1. Specifications Comparison
Design
| Feature | OnePlus 9 Pro | Apple iPhone 15 Plus | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Dimensions | 163.2 × 73.6 × 8.7 mm | 160.9 × 77.8 × 7.8 mm | OnePlus 9 Pro is taller and thicker, while the iPhone 15 Plus is wider. The OnePlus 9 Pro has a slightly larger volume, which might affect one-handed use and pocketability. |
| Weight | 197g | 201g | Both phones have a similar weight, so no major difference in carrying comfort. |
| Build | Not specified | Not specified | Build materials (e.g., glass, aluminum) could affect durability and premium feel. |
Display
| Feature | OnePlus 9 Pro | Apple iPhone 15 Plus | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Size | 6.7" | 6.7" | Both have the same screen size, suitable for media consumption and gaming. |
| Resolution | 1440x3216 | 1290x2796 | OnePlus 9 Pro has a sharper display with more detail, noticeably better for reading text and viewing high-resolution images. |
| Pixel Density | 525 PPI | 460 PPI | OnePlus 9 Pro has a noticeably sharper display with crisper visuals due to higher pixel density. |
| Technology | | OLED | iPhone 15 Plus uses OLED, likely offering better contrast, color accuracy and black levels compared to OnePlus 9 Pro, where display tech is unspecified. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 60Hz | OnePlus 9 Pro offers smoother scrolling and animations, making it feel more responsive, especially during gaming and fast-paced actions. |
| Brightness | 1300 nits | 2000 nits | iPhone 15 Plus is significantly brighter, making it much more usable under direct sunlight. |
Performance
| Feature | OnePlus 9 Pro | Apple iPhone 15 Plus | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 5G (5 nm) | Apple A16 Bionic (4 nm) | iPhone 15 Plus uses a newer, more efficient chip, resulting in better overall performance and power efficiency. |
| AnTuTu Score | 877,600 | 1,470,000 | iPhone 15 Plus offers significantly faster performance, enabling smoother multitasking and gaming. |
| GPU | Adreno 660 | Apple GPU (5-core) | iPhone 15 Plus GPU is expected to provide better graphics performance for gaming and other demanding tasks. |
Camera
| Feature | OnePlus 9 Pro | Apple iPhone 15 Plus | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Rear Standard | 48MP f/1.8, 1/1.43" | 48MP f/1.6, 1/1.5" | iPhone 15 Plus has a wider aperture (f/1.6) which should perform slightly better in low-light; OnePlus 9 Pro has a larger sensor, which should result in a more shallow depth of field. |
| Selfie | 16MP f/2.4, 1/3.13" | 12MP f/1.9 | iPhone 15 Plus has a wider aperture which should result in better low-light performance, even though it has lower resolution. |
| Telephoto | 8MP f/2.4 | Not Available | OnePlus 9 Pro offers a dedicated telephoto lens for optical zoom, useful for capturing distant objects. |
| Wide Angle | 50MP f/2.2 | Not Available | OnePlus 9 Pro has a dedicated wide angle lens useful for landscape shots. |
| Wide Angle + Macro | Not Available | 12MP f/2.4 | iPhone 15 Plus has a dedicated wide angle + macro lens. |
| Black & White | 2MP f/2.4 | Not Available | OnePlus 9 Pro has a dedicated black and white sensor for artistic photos. |
| Video | Up to 8K@30fps | Up to 4K@60fps | OnePlus 9 Pro records in higher resolution (8K), suitable for professional use cases where high quality video recording is necessary. |
| DxOMark Score | 122 | 145 | iPhone 15 Plus has a superior camera performance according to DXOMark scores. |
Battery
| Feature | OnePlus 9 Pro | Apple iPhone 15 Plus | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Capacity | 4500mAh | 4383mAh | Both have similar battery sizes, suggesting comparable battery life, but real-world usage can differ. |
| Charging | 65W Fast Charging | 20W Fast Charging | OnePlus 9 Pro charges significantly faster, reducing the time spent tethered to a charger. |
| Features | 50W Wireless, Reverse Wireless | 15W MagSafe, 7.5W Qi Wireless | OnePlus 9 Pro offers faster wireless charging and reverse wireless charging for powering other devices. iPhone 15 Plus offers MagSafe charging. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
OnePlus 9 Pro Advantages
- Sharper Display: Higher resolution and pixel density lead to a crisper visual experience.
- Smoother Display: 120Hz refresh rate makes scrolling and animations feel much more fluid.
- Faster Charging: Significantly faster wired charging (65W) and faster wireless charging (50W).
- More Camera versatility: Includes dedicated telephoto, wide angle and black & white lenses.
- More RAM: With up to 12 GB of RAM, multitasking and demanding gaming are handled more smoothly.
Apple iPhone 15 Plus Advantages
- Superior Performance: Newer A16 chip offers significantly faster processing speeds and better power efficiency.
- Brighter Display: Much brighter screen makes it easier to see in direct sunlight.
- Better Main Camera Performance: Higher DxOMark score means superior photos and videos.
- MagSafe Charging: Offers convenient magnetic wireless charging.
- Wide Angle + Macro Lens: Offers more camera versatility.
- Newer Software: Runs iOS 17 with future updates to 18.
Trade-offs
- OnePlus 9 Pro: Trades off processing power and main camera performance for a sharper and smoother display and faster charging.
- Apple iPhone 15 Plus: Trades off display sharpness and smoothness and faster charging for better main camera quality and faster processing speeds.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
OnePlus 9 Pro
- Ideal User: Users who prioritize a smooth and detailed display for media consumption, gaming, and daily use. Users who value faster charging speeds.
- Use Cases:
- Mobile gamers who value high refresh rates and fast charging.
- Users who frequently watch videos and want a crisp display.
- Users who need a quick battery top-up during the day.
- Price-to-Value: The OnePlus 9 Pro is now older, so it should be more affordable than the iPhone 15 Plus which might make it more appealing to users on a budget that are willing to compromise on performance.
Apple iPhone 15 Plus
- Ideal User: Users who want the best performance and camera quality, especially for social media and content creation. Users who prioritize better screen visibility in bright conditions.
- Use Cases:
- Social media enthusiasts who want high-quality photos and videos.
- Users who frequently work outdoors and need a bright screen.
- Users who want the latest iOS experience and future software updates.
- Price-to-Value: The iPhone 15 Plus is newer with better performance and camera, but it might be at a higher price point.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions to Consider:
- How important is display sharpness and refresh rate to you? If you value a very sharp and smooth display, the OnePlus 9 Pro is a better pick. However, if you prioritize brightness and color accuracy, the iPhone 15 Plus is superior.
- How much do you prioritize performance and camera quality? If you need the fastest performance and best camera quality, the iPhone 15 Plus is the better choice. If you are willing to compromise on performance for other aspects, the OnePlus 9 Pro could be considered.
- How important is fast charging to you? If you need a quick battery top-up, the OnePlus 9 Pro charges significantly faster. If charging speed is less of a concern, the iPhone 15 Plus will still suffice.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Heavy Mobile Gamer: Go with OnePlus 9 Pro due to its 120Hz display and fast charging, though the iPhone 15 Plus offers better performance.
- Scenario 2: Social Media Content Creator: Choose iPhone 15 Plus because of its superior camera and video performance.
- Scenario 3: Outdoor Worker: Go with iPhone 15 Plus due to its significantly brighter display.
- Scenario 4: Budget-Conscious user: The OnePlus 9 Pro is an older phone, and therefore might be more affordable compared to the iPhone 15 Plus.
My Choice
If I were choosing between these two phones, I would go with the Apple iPhone 15 Plus. While the OnePlus 9 Pro has a higher resolution and a smoother display, my primary focus is on overall performance, camera quality and the overall user experience. The A16 Bionic chip in the iPhone 15 Plus offers a significant performance advantage, which translates into a smoother, snappier experience for everyday tasks, gaming and demanding applications. Additionally, the significantly higher brightness, better main camera quality and updated software of the iPhone 15 Plus would also make my daily usage experience more enjoyable, which is why I would prefer it over the OnePlus 9 Pro.
