OnePlus 9R review
The OnePlus 9R is a revamped version of the 8T, offering a slightly better design, screen, performance, and price. The phone's design has been tweaked with a new back panel, but it still sports the same 6.55-inch AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate. OnePlus has retained the same camera setup as the 8T, which means you can expect similar photo quality. The main camera produces good photos with natural colors and decent dynamic range. However, some shots can come out soft or lacking in details. Low-light performance is also impressive, thanks to the automatic Night mode feature. In terms of performance, the 9R is powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 processor and comes with up to 12GB of RAM and 256GB of storage. The phone's charging speed remains the same as its predecessor, with support for 65W fast charging that can fill the battery from 0-100% in just 35 minutes. The battery life is decent, with a screen-on time of around 4-5 hours on average. OxygenOS 11 runs smoothly on top of Android 11, and there's no bloatware or unnecessary apps to clutter up the interface. Carrier aggregation support and NFC are also welcome features for those who value these options. The OnePlus 9R is available at a competitive price point of around Rs 40,000, making it an attractive option for those looking for a capable mid-range smartphone without breaking the bank. While it may not be a game-changer in terms of innovation or groundbreaking features, the 9R offers a solid package that's hard to fault. If you're already familiar with the OnePlus ecosystem and have a budget of Rs 40,000, then the 9R is an excellent choice. However, if you want more complete flagship package and are willing to spend a little extra, there are better options available in the market, such as the Samsung Galaxy S20 FE or even last year's OnePlus 8 Pro.
Build Quality and Design
The OnePlus 9R is an upgraded version of the OnePlus 8T, with some noticeable improvements in design and build quality. On first glance, the phone looks sleek and premium, with a slightly improved design that's sure to please fans of the brand. One of the standout features of the OnePlus 9R is its build quality. The phone feels solid and durable, with a weighty feel that's reminiscent of more expensive flagship devices. The materials used are top-notch, with a smooth and matte finish that's resistant to fingerprints and smudges. The design of the phone has also been tweaked, with a slightly refreshed look that's sure to please fans of the brand. The back panel now features a more subtle camera housing, while the front remains largely unchanged. Overall, the design is still sleek and modern, making the OnePlus 9R a great option for those who value aesthetics in their smartphone. While some may argue that the design changes are minor, it's clear that OnePlus has put thought into refining its signature style. The result is a phone that looks and feels like a high-end device, without the hefty price tag. In terms of build quality, the OnePlus 9R is also impressive. The phone feels sturdy and well-made, with no creaks or flexes when handled. It's clear that OnePlus has spared no expense in crafting a premium device that will withstand the rigors of daily use. Overall, the OnePlus 9R is a solid upgrade to the OnePlus 8T, with noticeable improvements in design and build quality. While some may find the changes too subtle, it's clear that OnePlus has put thought into refining its signature style.
Battery Life
The OnePlus 9R's battery life is an aspect that I had the chance to thoroughly test during my time with the device. In terms of sheer endurance, it's a mixed bag. With the screen set to 120Hz, I managed to get around 4-5 hours of screen on time on most occasions. This is nothing extraordinary, but it's also not bad considering the demands made by the high refresh rate display. One thing that's worth noting is that the battery life seems to be heavily dependent on usage patterns. If you're someone who tends to use their phone a lot during the day, you might find yourself needing to charge it before bedtime. On the other hand, if you're more of a casual user, you might find that the battery lasts through the night with some juice left over. Charging speeds are still one of the highlights of the OnePlus 9R, thanks to its fast 65W charger. From 0-100%, it takes around 35 minutes to top up the device's battery. While this is a significant improvement over standard charging speeds, it's not enough to make up for any shortfalls in battery life. Overall, I'd say that the OnePlus 9R's battery life is decent, but not outstanding. If you're someone who values having a phone with all-day battery life, you might want to look elsewhere. However, if you're willing to live with some compromises and have access to a charger throughout the day, the 9R should still be able to keep up with your needs.
Display
The display on the OnePlus 9R is a significant improvement over its predecessor, the OnePlus 8T. While the numbers remain the same - 120Hz Fluid AMOLED with Gorilla Glass 5 and the same bezels and punch hole design - the new device boasts a slightly brighter screen. This makes a noticeable difference in everyday use, especially when watching videos or browsing through images. In addition to its increased brightness, the OnePlus 9R's display also shows more accurate colors. I noticed this when comparing it side-by-side with the OnePlus 8T's display. The new device's screen seemed more vibrant and lifelike, making it a pleasure to look at. The 120Hz refresh rate is still one of the standout features of the OnePlus 9R's display. It provides a silky-smooth scrolling experience that makes navigating through menus and apps a breeze. The AMOLED panel also delivers deep blacks and rich colors, making it ideal for watching videos or gaming. One minor quibble I have with the display is its lack of any significant upgrades over the OnePlus 8T's screen. While the improvements are welcome, they don't quite live up to my expectations of what a flagship device's display should offer. Overall, however, the OnePlus 9R's display is an impressive feat of engineering. Its increased brightness and accurate color representation make it a joy to use, even if it doesn't break any new ground in terms of innovation. In comparison to other flagships on the market, the OnePlus 9R's display holds its own. While some devices may offer slightly better picture quality or more advanced features, the 9R's screen is certainly up there with the best of them. If you're already familiar with the OnePlus 8T and are looking for an upgrade that won't break the bank, then the OnePlus 9R's display is definitely worth considering. Its improvements may not be earth-shattering, but they're still significant enough to make a noticeable difference in your daily usage experience.
Camera
The camera on the OnePlus 9R is largely unchanged from its predecessor, the 8T. It boasts the same specifications as the 80, with a primary sensor, ultra-wide-angle lens, and no telephoto lens. Despite this, I was pleasantly surprised by the quality of photos captured by the device. Daytime shots were consistently impressive, with good natural colors, decent dynamic range, and satisfying contrast. The camera handled various lighting conditions with ease, although details could have been better in some shots. The ultra-wide-angle lens, while usable, lacked the same level of detail as its primary counterpart. Even with the lens correction option enabled, I noticed a significant amount of distortion around the edges. Low-light performance was also commendable, with the phone automatically switching to night mode when required. Photos were detailed and exposed well, although white balance could be inconsistent at times. In one instance, the warm lighting resulted in an overly whitish tone. Selfie quality was decent, with good exposure and detail. However, I did notice that the viewfinder would often show a very good exposure, only to have the final image appear more processed and brighter. Video recording on the OnePlus 9R is stable, thanks to optical image stabilization (OIS). Footage was sharp, but contrast could be high at times. While not the best in its class, the camera performance on the 9R is respectable for a mid-range device. One aspect where the 9R excels is in its ability to produce good photos quickly and efficiently. The camera app is intuitive, and processing times are swift, allowing users to capture moments without delay. Overall, the camera on the OnePlus 9R offers solid performance that won't disappoint. While it may not be as impressive as higher-end flagships, it's more than capable for everyday use and casual photography enthusiasts.
Price and Value
The OnePlus 9R is an intriguing device that offers a slight upgrade over its predecessor, the OnePlus 8T, without breaking the bank. With a price tag of around Rs. 40,000, this phone presents itself as a compelling option for those seeking an all-around smartphone experience. One of the standout features of the OnePlus 9R is its pricing strategy. It's priced similarly to the OnePlus 8T, which was released last year. Considering the slight upgrades and improvements in the new device, it becomes evident that the value proposition has indeed improved. The phone now offers a slightly better design, slightly better screen, and slightly better performance at a similar price point. In terms of pricing, the OnePlus 9R seems to be the perfect sweet spot for those who don't want to spend an arm and a leg on a flagship device but still crave a good all-around smartphone experience. At Rs. 40,000, it's positioned as a budget-friendly option that won't break the bank. Compared to last year's OnePlus 8T, the new device seems like a minor tweak with a few improvements here and there. However, considering the slight price increase is negligible, making the overall value proposition more appealing. Ultimately, if you're in the market for an affordable smartphone with decent specs and don't mind not having the latest and greatest features, the OnePlus 9R might just be the device for you. Its price and value proposition make it a solid option to consider, especially when compared to other devices in its price bracket.
Performance
The OnePlus 9R is an upgraded version of the OnePlus 8T, with improved design, display, performance, and pricing. While it's an old wine in a new bottle, the 9R offers some notable upgrades that make it a solid choice for those looking for a reliable all-rounder smartphone. One of the key areas where the 9R excels is performance. Powered by the same chipset as its predecessor, the 9R delivers slightly better results in various benchmarking tests. The phone's handling is smooth and responsive, making it a joy to use. Day-to-day tasks are handled with ease, and even demanding applications run without any noticeable lag. The OnePlus 9R also fares well in gaming performance. Games run smoothly, with minimal lag or stuttering. The phone's cooling system does an excellent job of keeping temperatures in check, ensuring a comfortable gaming experience. While it may not match the performance of some high-end flagships, the 9R's gaming capabilities are more than adequate for most users. The battery life on the OnePlus 9R is average, with screen-on times ranging from four to five hours. Charging speeds are rapid, thanks to the 65W charger, which can juice up the phone from 0 to 100% in about 35 minutes. Overall, the OnePlus 9R's performance is a slight but noticeable upgrade over its predecessor. While it may not revolutionize the smartphone industry, it provides a reliable and feature-packed package that makes it an excellent choice for those looking for a solid all-rounder device.
Pros
1. The OnePlus 9R has a slightly better design than its predecessor, with improved screen brightness and more accurate colors.
2. It offers slightly better performance compared to the Oneplus 8T, making it a good all-round smartphone in its price segment.
3. The phone has support for carrier aggregation, which is a plus point, especially in India where multiple frequencies are supported on various networks.
4. The camera performance is decent, with good natural colors and dynamic range in daytime shots.
Cons
1. The camera lacks details in some shots, making them appear slightly soft or lacking sharpness.
2. The ultra-wide-angle lens has distortion around the edges, even with lens correction turned on.
3. The phone's battery performance is not extraordinary, with a screen-on time of 4-5 hours on most occasions.