The OnePlus 9 Pro is a smartphone that boasts impressive performance, plenty of RAM and storage, and a premium design. However, its camera capabilities are somewhat disappointing, with a slow and sometimes blurry main sensor, an underwhelming telephoto lens, and a pointless monochrome camera. The battery life, too, is a letdown, with the phone warming up quickly during basic usage. Despite these issues, using the OnePlus 9 Pro is actually quite enjoyable, thanks to its intuitive software experience, now three years old but still refined. Oxygen OS14 has smoothed out some of the bumps from previous versions, making it easier to navigate and use. While the camera may not be a flagship-grade performer, it does offer some unique features like 4K at 120fps slow-motion video capture on both the main and ultra-wide cameras. However, this benefit is somewhat mitigated by the poor performance of the telephoto lens. The OnePlus 9 Pro's price, in the mid-$200 range, makes it a tough sell for those not deeply invested in the brand or the camera capabilities. For the same price, the more polished OnePlus 10 Pro offers superior camera performance, better battery life, and macro ability, making it a more appealing option. Ultimately, while the OnePlus 9 Pro is still a capable smartphone with good performance, its flaws make it difficult to recommend as a top-tier choice. If you're in the market for a high-end phone, the OnePlus 10 Pro might be worth considering instead.
The OnePlus 9 Pro boasts a sturdy build quality that's characteristic of the brand. The phone's metal frame feels solid in the hand, and the glass back offers a premium touch. However, the design itself is somewhat uninspired, with a familiar silhouette that blends in with other flagships on the market. One aspect where the 9 Pro excels is its display, featuring a stunning 1440p resolution that's crisp and vibrant. The phone's size also makes it feel comfortable to hold, with a generous screen-to-body ratio that's perfect for media consumption. Despite the impressive specs sheet, the design takes a backseat in terms of innovation. The phone's look and feel are eerily reminiscent of its predecessors, with minor tweaks that fail to elevate it above the competition. The camera module, while visually striking, is also somewhat awkwardly placed on the top left corner, taking away from an otherwise clean aesthetic. In terms of build quality, the 9 Pro is undoubtedly a solid device that's built to last. However, its design choices feel like a missed opportunity to make a statement in the crowded smartphone market. With so many excellent flagships vying for attention, the 9 Pro's anonymity is a notable drawback. Ultimately, while the OnePlus 9 Pro's build quality is top-notch, its design feels somewhat unambitious and uninspired. For those seeking a truly unique experience, there may be better options available – but if you value solid construction and excellent display quality above all else, the 9 Pro is certainly worth considering.
The OnePlus 9 Pro's battery life is a major letdown in an otherwise impressive device. Despite its generous 4500mAh capacity, the phone struggles to deliver a full day's use, especially with moderate to heavy usage. In my testing, I found that the phone would easily dip below 20% by mid-afternoon, requiring multiple top-ups throughout the day to stay powered up. Even when charging for just a few minutes, the phone would only gain about 5-10% of battery life, making it feel like a perpetual drain on your power bank. What's more frustrating is that this issue persists even with moderate usage, such as browsing the web, social media, and streaming music. The phone's Always On display also seems to contribute to the battery drain, constantly updating the screen's status and consuming precious energy. While OnePlus has certainly made strides in optimizing its software for battery life, it's clear that this device falls short of expectations. With a price tag that rivals flagship phones from other manufacturers, one would expect better performance in this department. Ultimately, the OnePlus 9 Pro's subpar battery life is a major bummer, especially considering its otherwise excellent performance and feature set. If you're in the market for a new phone, be sure to consider this factor carefully before making your purchase – especially if you plan on using your device extensively throughout the day.
The display on the OnePlus 9 Pro is undoubtedly one of its standout features. The 6.7-inch AMOLED screen boasts an impressive resolution of 1440 x 3168 pixels, making it a treat for those who crave crisp and detailed visuals. In terms of color accuracy and brightness, the display delivers. Colors are vibrant and lifelike, while the brightness is sufficient to make the screen visible even in well-lit environments. The contrast ratio is also excellent, resulting in deep blacks that add to the overall visual appeal. The display's responsiveness is another area where it excels. Whether you're gaming, watching videos, or browsing through your favorite apps, the OnePlus 9 Pro's screen responds quickly and accurately to touch input. One of the most notable features of the display is its support for high refresh rates. The phone can run at either 60Hz or 120Hz, depending on the content being displayed. This means that you get a smoother visual experience when scrolling through menus, playing games, or watching videos. In terms of screen size and shape, the OnePlus 9 Pro's display is a tall rectangle with minimal bezels, giving it a sleek and modern look. The phone's design is certainly attention-grabbing, but the display itself is what truly sets it apart from other flagships in its class. Overall, the display on the OnePlus 9 Pro is a significant upgrade over previous generations of the phone. Its high resolution, excellent color accuracy, and responsive nature make it a joy to use, whether you're watching videos, playing games, or simply browsing through your favorite apps.
The OnePlus 9 Pro boasts a quad-camera setup that promises to deliver exceptional photography experiences. Unfortunately, my experience with this camera system has been underwhelming. Starting with the main camera, which features a 48MP sensor, I was initially impressed with its capabilities during the day. Photos taken with the primary lens were sharp and detailed, making it perfect for capturing everyday moments. However, things take a turn for the worse when taking photos at night or in low-light conditions. The images often appear blurry and lacking in color accuracy. The ultra-wide camera, with its 50MP sensor, is another story altogether. While I appreciate the effort to provide an alternative perspective, the results are often disappointing. Edges can be soft, and details get lost in the noise. This makes it difficult to use the ultra-wide lens for any meaningful photography. The telephoto lens, which boasts an 8MP sensor, feels like a step backward compared to other smartphones on the market. The lack of focus at times, combined with its limited capabilities (it can only shoot up to 1080p at 30fps), makes it feel like a gimmick rather than a genuinely useful feature. The inclusion of a 2MP monochrome camera seems redundant and unnecessary in this day and age. It's not as if it adds any significant value or features that would justify its presence on the phone. One aspect where the OnePlus 9 Pro excels is with its slow-motion capabilities, allowing users to capture smooth footage at 4K resolution. However, when paired with other smartphones, this feature feels like a consolation prize rather than a genuinely remarkable offering. In conclusion, while the OnePlus 9 Pro's camera system shows promise in certain areas, it falls short of expectations overall. Poor performance in low-light conditions and an underwhelming experience with the ultra-wide lens make me question its value as a flagship smartphone. The monochrome camera adds no significant benefits, making this feature a mere afterthought. If you're considering purchasing the OnePlus 9 Pro for its photography capabilities, I would caution against it. The results are often disappointing, and there are better options available in the market that excel in the same areas.
The OnePlus 9 Pro is a phone that has its strengths, but ultimately falls short due to two major missteps: a disappointing camera and a battery life that fails to impress. Despite these drawbacks, the device remains a viable option for those in the market for a high-end smartphone. One aspect where the OnePlus 9 Pro shines is its price point. Currently retailing in the mid-$200s, it's an attractive proposition for those who want a flagship experience without breaking the bank. However, when compared to its more polished sibling, the OnePlus 10 Pro, which can be found for $300 and up, the value equation becomes increasingly murky. The question then becomes: is the superior camera, battery life, and overall build quality of the 10 Pro worth the extra cost? For many users, the answer will likely be yes. The additional investment yields a phone that feels more premium, with improved performance and features that make it a true flagship contender. For those who don't care about the camera or battery life, but still want a high-end device, the OnePlus 9 Pro may still be a viable option. However, for most users, the price difference between the two devices becomes a significant deciding factor. The value proposition of the 9 Pro is further diminished by the fact that its strengths are not substantial enough to overcome its weaknesses. Ultimately, the OnePlus 9 Pro's price and value equation make it a tough sell for all but the most budget-conscious buyers. While it's still a solid device in its own right, it's hard to justify its current price point given the alternatives available in the market.
The performance of the OnePlus 9 Pro is its strong suit, delivering smooth and seamless experiences across various tasks. Powered by a robust processor, this smartphone handles demanding applications with ease, making it an excellent choice for heavy users. One of the standout features of the device is its abundant RAM and storage options, which ensure that multitasking is a breeze. With ample memory to spare, multiple apps can be run simultaneously without any noticeable lag or slowdown. Benchmarking tests have consistently shown the OnePlus 9 Pro to perform on par with, if not better than, other flagships in its class. Its processor's efficiency and optimization make it an excellent all-around performer, capable of handling both everyday tasks and more demanding ones like gaming and video editing. While the camera may be a letdown for some, it doesn't seem to have any direct impact on performance. The device's ability to handle resource-intensive apps without breaking a sweat is commendable, making it suitable for users who rely heavily on their phone for work or entertainment purposes. In fact, compared to other Samsung devices with the same processor, the OnePlus 9 Pro feels like a more refined and polished experience. This suggests that the manufacturer has done a good job in optimizing its software and hardware combination, resulting in a responsive and snappy user interface. However, it's worth noting that performance is not everything, especially considering the device's other shortcomings. Battery life, for instance, remains a concern, which might limit the phone's appeal to those who prioritize longevity over raw performance. Nevertheless, as a standalone performer, the OnePlus 9 Pro delivers impressively, making it a solid choice for those seeking a powerful smartphone experience.
1. The OnePlus 9 Pro has a really good performance, feeling better than a Samsung phone with the same processor.
2. It has lots of RAM and storage that comes stock, making it suitable for heavy users.
3. Using this phone is actually good, like really good, especially after updating to Oxygen OS14.
4. The overall feel and actions of the phone just make sense, making it a fun phone to use.
5. Double tap to wake and sleep are still present and never going away, which is convenient.
6. The camera is spectacular some fun facts is that you can do 4K at 120 frames per second on here for those that want to slow-mo their 4K capture even more than 60 frames per second.
7. It has a decent screen with high resolution (1440p), making it great for watching videos and browsing the internet.
1. The battery life is a bummer, but it's not something that can't be helped with a couple minutes of charging here or there.
2. The phone gets warm for basic usage, which might be a concern for some users.
3. The camera has some flops, like the monochrome camera and the lack of good night shots.
4. The price is in the mid-200s, which is relatively high considering the battery life and camera issues.
5. The screen replacement cost is almost as expensive as buying another phone.