The OnePlus 9 is likely one of the largest leaps over the earlier mainline era lately offering some main “core” enhancements over the OnePlus 8, however we’re right here to look at if an improve is definitely value it.
2021 is a landmark 12 months for OnePlus. A brand new Hasselblad camera partnership, the loss of Carl Pei, and even closer ties with Oppo imply that it’s going to be laborious to take it simple on the agency that supplied “finances flagship” {hardware}.
We’re nonetheless unconvinced by a six-month launch cycle, because the OnePlus 8T is still fresh in our minds. To simplify, when you’ve got the 8T, then the OnePlus 9 is just not sufficient of an improve. Nonetheless, the soar from the OnePlus 8 to OnePlus 9 is extra pronounced than any full sequence launch. In case you’re discovering sure areas missing you then may need been glancing on the latest releases — and so we’re right here to look at if an improve is definitely value it.
Video — OnePlus 8 vs. OnePlus 9: Definitely worth the improve?
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{Hardware}
With out seeing the OnePlus 8 and OnePlus 9 side-by-side, it’s laborious to decipher simply what has modified. The specs let you know that there are only a few pretty minor upgrades to areas such because the show and battery.
The upgraded storage and the brand new Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 chipset ought to present an even bigger efficiency bump when mixed with a barely quicker 120Hz show refresh fee. That’s to not say the OnePlus 8 is sluggish, because it’s nonetheless a beast of a tool that ought to nonetheless be capable of do the whole lot you’ll need to on a contemporary smartphone.
| OnePlus 8 | OnePlus 9 | |
| Measurement | 6.55 inches | 6.55 inches |
| Show | Curved FHD+/90Hz/402ppi | Flat FHD+/120Hz/402ppi |
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 865 | Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 |
| RAM | 8/12GB RAM | 8/12GB RAM |
| Storage | 128/256GB/UFS 3.0 | 128/256GB/UFS 3.1 |
| Battery | 4,300mAh | 4,500mAh |
| Biometrics | In-display optical fingerprint scanner | In-display optical fingerprint scanner |
| Colours | Onyx Black/Glacial Inexperienced/InterstellarGlow/Polar Silver | Winter Mist/Arctic Sky/Astral Black |
Personally, I discover the transfer to a very flat show to be the most important outright {hardware} change that I observed. The curves on the OnePlus 8 show usually are not unhealthy, however it does imply that discovering an excellent display screen protector is a matter and a few edge mistouches is usually a downside. A very flat show is a lot better for usability.
The remainder of the {hardware} is pretty comparable however holding side-by-side, and you’ll see a refinement of the design utilized in 2020. A domino digicam setup makes the OnePlus 9 look eerily much like the iPhone 11, whereas the OnePlus 8 retains the OnePlus 7 Professional DNA and look.
Software program
OnePlus has achieved nicely with guaranteeing software program updates for at the very least three years on all current gadgets. That’s set to proceed on the OnePlus 9 sequence however as an older smartphone, the OnePlus 8 gained’t get up to date fairly as far.
As a result of it launched with Android 10 pre-installed, the OnePlus 8 can be supported as much as and together with Android 13. The newer gadget ships with Android 11, and is subsequently in line to get Android 14 inside its lifetime. Simply how OnePlus plans on rolling issues out is unknown, however whereas updates have slowed, they do arrive — which not each different Android OEM seems to be able to.
| OnePlus 8 | OnePlus 9 | |
| Software program | Shipped with Android 10 and OxygenOS 10 | Shipped with Android 11 and OxygenOS 11 |
| Options | Turbo Increase 3.0 Professional Gaming Mode Zen Mode Darkish mode |
Turbo Increase 3.0 Professional Gaming Mode Zen Mode 2.0 Darkish mode w/ devoted toggle |
Many core options present in OxygenOS 11 embrace an At all times-on show, a brand-new UI appear and feel, plus tons extra. Nonetheless, some software program tweaks reliant on the improved digicam {hardware} is not going to be obtainable on the OnePlus 8 even with the secure OxygenOS 11 launch.
Battery
There may be solely a modest 200mAh interal cell enhance from the OnePlus 8 sequence to the OnePlus 9, however with that battery enhance, we’re getting a couple of essential enhancements and lengthy overdue battery-related additions.
| OnePlus 8 | OnePlus 9 | |
| Battery dimension | 4,300mAh | 4,500mAh |
| Charging pace | 30W wired | 65W wired 15W Qi wi-fi |
Wi-fi charging is lastly right here on a mainline OnePlus smartphone for the primary time, albeit at normal 15W charging speeds. There may be additionally an enormous bump from 30 to 65W charging on the OnePlus 9. The OnePlus 8 sticks with the still-fast Warp Cost 30T wired charging.
Cameras
The digicam sensors have taken an enormous step up on the OnePlus 9, as though its predecessor comes with a 48-megapixel major sensor, it’s an older mannequin that’s the exact same you’ll discover on the OnePlus 7T. Naturally, the most important upgrades usually are not simply within the {hardware} on provide. The would possibly of Hasselblad ought to lend itself nicely to the OnePlus 9 sequence and the continuing partnership will hopefully start a number of the greatest smartphone cameras within the enterprise.
| OnePlus 8 | OnePlus 9 | |
| Principal sensor | Sony IMX586 48MP f1.75 aperture |
Sony IMX689 48MP f1.78 aperture |
| Secondary sensor | 16MP f2.2 aperture 116˚ FOV |
Sony IMX766 50MP ultra-wide-angle f2.4 aperture 113˚ FOV |
| Tertiary sensor | 2MP Macro f2.4 aperture |
2MP Monochrome |
| Entrance-facing sensor | Sony IMX471 16MP f2.0 |
Sony IMX471 16MP f2.4 aperture |
| Digital camera {hardware} options | OIS EIS PDAF |
OIS EIS PDAF |
| Digital camera software program options | CINE facet ratio video UltraShot HDR Micro Nightscape |
Hasselblad Professional Mode Hasselblad UI tweaks Tilt-shift mode Nightscape |
It shouldn’t be a good contest this 12 months, because the OnePlus 9 has an upgraded major digicam sensor plus a large bump with a 50-megapixel ultra-wide-angle lens. The most important downside has at all times been digicam tuning and post-processing, and that was the case on the OnePlus 8.
The OnePlus 9 now contains Professional coloration tuning, courtesy of Hasselblad, with extras inside the digicam app itself together with a devoted Hasselblad Professional pictures mode. Selfies must be virtually an identical in general high quality although, as each the OnePlus 8 and OnePlus 9 comes with the very same 16-megapixel Sony IMX417 selfie sensor.
OnePlus 8 vs OnePlus 9: Do you have to improve?
About upgrading: 9to5Google typically offers particular product suggestions. Typically, we could counsel not upgrading, as a consequence of varied causes together with, however not restricted to: elevated gadget value, negligible efficiency good points, or environmental influence. Whether or not to improve is at all times your name, however our intention is that will help you make as knowledgeable a choice as potential.
As with nearly any gadget simply 12 months outdated, if you’re proud of the OnePlus 8, you then shouldn’t improve to the OnePlus 9. There are a ton of massive upgrades to the package deal although, which makes it a lot simpler than in earlier years. If in case you have an older OnePlus smartphone such because the OnePlus 6T, then it’s extra wise.
Everyone knows that the digicam has at all times been a weak level for OnePlus gadgets. The poor post-processing has weakened earlier efforts and with a partnership with Hasselblad, you’re positive to see main enhancements. The OnePlus 8 felt prefer it had plenty of compromises over the OnePlus 8 Professional. The OnePlus 9 doesn’t really feel held again.
It lastly has wi-fi charging, an excellent digicam, spectacular design, 120Hz show, and it’s priced competitively. Due to that, upgrading feels extra acceptable although the OnePlus 8 remains to be lower than a 12 months outdated.
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