Your idea of the best smartphone is something that hits the notes of being the best waterproof phone and the best large screen phone. In our opinion, the OnePlus 8 Pro touches base with both, while being one of the best 5G phones, too. And if you aren’t set on a carrier, the 8 Pro provides an opportunity to grab the best unlocked phones, too.
Why We Like It – OnePlus 8 Pro
The OnePlus 8 Pro with its Snapdragon 865 chipset, great camera, 5G connectivity, and clean operating system, is an enigma. Where some would overcharge, OnePlus provides all for a mind bending price.
- Bang for your buck performance
- Oxygen OS is a great version of Android
- 5G compatibility
- Base model needs more space
Overall Performance
The best gaming phone has the Snapdragon 865+, like the Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra—but the 8 Pro OnePlus phone pulls back for the base 865. It’s fantastic for gaming and multitasking, which the best phone for business needs. With a quad camera system (plus front camera), it could be the best low light camera phone. Its main camera is 48MP, with another that’s ultra wide; 5MP; and 8MP telephoto. Another is the color filter camera, which opens up cool color options for unique shots. Color accuracy is on point, being similar to a Galaxy S20 Plus, but better contrast. And since it has the makings of being the best dual SIM phone, if you travel often, like to China, its performance and features clash with the best Chinese smartphone.
Battery Life
Depending on what your refresh rate is, battery life is either favorable or really good. Keep it at 120Hz and you can expect around 9 hours or so; drop it to 60Hz and gain another 2 hours. It matches the Apple iPhone 11, in fact. It does charge via Type C, plus wireless charging. Its wireless charger even has a built-in fan for extra coolness. For those who would love a faster charging phone, the Google Pixel 4 XL can charge up to 50% in 30 minutes.
Display
Built with 120Hz, HDR10+ support and QHD resolution (1440×3168), the OnePlus 8 Pro has one beautiful display on a 6.78-inch screen. And it’s running Oxygen OS, a version of Android that’s hyper-clean, good features, and lacking tonnes of bloatware. It’s definitely one of the best versions of Android out there.
Durability
It uses Corning Gorilla Glass, hundled to a solid metal frame. And this time around OnePlus added an ingress rating of IP68, giving it more of a reason to challenge mid-range handsets like the Google Pixel 4 XL.
Value
The OnePlus 8 Pro has incredible value. A great camera, Snapdragon 865 chipset, and 5G connectivity for under $600? Yes please! Sure, it isn’t the best in every category, but it hits the right marks where it counts: image quality, display, and performance.
OnePlus 8 Pro Wrap Up
What’s not to like about the OnePlus 8 Pro? Other than average storage space for its base model, anything you’d find would be nitpicking at best. You’re getting some stellar performance here for the price: a Snapdragon 865, good camera, a clean Android OS, and 5G connectivity. We wouldn’t let storage be an issue, considering it can be expanded.
