OnePlus 8 vs Nokia G42 - Detailed Phone Comparison

Detailed Comparison

Specification
OnePlus 8
OnePlus 8
Oneplus
Nokia G42
Nokia G42
Nokia

General

Launch Date April 21, 2020 June 28, 2023
Release Year 2020 2023

Physical

Volume 93.43 cm³ 107.56 cm³
Screen Size to Weight Ratio 3.64 "/g 3.38 "/g
Weight 180 g 193.8 g
Height 160.2 mm 165 mm
Width 72.9 mm 75.8 mm
Thickness 8 mm 8.6 mm
Foldable Design No No
Available Colors
  • Glacial Green
  • Onyx Black
  • Interstellar Glow
  • Polar Silver
  • Red
  • Purple
  • Gray

Display

Screen Size 6.55 " 6.56 "
Resolution 1080 x 2400 720 x 1612
Aspect Ratio 20:9 20:9
Screen-to-Body Ratio 88.7 % 82.7 %
Pixel Density 402 PPI 269 PPI
Refresh Rate 90 Hz 90 Hz
Typical Brightness N/A 450 nits
HBM Brightness N/A N/A
Peak Brightness N/A 560 nits

Hardware

Battery Capacity per Screen Area 100.23 mAh/in² 116.19 mAh/in²
Battery Density 46.02 mAh/cm³ 46.49 mAh/cm³
Battery Capacity 4300 mAh 5000 mAh
NFC Support Yes Yes
Chipset Qualcomm SM8250 Snapdragon 865 5G (7 nm+) Qualcomm SM4350-AC Snapdragon 480+ 5G (8 nm)
CPU Octa-core (1x2.84 GHz Cortex-A77 & 3x2.42 GHz Cortex-A77 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A55) Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Kryo 460 & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 460)
GPU Adreno 650 Adreno 619

Connectivity

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

Software

Operating System Android Android
Initial OS Version 10 13
Maximum OS Version 13 14

Comparison Summary

1. Specifications Comparison

FeatureOnePlus 8Nokia G42Practical Impact
Design
Dimensions160.2 x 72.9 x 8 mm, 180g165 x 75.8 x 8.6 mm, 193.8gThe OnePlus 8 is noticeably smaller and lighter, making it more comfortable for one-handed use and pocket portability.
BuildCorning Gorilla Glass 5Corning Gorilla Glass 3The OnePlus 8 offers better screen scratch resistance.
Display
Size6.55"6.56"Negligible size difference.
Resolution1080 x 2400 (402 PPI)720 x 1612 (269 PPI)The OnePlus 8's significantly sharper display provides a more detailed and enjoyable viewing experience for text, images, and videos.
TechnologyAMOLED, 90Hz, 1100 nitsIPS LCD, 90HzThe OnePlus 8's AMOLED display delivers vibrant colors, deeper blacks, and superior outdoor visibility due to its high brightness. The 90Hz refresh rate on both ensures smooth scrolling and animations.
Performance
ChipsetSnapdragon 865 5GSnapdragon 480+ 5GThe OnePlus 8's flagship Snapdragon 865 vastly outperforms the Nokia G42's budget Snapdragon 480+, resulting in significantly faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and superior gaming performance.
RAM8GB/12GB4GB/6GBThe OnePlus 8 offers more RAM, enabling better multitasking and handling of demanding applications without slowdowns.
Storage128GB/256GB128GBThe OnePlus 8 offers a higher storage option (256GB) for users who need more space for apps, photos, and videos.
Camera
Main Camera48MP, f/1.7550MP, f/1.8While the Nokia G42 has slightly higher resolution, the OnePlus 8's wider aperture potentially allows for better low-light performance.
Video4K@60fps, EIS, OIS1080p@30fpsThe OnePlus 8 offers significantly better video recording capabilities with higher resolution (4K) and frame rates, along with both electronic and optical image stabilization for smoother footage.
FeaturesWide-angle, Night ModePortrait ModeBoth phones offer different secondary camera features catering to different photography styles.
Battery
Capacity4300 mAh5000 mAhThe Nokia G42 has a larger battery capacity, potentially lasting longer on a single charge.
Charging30W20WThe OnePlus 8 supports faster charging, reducing downtime.

2. Key Differences Analysis

OnePlus 8 Advantages:

  • Significantly better performance: Smoother multitasking, faster app loading, capable gaming.
  • Superior display: Sharper, more vibrant, and better visibility outdoors.
  • Faster charging: Reduced downtime.
  • Higher quality video recording: 4K resolution, OIS, and EIS.

Nokia G42 Advantages:

  • Larger battery capacity: Potentially longer battery life.
  • Newer Android version: May receive longer software updates (information about update guarantees is missing).
  • Potentially lower price: Likely more budget-friendly.

3. User Profiles & Recommendations

OnePlus 8: Users who prioritize performance, a high-quality display, and fast charging. Ideal for power users, gamers, and multimedia enthusiasts.

Nokia G42: Users who prioritize battery life and a more recent Android version out of the box. Suitable for casual users who primarily use their phones for basic tasks like calling, texting, and browsing.

4. Decision Framework

Key Questions:

  1. What is your budget? The OnePlus 8 is likely more expensive.
  2. What are your primary phone usage patterns? Gaming, multimedia consumption, or basic tasks?
  3. How important is performance and display quality?

My Choice: OnePlus 8

While the Nokia G42 offers a larger battery and newer software, the OnePlus 8's significantly superior performance, display, and camera capabilities make it the clear winner for me. I prioritize a smooth and enjoyable user experience, and the OnePlus 8 delivers that in spades. The faster charging is also a major plus. I am willing to compromise slightly on battery life for the overall better performance and user experience. The significantly sharper and more vibrant display of the OnePlus 8 is a crucial factor for me. While battery life is important, I can manage with the OnePlus 8's battery, especially with the faster charging speeds. The Nokia G42 feels like a compromise in too many key areas.

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
  • Digital media communication
  • Technical storytelling
  • User-centric technology insights

Bridging technical complexity with engaging, accessible narratives.