OnePlus 5T: Should you pay extra for 8GB of RAM and 128GB of storage?

Like the OnePlus 5, we once again have two distinct models of the OnePlus 5T, giving you a choice of RAM and storage options for a nominal increase in price. You can stick with the default 6GB of RAM and 64GB of storage, which is plenty for most people and more than many other phones, or you can bump up to 8GB of RAM and 128GB of storage for just $60 more.
Which model should you buy? Here's the information you need to make a choice.
Choosing storage: more is usually better
It wasn't so long ago that we were still arguing over whether phones should still be shipping with 16GB of internal storage, and now many high-end phones — like the OnePlus 5T — come with 64GB internally. That's a lot of storage, and probably "enough" for most people. Unless you store lots of music or video locally, you're unlikely to fill it up — as I write this, I'm using just shy of 12GB of my OnePlus 5T's storage.
If you can afford the $60 extra, your future non-frustrated self will thank you.
Then again, when it comes to storage it's always better to have more when the phone doesn't offer an SD card slot that would let you expand it later. If you plan on keeping your OnePlus 5T for a while, it's going to incrementally use more and more storage as you use and download new apps or save even more music playlists and YouTube videos.
Sure you could aggressively manage your storage so you never hit 64GB, but OnePlus is offering to double that storage for just $60 at purchase. Look at your current phone and how much storage it's using. If you're maxed out on your 32GB phone, or pushing over 40GB used on your 64GB phone, pony up the extra few dollars and buy the higher-end OnePlus 5T with 128GB of storage. Your future non-frustrated self will thank you.
What does 8GB of RAM actually do?
OnePlus doesn't let you choose RAM and storage independently, so if you drop the extra $60 to get 128GB of storage you automatically get 8GB of RAM as well. That's 2GB more than the stock 6GB, which in itself is higher than most phones released in 2017.
It will be extremely difficult to see any difference in use with 8GB of RAM.
The value of having 8GB of RAM in a phone is rather dubious, at least at the end of 2017. Google designed Oreo (which isn't even on the OnePlus 5T yet) for its own Pixel 2 phones with just 4GB of RAM in mind, and there's no reason to think you can't use a OnePlus 5T to its fullest potential with "only" 6GB of memory inside.
Even with the lesser memory option, OnePlus is able to do some great things with its software to make sure the home screen, camera and other critical functions are available at a moment's notice, even when you're using heavy apps or games. With my typical usage, I averaged just 5.1GB of RAM usage on my own 5T, and never experienced aggressive background app closures.
Whether you have 6GB or 8GB of RAM, your OnePlus 5T has plenty of headroom to operate all of the latest apps throughout 2018 and beyond. I wouldn't recommend spending $60 for the higher-end 5T model just for the extra RAM — think of it as an extra perk when you buy the upgrade for the 128GB storage alone.
See at OnePlus (opens in new tab)
Did you choose to buy the more expensive OnePlus 5T for the extra memory and storage? Let us know in the comments!
Get the Android Central Newsletter
Instant access to breaking news, the hottest reviews, great deals and helpful tips.
Andrew was an Executive Editor, U.S. at Android Central between 2012 and 2020.
-
I ordered the 6GB of ram with 64GB of storage. I don't need 8GB of ram but more power to those who do. Now if it was a heavily skinned version of Android I would have gone for the 8GB but it isn't so no need. And 64GB of storage is more than I need.
-
128GB for sure. Already maxing out on my 64GB Nexus 6P. I tried doing the Google photos backup but it just lags every time I try.
-
Huh? What lags with Google photos?
-
I'd pay extra for the storage. The RAM is just a bonus (I guess) that isn't going to make a difference at all. I doubt Android is even capable of using 8GB differently from 6GB and f it can you wouldn't notice it unless you tested under very strict conditions.
-
It definitely can and does use the additional RAM! Though it is debatable how much benefit there is in normal use. But, "too much RAM" would be an oxymoron.
-
I'm going for the 8GB version. I don't need the storage or the ram just don't like the thought of not having it.
-
A valid reason, as long as you've got the cash.
-
I went for the 8GB this time. My 6GB OP5 doesn't seem to hold apps in memory as well as it did when brand new, so I'm curious to see if there will be a difference.
-
Really? That doesn't sound right. Id try wiping the cache for a factory reset the 6gig versions of the 3/T and 5 should be able to hold 30 apps in memory without issue. My 3T has always been able to
-
Did they put the screen in upside down in this model, because if they didn't I'd get one.
-
wondering the same thing
-
heh, without getting deep into something being "upside down" in a phone, people do say that the 5T does not exhibit the "jelly scrolling" effect that they would sometimes see on the 5.
-
It is, and it doesn't stop there. The case is upside down, the cameras are upside down, the buttons are upside down... Everything is upside down.
-
I was born with an upside down face, so this phone sounds damn near perfect for me.
-
I was born in an upside down world. We couldn't have cereal cause it would always spill 😭 sorry...I need a moment
-
Nooooo! You poor thing, having to live life without the Cap'n 😣 ... take all the time you need
-
They fixed it, confirmed by several reviewers
-
I kind of want to get this phone but don't know if I should spend the extra money for a phone that has similar specs compared to my s8+
-
The RAM is practically useless in a phone. The storage... Yes, if you like keeping your stuff local.
-
What? Ur an apple fan no wonder you would think that. Android has always required more accessable RAM than IOS to run efficiently for reasons I won't get into. Though as of late it seems apple is having some minor RAM management issues with its latest hardware and iOS 11, which is surprising.
-
I got the 6GB of ram and it should be delivered this Friday
-
Only 60$ difference why not
-
8 x 128 coming Friday
-
That's too complicated... I'm still trying to solve 1+5
-
+1 internetz
-
All I can say is that it doesn't matter which version you go for, this is a great device for the money. Good luck all you lucky people who are waiting for one
-
As I use smartphone for longer period I purchased the 8/128gb variant, now I have Mate 8 with 3/32gb. I am somehow managing to live with it but that is the only reason why I am changing the phone. I would like to run with the smartphone longer than 2 years so I guess I will be on the safe side with 8/128 variant. But lets see what will come ... 24gb ram + 1t rom due to some super special files? hope not ...