OnePlus 9 and 9 Pro will eventually work on Verizon’s 5G network — just not at launch

The OnePlus 9 is now official, delivering big upgrades over its predecessor. Then there’s the OnePlus 9 Pro, which has one of the best cameras on any phone today. Pre-orders are live, and both phones will be up for sale in the U.S. starting April 2. While there’s plenty to like in the OnePlus 9 and 9 Pro, the phones are limited in one area: 5G connectivity. Both phones will only work on T-Mobile’s 5G network in the U.S. at launch — even if you buy the unlocked versions. The OnePlus 9 Pro has N1, 2, 3, 7, 25, 28, 41, 66, 71, and 78 bands for Sub-6 and even comes with the requisite mmWave connectivity for Verizon — N258, 260, 261 — but the phone will not work on the carrier’s 5G network.

The regular OnePlus 9 misses out on mmWave, but it has plenty of Sub-6 bands: N1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 25, 28, 38, 40, 41, 48, 66, 71, 77, 78. So what’s going on here? OnePlus says that the devices have been certified for T-Mobile at launch, so you can only use ithemon the carrier’s 5G networks or any MVNO that uses Tits5G, like Google Fi.

OnePlus has clarified that the OnePlus 9 and 9 Pro will work on Verizon’s 5G network at some point:

At launch, the OnePlus 9 and 9 Pro will be compatible with Verizon’s 4G LTE network. OnePlus continues working with Verizon to certify the 9 and 9 Pro on its 5G network. An update will be provided at a later date. Verizon and OnePlus remain strategic partners and look forward to future launches. The OnePlus 8 5G UW will continue to be sold and supported via Verizon.

It’s bizarre that OnePlus hasn’t sorted this out before launch, but that was the case last year with the OnePlus 8 series. With the OnePlus 9 only offering Sub-6 5G connectivity, it is possible that we’ll see a Verizon SKU with we mayke last year’s OnePlus 8 UW. So if you’re in the U.S. and eyeing either phone, know that 5G connectivity is limited to T-Mobile and its associated MVNOs for the time being.

That said, mainstream 5G service has come a long way in the last 12 months in the U.S., with all three carriers now offering connectivity in major cities. So for OnePlus to include mmWave bands and not offer Verizon 5G compatibility at launch is a poor showing. Hopefully, this will be fixed sooner than later.