OnePlus 9: Everything we know so far and what we want to see (Updated: Nov. 23)

Time doesn’t stand nonetheless for smartphone firms, and OnePlus isn’t any exception. After launching the OnePlus 8 in April, and the OnePlus 8T in October, there’s already buzz concerning the subsequent OnePlus flagship. Set to be the corporate’s flag bearer in 2021, the OnePlus 9 has some huge sneakers to fill.

All indicators level to an sooner than anticipated launch for the flagship. Ahead of the official reveal, we’ve gathered up all of the credible rumors and early leaks relating to the OnePlus 9. We’ve additionally put collectively a wishlist of what we want to see from the subsequent OnePlus flagship collection. Be certain to bookmark this web page, as we’ll be updating it repeatedly as we get nearer to the discharge date.

Name and launch date

Not a lot is thought concerning the OnePlus 9 at current, however the machine’s codename is predicted to proceed the meals theme of earlier OnePlus telephones. The OnePlus 9 is reportedly often known as “lemonade” internally. For reference, the OnePlus Eight was often known as “instantnoodle,” whereas the 8T was dubbed “kebab.” If you now want a snack break, we perceive.

There’s probability the OnePlus 9 collection will make an earlier-than-expected look. According to a report in October, the OnePlus 9 launch date might hit in mid-March. That can be round a month sooner than the OnePlus 8’s April 14 debut. It’s a play that could possibly be adopted by Samsung in 2021 too based mostly on early Galaxy S30 rumors.

Models and design

A leaked CAD-based render of the OnePlus 9 emerged on November 14. It suggests the cellphone will sport three cameras on the rear with a punch gap within the top-left for the selfie digicam. Unlike the OnePlus 9 Pro, it appears the vanilla variant might characteristic a flat show.

OnePlus sowed doubt when it dropped the Pro mannequin from the 8T collection, nevertheless it’s trying extra probably {that a} OnePlus 9 Pro is within the works. A new render (above) outed by Steve Hemmerstoffer on November 21 suggests a OnePlus 9 Pro might borrow design cues from its older siblings. It’ll sport a quad rear digicam array, a curved 6.7-inch show, and a punch-hole selfie digicam within the top-left, per the render.

Read extra: Everything you want to know about OnePlus

OnePlus 9: Specs and options

We’ve seen few definitive specs leaks so far, however we could make educated guesses based mostly on OnePlus’ earlier flagships.

OnePlus employed 6.55-inch shows on each 2020 range-toppers, so we wouldn’t be too stunned if that measurement development continues. Android Authority readers have advised us they’d love a smaller OnePlus 9 mannequin to rival the iPhone 12 Mini, however there’s little proof such a tool is within the works.

The OnePlus 9 Pro is claimed to characteristic a 6.7-inch show, which might be barely smaller than the 6.78-inch OnePlus 8 Pro’s display screen. The OnePlus 8T additionally launched 120Hz refresh charges into the combo, which we additionally anticipate to characteristic on each OnePlus 9 collection fashions.

As for internals, it’s normally a case of iterative upgrades. So anticipate the Qualcomm Snapdragon 875 to energy the flagship line mated to at the very least 8GB of RAM and 128GB of UFS 3.1 storage. If OnePlus goes for a bigger show and bigger physique, we might see a bulkier battery than the OnePlus 8T’s 4,500mAh cell. Speaking of charging, we anticipate 65W Warp Charge to characteristic, too.

Details of the OnePlus 9’s cameras emerged on November 21. The cellphone is claimed to sport a 48MP major digicam that pixel bins photographs down to 12MP. A secondary 48MP is seemingly used for ultra-wide photographs. A 3rd yet-unknown sensor can also be included, nevertheless it is likely to be a monochrome or macro shooter. There’s additionally no phrase on the selfie shooter, both.

OnePlus 9: Price and availability

Finally, let’s speak concerning the OnePlus 9 worth. The ace up the OnePlus 8’s sleeve was its sticker. Arriving at $699, it was among the many least expensive flagships launched in 2020; a yr that noticed the likes of Samsung and Apple as soon as once more break the $1,000 barrier. Granted, the 128GB OnePlus 8 Pro got here in at $899, however we’d argue that’s nonetheless a good worth for a superb flagship. We anticipate the OnePlus 9 to debut between the OnePlus 8 and 8 Pro’s worth band.

Read extra: How the value of OnePlus telephones has modified through the years

A swathe of Android Authority readers want the agency to drop the value of the upcoming flagship as an alternative of including new options. It’s unclear if OnePlus would contemplate doing this with the OnePlus 9.

Should the OnePlus 9 collection debut in mid-March, it’ll probably go on sale a number of days later in markets just like the US. For Indian consumers, the OnePlus Eight was made out there greater than a month later.

OnePlus 9: What we want to see

With the brand new rumors swirling, we began eager about what we’d like to see with the primary 2021 flagship from OnePlus. The OnePlus Eight collection confronted a number of setbacks that we hope get corrected. We additionally hope OnePlus will proceed to push ahead by providing progressive new options and design parts.

Below is a practical checklist of issues OnePlus might doubtlessly do with the OnePlus 9 collection. We’re not going to want for issues we are comparatively sure we are going to get. It’s nearly assured that the subsequent OnePlus flagships can have the Snapdragon 875 processor, for instance, so wishing for that isn’t worthwhile.

Without additional ado, right here’s what we want to see from the OnePlus 9!

1. A smaller kind issue

This is one thing OnePlus followers have needed for a protracted, very long time. With the launch of the iPhone 12 Mini, there’s an enormous alternative: it’s time for a smaller OnePlus cellphone.

Related: The iPhone 12 Mini is proof there ought to have been a Galaxy S20e

With the variations between the OnePlus 8 and OnePlus 8 Pro being sort of blurry to the final shopper, this is able to be a simple manner to differentiate the OnePlus 9 from the Pro variant. The Pro might keep the identical measurement as we’ve seen from earlier Pro-level OnePlus gadgets, whereas the vanilla mannequin could possibly be rather more compact.

Samsung dropped the ball by not launching a Samsung Galaxy S20e, so a “mini” OnePlus cellphone would seize an untapped market within the Android world.

2. Wireless charging and IP score for all

The two huge differentiators between the OnePlus 8 and OnePlus 8 Pro had been the latter’s IP score and wi-fi charging capabilities. In a manner, that is sensible, because it makes the value distinction between the 2 acceptable.

However, will probably be 2021 when these telephones launch. A flagship cellphone that prices greater than $700 wants an IP score and wi-fi charging. OnePlus can’t get away with passing over these options anymore, not when it has a price range line for telephones with out these options and when the $699 Galaxy S20 FE has each.

Granted, it should nonetheless want to be sure the OnePlus 9 Pro is healthier than the common mannequin. While it may possibly’t wiggle with the IP score, it might supply ultra-fast wi-fi charging with the Pro mannequin whereas simply placing common wi-fi charging within the vanilla variant. We assume consumers can be completely fantastic with that.

3. Warp Charge 65 for all

While OnePlus might hold Warp Charge 30 Wireless off the OnePlus 9 and reserve it just for the Pro, it may possibly’t try this with Warp Charge 65. Both the common and Pro variants want to have Warp Charge 65. It wouldn’t make any sense for the OnePlus 8T to have it and then solely the Pro flagships to have it after that.

Related: How quick charging actually works

This might be the wishlist characteristic that’s almost definitely to come true. However, OnePlus shall be on the lookout for methods to make the OnePlus 9 Pro appear extra premium than the common mannequin, and eliminating Warp Charge 65 on the lesser variant might do the trick. Don’t do it, OnePlus, it could be a nasty transfer.

4. The finish of gimmicky cameras

In 2020, OnePlus suffered severely from a “more is more” mentality when it comes to cameras. In an effort to get as many lenses as potential into its telephones, it began throwing foolish gimmicks in. We’re speaking concerning the colour filter lens on the OnePlus 8 Pro, the monochrome lens on the OnePlus 8T, and even the macro lenses on a number of telephones from the corporate.

The OnePlus 9 and OnePlus 9 Pro ought to have three lenses: a essential, an ultra-wide, and a telephoto. That’s it. Maybe the Pro might get periscope zoom or perhaps the vanilla mannequin might have a weaker sensor as compared. Whatever OnePlus desires to do there we’ll be fantastic with, so long as these three lenses are there. No extra, no much less.

5. Higher storage choices, at the very least for OnePlus 9 Pro

There hasn’t been a OnePlus cellphone — ever — with greater than 256GB of inside storage. There additionally hasn’t been a OnePlus cellphone with expandable storage (with the only exception of the OnePlus X).

It is time for there to be an choice for a 512GB variant of a OnePlus cellphone. The OnePlus 9 Pro can be the proper candidate for this. It might assist justify its inevitably greater worth in comparison to the vanilla mannequin. It would make followers glad and additionally entice individuals who go over OnePlus telephones as a result of they want extra space for storing.

6. In-display selfie digicam

We have heard dependable rumors that Samsung might be not going to ship an in-display selfie digicam on the upcoming Galaxy S30 collection. That makes the OnePlus 9 collection the proper candidate for the primary world launch of the expertise.

OnePlus beat Samsung to the punch with in-display fingerprint sensors with the OnePlus 6T. Now, it has the chance to do it once more with an in-display selfie digicam. It’s excellent.

Of course, this is able to probably solely be reserved for the OnePlus 9 Pro. It additionally would probably produce weaker outcomes in comparison to “normal” selfie cameras. However, being first-to-market has its benefits, even when the standard isn’t there. It’s a worthwhile threat, OnePlus!

7. Flat shows, please (or at the very least much less curve)

The OnePlus 7 collection launched curved shows to the OnePlus portfolio. While individuals like the concept of curved shows, they do have some distinct disadvantages, reminiscent of unintentional touches and daylight glare. Thankfully, the OnePlus 8T dropped the curve solely and went for a completely flat show.

It’s unclear if OnePlus would proceed that with the OnePlus 9 collection. It’s potential that the vanilla mannequin might persist with a flat show whereas the Pro mannequin might see some curves. If that’s the case, that shall be fantastic, so long as the curves are refined. We don’t want ski slopes on the edges of our telephones. Reign it in and hold it elegant and it should work. Or, conversely, simply go all-flat throughout the board. That can be cool, too.

8. Better haptics

One of the most important complaints concerning the OnePlus 7 Pro was it’s decidedly not-Pro-level haptics. When OnePlus launched the OnePlus 8 Pro, it revealed “Haptic Vibration 2.0,” which is supposedly higher. If it’s, it’s not by a lot.

Strong haptics is likely one of the best methods to really feel the distinction between a premium cellphone and a not-premium cellphone. OnePlus wants to up its recreation right here for the OnePlus 9 collection, on the very least on the OnePlus 9 Pro. If the vanilla mannequin has the identical haptics because the OnePlus 8 Pro, that shall be OK, so long as the Pro mannequin will get a severe improve.

9. Pricing stays the identical

The costs of OnePlus telephones have been some extent of competition going all the best way again to the launch of the OnePlus 2. That was the primary time OnePlus raised pricing, and it has barely stopped doing so since. When the OnePlus 9 collection lands, the COVID-19 pandemic will nonetheless be occurring. Budgets will nonetheless be tight, many will nonetheless be out of labor, and the very last thing individuals are going to want to do is to spend an excessive amount of on a smartphone.

The $699 worth of the OnePlus Eight is an effective vary to persist with for the OnePlus 9. The OnePlus 9 Pro has extra leeway — if OnePlus checked off each single one among these wishlist options, I’d gladly pay over $1,000 for it. However, with reasonably priced rivals just like the Galaxy S20 FE and Pixel 5 round, this upcoming launch might be the one wherein retaining the pricing low is of the utmost significance.

What do you want to see most from the OnePlus 9 collection?