Oneplus 5t Vs Samsung S8 Was Upgrading Really Worth It

In 2017, smartphone buyers faced a pivotal decision: stick with the premium flagship experience offered by Samsung’s Galaxy S8 or take a risk on OnePlus, a rising challenger with the OnePlus 5T. At first glance, both devices occupied similar price brackets, but their philosophies diverged sharply. The S8 represented polished refinement—Samsung’s hallmark of innovation and sleek design—while the 5T embodied raw speed and value-driven engineering. But for users considering an upgrade from older models or switching ecosystems, the real question remained: was moving to either device, particularly the 5T over the S8, truly worth it?

This article dissects that decision through real-world usage, technical benchmarks, user feedback, and long-term durability insights. Whether you're reflecting on a past choice or evaluating legacy devices for secondary use, understanding this matchup offers valuable perspective on what \"value\" really means in the smartphone world.

Design and Build: Premium vs Practical

The Samsung Galaxy S8 set a new standard for smartphone aesthetics in 2017. With its curved edge-to-edge “Infinity Display,” minimal bezels, and glass-metal sandwich build, it felt like holding a piece of the future. Available in striking colors like Midnight Black and Maple Gold, the S8 wasn’t just functional—it was aspirational. Its IP68 water resistance added peace of mind, and the seamless integration of Gorilla Glass 5 made it as durable as it was beautiful.

In contrast, the OnePlus 5T adopted a more utilitarian approach. While it featured a 6-inch Full HD+ AMOLED display with slim bezels, its design lacked the flair of the S8. The rectangular body, metal frame, and glass back gave it a solid feel, but no official IP rating meant users had to be cautious around moisture. However, the 5T was easier to handle for some due to its flatter edges and less slippery surface.

Tip: If you frequently use your phone outdoors or near water, the S8’s IP68 rating gives it a clear advantage over the non-rated 5T.

Performance: Speed Meets Efficiency

Under the hood, both phones were powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 835—the top-tier chipset of 2017. On paper, they were equals. In practice, differences emerged in software optimization and thermal management.

The OnePlus 5T ran OxygenOS, a lightweight Android skin known for its smoothness and near-stock experience. Apps launched quickly, animations were fluid, and multitasking rarely caused stutters. Users reported consistent performance even after months of heavy use. Benchmark scores often placed the 5T slightly ahead in CPU-intensive tasks due to aggressive performance tuning.

The Galaxy S8 used Samsung’s Experience UI (formerly TouchWiz), which, while improved, carried more bloatware and background processes. This occasionally led to minor lags and faster battery drain under sustained loads. However, Samsung’s ecosystem integration—such as Samsung Pay, Secure Folder, and DeX support—offered functionalities absent on the 5T.

“Raw specs don’t tell the whole story. Software polish and responsiveness matter just as much as benchmark numbers.” — David Kim, Mobile Performance Analyst at TechPulse

Camera Comparison: Real-World Results

Photography is where preferences began to split dramatically.

The Galaxy S8 featured a single 12MP rear sensor with Dual Pixel autofocus and f/1.7 aperture. It excelled in low light, producing natural color tones and excellent dynamic range. Samsung’s image processing prioritized realism over punchiness, making it a favorite among enthusiasts who preferred accurate representations over exaggerated saturation.

The OnePlus 5T introduced a dual-camera setup—a 16MP primary (f/1.7) and a 20MP secondary sensor for depth sensing. While marketed as an upgrade, early firmware struggled with portrait mode accuracy and inconsistent HDR blending. Over time, updates improved results, but the main camera still leaned toward oversharpened, high-contrast images that appealed to social media users but disappointed purists.

In daylight, both phones delivered sharp, detailed photos. But in mixed lighting or night scenes, the S8 consistently outperformed the 5T in noise control and exposure balance.

Feature	Samsung Galaxy S8	OnePlus 5T
Rear Camera	12MP, f/1.7, OIS	16MP + 20MP, f/1.7, no OIS
Front Camera	8MP, f/1.7	16MP, f/2.0
Low-Light Performance	Excellent	Good, but grainier
Portrait Mode	Software-based (later update)	Available at launch, hit-or-miss
Video Recording	4K @ 30fps, steady stabilization	4K @ 30fps, decent but wobblier

Battery Life and Charging: Endurance vs Speed

The OnePlus 5T housed a 3300mAh battery, slightly larger than the S8’s 3000mAh unit. Despite the difference, real-world endurance varied significantly based on usage patterns.

OnePlus’ aggressive Doze optimizations and efficient display calibration allowed many users to achieve 1.5-day usage on moderate settings. Coupled with Dash Charge (a proprietary fast-charging tech), the 5T could go from 0% to 60% in just 30 minutes—ideal for power users on the move.

The S8, while supporting Adaptive Fast Charging, didn’t match that pace. More critically, its always-on display and higher screen resolution (QHD+) drained the smaller battery faster. Heavy users often found themselves reaching for the charger by late afternoon.

Tip: To maximize S8 battery life, switch the display resolution from QHD+ to FHD+ in Settings > Display.

Long-Term Value and Software Updates

Here, the OnePlus 5T pulled ahead in a category that matters most post-purchase: longevity and update support.

OnePlus committed to two years of major Android OS updates for the 5T. It launched on Android 7.1 Nougat and received upgrades to Oreo and Pie—an impressive run for a mid-premium device. Security patches continued regularly into 2020. OxygenOS also maintained a clean, bloat-free interface throughout its lifecycle.

The Galaxy S8 launched with Nougat too and received three major OS updates (up to Android 10), thanks to Samsung’s extended promise for flagship devices. However, update rollouts were notoriously slow, sometimes arriving months after Google’s release. Bloatware reappeared with each update, and performance degraded slightly over time due to heavier software layers.

For users planning to keep a phone beyond two years, the 5T offered better long-term usability. Resale value also held up well, especially in markets where stock Android-like experiences are preferred.

Mini Case Study: Alex’s Upgrade Dilemma

Alex, a freelance photographer based in Portland, upgraded from a Galaxy S6 to either the S8 or 5T in late 2017. He needed strong camera performance, reliable battery life, and good file transfer speeds for editing on the go.

He initially leaned toward the S8 for its brand reputation and water resistance. After testing both in-store, he was impressed by the 5T’s faster app launches and smoother scrolling in photo galleries. He ultimately chose the 5T for its lower price ($500 vs $720) and faster charging.

Over 18 months, Alex used the 5T daily. While he missed the S8’s refined camera consistency, he appreciated the extra storage options, headphone jack (which the S8 retained but many competitors dropped), and lack of intrusive ads in the OS. When he sold it in 2019, he recovered 60% of his purchase price—higher than expected.

“I didn’t get the flashiest phone,” Alex said, “but I got the one that worked hardest for me without slowing down.”

Checklist: Is Upgrading to the 5T Over the S8 Worth It?

• ✅ Prioritize raw performance and fast charging
• ✅ Want a cleaner, less bloated Android experience
• ✅ Prefer longer software support relative to cost
• ✅ Don’t need water resistance or advanced biometrics (iris scanner)
• ✅ Are budget-conscious but want flagship-level specs

Frequently Asked Questions

Was the OnePlus 5T better than the Samsung S8 overall?

It depends on priorities. The 5T offered better value, faster performance, and superior charging. However, the S8 had better build quality, water resistance, camera consistency, and ecosystem features. Neither was universally “better”—they served different user needs.

Can the OnePlus 5T last in 2024?

As of 2024, the OnePlus 5T is no longer supported with security updates. While it can function as a basic phone or media device, it lacks modern app compatibility and security protections. It’s best suited for backup use or lightweight tasks.

Why did some people regret upgrading to the S8?

Some users found the curved screen impractical—edges triggered accidental touches, and screen protectors were harder to apply. Others disliked the removal of the dedicated Bixby button (introduced later), slower software updates, and shorter battery life compared to rivals.

Final Verdict: Was Upgrading Really Worth It?

For those coming from older Samsung devices or mid-range Android phones, upgrading to either the Galaxy S8 or OnePlus 5T in 2017 was a significant leap forward. The S8 justified its premium price with elite design, robust features, and ecosystem integration. But the OnePlus 5T disrupted expectations by offering 90% of the performance at 70% of the cost.

If your definition of “worth it” includes long-term usability, speed, and value retention, then yes—the OnePlus 5T was absolutely worth considering, even over the S8. It proved that flagship performance didn’t have to come with a luxury tax. For many, it wasn’t just a worthy alternative; it was the smarter choice.

💬 Did you make the switch from S8 to 5T—or vice versa? Share your experience and help others understand what really matters in a smartphone upgrade.