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
Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max
Best: Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max (160)
148
Huawei Mate 50 Pro
Best: Huawei Mate 50 Pro (163)
122
Samsung Galaxy S23 (Snapdragon)
Best: Samsung Galaxy S23 (Snapdragon) (162)
135
Huawei P40 Pro
Best: Huawei P40 Pro (155)
120
Vivo X Fold
Best: Vivo X Fold (158)
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

57
th
2. Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max
149
4. Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra (Snapdragon)
148
4. Samsung Galaxy S23 (Snapdragon)
148
6. Samsung Galaxy S23 Plus (Snapdragon)
146
8. Apple iPhone 13 Pro Max
145
11. Honor Magic4 Ultimate
140
18. Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra (Snapdragon)
136
21. Samsung Galaxy S22+ (Exynos)
135
24. Samsung Galaxy Z Flip4
134
24. Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra (Exynos)
134
24. Vivo X80 Pro (MediaTek)
134
27. Samsung Galaxy Z Fold4
133
27. Samsung Galaxy S22 (Snapdragon)
133
27. Samsung Galaxy S22 (Exynos)
133
27. Vivo X80 Pro (Snapdragon)
133
32. Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G (Snapdragon)
131
32. Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G (Exynos)
131
36. Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G (Snapdragon)
130
42. Samsung Galaxy Z Fold3 5G
129
42. Samsung Galaxy Note20 Ultra 5G (Snapdragon)
129
48. Samsung Galaxy Z Flip3 5G
128
48. Samsung Galaxy Note20 Ultra 5G (Exynos)
128
51. Apple iPhone 12 Pro Max
127
57. Vivo X70 Pro (MediaTek)
125
57. Vivo X60 Pro 5G (Snapdragon)
125
73. Oppo Reno6 Pro 5G (Snapdragon)
123
73. Samsung Galaxy S20 Ultra 5G (Exynos)
123
77. Apple iPhone SE (2022)
122
83. Samsung Galaxy A54 5G
120
91. Apple iPhone 11 Pro Max
116
96. Samsung Galaxy A52 5G
111
100. Samsung Galaxy A52s 5G
110
105. Xiaomi Redmi K50 Gaming
107
107. Nubia RedMagic 6 Pro
105
108. Samsung Galaxy A53 5G
104
114. Microsoft Surface Duo
99
116. Nubia RedMagic 7 Pro
97
117. Xiaomi Mi 10T Pro 5G
95
125. Samsung Galaxy A22 5G
74
126. Xiaomi Black Shark 3 Pro
69
128. Lenovo Legion Phone 2 Pro
60
Position in Premium Ranking

11
th
1. Samsung Galaxy S23 (Snapdragon)
148
5. Samsung Galaxy S22 (Snapdragon)
133
5. Samsung Galaxy S22 (Exynos)
133
7. Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G (Snapdragon)
130
11. Vivo X70 Pro (MediaTek)
125
11. Vivo X60 Pro 5G (Snapdragon)
125
17. Oppo Reno6 Pro 5G (Snapdragon)
123
38. 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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