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mardi 3 novembre 2020

Apple iPhone 12 vs OnePlus 8T: A closer battle than you think

Ever since Apple announced the iPhone 12, tech writers — including yours truly — have been busy comparing it against the Samsung Galaxy S20 FE and Google Pixel 5. They’re the obvious comparisons — since Samsung and Google are respectively Apple’s biggest rivals in hardware and software. But what if I told you the OnePlus 8T is an even more apt comparison against the iPhone 12? It’s closer in price to the iPhone 12 than the Galaxy S20 FE or Pixel 5, and unlike the Pixel 5’s mid-tier SoC or the Galaxy S20 FE’s plasticky build, the OnePlus 8T doesn’t have any noticeable hardware compromise that gives Apple an instant landslide win in that category.

Let’s see how these two phones stack up against one another.

white Apple iPhone 12 and green OnePlus 8T

Apple iPhone 12 vs OnePlus 8T: Specification Comparison

Specifications Apple iPhone 12 OnePlus 8T
Build
  • Aluminum mid-frame
  • Glass front and back
  • “Ceramic Shield” for glass protection
  • Aluminum mid-frame
  • Glass front and back
  • Gorilla Glass 5
Dimensions & Weight
  •  146.7 x 71.5 x 7.4mm
  • 162 grams (Global) / 164 grams (USA)
  • 160.7 x 74.1 x 8.4mm
  • 188 grams
Display
  • 6.1″ Super Retina XDR OLED Display
  • 2,532 x 1,170 resolution, 460 PPI
  • 6.55″ OLED Display
  • 2,400 x 1,080 resolution, 432 PPI
SoC
  • Apple A14 Bionic SoC
  • Snapdragon 865
Storage Options
  • 64GB
  • 128GB
  • 256GB
  • 128GB (Europe and Asia)
  • 256GB (US, Europe, and Asia)
Battery & Charging
  • 2,815 mAh battery as per certification listings
  • 15W wireless charging with MagSafe
  • 7.5W Qi wireless charging
  • 45,000 mAh battery
  • 65W wired charging
Security Face ID (TrueDepth camera for facial recognition) In-Display fingerprint scanner
Rear Camera(s)
  •  Primary: 12MP
  • Secondary: 12MP, Ultra-wide angle
  • Primary: 48MP Sony IMX586, f/1.75
  • Secondary: 16MP, Sony IMX481 Ultra-wide angle
  • Tertiary: 5MP macro
  • Quarternary: 2MP, monochrome
Front Camera(s) 12MP, f/2.2 16MP, f/2.4
Port(s) Proprietary Lightning port USB-C
Connectivity
  • 5G: Sub 6GHz
    • mmWave for USA
  • Ultra-Wide Band (UWB)
  • Wi‑Fi 6 (802.11ax) with 2×2 MIMO
  • Bluetooth 5.0
  • 5G: Sub 6GHz
  • Wi‑Fi 6 (802.11ac)
  • Bluetooth 5.1
Software iOS 14 Android 11
Other Features
  • IP68
  • Colors: Black, White, Red, Blue, Green
  • In-display fingerprint scanner
  • Colors: Green, Black
Pricing Starts at $799 Starts at $749

OnePlus 8T XDA Forums ||| Apple iPhone 12 Series XDA Forums

Design and Build

Both the iPhone 12 and OnePlus 8T sport glass-and-aluminum sandwich designs. The OnePlus 8T is quite a bit taller, with a 6.55-inch screen to the iPhone 12’s 6.1-inch. But as OnePlus is using a longer 20:9 aspect ratio compared to the iPhone 12’s 19.5:9, the OnePlus 8T is only marginally wider from left-to-right. Both phones are comfy to hold with sturdy construction.

The similarities carry over to the physical buttons. Both devices have a power button, a volume rocker, and also a physical switch to quickly toggle between silent or sound on. OnePlus’s slider even has a third option, for vibrate.

white Apple iPhone 12 and green OnePlus 8T

While smartphone looks are mostly subjective, I must say I’m partial to the iPhone 12’s backside, with a striking large lens camera module, and just a single branding mark — that iconic Apple logo. OnePlus’s camera module looks quite generic to my eyes, and I’ve always disliked that recent OnePlus phones have two branding marks on their back: a logo and the words “OnePlus.”

iPhone 12 and OnePlus 8T standing on a table

Apple iPhone 12 vs OnePlus 8T: Display

I know I just said that whether a smartphone looks good is usually subjective, but when it comes to the screens of these two phones, I think it’s safe to say the OnePlus 8T objectively looks better. Both of these OLED panels offer punchy colors and great max brightness levels, but the iPhone 12 screen has a giant notch while the OnePlus 8T only has a small hole-punch cutout. What’s more, the OnePlus 8T screen refreshes at 120Hz, and it’s ultra-smooth (I find OnePlus’s UI better optimized for high refresh rates than, say, Samsung’s or Vivo’s UI). I know part of this is visual trickery — OnePlus purposely makes animations go faster to exude a feeling of speed, but OnePlus phones consistently feel faster than everything else on the market.

iPhone 12 and OnePlus 8T's display

Apple iPhone 12 and OnePlus 8T’s screen

The iPhone’s UI is fluid and well-optimized in its own right, and I’ve argued that iPhones running at 60Hz feel smoother than Android phones running at 60Hz. But OnePlus’ entire branding and philosophy the last few years have been speed, and the 120Hz really shows itself.

Apple iPhone 12 vs OnePlus 8T: Processor (Benchmarks)

The OnePlus 8T’s Snapdragon 865 is very powerful, but it loses to Apple’s 5nm A14 Bionic that’s powering the iPhone 12 in literally every benchmark. However, benchmarks aren’t the end-all, be-all. In real life usage, it’s hard to quantify where that extra Apple horsepower kicks in except handling videos. The iPhone 12 can shoot in Dolby Vision in real-time, and it also allows instant editing said clip within the native camera app. Exporting 4K videos in LumaFusion on the iPhone 12 also moves at blazing fast speeds — which no Android video editing app can match.

Still, we’re reaching nitpicking territory here. The reality is if you’re using your phone like a normal person, say opening Instagram, Twitter, Gmail, streaming music, and playing games, it’s impossible to say one can feel the A14 Bionic’s extra power. In fact, as I said in the last section, OnePlus’ UI consistently feels “faster.”

Software

Comparing iOS to Android is an apples and oranges affair, so it’s impossible to say which OS is better. However, it is more than fair to say OnePlus’ OxygenOS 11 software is far more customizable than the iPhone 12’s iOS 14. From the look and shape of app icons to the color scheme of the UI, to shortcut gestures, OxygenOS just allows you to do so much more than iOS 14 if we’re just focusing on the smartphone user experience. Apple wins, obviously, if we take into account an entire ecosystem of products that seamlessly work together.

I am of the belief that OxygenOS is the best version of Android around — better than Google’s own version that runs on the Pixel — so for me, it’s a clear choice on which software I prefer.

Apple iPhone 12 vs OnePlus 8T: Camera Performance

The iPhone 12’s camera sensor has a wider aperture of f/1.7 compared to last year, allowing it to take in more light. The OnePlus 8T, on the other hand, has kept the same 48MP Sony IMX586 sensor as its predecessor, the OnePlus 8. But because it is a 48MP sensor that shoots pixel binned 12MP shots, OnePlus is able to pack in more image information into a shot. And the results mostly mirror these hardware decisions. Both phone cameras are very good, with the OnePlus 8T producing sharper and cleaner shots if you really pixel peep, but the iPhone 12 tends to keep more natural colors and does a better job of bringing some light into really dark areas (like the fourth set of shots taken at the patio).

OnePlus 8T sample iPhone 12 photo against backlight OnePlus 8T photo against backlight iPhone 12 photo sample OnePlus 8T sample iPhone 12 photo sample onePlus 8T photo sample OnePlus 8T selfie iPhone 12 photo sample at night OnePlus 8T photo sample iPhone 12 night scene shot. OnePlus 8T night scene shot.

Apple iPhone 12 vs OnePlus 8T

In terms of ultra-wide-angle photos, the iPhone 12 and the OnePlus 8T both offer a very wide field-of-view. This results in some distortion, and for the most part, the photos are very similar, except Apple does a better job of maintaining consistent details across the whole image. Notice in the fourth set, taken on a gloomy day, the color science looks completely different between the two phones. OnePlus artificially made the shot look less blue, while the iPhone 12 kept the sky looking closer to what my eyes could see at the time. Which one is a better shot is subjective: Do you value realism or some post-shot touchups?

Ultrawide shot with the iphone 12 Ultrawide shot with the OnePlus 8T Ultrawide shot at night with the iphone 12 Ultrawide shot with the OnePlus 8T Ultrawide shot with the iphone 12 Ultrawide shot with the OnePlus 8T Ultrawide shot with the iphone 12 Ultrawide shot with the OnePlus 8T

When it comes to zoom shots, the OnePlus 8T wins handily despite neither phone sporting zoom cameras. That’s because the OnePlus 8T can rely on that pixel-dense 48MP sensor for additional information, while the iPhone is pretty much stuck with a pure digital zoom of 12 million pixels.

A reference photo showing the zoom capabilities of the iphone 12 and Oneplus 8T iphone 12 5x zoom onePlus 8T 5x zoom iphone 12 5x zoom onePlus 8T 5x zoom

The iPhone 12 retakes the lead in video, with better dynamic range and stabilization across the board. The difference is noticeable during the day and grows wider at night.

Apple iPhone 12 vs OnePlus 8T: Battery life

Despite having a more power-hungry screen, the OnePlus 8T offers better battery life thanks to simply having a larger 4,500mAh cell. From my heavy usage, the OnePlus 8T, with 5G connected, can just about eke out a full 12-hour day of out and about (barely — the OnePlus 8T would be under 5% at the end) whereas the iPhone 12 can’t make it past ten hours if I’m using 5G. Disabling 5G and reverting back to LTE connectivity, the battery life between the two devices becomes much closer, with both being able to make it through a 12-hour day with over 20% battery left to spare.

One area that's a key win for the OnePlus 8T is wired charging

One area that’s a key win for the OnePlus 8T is wired charging. OnePlus includes a 65W “Warp Charge” charging brick that can top up the phone from 0-100 in 35 minutes. The same 0-100 top up with the iPhone 12 takes an hour and a half using an 18W USB-C PD brick — which Apple doesn’t include in the box, by the way.

Conclusion

In terms of software, camera, and screen, the OnePlus 8T is highly polished and very close to premium territory. However, the phone lacks wireless charging and IP water resistance rating, which the iPhone 12 offer.

Ultimately, the decision may come down to whether you want to use iOS or Android

You really can’t go wrong with either device — ultimately, the decision may come down to whether you want to use iOS or Android and which ecosystem you are more invested into.

    OnePlus 8T
    The OnePlus 8T is a worthy upgrade over the OnePlus 8 and is a good option if you're looking for a lower-priced-yet-still-flagship smartphone.
    Apple iPhone 12
    A highly polished smartphone with arguably the most powerful processor around, with an improved camera system that closes the lead built by Google and Huawei. Arguably the best iPhone for most people right now and the first iPhone that's tempted me to switch from Android.

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Get the absolute best headphones, the Bose QuietComfort 35 IIs, for $100 off at Amazon

When you’re looking at headphones, it’s well worth it to pay for quality. Cheaper headphones might work… for a year, if you’re lucky. Then you’re back to square one, spending another $50 on another pair that won’t last. Instead, put a bit of extra money down for some quality, well-regarded headphones, and they’ll last for years. Consider them an investment!

Of course, paying for quality doesn’t mean paying full price for them. Some of the best Bluetooth headphones regularly see discounts, especially during this time of the year. Take the Bose QC 35 IIs, for example. The QuietComfort 35 II headphones are some of the most highly regarded headphones around, but even then, $299 at MSRP is a hard pill to swallow. But right now at Amazon, all colors of the QC 35 IIs are $100 off, bringing these headphones down to just $199.

This is the same price they had at Prime Day 2020, but this time around, you don’t need to rush to take advantage of it! Well, you still shouldn’t wait around, as who knows if these will sell out, but this isn’t a Lightning Deal that you’ll miss out of at the blink of an eye!

Trust me, the Bose QC 35 II is worth every penny. These comfortable headphones have three different levels of noise-canceling, so you can decide just how much of the world around you that you hear. With the Bose Connect app, you can customize your audio experience as much as you need to, and you’ll never be disappointed. With up to 20 hours of battery life, the Bose QC 35 IIs will not quit until you’re done with your day.

This sale extends to all three of the QuietComfort 35 IIs colors–Silver, Black, and the limited-edition Triple Midnight. The Triple Midnight headphones originally went for $349, but are also down to $199.

    Bose QuietComfort 35 II
    Why settle for less when you can save on the best? The Bose QC 35 II headphones are on sale at Amazon for just $199, and they're worth the price. With adjustable audio settings and three levels of noise-canceling, these are some of the best headphones you can get on the market.

Pick your favorite and place your order before they sell out!

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The Google Chromecast with Google TV is your Gateway to Live TV Streaming

Before September 30, a 4K-enabled Chromecast would set you back a minimum of $69, and you were limited by having to use your phone as your remote, jumping around in your launcher to the app you needed to watch the show you wanted. On the day the Google Chromecast with Google TV was announced, I ordered it so I could put it through its paces. Before I go into detail about the setup process and using the device, I’ll mention that if you already have a 4K-enabled Android TV set-top box with a Google Assistant-enabled remote, there’s no compelling reason to switch, even less so given the at-launch limitations of this Chromecast (as I’ll explain later). But if you’re looking to upgrade an old “dumb” TV for the first time, Google’s new dongle is worth your consideration.

The Google Chromecast with Google TV comes with a dedicated remote!

Setting up the Google Chromecast with Google TV

The setup process is pretty straightforward, if somewhat time-consuming. You’ll need to have your phone handy with the Google Home app installed to make setup as painless as possible. The setup process goes as follows (device in parentheses):

  1. Pair remote by holding the (TV)
  2. Connect Google Home app to Chromecast by scanning QR code (Home app on phone)
  3. Connect to WiFi (Home app on phone)
  4. Sign in with Google account (Home app on phone)
  5. Choose Google services (Home app on phone)
  6. Set up Google Assistant (Home app on phone)
  7. Choose your apps (Home app on phone)
  8. Choose Ambient Mode photo sources (Home app on phone)
  9. Set up volume and power buttons on remote (TV)
  10. Sign in to your third-party services (both TV and phone — some examples: Netflix seems to be the most tedious, Disney+ can sign in automatically with Google Smart Lock if you already have it enabled on your phone, CBS All Access can sign in automatically when you have the app open on your phone, Amazon Prime Video and ESPN require entering codes on activation pages in browser)
  11. (Optional) go back to set up input switcher button on remote by using the remote to go to settings on the TV

Google Home (Free, Google Play) →

Using the Google Chromecast with Google TV

Thanks to the dedicated remote and the Google TV on-screen UI, Google’s new Chromecast is finally able to compete with the streaming stick giants from Roku and Amazon while outclassing them with its traditional phone mirroring capabilities. To clear up any possible confusion, Google TV is the rebranded Play Movies and TV app expanded to add a big-screen UI on top of the Android TV platform. With 8GB of local storage and 2GB RAM, it’s on par with the entry-level NVIDIA Shield TV (though the latter offers MicroSD storage expansion).

Speaking of specs, the processor is a 1.9GHz quad-core Amlogic S905X3, and it streams content at up to 4K resolution with HDR through an HDMI 2.0 connection. Power comes to the device via its USB-C port, and it supports an ethernet connection through an ethernet power adapter sold separately. Curiously there is no Google Stadia support at launch, but it’s expected to come in early 2021 according to the Stadia Twitter account.

The Google TV UI improves upon the Android TV interface primarily by consolidating content from your Google Play library and various supported subscriptions you may have such as Disney+, Netflix, Hulu, Sling TV, Amazon Prime Video, etc. The interface you see depends on whether you subscribe to YouTube TV with the same Google account you used to set up your Chromecast. If you do, you’ll see the following tabs: Search, For You, Live, Movies, Shows, Apps, and Library. Otherwise, you’ll see everything except for the Live tab. Below is a screenshot gallery describing what you’ll see on each tab.

Google Chromecast with Google TV search tab Google Chromecast with Google TV Google Assistant Google Chromecast with Google TV For You Tab Google Chromecast with Google TV movies tab Google Chromecast with Google TV shows tab Google Chromecast with Google TV settings panel

While the new Google Chromecast with Google TV is an absolute step up from previous Chromecasts, it’s a definite step down from leading 4K-enabled Android TV set-top boxes. The biggest limitation is its lack of support for any live TV service other than YouTube TV. For this review, I went through the setup process multiple times using different Google accounts so I could use one to subscribe to a free trial of YouTube TV to illustrate the differences in day-to-day use. For instance, as indicated above, the Google TV UI will have a Live tab only if the Google account you used to set up the device has a YouTube TV subscription. If you have multiple Google accounts and you used a different one to set up your Chromecast, you’ll have to add your secondary Google account with the YouTube TV subscription in settings and go to the YouTube TV app in the app section to see live TV. Thankfully, Google is expected to add support for other live TV service providers in the future.

I had some minor quibbles with the remote in my two weeks of usage but otherwise, it’s a stylish and competent offering. The first problem I had was this: While holding the Google Assistant button down and saying “Play Iron Man”, it took me to the movie I purchased a few years ago from Google Play Movies, which was great except for the fact that the title on Google Play Movies maxes out at 1080p rather than the 4K version included with my Disney+ subscription. It goes to show that the results are mostly accurate but not always the best when more than one option exists. Two other minor issues: I wish the remote had a dedicated play/pause button and a dedicated skip-back-10-seconds button like the Roku remote. It’s a nice stylish space saver to consolidate all that functionality into the circular D-pad, but the Roku remote still had those dedicated buttons in addition to the D-pad.

Conclusion

It seems to me that Google was targeting the Roku Stick and the Amazon Fire TV stick when they released this new Chromecast with Google TV. Had they been targeting Android TV set-top boxes, they would have had Stadia support at launch and support for more live TV service providers. If that is the case, I’d say Google hit it out of the park (which is more than I can say about the Cubs lately, but that’s another story). Google TV, despite its bugs and its occasional latency, does what Roku and Amazon have not done: consolidate content from multiple services so the TV shows and movies take center stage, not the apps. Also, the Chromecast continues to offer the unparalleled phone mirroring it has been known for over the last seven years. The $49 price provides support for 4K content at $20 less than the Chromecast Ultra and keeps the Google Chromecast with Google TV competitive with other 4K streaming sticks.

    Google Chromecast with Google TV
      Google has upgraded the Chromecast with a full-fledged, Android-based operating system called Google TV. They also equipped it with a remote, making the $49 dongle your one-stop shop for live TV streaming.

        Pros:

        Cons:

    Photos by Adam Conway

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