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Top Lister At Long Last
OnePlus 9 Pro Review
No flagship killer, a true flagship nonetheless
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 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…
