In a relatively short time, OnePlus has quickly become a well-known name in the mobile scene for its high-specific, well-designed devices that are available at affordable prices.
The competition with even like Samsung and Apple when it comes to manufacturing the best smartphones currently on the market, the Chinese manufacturer looks to intensify competition further with the launch of its latest flagship device, the OnePlus 9.
Before its official announcement with the OnePlus 9 Pro and OnePlus Watch on March 23, we compiled a list of each device we are expected to see during the event. This includes both confirmed appearances and another device we can hear about.
OnePlus 9 (confirmed)
The main focus of the event will of course be on the launch of the company’s exciting new flagship, the OnePlus 9.
Although this is the first time that the device will be officially unveiled by OnePlus, we already have a reasonable idea of the specifications and design that we can expect from the OnePlus 9.
Back in 2020 we have our first look according to us the final design of the device. Images show a very clean and modern aesthetic, with a flat screen and a self-camera with a single hole. Around the back, it looks like we can expect a triple camera setup, in the upper left corner (just like the camera position of the OnePlus 8T).
In terms of colors, we are less sure, with one liqueur claims to have found evidence that the OnePlus 9 is available in Arctic Blue, Arctic Sky and Winter Mist (or Gloss black and Gloss gradient purple if purchased from Verizon), while another claims it will come in standard black, blue and purple shades.
We think the OnePlus 9 will have a 6.55-inch Full HD + screen with a 120Hz refresh rate and will pack a Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 processor with 8GB of RAM and 128GB of internal storage under the hood. As for a recent official announcement, the device is also led with a fast wireless charging of 50 W and a battery of 4500 mAh on board.
As for its cameras, we know that the OnePlus 9 will feature a snapper manufactured in partnership with renowned camera brand Hasselblad.
Watch Hasselblad Ambassadors Cooper and Gorfer capture rich detail and lifelike colors with natural color calibration on the # OnePlus9Series, made possible by @Hasselblad.10 March 2021
We expect the OnePlus 9 can have a 48MP main camera (with 12MP images), an ultra-wide 48MP camera and an unknown third camera leaked images elsewhere suggest that the device rather has a combination of 48MP, 50MP and 2MP, so we are a bit in the dark to finally see.
OnePlus 9 Pro (confirmed)
The device with the highest specifications in the range is the OnePlus 9 Pro, and we had far more confirmations regarding the Pro than we have the standard version of the phone.
To begin with, we know exactly what it will look like, thanks to official images shared through the official OnePlus Twitter account. It reveals a reflective glass design similar to the OnePlus 9, with the addition of a slightly curved screen and a larger room block with four lenses. It is expected to arrive in color variants Stellar Black, Forest Green and Morning Mist.
Specially designed reflective glass elevates the # OnePlus9Pro Morning Mist to new levels of excellent design. There is nothing else. See more on March 23👉 https://t.co/18Op7zhU9l pic.twitter.com/lF07yB0TVX15 March 2021
We also know the exact screen specifications of the OnePlus 9 Pro. It features a 6.78-inch screen with a QHD resolution operating at 120Hz, which is larger than its standard sibling. Pete Lau, CEO of the company, did the same Twitter to confirm the other display specifications we have of the OnePlus 9 Pro, which you can see below.
Just the overview: LTPOQHD + Smart 120Hz Indigenous 10-bit color depth (1.07 billion colors) 1300 netsMEMCHDR10 +16 March 2021
Under the hood, it will boast the same Snapdragon 888 chipset we expect in the OnePlus 9, though there are some debate whether it will pack the same 8 GB of RAM or a larger 12 GB. It is expected to get 256 GB of internal storage.
As for its cameras, a confirmed four-camera setting means we expect to see a combination of 48MP, 50MP, 8MP and 2MP on the OnePlus 9 Pro. Apparently official information indicates that the device has a tilt-slide camera mode, confirmed by Marques Brownlee in a recent tweet.
OnePlus: Hello Marques, do you know how you keep us improving our phone cameras? Me: YupOnePlus: You saw this Hasselblad partnership that teased us? Me: YupOnePlus: Want to test the OnePlus 9 Pro superduper early? Just do not take it out of this case.Me: Bet pic.twitter.com/uCpvjaajlI10 March 2021
We expect the OnePlus 9 Pro along with the same battery capabilities than the OnePlus 9. It is also noteworthy that the company has confirmed both devices will arrive with a charger in the box – an interesting departure from the recent practices of Apple and Samsung.
OnePlus Watch (confirmed)
The company’s first smartwatch effort, the OnePlus Watch, has also been confirm to start along with the OnePlus 9 and OnePlus 9 Pro on March 23rd.
Many of you have said that you want a watch, and as you may have heard over the weekend – make us one to release early next year. Wishes come true.🎁 https://t.co/H1Fqv9srXj22 December 2020
Unlike its phones, however, OnePlus did not release as much information regarding its smartwatch debut. Leaks I suggested that it would have a circular screen, which means it would not have too much in common with the Oppo Watch (which has a square screen), despite the fact that the two companies often introduce similar devices.
However, it was confirmed that the OnePlus Watch will not carry OS, Google’s smartwatch operating system. It would rather use another software, maybe its own.
It comes from an official OnePlus forum posting, which also suggests that the device will have an ‘affordable price point’, a ‘fashionable design’ and ‘best-in-class user experience’. It is, of course, worth taking these demands with a pinch of salt.
OnePlus 9R (rumors)
Although it was not confirmed that it would appear on March 23, a recent announcement in terms of a more affordable entry in the OnePlus series, suggests we may see a third phone launch alongside the OnePlus Pro and OnePlus 9 Pro.
We expected the rumored third phone in the upcoming series to be called the OnePlus 9 Lite or OnePlus 9E, but the company revealed it’s actually going to be called the OnePlus 9R – but it’s starting India, as far as we can see.
The device was confirmed by CEO Pete Lau in an interview with News 18, and next to the name of the device, Lau apparently suggested that it is an exclusive device for India.
Of the three devices, of course, it is the least leaky. The only confirmed information regarding the OnePlus 9R is that it will almost certainly be the cheapest of the three smartphones.
“With the latest technologies that we consider to be indispensable features of a flagship, the OnePlus 9R aims to empower users with smooth browsing, immersive game controls and an excellent viewing experience that effectively brings our flagship experience to more users,” Lau added. .
Being a cheaper option, we can expect the OnePlus 9R to offer slightly lower specifications in most departments. For example, the screen is expected to have the same 6.55-inch Full HD + screen as the OnePlus 9, but with a slightly lower refresh rate of 90Hz.
The OnePlus 9R is thought to have a 64MP main camera and an ultra-wide 8MP camera, but it is not clear if it has two or three lenses. As for the processor, we expect a Snapdragon 690 chipset, coupled with 8GB of RAM and 128GB of storage, which means it will likely be slightly less powerful than the standard model despite the same RAM and internal storage.
Interestingly, the OnePlus 9R seems ready to come with a 5,000 mAh battery, which is slightly larger than the expected batteries on its bigger brothers. Whether that means the OnePlus 9R retains better battery life at the expense of greater weight remains to be seen, though we’d expect that to be the compromise.
As we mentioned, the only confirmation of the OnePlus 9R is the name, the official initial launch venue and more affordable – so we hope to hear more on March 23rd.
OnePlus Band (rumors)
Another device we would like to see at the OnePlus 9 launch event is the OnePlus Band, currently only available in China and India.
In us review, we said that this fitness tracker comes pretty close to greatness, as it is OnePlus’ first attempt to combat the fitness industry, and therefore we would like to see it available in other markets such as the US, UK or Australia.
However, this is not guaranteed, and it may be that the OnePlus Watch is the only portable we hear about during the big launch of the company on March 23rd.