The OnePlus 9R made its debut as a mid-range powerhouse, offering high-end features at a more accessible price point. While its release was in 2021, the device continues to offer great value in 2025. With strong performance, solid cameras, and a reliable user experience, the OnePlus 9R remains a popular choice for those looking for flagship features without the flagship price. In this article, we’ll explore the pros and cons of the OnePlus 9R and discuss why it’s still a great buy for consumers today, especially in markets like the UAE and Australia.
1. OnePlus 9R Pros: Why You’ll Love It
A. Powerful Performance with Snapdragon 870
The Snapdragon 870 chipset powers the OnePlus 9R, offering impressive performance in a budget-friendly device. While it’s not the latest Snapdragon 8-series chip, the 870 still delivers smooth performance for gaming, multitasking, and demanding applications. Its efficiency also ensures that your device runs optimally, even under heavy usage.
Key Performance Benefits:
- Great gaming experience: The Adreno 650 GPU ensures that mobile gaming is smooth and immersive, even for graphics-heavy titles like PUBG Mobile and Call of Duty Mobile.
- Multi-tasking: Whether you’re switching between apps or running multiple programs, the Snapdragon 870 handles it with ease.
- App launch times: Expect fast app loading and smooth transitions, enhancing your overall user experience.
B. Gorgeous 120Hz AMOLED Display
The 6.55-inch Fluid AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate remains one of the OnePlus 9R’s standout features. The Full HD+ resolution makes it ideal for media consumption, while the 120Hz refresh rate ensures ultra-smooth scrolling and gaming.
Display Features to Love:
- Crisp, vibrant colours: The AMOLED panel offers deep blacks, vivid colours, and excellent contrast, making it ideal for media consumption, from watching Netflix to scrolling through social media.
- Smooth interactions: The high refresh rate ensures smooth animations, fluid scrolling, and responsive touch input, making the phone feel premium.
C. Fast Charging with 65W Warp Charge
One of the most notable features of the OnePlus 9R is its 65W Warp Charge. While most mid-range devices offer standard fast charging, the 9R’s charging speed is in a league of its own. You can go from 0 to 100% charge in under 40 minutes, meaning you can get back to using your phone in no time.
Why This is a Big Deal:
- Quick top-ups: Even a 20-minute charge can give you enough juice to last a couple of hours.
- All-day power: The 4500mAh battery ensures you get an entire day of usage, while the 65W Warp Charge helps replenish the battery quickly when you’re running low.
D. Solid Camera Setup for Everyday Use
While the camera system on the OnePlus 9R might not compete with the flagship OnePlus 9 Pro, it still offers excellent performance, particularly for everyday photography. The 48MP primary camera, coupled with a 16MP ultra-wide camera, offers versatility and clarity in both well-lit and moderately low-light environments.
Camera Highlights:
- 48MP primary camera: Produces sharp, vibrant photos with excellent dynamic range in most lighting conditions.
- 16MP ultra-wide: Captures expansive shots, making it great for landscapes, group photos, and architecture.
- Front camera: The 16MP front camera allows for sharp selfies and clear video calls, with the ability to record 4K video.
E. OxygenOS: Clean and Fast User Experience
The OnePlus 9R runs on OxygenOS, OnePlus’ customized version of Android. OxygenOS is known for its clean, bloatware-free interface and minimalistic design. It’s one of the fastest versions of Android, with a focus on smoothness and user customization.
OxygenOS Perks:
- Near stock Android experience: There are minimal third-party apps, and the interface is simple and fast.
- Customization options: OxygenOS allows you to personalize your device’s appearance and functionality with themes, dark mode, and more.
- Timely updates: OnePlus has a good track record of rolling out regular software updates, including security patches and new features.
2. OnePlus 9R Cons: What Could Be Better
While the OnePlus 9R offers great value, no phone is perfect. There are a few areas where it falls short compared to more premium devices or newer releases in 2025.
A. No Wireless Charging Support
Despite its fast 65W Warp Charge, the OnePlus 9R doesn’t come with wireless charging support, which may be a disappointment for some users who prefer the convenience of charging their device wirelessly. This is one feature that’s increasingly becoming standard in modern smartphones, even in mid-range models.
Why This May Be a Dealbreaker:
- Lack of wireless charging: For some, the absence of wireless charging might be a dealbreaker, especially if they already use wireless charging pads for other devices like headphones or smartwatches.
B. Limited Water Resistance
While the OnePlus 9R has a premium design, it lacks an official IP rating for water and dust resistance. This means it’s not as durable as some of its competitors in the same price range, which may be a concern for people who want their phone to withstand the elements.
Potential Downsides:
- Risk of water damage: Without an IP rating, you risk potential water or dust damage if you use your phone in wet conditions or around dust.
- Lack of protection: Phones like the iPhone 13 and Samsung Galaxy S21 come with better water resistance ratings, offering more peace of mind.
C. No Telephoto Lens
The camera system on the OnePlus 9R is impressive for the price, but it lacks a telephoto lens. This means you won’t get the optical zoom capabilities that other flagship phones offer. While this may not be a huge deal for casual users, those who enjoy photography may miss the ability to zoom in on subjects without losing quality.
Why This Might Matter:
- Limited zoom capabilities: While the 48MP primary camera is excellent, zooming in beyond the 2x digital zoom can result in a loss of detail and quality.
D. No IP68 Rating for Dust and Water Resistance
Unlike some high-end smartphones, the OnePlus 9R doesn’t have an IP68 rating for water and dust resistance. While the device can withstand minor splashes, it’s not as durable as competitors like the Samsung Galaxy S21 or iPhone 13, which come with IP68 ratings. For users looking for a phone they can take to the beach or use in harsh conditions, this might be a drawback.
3. Why the OnePlus 9R is Still a Great Buy in 2025
Despite its cons, the OnePlus 9R continues to be a fantastic choice in 2025 for several reasons:
A. Exceptional Value for Money
In terms of performance, the OnePlus 9R offers a near-flagship experience at a significantly lower price compared to other devices. If you’re looking for an affordable phone with solid gaming performance, a 120Hz AMOLED display, and fast charging, the OnePlus 9R is hard to beat.
B. Still Competitive in Terms of Performance
The Snapdragon 870, 120Hz Fluid AMOLED display, and 65W Warp Charge continue to hold up in 2025. While there are newer devices with faster processors, the OnePlus 9R still delivers excellent value for anyone looking for a solid performance in everyday tasks and even casual gaming.
C. OxygenOS Offers a Smooth Experience
One of the main reasons OnePlus devices continue to be popular is OxygenOS. It remains one of the cleanest, most fluid versions of Android, and the OnePlus 9R benefits from this smooth and intuitive user interface.
D. Great for People Who Want to Save
For budget-conscious consumers in regions like the UAE and Australia, the OnePlus 9R offers a compelling value proposition. With discounts and trade-in options, it remains one of the best smartphones for those who want flagship features without the flagship price tag.
Conclusion: Should You Buy the OnePlus 9R in 2025?
The OnePlus 9R may not be the latest release, but it continues to offer a strong package of performance, display quality, and charging speed for the price. While it has a few shortcomings, such as the lack of wireless charging and an IP rating, it remains a fantastic buy in 2025, especially for those on a budget or those who want a high-performing phone that doesn’t cost an arm and a leg.
If you’re in the UAE or Australia and want a mid-range device that offers premium-like performance, the OnePlus 9R should still be on your radar. Whether you’re gaming, streaming, or simply looking for an all-around reliable smartphone, the OnePlus 9R offers solid value for money.
