OnePlus 9 was one of the most anticipated smartphone releases of 2021. OnePlus has historically been a smartphone enthusiast brand, but they have since started moving into the mass market like Samsung, Xiaomi, and Apple. The OnePlus 9 personifies with a premium price point akin to what you normally get from the other brands along with flagship specs.
Obviously, historical OnePlus fans might not be so happy. But times change and you’re either on the ship or you’re out. Sorry, shrug.
Now the OnePlus 9 5G is the latest iteration of the companies flagship smartphone. The phone comes in two variants; the base version OnePlus 9 and the beefier, souped-up OnePlus 9 Pro. The two phones are almost identical in specs except a telephoto camera comes in the Pro version. Both phones start with 8GB RAM, 128GB storage combo and they dial up to as much as 12GB RAM/128GB ROM.
They are powered by the latest Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 chipset which includes a 5G modem and is tweaked for better AI performance. This phone also sports up to 120Hz refresh rate display and a 4,500mAh battery that can be juiced up by a super-fast 65W charger . OnePlus has partnered with Hasselblad, a renowned Swedish camera vendor to boost its phone’s camera department.
The variant that I have is the base version, OnePlus 9 5G unlocked China Edition with dual-sim support. From a design perspective, there’s nothing unique about this phone. It’s a big (at least for me) 6.55″ AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate . Right on top is a microphone, on the left side are volume up/down buttons while on the right is OnePlus’ unique alert slider along with a power button. On the bottom is a sim card slot, a USB-C port, and speakers. The phone’s back is covered by glossy plastic.
The cameras along with the flashlight are etched on the top left side. That’s just about it. The phone has an in-display or on-screen fingerprint reader just at the bottom of the screen. Some users have complained about the positioning of this fingerprint reader, but I find no issues with it.
OnePlus 9 Full Specifications
Display Size : 6.55 inches Resolution : 2400 x 1080 pixels 402 ppi Aspect Ratio : 20:9 Display Type : 120 Hz Fluid AMOLED Cover Glass : Corning® Gorilla® Glass Dimensions : 160mmx74.2mmx8.7mm Weight : 192g Operating System : OxygenOS based on Android™ 11 CPU : Qualcomm® Snapdragon™ 888 5G Chipset: X60 GPU: Adreno 660 RAM : 8GB LPDDR5 Storage : 128GB UFS 3.1 2-LANE Port: USB 3.1 GEN1 Type-C, Single nano-SIM slot WiFi : 2×2 MIMO, Support 2.4G/5G, Support WiFi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/ax Bluetooth : 5.2, support aptX & aptX HD & LDAC & AAC NFC : Enabled GPS : GPS (L1+L5 Dual Band), GLONASS, Galileo (E1+E5a Dual Band), Beidou, A-GPS Camera : Main: 48MP, Ultra-wide: 50MP, 2MP Monochrome camera Battery : 4,500 mAh (2S1P 2,250 mAh, non-removable), Warp Charge 65T (10V/6.5A), 15W Wireless Charging
Performance
Powered by Qualcomm’s latest Snapdragon 888 chipset , this phone is fast. I am a heavy multi-tasker. I have at least 160 apps installed including Spotify, Google ecosystem, Twitter, Facebook, WhatsApp, and everything in between. Switching between apps is very responsible, you can hardly notice any lags.
You can unlock the phone using the in-display fingerprint scanner powered by Qualcomm 3D Sonic Max technology. The on-screen fingerprint performance is as good as the traditional physical fingerprint scanners we’ve come to know. Besides using the fingerprint reader, you can also unlock the phone using Face unlock as well as PIN and pattern matching.
The display supports up to 120Hz refresh rate which makes switching between apps, scrolling and gaming really fast. Obviously, this comes at the expense of battery usage. However, you can dial back to 60Hz from the settings if you are worried about battery usage.
Overall the phone is powered by OnePlus’ OxygenOS 11 which itself is based on Android 11 . I love stock Android and OxygenOS tries to deliver close to stock android as much as possible, just with a bit of customization. You can tweak the look and feel of the software to your tastes. You can change the accent color, system icons, font, wallpaper, navigation style among other things all without compromising on performance. There’s just no one-size-fits-all.
Connectivity: 5G,WiFi 6, Bluetooth 5.2 & NFC
The OnePlus 9 packs all the flagship connectivity options in 2021 you would expect; 5G mobile technology, WiFi 6, Bluetooth 5.2, NFC is all zapped in the Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 SoC. You might not need all this latest tech right now in 2021 because the adaption is still low. However, it future-proofs you for at least another 3-5 years ahead. The onboard X60 5G Modem-RF 5G modem supports Dynamic Spectrum Sharing (DSS), mmWave and sub-6 GHz giving you upto 7.5 Gbps download and 3Gbps upload speeds.
The 5G modem is also backward compatible with 4G LTE/3G/2G networks making the phone usage with networks that don’t yet have 5G connectivity such as MTN and Airtel Uganda.
This phone packs WiFi 6 or 802.11 ax which is the latest WiFi standard. Again the tech is still in its infancy right now with just a handful of WiFi 6 routers in the wild. However, it supports older WiFi standards such as WiFi 5 or 802.11ac which is currently the defacto standard. That said, if you happen to have a WiFi 6 router, then you’re in for at least 9.6 Gbps transfer speeds — at least 3 times faster than the current WiFi 5 standard.
Bluetooth 5.2 with Low energy support (BLE) is another icing on the cake. The phone will auto-connect to other Bluetooth devices such as headphones, earbuds, smartwatches, smart home devices super fast while giving you good power management.
On the wired side of things, you get a USB-C port with USB 3.1 GEN1 support which is primarily useful for charging the phone with a whooping fast 65W Warp charger . More on that later. The USB-C supports OTG so you can slap in a USB-C flash disk and watch movies, play music, or access data on the flash drive.
Camera
The OnePlus 9 5G comes with 3 cameras; The main camera is a 48MP f/1.8 aperture sense and Sony IMX689 sensor. The Ultra-wide is a 50MP with f/2.2 aperture and Sony IMX766 sensor. While the third is a 2MP monochrome camera for shooting black and white shots. The selfie camera is a 16MP f/2.4 aperture lens.
OnePlus is talking big on camera just like other flagship vendors. They’ve partnered with Hasselblad to help them improve on their cameras. According to most reviews online, OnePlus cameras still lags behind what you get from the iPhone 11/12 or the Pixel 4/5 or Samsung Galaxy 20/21 despite an exclusive deal with Hasselblad. However, if you’re upgrading from mid-range smartphones, the OnePlus 9’s camera perform way better.
Low-end to mid-range smartphones especially those from Tecno/Infinix or Xiaomi/Redmi then to over-polish skin tones giving a very artificial feel. The Ultra-wide lens in particular delivers way much better shots during night and day according to my own tests.
The OnePlus camera will automatically detect the scenery that you’re trying to shot. For instance, it’ll know if you’re shooting landscapes and immediately recommend the best settings.
On the video side, you get to shoot upto 8K HDR with this OnePlus. The default option is 1080p. You can turn on UltraShot HDR which learns your environment and automatically blends multiple frames into an optimal photo. You turn on focus-tracking to keep the subject in focus while shooting. You also get pro features such as turning on the histogram.
The OnePlus camera app is overall feature-rich and highly configurable. You get different modes such as time-lapse, panorama, slow-motion, portrait, nightscape, Pro (where you can set ISO, shutter, focus, WB), and tilt-shift . The OnePlus camera app is integrated with Google Lens which enables you translate text on photos, copy text, solve math equations, shop, get information on what you’re looking at in the physical world etc.
Battery and fast-charging
This OnePlus 9 5G has a 4,500mAh battery. I have been able to use it at least for a full day after which a recharge is necessary even with 60Hz refresh rate turned on. I am used to at least 2-day performance, so this is a setback, but given the performance of the phone, a one-day battery performance is expected. Also, OnePlus has a developed a fast charge that gives you 50% of charge in less than 15 minutes, so perhaps this compensates for the lackluster battery performance.
The OnePlus 9 5G comes with a whooping 65W fast charger . You can’t take this for granted anymore seeing as top flagship vendors no longer even bother shipping a charging brick in the box. With this 65W charger, I was able to get to 100% charge in just 30 minutes. That’s really fast. I have been used to 10W standard chargers that take at least 2 hours to charge a 4,000mAh battery.
This OnePlus 9 also supports Qi wireless charging upto 15W . However, no wireless charger is included in the box. You have to use a standard Qi wireless charger with upto 15W maximum power.
Tips and tricks
Unlocking the phone: You can unlock this OnePlus with fingerprint ID, facial ID, patter,n or PIN. You can choose what method you want to use from Settings > Security & Lock screen.
Full-screen gestures: With this phone, you can choose between the old navigational onscreen buttons with back, home, and multitask buttons or you can go all out on gestures. On turn on gestures, go to Settings > Buttons & Gestures > Navigation bar & gestures.
Quick settings menu: This is one the most convenient features of any Android phone. You can access the quick settings menu by swiping down from the top of the screen and features on/off by tapping on their respective icons.
Customization : You can make this OnePlus your own with a tone of customization options from wallpapers, accent color, icon pack, and more. Just go to Settings > customization.
Camera modes: you can quickly switch between camera modes such as video, photo, portrait, nightscape by swipping left or right from the camera app.
OnePlus Switch: This feature is needed when you want to migrate data quickly from oan old onePlus device to a new OnePlus phone seamlessly. Android has the feature supported natively too as an alternative. When I was switching from Mi A2 to OnePlus 9, I used the native android switch feature instead at setup.
For your OnePlus only
Hasselblad Pro Mode: This mode co-designed with Hasselblad enables you to shoot photos like a professional. It gives you fine-grained control on shots such as settings the ISO, AWB, shutter speed, Aperture among other things.
Shot 8K video at 30 FPS: You can shot 8K video at 30 frames per second.
AOD : This displays the time, date, custom text, and other missions on the lock screen when the screen is off. To enable AOD, go to Settings » display » ambitient display.
Zen Mode : This allows you to leave your phone for a period of time so that you can focus on the more important things. It comes with various themes such as sea, space, and grassland. To enable Zen Mode, slide down to display on the quick settings menu and tap Zen Mode.
Work-life balance: allows you to manage notifications in work (work mode)and after-work (life mode) environments. To access work life balance, go to Settings > Utilities > work life balance and configure the two modes respectively.
Dark Mode : optimizes the overall tone ensuring clearer levels. It’s soft on the eyes and most suitable at night. To enable Dark Mode, slide down the display quick settings menu, then tap the Dark Mode icon.
Smart Gallery intelligently classifies and displays photos to bring you an experience similar to browsing through a magazine.
Price and where to buy
David Okwii is the Editor-in-Chief of Dignited.com and a seasoned tech enthusiast whose journey began in the early 2000s. He started blogging while at university, diving deep into mobile apps, smartphone reviews, and operating systems—from testing Linux distros to tweaking Windows machines. David also explores Chromebooks, experiments with Raspberry Pi projects, and brings hands-on curiosity to every review. With vast experience in Uganda’s tech ecosystem and deep knowledge of Africa’s startup landscape, he offers informed, grounded perspectives on consumer technology. When he’s not writing or tinkering, David enjoys connecting with nature and exploring the outdoors.
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Talkio Mobile , Uganda’s newest telecommunications service provider, is excited to announce a groundbreaking partnership with Banana Life Investments, a leading chain of mobile phone and retail shops. This strategic alliance aims to bring Talkio’s innovative telecom services closer to Ugandans.
This collaboration will leverage Banana Life Investments’ extensive retail network of 26 stores strategically located across Uganda in major malls, towns, and cities to provide customers with unparalleled convenience. Through this partnership, Talkio Mobile will offer its full suite of services, including SIM cards, airtime, and exclusive product offerings at any Banana Life Investment location.
This partnership is more than a business initiative—it’s a shared commitment to transforming lives. By integrating Talkio Mobile’s forward-thinking services & nationwide reach with Banana Life Investments’ retail footprint, the two brands are setting a new standard for customer convenience and inclusivity.
READ ALSO: 5 Things You Need to Know About Talkio Mobile: New Telecom Company in Uganda
“This partnership aligns perfectly with our mission of connecting Ugandans to innovative and transformative telecom solutions,” said Vianne Allan Ahura, CEO of Talkio Mobile. “By leveraging Banana Life Investments’ trusted presence and nationwide footprint, we are not only expanding our agent network but also bringing our services closer to the communities we serve. This collaboration ensures that our online customers can now enjoy a seamless offline experience right at their doorstep. Together, we are empowering Ugandans with the tools they need to stay connected, grow their businesses, and unlock new opportunities.”
Solomon Ssemuyaba, the assistant general manager at Banana Life Investments, echoed this sentiment: “We are proud to join hands with Talkio Mobile to deliver innovative, customer-centric solutions. This partnership represents our shared vision of fostering a connected future for Uganda. Together, we are redefining what convenience and accessibility mean for our customers.”
The partnership goes beyond retail distribution, introducing joint initiatives aimed at value addition and personalized service. Customers can expect seamless access to:
- SIM Card Sales : Available at all Banana Life Investments locations.
- Talkio phone number bookings : Book your preferred Talkio number at any Banana Life Investments location.
- Airtime Services : Recharge easily through in-store purchases.
- Customer Support : Friendly and knowledgeable staff trained to assist with Talkio Mobile products and services.
Additionally, the two companies plan to launch promotional campaigns and expand services to even more locations, ensuring no Ugandan is left behind in the digital transformation.
Solomon Obwot is a tech writer based in Kampala, Uganda, with extensive experience in the local tech startup ecosystem. He covers the latest news and analysis on consumer tech, writes in-depth smartphone reviews, and conducts insightful interviews with industry experts. Solomon is also a passionate podcaster, sharing his knowledge and engaging in discussions about Africa’s rapidly growing tech landscape. Send emails to [email protected]
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The Mobile World Congress (MWC) Barcelona , the world’s largest exhibition for the mobile industry, has just concluded. This annual event gathers leading technology brands to unveil groundbreaking mobile, AI, and digital solutions innovations. At MWC 2025, TECNO showcased a range of AI-driven products, reinforcing its commitment to cutting-edge technology.
The key launches included:
- CAMON 40 Series – AI-powered smartphones with One-Tap FlashSnap and advanced mobile imaging features.
- MEGABOOK S14 – The world’s lightest 14-inch OLED laptop, featuring AI-enhanced multitasking and Snapdragon® X Elite.
- MEGABOOK T14 Air & K15S – Lightweight ultrabooks with AI capabilities and extended battery life.
- TECNO AI Glasses Series – Smart eyewear integrating AI imaging, translation, and AR display.
Jan Stryjak, Associate Director at Counterpoint Research, shared, “In the past year, we have observed significant advancements in the field of AI. AI will continue to drive transformative changes in our daily lives. In this critical period for the economic development of emerging markets, TECNO’s AI technologies are unlocking potential for diverse needs.”
“The application of AI technologies is crucial and urgent in emerging markets. We’re committed to bridging the digital gap between emerging and mature markets,” said TECNO CMO, Laury Bai. “TECNO is taking a practical approach to make AI more accessible, ensuring users in emerging markets can access AI and cutting-edge technologies.”
Laury Bai, TECNO CMO
Driven by its commitment, TECNO has forged a robust partnership with MediaTek, establishing a joint AI laboratory dedicated to accelerating advancements in AI. At the event, James Chen, Vice President of Product and Technology Marketing at MediaTek, emphasized, “The synergistic R&D efforts between TECNO and MediaTek are set to democratize AI technology. Our collaboration powers a seamless, interconnected AI experience, bringing users a future of truly connected intelligence.”
James Chen, Vice President, Product and Technology Marketing at MediaTek
CAMON 40 Series Powered by AI One-Tap FlashSnap Revolutionizes Smartphone Snapshot Photography
TECNO’s Global Product Launch Officer, Olivier Mas, officially unveiled TECNO’s next-generation AI-driven products. Attendees at TECNO’s launch event witnessed the highly anticipated debut of TECNO’s new CAMON 40 Series, a device that embodies TECNO’s legacy of excellence in mobile imaging. Featuring One-Tap FlashSnap Mode and TECNO AI, the series sets a new benchmark in smartphone photography, delivering exceptional snapshot capabilities and AI-enhanced user experiences.
Olivier Mas, TECNO Global Product Launch Officer
The CAMON 40 Series exemplifies a commitment to innovation that transcends hardware and software, extending into strategic partnerships that deliver cutting-edge AI solutions to emerging markets. Matt Waldbusser, Managing Director of Global Solutions and Consumer AI at Google Cloud, remarked, “Our collaboration with TECNO on the CAMON 40 Series is a standout example. Leveraging Google Cloud’s capabilities, we’ve introduced groundbreaking features such as Ask Ella, AI Image Generator, AI Writing, and AI Translate. I am particularly impressed by the industry-leading and competitive edge of some of these innovations. For instance, TECNO’s AI supports text translation in 136 languages, voice translation in 44 languages, and photo translation in 51 languages. We are excited to further strengthen our partnership with TECNO, unlocking limitless potential to bring advanced yet practical AI capabilities to emerging markets in a convenient and secure manner.”
Matt Waldbusser, Managing Director of Global Solutions and Consumer AI at Google Cloud
The CAMON 40 Series’ innovative One-Tap FlashSnap leverages AI to enhance imaging capabilities, revolutionizing mobile photography. AI optimizes camera startup and continuous shooting for instant captures, while AI-powered multi-frame processing intelligently reduces noise and enhances details, delivering sharper, more refined images. Additionally, the BestMoment algorithm analyzes motion patterns, automatically selecting the optimal frames for precise, high-quality shots in dynamic scenarios, ensuring users an unparalleled mobile imaging experience.
TECNO CAMON 40 Demonstrates the Cutting-Edge FlashSnap Capability
To delve deeper into the imaging prowess of the CAMON 40 Series, TECNO invited Frédéric Guichard, CEO of DXOMARK, to share the image performance of CAMON 40 Pro. Frédéric highlighted, “The CAMON 40 Pro 5G has demonstrated exceptional imaging and performance capabilities in our rigorous evaluations. We’ve been particularly impressed with photo performance being the best for devices under 600$, and the 1st eligible device to our Smart Choice Label.”
Onsite photo of Frédéric Guichard, CEO of DXOMARK
Beyond its advanced rapid-capture functionality, the integration of TECNO AI further enhances the device’s capabilities. Intelligent imaging, a 360° AI Call Assistant, and productivity tools elevate creativity and efficiency. Powered by MediaTek’s latest chipsets, the series ensures smooth performance, fast processing, and extended battery life. With a sleek, durable, and water-resistant design, it seamlessly blends style with practicality for modern users.
MEGABOOK S14, the World’s Lightest 14-inch OLED Laptop, Inspires Creators and Game Lovers
The MEGABOOK S14 is TECNO’s first OLED laptop and the industry’s lightest 14-inch OLED laptop, featuring a 2.8K OLED display and incredibly weighing only 899g (31.7oz). The laptop is equipped with the outstanding power of the Snapdragon® X Elite compute platform, the flagship chipset for AI PCs from Qualcomm Technologies, and integrates TECNO’s world’s first self-developed edge-side large-scale AI model, to achieve AI-enhanced multitasking.
World’s Lightest 14-inch Laptop MEGABOOK S14
Specifically designed for next-gen AI productivity, TECNO AI enhances the Ella AI Assistant, AI-powered PPT generation, AI-driven image search, smart albums, and offline meeting transcription with multilingual support. The External Graphics Dock, equipped with a powerful NVIDIA graphic card, delivers scalable, high-performance capabilities for design, gaming, and content creation. The laptop’s 2.8K OLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate ensures exceptional visuals, while DTS:X Ultra dual 2W speakers, Wi-Fi 6E, fingerprint login, and PC Manager optimize connectivity and user experience.
TECNO’s strategic partnership with Qualcomm Technologies was a highlight of the TECNO AI Ecosystem Product Launch event, demonstrating a shared vision for the future of AI PCs. Kedar Kondap, SVP & GM of Compute and Gaming at Qualcomm, took the stage to discuss the integration of Qualcomm’s cutting-edge PC chipset into the new MEGABOOK S14 laptop, underscoring TECNO’s commitment to delivering high-performance computing solutions.
Kedar Kondap, SVP & GM of Compute and Gaming at Qualcomm
In addition, TECNO also introduced several standout new products. The featherlight 999g (35.2oz) ultrabook MEGABOOK T14 Air, features high-speed storage and LPDDR5 memory, while the ultra-thin, all-metal MEGABOOK K15S, equipped with a powerful 70Wh battery and supported by a 65W PD GaN charger, offers a smarter and more long-lasting user experience. Both devices are empowered by TECNO AI with advanced AI capabilities such as AI Album and AI Voice Assistant, making them perfect companions for all aspects of life.
The Next Game-Changing Tech Innovation: See the World with the TECNO AI Glasses Series
TECNO’s new AI Glasses Series also took center stage with the introduction of TECNO AI Glasses Pro and TECNO AI Glasses, reimagining eyewear with cutting-edge imaging, intelligent interactions, and a sleek aesthetic. The TECNO AI Glasses feature an aviator design, while the Pro model showcases a browline style, both embodying timeless elegance and modern fashion.
TECNO AI Glasses Redefine the Way People See the Future
Equipped with a 50MP high-definition camera, the series integrates an OV50D sensor, a 100° ultra-wide-angle custom lens, and an AI ISP imaging chip, forming a mobile-grade imaging system. This system lets users capture stunning, high-resolution photos with advanced AI noise reduction and HDR capabilities. With real-time translation supporting over 100 languages, TECNO AI’s Ella empowers accurate translation even for less common languages, as well as voice control, AI-powered object recognition, and intelligent information summaries for ultimate convenience.
Additionally, the AI Glasses Pro features a MicroLED display with 7th-gen resin waveguide technology, offering a 30° field of view, over 1,500 nits of brightness AR display, and a lightweight, ultra-thin design. The AR display allows users to effortlessly enjoy features like translation display, navigation, information prompts, and teleprompting.
Equipped with a 250mAh battery, these glasses offer over 11 hours of music playback and 8 hours of mixed use with just 30 minutes of charging. An advanced ultra-linear speaker, bass enhancement, and spatial sound deliver an immersive audio experience, while Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.4 ensure seamless connectivity.
With these innovative launches, TECNO is setting new standards in mobile imaging and AI-enhanced technology, shaping a more connected and empowered future for consumers in emerging markets. Once again, TECNO has showcased its cutting-edge innovation on the global stage at MWC. With the brand essence of “Stop at Nothing”, TECNO’s relentless pursuit of innovation is making AI-powered technology more accessible, allowing consumers to experience the future ahead of time.
Solomon Obwot is a tech writer based in Kampala, Uganda, with extensive experience in the local tech startup ecosystem. He covers the latest news and analysis on consumer tech, writes in-depth smartphone reviews, and conducts insightful interviews with industry experts. Solomon is also a passionate podcaster, sharing his knowledge and engaging in discussions about Africa’s rapidly growing tech landscape. Send emails to [email protected]
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