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It has been a little quiet in the world of mobile launches recently, but March looks set to change that.
The Realme GT 5G should launch today, and we already have the basic specification confirmed by Realme. Disappointingly this appears to be a Chinese launch event only, rather than global, but it should land on our shores sometime soon.
The OnePlus 9 series is then set to launch on the 9th of March; this will be a global launch, so technically, it is only the second flagship device to launch in the UK so far this year, or the third if we count the EU and include the Xiaomi Mi 11.
This will be quickly followed by the OPPO Find X3 Pro, which launches on the 11th.
So an exciting month ahead.
As always, there have been lots of leaks and rumours. One YouTuber even had a hands-on with a prototype, confirming the Pro model has had the camera developed in partnership with Hasselblad. Hasselblad has a bit of a disappointing history for their partnerships in the past, but the company themselves are classed as one of the best in the world for its medium format cameras and lenses.
So what do we know about the OnePlus 9? How does it compare with the Xiaomi Mi 11 and Samsung Galaxy S21, which are currently available now.
Specification Comparison Table
| OnePlus 9 | Xiaomi Mi 11 | Samsung Galaxy S21 | |
| Dimensions | 160.7 x 74.1 x 8.4 mm (6.33 x 2.92 x 0.33 in) Assumed based on OP8T | 164.3 x 74.6 x 8.1 mm | 151.7 x 71.2 x 7.9 mm (5.97 x 2.80 x 0.31 in) |
| Display | 6.55 inches Fluid AMOLED, 120Hz, HDR10+ 2400×1080 | AMOLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, HDR10+, 1500 nits (peak) 6.81 inches 3200×1440 | 6.2 inches Dynamic AMOLED 2X, 120Hz, HDR10+, 1300 nits (peak) 2400×1080 |
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 | Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 | Exynos 2100 |
| RAM | 8GB/12GB | 8GB/12GB | 8GB |
| Storage | 128GB/256GB | 128GB/256GB | 128GB/256GB |
| Rear Camera | 48 MP, f/1.7, 26mm (wide), 1/2.0″, 0.8µm, PDAF, OIS 50 MP or 48MP Ultrawide 2 MP, f/2.4, (depth) | 108 MP, f/1.9, 26mm (wide), 1/1.33″, 0.8µm, PDAF, OIS 13 MP, f/2.4, 123˚ (ultrawide), 1/3.06″, 1.12µm 5 MP, f/2.4, (macro), 1/5.0″, 1.12µm | 12 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/1.76″, 1.8µm, Dual Pixel PDAF, OIS 64 MP, f/2.0, 29mm (telephoto), 1/1.72″, 0.8µm, PDAF, OIS, 1.1x optical zoom, 3x hybrid zoom 12 MP, f/2.2, 13mm, 120˚ (ultrawide), 1/2.55″ 1.4µm, Super Steady video |
| Selfie Camera | 16 MP, f/2.4, (wide), 1/3.06″, 1.0µm | 20 MP, f/2.2, 27mm (wide), 1/3.4″, 0.8µm | 10 MP, f/2.2, 26mm (wide), 1/3.24″, 1.22µm, Dual Pixel PDAF |
| Sound | Stereo speakers No 3.5mm | Stereo speakers No 3.5mm | Stereo speakers No 3.5mm |
| Features | Underdisplay fingerprint | Underdisplay fingerprint | Underdisplay fingerprint |
| Battery | 4500 mAh | 4600 mAh | 4000 mAh |
| Charging | 65W wired | 55 PD 50W wireless 10W reverse | 25W wired 15W wireless |
| Price | £649 (my guess) | CNY3,999 Chinese launch price €749 (£660) Global price | £769 |
Chipset/RAM/Storage
Both the Xiaomi and OnePlus use the Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 chipset, while the Samsung Galaxy S21 series uses the Exynos 2100. Normally the Exynos chipset it a massive tick against the Samsung, but this year, things are more even. The Exynos 2100 is certainly not perfect, but I doubt most users would notice real-life differences between the chipsets.
As for RAM and storage, they should all offer identical base specs with 8GB RAM, 128GB storage and no microSD.
Display
It is currently believed that the OnePlus 8 will use a AMOLED display running at 120Hz and 2400×1080, with it quite likely being identical to the OnePlus 8T. However the OP8T does have a flat display with small bezels, it is quite likely the OP9 will offer bevelled edges giving a more premium look.
The Xiaomi Mi 11 has a better display as long as you don’t mind curved edges. It is 6.81 inches running at 3200×1440 and 120Hz
The base model Samsung Galaxy S21 is quite petite at 6.2-inches running at 2400×1080 and 120Hz
Camera
We know the OnePlus 9 Pro will be tweaked by Hasselblad but not much else is known.
The standard OP 9 will reportedly use a 48MP main sensor combined with a 2nd 48MP (or 50MP) ultra-wide. Initial leaks indicate it is the same main sensor or similar that is used on the existing OnePlus 8T. The ultrawide sensor should be a big improvement over the OP8T and this will then be combined with the less useful 2MP depth sensor. It is expected the selfie will be 16MP.
Like many recent flagships, the OP9 will offer a moonshot, but I would expect this to be on the OP9 Pro with a telephoto lens.
The Xiaomi Mi 11 uses the impressive 108MP Samsung ISOCELL HMX that has been used since the Mi 10. However, it has a more basic setup for the other sensors with a 13MP ultra-wide and 5MP macro. For the selfie, you get a 20MP camera.
Samsung has a weird looking spec on paper, but out of the three phones, the rear camera is a little more flexible thanks to the inclusion of a telephoto lens.
You get a 12MP dual-pixel main sensor; a massive 64MP 3x zoom telephoto lens, then a 12MP ultra-wide. For the selfie, it is a 10MP wide lens.
Battery
Current leaks suggest the same battery and charging as the OnePlus 8T, which was pretty good anyway. You get 4500 mAh with an impressive 65W charge.
The Xiaomi Mi 11 has a 4600 mAh battery, 55W fast charge, 50W wireless and 10W reverse.
The Samsung Galaxy S21 trails behind with 4000mAh, 25W wired and 15W wireless.
Price
There has not been much word on pricing for the OnePlus 9 series yet. However, each generation has brought a price rise, typically around £50.
The OnePlus 8 started at £599 while the Pro was £799. I think it is a safe bet the OnePlus 9 will be at least £649, which would still undercut the Xiaomi Mi 11 and make it the cheapest flagship to launch in the UK and Europe this year, so far.
The Samsung Galaxy S21 starts at £769 then the Plus model starts at £949 or £1149 for the Ultra.
Overall – Initial leaks indicate the OP 9 will be very similar to the OnePlus 8T but with a better camera and chipset
| Preview | Product | Rating | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| OnePlus 8T 5G 8GB RAM 128GB Storage SIM-Free Smartphone with... |
£370.73 | Buy on Amazon |
While a lot of people have moaned about the increasing prices of OnePlus in recent years, I still think they are one of the best options on the market. The Pro model is not prohibitively expensive, at under £800 last year it is a far cry from the £1k+ price points we have started to see recently.
With the Xiaomi Mi 11 still not in the UK yet, OnePlus are in a particularily good position for this market, only competing against the Samsung Galaxy S21 series.
With initial leaks looking like this will be quite similar to the OnePlus 8T it would be worth considering if you really need the extra performance of the Snapdragon 888, or if the improved camera justifies the increased cost?
Currently, the OnePlus 8T is available for £499, which is a great buy, it is quite likely this will drop further once the OnePlus 9 launches.
I am James, a UK-based tech enthusiast and the Editor and Owner of Mighty Gadget, which I’ve proudly run since 2007. Passionate about all things technology, my expertise spans from computers and networking to mobile, wearables, and smart home devices.
As a fitness fanatic who loves running and cycling, I also have a keen interest in fitness-related technology, and I take every opportunity to cover this niche on my blog. My diverse interests allow me to bring a unique perspective to tech blogging, merging lifestyle, fitness, and the latest tech trends.
In my academic pursuits, I earned a BSc in Information Systems Design from UCLAN, before advancing my learning with a Master’s Degree in Computing. This advanced study also included Cisco CCNA accreditation, further demonstrating my commitment to understanding and staying ahead of the technology curve.
I’m proud to share that Vuelio has consistently ranked Mighty Gadget as one of the top technology blogs in the UK. With my dedication to technology and drive to share my insights, I aim to continue providing my readers with engaging and informative content.
Last update on 2024-04-30 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
