When OnePlus introduced the world to its latest flagship rocking Hasselblad-branded cameras, the company revealed two storage configurations. But so far, only the pricier 12GB + 256GB storage variant of the OnePlus 9 Pro that evaporates over a thousand dollars from your wallet has been up for grabs in the US. The cheaper $969 version is nowhere to be seen on authorized retail and carrier partner outlets. Well, it appears that potential buyers will have to wait a tad longer for this particular variant, with no official information on how long that wait might be.
OnePlus has reportedly told the folks over at 9to5Google that the 8GB + 128GB model of OnePlus 9 Pro will be available in North America “in the future,” without providing an actual date. Right now, the official OnePlus website as well as Best Buy and B&H Photo Video only have the 12GB + 256GB model listed at $1,069. You might also have to hop from one retailer to another in order to find the color option you’re looking for.
And to further complicate the matters for potential buyers is the carrier situation. Of the big three, only T-Mobile and Verizon have certified the OnePlus 9 Pro to take advantage of their 5G network. AT&T, on the other hand, is yet to do the same, and it is unlikely that it will sell the latest OnePlus flagship in the immediate future. However, if you don’t want to change your AT&T line but still wish to experience the OnePlus 9 Pro, you will be limited to 4G LTE, which essentially means you’re paying a 5G tax on a phone that costs over a thousand dollars.
As for the device itself, you get a 120Hz curved AMOLED display that can intelligently change its refresh rate value between 1Hz and 120Hz depending on the on-screen content. Snapdragon 888 SoC keeps things running inside, while the 4,500mAh battery under the hood supports 65W wired charging and an impressive 50W wireless charging. The imaging hardware includes a 48MP main snapper, a 50MP ultra-wide-angle shooter, an 8MP telephoto camera, and a 2MP monochrome sensor.
OnePlus took the wraps off its OnePlus 9 series a few days ago, and the smartphones are all set to go on sale soon. But before you get your hands on the devices, it is important for you to understand the differences between them. Are you planning to purchase one, but are still confused? You’ve come to the right place! Here’s which OnePlus 9 you should buy.
Specs comparison
OnePlus 9R
OnePlus 9
OnePlus 9 Pro
6.55” AMOLED
2400×1080 pixels at 402 ppi
120Hz
20:9
sRGB, Display P3
6.55” AMOLED
2400×1080 pixels at 402 ppi
120Hz
20:9
sRGB, Display P3
6.7” AMOLED with LTPO
1440 x 3216 at 525 ppi
Smart 120Hz
20.1:9
sRGB, Display P3, 10-bit
color depth
Rear: 48MP Sony IMX689 7P lens, EIS
50MP ultra-wide Sony IMX766
2MP monochrome
Front: 16MP Sony IMX471
Rear: 48MP Sony IMX789 7P lens, OIS, EIS
50MP ultra-wide Sony IMX766
8MP telephoto
2MP monochrome
Front: 16MP Sony IMX471
4500mAh
Warp Charge 65T
4,500mAh
Warp Charge 65T
15W Qi wireless charging
(North America / Europe)
4,500mAh
Warp Charge 65T
Warp Charge 50 Wireless
189 grams
192g (North America / Europe)
183g (India/China)
197 grams
–
IP68 only on T-Mobile
IP68
Design
The OnePlus 9 series smartphones share a similar design language. Starting with the OnePlus 9 Pro, it is the most premium offering and hence comes with curved glass panels on the front and back that are held together by a metal frame. Plus it is the only phone in the series which is IP68 rated globally. You get the regular alert slider, punch-hole selfie camera, and stereo speakers on all three phones. As for the camera module, it comes with “Hasselblad” branding on the OnePlus 9 and 9 Pro but not the 9R.
Moreover, the 9 sports a plastic frame, while the more premium and cheaper offerings both come with a metal frame to hold the glass panels together. Further, the OnePlus 9 is only officially IP68 rated on T-Mobile, which means if you purchase a 9 unlocked or anywhere apart from T-Mobile, you won’t get the official IP rating. However, it is worth noting that all devices are built similarly. Hence, you can expect some sort of water and dust protection at least. All three devices weigh under 200 grams with the OnePlus 9 Pro maxing out at 197 grams.
Display
The OnePlus 9 Pro features a 6.7-inch AMOLED LTPO display that has a 1440 x 3216-pixel resolution at 525 PPI. It comes with a 20.1:9 aspect ratio and supports a Smart 120Hz refresh rate that can go down to 1Hz when needed. On the other hand, both the OnePlus 9 and OnePlus 9R offer a 120Hz refresh rate. However, it’s not adaptive like the OnePlus 9 Pro. Further, the vanilla 9 and 9R feature a 6.55-inch FHD+ display, while the Pro model offers an LTPO panel and a QHD+ resolution.
Performance and Battery
The OnePlus 9 and OnePlus 9 Pro are both powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 SoC, whereas the 9R comes equipped with the Snapdragon 870 chipset. All three models share the same RAM and storage versions. They come with 8GB/12GB of RAM and 128GB/256GB of UFS 3.1 storage. Moreover, they share the same battery capacity at 4,500mAh with support for 65W fast wired charging.
Performance on the three devices is more or less the same. The major difference is wireless charging capabilities. The 9R doesn’t support wireless charging, while the 9 comes with 15W wireless charging only in the US and Europe but not in India. By contrast, the OnePlus 9 Pro offers the fastest, 50W wireless charging support.
Cameras
Let’s start with the 9R. The OnePlus 9R sports a quad rear camera setup. It comes with a 48MP Sony IMX586 sensor that has a 6P lens and support for OIS as well as EIS. The primary sensor is accompanied by a 16MP ultra-wide-angle lens that has a 123-degree field of view. Plus, you get a 5MP macro camera and a 2MP monochrome lens. It is capable of shooting 4K at 30/60 FPS and slo-mo of 1080p at 240 FPS. On the front lies a 16MP selfie shooter.
As for the OnePlus 9 and OnePlus 9 Pro, they feature the same 50MP ultra-wide angle Sony IMX766 7P Freeform lens. While the vanilla variant sports a 48MP Sony IMX 689 sensor, the 9 Pro comes equipped with a 48MP Sony IMX 789 lens. Both devices come with a 2MP b/w camera but the Pro also supports an 8MP telephoto lens. They can shoot 8K videos at 30fps and 4K at 30/60/120 FPS. Plus, there is a new Hasselblad camera mode instead of RAW mode on both smartphones.
Price
The OnePlus 9 Pro starts at $969 for the base variant, whereas the 12GB RAM + 256GB storage model will set you back $1,069.
By contrast, the OnePlus 9 is priced at $729 for the 8GB RAM + 128GB storage model, whereas the 12GB RAM + 256GB storage variant will cost you $829. The OnePlus 9R is limited to India where it costs INR 39,999 for the base 8GB RAM + 128GB storage variant, and goes up to INR 43,999 for the 12GB RAM + 256GB storage model.
Which OnePlus 9 should I buy then?
Still wondering which OnePlus 9 you should buy? Let’s sort this out. Global users outside India get two options with the 9 and 9 Pro.
Buy the OnePlus 9 Pro if you…
want a curved QHD+ display with an adaptive high refresh rate.
are someone who requires wirelessly charging the phone.
want the best camera setup.
Buy the OnePlus 9 if you…
want a flat display.
charge your phone in wired form.
don’t want to spend $1,000 on a phone but still want the best possible version.
Buy the OnePlus 9R if you…
want the cheapest OnePlus 9.
don’t shoot in 8K.
Here are the best deals available on the OnePlus 9 series right now. You might also want to pick up a case alongside your purchase. We’ve compiled a list of the best cases for both the OnePlus 9 and 9 Pro.
The OnePlus 9 series feature maxed-out numbers on the specs sheet. From the Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 SoC to an adaptive 120Hz display that can go down to 1Hz – all are there. The company even upped its camera game with the Hasselblad partnership this year. Among the top-notch features offered on the OnePlus 9 series, water-resistance is one of them. While the OnePlus 9 Pro is waterproof, things get a bit tricky for the vanilla OnePlus 9 – for which we don’t have a single sentence answer. Here’s why
The OnePlus 9 is waterproof but…
It gets a bit tricky when we talk about IP-rating on the OnePlus 9. The OnePlus 9 sold through T-Mobile is waterproof as it carries an IP68 rating. However, if you purchase the device through Amazon, Best Buy, B&H, or the OnePlus website, you won’t get the IP68 rating.
However, it is likely that all the OnePlus 9 units are built the same way. It’s just that the unlocked version of the OnePlus 9 doesn’t carry an IP-rating. Even OnePlus says that all variants of the OnePlus 9 go through the same durability testing. Moreover, there are airtight gaskets in the SIM tray of the unlocked OnePlus 9, which indicates that the device can withstand at least some level of liquid, but isn’t officially rated to do so.
It means that every OnePlus 9 and OnePlus 9 Pro that ships worldwide is dust and water-resistant, even though the unlocked OnePlus 9 doesn’t have the actual IP68 rating. This could be because it costs money for smartphone manufacturers to ship a phone with an official IP rating. And, OnePlus could be cutting costs for the certification to keep the end-price as low as possible.
On the other hand, the OnePlus 9 Pro – doesn’t matter where you buy it from or what variant you get – is rated IP68. But what exactly does it mean for a device to be rated in terms of “IP”? Let’s find out.
What is IP68 rating?
Ingress Protection (IP) rating is the closest thing currently available to measure waterproofing on a device. In “IP68”, the ‘6’ is the particulate rating while ‘8’ is the liquid rating. Particulate refers to solid particles like sand that can’t enter the phone even in a vacuum. IP basically means how good a device is rated to stop stuff from getting inside.
Those devices that are backed by an international standard rating of IP68 are deemed fit enough to withstand dust, dirt, and sand. Additionally, they can be submerged in water to a maximum depth of six meters for up to 30 minutes.
IP68 rated or not, it is always a good choice to keep your device protected. Hence, we’ve compiled a list of the best OnePlus 9 cases that you can buy right now. Moreover, if you are planning to buy the OnePlus 9 or 9 Pro, here are the best deals for you!
The OnePlus 9 series has proved to be a major evolution for the company, especially in the camera department – an aspect that has long been a chink in the armor of its phones. However, the rest of the package is pretty impressive too. Both the OnePlus 9 and 9 Pro pack a beautiful 120Hz AMOLED display, support blazing-fast 65W charging (an impressive 50W charging in case of the OnePlus 9 Pro), appealing design, and a well-received OxygenOS software that offers deep customization tricks. And yes, just like every other 2021 flagship, the OnePlus 9 series supports 5G.
5G situation is a bit tricky
You can enjoy the perks of 5G, but AT&T is out of the picture right now
Being a bonafide flagship with critical acclaim and positive reception among existing users, you would expect the OnePlus 9 and 9 Pro to be 5G compatible with all carriers. However, here in the US, the situation is a tad tricky. Until last week, T-Mobile was the only carrier that offered 5G support for the OnePlus 9 duo. However, Verizon finally certified the OnePlus 9 and its Pro sibling last week to latch on to its 5G network.
However, if you have an AT&T line and want to upgrade to a OnePlus 9 series phone, you’re out of luck. Right now, the two OnePlus flagships don’t haven’t been certified to use AT&T’s 5G network. And so far, the carrier hasn’t made any official announcement if the status is going to change anytime soon. However, if you’re okay with paying the 5G tax, then you can surely go ahead and enjoy AT&T’s 4G LTE network on either the OnePlus 9 or the OnePlus 9 Pro.
But wait, there is one more caveat
You see, only the OnePlus 9 Pro supports mmWave 5G, while the vanilla OnePlus 9 is limited to the slower Sub-6GHz 5G network. So, if you’re a Big Red customer, you will only be able to enjoy the blazing-fast Verizon UW (Ultra Wideband) 5G if you shell out a handsome asking price of $1,069 for the OnePlus 9 Pro.
For the 'real' 5G, you have to buy the OnePlus 9 Pro which costs $1,069
However, if you save some cash and get the OnePlus 9, you will be limited to using Verizon’s more widely available but slower Nationwide 5G network, which relies on spectrum sharing with its existing 4G bands. However, the speeds you get will be significantly slower compared to the UW 5G. In fact, tests have proved that Verizon’s 4G LTE network can outpace its Nationwide 5G, which is kinda ironic.
In case you’re wondering, the OnePlus 9 series is now up for grabs, and you can find details about all the deals in our coverage. Additionally, if you’ve already made the purchase and are searching for protective gear, do check out our list of the best cases for the OnePlus 9 and its Pro sibling as well. And if you’re looking for expert opinion before dropping some serious cash on the OnePlus 9 Pro, check out our review below:
The OnePlus 9 series has now started shipping in the US. And as per CEO Pete Lau, pre-orders for the OnePlus 9 series are 324% higher compared to the OnePlus 8 series. The company has done good work with its latest flagships – especially the OnePlus 9 Pro – and it appears that the positive reception has inspired potential buyers to hop on the OnePlus bandwagon. But before you shell out your hard-earned benjamins on a brand-new OnePlus 9 series phone, take a look at the carrier conundrum first. The OnePlus 9 carriers situation is a bit tricky, so here’s a brief explanation to help you out.
T-Mobile and Verizon are the only major carriers that offer 5G support on OnePlus 9 series
Right now, the only major carriers that offer 5G support on the OnePlus 9 and 9 Pro are T-Mobile and Verizon. If you’re on a Visible line, you can take advantage of 5G too. However, the OnePlus 9 series phones won’t run on AT&T 5G network, as they lack support for its 5G bands. Following is the list of 4G and 5G bands supported by the OnePlus 9 and OnePlus 9 Pro in the US:
But that’s not all. Only the OnePlus 9 Pro brings support for the faster mmWave 5G band, while the vanilla OnePlus 9 is limited to Sub-6GHz frequency. So, if you go with Verizon, you can only enjoy its blazing-fast Ultra Wideband (UW) 5G if you get the OnePlus 9 Pro that currently costs $1,069 for the 12GB + 256GB configuration.
If you go with AT&T, you'll essentially pay a 5G tax for the OnePlus 9 and its Pro model
On the other hand, the OnePlus 9 can only latch on to the slower Nationwide 5G network that is more widely available, but relies on spectrum sharing with 4G bands. Unsurprisingly, tests conducted by PCMag’s Sascha Segan revealed that Verizon’s nationwide 5G is actually slower than its 4G LTE network.
In case you’re wondering, both the OnePlus 9 and 9 Pro can latch on the 4G network of T-Mobile, Verizon, and AT&T, irrespective of the tricky 5G situation. While that might come out as a relief, it also means that if you have an AT&T line and have purchased either the OnePlus 9 or its Pro sibling, you’re simply paying a 5G tax by not being able to utilize the 5G hardware you’ve paid for.
If you’re planning to splurge on the OnePlus 9 Pro, do check our list of the best cases for OnePlus’ latest flagship. And in case you need more clarity whether it is worth the asking price, check out Pocketnow’s review of the OnePlus 9 Pro below:
The OnePlus 9 Pro is here as the most premium smartphone that the manufacturer has ever made. The 12GB RAM variant has even crossed the $1,000 mark for the first time. If you are looking to purchase it, we would suggest you look at some protection as well. From Spigen to Caseology, there are tons of options available in the market. So which one to choose? Worry not, we are here to help. We have compiled a list of the best OnePlus 9 Pro cases that you can buy right now.
It is a slim, form-fitted and lightweight case. Form-fitted to maintain a slim profile and pocket-friendly. Anti-slip matte surface gives fingerprint-resistance and comfort in every grip.
All-new foam technology for an extra layer of shock resistance. It offers Combination of TPU and Polycarbonate for dual protection from drops and scratches.
Raised bezels protect screen and camera specially. It is made of Flexible Shockproof&Absorbing Premium TPU material making it more Skin-Friendly,Anti-Scratch,Anti-Fingerprint than other materials.
The OnePlus 9 Pro case is only 1.2 mm thick, for protection without the bulk. Crystal-clear, yellowing-resistant TPU helps ensure long-lasting transparency.
Dual layered bumper case provides drop-test certified, military grade protection. It is Built to be wireless charging compatible and screen protector compatible.
Advanced PC withstands drop, bump and shock with cushioning ensures your phone to get full protection. It is Slim and lightweight and fits easily into your bag or pocket.
The thickness and ridges of the edges on the case make it easier to hold and avoid slippery. Rugged, durable material and four corners with bumpers can protect your OnePlus 9 Pro from most drops.
It is Made of premium Environmental Carbon Fiber PU + TPU Material,classical Nylon Carbon Fiber Wood Grain pattern,provides best touch feeling.makes your phone look more unique and attractive.
Slim fit design keeps application and removal effortless. Lightweight, slim and ensures that your smartphone still fits comfortably in your pocket or bag.
We’d recommend you go with something tough and durable. Hence, you should look at the Spigen Tough Armor Case designed for the OnePlus 9 Pro. It comes with an all-new foam technology for an extra layer of shock resistance. The combination of TPU and polycarbonate for dual protection from drops and scratches. You also get a reinforced kickstand with raised lips to protect the screen and camera. Plus, it is [MIL-STD 810G-516.6] certified. There is Air Cushion Technology for anti-shock protection. This is one of the best OnePlus 9 Pro cases that you can buy right now.
If you are more on the fashion side but do not want to give up on protection, you can look at the PUROOM case of the OnePlus 9 Pro. It is made of premium Carbon Fiber PU Leather and TPU material. The case is shook-proof and anti-scratch. It comes with a carbon skin texture appearance and a leather-textured feeling. It’s not only soft, but it also wraps around the edges beautifully to emphasize comfortable. The slim fit design keeps application and removal effortless. It gives your phone super toughness, effectively reducing impact force, truly shock-proof, anti-collision and compression-proof. It is one of the best OnePlus 9 Pro cases for the fashion-conscious without compromising on the durability front. Which one of these is your favorite?
OnePlus 9 and 9 Pro are now up for pre-orders in the US market, but the carrier situation is a bit tricky at the moment. To start, T-Mobile is the only major carrier right now whose 5G network the OnePlus 9 series phones can latch on to. If you go with another carrier, says AT&T, you can only use 4G LTE, and will simply end up paying a 5G tax. The situation has been no different for Verizon, but that is about to change.
Only the OnePlus 9 Pro supports Verizon's faster UW 5G network
Verizon executive George Koroneos has revealed that OnePlus 9 and 9 Pro have been certified by Verizon to work on its 5G network. If you’ve been on a Visible line, you will also be able to enjoy 5G on your OnePlus 9 series phone. The 5G certification applies to both business and regular tiers of Verizon’s service, which means you don’t have to worry about being left out if you maintain a business account line. But there is still a catch – the flavor of Verizon 5G you can enjoy on your OnePlus 9.
You see, OnePlus 9 only supports the Sub-6GHz band, which means it can only work on the much slower Verizon 5G Nationwide network. But that’s not necessarily good news, as the Verizon 5G Nationwide network offers speeds slower than 4G LTE. PCMag’s Sascha Segan recently ran some tests across multiple locations and found that Verizon’s 4G network actually is much faster than its nationwide 5G.
Verizon is yet to start selling the OnePlus 9 series
However, if you want to enjoy the perks of Verizon’s Ultra Wideband (UW) 5G, you’ll have to buy the pricier OnePlus 9 Pro because that’s the only model in the series to support mmWave 5G band. While the carrier situation has been sorted out, Verizon is yet to start selling the phones officially.
Since I’m getting a ton of questions. The @OnePlus 9 is certified for @Verizon 5G Nationwide and 4G LTE. The OnePlus 9 Pro brings 5G Ultra Wideband to the party. The OP8 Pro was one of my favorite phones of 2020 and I can’t wait to get my hands on an OP9 Pro. pic.twitter.com/PkYtFsOst7
If you have a Verizon line and don’t want to switch carriers, you can pre-order an unlocked OnePlus 9 or 9 Pro from the official OnePlus e-store, Best Buy, and B&H Photo Video in the US. Irrespective of the retailer you choose, you can buy an unlocked OnePlus 9 or OnePlus 9 Pro and enjoy Verizon’s 5G network on it.
The OnePlus 9 series is finally going up for pre-orders starting March 26 widely. And if you’ve been eyeing one, today is the day to go ahead. The company is bringing only the OnePlus 9 and OnePlus 9 Pro to the US shores, and is keeping the OnePlus 9R limited to the Indian market. If you’ve been looking to get your hands on the latest OnePlus offerings, we’ve rounded up the best OnePlus 9 deals and where you can score them:
But first, a little something about the carrier and 5G situation
However, things are not as simple this time, especially when it comes to carrier availability and 5G support. So, let’s discuss the carrier conundrum first. Right now, T-Mobile is the only carrier that will let you take advantage of 5G on the OnePlus 9 and its Pro model. You can use it on Verizon and AT&T as well, but you’ll be limited to 4G on them.
The 5G tax situation is little too obvious right now
Now, 5G is a key part of the whole package, and if you buy either OnePlus 9 series phone and can’t use 5G on your carrier, you’re just paying the 5G tax. OnePlus tells us that it is in talks with Verizon to sort out the 5G compatibility. As for AT&T, the chances of OnePlus 9 series phones running on its 5G network is next to nil, at least for now.
OnePlus Store
The OnePlus store is currently the best place to buy a OnePlus 9 and OnePlus 9 Pro is from the official store. However, the color options on the table might be a tad limited. The OnePlus store currently doesn’t list the Stellar Black version of the OnePlus 9 Pro. On a similar note, the Arctic Sky trim of OnePlus 9 is also missing from the OnePlus website.
The OnePlus 9 is priced at $729 for the 8GB + 128GB model on the OnePlus website. You can choose a financing option as well with a duration of up to 24-months with 0% APR. And if you shell out during the pre-order period, you will get OnePlus Buds Z wireless earbuds in White color as a freebie. You can also check out the trade-in options and purchase a Servify plan from the same page.
For the OnePlus 9 Pro, you need to shell out $1,069 for the 12GB + 256GB model, because that’s the only memory configuration currently listed on the official e-store. However, if you want to save a thousand dollar shock to your wallet, you can go with a financing plan with 0% APR and a maximum duration of 24 months. As a pre-order freebie, you’ll get the OnePlus Buds Z × Steven Harrington Edition wireless earbuds with your OnePlus earbuds.
OnePlus 9 is currently listed for pre-orders on Best Buy for $729.99, but you can go for a financing option as well with a maximum payment tenure of 24-months starting at $30.42 per month. Plus, Best Buy is also giving a $50 gift card with the pre-order that you can use towards the purchase of other items. The color options on the table are Winter Mist and Astral Black. You can also purchase monthly or 2-year protection plan for your shiny OnePlus flagship at the time of purchase from Best Buy.
If you go with the more powerful OnePlus 9 Pro, you’ll have a choice between two color options - Pine Green and Morning Mist. There is only the 256GB storage model listed for pre-order priced at $1,069.99. Financing is on the table as well, with the cheapest one setting buyers back by $44.59 per month. And just like the vanilla OnePlus 9, you get a $50 gift card with the Pro model as well. You can also purchase a 2-year accidental protection plan for $169 from Best Buy.
The color options available on B&H Photo Video for the OnePlus 9 are a tad different compared to other sellers. You can get the 128GB storage model in Astral Black and Winter Mist colors, but not Pine Green. The phone is up for pre-order at $729.99, with a $50 gift card thrown into the mix, while shipment is scheduled to begin on April 2, 2021.
In case you have your eyes set on the OnePlus 9 Pro, it will cost you $1,069.99 if you pre-order it from B&H Photo Video. And just like the OnePlus 9, you get a $50 gift card as a pre-order bonus. But do keep in mind that the 128GB version is only available in Pine Green shade, while the 256GB version is only up for grabs in Morning Mist and Pine Green colors.
Right now, the only carrier selling OnePlus 9 in the US - without any compromises - is T-Mobile. The magenta brand currently has the Astral Black and Winter Mist color options on the table, but only the 128GB model. You can either choose to pay the full $729.99 price in one go, or opt for the $30.42 plan with 0% APR.
If you’ve been a T-Mobile customer, you can upgrade to the OnePlus 9 Pro without having to go through the trouble of changing lines or missing out on 5G speeds. However, T-Mobile currently only has the 256GB storage version of the phone up for grabs, and that too, only in the Morning Mist color. You can choose to pay the $1069 asking price in full, or go with the financing option that will cost you $44.50 per month.
That brings an end to our best OnePlus 9 deals round-up. If you’ve been planning to pick up the OnePlus 9 Pro, you can watch our review video below, in which Pocketnow’s Jaime Rivera lists all the strengths and pitfalls of the OnePlus 9 Pro in detail. You can also read the review here, decide whether the OnePlus 9 Pro is worth the asking price, especially in the face of capable rivals such as the Apple iPhone 12 Pro and Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra, which fall in the same $1000+ club. We’ll soon put the OnePlus 9 through its paces as well, so stay tuned for that as well.
Stay tuned to Pocketnow for more OnePlus 9 series content, out soon!
The OnePlus 9 series is finally going up for pre-orders starting March 26 widely. And if you’ve been eyeing one, today is the day to go ahead. The company is bringing only the OnePlus 9 and OnePlus 9 Pro to the US shores, and is keeping the OnePlus 9R limited to the Indian market. If you’ve been looking to get your hands on the latest OnePlus offerings, we’ve rounded up the best OnePlus 9 deals and where you can score them:
But first, a little something about the carrier and 5G situation
However, things are not as simple this time, especially when it comes to carrier availability and 5G support. So, let’s discuss the carrier conundrum first. Right now, T-Mobile is the only carrier that will let you take advantage of 5G on the OnePlus 9 and its Pro model. You can use it on Verizon and AT&T as well, but you’ll be limited to 4G on them.
The 5G tax situation is little too obvious right now
Now, 5G is a key part of the whole package, and if you buy either OnePlus 9 series phone and can’t use 5G on your carrier, you’re just paying the 5G tax. OnePlus tells us that it is in talks with Verizon to sort out the 5G compatibility. As for AT&T, the chances of OnePlus 9 series phones running on its 5G network is next to nil, at least for now.
OnePlus Store
The OnePlus store is currently the best place to buy a OnePlus 9 and OnePlus 9 Pro is from the official store. However, the color options on the table might be a tad limited. The OnePlus store currently doesn’t list the Stellar Black version of the OnePlus 9 Pro. On a similar note, the Arctic Sky trim of OnePlus 9 is also missing from the OnePlus website.
The OnePlus 9 is priced at $729 for the 8GB + 128GB model on the OnePlus website. You can choose a financing option as well with a duration of up to 24-months with 0% APR. And if you shell out during the pre-order period, you will get OnePlus Buds Z wireless earbuds in White color as a freebie. You can also check out the trade-in options and purchase a Servify plan from the same page.
For the OnePlus 9 Pro, you need to shell out $1,069 for the 12GB + 256GB model, because that’s the only memory configuration currently listed on the official e-store. However, if you want to save a thousand dollar shock to your wallet, you can go with a financing plan with 0% APR and a maximum duration of 24 months. As a pre-order freebie, you’ll get the OnePlus Buds Z × Steven Harrington Edition wireless earbuds with your OnePlus earbuds.
OnePlus 9 is currently listed for pre-orders on Best Buy for $729.99, but you can go for a financing option as well with a maximum payment tenure of 24-months starting at $30.42 per month. Plus, Best Buy is also giving a $50 gift card with the pre-order that you can use towards the purchase of other items. The color options on the table are Winter Mist and Astral Black. You can also purchase monthly or 2-year protection plan for your shiny OnePlus flagship at the time of purchase from Best Buy.
If you go with the more powerful OnePlus 9 Pro, you’ll have a choice between two color options - Pine Green and Morning Mist. There is only the 256GB storage model listed for pre-order priced at $1,069.99. Financing is on the table as well, with the cheapest one setting buyers back by $44.59 per month. And just like the vanilla OnePlus 9, you get a $50 gift card with the Pro model as well. You can also purchase a 2-year accidental protection plan for $169 from Best Buy.
The color options available on B&H Photo Video for the OnePlus 9 are a tad different compared to other sellers. You can get the 128GB storage model in Astral Black and Winter Mist colors, but not Pine Green. The phone is up for pre-order at $729.99, with a $50 gift card thrown into the mix, while shipment is scheduled to begin on April 2, 2021.
In case you have your eyes set on the OnePlus 9 Pro, it will cost you $1,069.99 if you pre-order it from B&H Photo Video. And just like the OnePlus 9, you get a $50 gift card as a pre-order bonus. But do keep in mind that the 128GB version is only available in Pine Green shade, while the 256GB version is only up for grabs in Morning Mist and Pine Green colors.
Right now, the only carrier selling OnePlus 9 in the US - without any compromises - is T-Mobile. The magenta brand currently has the Astral Black and Winter Mist color options on the table, but only the 128GB model. You can either choose to pay the full $729.99 price in one go, or opt for the $30.42 plan with 0% APR. Additionally, T-Mobile will let you save 50 percent on the phone's asking price in the form of 24-monthly bills if you activate a new line or trade-in an eligible device
If you’ve been a T-Mobile customer, you can upgrade to the OnePlus 9 Pro without having to go through the trouble of changing lines or missing out on 5G speeds. However, T-Mobile currently only has the 256GB storage version of the phone up for grabs, and that too, only in the Morning Mist color. You can choose to pay the $1069 asking price in full, or go with the financing option that will cost you $44.50 per month. And if you activate a new line or trade-in an eligible device, you can save $365 on your shiny new OnePlus flagship's bill
That brings an end to our best OnePlus 9 deals round-up. If you’ve been planning to pick up the OnePlus 9 Pro, you can watch our review video below, in which Pocketnow’s Jaime Rivera lists all the strengths and pitfalls of the OnePlus 9 Pro in detail. You can also read the review here, decide whether the OnePlus 9 Pro is worth the asking price, especially in the face of capable rivals such as the Apple iPhone 12 Pro and Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra, which fall in the same $1000+ club. We’ll soon put the OnePlus 9 through its paces as well, so stay tuned for that as well.
Stay tuned to Pocketnow for more OnePlus 9 series content, out soon!
The wait is finally over. The latest true-blue flagship from the house of OnePlus is here. And from the looks of it, the OnePlus 9 Pro appears to be a winner, not solely based on the price-performance ratio, but also the upgrades it brings to the table, some of which happen to be at the top of the food chain. For example, you get blazing-fast 50W wireless charging, and a 65W charger in the retail package.
There is a ton to talk about, and it is clear what OnePlus is aiming for – the crown itself. In its path to glory is the iPhone 12 Pro duo, which has already established a solid reputation. Let’s check out how the two phones compared against each other in this OnePlus 9 Pro vs iPhone 12 Pro / Pro Max comparison:
OnePlus 9 Pro
iPhone 12 Pro / 12 Pro Max
Display
Size: 6.7-inch
Resolution: 1440 x 3216
Pixel Density: 525 ppi
Refresh Rate: Smart 120Hz
Aspect Ratio: 20.1:9
Type: AMOLED with LTPO
sRGB, Display P3, 10-bit color
Corning Gorilla Glass
iPhone 12 Pro
6.1-inch OLED
2532×1170 pixels
460 ppi pixel densityiPhone 12 Pro Max
6.7-inch OLED
2778×1284 pixels
458ppi Pixel Density
Processor
Qualcomm Snapdragon 888
A14 Bionic
RAM
8/12GB LPDDR5
—
Storage
128/256 GB UFS3.1
128/256/512 GB
Rear Cameras
Main Camera
Sensor: Sony IMX789
Sensor Size: 1/1.43-inch
Megapixels: 48
Lens Quantity: 7P
OIS: Yes
EIS: Yes
Aperture: f/1.8Ultra-wide-angle camera
Sensor: IMX766
Sensor Size: 1/1.56-inch
Megapixels: 50
Lens Quantity: 7P
Aperture: f/2.2 Lens
Telephoto camera
Megapixels: 8MP
Pixel Size: 1.0 μm
Aperture: f/2.4
3x optical and 30x digital zoom
Macro camera
2MP
12MP Ultra Wide
ƒ/2.4 aperture
120° field of view12MP Wide camera
ƒ/1.6 aperture
OIS
12MP telephoto (iPhone 12 Pro)
ƒ/2.0
2x optical zoom in, 2x optical zoom out & 4x optical zoom range
10x digital zoom
OIS
12MP telephoto (iPhone 12 Pro Max)
ƒ/2.2 aperture
2.5x optical zoom in, 2x optical zoom out & 5x optical zoom range
12x digital zoom range
Sensor-Shift Image Stabilization
An amalgam of glass and metal – this is what you get on both phones. OnePlus goes for gentler curves and a sloping screen, ensuring a more comfortable fit in your hands. The iPhone 12 Pro pair, on the other hand, opts for flat sides made from surgical-grade steel and a flat panel.
You may or may not like the curved display on the OnePlus offering, but it does look clean with those slim bezels and a clean screen profile. The iPhone 12 Pro and its Max sibling also have thin bezels, but that huge notch at the top is an eye-sore.
POCKETNOW ADVISORY: Whichever device you end up picking among the OnePlus 9 and Galaxy S21, we strongly advise putting a case on it, unless you like scratches ruining the look of your phone or costing you hundreds of dollars for a screen replacement. To save you the hassle, we’ve rounded up this great list of the best iPhone 12 Pro as well as the best cheap cases for 12 Pro Max, and will soon share a similar one for the OnePlus 9 Pro too.
Coming to the color options, OnePlus 9 Pro will let you choose between three colors – Morning Mist with a glossy mirror finish, Pine Green with a dual-layer matte texture, and Stellar Black rocking a frosted matte glass texture. The iPhone 12 Pro and its Max variant are up for grabs in Silver, Graphite, Gold and Pacific Blue trims – all of which rock a matte finish.
OnePlus 9 Pro vs iPhone 12 Pro / Pro Max: Display
The OnePlus 9 Pro comes armed with a curved 6.7-inch QHD+ (3216×1440 pixels) display that translates to a pixel density of 525 PPI. The 6.1-inch display of the iPhone 12 Pro (2532×1170 pixels) offers a pixel density of 460 PPI, while the iPhone 12 Pro Max’s 6.7-inch screen (2778×1284 pixels) display results in a pixel density of 458 PPI. The peak brightness output of the OnePlus 9 Pro’s AMOLED display is slightly higher at 1,300 nits, while the iPhone 12 Pro pair’s OLED panel maxes out at 1,200 nits.
OnePlus has raced ahead to a 120Hz panel, while Apple's best are still on 60Hz
However, one area where the OnePlus 9 Pro leaves the iPhone 12 Pro duo far behind is the screen refresh rate. While the Apple devices are still stuck with a 60Hz screen, the OnePlus offering packs a 120Hz LTPO panel that can vary the refresh rate value between 1Hz and 120Hz depending on the content you’re watching on it. For example, while reading something, the refresh rate drops to 1Hz, watching movies will have it operating at 24Hz, and goes higher while gaming. Needless to say, this this approach saves battery life.
OnePlus 9 Pro vs iPhone 12 Pro / Pro Max: Internals
The OnePlus 9 Pro relies on the Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 SoC, which is currently the most powerful SoC you can find inside an Android phone. It is paired with up to 12GB of LPDDR5 RAM and up to 256GB of onboard storage. The iPhone 12 Pro and 12 Pro Max draw power from the A14 Bionic chip that is blazing fast too, but as usual, we don’t know the amount of RAM fitted inside the phone. However, you get to choose between the storage variants – 128GB, 256GB, and 512GB.
iPhone 12 Pro feels like a snail compared to the fast charging speeds of OnePlus 9 Pro
But one department where the OnePlus leaves iPhone 12 Pro and its Max sibling far behind is charging capability. OnePlus 9 Pro supports 65W wired fast charging, which can fill the battery from 0-100% in just 29 minutes. Plus, you also get support for an insane 50W wireless charging that will fill the battery completely in just 43 minutes. And oh, OnePlus bundles the 65W charger in the retail box.
The iPhone 12 Pro and 12 Pro Max have their wired charging capability capped at 20W, while MagSafe charging taps out at 15W. However, if you’re using a third-party Qi wireless charger, the output drops even lower to 7.5W. If you’re using a 20W charger – that Apple sells separately – you can get up to 50% charge in 30 minutes. And just in case you’re not aware, Apple doesn’t offer a charger in the retail package of iPhone 12 Pro and its Max version.
Cameras
Now, this is one area where OnePlus 9 Pro takes the lead in hardware department, while iPhone 12 Pro reigns supreme in the hardware department. The basic camera lens setup (wide + ultra-wide + telephoto) is shared across both phones, but the OnePlus 9 Pro also adds a monochrome camera to the mix, and its ultra-wide camera also doubles as a macro shooter with a 4cm range.
Let’s talk hardware now. The OnePlus 9 Pro features a 48MP main snapper with the custom Sony IMX789 sensor that can capture 4K videos at an impressive 120fps and 8K videos at 30fps. Plus, it also supports 12-bit capture. There is a massive 50MP ultra-wide-angle snapper backed by the Sony IMX766 sensor and employs a Freeform lens that reduces distortion to as low as 1 percent.
OnePlus wins at camera hardware, iPhone 12 Pro pair reigns supreme when it comes to features
You also get an optically-stabilized 8MP telephoto camera (3.3x optical and 30x digital zoom) and a 2MP monochrome camera. Selfie and video calling duties are handled by a 16MP front camera. The OnePlus phone allows 12-bit image capture, which is something photography aficionados will definitely appreciate.
Coming to the iPhone 12 Pro and 12 Pro Max, they feature a trio of 12MP sensors for wide, ultra-wide, and telephoto photography. A key difference between the two phones is that the iPhone 12 Pro Max employs a better wide-angle camera, a longer-range telephoto lens, and superior sensor-shift image stabilization technology. Both the phones have a 12MP front camera. But it’s the capabilities of these cameras where the iPhone 12 Pro gets an upper hand.
OnePlus 9 Pro
iPhone 12 Pro / iPhone 12 Pro Max
Nightscape, Super Macro,
UltraShot HDR, Smart Scene
Recognition, Portrait mode, Pro
mode, Panorama, Tilt-shift mode,
Focus Peaking, Cat/Dog Face
Focus, Raw file, Filters, Super
Stable, Video Nightscape, Video
HDR, Video Portrait, Focus
Tracking, Timelapse, Hyperlapse8K video at 30fps
4K video at 30/60/120fps
Super Slow Motion: 720p video at
480fps, 1080p video at 240fpsTime-Lapse: 1080p at 30fps, 4K at
30fps
Night mode portraits, Portrait mode with advanced bokeh and Depth Control. Portrait Lighting with six effects (Natural, Studio, Contour, Stage, Stage Mono, High-Key Mono)
Panorama (up to 63MP)
Night mode (Ultra Wide, Wide)
Deep Fusion (Ultra Wide, Wide, Telephoto)
Smart HDR 3
Apple ProRAW
Wide color capture for photos and Live PhotosHDR video with Dolby Vision up to 60 fps
4K video at 24/25/30/60 fps
1080p HD video at 25/30/60 fps
720p HD video at 30 fps
Slo-mo video for 1080p at 120/240 fps
The iPhone 12 Pro duo allows you to capture HDR videos with Dolby Vision at up to 60fps. Plus, you can watch edit them natively on your phone itself. A few other impressive tricks are Night mode Time-Lapse capture, Night mode Portrait shots, and support for a new image format called Apple ProRAW.
The latter combines the benefits of RAW capture with computational photography techniques such as Deep Fusion and Smart HDR 3. Even the front camera can capture 4K videos at 60fps and supports Dolby Vision HDR video recording at 30fps. And oh, the selfie camera also gets support for Night Mode and the proprietary Deep Fusion tech as well.
Pricing
The OnePlus 9 Pro costs $969 the base variant with 8 gigs of RAM and 128GB of onboard storage. For the iPhone 12 Pro, you have to shell out a minimum $999. On the other hand, the iPhone 12 Pro Max will have you spending north of $1,099 starting with the base 128GB storage variant.
OnePlus has finally launched its latest flagship – the OnePlus 9 Pro. Yes, this one is a tad more expensive compared to the OnePlus 9 – the bread and butter phone from the company – but this one is a major step up too. And a quick look at the specification sheet makes it abundantly clear that this phone is going against the best in the Android ecosystem – with the Galaxy S21 Ultra being at the top of that list. On the surface, the OnePlus 9 Pro actually offers more in terms of sheer hardware compared to the Samsung flagship – and for a lot less. Read our OnePlus 9 Pro vs Galaxy S21 Ultra comparison to find how the two phones stack up against each other:
OnePlus 9 Pro
Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra
Display
Size: 6.7-inch
Resolution: 1440 x 3216
Pixel Density: 525 ppi
Refresh Rate: Smart 120Hz
Aspect Ratio: 20.1:9
Type: AMOLED with LTPO
sRGB, Display P3, 10-bit color
Corning Gorilla Glass
6.8-inch Curved
Quad HD+ ((3200×1440 pixels)
Dynamic AMOLED 2X
Infinity-O Display
515 ppi Pixel Density
HDR10+ certified
120Hz refresh rate
Gorilla Glass Victus
Processor
Qualcomm Snapdragon 888
Qualcomm Snapdragon 888
Exynos 2100
RAM
8/12GB LPDDR5
12/16 GB LPDDR5
Storage
128/256GB UFS3.1
128/256/512GB
Rear Cameras
Main Camera Sensor: Sony IMX789
Sensor Size: 1/1.43-inch
Megapixels: 48
Lens Quantity: 7P
OIS: Yes
EIS: Yes
Aperture: f/1.8Ultra-wide-angle camera
Sensor: IMX766
Sensor Size: 1/1.56-inch
Megapixels: 50
Lens Quantity: 7P
Aperture: f/2.2 LensTelephoto camera
Megapixels: 8MP
Pixel Size: 1.0 μm
Aperture: f/2.4
3.3x optical and 30x digital zoom
Macro camera
2MP
108MP Wide-angle Camera PDAF, OIS
Pixel size: 0.8μm (12MP 2.4μm)
FOV: 83˚
F.No (aperture): F1.8
1/1.33″ image sensor size12MP Ultra Wide Camera
Super Speed Dual Pixel AF
Pixel size: 1.4μm
FOV: 120˚
F.No (aperture): F2.210MP Telephoto Camera 1
Dual Pixel AF
Pixel size: 1.22μm
FOV: 35˚
F.No (aperture): F2.4
10MP Telephoto Camera 2
Dual Pixel AF
Pixel size: 1.22μm
FOV: 10˚
F.No (aperture): F4.9
5000mAh
Fast Wireless Charging 2.0
USB PD 3.0 (PPS) certified Fast Charging for wired charging
Wireless PowerShare
Dimensions
163.2×73.6×8.7 mm
165.1 x 75.6 x 8.9mm
Weight
197g grams
227 grams
OnePlus 9 Pro vs Galaxy S21 Ultra: Design
Well, this is going to be a tricky one. Both the phones go for curved display aesthetics and employ a glass-and-metal sandwich design. However, the design of the camera bump is something that is going to be up for debate. Notably, both the phones come with an IP68-certified build, which means they can handle a few dunks in a bucket of water. The color options, and surface finish though, will up to your personal preference.
POCKETNOW ADVISORY: Whichever device you end up picking among the OnePlus 9 and Galaxy S21, we strongly advise putting a case on it, unless you like scratches ruining the look of your phone or costing you hundreds of dollars for a screen replacement. To save you the hassle, we’ve rounded up this great list of the best Galaxy S21 Ultra cases, and will soon share a similar one for the OnePlus 9 too.
The OnePlus 9 Pro is available in a trio of colors – Morning Mist with a glossy mirror finish, Pine Green with a dual-layer matte texture, and Stellar Black rocking a frosted matte glass texture. As for the Galaxy S21 Ultra, you get to choose between Phantom Black (matte finish) and Phantom Silver. However, if you’re making the purchase from Samsung’s official website, you will get three more options to choose from – Phantom Navy, Phantom Titanium, and Phantom Brown.
OnePlus 9 Pro vs Galaxy S21 Ultra: Display
Now, let’s talk substance. Both the phones feature a curved AMOLED display with 120Hz refresh rate, HDR10+ certification, and hole-punch (left-cornered on the OnePlus 9 Pro vs centered on the Galaxy S21 Ultra) aesthetics. The screen resolution you get on the OnePlus flagship is 3216 x 1440 pixels, which translates to a pixel density of 525 PPI. The Galaxy S21 Ultra’s screen has a resolution of 3200 x 1440 pixels, offering a slightly lower pixels density of 515 PPI.
Both the phones employ the LTPO technology for adaptive refresh rate, but there’s a slight difference. The panel on OnePlus can intelligently vary the refresh rate value between 1Hz and 120Hz, while the Samsung offering has the lowest refresh rate value set at 5Hz and goes up to 120Hz.
Internals
Both the phones draw power from the Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 SoC, however, the Samsung offering also comes in a variant powered by the in-house Exynos 2100 SoC. 5G support is on the table in both cases though. Samsung Galaxy S21 lets you take the configuration choice up to 16GB of RAM and 512GB of onboard storage. OnePlus 9 Pro, on the other hand, goes up to 12GB of LPDDR5 RAM and 256GB of UFS 3.1 storage.
OnePlus 9 Pro is miles ahead of Galaxy S21 Ultra when it comes to charging speeds
To keep the lights on, OnePlus 9 Pro comes equipped with a 4,500mAh battery that supports an impressive 65W fast charging, taking the battery from 0-100 percent in just 29 minutes. There is also support for insanely fast 50W wireless charging that can fully fill the tank in 43 minutes.
Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra, on the other hand, comes equipped with a larger 5,000mAh battery, but the peak wired charging wattage is capped at 45W, and the wireless charging speed is much slower yoo. On the bright side, you get support for reverse wireless charging as well.
Another key weapon in the Galaxy S21 Ultra’s arsenal is support for S Pen, which takes the productivity aspect to the next level. But do keep in mind that you have to spend extra cash for the stylus.
Now, this is where Samsung builds upon a legacy of solid camera performance, while the OnePlus offering emerges as a true challenger with massively upgraded camera hardware and some tuning with help from Hasselblad. The quad-camera setup of the OnePlus 9 Pro includes a custom 48MP Sony IMX789 sensor with OIS that can capture 4K videos at 120FPS, and click 12-bit HDR photos too.
It sits alongside a massive 50MP ultra-wide-angle camera with the Sony IMX766 sensor at its heart. It also pulls the double duty as a macro camera, with a maximum proximity range of 4cm for sharp focus. You will also find an 8MP telephoto camera that can go up to 3.3x optical zoom and 30x digital zoom. And finally, there is also a 2MP monochrome camera as well. Over at the front, you’ll find a 16MP camera housed in a hole-punch to take care of selfies and video calls.
On the Galaxy S21 Ultra, you get a massive 108MP optically stabilized primary camera that can capture 8K videos, sitting alongside a 12MP ultra-wide angle snapper. Unlike the OnePlus 9 Pro which has a single telephoto camera, the Samsung device had two 10MP shooters, one of which relies on a periscope system to deliver a higher lossless zoom range. The first telephoto camera goes up to 3x optical zoom, while the one with the folded lens system delivers 10x optical zoom and up to 100x Super Resolution zoom.
OnePlus 9 Pro
Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra
Nightscape, Super Macro,
UltraShot HDR, Smart Scene
Recognition, Portrait mode, Pro
mode, Panorama, Tilt-shift mode,
Focus Peaking, Cat/Dog Face
Focus, Raw file, Filters, Super
Stable, Video Nightscape, Video
HDR, Video Portrait, Focus
Tracking, Timelapse, Hyperlapse8K video at 30fps
4K video at 30/60/120fps
Super Slow Motion: 720p video at
480fps, 1080p video at 240fps
Time-Lapse: 1080p at 30fps, 4K at
30fps
Scene Optimizer, Shot suggestions, Scan QR codes, Camera Modes (Single Take, Pro, Panorama, Food, Night, Portrait, Portrait Video, Pro Video, Super Slow-mo, Slow motion, Hyperlapse, Director’s View, AR Doodle, Quick Measures, HDR10+ recording, 33MP still photos while playing 8K video, Tracking AF, VDIS (Video Digital Image Stabilization), Playback zoom
8K video recording at 24 fps
4K UHD video recording at 60 fps
1080p FHD video recording at 60 fps
720p HD video recording at 30 fps
Super Steady 1080p video support at 60 fps
Super Slow-mo 720p video support at 960 fps
Slow-motion 1080p video support at 240 fps
Hyperlapse 4K video support at 30 fps
Pricing
For the OnePlus 9 Pro, you’ll have to shell out a minimum of $969 for the 8GB + 128GB model, While the base configuration of Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra will set you back by $1,299 in the US market. You can watch our Galaxy S21 Ultra review video to find out its strength and weaknesses, and determine whether it’s worth that price tag, and also check out whether the OnePlus 9 Pro is worth its asking price in the video below.
The new OnePlus flagship for 2021 is here. It sports better cameras, a Smart 120Hz refresh rate, faster charging and more. Hence, we compare it to 2020’s Pro flagship device. Here is a OnePlus 9 Pro vs OnePlus 8 Pro comparison to make sure you spend your money on the right device.
OnePlus 9 Pro vs OnePlus 8 Pro: Specs
OnePlus 9 Pro
OnePlus 8 Pro
Display
6.7” AMOLED with LTPO
1440 x 3216 at 525 ppi
Smart 120 Hz
20.1:9
sRGB, Display P3, 10-bit
color depth
6.78″ QHD+ Fluid AMOLED
(3168 x 1440 pixels)
HDR10+ support,
513PPI pixel density
120Hz refresh rate,
19.8:9 aspect ratio
Processor
Qualcomm Snapdragon 888
Snapdragon 865
RAM
8GB/12GB LPDDR5
8GB/12GB
Storage
128GB / 256GB UFS 3.1
128GB / 256GB
Cameras
Rear: 48MP Sony IMX789 7P lens, OIS, EIS
50MP ultra-wide Sony IMX766
8MP telephoto
2MP monochrome
Front: 16MP Sony IMX471
Rear: 48MP Sony IMX689 sensor
48MP ultra-wide
8MP telephoto
5MP color filter camera
The OnePlus 9 Pro comes in three color options of Morning Mist, Forest Green and Steller Black. It weighs just under 200 grams at 197 grams. The device features a 6.7-inch AMOLED LTPO display that has a 1440 x 3216 pixel resolution at 525 PPI. The 20.1:9 aspect ratio screen lies under the protection of Corning Gorilla Glass. It supports sRGB, Display P3, and 10-bit color depth. You also get a Smart 120Hz refresh rate that can go down to 1Hz when needed.
By contrast, the OnePlus 8 Pro packs a 6.78-inch 120Hz Fluid AMOLED display that comes with a 3168 x 1440 QHD+ resolution at 513 PPI and 19.8:9 aspect ratio. It supports a 120Hz refresh rate and 240Hz touch sampling rate,. You also get support for sRGN, 10-bit color gamut, and Display P3. Further, the display is protected by 3D Corning Gorilla Glass.
Hardware and Battery
The OnePlus 9 Pro is powered by Qualcomm’s flagship Snapdragon 888 SoC. It ticks alongside 8GB/12GB of LPDDR5 RAM and 128GB/256GB of UFS 3.1 storage. You get an in-display fingerprint scanner. The smartphone packs a dual-cell 4,500mAh battery that supports 65W fast charging tech (Warp Charge 65T). It also comes with support for 50W wireless charging! You get dual stereo speakers with Dolby Atmos support.
The OnePlus 8 Pro, on the other hand, is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 865 chipset, paired with the x55 5G modem and Adreno 650 GPU. It is equipped with 8GB / 12GB of LPDDR5 RAM and 128GB / 256GB of UFS 3.0 internal storage. The smartphone packs a 4,510mAh battery that supports Warp Charge 30T as well as Warp Charge 30 wireless as opposed to 65W fast charging on the 9 Pro. You get dual stereo speakers, Dolby Atmos, Noise cancellation support Audio 3D and Audio Zoom as well.
Cameras
The OnePlus 9 Pro sports a quad rear camera setup that is led by a 48MP Sony IMX789 sensor with 7P lens, which supports OIS and EIS. It is accompanied by a 50MP Sony IMX766 7P Freeform lens. There is also an 8MP telephoto camera and a 2MP monochrome sensor. The smartphone can record 8K videos at 30fps and 4K at 30/60/120 FPS. Plus, there is a new Hasselblad camera mode instead of RAW mode.
The OnePlus 8 Pro (review) sports a quad rear camera setup: a 48MP Sony IMX689 sensor with OIS, EIS, 7P lens, 1.12 μm pixel size, and an f/1.7 aperture + an 8MP telephoto lens with OIS, 3X optical zoom, 30X digital zoom, and f/2.44 aperture + a 48MP ultra-wide-angle lens with 119.7-degree field of view and f/2.2 aperture + a 5MP color filter camera with an f/2.4 aperture. It can capture 4K video at 30/60 fps, 1080p video at 30/60 fps. On the front lies the same fixed-focus 16MP Sony IMX471 selfie shooter.
OnePlus 9 Pro vs OnePlus 8 Pro: Price
With the OnePlus 9 Pro, the company is crossing the $1000-mark for the first time. The base variant costs $969, whereas the 12GB RAM + 256GB storage model will set you back at $1069. The OnePlus 8 Pro was launched at an starting price of $899 but you can grab one right now for $699.
Anton D. Nagy contributed to this OnePlus 9 Pro review.
This is the OnePlus 9 Pro, and by all counts, I think this is the phone the company has wanted to make for years. The product that will establish them more as part of the cool kids, where we see more established players like Samsung and Apple. Companies that have gained enough brand recognition to become status symbols, that have earned customer loyalty for years.
The biggest question is if this is the phone we’ve wanted them to make. This is the company that became famous for flagship killers. Products that defied that establishment with better value at acceptable compromise. There’s even proof that the strategy worked as we saw companies like Google, Apple, and Samsung diversify their lineups in order to launch their own sort of affordable flagships.
Now, in their defense, that flagship killer does exist in the OnePlus 9, which is such a dramatic improvement from before, that it deserves its own separate review. The Pro is more a showcase of everything the company can do, and I think the only way to judge it correctly is to forget the past. I get the impression that OnePlus is so certain of the 9 Pro’s capabilities, that this is the most expensive phone they’ve ever made. This price bracket is tough because we even debate the Apples and Samsungs that created it. That would mean that this phone is better than those, not just for the price, and there’s only one way to find out. This is our OnePlus 9 Pro review, in both video and text format.
OnePlus 9 Pro review video
Even if we’re going clean slate, the OnePlus 9 Pro seems like a blend of many successful ideas from the past. I think Huawei was first at calling any of its phones a Pro, and actually owning that title. Their reputation for cheap phones was so bad in the early days that I wouldn’t even care to review any of them before the Nexus 6P or P10, but then we saw the company drift so dramatically towards quality and capability, that they became a driving force that was hard to be ignored.
I mean, the P40 Pro Plus was my favorite camera on a phone last year. It also demonstrated the importance of co-branding with photography experts like Zeiss on Nokia and Leica on HUAWEI to prove that they’re taking photography seriously. What’s different with OnePlus is that this would be the youngest company to try to do all this, and for Hasselblad, a second chance at getting this right.
Hardware
Visually, I’m gonna call this my favorite design on a OnePlus phone, ever. No more aggressive camera humps to wobble much on a table, and a far lighter build that feels more balanced in the hand. I’m not sure if it’s the cutout or the co-branding on it, but this phone looks like one of those classic Chevies from the 50s and 60s. I think the morning mist color plays a huge role in that appearance from the top, but the bottom is a mirror that made filming this phone a nightmare.
It does have this cool way of making fingerprints almost blend with the gradient, but I recommend you consider the other matte color options. Still, staples like the three-way mute slider are still here to remind you that this is a OnePlus phone.
From the front, we have the company’s best display on a phone. Dubbed its Fluid Display 2.0, we’re talking OLED with fewer curves, 10-bit color, 1300 nits of brightness, QuadHD+ resolution, and LTPO, so the variable refresh rate can go from 1 to 120hz based on your usage, and we have up to 360hz touch sampling for gaming. Certifications include HDR10+ from the panel and even Dolby Atmos from the speakers for content consumption. Oh, and by the way, this includes Qualcomm’s new Aqstic platform for improved wireless performance.
And since we began talking specs, In typical OnePlus fashion we also have the latest ones, with the amount of RAM and storage directly tied to how much you’re willing to pay. The latest Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, IP68 resistance, Dual flavors of 5G, and even a Dual-Cell battery that enables Warp Charge 65T, meaning crazy fast 65 watt PD from the charger that’s actually included in the box, or 50-watt wireless that’s only possible if you grab the optional stand. Also, that wireless charging is now reversible for accessories.
That said, I have a feeling you won’t need to charge this phone much. Testing any phone’s 5G in New York is rough, and even if Google Fi is still not pushing blazing speeds, they were good given the city’s infrastructure. Phone calls were loud and crisp even on Subway stations, but this would be the first OnePlus phone I test that isn’t dual-SIM. It might just be that the T-Mobile approach now became regional, so just keep it in mind. Regardless, after 10 days of testing, this proved to be an all-day phone every single time, no matter how hard I taxed it.
Software
A lot of it has to do with Oxygen OS on top of Android 11. Even if OnePlus is not as quick as Google at pushing you new versions of Android, they’ve been number 2 for at least two years. It’s fast, aesthetically pleasing, includes the Google Feed on the launcher, the Power Menu in the power button, but then has its own set of perks focused on flexibility.
You can easily switch to Amazon’s assistant, you have Reading Mode which is still one of my favorites, Zen Mode to force you to take a break from your phone every now and then. Maybe my favorite is to use facial recognition to only show me notifications on the lock screen when it detects it’s me, and the fact that the optical fingerprint scanner on the display can also be used to lock specific apps.
Camera
But alright, if anything the first part of this review proves that this is very much a OnePlus phone in everything we’re used to, which is great. I’ve always been a big fan of using them and was accustomed to accepting the OK cameras because the price was just too good. Now we have a Hasselblad collaboration, and a retail ticket to match, and if you were to look at the spec sheet, OnePlus is not playing around. The Primary sensor is one of the best Sony makes right now, the Ultra-Wide is also the best on any phone right now, which doubles as a Macro camera, and even if the Telephoto is not designed to honor all the lunar marketing prowess that Hasselblad is known for, it looks pretty good on paper.
The results are.. Well, good depending on your scenario. If you have enough light you’ll get the typical photos you’ll expect from any phone with great color, contrast, and detail. In close-ups or macro shots, you get some really good dynamic range, though it can blow out colors when taxed too hard. The problem is that the slightest gloom will somehow have the camera software favor light over the shutter. This makes it really hard to capture detail unless you have a steady hand, and the darker it gets, the more the color tuning gets in the way of the detail.
And sure, inconsistencies are expected when switching focal lengths since each is a different sensor, but in some cases, even saturation varies. It’s as if the software magnifies the grain and sometimes makes a dark vehicle look cartoony. If you like to take photos of animals you’ll find yourself frustrated. I get the impression that the software wants to push that Hasselblad contrast so much that it forgets that all that is pointless without detail. Just keep in mind that on the phone they’ll mostly look good. My findings are when you pull these shots into a computer and compare them to other flagships.
That means that obviously at night, finding detail only becomes more difficult. Some photos are good, some are not. The way light reflections are handled could have a lot to do with it, again, because of that slower shutter being used.
You’ll see what I mean in portrait shots where unless your hand is ultra steady, the detail will be lost. Same story with Selfies where I struggle to find any shot that I can say I like as skin tones are just completely gone over this sort of hue the camera is trying to bring in how it handles light.
In video, sure, you have 8K and I love that the ultra-wide sensor is good enough to assist, pushing a far better crop than Samsung. You also have 4K at 60 and even 120 to get some really smooth cinematic shots. Just make sure you have enough light as that will require more shutter work.
Stabilization is somewhat inconsistent though, with some video working well and some not so well, so just keep that in mind. Really my problem is having selfie video that’s 16 times lower in resolution than what the primary cameras can do, throwing the versatility of what you can do with this phone just out the window if you care about being able to frame yourself in-home movies.
In photos, I feel a software update is needed urgently, and in selfie video, I mean the megapixels are there, and if the OnePlus Nord can do 4K, seriously the flagship should too.
OnePlus 9 Pro review conclusion
To conclude, I think that OnePlus has achieved a lot of what it intended with this launch. If the desire was to prove that it could launch a true flagship that competes against the premium sector, the hardware is all there, and all it needs is a bit more software tuning to become one of the best Android phones you can buy right now.
The only problem is perception, and it has a lot to do with how young the brand is. I asked at least 5 friends that were average consumers to pick between the 9 Pro and the iPhone 12 Pro or the Galaxy S21 Plus, which are almost the same price, and none of them picked the OnePlus. Sadly, if the 9 Pro is not really a better phone, or doesn’t have a halo feature that makes those other phones look bad, once you remove the value proposition from the equation, it’s a hard sell.
For sure, in cases like photography, it has Improved a bit, but not completely. And then if the company chooses to trail behind in things like selfie video at a time when social media is a huge part of our lives, then why should you pay more for the 9 Pro if a regular iPhone 12 can tackle these things for less money? If there was one product that needed that whole Never Settle mentality, it’s this one.
If you’re a OnePlus fan, I have no problem recommending the 9 Pro. It’s definitely the best phone they’ve ever made and we know the company is speedy about software updates to address the shortcomings. Now, if you’re not, you might want to consider what features you care about most before choosing this over any of its flagship competitors.
OnePlus is confirmed to launch the OnePlus 9 series and its OnePlus Watch today. While the smartphone lineup is just a few hours away from going official, the leaks won’t stop coming in. The latest one reveals the pricing details of the OnePlus 9 and OnePlus 9 Pro.
According to tipster Roland Quandt (@rquandt on Twitter), the OnePlus 9 series will be priced exactly the same as the OnePlus 8 lineup in Europe. As per his report on WinFuture, the OnePlus 9 will be priced at 699 euros for the base variant. On the other hand, the OnePlus 9 Pro is said to set you back at 899 euros. The pricing is the same as OnePlus 8 series. However, this doesn’t mean that the smartphones will cost the same as their predecessors in every market. Plus, you are requested to not convert this price in your local currency.
The report also goes on to say that OnePlus 9 will be the first flagship phone from the brand that will use a plastic frame instead of metal. Plus, the OnePlus 9 Pro is tipped to be available for purchase soon after today’s launch but OnePlus 9 will take some time to come to the market.
Both the device is confirmed to be powered by the Snapdragon 888 SoC, which is the flagship chipset from Qualcomm. Plus, they’ll feature a 120Hz refresh rate on the AMOLED display. The Pro variant will have additional features including an adaptive refresh rate that can go down to 1Hz when needed. The OnePlus 9 is siad to feature a 6.55-inch Full HD+ display, while the OnePlus 9 Pro could come equipped with a 6.78-inch size with a QHD resolution. Moreover, the company has confirmed that its OnePlus 9 Pro will support Warp Charge 50 Wireless, which means that the device will have support for a massive 50W fast charging. You can read more about the rumored specifications of the devices here.
Ahead of the OnePlus 9 series launch, OnePlus has shared some developments regarding its OS choice in its home country, China. The company has revealed that the upcoming OnePlus smartphones will run a customised version of OPPO’s ColorOS in China. The information comes after there were several rumors regarding OnePlus ditching its own OS for that of OPPO’s ColorOS.
The latest development comes from OnePlus forums where the OxygenOS Product Lead shared the news of OnePlus going with the ColorOS in China. Addressing the rumors, the company official wrote, “Today I would like to update you on a new development for our Chinese users and that you may have heard discussion about in the last few days: after listening to their feedback and voices, our China market devices will now be using a customized version of ColorOS.”
This version of ColorOS will be tailored “specifically for OnePlus smartphones,” and it will be starting with the upcoming OnePlus 9 series. As of now, OnePlus smartphones run HydrogenOS in China. The rumors about OnePlus phones running ColorOS came when OPPO started selling OnePlus devices on its website in the home country.
However, outside of China, users will get OxygenOS. “For all of our users outside of mainland China, we will continue using OxygenOS for global devices in the future and remain committed to offering a fast and smooth experience with OxygenOS,” says the forum post.
Up until now, ColorOS was found on OPPO and Realme devices. The latter terms it as Realme UI. Further, OnePlus CEO Pete Lau took to Weibo to mention that previous devices running HydrogenOS will continue to get support, while the OnePlus 9 series will have ColorOS pre-installed from the factory.
Lately, OnePlus has been lagging behind in terms of software support. While the next smartphone lineup is just around the corner, the OnePlus 7 and 7T series is yet to get the Android 11 update. This development should help the cause – at least in China.
(@GLKCreative) 
