. A noticeable difference in hardware specs is that the regular OnePlus 8 comes with 8/12 GB of LPDDR4X, while the 8 Pro comes with 8/12 GB of newer LPDDR5X. It’s an interesting option, but we’ll see that the actual end result in performance and efficiency isn’t exactly what I expected, and it’s actually negligible. OnePlus is configuring both phones with either 128 or 256 GB of UFS 3.0 storage.

The key features of the phones are their new screens. The big change for the regular OnePlus 8 is the fact that it now adds a 90Hz refresh rate to its 2400 x 1080 OLED display, a feature that was previously only present in the Pro model. Essentially, this reduces the high-function. refresh rate on the product stack, something we’ve even seen from other vendors on the high-end or “premium” stack.

The larger OnePlus 8 Pro naturally has to improve on this, and its 3160 x 1440 OLED display is now capable of a 120Hz refresh rate. The big difference for the 8 Pro versus other 120Hz contenders like the Galaxy S20 series is the fact that OnePlus allows this refresh rate at the panel’s full native QHD resolution, while Samsung is forcing users to choose between a 120Hz and 1440p resolution.

The regular OnePlus 8 comes with a 6.55 ”diagonal display, while the 8 Pro has a slightly larger form factor of 6.78” and that is a key differentiator for the footprints of the two devices.

A big generational change in the design of the phones is in the configuration of the front camera. Both phones now feature a hole cut in the left corner for the front camera. The cutout diameter isn’t much different than what we’re seeing on the S20 series, but I think the corner placement may be less intrusive, and it also allows OnePlus to actually house a much better designed (stereo) headphone speaker compared to the S20 series.

Some people were fans of the OnePlus 7 Pro’s mechanical pop-up camera, but I was never really convinced by the technical compromises the phone had to make, especially when it comes to thickness and weight. The OnePlus 8 Pro can now use this reclaimed space for internal components, a larger battery, IP68 rating, all while being lighter than the OnePlus 7 Pro – a good choice for the pop-up camera.

The backs of the phones retain the company’s “signature” central vertical camera setup, which is actually a rare thing to see in 2020, as most other manufacturers have opted for a corner camera module design. In this regard, even though OnePlus did not change anything, they excel.

The regular OnePlus 8 comes with a triple camera setup among which there are only two “real” modules that can be used on a daily basis. The main camera sensor here is the same one we’ve found on the OnePlus 7 series in the form of a 48MP IMX586, paired with a 16MP ultra-wide-angle module. The third camera is a dedicated 2MP macro module.

OnePlus 8 Pro significantly improves the capabilities of the camera and this is where the phone competes directly with the best flagship devices on the market. The new main camera sensor is still 48MP, however this is a new IMX689 in a 1 / 1.4 “larger sensor format, meaning the pixel pitch increases from 0.8 µm to 1.12 µm, effectively more than doubling the area per sensor and pixel, as well as doubling the sensor’s light gathering capacity.

The wide-angle module has also been significantly improved: It is now using the same 48MP sensor that the OnePlus 7 and OnePlus 8 series use for its main cameras, making the UWA of the 8 Pro one of the highest specified in the market right now.

The 8 Pro has a four-camera setup, 3 of which can be used in everyday photography. The third module is the same 3x telephoto camera we’ve seen on the OnePlus 7 Pro. The fourth camera is a 5MP “color filter module” which is essentially a normal camera with the IR filter removed, which means it can Capture IR wavelengths that can result in unique looking images, especially in sunlight.

One aspect I wanted to talk a little bit more about was the ergonomics of the phones, particularly their respective sizes, as well as the different curved designs on the screen.

The first time I unpacked the regular OnePlus 8 from its box and held it, I had something of a revelation, as the phone felt like one of the most perfect form and ergonomics factors I’ve felt in a device in years. The phone felt incredibly premium, and while we’ve had glass sandwiches for years, this was by far the best-feeling glass sandwich to date.

Holding the larger OnePlus 8 Pro did not have the same answer. Beyond being a little bigger, which is subjective, the phone’s curves just weren’t that smooth. The big difference between the two units here is that the 8 Pro’s display glass curves to the sides with a much larger radius than the OnePlus 8.

When looking at both phones from the sides, it’s obvious that the OnePlus 8 Pro’s metal side frame isn’t really centered, but rather recessed towards the back of the phone. This makes it have a smaller rear glass curvature compared to the normal OnePlus 8, and I think this makes a big difference in the ergonomics of the two phones.

Many vendors have experimented with curved front glass designs, ranging from the most conservative 90 ° curves to the most absurd. Samsung’s highlight has toned down the curvature of the front glass on the S20 series and has actually been an improvement in the usability and feel of the phone. I think the OnePlus 8 Pro here has a similar problem too, as its front glass is too curved, while the OnePlus 8’s symmetrical curves feel essentially perfect in hand.

One form factor difference between the two phones in addition to the footprint, is that the OnePlus 8 Pro is 0.8mm thicker. This doesn’t sound like much, but it’s actually a 10% difference between the two units and it shows immediately if you hold them together, but it’s not a major drawback on its own. The 8 Pro is capable of housing a larger 4510 mAh battery, a small knock on the 4300 mAh unit of the normal OnePlus 8.

The camera bump on the 8 Pro is also slightly larger than the one on the 8. It’s quite remarkable since the metal lip sticks out much more, however I found that given its central location on the phone, I didn’t actually touch everything with too often. Oh, and because the cameras are centered, it means the phone doesn’t wobble on a flat surface, which is again a problem for most other 2020 devices.

The two sample units I received were “Glacial Green” flavors, although in almost all lightning conditions they actually appear as light blue. OnePlus use of frosted matte glass textures on the back of the phones in this flavor makes it the obvious color choice as it really enhances the feel of the device compared to the other glossy finishes.

Overall, I think OnePlus did excellent in terms of the design of the two phones. I was particularly in love with the regular OnePlus 8 as its form factor and ergonomics are essentially the best I’ve had on a phone in a long time.