OnePlus 9
Verdict
Offering outstanding performance, eye-catching and durable design, the latest software, and display that hits nearly all the important marks, the OnePlus 9 might not be quite as budget-friendly as previous models, but its still far more affordable than its similarly specced competitors.
Key specs
Critic consensus
“The OnePlus 9, a T-Mobile exclusive, delivers flagship performance and an excellent wide-angle camera, with fast charging and virtually no bloatware.”
“From being the hero of its own story to becoming the sidekick, the non-Pro line of OnePlus phones has had a tragic demotion over the years. We first saw this with the OnePlus 7 and two years later, not much has changed. It's clear the Pro device is going to get all the best stuff moving forward but at times it feels like OnePlus swings the cripple hammer too hard on the non-Pro mode. A plastic frame, no certified ingress protection, lower resolution display from last year's model, no telephoto camera and downgraded main sensor, no 4K 120fps recording, no OIS, and no wireless charging outside of NA and Europe.”
“Overall, the OnePlus 9 offers a strong package. If you're looking for a premium smartphone, there's no getting around the OnePlus 9 at the moment. Especially in direct comparison with the Xiaomi Mi 11, the recommended retail price of the OnePlus 9 series is still quite attractive this year.”
“The OnePlus 9 is an excellent flagship alternative offering (almost) all the features found in more expensive devices, including blistering performance and long battery life.”
In Depth
The OnePlus 9 is the little brother to the OnePlus 9 Pro, offering most of the experience at a lower price point. Does it make the right compromises as a budget-friendly option? Or are you better off looking elsewhere?
Design
OnePlus likes to make big phones, and the OnePlus 9 is no exception. Reviewers were that OnePlus dropped the curved glass from the previous model. They said this change prevented a lot of the accidental screen touch issues from earlier phones. Unfortunately, reviewers also found the camera bump on the top-left corner of the back of the phone caused unavoidable wobble and instability. Still, a protective case might help with this.
Display
The 120Hz high refresh rate display was a highlight for reviewers. However, that’s becoming increasingly common in new phones. However, even without the refresh rate perks, reviewers found the 6.55-inch display bright, responsive, and excellent for everything from video watching and gaming to checking emails and reading ebooks.
Performance
The OnePlus 9 is powerful too. Reviewers said that the phone continued to run great performance, no matter how much they put it through. No doubt, the refresh rate helps with that as well. Reviewers were overall very happy with the performance of the OnePlus 9.
Software & Storage
OnePlus 9 runs on Android 11 along with a OnePlus UI which makes it minimal while providing additional organization to the standard software. Reviewers were disappointed about the lack of a MicroSD slot for storage expansion. So be sure that you pick a model with enough internal storage to meet your needs for a few years unless you’re a frequent upgrader or don’t mind relying on cloud storage.
Cameras
OnePlus had made improvements to their camera setup on this phone, much to the delight of reviewers. Even without the telephoto lens, there was plenty more to explore. Reduced wide-angle lens distortion, better color accuracy, and sharper detail were all mentioned with reviewers finding the phone plenty capable if not still falling a bit short of top-tier phone options.
Battery Life
Battery life was decidedly average. However, reviewers found the 65T charger could charge the phone to 100% in about half an hour. This is virtually unheard of, even on other phones with fast charging. If you’re less worried about speed, you can also take advantage of wireless charging to keep things topped off.
Audio
If you enjoy watching media or playing games, the front-firing stereo speakers won’t muffle when holding your phone in a landscape position. While they won’t beat most decent Bluetooth speakers or headphones, reviewers found the speakers were quite loud and performed well.
Specs at a Glance
- Plastic chassis
- 6.55-inch AMOLED display
- Qualcomm SM8350 Snapdragon 888 processor
- 8/12GB of RAM
- Android 11
- 128/256GB of storage
- 48MP rear/ 16MP selfie camera
- 4500mAh battery
Bottom Line
Despite the myriad of smartphone options out there today, the OnePlus 9 makes its case very well. If you’re looking for a premium feeling phone without a premium price tag, the OnePlus 9 is definitely one to consider.
Tom’s Guide says, “The OnePlus 9 doesn’t have all the features of the OnePlus 9 Pro, but it’s a great phone with a lower price that matches up well against other Android flagships.”
The Verge states, “The OnePlus 9 checks all the boxes required of a 2021 flagship phone: Snapdragon 888 processor, great high-refresh screen, good battery performance, and cameras aplenty. You’ll get top-of-the-line performance for … less than the other base model flagships. That in itself is a great reason to consider the OnePlus 9.”
What people actually want to know
When was the OnePlus 9 released?
The OnePlus 9 was released on March 26, 2021.
How long does the battery last on the OnePlus 9?
The OnePlus 9 has a 4,500 mAh battery.
Does the OnePlus 9 support wireless charging?
Yes, the OnePlus 9 supports wireless charging.
Does the OnePlus 9 have a headphone jack?
No, the OnePlus 9 does not have a headphone jack. You'll need wireless headphones or a USB-C adapter.
Does the OnePlus 9 have NFC?
Yes, the OnePlus 9 has NFC. You can use Google Wallet, Apple Pay, and tap-to-pair with Bluetooth accessories.
Where can I get support for the OnePlus 9?
Visit OnePlus's official support page for warranty info, repairs, and troubleshooting.
Where can I download the OnePlus 9 manual?
You can view and download the OnePlus 9 manual on our dedicated manual page.
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