OnePlus 9 Review: Refined Powerhouse with Hasselblad Camera Magic

The OnePlus 9, released in early 2021, remains a solid contender in the smartphone arena. After spending several weeks with this device, here’s my detailed review based on real-world experience, highlighting its strengths and weaknesses.

Design & Build: A Sleek and Premium Aesthetic

The OnePlus 9 features a sleek glass back and aluminum frame, exuding a premium look and feel. It is available in three attractive finishes: Astral Black, Winter Mist, and Arctic Sky. While the glass back is prone to fingerprints, it adds a touch of sophistication. The phone feels comfortable in hand, with rounded edges and a well-balanced weight distribution. The alert slider, a signature OnePlus feature, provides convenient control over notification modes.

Display: Fluid AMOLED Brilliance

The 6.55-inch Fluid AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate is a delight to use. Scrolling and animations are buttery smooth, and the visuals are stunning. The 1080 x 2400 pixel resolution offers excellent clarity, and colors are vibrant and accurate. The display gets plenty bright for outdoor use and supports HDR10+ for enhanced viewing of compatible content. The in-display fingerprint sensor is fast and reliable.

Performance: Snapdragon 888 for Smooth Sailing

Powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 chipset and up to 12GB of RAM, the OnePlus 9 delivers flagship-level performance. It handles even the most demanding tasks with ease, from multitasking and gaming to editing photos and videos. Apps launch quickly, and there’s no noticeable lag or stutter. Benchmark scores demonstrate its raw power, keeping up with the competition.

Camera: Hasselblad Collaboration Elevates Photography

The triple rear camera system, co-developed with Hasselblad, is one of the OnePlus 9’s main selling points. It features a 48MP primary sensor, a 50MP ultrawide lens, and a 2MP monochrome sensor. The Hasselblad collaboration has resulted in improved color accuracy and natural-looking images. Photos are sharp, detailed, and vibrant, with excellent dynamic range. Low-light performance is good, thanks to the Nightscape mode. The 16MP front camera captures decent selfies.

Battery Life: Warp Charge 65T is a Game-Changer

The 4500mAh battery provides reliable all-day battery life with moderate use. The Warp Charge 65T is incredibly fast, charging the phone from 0% to 100% in less than 30 minutes. This is a major advantage for those who need a quick power boost. However, wireless charging is limited to the OnePlus 9 Pro model.

Software & User Experience: OxygenOS, A Smooth and Clean Experience

The OnePlus 9 runs OxygenOS based on Android 11, and it has been updated to Android 12. OxygenOS is known for its clean and intuitive interface, smooth performance, and numerous customization options. The software experience is one of the best in the Android ecosystem, with regular updates and a plethora of useful features.

Connectivity & Additional Features: Flagship Essentials

The phone supports 5G, Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.2, and NFC. It also features stereo speakers for immersive audio. However, there’s no headphone jack or expandable storage, which might be a drawback for some users.

Buying Recommendation

Who’s it for?

The OnePlus 9 is a great option for anyone who wants a flagship-level phone without paying a premium price. It’s ideal for power users, gamers, and photography enthusiasts who appreciate a clean and customizable Android experience.

Pros:

• Stunning 120Hz Fluid AMOLED display
• Powerful Snapdragon 888 processor
• Excellent camera system co-developed with Hasselblad
• Incredibly fast Warp Charge 65T
• Clean and customizable OxygenOS

Cons:

• No wireless charging (except for the Pro model)
• No headphone jack
• No expandable storage

Overall:

In 2024, the OnePlus 9 remains a compelling option in the smartphone market. Its combination of features, performance, and value makes it a worthy contender, especially for those looking for a flagship experience on a budget.