OnePlus 9 is releasing in March 2021 — four weeks earlier than usual

The OnePlus 8T just made its debut, with the phone featuring a 120Hz AMOLED panel, 65W fast charging, and a new design. OnePlus is now switching gears to focus on its 2021 flagship portfolio.

OnePlus usually launches its numbered flagships in May, but this year it unveiled the OnePlus 8 series on April 14, with the phones going on sale from April 29. For 2021, the company is planning to launch the OnePlus 9 series in March.

OnePlus hasn't settled on a release date yet for the OnePlus 9, but the information we've received from our insider source suggests the launch event will be scheduled for sometime around mid-March. OnePlus isn't the only company considering an early launch for its 2021 flagship. Samsung is also going to launch the Galaxy S21 series in January, a full six weeks earlier than the usual February release window.

It makes sense that OnePlus would want to release the OnePlus 9 in March; doing so would give the numbered flagship series more time on store shelves before the T mid-cycle refresh shows up sometime in the fall. Releasing the OnePlus 9 in March also allows OnePlus to position its 2021 flagship against the likes of Samsung, Xiaomi, and others more effectively.

It's too early to speculate about the internal hardware of the OnePlus 9, but OnePlus is likely to leverage Qualcomm's upcoming 5nm chipset, the Snapdragon 875. With the OnePlus 8T ushering 65W fast charging via Warp Charge 65, it's also a given that the OnePlus 9 series will also offer the same charging standard. We should also see IP68 water resistance, wireless charging, and upgrades to the cameras.

:story: Android Central