XDA's review of the 9 Pro (Software)

"One of my not-so-favorite features in OxygenOS 11 is “battery optimization”, which extends Android’s existing doze controls with a bunch of additional toggles that don’t tell you exactly how they’ll affect background services. What’s worse is that there’s no easy way to completely turn off all of these features, which is why OnePlus ranks so poorly on the DontKillMyApp website. I’ve had issues receiving timely notifications from Hangouts (now Chat), Discord, and Slack on OnePlus phones for years now, and it seems there’s no fix in sight. I don’t know what it’ll take for OnePlus and other Chinese OEMs to abandon their aggressive battery management features for global devices; I know why they do it for their domestic products but can’t fathom why the years of complaints from western reviewers haven’t gotten through to these companies yet."

"However, there are a few issues with custom development on OnePlus devices that you should be aware of. First, updated kernel source code for OnePlus devices sometimes never gets pushed when there’s a new OxygenOS beta update, leaving custom kernel users in the lurch. Second, you shouldn’t buy a OnePlus device with the intent to use a Google Camera port as there are known issues with access to the auxiliary cameras and full resolution of the image sensors. "

ArsTechnica's review

https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2021/03/oneplus-9-pro-review-keeping-the-slightest-lead-in-front-of-samsung/

"One area that OnePlus loses to the competition is its update policy, which frankly isn't good enough anymore. The official line is that you'll get two major Android OS upgrades and three years of "bimonthly" (once every two months) security patches. I do have to give OnePlus credit for regularly being one of the first third-parties to deliver that first major update, but after that, things go downhill. Google and Samsung both offer three years of major updates and monthly, not bimonthly, updates. Samsung even goes a step beyond Google and offers one more year of quarterly security updates after the first three years. OnePlus used to be able to use the excuse that it was cheaper than other options, but that is no longer the case."

"Sometimes, on the OnePlus 9 Pro, you'll get way better colors than a OnePlus 8 Pro, and the low light performance is definitely improved. Other times the camera will go crazy and turn the nearest bright color into a neon highlighter. I'm sure there are some more camera software tweaks to dish out as the months go by.

The wide-angle lens and main camera usually turn in nearly identical photos in terms of color and quality. Maybe the OnePlus 9 design, with its two big, identical-looking camera lenses really hits this home, but having two nearly-identical cameras really feels like a waste. If you want a wider angle, most of the time you can just take a few steps back with the main camera and achieve the same thing. I guess it's useful if you find yourself in a cramped space, or it's good for filming Go-Pro style first-person video. But for the most part, this design feels redundant. I know this isn't specific to OnePlus; it's a problem with all smartphones. I just would rather have one big, really good camera instead of two smaller, "OK" cameras.

One major downside of the OnePlus 9 Pro camera is a drop in capability for the macro mode of the camera. We were big fans of the macro mode on the OnePlus 8 Pro, allowing you to get closer to an object and photograph it with a ridiculous level of detail. There's still a macro button on the OnePlus 9 Pro, but you can't get as close or capture as much detail as you can on the older device. It's a real shame."

"I feel like a slowly boiled frog with OnePlus' constant price increases. This year it particularly hurts, since Samsung lowered the prices of its flagship lineup by $200 as OnePlus went up $70. Even though the final phone is pretty good, OnePlus is offering less value than ever. The base-model, $729 OnePlus 9 is closest to the baseline Galaxy S21, which is $799. The OnePlus 9 Pro for $969 is closest to the Galaxy S21+, which is $999.

My main concern is that the OnePlus update policy is far behind the competition. In addition to the $200 price drop, this year Samsung increased its update policy to three years of major updates and four years of security updates, making OnePlus' two years of major updates and three years of not-even-monthly updates look sad. Depending on how long you plan to keep the phone, you could end up with a lower total cost of ownership with Samsung."

MKBHD said the camera has some shutter lag, the preview of the image is also not a representation of the final image (https://youtu.be/8eNNJESKjrE?t=756). Some of the images are overprocessed and oversharpened with big sensor fringing on close up subjects. He also said the telephoto camera is not that great (https://youtu.be/8eNNJESKjrE?t=870).

Mr Mobile said the OnePlus wireless charger does not come with it's own power brick (https://youtu.be/xjb42QwsM5I?t=172). Also said GBoard consistently misses or delays key presses from the edges of the display (https://youtu.be/xjb42QwsM5I?t=256). He also calls out the haptic motor for being anaemic (https://youtu.be/xjb42QwsM5I?t=278). Says the Hasselblad branding is mostly a gimmick (https://youtu.be/xjb42QwsM5I?t=493).
He goes into further detail here(https://youtu.be/xjb42QwsM5I?t=555). He also thinks it's overpriced for what it offers compared to the 12 Pro Max and S21 Ultra (https://youtu.be/xjb42QwsM5I?t=649)

This is probably the best and most unbiased review of the OnePlus 9 Pro so we'd recommend watching it fully.

Dave Lee says the improvements to the 9 Pro are less significant than the improvements to the S21 series and iPhone 12 series (https://youtu.be/XeXt1T3p8UI?t=213). Says the pictures are nothing special compared to the leading cameras (https://youtu.be/XeXt1T3p8UI?t=354). Says the 9 Pro is a downgrade over the 8 Pro as far as macro shots are concerned (https://youtu.be/XeXt1T3p8UI?t=385), the rest of the camera review is him going on about how underwhelmed he is by the partnership. Reports stutter just like AP (https://youtu.be/XeXt1T3p8UI?t=497). Says the earpiece speaker is quieter than last year (https://youtu.be/XeXt1T3p8UI?t=533). Doesn't like the color like every other reviewer (https://youtu.be/XeXt1T3p8UI?t=580). Says the camera design looks like a generic Chinese phone which is not a surprise considering that's what OnePlus are (https://youtu.be/XeXt1T3p8UI?t=602). Again expresses his annoyance at the marketing about the partnership (https://youtu.be/XeXt1T3p8UI?t=640). Also calls out the price at the end (https://youtu.be/XeXt1T3p8UI?t=665). Says it's not easy to recommend (https://youtu.be/XeXt1T3p8UI?t=686).

The OnePlus Watch's software isn't based on WearOS. It's nothing more than a glorified fitness tracker, people are better off getting a cheaper Xiaomi product or spending extra on a Garmin instead of paying $159/159€/£149/₹16,999 to be a beta tester for a first gen OnePlus product.

You know you've fucked up when your sister company prices their products at a lower price in your biggest market especially when said sister company are traditionally known for their poor value. The Vivo X60 series undercuts the OnePlus 9 series in India for the most part and offer a better camera system throughout the range.

https://www.mysmartprice.com/gear/oneplus-9-pro-stops-pornhubs-videos-taking-advantage-memc-software/


Apps like prime video and MX player are disabled from taking advantage of MEMC too.

https://twitter.com/ArtemR/status/1377785067259355137?s=19

Aggressively killing apps in background so much, that you miss your important emails.

That's how you settle for the new $1100 OnePlus 9 Pro.

Jokes aside - it is true that OnePlus is probably the worst offender for killing apps in background.

https://twitter.com/ArtemR/status/1376766247308697608?s=20

Navigation gestures weren't working on his phone either

The Indian variant of the 9 has no wireless charging.

OnePlus Watch Review: The Worst Smartwatch I've Ever Used
https://gizmodo.com/this-is-the-worst-smartwatch-ive-ever-used-1846652533

When the prediction turns out to be tamer than reality 😂

Watch "OnePlus 9 Pro THROTTLED Gaming! Premium Performance?" on YouTube
https://youtu.be/3K3UVtrZnvo