OnePlus 8 Pro

The OnePlus 8 Pro, released in 2020, marked a significant step for OnePlus as it ventured into the true flagship territory, both in terms of features and pricing. Historically known for offering “flagship killer” devices, with the 8 Pro, OnePlus aimed to compete directly with top-tier smartphones from established brands. Here’s an in-depth review of the OnePlus 8 Pro:

Overview:

Introduced in April 2020, the OnePlus 8 Pro was designed to provide a premium smartphone experience, encompassing advanced display technology, top-tier performance, and a refined design, all while retaining the brand’s ethos of speed and smoothness.

Features:

Operating System: Shipped with OxygenOS based on Android 10, upgradable to later versions.
Display: 6.78-inch Fluid AMOLED with a resolution of 1440 x 3168 pixels, supporting 120Hz refresh rate and HDR10+.
Processor: Qualcomm SM8250 Snapdragon 865.
Memory: Options of 8 GB or 12 GB RAM with 128 GB or 256 GB internal storage (UFS 3.0).
Camera: Quad-camera setup with a 48 MP primary sensor, 48 MP ultrawide sensor, 8 MP telephoto lens with 3x optical zoom, and a 5 MP “color filter” camera. The front camera is a 16 MP shooter.
Battery: 4510 mAh non-removable battery with Warp Charge 30T fast charging and 30W wireless charging.
Other Features: In-display fingerprint scanner, IP68 dust/water resistance, 5G connectivity, stereo speakers, and Bluetooth 5.1.

Pros:

Display: The 120Hz QHD+ Fluid AMOLED display was among the best in 2020, offering vibrant colors, deep blacks, and smooth animations.
Performance: With the Snapdragon 865 and up to 12 GB RAM, the device delivered top-notch performance, handling everything from daily tasks to intensive gaming with ease.
Fast Charging: Both wired and wireless charging were impressively fast, ensuring minimal downtime for users.
OxygenOS: OnePlus’ custom skin, OxygenOS, was widely praised for its clean interface, smooth performance, and useful customization options.
Build and Design: The device featured a sleek and modern design with a glass back and aluminum frame, emphasizing its premium positioning.

Cons:

Price: The OnePlus 8 Pro was significantly more expensive than previous OnePlus devices, moving away from the “flagship killer” pricing strategy.
Color Filter Camera: The 5 MP “color filter” camera was seen by many as a gimmick and didn’t add significant value to the overall camera experience.
Weight: Due to its large battery and screen size, the device was on the heavier side, which might not be comfortable for all users.

Comparisons to Other Technologies:

In its segment, the OnePlus 8 Pro faced competition from:

Samsung Galaxy S20 Ultra: Offering a Dynamic AMOLED 2X display, Snapdragon 865 (or Exynos 990), and a versatile camera setup with 100x “Space Zoom”.
iPhone 11 Pro Max: With its Super Retina XDR OLED display, Apple A13 Bionic chip, and a triple-camera system.
Huawei P40 Pro: Featuring an OLED display with a 90Hz refresh rate, Kirin 990 5G, and a quad-camera setup co-engineered with Leica.

Launch Date:

The OnePlus 8 Pro was announced in April 2020 and became available shortly after.

Common Issues/Problems:

Display Issues: Some early adopters reported issues like green tint and black crush on the display, especially at low brightness. OnePlus addressed these concerns with software updates.
Camera Inconsistencies: While the camera was a significant improvement over previous models, it still lagged behind some competitors in terms of consistency and low-light performance.
Overheating: A few users reported overheating issues, especially when using the device intensively or during charging.

Conclusion:

The OnePlus 8 Pro was a significant leap for OnePlus, marking its entry into the true flagship segment. While it retained many of the brand’s core strengths, such as a focus on speed, a clean software experience, and fast charging, it also ventured into areas like wireless charging and IP-rated water resistance. For users who value a high-refresh-rate display, fast performance, and a clean Android experience in the premium segment, the OnePlus 8 Pro was a compelling choice. However, its higher price point meant it faced stiff competition from established flagship devices.