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T-Mobile has an exclusive variant of the newly announced OnePlus 8T smartphone, which it calls OnePlus 8T+ 5G. However, the T-Mobile version of the latest OnePlus flagship isn’t overly different from the unlocked model. It turns out the self-proclaimed Un-carrier has obtained an IP (Ingress Protection) rating for the phone, something the unlocked variant is lacking.
Yes, T-Mobile’s OnePlus 8T+ 5G comes with an IP68 rating for dust and water resistance. It’s not like the device has been reassembled to offer additional protection. The unrated OnePlus 8T should also offer the same level of protection against dust and water. However, OnePlus likely chose to not obtain the IP certification as a cost-cutting measure.
T-Mobile, meanwhile, wants to reassure its customers that the new phone can comfortably survive a fall in the pool. And the company isn’t really charging anything significant for that certification. The so-called OnePlus 8T+ 5G will be available for pre-order from T-Mobile’s website in Aquamarine Green and Lunar Silver colors at $749.99 starting tomorrow, October 16.
The unlocked model, which also comes in the same two color choices, is already up for pre-order from OnePlus at $749. Yes, it costs 99 cents lesser. The device will hit the stores next Friday, October 23.
T-Mobile announces OnePlus 8T+ 5G
Apart from the IP certification, T-Mobile’s OnePlus 8T+ 5G is essentially the same handset in terms of hardware and design. You’re getting a handset with a Snapdragon 865 chipset, 12GB of RAM, and 256GB of storage space. It is a 5G-capable handset and as you’d expect, T-Mobile’s OnePlus 8T+ 5G will support the carrier’s 600 MHz as well as 2.5 GHz 5G networks.
The device features a 6.55-inch Fluid AMOLED display with a 1080 x 2400 pixels resolution. It offers a 120Hz refresh rate and HDR10+ capabilities. There’s a 48-megapixel quad-camera setup on the back with a dual-LED flash. The front-facing camera is a 16-megapixel sensor.
The 4500 mAh battery supports 65W Warp Charge technology that can fully charge the battery in just 39 minutes. The phone runs Android 11-based OxygenOS 11 from day one. Check out our OnePlus 8T review for more on how well it performs on day-to-day use.
The only major practical advantage of going with T-Mobile’s variant is the option to pay in installments. You can buy the phone in a 24-month plan at zero-interest, paying $31.25 every month. Additionally, if you add a new line of service, you will be able to save no less than 50 percent on the phone. The discount will be reflected in reduced monthly bills.