Smartphone Comparison: Motorola One 5G Ace vs. OnePlus 9R
1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Motorola One 5G Ace | OnePlus 9R | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Launch Date | 2021-01-14 | 2021-04-14 | OnePlus 9R is 3 months newer, potentially having slightly more up-to-date features |
| Dimensions | 166.1 x 76.1 x 9.9 mm | 161 x 74.1 x 8.4 mm | OnePlus 9R is more compact and thinner, potentially more comfortable in hand and pocket |
| Weight | 212g | 189g | OnePlus 9R is lighter, making it easier to handle for extended periods |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.7" | 6.55" | Motorola One 5G Ace has slightly larger screen, better for media consumption |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2400 | Both offer the same sharpness |
| PPI | 393 | 402 | Virtually identical pixel density; both displays are very sharp. |
| Technology | IPS LCD | AMOLED | OnePlus 9R has a superior display with deeper blacks, more vibrant colors and better power efficiency for dark themes |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 120Hz | OnePlus 9R offers much smoother scrolling and animations, making the experience more fluid. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 0 nits | Both phones' peak brightness is identical at 0 nits, which might be an error since phones are usually measured at a value above zero in nits. This makes comparison impossible. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 750G (8 nm) | Qualcomm Snapdragon 870 (7 nm) | OnePlus 9R has a significantly more powerful processor, leading to faster performance |
| AnTuTu Score | 330,000 | 821,600 | OnePlus 9R provides much faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and more capable gaming performance |
| GPU | Adreno 619 | Adreno 650 | OnePlus 9R has a superior GPU, offering better graphics rendering in apps and games. |
| Camera | |||
| Standard Camera | 48MP, f/1.7 | 48MP, f/1.7, Sony IMX586 | Both have similar standard cameras; OnePlus 9R has a more recognized sensor model. |
| Selfie Camera | 16MP, f/2.2 | 16MP, f/2.4, Sony IMX471 | Motorola One 5G Ace has a slightly wider aperture, theoretically better low-light selfies |
| Wide Angle | 8MP, f/2.2 | 16MP, f/2.2, Sony IMX481 | OnePlus 9R has a higher resolution wide-angle camera, capturing more details. |
| Portrait mode (depth) | N/A | 2MP, f/2.4 | OnePlus 9R has a dedicated depth sensor for better portrait mode effects. |
| Macro Lens | 2MP, f/2.4 | 5MP, f/2.4 | OnePlus 9R has a higher resolution macro camera, capturing more detailed close-up shots. |
| Video | 4K@30fps with EIS, 1080p@30/60fps with EIS | 4K@30/60fps with HDR, EIS, 1080p@30/60/240fps with HDR, EIS | OnePlus 9R offers more advanced video options with HDR, higher frame rates and a higher slow-motion frame rate. |
| Features | Digital zoom, Triple camera, DIS, Autofocus, PDAF, LAF, Continuous shooting, HDR etc. | 4K Video, Digital zoom, Quadruple camera, DIS, OIS, Autofocus, PDAF, Continuous shooting, HDR etc. | OnePlus 9R offers more advanced features like OIS and 4K video and quadruple camera, while Motorola offers a laser autofocus. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 4500mAh | Motorola One 5G Ace has a slightly larger battery; likely provides better battery life |
| Charging | 15W | 65W | OnePlus 9R charges significantly faster, getting you back up and running quickly |
| Features | Non-removable, 10W charger included | Non-removable | OnePlus 9R does not come with a charger, while Motorola does. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 10 | Android 10 (Upgradable to 13) | OnePlus 9R offers a longer support life, providing later android versions |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | 802.11a/b/g/n/ac | 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax (WiFi 6) | OnePlus 9R supports Wi-Fi 6, offering faster speeds and better performance in crowded networks |
| Bluetooth | 5.1 LE, A2DP, EDR, LE | 5.1 LE, A2DP, LE, APT-x, LDAC, AAC | OnePlus 9R supports more advanced Bluetooth codecs for better audio quality. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, SUPL, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo, GPS (L1+L5), BeiDou (B1), Galileo (E1+E5a) | OnePlus 9R supports more satellite systems for better location accuracy |
| SIM | Single Nano SIM | Dual SIM (Nano SIM) | OnePlus 9R supports two SIM cards, better for users with multiple numbers |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 64/128 GB | 128/256 GB | OnePlus 9R offers more storage, better for storing more apps and media. |
| RAM | 4/6 GB | 8/12 GB | OnePlus 9R has significantly more RAM, crucial for smooth multitasking and gaming. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither phone supports expandable storage, limiting the total capacity. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | 2 microphones | Dolby Atmos, Noise cancellation microphone, Stereo Speakers | OnePlus 9R has better audio with enhanced spatial sound, better clarity calls and stereo sound, and noise cancellation |
| Security | |||
| Features | Rear fingerprint sensor | Basic fingerprint sensor | Both have similar fingerprint sensors for basic biometric security |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Unknown | Unknown | Unable to compare screen protection tech, no information is available. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope | Both have a similar comprehensive set of sensors. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Motorola One 5G Ace Advantages:
- Larger Battery: The 5000mAh battery provides a longer battery life, suitable for heavy users.
- Included Charger: Comes with a 10W charger in the box, which is convenient for immediate use.
- Wider Selfie Aperture: Slightly better low-light selfies due to f/2.2 aperture.
- Laser Auto Focus: Potentially slightly faster autofocus in certain situations.
OnePlus 9R Advantages:
- Superior Performance: The Snapdragon 870 chipset provides significantly faster performance for all tasks, especially gaming.
- Better Display: AMOLED with 120Hz refresh rate offers much more vibrant visuals and smoother scrolling.
- Faster Charging: 65W fast charging allows much quicker recharges.
- Better Cameras: Higher resolution ultrawide, macro and a depth camera for better pictures in some situations.
- More Storage and RAM: Higher base storage and RAM allow for more apps and better multitasking.
- Better Audio: Features stereo speakers and Dolby Atmos for a more immersive audio experience.
- More advanced connectivity Supports newer WiFi and Bluetooth, and more satellite systems.
- Software Updates: Has a longer software support life; capable of updating to Android 13
Trade-offs:
- Motorola One 5G Ace sacrifices performance and display quality for a bigger battery and lower price point.
- OnePlus 9R has a slightly smaller battery and doesn't include a charger, but gives better performance, display and camera capabilities
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Motorola One 5G Ace:
- Ideal User: Price-conscious users who need long battery life, use their phone mainly for browsing, social media, and basic tasks, and who don't care for cutting edge performance.
- Use Cases:
- Long work days with minimal charging opportunities.
- Basic media consumption and casual use.
- Users who prioritize battery life over display quality and performance.
- Price-to-Value: Provides good value for the budget-conscious, with a focus on battery and basic functionality.
OnePlus 9R:
- Ideal User: Users who prioritize performance, display quality, and want a smooth experience, and also enjoy photography and gaming.
- Use Cases:
- Gaming and graphic-intensive tasks.
- High-quality video and media consumption.
- Users who value a premium display and overall performance.
- Users who need to quickly recharge their phone.
- Users who want better photos in different situations.
- Price-to-Value: Offers a higher value proposition with a focus on performance and advanced features.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions to Consider:
- How important is battery life for you? If it's crucial, the Motorola Ace might be better. If you're near a charger, OnePlus 9R is better overall.
- How much do you value performance and display quality? If these are your top priorities, the OnePlus 9R will provide a much better experience.
- What's your budget? If you're on a tight budget, the Motorola One 5G Ace is more affordable but you sacrifice other areas.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Frequent Traveler, Battery Priority: The Motorola One 5G Ace is preferable due to its larger battery, although you might miss the fast charging feature.
- Scenario 2: Mobile Gamer, Performance Focus: The OnePlus 9R will give you a much better performance with faster charging, and better display quality making it superior for gaming.
- Scenario 3: Budget User: The Motorola One 5G Ace will be better for budget users, since it provides the essential functionality for less money.
- Scenario 4: Photography Enthusiast: The OnePlus 9R will offer better versatility and picture quality due to the multiple camera lenses and HDR.
My Choice
If I were choosing between these two phones, I would pick the OnePlus 9R. The differences in performance, display quality, charging speed, and camera features are significant enough to justify the trade-off of a slightly smaller battery and a charger not being included in the box. The 120Hz AMOLED display, Snapdragon 870 chipset, and faster charging are features that I consider crucial for a modern smartphone experience. Additionally, the better software support means the OnePlus will last you longer before it becomes outdated. The OnePlus 9R caters more to my preference for a smooth, high-performance user experience, even if it comes with some minor compromises.
