OnePlus just many other smartphone makers out there is set to announce its flagship device which is expected tot be the next-big thing in the company as well as become the topic throughout the news at least until some other devices can oust it. The company which first started as the flagship killer gradually developed into a big company which now make premium flagship devices.
Even though the price tag of most OnePlus devices aren’t near that of Apple or Samsung, their high-end or “Pro” models since the OnePlus 6 series have been priced a the upper-mid-range price point. The next-gen OnePlus 9 series is expected to debut on the 23rd of March with a smartwatch for fitness and health tracking.
In this slightly lengthy post, we’ll examine some of the information we have about the device which includes the release date, the price tag and other peripheral information you should know about the OnePlus 9 Series when it finally debut this month.
OnePlus 9 series Release Date: March 23rd
Rumors about the release of the OnePlus 9 series has plagued the internet since the release of the older OnePlus 8T with different leaks showing different information about what we could potentially see on the device in terms of hardware redesign and all that.
While there isn’t much known about the actual date, some reports has it that OnePlus 9 series could debut as soon a March 23rd by 10AM EDT, 14:00 PM GMT, and 19:30 PM IST. The launch will also be live-streamed on the company’s official website where customers can learn more about the device. Use this this link to learn more.
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OnePlus 9 series — Regular, Pro, and Lite variants
There were previous news about the device being released in different variations after all, even the big Apple now releases multiple devices at once. There are reports the next-gen OnePlus 9 series would come with an extra ultra-base model which could be dubbed the OnePlus 9 Lite or 9R or 9E while there will be the OnePlus 9 and then 9 Pro.
It’s also worth noting that the OnePlus 9 series is, most likely, codenamed “lemonade,” according to evidence spotted in the Settings APK from Open Beta 3 for the OnePlus 8 series late last year. The lineup will include five variants, including lemonade, lemonadev, lemonadev, lemonadep, and lemonadept. With that said, a more logical breakdown of the namign could be as follow:
- lemonade — OnePlus 9
- lemonadet — T-Mobile OnePlus 9
- lemonadev — Verizon OnePlus 9
- lemonadep — OnePlus 9 Pro
- lemonadept — T-Mobile OnePlus 9 Pro
So what if OnePlus eventually release five variants of the same OnePlus 9 series. There have been in fact some leaks that the company could debut about 5 devices with the model numbers LE2110, LE2117, and LE2110, and the OnePlus 9 Pro will go by the model numbers LE2120 and LE2127. As for the OnePlus 9R, there isn’t any confirmation about it’s codename as far as leaks and insider’s reports are concerned.
But another question we’re left with is that what if the company decide to take the route it took with the release of the previous model when it left out the third device in the OnePlus 8 series but then released the OnePlus Nord later on that year. Is this to say there could be OnePlus Nord 2?
But the smartphones aside, the rumors further added that the company would announce a smartwatch which will be a way for the company to continue building its portfolio of smart devices as well as its ecosystem.
New design aesthetics
This might be the tricky part but the company had already confirmed what to be expected of the device at least from the back. The redesign of the camera module with a uniquely different arrangement and multiple camera system all which will make the device even more powerful and fast especially with the partnership between the Chinese smartphone maker and camera maker Hasselblad.
OnePlus 9
Being the upper mid-range model, it will have a slightly minimal design based on reports and leaks of the device that popped online. There was in fact a render of the device that showed the redesigned camera at the back of the device. The rectangular design of the camera module includes a new arrangement of the camera sensors with the flash at the far side of the triple camera sensors.
Aside the camera rearrangement, nothing seems to be very different about the device and OnepPlus is like Apple which doesn’t always swap out its device’ design completely on each release. The device is expected to have a 6.55-inch display with a 20Hz OLED panel. There is also a single hole-punch camera cutout at the top left corner of the device.
The live images shed more light on the design, showcasing the glossy back panel finish, Ultrashot branding on the camera module, and an unusual logo instead of OnePlus branding. The live images also revealed that the device would feature a secondary noise-canceling mic on the top edge, a USB Type-C port at the bottom sandwiched between the speaker grille and SIM card slot, and the usual button layout on the left and right edges.
Another source announced that the device will come in various color options such as Astral Black, Arctic Sky and Winter Mist. The T-Mobile version of the device, on the other hand, will be available in two colorways — Astral Black and Winter Mist — and the Verizon version will be available in Gloss Black and Gloss gradient purple variants.
OnePlus 9 Pro
The live images also confirmed that the device would feature a QHD+ 120Hz display, a slimmer metal frame, and the same glossy gray finish like the one we saw in the leaked OnePlus 9 live images.
The leaked information shared by OxygenUpdater suggests that the OnePlus 9 Pro will launch in three colorways — Stellar Black, Forest Green, and Morning Mist. However, the T-Mobile variant of the device will only be available in the Morning Mist colorway.
Rumored specifications of OnePlus 9 series
| Specifications | OnePlus 9 | OnePlus 9 Pro | OnePlus 9R |
|---|---|---|---|
| Build | – | – | Plastic back |
| Dimensions & Weight | – | – | – |
| Display | 6.55″ FHD+ AMOLEDLeft-aligned hole-punch120Hz refresh rateFlat panel | 6.7″ QHD+ LTPO AMOLEDLeft-aligned hole-punch120Hz refresh rateCurved panel | – |
| SoC | Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 | Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 | Qualcomm Snapdragon 870 |
| RAM & Storage | 8GB LPDDR5 + 128GB UFS 3.1 | 12GB LPDDR5 + 128GB UFS 3.1 | – |
| Battery & Charging | 4,500mAh65W wired fast charging30W wireless chargingReverse wireless charging65W charger included in the box | 4,500mAh65W wired fast charging45W wireless chargingReverse wireless charging65W charger included in the box | – |
| Security | In-Display Fingerprint Scanner | In-Display Fingerprint Scanner | – |
| Rear Camera(s) | Primary: 48MPSecondary: 48MP ultra-wideTertiary: – | Sony IMX789 primary camera12-bit RAW support4K @120fps video support8K @ 30fps video supportFreeform lens for ultra-wide cameraHasselblad Pro Mode | – |
| Front Camera(s) | – | – | – |
| Port(s) | USB Type-C | USB Type-C | – |
| Audio | – | – | – |
| Connectivity | – | – | – |
| Software | OxygenOS 11 based on Android 11 | OxygenOS 11 based on Android 11 | OxygenOS 11 based on Android 11 |
| Other Features | – | – | – |
| Colors | Astral Black, Arctic Sky, Winter Mist, Gloss Black (Verizon), Gloss gradient purple (Verizon) | Stellar Black, Forest Green, Morning Most | – |
OnePlus 9 Pro
The device is expected to come with a 6.7-inch QHD+ curved display and will have a 120Hz AMOLED panel and being the flagship variant, it would likely feature the high-end Snapdragon 888 chipset and some teaser pictures online showed the device with a new camera arrangement with a quad setup in the rectangular-shaped camera bump at the back of the device.
The device is also expected to come with a big 12GB of RAM and 128GB to 512GB of storage options while the battery is expected to be top-notch probably at the 4000mAh range as well as support for the 65W Warp charge from OnePlus. The inclusion of a the charger in the box will also be a good move for the company.
While we don’t know much about the OnePlus 9 Pro’s camera hardware, we can expect it to be better than what the company will offer with the OnePlus 9. For now, we only know that OnePlus is working with Swedish camera manufacturer Hasselblad to develop the camera system for its upcoming flagship. OnePlus’ CEO Pete Lau has inadvertently confirmed the Hasselblad partnership via a post on the OnePlus Community forums. The post, which has since been deleted, reveals that it was posted via a “OnePlus 9 Pro co-developed with Hasselblad.”
Max Jambor is another prominent leaker who stated that the OnePlus 9 Pro could feature an LTPO display which is the same technology used in high-end devices like the Galaxy S21 Ultra. The display is able to support adaptive refresh rate which will help save more power during usage.
OnePlus has now officially confirmed that the OnePlus 9 Pro will feature a new camera system developed in partnership with Hasselblad. The new camera system will include both hardware and software improvements, including a new color solution called Natural Color Calibration with Hasselblad and a Hasselblad Pro Mode. OnePlus has also revealed that the device will feature a custom Sony IMX789 sensor, 12-bit RAW support, 4K 120fps video capabilities, and even 8K 30fps video support. The device will also offer improved HDR recording and a freeform lens that will eliminate edge distortion in ultra-wide photos.
OnePlus 9R
There have been reports about the OnePlus 9R to be a slightly better OnePlus 8T smartphone and the device is expected to sport the Snapdragon 865 chipset with a 120Hz AMOLED panel and a 65W warp charge which would make it a OnePlus 8T on steroid.
This isn’t a confirmed news as nothing is official but other recent revelations about the OnePlus 9R has it that the device could sport the Snapdragon 870 chipset and would have some other great features like a powerful camera system and large storage option with different color options.
How much will the OnePlus 9 series cost
OnePlus devices are slowly but surely climbing the US$1000 ladder and its a matter of time however, the new OnePlus 9 series could be priced at the same price range as the previous OnePlus 8T series according to reports and that could put the base model at about US$750 for the 8GB/128GB variant.
While the OnePlus 9 Pero could be a bit expensive and could be as expensive as US$900 to US$1000 because its going to be the flagship with all the premium features all onboard. Then there will be the cheaper OnePlus 9R which is reported to be priced at about US$600.
And according to further reports, the device will ship with chargers out of the box unlike Samsung, Apple and Xiaomi which seems to have ditched the power bricks in their flagship devices.
As for the availability of the OnePlus 9 series, Evan Blass made it known that pre-order could start as soon as March 23rd with those who have pre-booked the base model would get the free OnePlus Buds Z TWS earbuds while those who pre-book the high-end model will get the Buds Z Steve Harrington Edition.
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