OnePlus 8 vs OnePlus 9RT 5G - Detailed Phone Comparison

Detailed Comparison

Specification
OnePlus 8
OnePlus 8
Oneplus
OnePlus 9RT 5G
OnePlus 9RT 5G
Oneplus

General

Launch Date April 21, 2020 October 19, 2021
Release Year 2020 2021

Physical

Volume 93.43 cm³ 100.43 cm³
Screen Size to Weight Ratio 3.64 "/g 3.34 "/g
Weight 180 g 198.5 g
Height 160.2 mm 162.2 mm
Width 72.9 mm 74.6 mm
Thickness 8 mm 8.3 mm
Foldable Design No No
Available Colors
  • Glacial Green
  • Onyx Black
  • Interstellar Glow
  • Polar Silver
  • Blue
  • Hacker Black
  • Nano Silver

Display

Screen Size 6.55 " 6.62 "
Resolution 1080 x 2400 1080 x 2400
Aspect Ratio 20:9 20:9
Screen-to-Body Ratio 88.7 % 87.4 %
Pixel Density 402 PPI 397 PPI
Refresh Rate 90 Hz 120 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 102.68 mAh/in²
Battery Density 46.02 mAh/cm³ 44.81 mAh/cm³
Battery Capacity 4300 mAh 4500 mAh
NFC Support Yes Yes
Chipset Qualcomm SM8250 Snapdragon 865 5G (7 nm+) Qualcomm SM8350 Snapdragon 888 5G (5 nm)
CPU Octa-core (1x2.84 GHz Cortex-A77 & 3x2.42 GHz Cortex-A77 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A55) Octa-core (1x2.84 GHz Cortex-X1 & 3x2.42 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A55)
GPU Adreno 650 Adreno 660

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 11
Maximum OS Version 13 13

Comparison Summary

1. Specifications Comparison

FeatureOnePlus 8OnePlus 9RT 5GPractical Impact
Design
Dimensions160.2 x 72.9 x 8 mm, 180g162.2 x 74.6 x 8.3 mm, 198.5gThe OnePlus 8 is noticeably lighter and slightly smaller, making it more comfortable for one-handed use and extended holding. The 9RT 5G is slightly larger and heavier.
Build QualityCorning Gorilla Glass 5UnknownThe OnePlus 8 has a confirmed durable screen, while the 9RT 5G's screen protection is unclear, making the 8 potentially more resistant to scratches.
Display
Size6.55"6.62"Negligible difference in screen real estate.
Resolution1080 x 24001080 x 2400Identical resolution, resulting in similar sharpness.
Refresh Rate90Hz120HzThe 9RT 5G's 120Hz display will offer smoother scrolling and animations, especially noticeable in gaming and fast-paced content.
Brightness1100 nits0 nits (Data Missing)The OnePlus 8's significantly higher brightness ensures excellent outdoor visibility. The missing data for the 9RT 5G prevents comparison in this crucial aspect.
Performance
ChipsetSnapdragon 865Snapdragon 888The 9RT 5G's Snapdragon 888 provides a noticeable performance boost in demanding tasks and gaming compared to the 8's Snapdragon 865.
AnTuTu743,500881,700The 9RT 5G's higher benchmark score translates to faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and better gaming performance.
RAM8/12GB8/12GBBoth offer ample RAM for smooth multitasking.
Camera
Main Camera48MP, f/1.75, Sony IMX58650MP, f/1.8, Sony IMX766The 9RT 5G boasts a larger sensor (IMX766), potentially capturing more light and detail, especially in low-light conditions.
Selfie Camera16MP, f/2.4516MP, f/2.4The slight aperture difference in the selfie camera might result in marginally better low-light selfies on the 9RT 5G.
Video4K@60fps, Slow-mo 480fps4K@60fps, Slow-mo 240fpsBoth offer excellent video recording capabilities, but the OnePlus 8 offers a higher slow-motion frame rate.
Battery
Capacity4300mAh4500mAhThe slight increase in battery capacity on the 9RT 5G may result in slightly longer battery life.
Charging30W65WThe 9RT 5G's significantly faster charging speed will drastically reduce downtime.

2. Key Differences Analysis

OnePlus 8 Advantages:

  • Lighter and More Compact: Noticeably more comfortable for extended use and one-handed operation.
  • Higher Brightness (Based on available data): Superior outdoor visibility.
  • Higher Slow-Motion Frame Rate: Can capture more dramatic slow-motion footage.
  • Confirmed Screen Protection: Corning Gorilla Glass 5 offers better scratch resistance.

OnePlus 9RT 5G Advantages:

  • Significantly Faster Performance: Smoother multitasking, gaming, and app usage due to the newer Snapdragon chipset.
  • Faster Charging: Significantly reduced charging times.
  • Improved Main Camera Sensor: Potentially better low-light performance and detail capture.
  • Higher Refresh Rate Display: Smoother scrolling and animations.

3. User Profiles & Recommendations

OnePlus 8: Users prioritizing a lightweight, compact phone with excellent outdoor visibility. Suitable for everyday use, casual gaming, and those sensitive to phone weight.

OnePlus 9RT 5G: Users who demand top-tier performance for gaming, demanding applications, and fast charging. Ideal for power users, mobile photographers, and content creators.

4. Decision Framework

Key Questions:

  1. What is your budget? The OnePlus 8 likely offers better value if price is a major concern.
  2. What are your performance needs? Heavy gamers and power users will benefit from the 9RT 5G's superior performance.
  3. What is your charging speed preference? The 9RT 5G's significantly faster charging is a major convenience for some users.

My Choice: OnePlus 9RT 5G

While the OnePlus 8 offers a lighter and potentially brighter display (given the missing 9RT brightness data), the OnePlus 9RT 5G is the better overall choice for me due to its significantly superior performance (Snapdragon 888), much faster charging (65W), and potentially better main camera thanks to the Sony IMX766 sensor. The performance and charging upgrades significantly impact daily use and outweigh the slight size and weight differences for me. The lack of clarity on the 9RT 5G's screen protection is a concern, but assuming a reasonable level of protection, the performance gains justify the choice.

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.

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Bridging technical complexity with engaging, accessible narratives.