OnePlus 9 Prototype Sold For Rs 4.4 Lakh On eBay Months Before Launch

A OnePlus 9 prototype, that recently surfaced online in a leak, has now reportedly changed hands. New reports indicate that the prototype has been sold online for a total of $6,000.

As per a recent tweet, the OnePlus 9 prototype was listed for sale on eBay by user Shamete1 earlier. Upon closer inspection of the images available on the listing, it was observed that the device was the very same that appeared in the mid-December leak on PhoneArena.

OnePlus 9 Prototype (Image: Shamete1 / eBay)

Since the listing, the user has now been able to sell the prototype device at an auction for $6,000 (around Rs 4.4. lakh).??

The most visible of all the changes on the upcoming device, in comparison to its last iteration - OnePlus 8T, seems to be the three-lens camera setup at the back that carries the “Ultra Shot” branding, similar to Oppo’s “Ultra Steady.” Speculations over the time have suggested a 48MP primary lens along with an ultra-wide and a third sensor at the back of the device.

A report by Android Authority explains that the listing on eBay also included images of the OnePlus 9 prototype running the latest Oxygen OS based on Android 11. The images have since been removed from the listing, likely for including device identifiers, as per the report.

In the listing, Shamete1 warned about the risks associated with the purchase. As per the user, the device could attract a penalty by OnePlus, with possibilities of the company either remotely disabling support to the device or sending law enforcement after the buyer.

OnePlus 9 Prototype (Image: Shamete1 / eBay)

Even if not, there might be chances that the smartphone prototype was not real at all and instead, was just morphed images of the earlier available leaks. Authenticity of such a device cannot be guaranteed in any way.

In any case, other buyers interested in getting their hand on the OnePlus 9 will likely have to wait until mid-March. That is when the company is expected to launch the next iteration of its OnePlus devices, with the top most of the tier likely to be backed by the all new Qualcomm flagship chipset - Snapdragon 888. You can read more about it here.