OnePlus 9 - The nine things we want to see from the next OnePlus flagship - Android

It feels like we just got done with the launch of the OnePlus 8T. Rumors are already swirling, though, that the launch of the OnePlus 9 is coming much earlier than usual in 2021.

With the new rumors, we started thinking about what we’d like to see with the first 2021 flagship from OnePlus. The OnePlus 8 series faced a few setbacks that we hope get corrected. We also hope OnePlus will continue to push forward by offering innovative new features and design elements.

See also: Everything you need to know about OnePlus

In the interest of disclosure, what you find in this article is in no way based on leaks or inside intel. This is purely a wishlist. That being said, I tried to keep the wishlist feasible. In other words, I’m not going to ask for microSD card support (never happening), the best camera of the year (definitely nope), or a return to the Oxygen OS of old (those days are over). This is a realistic list of things OnePlus could potentially do with the OnePlus 9 series.

Finally, I’m not going to wish for things we are relatively certain we are going to get. It’s almost assured that the next OnePlus flagships will have the Snapdragon 875 processor, for example, so wishing for that isn’t worthwhile.

Without further ado, here’s what we want to see from the OnePlus 9!

1. A smaller form factor

This is something OnePlus fans have wanted for a long, long time. With the launch of the iPhone 12 Mini, there’s a big opportunity: it’s time for a smaller OnePlus phone.

Related: The iPhone 12 Mini is proof there should have been a Galaxy S20e

With the differences between the OnePlus 8 and OnePlus 8 Pro being kind of blurry to the general consumer, this would be an easy way to differentiate the OnePlus 9 from the Pro variant. The Pro could stay the same size as we’ve seen from previous Pro-level OnePlus devices, while the vanilla model could be much more compact.

Loading poll

Samsung dropped the ball by not launching a Samsung Galaxy S20e, so a “mini” OnePlus phone would capture an untapped market in the Android world.

2. Wireless charging and IP rating for all

The two big differentiators between the OnePlus 8 and OnePlus 8 Pro were the latter’s IP rating and wireless charging capabilities. In a way, that makes sense, as it makes the price difference between the two acceptable.

However, it will be 2021 when these phones launch. A flagship phone that costs more than $700 needs an IP rating and wireless charging. OnePlus can’t get away with passing over these features anymore, not when it has a budget line for phones without those features and when the $699 Galaxy S20 FE has both.

Granted, it will still need to make sure the OnePlus 9 Pro is better than the regular model. While it can’t wiggle with the IP rating, it could offer ultra-fast wireless charging with the Pro model while just putting regular wireless charging in the vanilla variant. I think buyers would be totally fine with that.

3. Warp Charge 65 for all

While OnePlus could keep Warp Charge 30 Wireless off the OnePlus 9 and reserve it only for the Pro, it can’t do that with Warp Charge 65. Both the regular and Pro variants need to have Warp Charge 65. It wouldn’t make any sense for the OnePlus 8T to have it and then only the Pro flagships to have it after that.

Related: How fast charging really works

This is probably the wishlist feature that is most likely to come true. However, OnePlus will be looking for ways to make the OnePlus 9 Pro seem more premium than the regular model, and eliminating Warp Charge 65 on the lesser variant could do the trick. Don’t do it, OnePlus, it would be a bad move.

4. The end of gimmicky cameras