OnePlus 9

Excellent performance ; Smooth software ; Stunning display

Boring design ; Camera still needs work ; Rising prices

Well calibrated screen that’s perfect for gamers and movie fans ;Solid camera with an advanced pro mode for tinkerers ;Outstanding, future proof performance

Lack of variable refresh rate means the screen eats up battery in its highest setting ;Camera’s image processing can be a little heavy handed

Great specs for the cost Good camera Fast battery recharging

No telephoto camera No expandable storage Lack of flagship-material polish

The OnePlus 9 comes with a fix for the most glaring flaw of prior OnePlus flagships: courtesy of a partnership with Hasselblad, the cameras offer better color correction, and both regular and ultra-wide photos look great. The lack of a telephoto lens...

Good for gaming ; Detailed picture performance ; Decent built-in speakers

Screen could be subtler ; Flat audio performance

Flagship features and a big, clear screen make this mid-priced mobile a good option for your pocket

No zoom lens ; Lacks support for millimeter-wave 5G

Snapdragon 888 chipset provides excellent performance ; Big, 120Hz screen ; High-quality ultrawide camera

No main camera stabilization ; Lack of telephoto camera ; 5G support across US carriers is a mixed bag

The OnePlus 9 is a high-end midrange phone with a Snapdragon 888 processor, 6.5-inch display with fast 120Hz refresh rate, and fast 65W wired charging. For $240 less than the OnePlus 9 Pro, it’s the better buy of the two.

Fantastic performance ; Long battery life ; Insane charging speeds ; Vivid and bright 120Hz display ; Decent photo and video quality

Plastic frame ; No OIS (blurry night shots) ; Lacks expandable storage ; 5G not supported on all carriers

The OnePlus 9 is an excellent flagship alternative offering (almost) all the features found in more expensive devices, including blistering performance and long battery life.

Speedy performance ; Really fast wired charging ; Wireless charging (finally!) ; Upgraded cameras are good ; Vibrant and fluid display

Plastic frame and chunky build ; Wireless charging maxes out at 15W ; No official water- or dust-resistance rating

The design may not have wowed us that much, but OnePlus knows its users are all about getting the best performance out of every area of its phones. So if cutting corners and adding in a plastic frame means being able to stick two flagship cameras on...