OnePlus 9 Review: Sneaky Value!
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Promos
OnePlus 9 is actually sneaky good value right now OnePlus 9 Pro Review: youtu.be Also, correction: The rails of the OnePlus 9 are plastic, the back is glass (that feels quite bad). No metal. On S21 the back is plastic, and the rails are metal. No glass. MKBHD Merch: shop.mkbhd.com Tech I'm using right now: amazon.com Intro Track: youtube.com Playlist of MKBHD Intro music: goo.gl Phone provided by OnePlus for review. ~ twitter.com @MKBHD @MKBHD
The OnePlus 9 review frames the device as a sneaky value play in a crowded flagship segment. At its core, the phone packs flagship-grade performance with a Snapdragon 888, 8 or 12 GB of RAM, and storage options up to 256 GB, all while launching at a price of 729. The reviewer notes that the build feels generic due to a polycarbonate shell and plastic rails, with the back being glass, which can make the device look cheaper than it is. Despite the unexciting exterior, the display earns praise for its 6.55-inch flat, almost edge-to-edge 1080p panel with a smooth 120 Hz refresh rate, which is excellent for video and gaming, and the loud speaker setup complements this. The camera system is highlighted as a mixed bag: a strong ultrawide and a solid main sensor branded Hasselblad, but the omission of a telephoto lens and a two-megapixel monochrome sensor feel like questionable trade-offs for a cheaper alternative to the Pro model. The review emphasizes that software is a strong suit, with Oxygen OS feeling refined and fast, benefiting from tight integration and quick multitasking, even though some hardware compromises keep the overall value from being perfect. In direct comparisons, the OnePlus 9 competes with the Galaxy S21 on price and features, trading micro-advantages like a larger battery and faster wired charging against slight camera and display trade-offs, with the reviewer leaning toward OnePlus in terms of software and battery life, while acknowledging Samsung may win on brightness and telephoto capabilities. Overall, the OnePlus 9 is described as a solid recommendation for buyers who value the OnePlus software experience and powerful charging, but it stops short of being an across-the-board best-in-class device due to its camera setup and design choices that feel incremental rather than transformative. The verdict positions the phone as a good deal for certain users, offering strong value without fully dethroning competitors in every category, making it worth considering for those who prioritize software experience and charging speed more than photographic flexibility or premium hardware polish.
Topics · technology · smartphones · review · camera · hardware · software
Questions answered
- What is the OnePlus 9’s display specification and how does it impact use and media viewing?
- The OnePlus 9 uses a 6.55 inch flat 1080p display with a 120 Hz refresh rate, delivering smooth visuals for videos and gaming while keeping brightness and color handling practical for everyday use.
- Does the OnePlus 9 include mmWave 5G support and what about charging speeds?
- The OnePlus 9 does not include mmWave 5G support, but it provides 65W fast wired charging and 15W wireless charging for convenient top-ups.
- What cameras are on the OnePlus 9 and what are the notable pros and cons?
- The camera system includes a 48 MP main sensor and an ultrawide sensor with Hasselblad branding, offering strong overall performance, especially in wide-angle shots. It omits a dedicated telephoto lens and adds a 2 MP monochrome sensor, which many viewers find less useful, making the camera setup a mixed bag compared with rivals.