The OnePlus 9R launches for India with flagship specs and a familiar design

Oneplus 9r Official Promo (Image credit: OnePlus)

What you need to know

OnePlus has officially launched the OnePlus 9R.
The device features a design and specs similar to the OnePlus 8T, from the cameras to the display.
The OnePlus 9R will be available next month in India and China with a focus on gaming.

The OnePlus 9R has officially launched, alongside the OnePlus 9 and OnePlus 9 Pro. This smartphone aims to bring flagship features to lower prices, including a high-refresh display, great cameras, and super-fast charging. OnePlus is targeting gaming performance with this smartphone while delivering a strikingly familiar design.

Oneplus 9r Lake Blue — Source: OnePlus (Image credit: Source: OnePlus)

On the outside, the OnePlus 9R looks like a clone of last year's OnePlus 8T, which was one of the best Android phones of 2020. Recycling that design is definitely not a bad thing and undoubtedly helped to keep production costs down.

The only visible change is on the back, with the slightly redesigned camera hump matching the OnePlus 9 Pro. There's also a matte black colorway that's not available on any other OnePlus 9 model. The camera setup is technically the same as the OnePlus 8T, with a 48MP Sony IMX586 main sensor, 16MP ultra-wide, 5MP macro, and 2MP depth sensor.

You may like

On the front is a 6.55" FHD+ OLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate. Underneath the hood is the Qualcomm Snapdragon 870, which is a slightly revamped version of last year's Qualcomm Snapdragon 865, offering great performance and 5G connectivity. Along with the 4,500mAh battery and 65W Warp Charge, this phone still offers impressive flagship specs in 2021, especially given the price.

Speaking of the price, the OnePlus 9R will be available in India and China in mid-April, with Indian pricing starting at ₹39,999, which equates to around $550 for the 8GB/128GB model and ₹43,999 (around $600) for the 12GB/256GB model, so like the other OnePlus smartphones it's not exactly cheap, but it's still a fairly inexpensive alternative to the best phones for gamers. And given the focus on gaming, OnePlus will offer optional gaming triggers that can be attached to the phone for an optimal gaming experience.

OnePlus 9R

The OnePlus 9R comes to India with a focus on gaming, fueled by the boosted Snapdragon 870, a 120Hz display, and 240Hz touch sampling rate so that nothing will slow you down. Optional gaming triggers will also take your gaming experience to the next level.

$550 at OnePlus India

Derrek is the managing editor of Android Central, helping to guide the site's editorial content and direction to reach and resonate with readers, old and new, who are just as passionate about tech as we are. He's been obsessed with mobile technology since he was 12, when he discovered the Nokia N90, and his love of flip phones and new form factors continues to this day. As a fitness enthusiast, he has always been curious about the intersection of tech and fitness. When he's not working, he's probably working out.