The OnePlus 9 Pro, though a couple of years old, continues to hold its ground in the ever-evolving smartphone landscape. After putting it through its paces, here’s my personal take on this flagship device.
Design & Build: A Premium Feel with Hasselblad Flair
The OnePlus 9 Pro exudes a premium feel with its glass back and aluminum frame. It’s available in three stunning finishes: Morning Mist, Pine Green, and Stellar Black. The phone feels substantial yet comfortable to hold, thanks to its curved edges. The camera module, co-developed with Hasselblad, adds a distinctive touch to the design. However, the glossy back is a fingerprint magnet.
Display: A 120Hz Fluid AMOLED Visual Feast
The 6.7-inch Fluid AMOLED display is a showstopper with a 120Hz refresh rate, QHD+ resolution (1440 x 3216 pixels), and stunning color accuracy. Scrolling, gaming, and watching videos on this display is an absolute delight. Its brightness ensures excellent outdoor visibility, even in direct sunlight. The adaptive refresh rate intelligently adjusts to save battery life when not needed.
Performance: Snapdragon 888 – Still a Beast
Under the hood, the OnePlus 9 Pro is powered by the Snapdragon 888 chipset and up to 12GB of RAM. This combination delivers flagship-level performance that handles demanding tasks with ease. Multitasking, gaming, and even video editing are smooth and responsive. While newer chipsets have emerged, the 888 still holds its own in terms of performance.
Camera: Hasselblad Collaboration Shines
The quad-camera system, co-developed with Hasselblad, is one of the 9 Pro’s most notable features. It consists of a 48MP main sensor, a 50MP ultrawide lens, an 8MP telephoto lens with 3.3x optical zoom, and a 2MP monochrome sensor. Photos are exceptionally sharp, detailed, and vibrant, with accurate colors and excellent dynamic range. The Hasselblad collaboration has clearly elevated the 9 Pro’s camera game, particularly in terms of color science and image processing.
Battery Life: Warp Charge 65T – Blazing Fast
The 4500mAh battery provides all-day battery life for most users. With lighter use, you can even stretch it to a day and a half. The Warp Charge 65T is incredibly fast, taking the phone from 0 to 100% in under 30 minutes. Additionally, the phone supports 50W fast wireless charging, making it even more convenient to keep your battery topped up.
Software & User Experience: OxygenOS – Smooth and Intuitive
The OnePlus 9 Pro runs OxygenOS based on Android 11, which offers a clean, smooth, and highly customizable interface. It’s one of the best Android skins available, providing a user-friendly experience with a wide range of features and customization options. OxygenOS also receives regular updates, ensuring you stay up-to-date with the latest features and security patches.
Connectivity & Additional Features: Flagship Essentials
The OnePlus 9 Pro supports 5G connectivity, Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.2, and NFC. It also features an in-display fingerprint sensor and stereo speakers for an immersive audio experience. The phone has an IP68 rating for water and dust resistance, adding to its durability.
Buying Recommendation
Who’s it for?
The OnePlus 9 Pro is ideal for tech enthusiasts, gamers, photographers, and anyone who demands a premium smartphone experience. Its powerful performance, stunning display, versatile camera system, and fast charging make it a well-rounded device.
Pros:
- Stunning 120Hz Fluid AMOLED display
- Powerful Snapdragon 888 processor
- Excellent Hasselblad-tuned quad-camera system
- Blazing-fast Warp Charge 65T and wireless charging
- Clean and customizable OxygenOS
Cons:
- No headphone jack
- No expandable storage
- Slightly slippery glass back
Overall:
Even in 2024, the OnePlus 9 Pro remains a highly capable and desirable flagship smartphone. Its impressive features and performance continue to rival newer models, making it a smart choice for those seeking a premium experience without paying top dollar.
| Feature | Specification | Remarks |
|---|---|---|
| Brand | OnePlus | |
| Model | 9 Pro | |
| Release Date | March 2021 | |
| Dimensions | 163.2 x 73.6 x 8.7 mm | |
| Weight | 197 g | |
| Battery | Li-Po 4500 mAh, non-removable | |
| Colors | Morning Mist, Pine Green, Stellar Black | |
| Display | Fluid AMOLED, 6.7 inches | 1440 x 3216 pixels, 120Hz, HDR10+ |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM8350 Snapdragon 888 | |
| CPU | Octa-core (1×2.84 GHz Kryo 680 & 3×2.42 GHz Kryo 680 & 4×1.80 GHz Kryo 680) | |
| GPU | Adreno 660 | |
| RAM | 8GB/12GB | LPDDR5 |
| Storage | 128GB/256GB | UFS 3.1 |
| Rear Camera | Quad: 48 MP + 50 MP + 8 MP + 2 MP | |
| Front Camera | 16 MP | |
| OS | Android 11, up to Android 13 | OxygenOS 13 |
| Connectivity | 5G, Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.2, NFC |
Roshan Kumar Sahoo is a multifaceted journalist with expertise in entertainment-related news, sports , tech, and international relations. His ability to navigate these diverse fields allows him to provide readers with a rich blend of content, from the latest entertainment buzz to cutting-edge sports technology and insightful analysis of global affairs. Roshan’s writing is characterized by its depth, accuracy, and engaging style, making him a trusted voice across multiple domains.
