OnePlus 9 5G Review - Android

OnePlus 9 5G Review - Android

In 2021, OnePlus attempts to shake things up a bit with the launch of the OnePlus 9 Series, appealing to users who are into...

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In 2021, OnePlus attempts to shake things up a bit with the launch of the OnePlus 9 Series, appealing to users who are into mobile photography by collaborating with Hasselblad.

This is another step towards a new direction from being an upstart brand with a small but overly loyal fanbase into a mainstream mobile phone manufacturer. Does the OnePlus 9 represent a welcome change in the company’s direction? Let’s find out.

Design and Construction

One thing that strikes you with the design of the OnePlus 9 is the return of the glossy finish instead of a matte one from recent models. The Winter Mist color that we have really looks pretty, like a pearlescent color that transitions between pink and purple. It also features a gradient that makes it appear darker at the lower part. While the official specs say that the back is covered in Gorilla Glass, the build seems to be more plastic than its predecessors, probably due to the use of plastic instead of aluminum in the frame.

The back also features the OnePlus logo as well as a 2021-style camera bump where you get the three cameras, a LED flash, and the Hasselblad logo, which we’ll talk about more later.

OnePlus has also managed to slim the bezels further in the front by slimming down the chin further while maintaining the flat screen display of the OnePlus 8T. Whether you like the curved displays of the Pro model is a matter of personal choice.

OnePlus kept the display size at 6.55-inch and depending on where you bought the device, and thanks to the additional 5G antennas baked into the device, the device is a bit thicker and heavier than its predecessor.

On the left, we have the volume buttons, while on the right are the power button and alert slider. The buttons are quiet but tactile.

The bottom contains the main loudspeaker, primary microphone, USB Type-C port, and dual-nano SIM card slot.

The top houses the secondary noise-canceling microphone and the speakerphone, which is actually cleverly hidden along with the top bezel. It also acts as a secondary speaker when playing media to make a stereo setup, which is nice.

Display and Multimedia

Taking a closer look at the display, we get a 6.55-inch Fluid AMOLED panel with a 2400 x 1080 resolution, support for HDR10+, and a 120Hz refresh rate, making everything smoother. While the refresh rate is one area where we feel the downgrade from its Pro sibling with its variable refresh rate, the display itself is no slouch either, significantly if you haven’t jumped into high refresh rate displays.

Colors and viewing angles are on par with what you expect from AMOLED displays, and its peak brightness can help you in situations where you would need it.

Aside from the usual display customization features like the option to hide the punch-hole camera, full custom screen calibration, color temperature adjustment, reading mode, and vibrant color effect, OnePlus also introduced an Ultra High Video resolution mode that uses AI to improve video clarity.

When it comes to audio, the OnePlus 9 5G utilizes a combination of its bottom-firing loudspeaker and earpiece speakerphone to make a stereo setup. So, while it gets loud enough to fill the room, you might notice the slight difference in the emphasis on the mids, which could be attributed to its thicker profile and different choice of materials compared to its flagship siblings. But, overall, it’s still decent enough for casual listening and gaming.

While there’s no headphone jack, the phone offers its usual suite of audio customizations when connected to Bluetooth speakers like enhancement profiles and custom EQ.

Camera

This year, OnePlus focused on improving the cameras on its phones dealing with Hasselblad, an iconic Swedish camera company, and the OnePlus 9 and 9 Pro are the first models to benefit. OnePlus has renamed the Pro mode on the OnePlus 9 to the Hasselblad Pro mode, wherein you can manually control how you take your pictures. It is perfect for someone who wishes to explore mobile photography more seriously.




 

The OnePlus 9 5G has a total of four cameras — a triple setup at the rear consisting of a 48MP main sensor, a 50MP ultrawide, and a 2MP monochrome. For selfies, a single 16MP shooter.