Smartphone Comparison: OnePlus 8T vs. Honor X7b
1. Specifications Comparison
Design
| Feature | OnePlus 8T | Honor X7b | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 160.7 × 74.1 × 8.4 mm | 166.7 × 76.5 × 8.2 mm | OnePlus 8T is slightly more compact, potentially easier to handle for some users. Honor X7b is taller and wider. |
| Weight | 188g | 199g | OnePlus 8T is negligibly lighter. |
| Build Quality (Screen) | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | Unknown | OnePlus 8T offers better screen protection against scratches and impacts. Honor X7b screen protection is unknown, raising concerns about durability. |
Display
| Feature | OnePlus 8T | Honor X7b | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Size | 6.55" | 6.8" | Honor X7b offers a slightly larger viewing area, better for media consumption and gaming. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2412 | Virtually identical sharpness. |
| PPI | 402 | 389 | Negligible difference in pixel density. |
| Technology | AMOLED | IPS LCD | OnePlus 8T has superior contrast, color vibrancy, and power efficiency, especially with dark mode. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 90Hz | OnePlus 8T provides smoother scrolling and animations, more responsive gaming. |
| Brightness | 1100 nits | 0 nits | OnePlus 8T is significantly brighter, offering better outdoor visibility in sunlight. |
Performance
| Feature | OnePlus 8T | Honor X7b | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 865 5G (7 nm+) | Qualcomm Snapdragon 680 4G (6 nm) | OnePlus 8T offers significantly faster processing, better for demanding apps, multitasking, and gaming. The Honor X7b is suitable for basic tasks and less demanding games. |
| AnTuTu Score | 744,900 | 249,150 | OnePlus 8T delivers a far superior overall performance. |
| GPU | Adreno 650 | Adreno 610 | OnePlus 8T handles graphics-intensive tasks and games much better. |
Camera
| Feature | OnePlus 8T | Honor X7b | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main Camera | 48MP, f/1.7, 1/2" Sony IMX586 | 108MP, f/1.8 | Honor X7b has a higher resolution sensor for potentially more detailed images. OnePlus 8T has a slightly wider aperture and larger sensor size, which can improve low-light performance. |
| Ultrawide Camera | 16MP, f/2.2 | 5MP, f/2.2 | OnePlus 8T captures wider scenes with more detail. |
| Macro Camera | 5MP, f/2.4 | 2MP, f/2.4 | OnePlus 8T macro shots have more detail. |
| Selfie Camera | 16MP, f/2.4, 1/3.13" Sony IMX471 | 8MP, f/2.0 | OnePlus 8T has a higher-resolution selfie camera. Honor X7b has a brighter aperture. |
| Depth Sensor | No | 2MP, f/2.4 | Honor X7b can take portrait photos with better background blur. |
| Video Recording | Up to 4K@60fps | Up to 1080p@30fps | OnePlus 8T records higher-resolution, smoother video. |
| Video Stabilization | EIS, OIS | EIS | OnePlus 8T has both Electronic and Optical Image Stabilization, which is way better than just Electronic. |
| DxOMark (Selfie) | 107 | N/A | OnePlus 8T Selfie camera quality is rated higher. |
Battery
| Feature | OnePlus 8T | Honor X7b | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 4500mAh | 5330mAh | Honor X7b should last longer on a single charge. |
| Charging | 65W Fast Charging | 35W Fast Charging | OnePlus 8T charges significantly faster. |
Storage
| Feature | OnePlus 8T | Honor X7b | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Internal | 128/256 GB | 128/256 GB | Both have similar storage options. |
| RAM | 8/12 GB | 6/8 GB | OnePlus 8T offers more RAM, leading to better multitasking and app performance. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone supports microSD cards. |
Connectivity
| Feature | OnePlus 8T | Honor X7b | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6, MIMO | Wi-Fi 6 | OnePlus 8T has Wi-Fi MIMO. |
| Bluetooth | 5.1, aptX, LDAC, AAC | 5.1 | OnePlus 8T supports higher-quality audio codecs for wireless headphones. |
| GPS | Dual-band GPS | Single-band GPS | OnePlus 8T has more precise GPS, useful in urban canyons. |
| Cellular | 5G | 4G | OnePlus 8T supports faster 5G cellular networks. |
Audio
| Feature | OnePlus 8T | Honor X7b | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Audio Quality | Dolby Atmos, Stereo Speakers | Stereo Speakers | OnePlus 8T offers a slightly better audio experience with Dolby Atmos. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
OnePlus 8T Advantages:
- Significantly Higher Performance: Snapdragon 865 offers a superior experience for gaming, demanding apps, and multitasking.
- Superior Display: AMOLED screen with 120Hz refresh rate provides better visuals and smoother animations.
- Faster Charging: 65W charging is much faster.
- Better Cameras: Ultrawide, Macro and Selfie Cameras take much better photos than the Honor X7b. Video Recording can also be done at a much better quality (4k vs 1080p). Optical image stabilization which is included in this phone makes the camera even better.
- 5G Connectivity: Supports faster 5G cellular networks.
- Better Audio: Dolby Atmos provides better audio quality.
Honor X7b Advantages:
- Larger Battery: Longer battery life on a single charge.
- Newer OS: Android 13 out of the box (but both phones will probably upgrade to 14).
- Main Camera Resolution: Higher resolution camera for potentially more detailed images.
Trade-offs:
- OnePlus 8T prioritizes performance, display quality, and faster charging but has shorter battery life.
- Honor X7b focuses on battery life and a slightly larger display but sacrifices performance and display quality.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
OnePlus 8T Ideal Users:
- Gamers who need smooth performance and a responsive display.
- Users who value display quality and want vibrant colors and deep blacks.
- People who need fast charging and don't want to wait long for their phone to charge.
- Users who need high performance for multitasking and demanding apps.
- Anyone who likes taking selfies and videos.
- Those who live in 5G areas.
Use Cases:
- Playing graphically intensive mobile games.
- Watching videos and movies with vibrant colors and deep blacks.
- Quickly charging the phone during short breaks.
- Running multiple apps simultaneously without lag.
Honor X7b Ideal Users:
- Users who prioritize battery life above all else.
- People who primarily use their phone for basic tasks like browsing and social media.
- Cost-conscious buyers looking for an affordable option.
Use Cases:
- Using the phone for multiple days on a single charge.
- Browsing the web, checking email, and using social media.
- Making calls and sending messages.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- How important is battery life to you? If you need multi-day battery life, the Honor X7b is the better choice.
- How important is performance? If you play games or use demanding apps, the OnePlus 8T is the clear winner.
- How much does display quality matter? If you value vibrant colors and smooth scrolling, the OnePlus 8T's AMOLED display is superior.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Mobile Gamer: Choose the OnePlus 8T for its powerful processor, superior graphics, and 120Hz display.
- Scenario 2: Budget-Conscious User: Choose the Honor X7b for its lower price and adequate performance for basic tasks.
- Scenario 3: Power User: Choose the OnePlus 8T for fast charging and a more powerful processor.
My Choice
I would choose the OnePlus 8T. While the Honor X7b has a larger battery, the OnePlus 8T offers a significantly better overall experience. The superior display quality (AMOLED, 120Hz, high brightness), much faster performance (Snapdragon 865), superior camera capabilities (especially video) and faster charging are worth the trade-off in battery life for me. I value the performance and visual experience more than the extended battery life. I also live in an area with 5G availability.
