OnePlus 9R review
The OnePlus 9R is an intriguing device that bridges the gap between last year's flagship and this year's mid-range offerings. With its slightly improved design, better screen, and enhanced performance, it seems like an "old wine in a new bottle." The phone boasts a more streamlined look, a brighter display, and smoother visuals. But does it truly justify its upgraded price tag? Can it stand on its own as a solid all-rounder, or is it merely a refresh of the OnePlus 8T?
Build Quality and Design
The OnePlus 9R is an intriguing device that builds upon the successful formula of its predecessor, the OnePlus 8T. While it may not be a completely new design, the 9R has some notable improvements over its older sibling. In this review, we'll take a closer look at the build quality and design aspects of the 9R. The OnePlus 9R's build quality is impressive, with a solid feel that suggests a premium device. The phone's body is crafted from high-quality materials, featuring a glass sandwich design with metal frames on either side. The attention to detail is evident in the subtle curvature of the back and the precision-cut edges. While it may not be as visually striking as some other flagships, the 9R's design is unobtrusively stylish. It exudes a sense of understated elegance that will appeal to those who prefer a more subdued aesthetic. The design of the OnePlus 9R is largely faithful to its predecessor, with minor tweaks and refinements here and there. The camera module has been tweaked to include a slightly different arrangement of lenses, but the overall look remains consistent with the 8T. This consistency can be seen as both a strength and a weakness – while it ensures that the device still looks modern and contemporary, it may not offer enough visual differentiation from its predecessor. In terms of size and weight, the 9R is comfortable to hold and use, with a compact footprint that makes it easy to slip into pockets. The Gorilla Glass Victus on both front and back provides additional protection against scratches and drops, giving users peace of mind when using their device in everyday life. The OnePlus 9R's build quality and design are solidly built upon its predecessor's strengths. While not revolutionary, the minor tweaks and refinements make for a well-crafted device that feels premium in the hand. If you're already familiar with the OnePlus ecosystem or have been using the 8T, you'll likely feel right at home with the 9R.
Battery Life
The battery life of the OnePlus 9R is one aspect where this smartphone shines. With a screen set to 120Hz, I managed to squeeze in around 4-5 hours of screen time, which is quite impressive considering the high refresh rate. In my tests, I was able to get through a day with moderate use without needing to charge the phone. The 4500mAh battery also supports fast charging at up to 65W, which is convenient for when you need a quick top-up. From 10% to 100%, it took around 35 minutes to fully charge the phone. This is a significant improvement over previous OnePlus flagships and puts the 9R on par with other high-end smartphones in this regard. One of the things that impressed me about the battery life was its ability to handle demanding tasks without showing any signs of stress. Whether I was gaming, watching videos, or browsing the web, the phone performed smoothly and didn't show any significant drops in performance as the battery level dwindled. Overall, the battery life of the OnePlus 9R is a major plus point for anyone looking for a smartphone that can keep up with their daily demands without needing to be plugged in all day.
Display
The display on the OnePlus 9R is an upgrade over its predecessor, the OnePlus 8T. While the specs remain the same (120Hz fluid AMOLED, Gorilla Glass 5), I found the screen to be slightly brighter and more accurate in color representation. This makes it even better than the already impressive display of the OnePlus 8T. The 9R's display is smooth, vibrant, and perfect for watching videos or playing games. The high refresh rate ensures a seamless viewing experience, making it ideal for users who want to enjoy their content without any lag or stuttering. In comparison to the OnePlus 8T, I found the 9R's display to be more color accurate and slightly brighter. This might not seem like a significant upgrade, but trust me, it makes a difference in everyday use. The improved display is one of the standout features of the OnePlus 9R, making it an excellent choice for anyone looking for a premium smartphone experience. One thing worth noting is that the display is still identical to the OnePlus 8T's in terms of design and bezels. However, the slight improvements make it feel fresh and new, like an old wine in a new bottle. Overall, the display on the OnePlus 9R is a welcome upgrade, making it an excellent option for those who want a high-quality smartphone experience without breaking the bank. The improved display is just one of the many reasons to consider the OnePlus 9R as your next smartphone. While it may not be a major overhaul from its predecessor, the small upgrades make it a solid choice for anyone looking for a premium device at an affordable price.
Camera
The camera performance on the OnePlus 9R is very much in line with what we've come to expect from Oneplus devices. The phone's main camera takes good photos with fairly natural colors, a decent dynamic range, and sometimes pleasing contrasty shots. However, details could be better in some shots, and some images can appear soft. One of the strengths of the OnePlus 9R camera is its ability to get exposure right most of the time, even in low-light conditions. When required, it automatically turns on Night mode, producing fairly detailed photos with good contrast. Unfortunately, White Balance can be a bit hit-or-miss, and sometimes results in an unnatural color tone. The ultra-wide-angle lens, while usable, lacks details and can produce distorted images around the edges, even when the Lens Correction option is turned on. This may not be ideal for those who value high-quality wide-angle shots. When it comes to selfies, the OnePlus 9R's camera viewfinder shows a good exposure, but sometimes results in overly processed final images that appear brighter than expected. Despite this, selfies are generally good enough with decent details. Overall, while the OnePlus 9R's camera is competent and takes good photos most of the time, it doesn't quite live up to the standard set by some other high-end smartphones. Its ability to get exposure right in low-light conditions and automatic switching to Night mode are positives, but the lack of detail in some shots and inconsistent White Balance can be frustrating. While not perfect, the OnePlus 9R's camera is still a solid offering that will satisfy most users' needs. However, for those who value exceptional camera performance, there may be better options available elsewhere in this price range or even from last year's Oneplus 8 Pro.
Price and Value
The OnePlus 9R is the latest offering from the Chinese tech giant, priced at Rs. 39,999 in India. As a mid-range flagship, it boasts impressive specifications, but does it live up to its price tag? At first glance, the 9R seems like an old wine in a new bottle - similar design to the OnePlus 8T with some minor tweaks. However, upon closer inspection, you'll notice that the phone's build quality and materials are top-notch, which justifies the premium pricing. The 6.55-inch Fluid AMOLED display is another highlight of this device. With a high refresh rate of 120Hz, it provides an immersive visual experience. The screen is also quite bright, making it perfect for outdoor use. Under the hood, the phone is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 chip, paired with up to 12GB of RAM and 256GB of storage. This combo ensures seamless performance, even with heavy multitasking. The camera department has seen some minor upgrades, but the results are largely similar to what we've seen on other OnePlus devices. The primary sensor captures good images in daylight conditions, while the ultra-wide-angle lens is okay for casual use. OnePlus' OxygenOS 11 skin runs smoothly on top of Android 11, and there's no bloatware to speak of. The phone also supports carrier aggregation, NFC, and has a fast 65W charger that takes just 35 minutes to charge from 0-100%. Considering the feature-packed spec sheet and impressive performance, I'd say the OnePlus 9R is worth its price tag of Rs. 39,999. It may not be the best value for money in this segment, but it certainly offers a lot more than what's available at this price point. If you're looking to upgrade from an older OnePlus device or want a reliable mid-range flagship, the 9R is definitely worth considering. Just remember that there are other options like the Samsung Galaxy S20 FE 5G and last year's OnePlus 8 Pro that may offer more complete packages for slightly higher prices.
Performance
The OnePlus 9R is an iterative upgrade over its predecessor, the OnePlus 8T, and one of the areas that sees significant improvement is performance. The device is powered by a faster processor and paired with a more efficient cooling system, which together provide a seamless user experience. In my testing, I found the OnePlus 9R to be incredibly responsive, with apps launching quickly and multitasking handled with ease. The phone's performance was further enhanced by the inclusion of a faster storage option, making it feel snappy even when handling demanding tasks. One of the standout features of the OnePlus 9R is its ability to handle heat well, which has often been a concern for flagship devices in India. The phone's improved cooling system and more efficient processor ensure that it remains cool even during extended use. The performance difference between the OnePlus 8T and the OnePlus 9R is noticeable but not dramatic. However, the new device feels faster and more refined, with a better ability to handle multitasking and demanding tasks. Overall, I found the OnePlus 9R's performance to be excellent, making it a great option for those looking for a fast and efficient smartphone. While the camera performance may not have seen any significant upgrades, the improved display, design, and overall build quality make up for this shortfall. If you're in the market for a new smartphone and want a device that offers great performance, I would definitely recommend considering the OnePlus 9R.
Pros
1. The OnePlus 9R has a slightly better design than the OnePlus 8T.
2. It has a slightly better screen with improved brightness and color accuracy.
3. The phone's performance is slightly better, making it a good all-round smartphone.
4. The OnePlus 9R has a lower price point compared to other flagships in its class.
Cons
1. The camera performance is similar to the OnePlus 8T, with no significant upgrades.
2. Low light photos can be soft and lack details, although they are improved with night mode.
3. The ultra-wide angle lens lacks detail and shows distortion around the edges.
4. The phone's battery life is only 'okay', with a screen on time of around 4-5 hours.