1. Specifications Comparison
Here's a detailed comparison of the Apple iPhone 11 Pro Max and the OnePlus 9R, focusing on practical implications:
Design
Feature | Apple iPhone 11 Pro Max | OnePlus 9R | Practical Impact |
---|---|---|---|
Dimensions | 158 × 77.8 × 8.1 mm | 161 × 74.1 × 8.4 mm | OnePlus 9R is slightly taller and thicker, while the iPhone is wider. In hand, the difference is subtle; however, some might find the OnePlus 9R slightly easier to hold due to the narrower width, and the iPhone slightly more cumbersome. |
Weight | 226g | 189g | The OnePlus 9R is noticeably lighter, making it more comfortable for extended use and reducing hand fatigue. |
Display
Feature | Apple iPhone 11 Pro Max | OnePlus 9R | Practical Impact |
---|---|---|---|
Size | 6.5" | 6.55" | Negligible size difference. Both offer large, immersive screens suitable for media consumption and gaming. |
Resolution | 1242x2688 | 1080x2400 | iPhone has a sharper display with higher pixel density, resulting in crisper text and images, especially noticeable for users who frequently read or work with detailed visuals. |
Pixel Density (PPI) | 458 | 402 | The iPhone’s higher PPI results in a visibly sharper image. Text and graphics appear smoother and more detailed. |
Technology | OLED | AMOLED | Both technologies offer excellent colors, deep blacks, and high contrast. The practical difference is minor. |
Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 120Hz | The OnePlus 9R's 120Hz refresh rate provides significantly smoother scrolling, animations, and gaming experiences. |
Brightness | 1200 nits | 0 nits | The iPhone's much higher peak brightness makes it significantly easier to view the screen in direct sunlight, this missing information for the 9R makes outdoor use difficult to compare. |
Performance
Feature | Apple iPhone 11 Pro Max | OnePlus 9R | Practical Impact |
---|---|---|---|
Chipset | Apple A13 Bionic (7 nm+) | Qualcomm SM8250-AC Snapdragon 870 5G (7 nm) | Both are powerful chipsets, but the A13 Bionic has a slight edge in raw processing power based on the benchmark, though real-world performance differences may be less pronounced. |
AnTuTu Score | 916,151 | 821,600 | The iPhone's higher score indicates slightly faster overall performance, especially for demanding tasks and gaming. |
GPU | Apple GPU (4-core graphics) | Adreno 650 | Both GPUs are capable of handling demanding graphics but Apple's has a slight edge here with benchmarks. |
Camera
Feature | Apple iPhone 11 Pro Max | OnePlus 9R | Practical Impact |
---|---|---|---|
Main Camera Resolution | 12MP | 48MP | The OnePlus 9R's higher resolution allows for more detail in photos, particularly when cropping. The iPhone's 12MP photos often compensate with larger pixel size, better colors and computational photography. |
Main Camera Aperture | f/1.8 | f/1.7 | OnePlus 9R's wider aperture allows more light, potentially improving low-light performance, although this is also greatly affected by sensor size. |
Main Camera Sensor Size | 1/2.55" | 1/2" | The OnePlus 9R has a slightly larger sensor, which can capture more light and improve low-light performance. |
Telephoto Camera | 12MP | None | The iPhone includes a dedicated telephoto lens for optical zoom, which results in higher quality zoom photos compared to digital zoom on the 9R. |
Selfie Camera Resolution | 12MP | 16MP | The OnePlus 9R offers higher resolution in the front camera which can enhance the detail in selfies. |
Wide Angle Camera Resolution | 12MP | 16MP | The OnePlus 9R provides more detail in wide-angle shots with a higher-resolution sensor, potentially making this camera more versatile. |
Portrait Mode (depth) Camera | None | 2MP | The OnePlus 9R includes a depth sensor for improved portrait mode effects. |
Macro Lens | None | 5MP | The OnePlus 9R features a dedicated macro lens, enabling close-up shots of small objects. |
Video Recording | Up to 4K@60fps with HDR | Up to 4K@60fps with HDR | Both offer high-quality video recording with good stabilization. The iPhone offers slightly more recording features. |
DXOMark | Mobile: 122, Selfie: 122 | Not Available | The iPhone's DxOMark scores suggest strong overall camera performance in photos and videos. No data available for the OnePlus 9R. |
Battery
Feature | Apple iPhone 11 Pro Max | OnePlus 9R | Practical Impact |
---|---|---|---|
Capacity | 3969mAh | 4500mAh | The OnePlus 9R has a larger battery, which usually translates to longer battery life. |
Charging | 18W Fast Charging | 65W Fast Charging | OnePlus 9R charges much faster, allowing for quicker top-ups. The iPhone charges considerably slower. |
Charging Features | Wireless charging, Reverse wireless charging | None | The iPhone has the added convenience of wireless charging, including reverse wireless charging for compatible devices. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Apple iPhone 11 Pro Max Advantages:
- Sharper Display: Higher resolution and pixel density provides a more refined visual experience, which is especially noticeable when working with text or high-detail images.
- Significantly Higher Brightness: The 1200 nits brightness is superior for outdoor use in bright sunlight.
- Telephoto Lens: A dedicated telephoto lens gives the iPhone a real advantage in zoom photography.
- Wireless Charging: The convenience of wireless and reverse wireless charging adds to the daily usability.
- Higher DXOMark Scores: Demonstrated strong camera performance in photos and videos based on DxOMark benchmarks.
- Slightly Better Benchmark Performance: The A13 Bionic chipset shows slightly higher scores in benchmarks.
- Environmental sensor: Barometer
OnePlus 9R Advantages:
- Smoother Display: 120Hz refresh rate significantly enhances the viewing experience by making animations and scrolling smoother.
- Faster Charging: The 65W fast charging dramatically reduces charging time.
- Larger Battery: 4500mAh provides potentially longer battery life.
- Higher RAM: The option for more RAM (up to 12GB) is better for multitasking and gaming.
- Additional Cameras: Dedicated macro and depth sensors offer extra versatility in photography.
- Lighter Weight: Easier and more comfortable to use for extended periods.
- Biometric Sensor: Fingerprint sensor for convenient and secure unlocking
- Better Connectivity: Supports more satellite systems for better location accuracy and more bluetooth features.
Significant Trade-offs:
- iPhone 11 Pro Max: Lacks the smoother 120Hz display, has slower charging speeds, a much lower peak brightness rating than comparable Android phones.
- OnePlus 9R: The display resolution, pixel density, and peak brightness are not as good as the iPhone 11 Pro Max and lacks a telephoto lens and wireless charging. The camera performance is also untested in a comparative fashion.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Ideal User for Apple iPhone 11 Pro Max:
- Content Creators: Users who prioritize high-quality photos, videos, and a color-accurate screen, and need excellent performance.
- Outdoor Users: Those who frequently use their phones in bright sunlight and need a display with high visibility.
- Apple Ecosystem Users: Individuals deeply invested in the Apple ecosystem who value integration and seamless experience.
- Users with older wireless charging devices: Apple watch, airpods, etc.
- Performance Focused Users: People who value the best performance and are not too concerned about charging speeds.
Ideal Use Cases for iPhone 11 Pro Max:
- Professional photography and videography on-the-go
- Viewing and editing photos and videos in varying lighting conditions
- Daily use in bright environments
- Gaming, video and photography work requiring high processing power
- Users in the apple ecosystem wanting the best flagship device available from that generation.
Ideal User for OnePlus 9R:
- Gamers: Users who need the smooth experience provided by a 120Hz refresh rate, more RAM, and fast charging.
- Multitaskers: Users who often switch between multiple apps and benefit from the larger RAM capacity.
- Users on the Go: People who need fast charging for quick power top-ups and a light phone for extended use.
- Photography Enthusiasts: Those who enjoy experimenting with different lenses such as macro and depth, especially if they do not zoom much.
- Android fans: Users who prefer the android OS and user experience.
Ideal Use Cases for OnePlus 9R:
- Mobile gaming, where the high refresh rate is beneficial.
- Quick battery top-ups during the day for heavy phone users
- Daily use involving multitasking and frequent app switching
- Creative photography with its added macro and depth sensors
- Users wanting a more future proof Android device in terms of updates.
4. Decision Framework
Here are three key questions a buyer should consider:
- How important is display sharpness and outdoor visibility?
- If these are paramount, the iPhone 11 Pro Max is the superior choice due to its higher resolution, PPI, and significantly better brightness.
- How important is a smooth, fast experience with smooth scrolling, animations, and quick charging?
- If these are key, the OnePlus 9R's 120Hz refresh rate and faster charging will significantly enhance the user experience.
- Do you prioritize camera versatility and charging speeds or wireless charging and more processing power?
- If you want versatility with macro and depth lenses, alongside faster charging, the OnePlus 9R is a better option. If you value telephoto zoom, wireless charging and a slightly more processing power, go for the iPhone 11 Pro Max.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: You're a photographer who often takes photos outdoors and needs a color-accurate screen.
- Recommendation: iPhone 11 Pro Max is likely a better fit due to its superior display brightness and overall color accuracy.
- Scenario 2: You're a gamer who often plays on their phone and needs a smooth, responsive device with fast charging.
- Recommendation: OnePlus 9R is the better option with its 120Hz refresh rate and 65W fast charging.
- Scenario 3: You want a versatile device that you can use for work and play and want to experiment with phone photography.
- Recommendation: OnePlus 9R, due to its faster charging, higher resolution main camera, and additional lenses.
- Scenario 4: You're already in the Apple ecosystem and need a high end phone that is feature rich.
- Recommendation: iPhone 11 Pro Max, due to its feature rich experience and ecosystem integration.
My Choice and Why
Personally, I would choose the OnePlus 9R.
Here's why:
- 120Hz Refresh Rate: The significantly smoother scrolling and animations on the OnePlus 9R make a noticeable difference in daily use. Having experienced high refresh rate screens, going back to 60Hz is extremely jarring, and for a device I'll be using everyday, this is incredibly important to me.
- Faster Charging: The 65W fast charging is a game-changer. I value the ability to quickly top up my phone during the day. Being able to get a day's worth of charge in under 30 minutes is incredibly important to me.
- More RAM: As a power user, I appreciate having extra RAM for multitasking. Even though the iPhone may have better processing power in terms of benchmarks, I am more likely to benefit from a larger RAM capacity in terms of my daily use.
- Price: The price of the OnePlus 9R will likely be cheaper than a used iPhone 11 Pro Max.
- Versatile Camera System: I enjoy experimenting with photography, so the inclusion of macro and depth lenses provides more creative options. Although the lack of a telephoto lens is disappointing, I'd rather have the versatility these other lenses provide in exchange.
- Future Proofing: Due to its Android OS, the device will likely be getting updates for longer than the iPhone 11 Pro Max.
While the iPhone 11 Pro Max has a superior display in terms of resolution, pixel density and peak brightness for outdoor usage, the advantages of the 120Hz refresh rate, much faster charging, and lighter weight are more beneficial to my daily usage. The additional cameras are also appealing to my personal preference. Although the iPhone may have the edge in raw processing power based on benchmark scores, the differences in day to day usage are unlikely to be noticeable enough for me to choose it over the OnePlus.