OnePlus is upgrading the OnePlus 8 to the 8T and offers...

Every year OnePlus updates its devices and adds a T to the phone name. Last year they released T-upgrades for both versions of their flagships for the first half of the year. This year they’ve only picked one – likely due to a COVID-19 downturn.

The OnePlus 8T was announced in an online event this morning (is there another type in 2020?) With an upgraded display, an updated rear view camera module, and an updated battery with a new Warp Charge 65 charge. The new phone wants to push the boundaries of what is possible with a mid-range to premium device.

With the OnePlus 8T, we are offering pro-level functions for even more users in our flagship smartphone portfolio. With a first-class 120 Hz AMOLED display, our improved 65 W fast charging technology and the fresh, bold software in OxygenOS 11, the OnePlus 8T offers an impressive package of powerful hardware and smooth software.Pete Lau, Co-Founder and CEO of OnePlus

The internal chipset and hardware are very similar to the OnePlus 8 – both are powered by a Snapdragon 865, 8 GB or 12 GB of RAM and 128 GB or 256 GB of onboard storage. The display is again a display with a resolution of 6.55 inches (2400 x 1080 pixels), but this time a refresh rate of 120 Hz is supported.

The display is also located on top of one of the fastest and most reliable fingerprint sensors available in the display and is interrupted by a hole in the upper left corner of the 16-megapixel selfie camera (like the OnePlus 8).

The rear camera module is probably the main difference you’ll notice if this time the module is in the top left corner of the back of the device, now a quad camera setup. The main lens is again a Sony IMX586 48MP lens and is accompanied by a 16MP ultra wide angle lens from Sony, a 5MP macro or telephoto lens and a 2MP monochrome lens. Even though it’s a step further than the OnePlus 8, it’s still below the specs of the OnePlus 8 Pro.

The 4,500 mAh battery is charged via the USB 3.1 Type-C port on the bottom of the device with the new 65 W charger – Warp Charge 65. There is no wireless charging in the 8T, just like in the 8th. The battery uses the same dual battery charging technology that OPPO uses for its SuperVOOC 2.0. We therefore assume that the 4,500 mAh battery will be charged from empty to full in just over 30 minutes. The cable and adapter both have temperature sensors and encryption chipsets to keep charging temperatures at a safe level.

In terms of connectivity, be sure to walk around with Australian 5G bands if you’re importing this from the US. The North American version does not support the Australian 5G band N78 (currently the only one in a real existence), but the Indian and European versions do. Take one of these instead when importing if you plan to use Aussie 5G networks. There is also support for Wi-Fi 802.11 a / b / g / n / ac / ax Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.1.

Software is a real treat when you use a OnePlus phone. This phone starts with Android 11 on board. After using it for a few days already, we are impressed with OnePlus’ version of the latest Android version from Google.

It includes three new versions of an always-on-display product that OnePlus has never had but whose users have been screaming for a while. Along with normal AOD they have:

• Insight AOD This is designed to deliver an AOD that focuses on digital wellbeing and tracks the number of times you unlock the phone and encourages you to do less unlocking and enjoy life more
• Canvas AOD It uses an AI algorithm to create a sketch of your loved ones from images in your gallery, which gives you the option to use them as wallpaper. Unlocking the phone will easily convert the AOD to the original wallpapers
• Bitmoji AOD is a partnership with Snapchat to “liven up your ambient display with your personal Bitmoji avatar”. Bitmoji updates itself throughout the day based on your activity and what is happening around you

OnePlus has also updated the dark mode with new tones with different layers to make content easier to read. This applies to different apps and to the entire system user interface. Dark mode can be easily accessed and toggled through quick settings for a more personalized experience.

Another improvement that OnePlus has made is to make the Android 11 user interface easier to use with one hand – something that is certainly required when you have such a large phone.

The layout has been readjusted to match the golden ratio, with the display intelligently partitioned to distinguish touch controls from the display area.

This means that the operating room below enables a “clear and unobstructed view for one-handed control”.

The OnePlus 8T is available in Aquamarine Green and Lunar Silver colors and is available through official channels for $ 749 and CAD 1,099. Expect around AU $ 1,200 to import this. When using a gray market importer, try to stick with those with a decent reputation.