OnePlus 8

[Bass]

So, the OnePlus 8 and OnePlus 8 Pro will be unveiled next Tuesday (14/4).

Quite a bit has leaked, regading the looks and the price etc. As expected, and as has happened with each new iteration, the price will rise - though it will still undercut your out and out flagships. The OnePlus 8 Pro will finally include wireless charging, an IP rating and will shift to a 120hz display.

Is anyone interested / likely to pull the trigger?

I moved from the Pixel to a OnePlus 7 Pro last year and honestly have been so impressed. I'm interested to see the latest iteration, but very much doubt I'll look to upgrade, as my 7 Pro is fantastic and I much prefer it's full, unblemished display over the punchhole cutout on the 8. In fact, the only thing I miss from my Pixels is the camera. I am a fan of the stock android experience, but OxygenOS I find it to be fantastic - but yeah, if OnePlus can make a leap forward with it's camera, that's likely the only thing that would pique my interest and cause me to consider buying an 8 Pro.

What are peoples thoughts?

 

[Awesomesince86]

No thanks. The whole appeal of OnePlus is that they made flagship spec'ed phones for mid-range price. But if rumors are true, then the new Pro is basically competing on the same price point as Samsung and Apple.

The only way I would consider them at that price point would be if their cameras took a huge leap forward.

 

[Aika]

They've gradually lost what made them unique as their prices have crept higher and higher. We'll see if the camera can justify the flagship pricing this time.

 

[slitherjef]

Possibly. If they can keep our data to themselves. They seem to have some, shall we say growing pains? And the camera needs to be better. Other than that, the reason to look at a OnePlus is right now they seem more open then Google devices and a bit easier to tinker with.

 

[tbayrgs]

No thanks. The whole appeal of OnePlus is that they made flagship spec'ed phones for mid-range price. But if rumors are true, then the new Pro is basically competing on the same price point as Samsung and Apple.

The only way I would consider them at that price point would be if their cameras took a huge leap forward.

My sentiments as well. I’ve been looking for an Android phone to replace my Pixel 3 XL and the OnePlus models have been getting closer and closer to what I want in my phone (clean, efficient version of Android, great performance, very good camera). In the past the camera performance has kept me away, as well as the damn curved displays. The 8 going with 120hz 1440p displays, adding high speed wireless charging and certified IP water/dust resistance is really appealing but at the rumored prices, the camera better be on par with other flagships before I’d even consider it.

 

[Tig Bitties]

Now OPO crossed the $1,000 mark with the OnePlus 8Pro. Yeah that's a big no.

The whole appeal to the OnePlus phone was the budget price but a very competitive phone compared to a flagship. Yeah it would be missing things here and there, but the main thing, a speedy fast and smooth phone with great battery life was always there.

But for $1,000 LOL nope.

I bought the original OnePlus One, it was $299, and was an amazing phone for it's day when flagships were $700 or so. I loved that phone, so smooth and never lagged and got great updates.

 

[slitherjef]

So they are going with Verizon wireless for 5g support? Why? Verizon won't even allow pixels to unlock their bootloader's! ?

I think this move is pointless for devs, but who cares, mainstream is where it's at, not techies like most of us

 

[nfl46]

 

[Awesomesince86]

I'll have to wait and see on this one, but this doesnt excite me. The thing OP had going for them is flagship-like phone for midrange prices. Now, they are competing with flagships like Samsung and Apple. They've added wireless charging, IP rating, and improved the camera. Great. But why buy this over those phones? I guess if you love Oxygen OS?

I mean, as long as the camera improvements are real than Im sure this will be a good, probably great device. It just isnt exciting to me. It'll be interesting to see if they offer any pre-order deals.

 

[slitherjef]

I'm still a bit interested, maybe wait for a sale. Won't grab the Verizon model, that's for sure. I still find OnePlus a bit irksome, don't know why, maybe all the negative press and data breaches and poorly thought out stunts.

Having something slightly different would be nice however.

Been watching reviews mkbhd said the camera on the pro is getting better and that's good, not pixel level but making improvements

 

[Awesomesince86]

I'm still a bit interested, maybe wait for a sale. Won't grab the Verizon model, that's for sure. I still find OnePlus a bit irksome, don't know why, maybe all the negative press and data breaches and poorly thought out stunts.

Having something slightly different would be nice however.

Been watching reviews mkbhd said the camera on the pro is getting better and that's good, not pixel level but making improvements

It'll probably be a phone on par with the s20 series, which is to say very good. I wouldnt move from my S20 plus because it would be lateral, but overall very good. Just unexciting and the pre-order offer is pathetic.

Im with you in not fully trusting OnePlus. From their security issues to their scattershot update history I just dont know if I would be willing to pay flagship money for one of their phones. If this phone slips to $700 with a sale it would be a steal.

Edit: Apparently it doesnt have mmWave 5G and the display has issues with black crush and off angle display. These things might not matter to everyone, just putting it out there.

 

[tbayrgs]

It'll probably be a phone on par with the s20 series, which is to say very good. I wouldnt move from my S20 plus because it would be lateral, but overall very good. Just unexciting and the pre-order offer is pathetic.

Im with you in not fully trusting OnePlus. From their security issues to their scattershot update history I just dont know if I would be willing to pay flagship money for one of their phones. If this phone slips to $700 with a sale it would be a steal.

Edit: Apparently it doesnt have mmWave 5G and the display has issues with black crush and off angle display. These things might not matter to everyone, just putting it out there.

At first glance, I balked at yet another step up in price from OnePlus, but after taking a deeper dive into the details, I think it’s actually a noticeably better value vs. other flagship competition.

This is a direct competitor with the Galaxy S20 Plus—size, memory, storage, etc. It even surpasses the S20 Plus with 120hz refresh at full 1440p resolution. Every other spec is pretty much matched, yet the 8 Pro is $300 less (retail...not accounting for any current sales on the Galaxies). It’s also $100 less than the Pixel 4 XL and $200 less than the base 11 Pro Max. I don’t think I’d recommend getting rid of an existing S20 Plus for the 8 Pro either but for someone who is looking to upgrade from an older phone, it’s a much more compelling arguement.

And I don’t think the pre-order is pathetic...$120 worth of accessories that seem genuinely useful (fast wireless charging and wireless headphones). Not the $200 credit from Samsung but better than anything you get from Google or Apple.

I guess I’d take greater issue if they didn’t offer the regular 8, although it’s price has creeped up pretty high as well considering. If the Pixel 4 XL wasn’t available for $699 right now, I think I might‘ve leaned towards replacing my broken 3 XL with the 8 Pro.

 

[Harthag]

It'll probably be a phone on par with the s20 series, which is to say very good. I wouldnt move from my S20 plus because it would be lateral, but overall very good. Just unexciting and the pre-order offer is pathetic.

Im with you in not fully trusting OnePlus. From their security issues to their scattershot update history I just dont know if I would be willing to pay flagship money for one of their phones. If this phone slips to $700 with a sale it would be a steal.

Edit: Apparently it doesnt have mmWave 5G and the display has issues with black crush and off angle display. These things might not matter to everyone, just putting it out there.

Hard pass for me this year (OP8 Pro). Not digging the punch hole at the top left (hated it in last year's Samsungs) or the steep curved display. No patience to deal with black crush and poor uniformity at $900. In fairness, my original S20+ had unevenness in low brightness on dark backgrounds that was visible during normal use, so it can happen to any OLED phone. I loved the OP7 Pro but the thing was a brick. The OP8 Pro looks a tad lighter, but still a heavy phone.

Also for $900, the phone had better have every 5G antenna / capability that is available at present, which it doesn't. I happen to live in a Verizon 5G market and oddly my walking commute to office and adjacent parks near home are all blanketed in mmwave 5G, which is a nice bonus.

Very content with the S20+, I like the symmetrical look / punch hole at top center. I've been receiving regular updates so far so no complaints on that front.

I really like the optical FPS on OP phones, much more than the ultra sonic. I also really like OxygenOS. But Samsung killed it in my opinion with the S20+, there's just no reason to get anything else unless I switch back to a Pixel.

 

[Awesomesince86]

Hard pass for me this year (OP8 Pro). Not digging the punch hole at the top left (hated it in last year's Samsungs) or the steep curved display. No patience to deal with black crush and poor uniformity at $900. In fairness, my original S20+ had unevenness in low brightness on dark backgrounds that was visible during normal use, so it can happen to any OLED phone. I loved the OP7 Pro but the thing was a brick. The OP8 Pro looks a tad lighter, but still a heavy phone.

Also for $900, the phone had better have every 5G antenna / capability that is available at present, which it doesn't. I happen to live in a Verizon 5G market and oddly my walking commute to office and adjacent parks near home are all blanketed in mmwave 5G, which is a nice bonus.

Very content with the S20+, I like the symmetrical look / punch hole at top center. I've been receiving regular updates so far so no complaints on that front.

I really like the optical FPS on OP phones, much more than the ultra sonic. I also really like OxygenOS. But Samsung killed it in my opinion with the S20+, there's just no reason to get anything else unless I switch back to a Pixel.

I may have judged this too soon. Reviews are coming in and they're saying the camera is actually really good. Not Pixel good, but better than the S20 in a lot of situations which is great.

I dont think it makes sense to move from a S20 to this, but if you have an older device, especially a Pixel, this might be a great option. Especially if it goes on sale.

At first glance, I balked at yet another step up in price from OnePlus, but after taking a deeper dive into the details, I think it’s actually a noticeably better value vs. other flagship competition.

This is a direct competitor with the Galaxy S20 Plus—size, memory, storage, etc. It even surpasses the S20 Plus with 120hz refresh at full 1440p resolution. Every other spec is pretty much matched, yet the 8 Pro is $300 less (retail...not accounting for any current sales on the Galaxies). It’s also $100 less than the Pixel 4 XL and $200 less than the base 11 Pro Max. I don’t think I’d recommend getting rid of an existing S20 Plus for the 8 Pro either but for someone who is looking to upgrade from an older phone, it’s a much more compelling arguement.

And I don’t think the pre-order is pathetic...$120 worth of accessories that seem genuinely useful (fast wireless charging and wireless headphones). Not the $200 credit from Samsung but better than anything you get from Google or Apple.

I guess I’d take greater issue if they didn’t offer the regular 8, although it’s price has creeped up pretty high as well considering. If the Pixel 4 XL wasn’t available for $699 right now, I think I might‘ve leaned towards replacing my broken 3 XL with the 8 Pro.

I agree that it seems like a decent phone and a worthwhile upgrade. I disagree on the pre-order bundle though. The fast wireless charger only supports 30W charging for this specific phone, so if you get rid of the phone youre left with a slower wireless charger at 5W for everything else. And the wireless buds included are the bullet Z which is really a $50, not really wireless, tethered pair of headphones. Maybe I'm spoiled by Samsung's pre-orders, but this just doesnt seem like very much. Id rather have them do an aggressive trade-in or something similar.

 

[TopherMan12]

Watched mkbhd's video. Looks like a kick ass phone. Looks like it can stand toe to toe with Samsung's best for a lot less money. Very impressive.

 

[tbayrgs]

I may have judged this too soon. Reviews are coming in and they're saying the camera is actually really good. Not Pixel good, but better than the S20 in a lot of situations which is great.

I dont think it makes sense to move from a S20 to this, but if you have an older device, especially a Pixel, this might be a great option. Especially if it goes on sale.



I agree that it seems like a decent phone and a worthwhile upgrade. I disagree on the pre-order bundle though. The fast wireless charger only supports 30W charging for this specific phone, so if you get rid of the phone youre left with a slower wireless charger at 5W for everything else. And the wireless buds included are the bullet Z which is really a $50, not really wireless, tethered pair of headphones. Maybe I'm spoiled by Samsung's pre-orders, but this just doesnt seem like very much. Id rather have them do an aggressive trade-in or something similar.

Yeah, just watched both the Verge’s and Mr. Mobile’s reviews and while the cameras have taken a step forward, there still seem to be too many compromises compared to the Pixel and iPhone (poor low light—not ‘night mode’ but lower light, less detail, color and white balance that’s not up to the top competition). Nice to see the improvement but if I’m spending $900-1,000 and if this was my daily driver, I’d want top notch camera performance and would still likely defer to an iPhone or Pixel. And like @Harthag I hate the curved edge displays. Every review I’ve read/seen so far still fault this design on the 8 Pro and say it contributes to lots of false touches. Ugh.

So after a bit of time diving through early impressions, I’m sticking with the Pixel 4 XL that’s coming hopefully later this week.

 

[Awesomesince86]

Yeah, just watched both the Verge’s and Mr. Mobile’s reviews and while the cameras have taken a step forward, there still seem to be too many compromises compared to the Pixel and iPhone (poor low light—not ‘night mode’ but lower light, less detail, color and white balance that’s not up to the top competition). Nice to see the improvement but if I’m spending $900-1,000 and if this was my daily driver, I’d want top notch camera performance and would still likely defer to an iPhone or Pixel. And like @Harthag I hate the curved edge displays. Every review I’ve read/seen so far still fault this design on the 8 Pro and say it contributes to lots of false touches. Ugh.

So after a bit of time diving through early impressions, I’m sticking with the Pixel 4 XL that coming hopefully later this week.

Yeah it just depends on your personal preference. The Pixel lacks in a lot of areas where the OP8 Pro is significantly better but the Pixel does take better pictures. And I agree, I hate curved displays as well but not as much as some.

If this phone were released at the same time as the S20 line I would consider it, but I'm not leaving my S20 plus for essentially a sideways move.

Watched mkbhd's video. Looks like a kick ass phone. Looks like it can stand toe to toe with Samsung's best for a lot less money. Very impressive.

Eh, not really for less money. OP phones dont go on sale or have aggressive preorder offers to lower price and Samsung does. If you pay retail on the S20 then yeah, this is significantly cheaper. But Samsung provides a lot of ways to get big discounts on their phones. The OP8 Pro is essentially the same price as the S20 plus.

 

[TopherMan12]

Yeah it just depends on your personal preference. The Pixel lacks in a lot of areas where the OP8 Pro is significantly better but the Pixel does take better pictures. And I agree, I hate curved displays as well but not as much as some.

If this phone were released at the same time as the S20 line I would consider it, but I'm not leaving my S20 plus for essentially a sideways move.



Eh, not really for less money. OP phones dont go on sale or have aggressive preorder offers to lower price and Samsung does. If you pay retail on the S20 then yeah, this is significantly cheaper. But Samsung provides a lot of ways to get big discounts on their phones. The OP8 Pro is essentially the same price as the S20 plus.

Seriously? So how can I get S20+ for $899? I'm looking at Samsung's site, but all I see is a trade-in option.

 

[Harthag]

Yeah it just depends on your personal preference. The Pixel lacks in a lot of areas where the OP8 Pro is significantly better but the Pixel does take better pictures. And I agree, I hate curved displays as well but not as much as some.

If this phone were released at the same time as the S20 line I would consider it, but I'm not leaving my S20 plus for essentially a sideways move.

Eh, not really for less money. OP phones dont go on sale or have aggressive preorder offers to lower price and Samsung does. If you pay retail on the S20 then yeah, this is significantly cheaper. But Samsung provides a lot of ways to get big discounts on their phones. The OP8 Pro is essentially the same price as the S20 plus.

I agree with all of this. I love the $600 I got for trade in plus $230 Samsung credit- they messed up my return of defective S20+ as well as the refund of the silicone cover I had to also return. They gave me a $200 store credit code rather than the $180 or whatever it should've been with the S20+, plus an extra $30 refund (total refunded was $60) for some reason for the cover. This was the best trade in deal I've ever taken advantage of, OP offering doesn't come close.

 

[Awesomesince86]

Seriously? So how can I get S20+ for $899? I'm looking at Samsung's site, but all I see is a trade-in option.

Well for example I bought a s20 plus during preorder and got a $200 Samsung credit and I got $600 for a s20 which I bought off swappa for less than $400. They don't outright drop the price very often but the deals are there. You just have to do a little legwork.

 

[c0ppo]

From their security issues to their scattershot update history

They had issues with their website, that's true.
But scattershot update history? Really?

They blow Samsung and any other android OEM (except Pixel) out of the water when it comes to updates.

I'm on Note 10+ atm. But will be moving back to OP asap. Oxygen OS is the main reason. It's way faster and better then samsung UI, and I don't get a TON of bloatware preinstalled. I don't need 2x mail apps, 2x message apps, facebook, etc.

What I do want and need is fast and responsive UI. And no one can beat OP there. No one. Not even Pixel.
Only thing I dislike on their new phones is edge screen. I hate that. That is why I'm also considering just purchasing previous model with flat screen.

 

[TopherMan12]

Well for example I bought a s20 plus during preorder and got a $200 Samsung credit and I got $600 for a s20 which I bought off swappa for less than $400. They don't outright drop the price very often but the deals are there. You just have to do a little legwork.

lol....I just stumbled on the S20+ for $999 on amazon. So yeah....I see your point.

Samsung Galaxy S20+ Plus 5G Factory Unlocked New Android Cell Phone US Version, 128GB of Storage, Fingerprint ID and Facial Recognition, Long-Lasting Battery, Black, SM-G986UZKAXAA

Superpower everything you create with pro-grade quad lenses and 30x Space Zoom. Make your world bigger with Galaxy S20+ 5G's fully decked camera system, super-fast charging, and cinematic 6. 7” Infinity-O display. Galaxy S20+ 5G’s modern design gives you an immersive, cinema-quality experience wi...

www.amazon.com

 

[Awesomesince86]

They had issues with their website, that's true.
But scattershot update history? Really?

They blow Samsung and any other android OEM (except Pixel) out of the water when it comes to updates.

I'm on Note 10+ atm. But will be moving back to OP asap. Oxygen OS is the main reason. It's way faster and better then samsung UI, and I don't get a TON of bloatware preinstalled. I don't need 2x mail apps, 2x message apps, facebook, etc.

What I do want and need is fast and responsive UI. And no one can beat OP there. No one. Not even Pixel.
Only thing I dislike on their new phones is edge screen. I hate that. That is why I'm also considering just purchasing previous model with flat screen.

By scattershot updates I don't mean they fall behind. I mean there's a lot of times where OP has pushed updates that break things or that cause new issues. This isn't unique to them but they have had a lot of these situations in the past.

And yeah, Oxygen OS is definitely nice. I like Samsung's UI. I think it's more aesthetically pleasing than Oxygen OS but it's not as fast and definitely has more duplicate apps.

 

[c0ppo]

By scattershot updates I don't mean they fall behind. I mean there's a lot of times where OP has pushed updates that break things or that cause new issues. This isn't unique to them but they have had a lot of these situations in the past.

I've owned every single OP device besides OP7 Pro. Never had issues to be honest. Or at least I don't remember. If it's the case I don't remember, that means they are really rare. So I simply can't agree with that statement at all

And yeah, Oxygen OS is definitely nice. I like Samsung's UI. I think it's more aesthetically pleasing than Oxygen OS but it's not as fast and definitely has more duplicate apps.

I agree. Samsung has a nice looking UI. Probably the nicest UI by default to me as well.
But the thing is, you can easily customize the UI. Speed and responsiveness not so much

 

[Harthag]

I'm on Note 10+ atm. But will be moving back to OP asap. Oxygen OS is the main reason. It's way faster and better then samsung UI, and I don't get a TON of bloatware preinstalled. I don't need 2x mail apps, 2x message apps, facebook, etc.

What I do want and need is fast and responsive UI. And no one can beat OP there. No one. Not even Pixel.
Only thing I dislike on their new phones is edge screen. I hate that. That is why I'm also considering just purchasing previous model with flat screen.

Agree overall except on the responsiveness point. The S20 now has a 240Hz touch response. Makes a world of difference in perceived responsiveness. It is faster than my Pixel 4XL was and feels identical to the OP7 Pro that I had. Never thought I'd say that a Samsung phone feels just as fluid as a OP phone, but it does to me. Of course I have not used the OP8 Pro...sure it could be even snappier. Will definitely watch and enjoy all of the OP8 Pro video reviews.