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Here are the differences between T-Mobile's OnePlus 8T Plus and the regular 8T

Don't sweat much if you bought the unlocked model.
By
March 29, 2021
OnePlus 8T angled front hero shot focusing on the top of the display
Ryan-Thomas Shaw / Android Authority

Yes, there’s a T-Mobile version of the OnePlus 8T, the 8T Plus — but it turns out that you don’t need to worry too much about the differences between that and the unlocked model.

According to the OnePlus 8T Plus spec sheet, the most conspicuous change is the official IP68 water and dust resistance rating. It’s not certain why T-Mobile obtained the rating, and you’re likely getting the same protection from the unrated standard version — this may just be a reassurance that your phone can survive a fall in the water.

Apart from that, you’ll mainly get more comprehensive 5G support. The OnePlus 8T Plus unsurprisingly supports both T-Mobile’s longstanding 600MHz 5G network as well as the 2.5GHz service the company switched on after completing its merger with Sprint. It won’t be the fastest 5G you can get, but it should be relatively easy to access.

This is otherwise the OnePlus 8T you’ll see elsewhere. That’s not necessarily a bad thing between the 120Hz OLED screen, Snapdragon 865 chip, and superb battery life, although it also leaves you with the same mediocre cameras as the earlier OnePlus 8. The 8T is a spec bump to keep the 8 relevant, and the Plus doesn’t change that formula.

Read more: The best 5G phones you can buy

Thankfully, you’re also paying the same $750 total price as you would for an unlocked edition. If there’s a practical advantage to going with T-Mobile, it’s the option of paying installments ($31.25 per month for two years) that may be easier to handle than a lump sum.