1. Specifications Comparison
Here's a detailed comparison of the OnePlus 9 Pro and Asus ROG Phone 5, focusing on their practical implications:
| Feature | OnePlus 9 Pro | Asus ROG Phone 5 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 163.2 × 73.6 × 8.7 mm | 172.8 × 77.3 × 10.3 mm | Asus ROG Phone 5 is noticeably larger and bulkier, making it less pocketable and potentially less comfortable for smaller hands. |
| Weight | 197g | 238g | OnePlus 9 Pro is significantly lighter, making it more comfortable for extended use. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.7" | 6.78" | Negligible difference in screen size; both offer an immersive experience. |
| Resolution | 1440x3216 | 1080x2448 | OnePlus 9 Pro has a significantly sharper display; text and images will appear clearer with higher detail. |
| PPI | 525 | 395 | OnePlus 9 Pro offers a much sharper display with more detail. |
| Technology | AMOLED | Asus ROG Phone 5 has superior display technology (AMOLED) offering deeper blacks and better contrast, which translates to a more vivid viewing experience. | |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 144Hz | Asus ROG Phone 5 has a slightly smoother scrolling and gaming experience. |
| Brightness | 1300 nits | 0 nits | OnePlus 9 Pro is much more visible in bright sunlight. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Snapdragon 888 5G | Snapdragon 888 5G | Both phones offer similar top-tier performance for any task. |
| Antutu Score | 877,600 | 883,000 | Both phones have almost identical performance levels. |
| GPU | Adreno 660 | Adreno 660 | Both phones offer identical graphics performance for gaming and graphics-intensive tasks. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 4500mAh | 6000mAh | Asus ROG Phone 5 offers much longer battery life. |
| Charging | 65W fast charging | 65W fast charging | Both phones charge very quickly. |
| Features | Wireless charging 50W, Reverse wireless charging, Reverse charging, Non-removable | Bypass Charging, Reverse charging, Non-removable | OnePlus 9 Pro offers convenient wireless charging. Asus ROG Phone 5 has a bypass charging feature that will help reduce battery strain during long gaming sessions. |
| Camera | |||
| Standard Camera | 48MP, f/1.8, 1/1.43" Sony IMX789 | 64MP, f/1.8, 1/1.7" Sony IMX686 | Asus ROG Phone 5 captures more detailed images. OnePlus 9 Pro has better low-light capabilities due to a larger sensor. |
| Selfie Camera | 16MP, f/2.4, 1/3.13" Sony IMX471 | 24MP, f/2.45, 1/2.8" Samsung S5K2X7 | Asus ROG Phone 5 has higher resolution and a larger sensor. |
| Telephoto Lens | 8MP, f/2.4, 1/4.4" | None | OnePlus 9 Pro offers optical zoom capabilities. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 50MP, f/2.2, 1/1.56" Sony IMX766 | 13MP, f/2.5 | OnePlus 9 Pro captures much higher resolution wide-angle shots. |
| Macro Lens | None | 5MP, f/2.0 | Asus ROG Phone 5 offers dedicated macro lens for close-up shots. |
| Black & White Lens | 2MP, f/2.4 | None | OnePlus 9 Pro offers a dedicated black and white sensor for artistic shots. |
| Video | Up to 8K@120fps, HDR, EIS | Up to 8K@30fps, EIS | Both offer high-resolution video but OnePlus 9 Pro provides a wider range of high fps options. |
| DXOMark Score | Mobile:122 Photo: 124 Video: 118 | Not Available | OnePlus 9 Pro's camera performance is rated highly by DXOMark. |
| Camera Features | Quadruple camera, OIS, Ultra stable video, Continuous autofocus, CDAF, LAF, RAW, RAW 12 bits | Triple camera, Digital Image Stabilization, PDAF | OnePlus 9 Pro provides superior image stabilization and more professional image control and capture capabilities |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 (upgradable to 14) | Android 11 (upgradable to 12) | OnePlus 9 Pro has a longer software support lifespan. |
| Connectivity | |||
| WiFi | WiFi 6 | WiFi 6 (802.11ad) | Asus ROG Phone 5 has faster WiFi connectivity using the 802.11ad standard. |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.2 LE | Bluetooth 5.2 | Asus ROG Phone 5 has a slightly wider range of Bluetooth profile support. |
| GPS | GPS (L1+L5) | GPS (L1+L5) (L1 + L5) NavIC System | Asus ROG Phone 5 has better overall location accuracy thanks to the inclusion of more satellite systems and the NavIC system. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 128 GB or 256 GB | 128 GB, 256 GB, or 512 GB | Asus ROG Phone 5 has up to 512GB storage for users with larger needs. |
| RAM | 8 GB or 12 GB | 8 GB, 12 GB, 16 GB, or 18 GB | Asus ROG Phone 5 offers significantly higher RAM options, providing smoother multitasking and game performance. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither phone offers external storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Dolby Atmos, 3 microphones | DTS / DTS X, Hi-Res Audio, 4 microphones | Asus ROG Phone 5 has superior audio quality for gaming, movies and music. |
| Security | |||
| Features | Fingerprint Sensor | Fingerprint Sensor | Both phones offer standard fingerprint-based security. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | Corning Gorilla Glass 6 | Asus ROG Phone 5 has a newer generation of screen protection. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Biometric: Fingerprint; Proximity: Proximity; Motion: Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope | Biometric: Fingerprint; Proximity: Proximity; Motion: Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope; Hall | Asus ROG Phone 5 offers additional sensors for specific use cases like gaming, while OnePlus 9 Pro includes gravity for enhanced responsiveness. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Here's a breakdown of the main advantages of each phone, and what these differences mean for the user:
OnePlus 9 Pro Advantages:
- Sharper Display: Higher resolution and pixel density for clearer images and text. Practical Impact: Better visual experience for reading, browsing, and viewing high-resolution content.
- Superior Camera System: More versatile camera setup, including a telephoto lens, a higher resolution wide-angle lens, and additional black and white sensor and offers optical image stabilization and professional features. Practical Impact: More flexibility for different types of photography, better low-light performance, sharper zoom shots and more options to capture professional quality pictures.
- Significantly Lighter and Thinner: More comfortable to hold and easier to carry. Practical Impact: Better ergonomics for long-term use and pocketability.
- Wireless Charging: Convenient wireless charging and reverse wireless charging. Practical Impact: More flexible charging options.
- Longer Software Support: Guaranteed to receive an additional version of Android Practical Impact: longer device lifecycle with access to new features
- Brighter Display: Offers much better outdoor visibility. Practical Impact: Easier to use in sunlight
Asus ROG Phone 5 Advantages:
- Massive Battery: Larger battery capacity for significantly longer usage time. Practical Impact: Users can go longer between charges, ideal for heavy usage and travel.
- Higher Refresh Rate: Slightly smoother display for gaming and fast scrolling. Practical Impact: Improved responsiveness in games and smoother overall feel of the user interface.
- Superior Audio Quality: Enhanced audio experience with DTS/DTS X and Hi-Res audio support. Practical Impact: Immersive sound experience for music, movies, and games.
- More RAM Options: Offers up to 18GB of RAM, which is better for intense multitasking and gaming. Practical Impact: Smoother multitasking, faster app launches and improved gaming performance.
- Macro lens: Offers a dedicated macro lens for close up shots. Practical Impact: more options for varied photography.
- Bypass Charging: Direct charging of the phone without battery strain. Practical Impact: allows for extended play sessions and heavy usage without battery degradation
- Wider Bluetooth Profile Support: Better compatibility with various Bluetooth devices. Practical Impact: greater compatibility with more Bluetooth devices.
- Higher Internal Storage Options: Provides more space for users who require it. Practical Impact: users can store more data locally.
- Better screen protection: Provides better overall protection against drops and scratches. Practical Impact: Longer screen lifespan
- More Satellite Systems: Offers increased location accuracy in more scenarios.Practical Impact: improved location services including more accurate GPS data
Significant Trade-offs:
- The OnePlus 9 Pro sacrifices some battery life and gaming features for a lighter design, better camera and sharper display.
- The Asus ROG Phone 5 prioritizes battery, gaming features, and audio, at the expense of a larger size, a less sophisticated camera, and a lower-resolution screen.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Here are the ideal users for each phone and their use cases:
OnePlus 9 Pro Ideal Users:
- Photography Enthusiasts: Users who prioritize camera quality and versatility.
- Everyday Users: Individuals who want a balance of performance, battery life, and ease of use.
- Content Consumers: Those who value a sharp, vibrant display for watching videos and reading.
- Professionals: Those who want a sleek and lightweight device that can also capture high quality photos and videos.
Specific Use Cases:
- High-quality photography and videography.
- Daily use with a focus on media consumption.
- Users that prefer a sleek and light design with an immersive viewing experience.
Asus ROG Phone 5 Ideal Users:
- Mobile Gamers: Users who need top-tier performance, high refresh rates, and long battery life.
- Power Users: Individuals who require heavy multitasking and maximum performance for demanding apps.
- Audio Enthusiasts: Users who prioritize high-fidelity audio for immersive experiences.
- Heavy Users: Individuals who often find their phones running out of battery throughout the day.
Specific Use Cases:
- Intense mobile gaming sessions.
- Multitasking with heavy resource-demanding applications.
- Users that prefer maximum audio quality for multimedia consumption.
- Those who require extremely long battery life for extended daily use.
4. Decision Framework
Here are the 3 key questions to help buyers decide, along with scenario-based recommendations:
What is your priority: Portability and Camera Quality or Battery Life and Gaming Performance?
- Scenario 1 (Portability & Camera): If you prioritize a lighter phone with a top-tier camera system and sharp display, the OnePlus 9 Pro is the better choice.
- Scenario 2 (Battery & Gaming): If you prioritize very long battery life, high refresh rates, and high-end audio output for gaming, the Asus ROG Phone 5 is the better choice.
Do you need Wireless Charging?
- Scenario 1 (Wireless): If wireless charging is important for you, the OnePlus 9 Pro is the better option.
- Scenario 2 (No Wireless): If wireless charging is not critical, the Asus ROG Phone 5 may be preferred, as it offers a bypass charging feature that benefits gamers.
How do you value display resolution?
- Scenario 1 (Sharp Display): If you prioritize the highest display resolution for clarity, the OnePlus 9 Pro is the preferred choice, as it provides higher resolution and pixel density.
- Scenario 2 (Smooth Display): If you prefer a slightly smoother display for fast scrolling and gaming, the Asus ROG Phone 5 is preferred for its slightly higher refresh rate.
My Choice
If I were choosing between these two phones, I would personally choose the OnePlus 9 Pro. While the Asus ROG Phone 5 has advantages in battery life and raw gaming power, my priorities lean towards the OnePlus's better display clarity and superior camera system, all while maintaining a much more lightweight design that's ideal for everyday use. The slightly lighter body is a big win for comfort, and the better screen brightness means I can use the phone in any condition. While I'd enjoy the larger battery and higher refresh rate of the ROG Phone 5, the overall user experience of the OnePlus 9 Pro is a more balanced fit for my personal needs.
