The OnePlus 9 first appeared on the market the end of March 2021. We present here some of its key results in our array of comprehensive Display protocol tests.
Key display specifications:
- 6.55-inch fluid AMOLED display
- Resolution: 1080 x 2400 (402 ppi)
- Aspect ratio: 20:9
- Refresh rate: 120 Hz
- Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 5G (5 nm) chipset
About DXOMARK Display tests: For scoring and analysis in our smartphone and other display reviews, DXOMARK engineers perform a variety of objective and perceptual tests under controlled lab and real-life conditions. This article highlights the most important results of our testing. Note that we evaluate display attributes using only the device’s built-in display hardware and its still image (gallery) and video apps at their default settings. (For in-depth information about how we evaluate smartphone and other displays, check out our articles, “How DXOMARK tests display quality” and “A closer look at DXOMARK Display testing.”)
Test summary
Scoring
Sub-scores and attributes included in the calculations of the global score.
OnePlus 9
125
display
107
Samsung Galaxy S24+
Best: Samsung Galaxy S24+ (163)
148
Google Pixel 8 Pro
Best: Google Pixel 8 Pro (164)
122
Samsung Galaxy S23 (Snapdragon)
Best: Samsung Galaxy S23 (Snapdragon) (162)
135
Honor Magic6 Pro
Best: Honor Magic6 Pro (159)
165
Samsung Galaxy S24+
Best: Samsung Galaxy S24+ (170)
120
OnePlus Open
Best: OnePlus Open (163)
Please be aware that beyond this point, we have not modified the initial test results. While data and products remain fully comparable, you might encounter mentions and references to the previous scores.
Position in Global Ranking
97
th
2. Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra
155
7. Samsung Galaxy Z Fold5
152
11. Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max
149
11. Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max
149
11. Samsung Galaxy Z Flip5
149
16. Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra (Snapdragon)
148
16. Samsung Galaxy S23 (Snapdragon)
148
20. Samsung Galaxy S23 Plus (Snapdragon)
146
23. Apple iPhone 13 Pro Max
145
28. Samsung Galaxy A55 5G
141
30. Honor Magic4 Ultimate
140
43. Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra (Snapdragon)
136
46. Samsung Galaxy S22+ (Exynos)
135
51. Samsung Galaxy Z Flip4
134
51. Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra (Exynos)
134
51. Samsung Galaxy A35 5G
134
51. Vivo X80 Pro (MediaTek)
134
58. Samsung Galaxy Z Fold4
133
58. Samsung Galaxy S22 (Snapdragon)
133
58. Samsung Galaxy S22 (Exynos)
133
58. Vivo X80 Pro (Snapdragon)
133
65. Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G (Snapdragon)
131
65. Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G (Exynos)
131
69. Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G (Snapdragon)
130
76. Samsung Galaxy Z Fold3 5G
129
76. Samsung Galaxy Note20 Ultra 5G (Snapdragon)
129
85. Samsung Galaxy Z Flip3 5G
128
85. Samsung Galaxy S23 FE
128
85. Samsung Galaxy Note20 Ultra 5G (Exynos)
128
90. Apple iPhone 12 Pro Max
127
97. Vivo X70 Pro (MediaTek)
125
97. Vivo X60 Pro 5G (Snapdragon)
125
113. Oppo Reno6 Pro 5G (Snapdragon)
123
113. Samsung Galaxy S20 Ultra 5G (Exynos)
123
113. Xiaomi Redmi Note 13 Pro Plus 5G
123
118. Apple iPhone SE (2022)
122
118. Motorola Edge 30 Pro
122
124. Samsung Galaxy A54 5G
120
128. Motorola Edge 40 Pro
118
131. Motorola Razr 40 Ultra
117
135. Apple iPhone 11 Pro Max
116
140. Motorola Edge 20 Pro
111
140. Samsung Galaxy A52 5G
111
144. Samsung Galaxy A52s 5G
110
150. Xiaomi Redmi K50 Gaming
107
152. Nubia RedMagic 6 Pro
105
153. Samsung Galaxy A53 5G
104
161. Microsoft Surface Duo
99
163. Nubia RedMagic 7 Pro
97
164. Xiaomi Mi 10T Pro 5G
95
172. Samsung Galaxy A22 5G
74
173. Xiaomi Black Shark 3 Pro
69
175. Lenovo Legion Phone 2 Pro
60
Position in Premium Ranking
19
th
3. Samsung Galaxy S23 (Snapdragon)
148
9. Samsung Galaxy S22 (Snapdragon)
133
9. Samsung Galaxy S22 (Exynos)
133
12. Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G (Snapdragon)
130
19. Vivo X70 Pro (MediaTek)
125
19. Vivo X60 Pro 5G (Snapdragon)
125
25. Oppo Reno6 Pro 5G (Snapdragon)
123
47. Lenovo Legion Phone 2 Pro
60
Pros
- Colors are faithfully rendered, especially in indoor conditions.
- Touch is accurate across the entire display surface.
- The device feels smooth in most tested conditions (playing video games, browsing the web, swiping through pictures in the gallery app).
Cons
- Brightness is low and dark details are lost when watching HDR10 content.
- Darker details are difficult to distinguish and brightness is low, especially outdoors in shade and under sunlight.
- Video frame drops are visible.
The OnePlus 9 put in an outstanding performance for touch smoothness and accuracy, as well for faithful color rendering. However, its overall score took a hit due to readability and video scores that were adversely affected by low brightness at the device’s default settings.
Brightness vs Contrast comparison (0 Lux)
Brightness vs Contrast comparison (30 000 Lux)
In terms of readability, the OnePlus 9’s brightness is satisfactory in low-light conditions; however, readability is lacking both indoors and outdoors, especially outdoors in shade and under sunlight.
Readability outdoors in shade, from left to right: OnePlus 9, OnePlus 9 Pro, Xiaomi Mi 11, Apple iPhone 13
(Photo credit: DXOMARK; for illustration only)
With respect to color, a slight pinkish cast is visible in indoor conditions and outdoors under sunlight.
Color rendering indoors, from left to right: OnePlus 9, OnePlus 9 Pro, Xiaomi Mi 11, Apple iPhone 13
(Photo credit: DXOMARK; for illustration only)
The OnePlus 9 has quite accurate color fidelity overall, as illustrated in the chart of the P3 color space (below left). The center of each circle in the chart is the target color; the further the tip of the arrow is outside of the circle, the more users will notice the difference between the color on the display and the original color of the source material.
OnePlus 9, color fidelity at 1000 lux in the P3 color space
OnePlus 9, scatter graph of white point on angle
When viewed on angle, the OnePlus 9’s white point shifts to pink.
The OnePlus 9’s brightness is low when watching HDR10 content. Midtone contrast is acceptable but impacted by the low brightness, and dark details are missing in HDR10 content. But video color is quite faithful, as are skin tones.
Video brightness, OnePlus 9; despite too-dark rendering overall, skin tones are accurate
Video contrast, OnePlus 9
The OnePlus 9 shows several frame drops and stutters at 30 fps (below left) and a few stutters at 60 fps (below right), but no frame drops were noticed when playing video games. Motion blur is well managed. When moving forwards or backwards in a video, a slight jump is visible before the device resumes playback.
OnePlus 9, frame drops at 30 fps
OnePlus 9, frame drops at 60 fps
The OnePlus 9 is among the best in our database for touch accuracy, with responsive edges and corners. Further, it is smooth when browsing, when in the gallery app, and when gaming.
In terms of artifacts, the OnePlus 9 managed judder fairly well at 24 fps, but stutters were visible. No judder was visible at 30 and 60 fps, but a few frame drops occurred.
Frame drops at 24 fps, OnePlus 9
Frame drops at 30 fps, OnePlus 9
Frame drops at 60 fps, OnePlus 9
The OnePlus 9 reacts to ghost touches from time to time, and aliasing is visible when playing video games, as illustrated below.
Aliasing closeup, OnePlus 9
(Photo credit: DXOMARK; for illustration only)
Aliasing closeup, OnePlus 9
(Photo credit: DXOMARK; for illustration only)
Aliasing closeup, OnePlus 9
(Photo credit: DXOMARK; for illustration only)
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