OnePlus teases the OnePlus 9 RT 5G for launch next week, processor and camera boosts tipped
OnePlus has had its image take a bit of a battering in recent times. Once lauded by Android enthusiasts for its ‘flagship killer’ smartphones with high-end features at cheap prices and powered by a slick near stock Android experience, its halo has slipped. Its flagship models are no cheaper than the competition, it has been absorbed into the structure of sister company Oppo, and its OxygenOS is now also integrated into Oppo’s ColorOS.
However, the company is hoping that the launch of its next upper mid-range Android phone will help get its image back in order. The company has officially teased the OnePlus 9 RT 5G with it set to arrive on October 13 as had been tipped. The OnePlus 9 series range currently consists of the range topping OnePlus 9 Pro, the OnePlus 9 and the OnePlus 9R. The new model is a successor for the latter with the company focusing on speed gains.
While the OnePlus 9 Pro and OnePlus 9 are powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 888, the OnePlus 9R is powered by the Snapdragon 870, a slightly higher-binned version of last year's flagship Snapdragon 865+ chip. It is still a strong processor, but the OnePlus 9 RT is tipped to get an even higher binned version of this chipset -- a Snapdragon 888 remains an outside chance.
If it gets the latter processor, camera upgrades could be more minor, but if it gets the former, a more substantial camera upgrade could also be in the offing. A big processor bump to the Snapdragon 888 might win back some fans at the mid-range price point, but it could, however, also put the noses out of joint of customers who purchased the higher end OnePlus 9 models.
The rumor mill also suggests the OnePlus 9 RT 5G could be the first OnePlus phone to ship with the first version of ColorOS to be based on Android 12. All will, of course, be revealed next week.
Buy the OnePlus 9R in unlocked GSM-only trim from Amazon for US$569.