OnePlus 9 Lite could launch with a Snapdragon 865 to keep the price down

It looks like OnePlus is ready to outdo itself in 2021 when it comes to the number of phones it launches in one go. According to a rumor stemming from an anonymous “insider source” speaking with Android Central, the company could launch three phones in the OnePlus 9 series early next year. They would be a vanilla OnePlus 9, a Pro variant, and a new Lite variant, allegedly.

Related: OnePlus 9 series: What we know so far

The source also contends that the OnePlus 9 Lite could land with 2020’s flagship smartphone processor, the Qualcomm Snapdragon 865. This would stand in contrast to the vanilla OnePlus 9 and the OnePlus 9 Pro, which would both land with the Snapdragon 888. That processor is going to be the flagship silicon for 2021.

OnePlus 9 Lite: Better than a Nord?

If this rumor ends up being true, it would add yet another pricing tier to OnePlus’ repertoire. The OnePlus Nord has a Snapdragon 765 and comes in at around $500 in the countries in which it’s available. Meanwhile, the OnePlus 8 starts at $699 with the newer OnePlus 8T starting at $749.

If we assume that the OnePlus 9 will be more expensive than the OnePlus 8T, it’s likely it would start at $799. A OnePlus 9 Lite, then, would need to awkwardly exist somewhere between the OnePlus Nord and the OnePlus 8T without cannibalizing sales of either one. That doesn’t leave much wiggle room, and would probably put it in the $649 price range.

Of course, just because OnePlus might release a Lite version of its latest flagship doesn’t mean that it will be available everywhere. For example, the OnePlus Nord is unavailable in the United States, so a OnePlus 9 Lite could be priced closer to $600 and OnePlus wouldn’t need to worry about cannibalizing Nord sales.

We’ll need to wait and see if this rumor pans out. In the meantime, let us know what you think in the poll above!