Updated, March 22, 2021 (05:05 PM ET): We’ve updated the OnePlus 9 info hub with all the latest rumors running up to the big launch. We now know almost everything there is to know about the phones. Read on!
Original article: Time doesn’t stand still for smartphone companies, and OnePlus is no exception. After launching the OnePlus 8 last April 2020 and the OnePlus 8T in October, the company is now readying the OnePlus 9 series.
Ahead of the official reveal, we’ve gathered up all the credible rumors and early leaks relating to the OnePlus 9. We’ve also added all the information OnePlus has officially shared about the new phones. Be sure to bookmark this page, as we’ll be updating it regularly as we get closer to the release date.
Name and release date
Internally, OnePlus is continuing its food-related codenames for its phones. The OnePlus 9 was reportedly known as “lemonade” while in development. For reference, the OnePlus 8 was known as “instantnoodle,” while the 8T was dubbed “kebab.” If you now need a snack break, we understand.
Related: OnePlus phones: A history of the company’s entire lineup thus far
Outside of the codename, we also have confirmation that the phones this year will launch under the 9 series moniker.
That said, OnePlus has confirmed that the new flagships (yes, plural) will launch on March 23. Notably, users can also expect the OnePlus Watch to debut alongside its smartphone siblings.
Models and designs
For the first time in its history, OnePlus will launch three devices in its flagship series this year. Obviously, there will be a regular OnePlus 9 model, but there will also be two additional variants. Read on for all the info.
OnePlus 9
A leaked CAD-based render of the OnePlus 9 emerged on November 14, as seen above. It suggests the phone will sport three cameras at the rear with a punch hole in the top-left of the display for the selfie camera. As with the OnePlus 8T, it seems the vanilla variant of the 9 series could feature a flat display.
Thankfully, it looks like the vanilla model will keep the famous OnePlus alert slider on the top right. This feature didn’t appear in the budget-oriented OnePlus Nord N10 and Nord N100 phones launched at the end of 2020.
As for colorways, a leak from March 10 suggests that the phone will arrive in blue and purple. Matching those colorways will be a bevy of new wallpapers. You can download those at the link.
A leak by frequent tipster Ishan Agarwal on March 14 gives us a better idea of what to expect from the vanilla OnePlus 9 in terms of colorways. Check it out below.
The leaked render shows off Stellar Black, Arctic Sky, and Winter Mist color options. Unfortunately, those hoping for a color option like that striking (but unused) gold colorway for the OnePlus 7T are out of luck.
Eventually, OnePlus pushed out its own renders that prove the designs above are definitely what the OnePlus 9 will look like.
OnePlus 9 Pro
As usual, there will also be a Pro variant in the 9 series. The renders above — outed by trusted leaker Steve Hemmerstoffer on November 21 — suggested at the time that the Pro model may borrow design cues from its older siblings. The renders show it could sport a quad rear camera array on the back, with a 6.7-inch curved display and punch-hole selfie camera.
Read more: Everything you need to know about OnePlus
Eventually, OnePlus launched its own renders of the phone, proving (once again) that Hemmerstoffer’s renders were right on the money.
On March 10, details of the phone’s colorways leaked. The OnePlus 9 Pro may also be offered in an iPhone 11-like forest green.
Agarwal also posted leaked renders showing the OnePlus 9 Pro’s color options on March 14. You can view them below.
The leak shows three color options, namely Astral Black, Morning Mist, and Pine Green. We also get a look at the side of the phone, showing a curve that’s less pronounced.
An official leaked poster published by Agarwal on March 15 (with a variant later posted by the firm) showcases the two devices side by side. The difference in camera hardware is clearly on display in this specific shot.
OnePlus also officially unveiled the OnePlus 9 Pro in its Morning Mist colorway on March 15. The colorway employs the company’s new finishing technique that fades from its silver center to its black edges. See some of the glamor shots above.
OnePlus 9R
Finally, an additional leak by Max Jambor on November 30 suggested that OnePlus might have a third model lined up for the series. Originally dubbed the OnePlus 9E, it since has come to light that it will land as the OnePlus 9R.
OnePlus confirmed that this phone will be an Indian-exclusive. Little is known about the design or specs, though. We anticipate the phone being less premium than the vanilla OnePlus 9, but more premium than 2020’s OnePlus Nord. Stay tuned for more info on this brand new entry in the OnePlus catalog!
OnePlus 9: Specs and features
OnePlus has already confirmed what we all knew: that the Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 will power the flagship line. The OnePlus 9R might not have the 2021 flagship processor, but the other two will certainly have it. You can expect that chipset to be paired with at least 8GB of RAM and 128GB of UFS 3.1 storage in each model. The OnePlus 9 Pro will reportedly carry 12GB of RAM, per Max Weinbach.
Below, we break down some specific rumors and confirmations. However, do note that we already know a lot of the OnePlus 9 Pro specs thanks to a T-Mobile leak.
Displays
OnePlus went ahead and confirmed that the 9 Pro will see an adaptive 120Hz refresh rate on an LTPO OLED display. This makes its display highly analogous to the one found in the Galaxy S21 Ultra.
Related: Refresh rates explained: What do 60Hz, 90Hz, and 120Hz mean?
The adaptive refresh rate means it can go down to 1Hz when viewing content like pictures, which the company is calling a first. Otherwise, OnePlus says the display also has a 360Hz touch response rate and uses roughly half the power compared to previous generations.
Unfortunately, there’s no official word yet on what the vanilla OnePlus 9 will offer. Presumably, the company will use a standard OLED screen rather than an LTPO panel. We’ve also previously seen the standard OnePlus model offer an FHD+ panel versus the Pro variant’s QHD+ screen, so this is another difference we’re expecting.
Batteries and charging
With the OnePlus 8T, the company made a big fuss about the phone’s 65W wired charging. As one would expect, OnePlus confirmed that both the OnePlus 9 and 9 Pro will feature 65W charging, too. What’s more, both will include a 65W adapter in the box.
What about wireless charging? Well, OnePlus has already confirmed that the 9 Pro will have 50W wireless charging, one of the fastest wireless charging standards available. Of course, you’ll need a proprietary charging dock to see those speeds. It will work with any regular wireless charger, though, just at normal speeds.
As for battery capacity, Jambor claimed on February 9, 2021, that the OnePlus 9 Pro would receive a 4,500mAh battery.
Other OnePlus 9 series features
Finally, Jambor also says the OnePlus 9 Pro will be the only model in the range to receive an IP68 rating against water and dust. He suggests the other 9 series phones might not feature that badge. This isn’t too surprising as that’s exactly what the company offered last year, too.
Cameras
At the beginning of the year, OnePlus CEO Pete Lau claimed that the company would be heavily investing in its camera development. Lau said his ambition is to be none other than the best smartphone camera company. Those are big words when you consider OnePlus’ history when it comes to cameras.
OnePlus has since revealed that it’s partnering with Swedish camera company Hasselblad to improve the photography experience on upcoming flagships. The company says the new phones will use a custom Sony IMX789 sensor. It’ll enable 12-bit RAW capture as well as 4K at 120FPS or in 8K at 30FPS videos.
Related: The best camera phones we tested in 2020
The company will also introduce a freeform lens with the OnePlus 9 series which could “practically eliminate” edge distortion in ultra-wide photos. This lens will also be mated to a 50MP Sony IMX766 sensor, Pete Lau confirmed on March 10. It’s unclear if this setup will be limited to the Pro model or encompass the entire range.
Outside of hardware, the camera software will also feature some new tricks. There will be a new Natural Color Calibration feature developed with Hasselblad to enhance colors on photos and videos.
An APK teardown of the OnePlus camera app also shows some new features that would likely land with the OnePlus 9 series. Those features include a tilt-shift mode, a moon mode, and more. See here for all the details.
OnePlus 9: Price and availability
Finally, let’s talk about the OnePlus 9 price. The ace up the OnePlus 8’s sleeve was its sticker. Arriving at $699, it was among the cheapest flagships launched in 2020; a year that saw the likes of Samsung and Apple once again break the $1,000 barrier. Granted, the 128GB OnePlus 8 Pro came in at $899, but we’d argue that’s still a fair price for an excellent flagship. We expect the OnePlus 9 to debut between the OnePlus 8 and 8 Pro’s price band.
Read more: How the price of OnePlus phones has changed over the years
A swathe of Android Authority readers want the firm to drop the price of the upcoming flagship instead of adding new features. It’s unclear if OnePlus would consider doing this with the OnePlus 9.
Pre-orders for the OnePlus 9 series are expected to start on March 23. According to Max Weinbach, the OnePlus 9 and OnePlus 9 Pro will also be carried on T-Mobile.
That’s everything we’ve got for the OnePlus 9 series. Keep this page bookmarked as it will be updated frequently!
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