Choosing between two top-tier smartphones can be a daunting task, especially when they offer such compelling features. The battle between the Xiaomi Mi 8 and the OnePlus 6 has been a hot topic for tech enthusiasts, pitting two formidable devices against each other.
Both phones promise a premium experience, packed with cutting-edge technology and sleek designs that aim to impress. We’re here to break down what makes each of these devices tick, helping you decide which one truly deserves a spot in your pocket.
From camera capabilities to raw performance and battery life, the Mi 8 and the OnePlus 6 bring their A-game. Let’s dive deep into a head-to-head comparison to see which of these Android powerhouses comes out on top.
Specs at a Glance
| Feature | mi 8 | oneplus 6 |
|---|---|---|
| Display | 6.21-inch AMOLED | 6.28-inch Optic AMOLED |
| Processor | Snapdragon 845 | Snapdragon 845 |
| RAM | 6GB | 6GB/8GB |
| Storage | 64GB/128GB/256GB | 64GB/128GB/256GB |
| Rear Camera | 12MP + 12MP | 16MP + 20MP |
| Front Camera | 20MP | 16MP |
| Battery | 3400 mAh | 3300 mAh |
| Operating System | Android 8.1 | Android 8.1 |
| Biometrics | Fingerprint, IR Face Unlock | Fingerprint |
| Build Material | Glass, Aluminum | Glass, Aluminum |
| Water Resistance | No official rating | No official rating |
| Audio Jack | No | No |
Feature-by-Feature Breakdown
Display
- Mi 8: Features a 6.21-inch AMOLED display with a resolution of 1080 x 2248 pixels. The AMOLED panel offers vibrant colors and deep blacks, contributing to an excellent viewing experience. However, some users might find the notch to be distracting.
- Oneplus 6: Boasts a 6.28-inch Optic AMOLED display with a resolution of 1080 x 2280 pixels. Similar to the mi 8, it provides stunning visuals with great contrast and color accuracy. The notch is also present but generally considered less obtrusive by many.
- Winner: Tie
Performance
- Mi 8: Powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 845 processor, paired with 6GB or 8GB of RAM. This chipset is a flagship performer, capable of handling demanding apps and games with ease. The device offers smooth multitasking and responsiveness.
- Oneplus 6: Also equipped with the Qualcomm Snapdragon 845 processor, and offered with 6GB or 8GB of RAM. This ensures top-tier performance, matching the mi 8 in raw power and speed. Both devices excel in everyday use and heavy gaming.
- Winner: Tie
Camera (Rear)
- Mi 8: Comes with a dual 12MP rear camera system. It offers good image quality in well-lit conditions with decent detail and color reproduction. However, low-light performance can be inconsistent, and some may find the image processing a bit aggressive.
- Oneplus 6: Features a dual 16MP + 20MP rear camera setup. It generally produces excellent photos with great detail, dynamic range, and natural colors. The dedicated depth sensor aids in portrait mode, and its low-light performance is often praised.
- Winner: oneplus 6
Camera (Front)
- Mi 8: Sports a 20MP front-facing camera. It captures sharp selfies with good detail and pleasing skin tones. The higher resolution can be beneficial for those who frequently use their front camera for social media or video calls.
- Oneplus 6: Equipped with a 16MP front-facing camera. It delivers solid selfie quality with good clarity and color. While it might not have the same megapixel count as the mi 8, its performance is still very competitive for everyday use.
- Winner: mi 8
Battery Life
- Mi 8: Packs a 3400 mAh battery. In real-world usage, it generally provides a full day of moderate use. Fast charging is supported, helping to quickly top up the battery when needed.
- Oneplus 6: Comes with a 3300 mAh battery. Similar to the mi 8, it offers respectable battery life, usually lasting a full day for most users. Its Dash Charge technology is renowned for its speed and efficiency.
- Winner: Tie
Build Quality & Design
- Mi 8: Features a glass back and aluminum frame, giving it a premium feel. The design is sleek, though the prominent notch is a characteristic element. It’s generally well-built and comfortable to hold.
- Oneplus 6: Also utilizes a glass back (Gorilla Glass 5) and metal frame, contributing to a high-end aesthetic. The design is refined, and the placement of the fingerprint sensor on the back is ergonomically sound. It feels robust and well-constructed.
- Winner: Tie
Software Experience
- Mi 8: Runs on MIUI, Xiaomi’s custom Android skin. MIUI is feature-rich and offers extensive customization options. However, some users find it to be heavier than stock Android, with occasional bloatware.
- Oneplus 6: Runs on OxygenOS, OnePlus’s near-stock Android experience. OxygenOS is known for its clean interface, smooth performance, and timely updates. It’s often praised for being bloatware-free and offering a fluid user experience.
- Winner: oneplus 6
Special Features/Extras
- Mi 8: Notable for its infrared face recognition, offering a secure and quick way to unlock the phone, even in the dark. It also boasts dual-frequency GPS for more accurate location tracking.
- Oneplus 6: Highlights its alert slider, a physical switch to easily toggle between ring, vibrate, and silent modes, which is a highly appreciated convenience. It also offers fast wired charging with Dash Charge.
- Winner: mi 8
Winner by Category
| Category | Winner |
|---|---|
| Performance | Tie |
| Display | mi 8 (AMOLED vibrancy) |
| Camera | oneplus 6 (versatility) |
| Battery Life | Tie (slight edge to mi 8) |
| Software | oneplus 6 (cleaner, faster updates) |
| Build Quality | Tie |
| Unique Features | mi 8 (IR Face Unlock) |
What They Have in Common
- Processor Power: Both phones are powered by the same flagship Snapdragon 845 processor, ensuring top-tier performance for demanding tasks and gaming.
- Premium Build: They share a similar premium construction with glass backs and aluminum frames, offering a solid and high-quality feel in hand.
- No Headphone Jack: Both devices have ditched the traditional 3.5mm headphone jack, pushing users towards wireless audio solutions or USB-C adapters.
- Fast Charging: Both offer fast charging capabilities, allowing for quick top-ups of their batteries when you’re on the go.
- Near Stock Android Experience: While both have their own UI layers, they offer a relatively clean and responsive Android experience, avoiding excessive bloatware.
- High-Resolution Displays: Both feature large, vibrant displays that are great for media consumption and general use.
Mi 8 Vs Oneplus 6 Buying Guide
Performance and Gaming
For raw processing power, both devices offer top-tier Snapdragon processors of their time. The Mi 8, with its Snapdragon 845, generally edges out the OnePlus 6 in benchmarks, especially in sustained performance due to potentially better thermal management. If you’re a heavy gamer prioritizing the absolute smoothest frame rates and quickest load times, the Mi 8 might have a slight advantage. However, the OnePlus 6 is no slouch and handles demanding games with ease, making the difference often negligible for casual to moderate gamers. (See Also: Nest Cam Vs Ring )
Camera Capabilities
When it comes to photography, the Mi 8 often boasts a slightly more versatile camera setup, sometimes including a telephoto lens for optical zoom, which the OnePlus 6 typically lacks. While the OnePlus 6 produces excellent, vibrant photos in good lighting, the Mi 8 can sometimes offer more detail and better low-light performance. If advanced camera features like telephoto zoom are important to you, the Mi 8 is the more compelling choice. Both phones, however, deliver very capable smartphone photography for their era.
Display and Build Quality
The display is a subjective area, but both phones feature excellent AMOLED panels. The Mi 8’s notched display offers a modern aesthetic for its time, while the OnePlus 6 opts for a more traditional, albeit smaller, notch. In terms of build, both utilize premium materials like glass and metal. The Mi 8’s glass back often feels more refined, but the OnePlus 6’s design can be more comfortable to hold for some. Consider which display design you prefer and how the ergonomics feel in your hand.
Battery Life and Charging
Battery life is a crucial consideration. The Mi 8 generally has a slightly larger battery capacity than the OnePlus 6, which can translate to longer screen-on times. However, both devices support fast charging technologies. OnePlus’s Dash Charge (now Warp Charge) is renowned for its speed and efficiency, often topping up the battery significantly in a short period. If you prioritize the absolute longest battery endurance, the Mi 8 might have an edge, but the OnePlus 6’s rapid charging is a huge convenience. (See Also: Lose It Vs Weight Watchers )
Who Should Buy What?
Buy mi 8 If…
- You want a slightly larger, more vibrant AMOLED display.
- You’re interested in the unique IR face unlock feature.
- You prefer a device with more storage options out of the box.
- You are looking for a budget-friendly flagship experience.
Buy oneplus 6 If…
- You prioritize a slightly cleaner software experience with faster updates.
- You value a dual-camera system that often produces more versatile shots.
- You need the option for more RAM for heavy multitasking.
- You prefer a slightly more refined design and feel.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which phone has a better processor for gaming?
Both phones feature powerful Snapdragon processors from their respective launch years. The Mi 8, equipped with the Snapdragon 845, often shows a slight advantage in raw benchmarks and sustained performance during intensive gaming sessions. While the OnePlus 6 also offers excellent gaming capabilities, the Mi 8 might provide a marginally smoother experience in the most demanding titles.
How do the cameras compare in low light?
In low-light conditions, the Mi 8 generally exhibits slightly better performance. Its camera system is often tuned to capture more detail and manage noise more effectively in darker environments compared to the OnePlus 6. While the OnePlus 6 can still produce decent low-light shots, the Mi 8 tends to offer a more refined and brighter output when the lights are low.
Does either phone have expandable storage?
Neither the Mi 8 nor the OnePlus 6 offer expandable storage via a microSD card slot. If you require more storage than the internal options provide, you will need to rely on cloud storage solutions or consider models with higher internal storage capacities. Both manufacturers focused on providing sufficient internal storage for most users at launch. (See Also: Bose Quiet Comfort Vs Airpods Pro )
What are the charging speeds like?
Both phones support fast charging, but OnePlus’s Dash Charge (later Warp Charge) technology is particularly noteworthy. It allows for extremely rapid charging, often replenishing a significant portion of the battery in just 30 minutes. The Mi 8 also supports fast charging, but OnePlus’s implementation is generally considered one of the quickest and most efficient available for that generation of devices.
Which phone has a better build quality and design?
Both devices utilize premium materials like glass and metal, offering a high-quality feel. The Mi 8 often features a more striking, modern design with its notch, while the OnePlus 6 opts for a more minimalist approach. Build quality is subjective, but both are well-constructed. The Mi 8’s glass finish can feel more premium, but the OnePlus 6’s ergonomics are also praised by many users.
Final Verdict
The Mi 8 and OnePlus 6 were both excellent flagship devices in their prime. The Mi 8 often takes the lead in raw performance and offers a slightly more versatile camera system, particularly with its potential telephoto lens and often superior low-light photography. However, the OnePlus 6 boasts incredibly fast charging and a clean software experience. For those prioritizing camera capabilities and slightly more processing power, the Mi 8 is the stronger contender. If rapid charging and a streamlined UI are paramount, the OnePlus 6 remains a compelling choice.
Winner: Mi 8