The unlocked OnePlus 8, the T-Mobile OnePlus 8 5G, and the Verizon OnePlus 8 5G UW may seem like similar devices, and for the most part they are. But this week one notable difference was discovered that Verizon customers should be aware of.
The Verizon OnePlus 8 5G UW can't use cases made for the unlocked and T-Mobile versions of the OnePlus 8. A Reddit user has discovered that the volume buttons on the side of the Verizon OnePlus 8 are lower than the volume buttons on the side of the unlocked and T-Mobile models, meaning the cutout on the side of the cases for the Verizon model must be lower, too.
Below you'll see a case for the T-Mobile OnePlus 8 on the left and a case for the Verizon OnePlus 8 on the right.
But why are the buttons on the Verizon model lower? The FCC listing for Verizon's OnePlus 8 shows that it has an extra mmWave antenna on its right side where the volume rocker is located on the unlocked and T-Mobile versions of the OnePlus 8 (via PhoneArena). Those phones don't support mmWave, meaning they don't have the mmWave antenna.
Because the mmWave antenna is placed where it is on the Verizon model, the volume buttons needed to be pushed down a bit to make room.
All of this means that if you've got a Verizon OnePlus 8 5G UW, you may want to buy your cases directly from Verizon. While there may be some cases made for the unlocked and T-Mobile models that also fit the Verizon version, it may not be worth the hassle of buying a case and then having to return it if it doesn't fit the Verizon model and its lowered volume buttons.