The more time passes, the more OnePlus’ market strategy changes and the existence of a model such as the OnePlus 10R would prove it. Since its inception in 2014, we have passed to having a top-of-the-range per year to two with the birth of the T series, then four in 2019 with the Pro models.
In recent years, then, the T series has been substantially canceled in favor of the R series, mainly designed to create cheaper top-of-the-range for Asia. We first saw the OnePlus 9R launch in spring 2021, followed by 9RT in fall 2021.
We are thus preparing for the new generation of the R series, as evidenced by the upcoming launch of the OnePlus 10R. That the company is aiming more at the Asian markets, especially the Chinese one, is demonstrated by the fact that the OnePlus 10 Pro was launched for the first time before in China than in the West. By the way, don’t miss our review of the OnePlus flagship.
But apparently, its Global launch will be joined by two other models: the base model OnePlus 10 and this 10R. But what will change between these two? I say this because so far there has been talking of the OnePlus 10 as a smartphone different from the Pro model especially for the use of the Dimensity 9000 instead of the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1.
But it would not be so: the use of the SoC would be destined precisely for OnePlus 10R, according to the latest rumors. That would be a change of pace from the 9R and 9RT, based on Snapdragon 870 and 888. Other specifications would include a 120Hz AMOLED screen, at least 8GB of RAM and 128GB of storage.
OnePlus 10 bases would not be equipped with a MediaTek solution, therefore, but with a Qualcomm chip, perhaps always the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1. It is rumored that this depends on the lack of mmWave support of the MediaTek modem: this would penalize OnePlus 10 with operators T-Mobile and Verizon in the USA, a market that remains a reference point for the brand.
The curiosity remains to see this Dimensity 9000 in action, given that MediaTek promises to be able to compete directly with Qualcomm. In addition to having a technical system up to the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1, the MediaTek SoC promises to have better energy efficiency.