OnePlus 8 vs Motorola Edge 20 - Detailed Phone Comparison

Detailed Comparison

Specification
OnePlus 8
OnePlus 8
Oneplus
Motorola Edge 20
Motorola Edge 20
Motorola

General

Launch Date April 21, 2020 August 16, 2021
Release Year 2020 2021

Physical

Volume 93.43 cm³ 86.72 cm³
Screen Size to Weight Ratio 3.64 "/g 4.11 "/g
Weight 180 g 163 g
Height 160.2 mm 163 mm
Width 72.9 mm 76 mm
Thickness 8 mm 7 mm
Foldable Design No No
Available Colors
  • Glacial Green
  • Onyx Black
  • Interstellar Glow
  • Polar Silver
  • Frosted Grey
  • Frosted White
  • Frosted Emerald

Display

Screen Size 6.55 " 6.7 "
Resolution 1080 x 2400 1080 x 2400
Aspect Ratio 20:9 20:9
Screen-to-Body Ratio 88.7 % 87.5 %
Pixel Density 402 PPI 385 PPI
Refresh Rate 90 Hz 144 Hz
Typical Brightness N/A N/A
HBM Brightness N/A N/A
Peak Brightness N/A N/A

Hardware

Battery Capacity per Screen Area 100.23 mAh/in² 89.11 mAh/in²
Battery Density 46.02 mAh/cm³ 46.13 mAh/cm³
Battery Capacity 4300 mAh 4000 mAh
NFC Support Yes Yes
Chipset Qualcomm SM8250 Snapdragon 865 5G (7 nm+) Qualcomm SM7325 Snapdragon 778G 5G (6 nm)
CPU Octa-core (1x2.84 GHz Cortex-A77 & 3x2.42 GHz Cortex-A77 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A55) Octa-core (1x2.4 GHz Cortex-A78 & 3x2.2 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.9 GHz Cortex-A55)
GPU Adreno 650 Adreno 642L

Connectivity

USB Version 3.1 2.0
OTG Support 1
DisplayPort
DisplayPort Version N/A N/A
USB Features USB Type-C 3.1, OTG USB Type-C 2.0

Software

Operating System Android Android
Initial OS Version 10 11
Maximum OS Version 13 12

Comparison Summary

1. Specifications Comparison

FeatureOnePlus 8Motorola Edge 20Practical Impact
Design
Dimensions160.2 x 72.9 x 8 mm, 180g163 x 76 x 7 mm, 163gThe Motorola Edge 20 is larger in footprint but noticeably lighter, potentially improving one-handed use and reducing pocket fatigue. The OnePlus 8 is slightly thicker.
Build QualityGorilla Glass 5Gorilla Glass 3The OnePlus 8 offers better screen scratch resistance with Gorilla Glass 5.
Display
Size6.55"6.7"The Motorola has a marginally larger display, providing slightly more screen real estate for media consumption.
Resolution1080x24001080x2400Identical resolutions result in similar sharpness on both devices.
Refresh Rate90Hz144HzThe Motorola Edge 20's 144Hz refresh rate delivers significantly smoother scrolling and animations, especially noticeable in gaming and fast-paced UI interactions.
Brightness1100 nits0 nits (Missing Spec)The OnePlus 8's superior brightness ensures excellent outdoor visibility, a crucial factor for usability in sunlight. The missing brightness spec for the Motorola makes a direct comparison impossible.
Performance
ChipsetSnapdragon 865Snapdragon 778GThe OnePlus 8 features a flagship-level chipset from 2020, still offering superior performance compared to the Motorola's upper mid-range processor.
RAM8GB/12GB6GB/8GBThe OnePlus 8 offers a higher RAM configuration (12GB), enabling better multitasking and smoother performance with demanding applications.
AnTuTu Score743,500589,200Benchmarks indicate a performance advantage for the OnePlus 8, translating to faster app loading and smoother overall operation.
Camera
Main Camera48MP, f/1.75, Sony IMX586108MP, f/1.9, Samsung S5KHM2The Motorola boasts a higher resolution sensor, potentially capturing more detail. However, the OnePlus 8's wider aperture (f/1.75) might offer better low-light performance. Real-world image quality depends on processing as well.
TelephotoNo8MP, f/2.4The Motorola Edge 20 offers optical zoom capabilities, absent in the OnePlus 8.
Wide Angle16MP, f/2.216MP (Wide Angle + Macro), f/2.2While both have wide angle lenses, the functionality of the Motorola's combined Wide Angle + Macro lens needs further clarification.
Battery
Capacity4300mAh4020mAhThe OnePlus 8 has a slightly larger battery, potentially offering longer usage time.
Charging30W30WBoth phones support equally fast charging speeds.

2. Key Differences Analysis

OnePlus 8 Advantages:

  • Superior Performance: The Snapdragon 865 and higher RAM options provide a noticeable performance advantage for demanding tasks and gaming.
  • Brighter Display: The significantly higher brightness ensures comfortable outdoor use.
  • More Durable Build: Gorilla Glass 5 offers better scratch resistance.

Motorola Edge 20 Advantages:

  • Higher Refresh Rate Display: The 144Hz display provides a noticeably smoother user experience.
  • Lighter and Thinner: Offers better portability and one-handed usability.
  • Telephoto Lens: Adds optical zoom capabilities for versatile photography.
  • Newer Bluetooth Version: Supports advanced audio codecs and features.

3. User Profiles & Recommendations

OnePlus 8: Ideal for users who prioritize performance, a bright display for outdoor use, and a more durable build. Power users, gamers, and those who frequently use their phones in sunlight will appreciate these features.

Motorola Edge 20: Suitable for users who value a smooth display experience, a lightweight design, and optical zoom capabilities for photography. Casual gamers, social media users, and those who prioritize portability will find this phone appealing.

4. Decision Framework

Key Questions for Buyers:

  1. What is your budget? (Price difference needs consideration).
  2. What are your primary phone usage patterns? (Gaming, photography, media consumption, etc.)
  3. Do you prioritize performance or display smoothness?

Scenario-Based Recommendations:

  • Heavy gamer/Power user: OnePlus 8
  • Casual user prioritizing smoothness and portability: Motorola Edge 20
  • Outdoor enthusiast: OnePlus 8 (due to brighter screen)

My Choice: OnePlus 8

While the Motorola Edge 20 offers a smoother display and a lighter design, the OnePlus 8's superior performance, significantly brighter display for outdoor use, and more durable build are more compelling for my needs. The Snapdragon 865 still holds up well in 2023 for most tasks, and the extra RAM ensures smooth multitasking. The significantly brighter display is crucial for me, as I frequently use my phone outdoors. While the 144Hz refresh rate is appealing, I prioritize overall performance and a consistently usable display in all lighting conditions. The missing brightness specification for the Motorola Edge 20 is a significant factor in my decision, as it prevents a complete evaluation of its display capabilities. Finally, the slightly larger battery and more robust Gorilla Glass 5 on the OnePlus 8 offer further practical benefits.

Emily Harper
Emily Harper

Technology Insights Specialist

Dedicated technology writer specializing in mobile device analysis and technology communication. Expert at translating complex smartphone features into clear, actionable insights for diverse audiences.

Key Strengths:

  • Mobile technology analysis
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Bridging technical complexity with engaging, accessible narratives.