OnePlus 9 vs older OnePlus phones: Should you upgrade?

After many a leak and teaser, the OnePlus 9 and OnePlus 9 Pro are finally on the shelves. With state-of-the-art processing and display hardware, super-fast charging and a new camera setup developed in collaboration with Hasselblad, OnePlus aims to offer the ultimate all-round smartphone. Although the company’s prices have gradually increased over the years, the OnePlus 9 and 9 Pro are still cheaper than other premium options on the market this year.

Despite OnePlus’ value proposition, deciding whether to upgrade from an older phone is always a difficult one, especially since hardware improvements don’t seem to be as quick these days. Below is an overview of how OnePlus’s latest premium options hold up against their predecessors and whether they’re worth the upgrade.

Our verdict: OnePlus 9 Pro review | OnePlus 9 rating

OnePlus 9 versus OnePlus 5T and older

2017 was a good year for OnePlus. Both the OnePlus 5 and OnePlus 5T received critical acclaim. At just over and under $ 550, these phones seem like a bargain compared to today’s cost. However, at the age of four, the hardware on board is starting to show its age.

This doesn’t mean that the OnePlus 5 and 5T still can’t serve you well, provided the battery has such a long lifespan. The phone’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 835 processor still runs better than many of today’s mid-range options. Though you’re missing out on the latest in gaming performance, AI and image processing technologies, and faster networking. Likewise, OnePlus’s 20W dash charge was lightning fast back then, but pales in comparison to the Warp Charge 65T technology included in the OnePlus 9. Wireless charging, bigger batteries, better camera technology and bigger, fancy 120 Hz displays are also notable hardware upgrades that OnePlus is now offering at an affordable flagship price.

OnePlus story: The company’s entire lineup so far

Also, don’t forget about those important software updates. OnePlus 5 and 5T are upgradeable to Android 10-based Oxygen OS 10, but now too old to be on OnePlus’ roadmap for the latest Oxygen OS 11 update. Without feature and security updates, it is certainly time to consider more modern hardware – even if this step comes at the expense of the headphone jack. We are sorry.

Of course, you will definitely benefit from the modern technology and software of the OnePlus 9 if you rock a OnePlus handset in front of the OnePlus 5. If you’re still rocking a OnePlus 3 or 3T or even older, it’s time to get rid of that old piece of hardware.

OnePlus 9 versus OnePlus 6 and 6T

With an integrated Snapdragon 845 processor, up to 8 GB of RAM, two cameras, and an FHD + display, the OnePlus 6 and OnePlus 6T don’t exactly feel old. This is a package that will continue to exist today as a decent mid-range handset. Solid core specs have always been a strength of OnePlus phones, though a closer look at the finer details tells a slightly different story.

OnePlus instructions: Everything you need to know about the brand

The 20W dash charge on the phones is pretty slow by modern standards, the FHD + displays are capped at 60 Hz, there is no wireless charging, and the OnePlus 6T’s built-in fingerprint reader is poor by modern standards. Of course, these older phones don’t support 5G data speed. This may need to be taken into account if you live in an area with 5G signal. Overall, the OnePlus 9 is definitely a worthy upgrade over these handsets, and the OnePlus 9 Pro even more. Assuming you can stand the much higher price of $ 969 than the OnePlus 6T’s sticker price of $ 579.

However, owners of the OnePlus 6 series may not have an urgent need for an upgrade, as the hardware is still quite powerful. But with Android 12 around the corner in late 2021, there will be a more compelling reason to upgrade later in the year. OnePlus 6 and 6T will be upgraded to Oxygen OS 11 in early 2021 if you haven’t received the update yet but are unlikely to be on the list for another upgrade in 2022. The importance of keeping your phone up to date can’t be an understatement, so this is something you should keep in mind as the year progresses.

OnePlus 9 vs OnePlus 7 series

OnePlus launched four high-end smartphones in 2019: OnePlus 7, 7 Pro, 7T and 7T Pro. The niche model OnePlus 7T Pro 5G McLaren is also not included (see image above right). With the introduction of the Pro versions, OnePlus entered the premium segment with a corresponding price.

All four handsets have core specifications that still work quite well today. The Snapdragon 855 and 855 Plus processing packages, up to 8 GB of RAM and the fast UFS 3.0 storage will still feel quite snappy even for games in 2021. They’re also already running Oxygen OS 11, and at least the 7T models should be eligible for an upgrade to Android 12.

See also: One year with the OnePlus 7 Pro

The Pro versions differ from the OnePlus 7 and 7T in that they have triple camera packages, faster charging with 30 W and sharper QHD + AMOLED displays. With the exception of the OnePlus 7, these phones also have 90 Hz display capabilities, which closes the gap to the OnePlus 9’s 120 Hz panel. The two Pro models also have a funky pop-up selfie camera. None of the 2019 OnePlus phones have IP ratings or wireless charging like the 2021 models do. The OnePlus 7T Pro was the only one that came with a 5G option. Again, the OnePlus 9 series is just right for you.

One of the more consistent complaints about the OnePlus 7 series concerned the camera packages. They weren’t quite top at launch and you’ll see the benefits if you switch to the OnePlus 9 setup. Hasselblad’s color profiling definitely helped improve OnePlus’ game this year. Keep in mind, however, that the standard OnePlus 9 doesn’t include a telephoto zoom camera, so you lose flexibility when compared to the 7 Pro and 7T Pro.

If you’ve decided on a OnePlus phone with a vastly improved camera package, now is the time to upgrade. Wireless charging fans should check out the newer models too, especially if you own the cheaper OnePlus 7. That being said, OnePlus 7 series owners may be happy with their handsets for at least another year.

OnePlus 9 versus OnePlus 8 and 8 Pro

With OnePlus 8 and OnePlus 8 Pro from last year, 5G was added to the series as mainstream technology, along with larger batteries and, of course, slightly more powerful processing hardware. These two handsets should still serve you well today. So you have to look for something in particular to justify upgrading as soon as possible.

OnePlus 8 Buying Guide: Everything you need to know

The OnePlus 8 Pro was definitely the stronger model. It featured a 120 Hz HDR10 + QHD display instead of a 90 Hz FHD AMOLED display, fast wireless charging, an IP68 rating and an improved camera setup with a telephoto zoom lens. These features can still be found in the OnePlus 9 and 9 Pro, although the former don’t have a zoom camera.

There may be some small arguments in favor of upgrading from a regular OnePlus 8 to a 9 or 9 Pro, especially if you want an even better display, camera, or even better wireless charging. But even then, the differences aren’t that great. If you already own a OnePlus 8 Pro, the OnePlus 9 is not an upgrade at all. The 9 Pro just has a slightly faster charge, slightly better camera, IP68 rating for global consumers, and of course a newer processor than the 8 Pro, but that’s certainly not worth buying a whole new phone.

OnePlus 9 versus OnePlus 8T

With the OnePlus 9 separated from the OnePlus 8T for just five months, is it surely impossible to justify injecting the money into another smartphone so quickly?

In a word, absolutely. The OnePlus 8T has improved over the regular OnePlus 8 with a refresh rate of 120 Hz and 65 W fast charging, which are now staples of the OnePlus 9 series. The phone also offered an additional monochrome camera, which you’ll also find on the OnePlus 9, but the OnePlus 8 Pro remained the flagship.

Our verdict: OnePlus 8T review

The OnePlus 8T closes the gap between the OnePlus 8 and the OnePlus 9 quite well. The OnePlus 9 offers wireless charging and a slightly improved camera setup and of course a faster chip, but that’s about it. The OnePlus 9 Pro goes even further and offers even faster wireless charging, a better camera suite and a sharper display. However, it is very difficult to justify buying a brand new handset for these features. Even though we didn’t find the OnePlus 8T to be overwhelming at launch, it’s still a solid phone that will be supported with updates for at least the next two years.

Should you upgrade to OnePlus 9 or OnePlus 9 Pro?

OnePlus smartphones may not be as cheap as they used to be, but with the OnePlus 9 priced starting at $ 729 / £ 629 / EUR 699 / Rs 49,999, there has never been a better time to upgrade your aging phone. Especially if you are still using a smartphone from 2017 onwards.

Those who own slightly newer OnePlus smartphones, even if they already own the OnePlus 6T, can probably keep their handset a little longer. Although the OnePlus 9 Pro in particular has a variety of cutting-edge technologies that are offered to these consumers. With its improved camera setup, lightning-fast wired and wireless charging, and one of the best displays in the business, there’s a lot to like.

Are you going to upgrade from an older OnePlus smartphone to one of the two new OnePlus 9 phones? Let us know in the comments!