the top of the range at a nice price

Offered at € 599 in its 8 GB RAM + 128 GB storage version (on sale for 484 € at Rakuten) and at € 699 in version 12 + 256, this OnePlus 8T is more an 8 Pro version with fewer options and sold cheaper. It lacks indeed an IP68 certification and wireless charging 40 W. The glass back is very nice and leaves little room for fingerprints, we find the side switch of the brand which allows to switch between vibrator modes, silent and ringing.

The jack is definitely forgotten, but there is an adapter and a transparent shell in the box of the model that was provided by the brand. The grip is impeccable and more ergonomic than its predecessors with a slimmer body. Sound side, it’s very good with two speakers of very good quality (unless you listen to Jul or Bosh, there strangely it’s rotten). Finally, OxygenOS 11 based on Android 11 shines like never before: still one of the best overlays in our opinion with One UI from Samsung.

A smooth scroll and top performances

This new smartphone from OnePlus incorporates a 6.55-inch (16.6 cm) OLED screen with a definition of 2400 x 1080 pixels (402 DPI). While the screen is flat unlike the OnePlus 8 and OnePlus 8 Pro, but the result is far from disappointing since in use, handling errors are less frequent. Indeed, on its predecessors, it happened that a lingering fingertip or palm did not interfere with or cancel an action. OxygenOS offers as usual a lot of settings for the screen: enough to adjust the screen to your eye.

Not much to say in terms of the power of the device since this year, with a Snapdragon 865 and 8 or 12 GB of RAM, we are in the top group without a problem. The OnePlus 8T is also still in the top 10 AnTuTu. No change therefore, even if it is a good surprise considering the price of the device.

Good in photo, but with little evolution

Let’s tackle the photo part. This OnePlus 8T has a 48-megapixel main lens (the Sony IMX 586), an ultra-wide-angle of 16 MP, a macro of 5 MP and a sensor allowing to perfect the portraits with a beautiful bokeh effect. No telephoto lens, therefore, but a main module which shoots in 12 MP with pixel binning allowing pixels to be grouped by 4 for better exposure.

In fact, the 48 MP mode offers sharper and brighter shots, but it is not suitable for moving scenes like children for example (dirty beasts!). As a general rule, shots taken during the day or taken with correct brightness are closer to 8 Pro than to 8 (although we can imagine that the software has evolved since our test). In short: it’s very good without being at the level of a Galaxy S20 Ultra or a Note 20 Ultra (which are much more expensive though).

At night, the software processing is a bit strong and as on the previous OnePlus, it is better with the long exposure mode with tripod. But no need for a tripod: make sure to position the device so that it does not move… Like the 8 Pro, the 8T does very well with its ultra wide angle. Even if at night it’s always complicated (but usable), in difficult light conditions it is one of the best in this price range and in broad daylight it is one of the best period.

The portraits are very nice with a natural cut either with the back sensors or with the 32 MP front lens. On the video side, as often with OnePlus it is high level with videos in 4K at 60fps and successful slow motion and “time lapse” modes. Optical stabilization is in the game and tastes like a happy hour pint.

“Normal” autonomy, but what a reloading speed!

Regarding autonomy, it’s not bad, but there is no evolution compared to the 8 and 8 Pro. It holds the road for more than a day with its 4500 mAh battery but where it is strong is when you take into account its fast charge. Because with its 65 W charger, this OnePlus 8T recharges at a crazy speed: from 4% to 91% in 34 minutes and from 8% to 58% in 14 minutes. Of course, you have to have the charger supplied with you, but what speed! It is one of the first devices that we are testing that charges visibly (with the Oppo Reno 4 5G and Find X2 Neo). A feat.

Our verdict:

The OnePlus 8T is a top-of-the-range device with a price tag of less than € 600 (it can even be found now at € 484 at Rakuten): a beautiful screen, top performance, an OxygenOS (Android 11) which offers very beautiful things, an impeccable handling and a fast charge that takes your breath away. Our rating is a bit harsh in the photo, but the truth is that on this side, the 8T has not made much progress compared to the 8 Pro. If wireless charging or waterproof certification doesn’t matter to you, this is the OnePlus for you. Afterwards, he is closely followed by the Galaxy S20 FE 5G …

Tests taken