OnePlus 9R: A Budget Flagship or a Compromised Offering?
For a company that famously tells its users to “Never Settle,” OnePlus has been increasingly willing to make compromises in features and specifications to offer its phones at more affordable prices. The OnePlus 9R, launched exclusively in India so far, is a prime example of this strategy, aiming to capture a slice of the mid-range market while offering flagship-level performance. But can it truly deliver on its promise of a "flagship-class power," or has OnePlus sacrificed too much in its quest for affordability? Let’s dive into the details.
Design and Build
The OnePlus 9R boasts a design that seemingly borrows heavily from its more expensive siblings, the OnePlus 9 and OnePlus 9 Pro. The front and back of the phone are covered with Corning’s Gorilla Glass, giving it a premium feel. The curved glass on the back adds a touch of elegance while the rounded corners provide a comfortable grip. However, the Lake Blue variant, which features a glossy finish, tends to attract smudges and fingerprints easily.
At 189g in weight and 8.4mm in thickness, the OnePlus 9R feels comfortable in hand, despite its relatively large size. However, the absence of an IP rating for water and dust resistance may be a dealbreaker for some users.
The large camera bump on the back, featuring four visible lenses, resembles the OnePlus 9 Pro more closely than its sibling, the OnePlus 9. While visually appealing, the camera hardware pales in comparison to its more expensive counterparts. The OnePlus 9R comes equipped with a 48-megapixel primary camera with OIS, a 16-megapixel ultra-wide camera, a 5-megapixel macro camera, and a 2-megapixel monochrome sensor. Notably absent is the Hasselblad branding that graces the OnePlus 9 and 9 Pro, highlighting a distinct difference in the camera hardware and software.
The 6.55-inch full-HD+ resolution screen with a 120Hz maximum refresh rate provides a smooth and immersive viewing experience. However, the lack of HDR support might be a disappointment for users who prioritize enhanced picture quality. The 16-megapixel front camera nestled within a relatively large hole punch cutout in the upper left corner provides decent selfie capabilities. An in-display fingerprint sensor offers a convenient and reliable method for unlocking the device.
Performance and Battery
Powering the OnePlus 9R is Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 870 SoC, a step down from the flagship Snapdragon 888 found in its more premium siblings. Nonetheless, the Snapdragon 870 remains a high-end processor capable of handling demanding tasks, like gaming and multitasking, with ease. This chip should grant the OnePlus 9R an advantage over discounted previous-gen flagship devices.
To mitigate potential overheating issues, OnePlus has implemented an elaborate cooling system with multiple temperature sensors. It remains to be seen how effectively this system can handle the demands of intensive gaming sessions.
The OnePlus 9R packs a 4500mAh battery, which feels somewhat small when compared to competitors offering larger capacities. However, the phone supports 65W fast charging with a matching adapter included in the box, allowing users to quickly replenish the battery. Unfortunately, wireless charging is not available, another compromise likely made to keep the price down.
Connectivity and Software
The OnePlus 9R boasts a full suite of connectivity features, including Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.1 with aptX HD, NFC, support for multiple navigation systems, haptic vibration, and stereo speakers. For faster storage speeds, OnePlus has opted for UFS 3.1, but there is no microSD card slot for expanding storage. The iconic Alert Slider on the right side remains a hallmark of the OnePlus experience, enabling users to quickly switch between sound profiles.
The OnePlus 9R runs OxygenOS based on Android 11, known for its clean, efficient and customizable UI. OxygenOS offers a selection of unique features, such as crisp design elements, custom navigation gestures, always-on display, a work-life balance mode, and extensive customization options.
Pricing and Competition
The OnePlus 9R comes in two different variants: 8GB RAM + 128GB storage priced at Rs. 39,999 and 12GB RAM + 256GB storage at Rs. 43,999. While this pricing strategy is attractive, it’s important to note that the OnePlus 8T remains on sale at a slightly higher price.
Other enticing options in the same price range include the recently launched Vivo X60 series, the Oppo Reno 5 series, the Mi 10T series, and several older Samsung S-series models.
The OnePlus 9R’s true value proposition hinges upon its overall performance, camera quality, software experience, and ease of use. Its success, therefore, will depend on how well it performs in all these areas, which will be fully explored in our comprehensive review.
Conclusion
The OnePlus 9R promises to bring flagship-level performance to a more affordable price point. However, the company has made several notable compromises, including the camera hardware, battery capacity, and the absence of features like wireless charging and an IP rating. The price tag might be tempting, but it’s essential to weigh these sacrifices against the competition. Ultimately, the OnePlus 9R represents a bold step for the company, but whether it’s a successful move will depend on how it performs in our detailed review.
