Smartphone Comparison: Apple iPhone 11 Pro Max vs. OnePlus 9RT 5G
1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Apple iPhone 11 Pro Max | OnePlus 9RT 5G | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 158 × 77.8 × 8.1 mm | 162.2 × 74.6 × 8.3 mm | OnePlus is taller & thicker, but narrower. The iPhone is wider. Could affect one-hand use and pocketability, where the OnePlus is slightly better for a smaller hand |
| Weight | 226g | 198.5g | OnePlus is noticeably lighter, making it more comfortable for extended use. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.5" | 6.62" | OnePlus has a slightly larger screen, providing a bit more screen real estate for media and gaming. |
| Resolution | 1242x2688 | 1080x2400 | iPhone has a sharper display, resulting in finer details and less pixelation. |
| PPI | 458 | 397 | iPhone's higher pixel density leads to a more crisp and detailed visual experience. |
| Technology | OLED | AMOLED | Similar technologies, both offer excellent color reproduction and deep blacks. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 120Hz | OnePlus offers significantly smoother scrolling and animations, more responsive gaming. |
| Brightness | 1200 nits | 0 nits | iPhone is significantly brighter, better for outdoor visibility under direct sunlight. OnePlus brightness info missing |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Apple A13 Bionic (7 nm+) | Qualcomm SM8350 Snapdragon 888 5G (5 nm) | Different architectures. A13 and 888 offer top level performance. |
| AnTuTu Score | 916,151 | 881,700 | Both offer very similar performance in benchmarks, and would not make much of a difference in day-to-day use. |
| GPU | Apple GPU (4-core graphics) | Adreno 660 | Different GPUs. Both capable of handling demanding tasks and gaming, with the iPhone GPU often providing better consistency. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 3969mAh | 4500mAh | OnePlus has a larger battery, likely providing longer battery life. |
| Charging | 18W fast charging | 65W fast charging | OnePlus charges significantly faster, reducing downtime spent plugged in. |
| Features | Non-removable, Fast charge 18W, Wireless reverse charging | Non-removable, 2*2250mAh double battery cells | iPhone offers wireless charging, while OnePlus has a double battery cell architecture. |
| Camera | |||
| Standard Camera | 12MP, f/1.8, 1/2.55" | 50MP, f/1.8, 1/1.56" | OnePlus captures more detailed photos with larger sensor, especially in good lighting and likely in low light as well. |
| Telephoto | 12MP, f/2.0 | None | iPhone offers dedicated optical zoom, while OnePlus relies on digital zoom for telephoto needs. |
| Selfie | 12MP | 16MP, f/2.4, 1/3.13" | OnePlus offers slightly higher resolution and a slightly wider aperture for better low-light selfies. |
| Wide Angle | 12MP, f/2.4 | 16MP, f/2.2, 1/3.09" | OnePlus wide angle is slightly wider and has slightly more detail with higher resolution. |
| Macro Lens | None | 2MP, f/2.4 | OnePlus has a dedicated macro lens for close-up photography. iPhone doesn't have one. |
| Video | 4K@60fps with HDR, Stereo Sound | 4K@60fps with HDR, EIS | Both offer similar video recording up to 4k with HDR, but OnePlus has EIS which provides additional smoothness. |
| DxOMark Mobile | 122 (Photo: 126, Video: 124) | Not available | iPhone's camera has a DxOMark score showing good photo and video quality. OnePlus doesn't have a score. |
| DxOMark Selfie | 122 (Photo: 115, Video: 134) | Not available | iPhone's camera has a DxOMark score showing good photo and video quality. OnePlus doesn't have a score. |
| Camera Features | OIS, etc | OIS, PDAF, etc | OnePlus includes additional features like digital image stabilization, manual focus, Phase detection autofocus and a panorama mode. |
| Software | |||
| OS | iOS 13 (upgradable to 18) | Android 11 (upgradable to 13) | Different ecosystems. iOS has a reputation for ease of use and good software updates. Android is more customizable and flexible. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6 | Wi-Fi 6, Wi-Fi Direct, Wi-Fi Display, Wi-Fi MiMO | OnePlus supports additional Wi-Fi features, potentially offering better connectivity options for specific scenarios. |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.0 LE | Bluetooth 5.2 LE, APT-x, LDAC, AAC | OnePlus offers a newer Bluetooth version with better audio codec support, resulting in higher quality audio. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, QZSS, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo, GPS (L1+L5), BeiDou (B1), Galileo (E1+E5a) | OnePlus supports a wider array of GPS systems for more accurate and faster location tracking, especially in challenging environments. |
| SIM | Dual SIM (Nano + Nano/eSIM) | Dual SIM (Nano + Nano) | iPhone supports eSIM, which provides flexibility in managing multiple carriers, OnePlus does not have eSIM. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 64/256/512 GB | 128/256 GB | iPhone has a higher maximum storage option, catering to users with high storage needs. |
| RAM | 4 GB | 8/12 GB | OnePlus has significantly more RAM, for smoother multitasking and demanding tasks. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone supports microSD card expansion. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Dolby Atmos, Stereo Speakers | Dolby Atmos, Stereo Speakers | Both offer similar audio setups, with stereo speakers and Dolby Atmos for an enhanced audio experience. |
| Security | |||
| Features | Basic security features | Basic fingerprint sensor | OnePlus offers fingerprint authentication for quick and easy device unlocking. iPhone uses only Face ID. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Unknown | Unknown | Both phones have unknown screen protection, but both use glass screens. |
| Sensors | Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Barometer | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope | iPhone includes a barometer for environmental data. OnePlus has fingerprint security sensor. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Apple iPhone 11 Pro Max Advantages:
- Sharper Display: Higher resolution and pixel density offer a more detailed visual experience.
- Superior Brightness: Significantly brighter screen, essential for outdoor use in bright sunlight.
- Telephoto Lens: Offers dedicated optical zoom for better close-up shots.
- eSIM Support: Provides flexibility with multiple cellular plans, good for frequent international travel.
- DxOMark Score: Has a tested, reliable camera score for mobile and selfie quality
OnePlus 9RT 5G Advantages:
- Smoother Display: 120Hz refresh rate for more fluid animations and gaming.
- Larger Battery: Offers potentially longer battery life due to larger capacity.
- Faster Charging: Significantly faster charging speeds, reducing downtime.
- More RAM: Higher RAM capacity for smoother multitasking and handling demanding applications.
- Newer Bluetooth: Supports a newer version of Bluetooth with better audio codecs.
- More GPS Systems: Wider support for GPS systems enhances location accuracy.
- Fingerprint Sensor: Provides an additional secure biometric authentication.
- Better standard and wide angle cameras: Higher resolution and bigger sensors
Trade-offs:
- iPhone: Has lower refresh rate, slower charging and a smaller battery compared to the OnePlus. No fingerprint reader.
- OnePlus: Lacks a dedicated telephoto lens, no eSIM support, lower screen resolution, lacks a reliable brightness. No DxOMark testing data available.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Apple iPhone 11 Pro Max:
- Ideal User: Users deeply embedded in the Apple ecosystem, value ease of use, prefer a sharper and brighter display, and need a reliable camera with telephoto capabilities.
- Use Cases:
- Professional photography (due to the telephoto lens and DxOMark score).
- Frequent outdoor use in bright conditions.
- Users wanting a consistent and fluid software experience with a good update record.
OnePlus 9RT 5G:
- Ideal User: Android enthusiasts who prioritize smooth performance, faster charging, and a fluid user experience and want a great camera.
- Use Cases:
- Mobile gaming due to the 120Hz display and higher RAM.
- Users who need quick charging and a longer lasting battery.
- Multimedia consumption and those wanting the extra smoothness of 120 Hz.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions to Consider:
- Display Preference: Do you prioritize a sharper display with higher brightness (iPhone), or a smoother display with a faster refresh rate (OnePlus)?
- Ecosystem Preference: Are you heavily invested in the Apple ecosystem (iPhone), or are you comfortable with Android (OnePlus)?
- Battery and Charging: Do you prioritize longer battery life and fast charging (OnePlus), or are you okay with slower charging if you get wireless charging (iPhone)?
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
For the Outdoor Photographer: The iPhone 11 Pro Max's telephoto lens, brightness, and DxOMark scores make it better suited for outdoor photography.
For the Mobile Gamer: The OnePlus 9RT 5G's higher refresh rate, RAM, and fast charging provides a smoother gaming experience, especially if they use an android emulator.
For the Everyday User: The OnePlus 9RT 5G provides great value with its smooth display, fast charging, and good camera system. However, the iPhone provides a very solid, consistent experience, good camera and a brighter display.
My Choice
If I had to choose, I would choose the OnePlus 9RT 5G. The primary reason is that the display is higher refresh rate, and provides smoother scrolling and transitions. The secondary reason is that it provides significantly faster charging, so even if the battery drains faster, I can top it off much quicker. While the lack of telephoto lens is disappointing, the main sensor has a larger sensor and larger resolution, which would be preferable in most use cases. I am also very comfortable with the Android ecosystem, so the software difference is not a negative for me. The lack of brightness rating is also concerning, but that is a spec issue, not a real world issue. Finally, the additional sensors for GPS is a boon, as I prefer higher accuracy for my maps application.
