OnePlus 8

Technical specifications

I have had the OnePlus 8 since June 2021 and I must admit that I felt like getting rid of it after the update to Android 12. Fortunately, it is currently running on Android 13, and it seems that this is the last version of Android. Fortunately, because everything is working well and stably again, although I do not like the transition from Oxygen OS to Color OS that took place with Android 12. In my opinion, Android 11 was the best. Of course, it is formally still called Oxygen OS, but it is no longer the same. Despite everything, on Android 13 the phone retains its advantages, namely responsiveness and trouble-free operation, and in short, once you set everything up properly, there is no need to think about the overlay. The screen is flawless. Here, a note about the screen cutout for the camera. I previously had the OnePlus 7 and despite my great fondness for that phone, the teardrop notch in the center annoyed me. Here, there is a hole in the upper left corner and it works significantly better. The change seems small, but for me, it is huge. Being away from the main field of vision on the side, it no longer bothers me at all. I do not notice it during normal use. It does not irritate me. And that was the reason for the change, because truly, apart from the placement of the front camera, the difference in use between the 7 and 8 is small. The stereo speakers are loud, the camera is good though not flagship (the 8 Pro was for that), and the battery is okay. I have no problem with it lasting the whole day with medium-heavy use even after over 1.5 years of use. The 30W charger replenishes energy quite efficiently, although I try not to charge it to full. I usually charge to 80-90% and perhaps that is why the battery is still doing well. The Snapdragon 865 is one of Qualcomm's more successful designs. It has power and does not overheat, which unfortunately is not the rule. And then there is that slider for silencing sounds; it is exceptionally practical. It is a pity that this is not a more common solution. Thanks to the curved screen, it is slightly more handy because it is narrower. Always On Display is available, but I do not use it. I keep it in my pocket anyway. Generally, I am satisfied. Prices have dropped significantly, so if you are looking for a well-functioning used device, it is worth looking into a well-maintained unit.

I do not recommend this phone. Despite being fast, which I value greatly, it unfortunately has a number of flaws: 1) a poor screen - despite a protective film, it cracked badly shortly after purchase (fortunately, only the touch unlocking stopped working, the phone still functions); 2) very quiet vibrations, which I could not change to be louder; 3) terrible system updates, removing important functionalities and damaging applications, for example, for almost a year I have not been able to send email attachments and no fixes work permanently. Therefore, despite the fast operation, I am definitely looking forward to purchasing a new phone.

This is about my 30th smartphone and the best one after the Samsung Galaxy S9. I like curved screens and this one is like that, but without the exaggeration seen in Motorola. AMOLED - so the image is sharp and distinct, with good screen resolution and refresh rate. 8 GB of RAM and a fast octa-core processor perform well - there is no lagging. Very clear, loud sound from 2 stereo speakers - unlike many flagships, Dolby Atmos is also available through them. The dedicated 30W charger charges quickly; unfortunately, the battery discharges just as fast. I managed to keep Android 10, so I do not have problems with the subsequent versions of this inferior software. Despite two simple cameras - instead of a camera module covering half of the back - the photos turn out decent, although they could be better in the dark. Overall, a very successful though underrated model.