Top Lister At Long Last

OnePlus 9 Pro Review

No flagship killer, a true flagship nonetheless

Once the slayer of flagships, OnePlus now directly competes with other top manufacturers in the $1000/€1000 premium category — and the OnePlus 9 Pro is proof of that. (Image: OnePlus)

It’s often the fate of the rebels to take the place of those they strived to overthrow… and that is now happening to OnePlus. Once the company of “flagship killer” smartphones — devices that offered most of the features of expensive models others were selling, at almost half the cost — OnePlus has endorsed high prices too these days, aiming to compete with the very giants it used to slay just a few short years ago.

The OnePlus 9 Pro is proof of that: at €949 for the more affordable model and €1049 for the more expensive one (through OnePlus’s online store), it has now fully endorsed flagship-level pricing. The question is: does it offer more than what the competition does so as to remain a preferable option for many consumers who have loved OnePlus products in the past?

I’ve been using the OnePlus 9 Pro for about a month, half that time as my daily driver, in order to have an answer for myself. Now that I do, here’s what people need to know in order to make an informed decision for themselves.

Design, build quality, ergonomics: true flagship-level

First impressions matter when talking about 1000-euro smartphones, as expectations are understandably high, and the OnePlus 9 Pro is an instant winner in that regard. The company has come a long way as far as design and build quality are concerned, no longer looking for those “very-good-for-the-price” excuses usually offered by mid-tier devices. This is a flagship smartphone through and through, metal frame sandwiched between Gorilla Glass front and back, minimal bezels, no seams, no rough edges or embarrassing lines: a solid, beautiful object that feels good — and certainly premium — in the hand.

The 9 Pro is a premium device in every sense of the word, up there with the newest iPhone and Galaxy S models. (Image: OnePlus)

The OnePlus 9 Pro is a bit slippery because of the curved sides in the same way many, many other smartphones have been in the past (Samsung Galaxy devices spring to mind). A good case or a bit more care while handling might be a good idea for people planning to use it for many…