OnePlus confirms OnePlus 9R, an affordable gaming smartphone targeted squarely at India ^↺

As we draw closer to the launch of the OnePlus 9 smartphone family on March 23, all eyes seem glued to the flagship OnePlus 9 Pro and OnePlus 9. However, the company appears to be focusing on an important market with its widely-rumored third handset, the OnePlus 9R. According to an interview with OnePlus CEO Pete Lau, the 9R is an “affordable” gaming-focused handset specifically targeted at India.

In an interview with New Delhi-based News18, Lau announced the launch of the OnePlus 9R, confirming the numerous rumors swirling around the web for the past month. Lau stated that the 9R “reinstates [OnePlus’s] promise to the premium OnePlus smartphone experience accessible to more users by introducing new products at a wider range of price points, this time within the premium category.”

According to Lau, the 9R will bring premium features at a “more affordable price point” to Indian customers. The 9R is designed “to empower users with smooth scrolling, immersive gaming controls, and a superior viewing experience.” Additionally, the 9R aims for “smooth experiences for daily usage and heavy gameplay.”

Perhaps most appealing to some users, the OnePlus 9R will include a 5G modem, which Lau thinks is a crucial component of bringing the best gaming experience possible to a smartphone.

Unfortunately for spec hounds, Lau was mum about the specific components used in the 9R. He also made no reference to the handset’s price. As such, we will likely have to wait until March 23 when the entire OnePlus 9 line is officially announced to see what the 9R packs.

What do you think of the OnePlus 9R? Let us know in the comments.

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