OnePlus 8T vs. OnePlus 8 Pro: Which should you buy?

OnePlus 8T

Everything you need

$590 at Amazon

Pros

• Sublime 120Hz AMOLED display
• Android 11 out of the box
• 65W wired charging
• Snapdragon 865 with 5G connectivity
• 12GB RAM and 256GB storage by default

Cons

• No wireless charging
• No IP rating
• Average camera

The OnePlus 8T delivers the latest hardware you can buy today. The phone is powered by the Snapdragon 865 chipset and has 5G connectivity, and you get a flat AMOLED display with 120Hz refresh rate, 12GB of RAM, 256GB of storage, and insane 65W fast charging. Add the fact the phone runs Android 11 out of the box and you get a great overall package.

OnePlus 8 Pro

All the extras

$699 at OnePlus

Pros

• Stunning 120Hz AMOLED display
• Exciting cameras
• 30W wired and wireless charging
• IP68 water resistance
• Snapdragon 865 chipset with 5G
• Now on Android 11

Cons

• No 3.5mm headphone jack

The OnePlus 8 Pro takes things to the next level with a curved QHD+ AMOLED 120Hz refresh rate screen, cameras that take great photos in any lighting, Snapdragon 865 with 5G, and 30W wired and wireless charging, along with IP68 water resistance. There's nothing missing here, and the phone has already received the Android 11 stable update.

You should consider the OnePlus 9 series

The OnePlus 8 Pro and 8T continue to be great options in 2021, but if you're looking to upgrade to a new phone, you may want to take a look at the OnePlus 9 and OnePlus 9 Pro. Both phones offer considerable upgrades on the camera side of things, and sport an exciting new design along with faster wireless charging and beefier internal hardware.

With OnePlus launching a new phone every six months, there's always a better device on the horizon. But the company's partnership with Hasselblad over the OnePlus 9 series has resulted in much better cameras over previous generations, and that makes the 2021 flagships that much more enticing.

The OnePlus 8T introduces subtle tweaks to the design and a flat 120Hz AMOLED display along with 65W fast charging, and the OnePlus 8 Pro has all the extras that you'd want from an Android flagship. Should you buy the OnePlus 8T or pick up the 8 Pro? Let's find out.

OnePlus 8T vs. OnePlus 8 Pro: Same hardware with a few key differences

The OnePlus 8T uses the same design and hardware as the OnePlus 8 Pro, but with a few notable differences. First up is how the display is flat on the 8T, making it easier to hold and use.

The OnePlus 8T is also 11g lighter than the 8 Pro even though both phones sport similar batteries. This adds to how much easier it is to use in everyday use. Both devices offer the same metal-and-glass construction and come with Gorilla Glass 5 at the front and back, but the fact the 8T is marginally shorter and lighter gives it an edge.

With IP68 rating and 30W wireless charging, the OnePlus 8 Pro gives you a lot more in terms of extras.

The OnePlus 8T has a new design for the rear camera housing, and it looks much more elegant than the oblong housing on the 8 Pro. The design aesthetic is largely unchanged between both devices, but the subtle tweaks make the 8T look just that little bit more premium.

The OnePlus 8T has a 6.55-inch AMOLED display, with the OnePlus 8 Pro rocking a 6.7-inch AMOLED screen. Both devices offer a 120Hz refresh rate, and the panel quality itself is right up there with the best Android phones available today. The key difference in terms of the panel is that the 8 Pro has a QHD+ resolution, with the 8T limited to FHD+.

Now, the FHD+ panel on the 8T is pretty great in its own right, and you're not really missing out on anything here. However, if you want to use a higher-res panel, that option is available on the 8 Pro, and the best part is that you can use 120Hz refresh rate even with the resolution set to QHD+.

The OnePlus 8 Pro also wins out when we're talking about the extras. The phone has 30W wireless charging and IP68 dust and water resistance. The 8T misses out on both features.

Both the OnePlus 8T and 8 Pro feature the Snapdragon 865 chipset with Sub-6 5G, and they're identical in day-to-day use. Both phones run through just about any scenario with ease, whether that's browsing social media or playing intensive games. You're not going to find any slowdowns here, and the 120Hz panels combined with stereo speakers on both phones make them a delight to use.

Both phones share robust hardware, with the 8T offering 65W fast charging.

You'll find both phones with 8GB/128GB and 12GB/256GB options, but availability is limited by region. The OnePlus 8T, for instance, is only sold in the 12GB/256GB variant in the U.S. — retailing for $600 on Amazon — and even the 8 Pro is only available in the 12GB/256GB option that now costs $699, with the 8GB/128GB variant sold out in the country.

Over in India, the OnePlus 8T starts off at ₹42,999 ($576) for the 8GB/128GB model, and the OnePlus 8 Pro retails at ₹54,999 ($736) for the 8GB/128GB option. Subtle differences exist in the internal hardware: the OnePlus 8 Pro has LPDDR5 RAM and UFS 3.0 storage modules, while the OnePlus 8T has LPDDR4X RAM and UFS 3.1 storage. But the standout feature here is the 65W fast charging on the OnePlus 8T.

The Warp Charge 65 fast charging tech takes just 39 minutes to fully charge the 4,500mAh battery on the OnePlus 8T. So even though the phone lacks wireless charging, the speed on offer with the 65W fast charging standard gives the 8T an edge. The OnePlus 8 Pro, meanwhile, has 30W wired and wireless charging, with the phone taking just over an hour to fully charge the 4,510mAh battery.

Finally, the cameras. Although both devices feature 48MP cameras at the back, the OnePlus 8 Pro takes better photos because of the newer Sony IMX689 sensor. The 8 Pro has a secondary 48MP wide-angle lens that outmatches the 13MP wide-angle module on the 8T. The 8 Pro still doesn't measure up to the likes of the Galaxy Note 20 or the Pixel 5, but it has an edge over the 8T.

OnePlus 8T vs. OnePlus 8 Pro: Specs

	OnePlus 8T	OnePlus 8 Pro
Operating system	Android 11 OxygenOS 11	Android 11 OxygenOS 11
Display	6.55-inch 120Hz Fluid AMOLED 2400x1080 (20:9) HDR10+ Gorilla Glass 5	6.7-inch Fluid AMOLED 3168x1440 (19.8:9) HDR10+ Gorilla Glass 5
Chipset	Snapdragon 865 1 x 2.84GHz A77 3 x 2.42GHz A77 4 x 1.80GHz A55 7nm	Snapdragon 865 1 x 2.84GHz A77 3 x 2.42GHz A77 4 x 1.80GHz A55 7nm
GPU	Adreno 650	Adreno 650
RAM	8GB/12GB LPDDR4X	8GB/12GB LPDDR5
Storage	128GB/256GB UFS 3.1	128GB/256GB UFS3.0
MicroSD slot	❌	❌
Rear camera 1	48MP (IMX586), 0.8um f/1.75, OIS 4K at 30fps	48MP (IMX689), f/1.78 1.12um, OIS 4K at 60fps
Rear camera 2	16MP wide-angle, f/2.25 120-degree field-of-view	48MP wide-angle, f/2.2 119-degree field-of-view
Rear camera 3	5MP macro, f/2.4	8MP, f/2.4 1.0um, OIS, telephoto 3x hybrid zoom
Rear camera 4	2MP monochrome, f/2.4	5MP Color Filter
Front camera	16MP, f/2.4 1080p video, fixed focus	16MP, f/2.4 1080p video, fixed focus
Connectivity	5G Sub-6, SA and NSA Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.1 AptX HD, NFC, A-GPS	5G NSA, Sub-6 Wi-Fi 6 2x2 MIMO, Bluetooth 5.1 NFC< AptX HD, A-GPS
Battery	4500mAh Non-removable	4510mAh Non-removable
Charging	USB-C 3.1 Warp Charge 65 (10V/6.5A)	USB-C 3.1 Warp Charge 30T (5V/6A) Warp Charge 30 Wireless (20V/1.5A)
Audio	USB-C Stereo speakers	USB-C Stereo speakers
Water resistance	❌ Only on T-Mobile version	IP68
Security	In-display fingerprint (optical)	In-display fingerprint (optical)
Dimensions	160.7 x 74.1 x 8.4mm 188g	165.3 x 74.3 x 8.5mm 199g
Colors	Ultramarine Green, Lunar Silver	Onyx Black, Glacial Green, Ultramarine Blue

OnePlus 8T vs. OnePlus 8 Pro: Software

OnePlus managed to differentiate itself on the software side of things, with the OnePlus 8T running OxygenOS 11 based on Android 11 out of the box. The OnePlus 8 Pro has also received the stable update to Android 11, making it one of very few devices that have done so.

So while it's great to see both devices on Android 11, the 8T has a slender edge in this area as it comes with the latest version of Android out of the box. Doing so means it will be updated to Android 13 once it rolls around, and while the 8 Pro is also likely to make the switch, it isn't guaranteed at this point.

OnePlus 8T vs. OnePlus 8 Pro: Which should you buy?

There are a lot of similarities with the OnePlus 8T and 8 Pro, and ultimately, it comes down to how much you value the extras. If you need wireless charging and IP68 water resistance, then the OnePlus 8 Pro is the obvious choice. The phone comes with a higher-res QHD+ display, and the curved design is right up there with the best that Samsung has to offer.

You can't go wrong with either option, but for my money I'd buy the OnePlus 8 Pro in 2021.

The OnePlus 8T has the same 120Hz refresh rate, but comes with a flat AMOLED display that makes it much more comfortable to use. That's the main reason I'm still using the phone even after the review, and after using curved screens for most of the year, it feels refreshing to go back to a flat display.

And while the OnePlus 8T does not have wireless charging, the 65W wired charging ensures you don't have to leave the phone plugged in overnight. The fast charging tech takes just 39 minutes to fully charge the 4500mAh battery on the device.

But the OnePlus 8 Pro wins out on the camera side of things thanks to the IMX689 sensor, and you get more in terms of extras: there's IP68 water resistance, 30W wireless charging, and a QHD+ panel. Considering the 12GB/256GB edition now costs just $700, you aren't paying a lot more than the 8T. So if you want a flagship with all the extras, the OnePlus 8 Pro may just be the ideal option.

OnePlus 8T

Everything you need

$590 at Amazon $600 at OnePlus ₹42,999 at Amazon India

The upgrades you're looking for

The OnePlus 8T has a stunning 120Hz AMOLED panel backed by the latest internal hardware available. The flat display is a joy to use, the phone runs Android 11 out of the box, and with 65W fast charging, you won't need to leave it plugged in overnight. It is missing a few extras, but if you want to maximize value, this is the phone to get.

OnePlus 8 Pro

All the extras

$699 at OnePlus ₹54,999 at Amazon India

Still a great Android flagship

The OnePlus 8 Pro delivers all the features you'd want from a flagship. It has a gorgeous design with a QHD+ 120Hz AMOLED panel, great cameras, outstanding hardware, and 30W wired and wireless charging. If you don't mind shelling out the premium over the 8T, there's a lot to like in the 8 Pro. With the 12/256GB option now on sale, you are getting a great overall value.

Looking for a NAS to run Plex? These are the best enclosures.

The best network attached storage (NAS) for Plex lets you easily stream your media library on all devices across your home network. The DiskStation DS220+ illustrates this point perfectly — it transcodes content so that any device can play back any file without running into issues, and doubles up as a reliable solution for backing up photos and videos from your connected devices.

1. Synology DiskStation DS220+: Best Overall

Right now, the DiskStation DS220+ is the best NAS you can buy for Plex streaming. The NAS is powered by an Intel Celeron J4025 chipset and comes with 2GB of RAM — with the ability to add another 4GB — and there are two drive bays that can hold 16TB of storage each, taking total storage to 32TB. The DS220+ has two Gigabit Ethernet ports at the back with Link Aggregation, and you can just bridge these ports and double data transfers. There are two USB 3.0 ports as well, and overall, the DS220+ is the best NAS for home use, particularly if you want a robust media server.

The DS220+ works particularly well as a Plex media server. It takes just a few minutes to install and configure the service, and it does a fantastic job streaming your locally-stored media library to all connected devices on your home network. Plex streaming generally falls into three categories. Direct play is when the Plex client (your TV or streaming box) natively handles the video container and just streams the file as-is without any issues. Direct stream is when the client device you're using does not support the container (like .mkv or .m4a), so Plex will then remix the file to a different container and send it to your device.

These two options don't need a lot of resources, and any NAS — including cheap NAS enclosures — will be able to handle the load. The last category, transcoding, is where things get interesting. Plex will transcode files when a client device does not have the requisite video codec (like H.265, HEVC, H.264) and video container, so the service will essentially convert the video to a format that will run on the device and then play it. This is the most CPU-intensive option, and needs a powerful NAS. Then there are inherent limitations to transcoding 4K — like missing out on HDR — so you're better off just streaming your locally-saved 4K content instead of trying to transcode it.

The DS220+ handles 1080p transcodes without any issues and is able to transcode 4K content if you really need to do so, and it is the ideal option for Plex. Synology's software is the best in the industry, and you can do so much more than streaming your Plex library. The DS220+ automatically backs up data with ease, and you can run your own email, audio, video, and even VPN server straight from the NAS. I recommend picking up 4TB Seagate IronWolf drives with the NAS to start off, and if you need more storage, you can get the 6TB model or the 8TB option.

Pros:

• Can handle 4K streaming/transcoding
• Two Gigabit Ethernet ports
• Up to 32TB of storage
• Extensible software
• Robust internal hardware

Cons:

• No eSATA port
• No SSD caching

Best Overall

Synology DiskStation DS220+

• $300 at Amazon
• $300 at Newegg
• $300 at B&H Photo

The best NAS for Plex in 2021

The DS220+ has robust hardware and two Gigabit Ethernet ports, making it the ideal option if as a NAS enclosure for Plex streaming.

2. Synology DiskStation DS920+: Best For 4K

The DiskStation DS920+ has the same foundation as the DS220+ but with a few key upgrades. You get a faster Intel Celeron J4125 chipset, 4GB of RAM out of the box, M.2 slots for SSD caching, and four drive bays that can hold up to 64TB of storage. You get the same dual Gigabit Ethernet ports, two USB 3.0 ports, and there's also an eSATA port at the back.

The DiskStation DS920+ is an ideal Plex media server if you're looking to stream 4K content on your devices. The DS920+ handles 1080p transcodes just fine, so if you're using an older TV or a device that doesn't have the latest video codecs and containers, the NAS will decode the file and play it on the TV. Now, the DS920+ transcodes 4K as well, but you should not go this route. If you're building a 4K media library, your best route is to stream media directly on the TV or streaming box.

4K transcoding takes several magnitudes more power than 1080p transcodes, and most devices that can play back 4K content have the requisite video codecs and containers. So when it comes to playing 4K files on your home network, the only factors you need to consider are network bandwidth — 4K files have a bitrate of over 100Mbit — and storage. That's where the two Gigabit Ethernet ports on the DS920+ come in handy, and the four drive bays that can hold a total of 64TB of storage.

If you think that the 64TB of storage may not be enough, Synology has a DX517 expansion unit that adds five drive bays to your DS920+ — that's another 80TB of storage. If you're looking for drives to fill up the DS920+, the 8TB IronWolf NAS hard drive is the ideal option.

Pros:

• 4K Plex streaming/4K transcode
• Up to 64TB of extensible storage
• M.2 slots for SSD caching
• Exhaustive software features
• Two Gigabit Ethernet ports

Cons:

• No 10GbE (10 Gigabit Ethernet) ports
• Fewer DRAM slots than predecessor
• Expensive

Best For 4K

Synology DiskStation DS920+

• $593 at Amazon
• $550 at Newegg
• $550 at B&H Photo

The perfect four-bay Plex media server

With powerful hardware and the ability to handle several 4K Plex streams at once, the DS920+ is the ideal 4-bay media server.

3. Asustor AS5202T: Best For Connectivity

Asustor's AS5202T is a great choice if you're looking for a robust Plex media server. This two-bay NAS enclosure has dual 2.5 Gigabit Ethernet ports, giving you much more headroom for data transfers. But the best part about the AS5202T is how it comes with an HDMI port, allowing you to plug the NAS directly into your TV.

The NAS is powered by the Intel Celeron J4005 chipset and has 2GB of RAM out of the box, and you can add up to 32TB of storage across the two drive bays. The NAS lets you install Plex without any hassle, and you get the option to run Docker containers, back up data automatically on all connected devices, and so much more. Like the DS220+ and DS920+, you get the ability to stream Plex at 4K without any issues, and the hardware here is able to transcode 4K as well.

Asustor has a set of tools that let you stream content directly to Twitch or YouTube, making the AS5202T a decent option for content creators as well. The hardware on offer here makes the AS5202T a versatile option for Plex, and you can get started with 8TB IronWolf NAS drive if you're picking up this particular model.

Pros:

• 4K Plex streaming/4K transcode
• HDMI port for connecting to TV
• Two 2.5Gbps ports for next-gen connectivity
• Decent set of software features
• Robust internal hardware

Cons:

• Gets pretty loud

Best For Connectivity

Asustor AS5202T

• $300 at Amazon
• $300 at B&H Photo

The ideal NAS for content creators

The AS5202T delivers next-gen connectivity and has reliable hardware that makes it a fantastic choice as a 4K Plex solution.

4. Asustor AS5304T: Best Four-Bay Connectivity

If you looked at the AS5202T above and went, "this looks good, but I need more drive bays" then the AS5304T is the NAS for you. The AS5304T shares the same design and similar internal hardware as the AS5202T, but you get four drive bays that can hold a total of 64TB of storage.

The NAS is powered by a newer Intel Celeron J4105 chipset and you get 4GB of RAM out of the box, with the ability to add another 4GB. You also get three USB 3.2 ports, dual 2.5 Gigabit Ethernet ports at the back, and an HDMI 2.0 out that lets you connect the NAS to a TV.

The AS5304T has the same set of software features as the AS5202T, and the increased memory and more powerful chipset means the NAS is particularly great as a Plex media server. You'll be able to stream 4K content to several devices at once, and should you wish to do so, you can rely on 1080p hardware transcodes and even 4K. The 8TB IronWolf NAS drive is the best pairing for the AS5304T.

Pros:

• 4K Plex streaming/4K transcode
• HDMI port for connecting to TV
• Two 2.5Gbps ports for next-gen connectivity
• Great value
• Robust software

Cons:

• Runs hot
• Fan gets loud

Best Four-Bay Connectivity

Asustor AS5304T

• $429 at Amazon
• $429 at B&H Photo

Turbocharge your media server

With dual 2.5Gbps ports, an HDMI 2.0 port, four drive bays and a robust software, the AS5304T is the ultimate four-bay Plex server.

5. Synology DiskStation DS220j: Best Entry-Level Plex NAS

What if you don't care about 1080p/4K transcoding and just want an affordable NAS that streams files from Plex to your devices? Then the DiskStation DS220j is the best option for you. The NAS has two drive bays and features the Realtek RTD1296 along with 512MB of RAM, a Gigabit Ethernet port, and two USB 3.0 ports.

It may not be the fastest NAS around, but it runs Plex fine and streams content to your devices without any issues. You miss out on transcoding, but for direct streaming, this is a great option. The value on offer here makes the DS220j a particularly great choice, and the fact that it offers the same robust software features as Synology's costlier models means you're not missing out on much.

If you're looking for a budget Plex media server, the DS220j is hard to beat right now. Pair the NAS with a few 4TB IronWolf hard drives and you'll have a robust media server that can stream Plex to all connected devices in your home.

Pros:

• 4K Plex streaming
• Incredible value
• Gigabit Ethernet connectivity
• Runs quiet
• Up to 32TB of storage

Cons:

• Limited RAM
• Doesn't transcode

Best Entry-Level Plex NAS

Synology DiskStation DS220j

• $170 at Amazon
• $170 at Newegg
• $170 at B&H Photo

The best budget Plex media server

The DS220j has robust software and holds up incredibly well as a Plex media server, making it the ideal entry-level option.

6. TerraMaster F2-221: Best Value

TerraMaster is a well-known manufacturer that's focused on the value segment, and the F2-221 is a great choice if you want a value-focused NAS enclosure for Plex. The NAS is powered by the Intel Celeron J3355 chipset and has 2GB of RAM out of the box, and you can fit a total of 32TB of storage in the two drive bays.

The F2-221 also has two Gigabit Ethernet ports and two USB 3.0 ports. You also get a decent set of software features, but the standout point here is that the F2-221 can stream 4K files without any hassle and transcode 1080p content easily. There's no 4K transcode here, but like I outlined above, that's not really a major omission.

If you don't need some of the more productivity-focused features and are in the market for value, the F2-221 is a fantastic overall choice. Just pick up a few 4TB IronWolf hard drives with the NAS and you'll be able to set up a great Plex server.

Pros:

• 4K Plex streaming/1080p transcode
• Great overall value
• Two Gigabit Ethernet ports
• Holds up to 32TB of storage
• Decent software

Cons:

• No eSATA port

Best Value

TerraMaster F2-221

• $250 at Amazon
• $250 at Newegg
• $250 at B&H Photo

The ideal value choice

TerraMaster's F2-221 gives you all the features you're looking for in a Plex media server for less than its rivals.

7. QNAP TS-451+: Best Four-Bay Value

QNAP's TS-451+ is a reliable workhorse that excels at the basics. The NAS is powered by an Intel Celeron J1900 chipset and you get 2GB of RAM out of the box, an HDMI port for connecting it to your TV, and a remote control.

The NAS handles Plex 4K streaming without any issues whatsoever, and you get hardware 1080p transcoding as well. There are four USB 3.0 ports at the back, two Gigabit Ethernet ports, and with four bays that can hold a total of 64TB of storage, you won't need to worry about running out of storage on this NAS.

You also get a decent set of software options on the NAS, including backing up media and running virtual machines, and for what you're ultimately paying here, you are getting excellent value. The one downside is that the software interface doesn't look as modern as what you get with Synology. To get started, all you need is a few 6TB IronWolf drives or the 8TB variants and you get a powerful Plex media server.

Pros:

• 4K Plex streaming/1080p transcode
• HDMI port lets you connect to a TV
• Four USB 3.0 ports
• Amazing value

Cons:

• Software not as polished as rivals
• Limited RAM out of the box

Best Four-Bay Value

QNAP TS-451+

• $429 at B&H Photo

A great value-focused Plex server

The TS451+ has an HDMI port and a remote control, and the robust hardware combined with the value makes this a great Plex server.

8. Synology DiskStation DS1520+: Best For Enthusiasts

The DiskStation DS1520+ is an excellent option if you're looking for a larger NAS enclosure for Plex. The 5-bay NAS is powered by the Intel Celeron J4125 and comes with 8GB of RAM out of the box, and you can add up to 80TB of storage natively.

A differentiating feature is the two eSATA ports, through which you'll be able to add up to ten additional drives. The extensibility makes the DS1520+ an exciting choice, and it delivers excellent performance for Plex. You'll have no issues transcoding 4K content on the fly, and there are four Gigabit ports at the back.

You'll also find M.2 slots for SSD caching, and the NAS as a whole is a fantastic overall choice if you're interested in a high-end enclosure for Plex streaming.

Pros:

• 4K Plex streaming/4K transcode
• Four Gigabit Ethernet ports
• Two eSATA ports
• Outstanding performance
• M.2 slots for SSD caching

Cons:

• Costly

Best For Enthusiasts

Synology DiskStation DS1520+

• $695 at Amazon
• $700 at Newegg
• $695 at B&H Photo

A truly outstanding NAS

The DS1520+ is a beastly NAS for Plex — it does 4K transcodes with ease, has plenty of storage and memory, and four Gigabit ports.

The best NAS for Plex is the DiskStation DS220+

Right now, if you're looking to pick up a NAS for Plex streaming, the best option is the DiskStation DS220+. The upgraded internal hardware makes it an enticing model in this category, and with two Gigabit Ethernet ports and robust software features, the NAS has the basics covered.

Plex media server is available natively on the DS220+, and you can install the Plex client (for streaming videos) on just about every platform out there. From smart TVs to Android, iOS, Windows, macOS, and Linux, Plex makes it about as straightforward as it gets to stream your locally-streamed media collection on your connected devices.

The DS220+ does a fantastic job with streaming Plex files in 4K, and it also has hardware-assisted 1080p transcodes that work reliably enough. It's not recommended to use a NAS to transcode 4K files, but as long as you're only looking to stream them to various devices, the DS220+ is the ideal NAS enclosure for your needs.

Credits — The team that worked on this guide

Harish Jonnalagadda is the Asia Editor of Android Central. A reformed hardware modder, he now spends his time writing about India's burgeoning phone market. Previously, he used to ponder the meaning of life at IBM. Contact him on Twitter at @chunkynerd.

Android 11: Everything you need to know!

Android 11 brings much-needed privacy and security features alongside exciting UI changes.

Android 11 continues to push Google's vision of Android forward. With Android 11, Google is making a few tweaks to refine the platform instead of making wholesale changes. Privacy is a big focus with Android 11, with Google introducing one-time permissions and granular control over what sort of data you share.

There are new features to get excited about as well — the power button menu picked up a massive overhaul, the Conversations view does a great job highlighting your messages, and there are little tweaks throughout the interface that give it an added polish.

Android 11 is powering the best Android phones of 2021, and manufacturers are doing a better job rolling out the update to their 2020 phones. So here's everything you need to know about all the new features in Android 11 and when your phone will receive the update.

Jump to:

• Release date
• Custom skins
• Review
• Messaging features
• Permissions
• Screen recorder
• Display features
• 5G connectivity
• Pixel 5
• What about Android 12?

Is Android 11 available for my phone?

Following months of Developer Previews and Betas, Google launched the final build of Android 11 on September 8, 2020. The update was available for Pixel phones on day one as per usual. This year, Android 11 was also available on the same day for select handsets from the likes of OnePlus, Xiaomi, OPPO, and Realme.

That's a big step forward for Android updates as a whole, but there's also still plenty of work that's left to be done. Samsung is now rolling out One UI 3.0 based on Android 11 to its flagships and mid-range devices, but the likes of Motorola, Nokia, Sony, and others are yet to roll out the update.

While that's certainly annoying, we're making things as easy as possible for you by tracking any and all Android 11 updates as we learn more about them.

What's going on with Android 11 on non-Pixel phones?

As noted above, this year's Android update rollout was a bit different compared to past releases. Instead of Pixels being the only phones treated to the new software, handsets from other select manufacturers were also treated to Android 11 in some form.

Let's first look at Samsung, which is marketing its Android 11 update as One UI 3.0/3.1. Most of the core design principles remain in place, but there is a lot that's new to check out. Samsung's touting things like an improved lock screen, a more customizable always-on display, new accessibility tools, and more.

Samsung has already delivered the Android 11 update to most of its 2020 phones, and is now working its way down the list to its 2019 phones. It shifted to the One UI 3.1 build in recent months that debuted on the Galaxy S21 series.

We should also mention OxygenOS 11, which is the Android 11 update for OnePlus phones. OxygenOS 11 introduced a major design shift for OnePlus, with the company moving away from its stock Android aesthetic and embracing design elements found in Samsung's One UI interface.

Nokia has also kicked off its Android 11 update rollout, with the Nokia 8.3 5G picking up the stable update starting February 8. HMD has lagged behind in this area over previous years, but with the Nokia 8.3 now on Android 11, we should see the update rolling out to other Nokia devices in the coming months.

Then there's Xiaomi. The stable MIUI 12 update based on Android 11 is now rolling out to the Mi 10 series and Redmi Note 9 devices and should make its way to other Xiaomi phones very soon. We've rounded up Xiaomi's Android 11 rollout timeline to make it easier for you to learn when your phone will get the update.

LG has also started to roll out the Android 11 update, with the V60 and the Velvet receiving the stable build. Lastly, we have ColorOS — the custom Android interface used on OPPO smartphones. ColorOS 11 is rolling out now to OPPO devices, and it offers a lot of exciting improvements. In addition to the usual Android 11 goodies, some other highlights include a customizable dark mode, a power-saver mode to extend battery life, and a new feature called OPPO Relax 2.0 that aims to help you unwind and fall asleep at night.

Have we reviewed Android 11?

We'll dive into some of Android 11's biggest features below, but before we do any of that, we should address the elephant in the room — is Android 11 any good? The short answer, yes — it is very, very good, as per our Android 11 review.

Understandably, some people may find Android 11 boring or not very different from Android 10, but the fact of the matter is that Android no longer needs massive overhauls every year the way it used to. The core Android experience is darn good, and Android 11 elevates it even more. All of the conversation improvements are great for streamlining notifications, more powerful permissions are always something we're happy to see, and the new power button menu adds a ton of extra functionality.

There are a couple of changes we aren't completely in love with (namely the new multitasking window and Suggested Apps feature for the home screen), but those things are easy to overlook. The vast majority of what Google did with Android 11 was for the better, and the result is software that's more functional and enjoyable to use.

How do Android 11 chat bubbles work?

As mentioned above, there isn't one single overhaul or massive change found with Android 11. Instead, it's a mix of many small tweaks here and there. A few of them focus on improving your messaging experience, with Google offering a lot in this department.

First on the list, we have chat bubbles. Similar to what Facebook's offered for years with its Messenger app on Android, chat bubbles in Android 11 hide your ongoing conversations in little bubbles on the side of your screen. You can move the bubbles around, and tapping on them reveals that specific conversation. The Bubbles API is available for all messaging apps, with Google encouraging developers to adopt it.

In another effort to make sure you can get to your messages as quickly as possible, Android 11 introduces a dedicated conversation section in your notification shade that offers instant access to any ongoing conversations you have. It also makes it easier for your messaging notifications to stand out from others, ensuring you never miss an important text ever again.

Speaking of messages and notifications, Android 11 makes it possible to send images directly from the notification shade when replying to a message.

What's new with permissions in Android 11?

Looking back on Android 10, one of its highlights was its improved handling of app permissions. Android 10 gave users more control over applications and what they could access, and Android 11 keeps this train rolling with a wonderful new addition.

Now, when an app asks for permission to use sensitive features like your location, microphone, or camera, you can choose to only grant it access on a one-time basis. The app will be able to use that permission during that instance of you using the app, but the permission is revoked as soon as you leave it. The next time you use the app, and it wants to use that permission, it needs to be granted access again.

Giving apps permission to these aspects of your phone should not be taken lightly, so we're thrilled to see Google giving users more control over their data like this.

On the subject of permissions and privacy, we had the opportunity to sit down and talk with Charmaine D'Silva — Product Manager and privacy specialist over at Google. She helped give us a deeper understanding of how some of these features came to be and why they're so important. If you have a few minutes to check it out, the interview's definitely worth a read.

Does Android 11 have a built-in screen recorder?

For the past few Android releases, we've been patiently waiting for Google to add a built-in screen recorder. It's not something you'll use every day (if ever for some people), but the fact that such a basic function isn't baked into Android at its core is getting annoying.

Thankfully, Android 11 finally changes that. This Android version does include the feature, accompanied by a clean UI and toggles for recording audio and showing touches with your recording. If you want to know how, here's our guide on how to record your phone screen on an Android phone.

There's not much else to say about this, other than the fact that we're glad we can finally put this feature request to bed.

Is Android 11 compatible with folding phones?

If there's been a place of notable advancement in the Android space, it's been with displays. Companies are doing what they can to offer the best and most exciting smartphone screen possible, and as great as this is, Android needs to catch up with better support for all of these advancements.

Folding phones are proving to be quite popular so far, and especially with devices like the Galaxy Z Flip and Motorola RAZR that have the "flip phone" folding design, Android 11 adds the "hinge angle sensor API" so apps can easily detect the hinge of these folding phones. With this information, developers can adapt their apps to work around the hinge and create unique experiences because of that (like how Google Duo changes its UI when you do a half-fold on the Z Flip).

The other big upgrade displays have seen has to do with faster refresh rates. It's no longer uncommon for phones to ship with screens that refresh at 90Hz or 120Hz, and Android 11 allows developers to take better advantage of these powerful displays. Developers can select which refresh rate their services should run at, and if the developer determines their app looks best at 90Hz or 60Hz, they can make that decision and have the phone's display change its refresh rate accordingly when using that app.

How does Android 11 work with 5G?

5G is finally starting to make its way to people, and more and more folks have started connecting to the next generation of wireless data. To ease the transition, Android 11 adds a very important "Dynamic Meterdness API."

That may not sound very exciting on paper, but it essentially allows phones to take full advantage of all the power 5G brings.

If the API detects that you're connected to an unlimited 5G signal, you'll access the highest possible quality for videos and graphics. The potential for 5G is pretty darn cool, and this API ensures you take full advantage of the speeds available to you.

What phone should I get for the best Android 11 experience?

Whether you want to be among the first to get Android 11 or experience it the way Google intended, the Pixel 5 is the phone for you. It's the newest flagship Pixel currently available, and if you prefer metal over plastic or glass, it's a hard phone to ignore.

The Pixel 5 is all about delivering a flagship-quality Android experience for a relatively low price, and in these regards, it succeeds tremendously. Google crammed a lot into the Pixel 5, including phenomenal cameras, an OLED display, good performance, long battery life, and more. The design is a little plain, but the phone's also a great size for one-handed use.

Best of all, the Pixel 5 and other Pixel devices get quarterly Feature Drops from Google, bringing new features to the Android 11 experience without requiring a full-scale platform update. The most recent Feature Drop was delivered on December 7, 2020.

When is Android 12 coming?

Google served up the first Android 12 developer preview on February 18, and there are a few user-facing changes. The notification shade has a cleaner design, and there's a dedicated snooze button that lets you mute notifications with ease.

Android 12 is also set to add scrolling screenshots, but the feature isn't quite live at this moment. And while the home screen UI itself is unchanged from Android 11, there's now an option to set a 4x5 grid. You can also easily share Wi-Fi with Nearby Share, making it easier for others to connect to your Wi-Fi network.

Interestingly, a new change in Android 12 is Silky Home, a hidden feature flag that drastically alters the look of the Settings page. In short, it makes the Settings page look similar to what Samsung offers with One UI, with large headers and menu elements sitting further below on the page.

The first public beta of Android 12 will arrive in May, with a stable release sometime after August. We'll have more to share around Android 12 and when your phone will get Android 12 in the coming months. For now, the focus for device makers is getting the Android 11 update out the door.

Verizon is offering up to $1000 off a new phone for your broken trade-in

Verizon wants your broken phones.

What you need to know

• Verizon has announced a new trade-in deal that includes broken smartphones.
• The trade-in amount will depend on the phone model and its condition.
• The deal will start April 1, and Verizon assures it's not a prank.

Tomorrow is April Fool's Day, although no one really has the patience for it. However, Verizon's new trade-in deal begins tomorrow, and it's a bit hard to believe. That's because the company is giving new customers up to $1000 when they trade in broken smartphones for a new one. That's right, Verizon wants your dead, cracked, water-damaged phones, and it'll give you money towards an upgrade to one of the best Android phones.

To take advantage of this deal, you can be either a new or existing customer, although the offer isn't as robust if you're already on the network. For example, existing customers trading in for a new smartphone will receive up to $440 of trade-in credit. That's still not bad, especially when you're looking at getting one of the best cheap Android phones. Meanwhile, new customers that port their numbers are eligible for $800 worth of trade-in credit plus an additional $200 e-gift card. That would nearly cover the cost of a Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra, which retails on the carrier for $1200.

It's important to keep in mind that trade-in amounts depend on the phone model and the condition it's in. The deal also requires users to be on one of the best Verizon plans, such as Do More, Play More, or Get More Unlimited. In addition to the sweet trade-in deal, new and existing customers can still take advantage of the Disney Bundle that includes Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN+, not to mention how this kind of trade-in deal could potentially help reduce electronic waste.

The deal may sound too good to be true, but Verizon assures us it's not a joke. The offer is only available for a limited time, so grab that broken LG G8 from your drawer and check with Verizon on April 1 and find out just how much it's worth.

This is why the OnePlus Watch doesn't run Wear OS or have always-on display

Get some clarity on the OnePlus Watch before it goes on sale.

What you need to know

• OnePlus posted an faq regarding the upcoming OnePlus Watch.
• The company explains why it didn't choose Wear OS and why the watch doesn't feature an always-on-display.
• The OnePlus Watch will go on sale starting April 15th for $159.

The OnePlus 9 and OnePlus 9 Pro are just days away, and many can't wait to get their hands on the devices. The OnePlus Watch is also on the way, gunning for a spot as one of the best cheap Android smartwatches, although it will be a couple more weeks before it goes on sale. OnePlus decided to take this opportunity to explain some of its choices regarding the watch.

One of the main points that the company is making is that the focus for this wearable is battery life, something that CEO Pete Lau has echoed in the past and is now being emphasized again. The post explains that both Wear OS and RTOS were weighed against each other, but the latter won out due to its battery efficiency:

The one thing we unanimously seemed to agree upon is that having to charge our smartwatch daily really affected our experience. If we forgot to charge it overnight, a few minutes of charging before we head out just isn't enough and the battery dies later in the day. After extensive user research, we received further validation that battery life could make or break the user's experience with their smartwatch.

It makes sense that Wear OS would lose out for this reason. Even the best Wear OS watches can last just a couple of days with active use, whereas OnePlus is claiming a week of battery life when used consistently and up to two weeks when used sparingly.

Unfortunately, these figures don't consider the OnePlus Watch's always-on-display because it turns out there isn't one. Apparently, the company is looking into adding this feature in a future update but wants to examine how this will affect the already stellar battery life. There is a raise-to-wake feature, however, which may appease some potential buyers.

Furthermore, the post explains that the display can achieve more than 50fps, or nearly double that of most of the best Android smartwatches. Even with such a high refresh-rate, the OnePlus Watch battery life can be attributed in part to the three-chip solution, one of which is a low-power chip for the watch's various sensors. This way, the watch can continuously record health data and push it to the OnePlus Health app.

Other sections of the post go over design, specs, and some other features on the OnePlus Watch. It's definitely worth a read if you're curious about what the upcoming smartwatch will be capable of.

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Using your Chromebook with a monitor, mouse and keyboard is easy!

One of the most wonderful things about Chromebooks is how simple they are — you don't have to buy additional accessories to make them work. They just do most of what people want out of the box. But perhaps you have additional needs like using a larger external screen, necessitating having an external keyboard and mouse in the process. Now that so many of us are working from home, it's worth investing in a proper workstation setup to help your productivity and give you more screen space to spread out your work. Here's how to use a Chromebook with a monitor, keyboard, and mouse to get the best experience on Chrome OS.

Jump to:

• Hubs and Docking Stations
• Monitor
• Mouse
• Keyboard

Hubs and Docking Stations: Are you going wired or wireless?

While most of the best Chromebooks have ample USB ports for plugging in all your peripherals, HDMI is becoming harder and harder to find on Chromebooks. However, that's okay because all USB-C Chromebooks can add on a secondary screen via a USB-C hub, docking station, or a USB-C to HDMI adapter. Which one do you need? Well, that depends on you and how much you're connecting:

• Are multiple computers going to be using this workstation? Are you making a workstation that you and your kids can all use in turn for homework, paying bills, and maybe some light gaming? Then you'll want either a dock or USB-C hub, and you'll want to opt for wired peripherals so that you don't have to re-pair a Bluetooth mouse and keyboard with each person's computer.
• Are you connecting more than two things to your computer? Most Chromebooks have only one or two USB-A ports, so if you need to connect a mouse, keyboard, and a USB microphone for those Zoom meetings and online classes, you'll want a docking station to be sure you have enough USB-A ports for all your normal peripherals, plus at least one spare USB-A port for an external drive or thumb drive should you need to access an old
• Do you just need to connect a monitor? If you already have a wireless mouse/keyboard you're using and need to add on a monitor, you can save yourself some money by just getting a USB-C to HMDI adapter if you're not purchasing a USB-C-enabled monitor.

While there are tons of excellent USB-C hubs out there, finding good docking stations for Chromebooks is a little more tricky, as the video output situation on docks is usually geared toward Windows and Mac. See, there are several USB-C "alt modes" that can be selected depending on the hardware the dock wants to support: there's HDMI alt mode, DisplayPort alt mode, and Thunderbolt 3 alt mode. The type of alt mode supported by the dock — and more importantly, supported by your Chromebook — determines whether your Chromebook will work with a certain dock or not.

Given many docking stations support both HDMI and DisplayPort, compatibility can get tricker than it does on USB-C hubs, which usually only have HDMI video ports. Of course, USB-C hubs also don't come with their own power supplies as docking stations do, so if you buy a USB-C hub, make sure you buy one with pass-through charging high enough to power both the hub and your Chromebook.

Connect everything

AUKEY USB C Hub 8-in-1 Type C Adapter with Ethernet Port

AUKEY's USB-C hub has delivered generation after generation, and this is the model I've used with a dozen Chromebooks as well as a Chromecast with Google TV. It comes with 3 USB-A ports, 100W USB-C pass-through charging, 4K HDMI, SD, and microSD card slots.

$40 at Amazon

Monitor

Once upon a time, just about every Chromebook came with an HDMI port. Still, these days with USB-C supporting video out, most manufacturers have removed the seemingly superfluous HDMI port. If your Chromebook still has HDMI, then all you need is a good monitor and then plug in the HDMI cable that comes with it. If you don't have HDMI, you can also buy a USB-C monitor if you don't want to use one of the USB-C hubs or docking stations mentioned above.

Once you have your monitor plugged in, you'll still want to get things properly arranged and tuned in the Chrome OS settings.

How to adjust your monitor settings in Chrome OS

Once you plug your monitor into your Chromebook, it will start displaying an extension of your desktop immediately. But of course, you'll probably want to tweak the settings a bit, so it does exactly what you want it to for the best experience.

1. Click the status area (that's where your Wi-Fi and battery icons are).

2. Click on the settings icon (the little symbol that looks like a gear).

   

3. Click on Device.

   

4. Click on Displays.

   

5. Arrange the displays according to your preference (I like the big monitor on top). You can also decide if you want to mirror the internal display, or tweak the dispaly settings further (such as resolution and orientation).

   

While you can leave your external monitor's resolution on the default, I advise adjusting the Display size up and down and see if you prefer having things enlarged or normal-sized. If your monitor is some 40-inch TV, you'll probably want to adjust Display size up a little, so the text isn't quite as small.

Chances are, you'll want the second display to be the "primary" display in this situation. If you're using it as an extended desktop, you may want to keep the Chromebook as the primary display without a keyboard and mouse. The same goes for mirroring versus extended — you'll know right away whether you want the external monitor to duplicate what's on the Chromebook or be its own, separate display.

If you need to quickly switch between mirroring and extending your desktop, you can hold ctrl and press the full-screen button (F4 on a traditional keyboard) to toggle between mirroring and dual-display mode.

Protect your eyes

ASUS VA24 EHE Full HD Monitor

$115 at Amazon $130 at Best Buy

The perfect size second screen

This monitor from ASUS is the one I chose to complement my Chromebook setup. The size lets me have two full-size windows side-by-side, and its Eye Care technology makes it easier to use for longer.

Mouse

Just like monitors, Chrome OS is perfectly ready to handle connecting a mouse to save you from using the trackpad 100% of the time. Whether you like wired or wireless mice, you can plug in or pair your mouse and be up and running in a matter of seconds.

The one thing to keep in mind here is if you happen to prefer those fancy mice that have optional software for controlling special buttons, wheels, or interactions with the mouse (Logitech comes to mind). Those software suites are designed for Windows and Mac computers and won't install on Chrome OS. That doesn't mean that the mouse won't work; it just means that you won't have fine control over extra non-standard buttons and wheels. Mouse speed can still be adjusted in Chrome OS Settings in the Device section.

USB mice

When it comes to USB mice, there's really nothing to do but plug in the connector — whether that's a cable or a wireless receiver — and go. Just make sure before you buy to check which ports you have on your Chromebook. Many Chromebooks still offer USB-A ports, but some may only have USB-C.

Bluetooth mice

To connect a Bluetooth mouse, make sure that your mouse is turned on and pairing mode is enabled (the process will differ between mouse models).

1. On your Chromebook, click the status area (that's where your Wi-Fi and battery icons are).
2. Click on Bluetooth.
3. Look for the model name of your mouse, and the devices will pair in short order.

Just like the trackpad or a USB mouse, you'll able to adjust the pointer speed in the standard Chrome OS settings.

Point the way

Logitech Pebble M350 Bluetooth Mouse

From $26 at Amazon Fro $29 at Best Buy

Perfect partner

Ultra-lightweight and perfect for righties or lefties, this quiet mouse should last you over a year and a half on just one AA battery!

Keyboard

Getting an external keyboard for your Chromebook is the one part of this equation that can take a little extra thought. Like adding a mouse, you can plug in or connect any USB or Bluetooth keyboard to your Chromebook. Still, you have to remember that Chrome OS uses a non-standard layout for the function bar, with special keys in replacing the F1-12 keys and having the search key instead of a caps lock. While you can use any keyboard you have lying around, if you're buying new, consider a Chrome OS-specific keyboard, so you don't have to remember that F3 is Refresh instead of F5, which is the Overview key.

USB keyboards

Just like a USB mouse, Chrome OS can handle USB keyboards the instant you plug them in. You will need to remember what the F keys do because it's slightly different than the Chrome OS layout:

• F1: Previous page (Back)
• F2: Next page (Forward)
• F3: Refresh
• F4: Fullscreen
• F5: Overview
• F6: Lower brightness
• F7: Raise brightness
• F8: Mute
• F9: Volume down
• F10: Volume up
• F11: Fullscreen (yeah, it's really on here twice)
• F12: Inspect webpage (works the same as Ctrl + Shift + I)

Bluetooth keyboards

Connecting a Bluetooth keyboard is just like connecting a Bluetooth mouse.

1. Put the keyboard into pairing mode (usually by turning it on).

2. Open up the Bluetooth settings on your Chromebook from the status area and click on the Bluetooth icon.

   

3. You'll be prompted to type a sequence of numbers on the keyboard, and press enter to pair.

   

4. Your keyboard is now paired to your Chromebook.

   

Hunt and peck

Logitech K580 Chrome OS Edition Keyboard

$50 at Amazon $50 at Best Buy

Petite and portable

This well-made keyboard is just the right size to lug around and features Chrome OS-specific keys, including one for the Google Assistant!

Andrew Martonik contributed to an earlier version of this article.