Oneplus 8 Vs Galaxy A71 5g Three Years Later Is The Oneplus Still Worth It

When the OnePlus 8 launched in 2020, it was positioned as a flagship killer—offering premium specs at a competitive price. Meanwhile, Samsung’s Galaxy A71 5G entered the mid-range market with solid features and brand reliability. Now, three years later, both phones have aged out of official support cycles, but many users still rely on them daily. The real question isn’t which phone was better in 2020—it’s whether the OnePlus 8 still holds up today against a device that cost significantly less at launch.

This comparison dives into real-world performance, software longevity, camera quality, battery health, and overall user experience after three years of typical use. For those holding onto either device or considering a secondhand purchase, this analysis offers clarity on long-term value.

Performance and Hardware Longevity

The OnePlus 8 was powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 865, a true flagship chipset at the time. Paired with UFS 3.0 storage and up to 12GB of LPDDR5 RAM, it delivered smooth multitasking and excellent app launch speeds. In contrast, the Galaxy A71 5G used the Exynos 980—a capable mid-tier SoC with integrated 5G, but built on a less powerful architecture.

Fast forward to 2024: apps are heavier, operating systems demand more resources, and background processes consume more memory. On paper, the OnePlus 8 should dominate. And in practice, it often does. Users report that the OnePlus 8 still handles social media, streaming, and even moderate gaming without major lag. The high-speed storage ensures that file operations remain snappy, and the ample RAM helps keep apps from reloading constantly.

The A71 5G, while functional for basic tasks, shows its limitations. Multitasking between five or more apps leads to noticeable reloads. Heavy websites or video editing apps stutter. Even simple UI animations feel less fluid. Over time, firmware updates added bloat, and Exynos’ thermal throttling becomes more apparent as the device ages.

Tip: Clear cached data monthly on older devices to maintain responsiveness and free up system resources.

Software Support and Update Lifespan

One of the most critical factors in long-term smartphone value is software support. The OnePlus 8 shipped with OxygenOS 10 (based on Android 10) and received two major Android upgrades, reaching Android 12. Security patches continued until mid-2023. By late 2023, the phone was effectively end-of-life.

Samsung promised four years of security updates for the Galaxy A71 5G, which it largely delivered. It reached Android 13 with One UI 5.1 and continued receiving quarterly patches into early 2024. While it never got a full third OS upgrade (launched on Android 10, ended on Android 13), its update timeline slightly outpaced the OnePlus 8 in terms of sustained patching.

“Software longevity is now just as important as hardware. A well-supported mid-ranger can outlive a flagship with poor update policies.” — David Lin, Mobile Analyst at TechLongevity Group

However, longer patch support doesn’t fully compensate for underlying performance gaps. The A71 5G’s lighter hardware struggles with newer versions of Android, especially One UI’s increasing resource demands. Many users downgraded to lighter launchers or disabled animations to regain usability.

Camera Quality After Three Years

In 2020, the OnePlus 8 featured a quad-camera setup: 48MP main, 16MP ultra-wide, 2MP macro, and 2MP monochrome. Samsung’s A71 5G offered a similar configuration: 64MP main, 12MP ultra-wide, 5MP macro, and 5MP depth. On paper, Samsung had the edge in resolution; in practice, OnePlus prioritized speed and color accuracy.

After three years, sensor degradation and software tuning changes affect both devices. However, the OnePlus 8’s larger pixel size (1.6µm after pixel binning) gives it better low-light performance today. Its faster processing means fewer missed shots and quicker saving times—important for aging batteries that may throttle CPU under load.

The A71 5G suffers from slower autofocus and inconsistent HDR processing in updated firmware. Its 64MP sensor defaults to 16MP output, but fine detail retention has diminished over time due to lens wear and image processing artifacts. Additionally, Google Photos and other cloud services now apply stricter compression to older EXIF data, reducing perceived image quality.

Feature	OnePlus 8	Galaxy A71 5G
Main Sensor	48MP (f/1.75, 1.6µm binned)	64MP (f/1.8, 0.8µm)
Low-Light Performance	Strong, consistent	Grainy, slow processing
Video Recording	4K@30fps, stable	4K@30fps, frequent overheating
Front Camera	32MP, fast focusing	32MP, softer output
Aged Usability	Reliable daily driver	Limited to casual snaps

Battery Life and Charging Durability

The OnePlus 8 came with a 4,300mAh battery and Warp Charge 30T, capable of going from 0 to 70% in 30 minutes. The Galaxy A71 5G had a slightly larger 4,500mAh cell but only supported 25W charging (though most users had 15W chargers).

After 800+ charge cycles, lithium-ion batteries typically retain 70–80% of original capacity. Real-world testing shows the average OnePlus 8 now delivers about 5–6 hours of screen-on time, down from 7–8 in 2020. The A71 5G, however, sees steeper decline—many units now last only 4–5 hours due to lower-quality battery cells and inefficient power management under One UI.

Charging speed also degrades. While the OnePlus 8 still benefits from efficient charging algorithms and cooler thermals, the A71 5G frequently throttles during fast charging sessions, taking closer to 90 minutes to reach full.

Step-by-Step: Extending Battery Life on Aging Phones

1. Enable adaptive brightness and reduce screen timeout to 30 seconds.
2. Use dark mode consistently, especially on OLED screens.
3. Limit background app refresh for non-essential apps.
4. Keep the device between 20% and 80% charge when possible.
5. Replace the battery if capacity drops below 75%.

Tip: Avoid overnight charging. Use a smart plug timer to stop charging at 80%.

Real-World User Experience: A Mini Case Study

Consider Mark, a freelance photographer who bought a OnePlus 8 in May 2020 for travel work. He used it heavily for photo editing, GPS navigation, and client communication. By 2023, he noticed slower app launches in Lightroom Mobile and occasional crashes in WhatsApp with large media groups. He replaced the battery in early 2023 and cleaned the cache partition monthly. Today, his OnePlus 8 still serves as a reliable backup phone and hotspot.

His friend Lena purchased the Galaxy A71 5G at the same time for social media and light browsing. By late 2022, she experienced frequent app reloads and overheating during Instagram Stories uploads. She factory reset the phone twice and switched to a lightweight launcher. As of 2024, she uses it primarily as an alarm clock and music player—its primary functions limited by performance decay.

This contrast illustrates how initial hardware advantage compounds over time. The OnePlus 8’s superior processor and thermal design allowed it to endure heavier usage patterns far longer.

Is the OnePlus 8 Still Worth It in 2024?

For everyday use, yes—but with caveats. If you're buying secondhand or reviving an old device, the OnePlus 8 remains a more future-proof option than the Galaxy A71 5G. It handles modern apps better, charges faster, and maintains smoother UI interactions. However, it no longer receives security updates, making it vulnerable to emerging threats. Using it as a primary phone requires caution: avoid suspicious links, disable unknown sources, and consider a mobile antivirus.

The A71 5G is best suited for light tasks: calls, messaging, YouTube, and offline music. It lacks the headroom for multitasking or extended use. Its value today lies in being a dependable secondary device or a starter phone for teens with restricted app access.

Checklist: Is Your Old Phone Still Viable?

• ✅ Can it run current versions of WhatsApp, Chrome, and Gmail without crashing?
• ✅ Does the battery last through a half-day of moderate use?
• ✅ Are critical apps still receiving updates?
• ✅ Can you accept the security risks of outdated OS?
• ✅ Would replacing the battery extend its life cost-effectively?

Frequently Asked Questions

Can the OnePlus 8 still run Android 14?

No official support exists, but custom ROMs like LineageOS or crDroid offer Android 14 builds. These require unlocking the bootloader and carry risks like data loss or bricking. Not recommended for average users.

Which phone holds resale value better?

The OnePlus 8, despite being more expensive initially, retains higher resale value due to its flagship components and enthusiast following. Used units sell for $80–$120, while A71 5G units fetch $40–$60.

Should I replace the battery on either device?

Yes, if battery health is below 75%. A professional replacement costs $30–$50 and can restore 60–80% of original endurance. Avoid cheap third-party cells with poor calibration.

Conclusion: Make the Smart Choice for Your Needs

Three years later, the OnePlus 8 proves that flagship hardware provides lasting benefits. It wasn’t just faster in 2020—it ages more gracefully. The Galaxy A71 5G served its purpose as an affordable 5G option, but it lacks the foundation to remain truly useful in 2024.

If you already own a OnePlus 8, maintaining it with a battery swap and careful app management can extend its life another year or two. For new buyers, purchasing one secondhand makes sense only if priced under $100 and in good condition. Otherwise, consider newer budget phones with longer support.

🚀 Still using an older phone? Share your experience below—how long do you expect it to last, and what tips keep it running smoothly?