OnePlus 8T Review

Snapdragon 865 delivers solid sustained graphics and multitasking

Under the hood the OnePlus 8T uses Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 865 and ships in 8GB/12GB RAM configurations with 128GB/256GB storage options. UL Benchmarks shows a median 3DMark Wild Life score of 3857, a Wild Life Unlimited score of 3823 and a Wild Life stability of 99%, with Graphics test 1 reporting about 23 FPS in median user submissions.

Those numbers point to strong sustained GPU behavior for gaming and heavy graphics work in the phone’s generation: real-world thermals and background apps still affect outcomes (UL notes user-submitted results include suboptimal test conditions), but published medians show the 8T stays consistent under load.

120Hz 6.55" OLED is smooth and sharply specified, but fingerprint-prone

The 8T uses a 6.55-inch 2400×1080 OLED with a 120Hz refresh rate (as reported by PCMag and Verge). That combination produces noticeably smoother scrolling and UI animations compared with 60Hz devices and matches the spec-sheet improvements OnePlus emphasized for the model.

Physically the device measures 6.33 × 2.91 × 0.33 inches and weighs 6.63 ounces (PCMag). OnePlus’s finish is described as less fingerprint-happy than some glass approaches, but PCMag still found it “not entirely fingerprint resistant,” so you should expect some smudging without a case.

Large battery plus class-leading 65W wired charging

The 8T packs a 4,500mAh battery and OnePlus’s 65W fast wired charging. Multiple sources in the brief highlight the charging speed as a standout: ViserMark notes faster charging performance, Verge highlighted the 65W capability as a headline spec, and community posts cite excellent battery endurance.

UL Benchmarks warns battery-life medians from public submissions vary widely because test conditions differ and recommends calibrating test brightness to 200 cd/m2 for repeatable results; expect day-to-day battery life to vary by usage and brightness, but the combination of 4,500mAh capacity and 65W top-up charging is a practical win for heavy users.

48MP main sensor with an extra camera — hardware is competitive but incremental

The OnePlus 8T uses a 48MP main camera as its primary imaging sensor; Verge’s coverage notes OnePlus added an extra camera relative to the OnePlus 8 but framed the update as incremental rather than transformative. The research brief does not include controlled image-quality metrics, so conclusions about dynamic range or low-light performance should be deferred to camera-specific tests.

Given the hardware listing (48MP main plus additional lenses) and the review impressions in the brief, the 8T’s camera package is competent on paper but not positioned as a class-leading camera system in the way some flagship competitors advertise.

Clean Android 11 experience but a tougher value proposition than earlier OnePlus models

The phone ships on Android 11 (UL Benchmarks). OnePlus’s software implementation historically favors near-stock behavior with performance-oriented tweaks; the brief’s coverage praises smoothness and speed in UI tasks.

PCMag and The Verge emphasize that the 8T represents a higher asking price than OnePlus’s earlier models (7T and 6T) and that makes the 8T an incremental flagship update rather than a clear value leader versus rivals like the Samsung Galaxy S20 FE. US availability patterns also limited the choice to the 12GB model in some markets, which affects buyer flexibility.

Pros & Cons

• ✅ 6.55-inch 2400×1080 OLED with 120Hz refresh for noticeably smoother scrolling and UI motion
• ✅ Strong sustained graphics median in 3DMark Wild Life (≈3857) with 99% stability and ~23 FPS on Graphics test 1 in public submissions
• ✅ 65W wired charging paired with a 4,500mAh battery for fast top-ups and solid endurance in community reports
• ✅ Available up to 12GB RAM and 256GB storage for heavy multitaskers and storage-heavy use cases
• ✅ Compact physical dimensions (6.33 × 2.91 × 0.33 inches) and light weight (6.63 ounces) for a large‑screen phone

• ❌ Higher-positioned offering compared with OnePlus 7T/6T — reviewers called it an incremental upgrade rather than a generational leap
• ❌ Glass finish still attracts fingerprints; PCMag notes it’s less prone than some approaches but “not entirely fingerprint resistant”
• ❌ Camera hardware is a 48MP main plus additional lenses but reviewers characterize imaging gains as incremental and the brief lacks lab image-quality metrics
• ❌ US availability was constrained to the 12GB RAM model in some markets, reducing configuration choice for buyers

How It Compares to the Competition

• Samsung Galaxy S20 FE — A closer value competitor with broader emphasis on camera and platform balance; PCMag specifically contrasted the 8T’s value vs the S20 FE.
• OnePlus 8 — The immediate predecessor offers similar size and shape; the 8T adds 120Hz, larger battery and 65W charging but is otherwise an incremental update.
• Google Pixel 5 — Different priority set—Pixel 5 focuses on software and imaging experience where the 8T emphasizes display smoothness and fast wired charging.
• Samsung Galaxy S20+ — Comparable flagship-class build and finish; referenced in PCMag’s design comparisons when discussing fingerprint behavior and feel.

Who Should Buy This & Who Should Skip It

Buy it if: Buy the OnePlus 8T if you want a 120Hz OLED experience, speedy wired charging (65W) with a 4,500mAh battery, and Snapdragon 865 performance with up to 12GB RAM. It’s a good fit for users who prioritize screen fluidity, fast top-ups, and consistent sustained graphics performance.

Skip it if: Skip the 8T if camera performance is your top priority and you need lab-verified imaging results, or if you need broader configuration choices in markets where only the 12GB model was offered. Also consider alternatives if you’re seeking the absolute best value per dollar versus some rivals noted in reviews.