Smartphone Comparison: Apple iPhone 11 Pro Max vs. OnePlus 9
1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Apple iPhone 11 Pro Max | OnePlus 9 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 158 × 77.8 × 8.1 mm | 160 × 74.2 × 8.7 mm | OnePlus 9 is taller and slightly thicker, iPhone 11 Pro Max is wider. Impacts in-hand feel and pocketability; users may find one more comfortable. |
| Weight | 226g | 192g | OnePlus 9 is noticeably lighter, making it more comfortable for extended one-handed use and less tiring to hold. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.5" | 6.55" | Negligible difference in screen size; both offer ample screen real estate for media consumption and gaming. |
| Resolution | 1242x2688 | 1080x2400 | iPhone 11 Pro Max's higher resolution results in a sharper image with more detail, particularly noticeable when reading small text or viewing high-resolution photos. |
| PPI | 458 | 402 | iPhone 11 Pro Max offers a sharper display, making text and images look crisper, which might be important for detail-oriented users. |
| Technology | OLED | AMOLED | Similar display technologies; both offer vibrant colors, deep blacks, and excellent contrast ratios. Minimal real-world difference. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 120Hz | OnePlus 9's higher refresh rate makes scrolling, animations, and gaming feel significantly smoother and more responsive. |
| Brightness | 1200 nits | 1100 nits | iPhone 11 Pro Max offers slightly better visibility under bright sunlight, though both are generally bright enough for most environments. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Apple A13 Bionic (7 nm+) | Snapdragon 888 (5 nm) | While both are powerful, the Snapdragon 888 in the OnePlus 9 is a newer generation chipset; both handle demanding tasks smoothly, though differences exist in architecture. |
| AnTuTu Score | 916,151 | 880,900 | Both perform similarly in benchmarks, meaning most users won't notice significant differences in daily tasks and gaming. |
| GPU | Apple GPU (4-core) | Adreno 660 | Both GPUs offer top-tier performance for gaming, but they have different architectures; real-world performance is generally comparable for most games. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera Res | 12MP | 48MP | OnePlus 9’s higher megapixel count allows for capturing more detailed images, especially in well-lit conditions. |
| Main Sensor Size | 1/2.55" | 1/1.4" | OnePlus 9's larger sensor allows for capturing more light, improving low-light performance and resulting in a shallower depth of field. |
| Main Aperture | f/1.8 | f/1.79 | Similar apertures, both perform well in low-light conditions, with OnePlus 9 having a minor edge due to a slightly wider aperture. |
| Telephoto | 12MP (Dedicated) | Not available | iPhone 11 Pro Max offers a dedicated telephoto lens for optical zoom, which is beneficial for zoomed-in photos and portraits. |
| Wide Angle | 12MP | 50MP | OnePlus 9 captures significantly more detailed wide-angle shots due to its higher-resolution sensor. |
| Front Camera | 12MP | 16MP | OnePlus 9 has higher megapixel selfie camera, allowing for more detailed selfies. |
| Video | Up to 4K@60fps HDR | Up to 8K@30fps HDR | OnePlus 9 offers higher resolution 8K video recording, potentially better for videography enthusiasts, while iPhone has great software support for videography. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 3969mAh | 4500mAh | OnePlus 9's larger battery generally translates to longer battery life, particularly during heavy use, reducing the need for mid-day charging. |
| Charging | 18W Fast Charging | 65W Fast Charging | OnePlus 9 charges significantly faster, allowing for a full charge in a fraction of the time it takes for the iPhone 11 Pro Max. |
| Wireless Charging | Yes + Reverse | 15W | Both offer wireless charging, with the iPhone having reverse charging, beneficial for charging accessories. |
| Software | |||
| OS | iOS 13 (Upgradable to iOS 18) | Android 11 (Upgradable to 13) | iOS provides a different ecosystem with a focus on simplicity and tighter integration. Android offers more customization options and an open-source experience. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6 | Wi-Fi 6 | Both support modern Wi-Fi standards for fast internet speeds. OnePlus 9 offers additional features like Wi-Fi Direct. |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.0 | Bluetooth 5.2 | OnePlus 9 has a newer Bluetooth version, potentially offering more stable connections, better audio quality via supported codecs, and lower power consumption. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, QZSS, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo, GPS (L1+L5), BeiDou (B1), Galileo (E1+E5a), BeiDou (B2) | OnePlus 9 supports more satellite systems for potentially better location accuracy, especially in challenging environments. |
| SIM | Dual SIM (Nano + eSIM) | Dual SIM (Nano + Nano) | Both have dual SIM support, but the iPhone adds eSIM which can be useful for travelers or those who prefer to switch carriers without a physical sim. |
| Storage & RAM | |||
| Internal Storage | 64/256/512 GB | 128/256 GB | iPhone 11 Pro Max offers a larger maximum storage option (512GB), which is good for users who need lots of local space for videos and images. |
| RAM | 4 GB | 8/12 GB | OnePlus 9's significantly more RAM results in smoother multitasking and better handling of demanding apps and games. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone supports expandable storage |
| Audio | |||
| Audio Quality | Dolby Atmos, Stereo Speakers | Dolby Atmos, Stereo Speakers, 3 Microphones | Both offer good audio experiences, but OnePlus 9 benefits from additional microphones, improving call clarity and sound capture in various scenarios. |
| Security | |||
| Security Features | Basic security | Fingerprint sensor | OnePlus 9 provides a biometric fingerprint sensor for quick and secure unlocking, whereas the iPhone relies on facial recognition. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Unknown | Gorilla Glass 5 | OnePlus 9 uses Gorilla Glass 5, providing reliable screen protection against scratches and minor impacts. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Barometer | Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Fingerprint | Both offer a comprehensive sensor suite, with the iPhone adding a barometer and the OnePlus adding a fingerprint sensor. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Apple iPhone 11 Pro Max Advantages:
- Sharper Display: Higher resolution and PPI offer a crisper, more detailed viewing experience.
- Telephoto Lens: Dedicated telephoto lens provides superior optical zoom capabilities for photography.
- Reverse Wireless Charging: Ability to charge accessories wirelessly using the phone.
- Software Ecosystem: iOS provides a simpler, more integrated experience for some users
OnePlus 9 Advantages:
- Smoother Display: 120Hz refresh rate provides a much smoother visual experience, especially for scrolling and gaming.
- Faster Charging: 65W fast charging dramatically reduces charging times.
- Larger Battery: Offers longer battery life, reducing the need to recharge as often.
- Higher Resolution Main & Wide Cameras: Takes more detailed photos, particularly with the wide-angle lens.
- 8K Video Recording: Capability to shoot high-resolution 8K video, catering to videography enthusiasts.
- More RAM: Higher RAM capacity, leading to smoother multitasking performance.
- Fingerprint sensor: Offers a convenient biometric security option for quick unlocking.
- Better Screen protection: Offers increased screen scratch and impact resistance.
- Newer Bluetooth: Has a newer Bluetooth standard for better audio and connectivity.
Trade-offs:
- iPhone 11 Pro Max: sacrifices refresh rate, faster charging, and modern high-megapixel cameras for a sharper display, telephoto lens and unique Apple ecosystem advantages.
- OnePlus 9: trades a sharper display and a dedicated telephoto zoom for a faster screen, faster charging, higher resolution main camera, larger battery, more RAM, and a better video camera.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Apple iPhone 11 Pro Max Ideal User:
- Users deeply invested in the Apple ecosystem.
- Users who prioritize screen sharpness and color accuracy for media consumption.
- Users who rely heavily on the telephoto lens for photography.
- Users who prefer a user-friendly and streamlined operating system like iOS.
- Users who prioritize video capture using iOS enhanced features
Use Cases:
* Professional photographers needing a versatile camera system with optical zoom.
* Users who enjoy reading on their phone due to the high pixel density.
* Creative users who want to seamlessly work with other Apple devices.
* Users who value the iPhone ecosystem and its associated services.
OnePlus 9 Ideal User:
- Users who prioritize smooth and responsive display experiences, especially for gaming and browsing.
- Users who value fast charging and long battery life.
- Users who want high-resolution, detailed photos using main and wide-angle lens.
- Users who prioritize videography and need to shoot in high resolutions.
- Users who value fast charging and long battery life.
- Users who prefer an open operating system like Android with customization options
- Users looking for great performance and value.
Use Cases:
* Gamers who want a smooth and responsive display with a high refresh rate.
* Users who spend a lot of time on their phone and need great battery life.
* Users who enjoy capturing photos and videos, particularly wide-angle shots.
* Users who appreciate a more customizable user experience with Android.
Price-to-Value Ratio: The OnePlus 9 generally offers better value for money, especially when considering its more modern features such as 120hz display, faster charging, larger battery and updated camera sensors. The iPhone 11 Pro Max, while still a capable phone, may not be as competitive for its price due to its older technology, despite offering a better user experience in some scenarios.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- What is more important: display sharpness or display smoothness? (iPhone prioritizes resolution, OnePlus 9 prioritizes refresh rate)
- Do you need a dedicated telephoto lens or would you prefer a higher resolution main/wide camera? (iPhone has optical zoom, OnePlus 9 has higher resolution main and ultrawide camera)
- How important is fast charging and long battery life to you? (OnePlus 9 is much faster, and has a bigger battery)
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- For photography enthusiasts who use zoom: The iPhone 11 Pro Max is the better choice due to the dedicated telephoto lens.
- For mobile gamers or users who prioritize smoothness: The OnePlus 9 is the clear winner due to its 120Hz display.
- For travelers who need long battery life: The OnePlus 9 provides longer battery life and faster charging.
- For videographers who need high resolutions: The OnePlus 9 is the better choice with its 8K video capabilities.
- For users invested in the Apple ecosystem: iPhone 11 Pro Max offers tighter integration and unique ecosystem services.
My Choice
If I were choosing between these two phones, I would choose the OnePlus 9.
Here’s why:
- Modern Display Experience: The 120Hz refresh rate is a significant upgrade in terms of smoothness, which I value for everyday use, especially scrolling and gaming. The slight loss in sharpness is a trade-off I’m willing to make.
- Battery and Charging: The faster charging speed of the OnePlus 9 is invaluable. Combine that with a larger battery, and it means less anxiety about battery life.
- Camera Versatility: While the telephoto lens on the iPhone is useful, the higher resolution sensors on the OnePlus 9, including the ultrawide, offers more flexibility and detail in most of the shots that I would take. The addition of 8K video recording is also a plus.
- Performance and Value: The higher RAM and the Snapdragon 888 chipset make the OnePlus 9 feel more performant for the tasks I regularly use. The OnePlus 9 often offers better value than the iPhone.
- Practical Features: The fingerprint sensor offers an easier and more secure way to unlock the device.
While the iPhone has it's strengths, the advantages of the OnePlus 9 in areas that I value more make it my preferred device.
