The OnePlus 9 and 9 Pro are here. OnePlus officially unveiled both its latest flagships at a virtual event on 23 March alongside the more affordable 9R, although the latter isn’t coming to the UK.
Undoubtedly, the headline feature on the 9 and 9 Pro are its new cameras. OnePlus has partnered with iconic camera manufacturer Hasselblad to transform its photography hardware, led by new advanced colour correction system, 48Mp main sensor and 50W ultrawide lens across both models. Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 888 chipset delivers top-of-the-line performance, while a 120Hz AMOLED display provides a super-smooth user experience.
Key upgrades on the Pro model include a better screen – a 6.7in 1440p panel as opposed to 6.55in Full HD+ – and much faster wireless charging (50W vs 15W). You also get an extra 8Mp telephoto camera and IP68 water and dust resistance.
See how both devices fared in our full reviews of the OnePlus 9 and OnePlus 9 Pro.
As you might expect from 2021 flagships, the OnePlus 9 and 9 Pro also come with an all-glass design. That makes them vulnerable to bumps, scratches or even cracks, so we’d recommend throwing on a case to keep them in tip-top condition.
But while the OnePlus 9 and 9 Pro don’t go on sale in the UK until 26 April and 31 March respectively, a wide variety of cases are already available to buy. We haven’t been able to test them for ourselves just yet, but can easily recommend them based on the brands in question and their strong reputations.
Without further ado, here are our top case picks for both new OnePlus flagships.
Official OnePlus Droid Bumper
Fits: OnePlus 9 Pro only
This is one for the OG OnePlus fans. The Droid from the OnePlus 5T adverts back in 2017 has made its return. Its mission? To protect your phone at all costs, while looking good in the process.
The case is made from a polycarbonate and TPU blend that’s provides full protection for the back and sides of your phone without adding excess weight. The image of the Droid itself has been metal-embossed onto the case to provide an eye-catching 3D effect.
It’s only available for the 9 Pro, but in a world where so many phone cases look the same, this is a refreshing touch of originality.
Official OnePlus Sandstone Bumper
Fits: OnePlus 9
Also available for: OnePlus 9 Pro
For something a little more traditional, you can’t go wrong with OnePlus’ classic Sandstone design. This bumper case is made from the same polycarbonate and TPU blend as the Droid case, although the textured design here focuses on grip to what can be a slippery phone.
The case has been custom made for both OnePlus 9 phones, meaning it adds almost no bulk. A wraparound design also ensures the phone is protected from the bumps and scratches associated with everyday use.
Spigen Tough Armor
Fits: OnePlus 9 Pro
Also available for: OnePlus 9
Spigen has long represented the gold standard when it comes to rugged cases, although the Tough Armor proves that supreme protection doesn’t have to come at the cost of aesthetics.
Again, it’s made from polycarbonate and TPU, but a hard shell design and air cushion technology mean it offers military grade protection. If that wasn’t enough, new ‘extreme impact foam technology’ adds further shock absorption.
It does all this within a sleek, modern design, while a built-in kickstand enables hands-free viewing.
Caseology Parallax
Fits: OnePlus 9
Also available for: OnePlus 9 Pro
The unique patterned design of the Caseology Parallax makes it a regular in our case round-ups, and it’s easily one of the best cases you can buy for the OnePlus 9 series.
Protective polycarbonate bumpers combine with a smooth matte TPU body to provide truly excellent protection. The latter is also where you’ll find the unique 3D textured finish, which adds plenty of grip while helping your phone stand out.
Raised bezels help keep the screen in tact, although it’s also compatible with most screen protectors if you’d like extra peace of mind. In addition to the Midnight Blue model pictured, it’s also available in more muted Ash Gray hues if you’d prefer.
Cresee Flip Cover
Fits: OnePlus 9 Pro only
For all the bells and whistles of modern cases, sometimes all you need is a great folio case. Cresee’s OnePlus 9 case is a great example of that, providing great all-around protection at a very affordable price.
Made from a convincing synthetic leather, it keeps your phone safe while adding plenty of extra functionality. A soft TPU holder secures the device in place, while adjacent card slots allow it to be used as a wallet replacement. A magnetic clasp also keeps the case securely closed, although it can also double as an adjustable stand when open.
We particularly like the dark grey model pictured, but it’s also available in a shade of tan if you’d prefer.
Olixar Carbon Fibre
Fits: OnePlus 9
Also available for: OnePlus 9 Pro
Carbon fibre is renowned for being extremely strong yet lightweight, and those two qualities are used to good effect on Olixar’s OnePlus 9 case.
Here, it’s combined with brushed metal to provide excellent protection from the scrapes, bumps and drops that can risk damage to a case-free phone.
The eye-catching patterned design makes the device look premium, but it also performs an important function – Olixar says it helps deflect the shock of any impacts, while also helping with heat dissipation.
Elsewhere, dedicated button covers mean the sides of the device are protected, although it still succeeds in adding very little bulk to the device.
Spigen Liquid Air
Fits: OnePlus 9 Pro
Also available for: OnePlus 9
This is the second Spigen case we’ve included in this round-up, which means two things. Firstly, we really like Spigen cases. Second, the Liquid Air is very different from the Tough Armor featured above.
The first thing you’ll notice is the stunning geometric pattern. Aside from standing out aesthetically, it also adds grip and helps prevent the build-up of fingerprint smudges – the latter is an issue on nearly all glass-backed phones.
However, as you might expect from Spigen, it doesn’t compromise on protection. The company’s Air Cushion Technology is present in all four corners of the device, offering excellent shock absorption. A snug TPU design helps mitigate the impact of any bumps and drops, especially with its subtle raised edges protecting the screen.
You’ve seen the cases, but what if you haven’t bought one of the phones yet? Here’s where to buy the OnePlus 9 and 9 Pro.
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