We know that Chinese mobile giant OnePlus is planning on officially unveiling its latest range of smartphones sometime in March – but until now, we didn’t know for sure what they’d be called.
While we’ve already reported on several leaks regarding what we believe to be the OnePlus 9 and 9 Pro models, we had expected the rumored third phone in the upcoming lineup to be dubbed the OnePlus 9 Lite, before further leaks suggested it might actually be called the OnePlus 9E or OnePlus 9R.
Now, though, we’ve got a clearer picture of what to expect – the company’s latest devices will almost certainly be called the OnePlus 9, OnePlus 9 Pro and OnePlus 9E.
- Check out our review of the OnePlus 8
- OnePlus 9 leak gives us a hint at the screen tech to expect
- These are the leaked specs for the OnePlus 9E
The information (which is still not strictly a confirmation, mind) comes from a listing spotted on the website of smartphone case-maker Spigen, which detailed three new devices from the Chinese company alongside its pre-existing models.
We checked to see if the case options for the OnePlus 9, OnePlus 9 Pro and OnePlus 9E are still live on the site, but it looks as though the company (whether that’s OnePlus or Spigen) stepped in to put a pin in the premature reveal.
What we expect to see
Again, while still unconfirmed, we’ve got a pretty good idea of what to expect from the upcoming range of OnePlus devices.
We expect the OnePlus 9 and Pro models to come equipped with a Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 processor, 8GB of RAM and 128GB of internal storage on board, slightly outmuscling their more affordable sibling, the OnePlus 9E, which we anticipate will be powered by a Snapdragon 690 processor.
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The OnePlus 9E is also expected to feature a 6.5-inch Full HD+ display with a 90Hz refresh rate. That's a slightly lower spec than the rumored 120Hz variable refresh rate we expect to see from the premium models in the lineup (and a smaller display than the 6.78-inch size expected from the Pro version), but still a bright and capable screen nonetheless.
As for their cameras, we think the OnePlus 9 will boast a 48MP main camera (outputting 12MP images) alongside a 48MP ultra-wide unit and an unknown third camera, while the 9 Pro may have four rear snappers. Being a cheaper version, we expect the 9E to come with a 64MP main sensor and 8MP ultra-wide camera, though it’s unclear whether these will form a dual-camera setup – that’s still mighty impressive for a supposedly-affordable smartphone, though.
When it comes to price, there’s very little concrete information, though we can make some assumptions based on the cost of the previous OnePlus 8 device, released in 2020.
We expect the new flagship OnePlus model to cost at least $699 / £599 (around AU$1,100), given that the OnePlus 8 started at that price and rose to $799 / £699 (around $1,372) for more RAM and storage. For the 9E, then, we’d anticipate a price in the region of $599 / £499 (around AU$900) but it's unclear exactly how much it will cost. The 9 Pro, of course, will likely cost more than both models.
- Read our review of the OnePlus Nord
Via MySmartPrice
Axel is TechRadar's UK-based Phones Editor, reporting on everything from the latest Apple developments to newest AI breakthroughs as part of the site's Mobile Computing vertical. Having previously written for publications including Esquire and FourFourTwo, Axel is well-versed in the applications of technology beyond the desktop, and his coverage extends from general reporting and analysis to in-depth interviews and opinion. Axel studied for a degree in English Literature at the University of Warwick before joining TechRadar in 2020, where he then earned an NCTJ qualification as part of the company’s inaugural digital training scheme.