Credit: Dhruv Bhutani / Android Authority
Announced as an investment in the onePlus 8 series emerging value trajectory, the OnePlus North is a handheld teletlet for a more cost-conscious world. However, through the creation of a teleteletelephone that embodies the “OnePlus experience”, has the company built a teleteletelephone that makes one of its own models redundant?
I’ve had the OnePlus 8 since its previous release this year, and I find myself using it when I’m not juggling other revisions. However, I have been using the OnePlus North as my main phone since I won the unit about ten days ago. When switching between the two devices, it’s quite transparent that OnePlus has something very intriguing on its hands with the North.
In fact, when comparing the OnePlus 8 and OnePlus North, I can’t escape the persistent feeling that OnePlus has made its flagship product absolutely redundant.
Our verdict: OnePlus Nord Review: Buy it for Oxygen OS and for money
Let’s communicate the costs first. The OnePlus 8 starts at €729 ($858) in Europe, $599 ($771) in the UK and Rs. 44,999 (US$602) for 128GB garage style with 8GB RAM. This goes up to €829 ($975), $699 ($901) and Rs. $49,999 ($669) respectively for 256GB premium style with 12GB RAM.
Meanwhile, the OnePlus North starts with a large decrease in the value of €399 ($469), $379 ($488) and Rs. 27999 ($375) for 128GB style with 8GB of RAM and goes up to €499 ($587), $469 ($604) and Rs. 29999 ($401) for 256GB high-end style with 12GB RAM. India even gets a special discounted style with 6GB RAM and 64GB garage by Rs. 24,999 ($334). Good business!
The OnePlus North is for the frantic public, but it doesn’t matter.
The Northern Awards obviously show that OnePlus is aimed at a wider audience than frantic fans. Incarnate the OnePlus spirit, North makes all the right sacrifices and offers a smartphone package that offers the ultimate competition, a race for your money. The most important thing is that it made me question the role of OnePlus 8 in the company lineup.
Starting with the overall appearance, a look north obviously shows where his design ambitions derive from. There are similarities in the OnePlus 2020 product portfolio, however, it’s worth noting that the North ends up doing a lot more with certain things.
Credit: Dhruv Bhutani / Android Authority
Because of the smaller size, the north feels in my hand strangely well. More importantly, it’s better than the OnePlus 8 in several respects. With a smaller screen, the North is shorter and not as wide as the OnePlus 8. The difference is much more tangible than the specifications suggest.
In addition, while the thickness is slightly higher, the north has more curved edges that fit perfectly in the palm of your hand. On the OnePlus 8, I discovered the edges dug on the sides of my hand when writing long texts. That wasn’t the case in the north, and I definitely prefer the possible design options made here.
Of course, the smaller screen may not be ideal for avid media consumers. However, here’s the trick: the screen has precisely the same solution as the OnePlus 8, and the lower-length effects at a higher pixel density. Visually, I can’t see any difference between the two panels either. With the settings set to herbal on any of the phones, the OnePlus North and OnePlus 8 displays look identical.
Honestly, the flat screen is easier to use and doesn’t save fake keys to get started.
I mean, I enjoyed the return of the flat screen in the north. Now I have nothing to object to the curved edges, however, they load little use and can register fake keys. I wasn’t very excited about transferring a flat screen on the OnePlus 7T to the curved screen of the 8. The North corrects that. Of course, your mileage will possibly vary.
One of the main problems promoting OnePlus phones is their performance. If you are looking for specifications, definitely the OnePlus 8 and its Snapdragon 865 have the North and Snapdragon 765G. On paper, the Snapdragon 765G is closer to the two-year-old Snapdragon 845. That said, he still handles almost everything you throw at him.
Delve deeper: Tested: OnePlus North outperforms 7T Pro with sustained performance
As my colleague Rob noted in his previous feature-based article, North excels in sustained functionality. Both the OnePlus 7T and 7T Pro have shown decreases in processor and GPU functionality over time, and have been further slowed with heat buildup. On the other hand, the North could take longer. In fact, the North was able to maintain maximum GPU functionality during testing. This means you have more cooling and optimization than previous OnePlus devices. The effects of Rob’s lab were consistent with my non-public delight of using the OnePlus 8 compared to the OnePlus North.
I have more than three hundred applications installed on my phone and I use many of them every day. Equipped with 12GB RAM (I was using the high-end model), multitasking has never been a challenge in the North. Not once has the telephone had trouble tracking my use. However, I admit that I am not a cell player. The increased functionality generated through the fastest GPU of the OnePlus 8 could be valuable.
The other facet that struck me was the similarity of the camera configuration between the OnePlus 8 and the OnePlus North. The ultra-wide north camera halves solution and 2MP macro camera remains rubbish, however, it is a sacrifice that many might be willing to make for the monetary advantages of the North.
Finally, what really excited me from the North is the dual camera setup for selfies. I don’t click on too many selfies, however, the ultra-wide camera for Google Pixel 3 selfies has held a special position for me. Like the Pixel, the ultra-wide camera in the north is very convenient for capturing larger teams of people. Unfortunately, the truth has not live up to expectations, but it was hoped that OnePlus could improve the quality of selfie cameras through software updates.
Read more: The OnePlus North is here, but are we waiting for the Pixel 4a?
OnePlus began as an option for the maximum costs of the flagship device of older operators. Over time, the company’s phones have lost some of their price advantage, but the North fits perfectly.
I know that it is clear that there will be buyers who will enjoy the general functionality presented through the OnePlus 8. For everyone else, the North offers everything you want and more.
My effects also seem to be similar to the overall customer sentiment. In a vote in which our readers were asked on and on Twitter which of OnePlus’s existing phones is the most productive selection at the moment, 67.1% voted in favor of OnePlus North compared to OnePlus 8 and OnePlus 8 Pro. Even with two other options, the North was left with the highest percentage of voices. It is clear that for maximum customers, the phone meets all the requirements at the right price and is a resounding return to the roots of the brand.
Credit: Dhruv Bhutani / Android Authority
By opting for the North instead of the OnePlus 8, you lose some functionality and a larger ultra-wide camera. But for many buyers, overall cost savings more than make up for those sacrifices.
With OnePlus North, the company has adapted in all the smart ways, and that’s not a bad thing. Carl Pei’s quote from our onePlus North interview sounds good in context. The North is not for stalwart fans, but it must still attract a wider audience in the fold. However, in doing so, the company would possibly have made the OnePlus 8 irrelevant.
Want to learn more about OnePlus North? Check out our additional coverage.