1. Specifications Comparison
Design
| Feature | OnePlus 9 Pro | Asus ROG Phone 6 | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Dimensions | 163.2 × 73.6 × 8.7 mm | 173 × 77 × 10.3 mm | The ROG Phone 6 is larger and bulkier, which might be less comfortable for one-handed use and carrying in a pocket. The OnePlus 9 Pro is more compact and easier to handle. |
| Weight | 197g | 239g | The OnePlus 9 Pro is significantly lighter, making it more comfortable for prolonged use. The ROG Phone 6's heavier weight might be noticeable during long gaming sessions or while holding it for extended periods. |
| Build | Standard | Standard | Both are standard smartphone builds. |
Display
| Feature | OnePlus 9 Pro | Asus ROG Phone 6 | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Size | 6.7" | 6.78" | Minimal difference in screen size; both offer a large viewing experience. |
| Resolution | 1440x3216 | 1080x2448 | OnePlus 9 Pro's higher resolution leads to sharper images and text, better suited for detailed viewing and high-resolution content. The ROG Phone 6's lower resolution might appear less crisp, especially noticeable for users who prioritize visual clarity. |
| PPI | 525 | 395 | The OnePlus 9 Pro has a noticeably sharper display with higher pixel density. This means text and images look more detailed. |
| Technology | | AMOLED | ROG Phone 6's AMOLED display provides deeper blacks, better contrast, and potentially more vibrant colors compared to the OnePlus 9 Pro, which lacks specification details. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 165Hz | ROG Phone 6's higher refresh rate results in smoother scrolling and animations, especially beneficial in fast-paced games and UI navigation. |
| Brightness | 1300 nits | 1200 nits | OnePlus 9 Pro's brighter display can be more visible in direct sunlight, providing better outdoor usability. |
Performance
| Feature | OnePlus 9 Pro | Asus ROG Phone 6 | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM8350 Snapdragon 888 5G (5 nm) | Qualcomm SM8475 Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 (4 nm) | ROG Phone 6's newer, more powerful chip offers faster processing, better graphics, and improved power efficiency, leading to superior overall performance. |
| AnTuTu Score | 877,600 | 1,203,000 | ROG Phone 6 has a higher benchmark score indicating faster app loading and smoother operation, especially when gaming or multitasking. |
| GPU | Adreno 660 | Adreno 730 | ROG Phone 6's newer GPU offers better graphics performance for demanding games and applications. |
Camera
| Feature | OnePlus 9 Pro | Asus ROG Phone 6 | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Standard Camera | 48MP, f/1.8, 1/1.43", Sony IMX789, 1.12µm | 50MP, f/1.9, 1/1.56", Sony IMX766, 1.00µm | OnePlus 9 Pro boasts a slightly larger sensor and wider aperture, potentially leading to better low-light performance despite slightly lower resolution. |
| Selfie Camera | 16MP, f/2.4, 1/3.13", Sony IMX471, 0.70µm | 12MP, f/2.0, 1/2.93", Sony IMX663, 1.22µm | ROG Phone 6 has a larger pixel size and wider aperture, which might lead to better low-light selfie performance. The OnePlus 9 Pro has a higher resolution sensor, which allows for more detailed selfies. |
| Telephoto Lens | 8MP, f/2.4, 1/4.4", Omnivision OV08A10, 1.00µm | None | OnePlus 9 Pro has a dedicated telephoto lens for optical zoom capabilities, which is useful for capturing distant subjects. ROG Phone 6 relies solely on digital zoom. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 50MP, f/2.2, 1/1.56", Sony IMX766, 1.00µm | 13MP, f/2.2 | OnePlus 9 Pro offers much higher resolution for wide-angle shots, capturing more details and offering better image quality. |
| Macro Lens | None | 5MP, f/2.4 | ROG Phone 6 has a dedicated macro lens for detailed close-up shots. |
| Black & White Lens | 2MP, f/2.4 | None | OnePlus 9 Pro has a dedicated black and white sensor, which can offer unique photographic effects. |
| Video Recording | Up to 8K@30fps | Up to 8K@24fps | Both phones offer 8K recording for professional video production. The OnePlus offers a slightly higher framerate for 8K. |
| DxOMark Score | 122 (Mobile), 124 (Photo), 118 (Video) | Not Available | Only the OnePlus 9 Pro has a rating, making direct comparison difficult. These scores show generally good camera performance from the OnePlus. |
| Camera Features | OIS, Quad Camera, etc. | OIS, Triple Camera, etc. | OnePlus 9 Pro offers a more versatile camera system with optical zoom, quad-camera setup, ultra stable video, and advanced focus features. ROG Phone 6 offers a triple camera setup and macro lens for close-up details. |
Battery
| Feature | OnePlus 9 Pro | Asus ROG Phone 6 | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Capacity | 4500mAh | 6000mAh | The ROG Phone 6 has a significantly larger battery, allowing for longer usage, particularly for gaming and heavy tasks without needing to recharge as often. |
| Charging | 65W Fast Charging | 65W Fast Charging | Both phones offer rapid charging to quickly replenish battery life. |
| Features | 50W Wireless Charging, Reverse Wireless Charging, Reverse Charging | Bypass Charging, 10W Reverse Charging | OnePlus 9 Pro offers fast wireless charging, while the ROG Phone 6 has bypass charging for extended gaming sessions with less battery degradation. |
Software
| Feature | OnePlus 9 Pro | Asus ROG Phone 6 | Practical Impact |
|---|
| OS | Android 11, upgradable to 14 | Android 12, upgradable to 13 | OnePlus 9 Pro currently has a more up to date android version, while the ROG Phone 6 launched with a newer OS version. |
Connectivity
| Feature | OnePlus 9 Pro | Asus ROG Phone 6 | Practical Impact |
|---|
| WiFi | WiFi 6 | WiFi 6 + 802.11ad | Both have excellent wifi standards, ROG Phone 6 offers 802.11ad for faster data transfer when supported |
| Bluetooth | 5.2 LE | 5.2 | Both offer the same Bluetooth version and common features. ROG Phone 6 has a more robust list of included profiles. |
| GPS | GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (L1), BeiDou (B1), Galileo (E1+E5a) | GPS (L1+L5), BeiDou (B1, B2), Galileo (E1+E5a), QZSS (L1 + L5), NavIC | ROG Phone 6 has more precise and reliable positioning due to broader satellite support, which is important for navigation and location-based services. |
| SIM | Dual SIM | Dual SIM | Both phones can use two SIM cards at the same time. |
Storage
| Feature | OnePlus 9 Pro | Asus ROG Phone 6 | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Internal | 128GB or 256GB | 128GB, 256GB or 512GB | ROG Phone 6 offers up to 512GB storage, providing more space for games, media, and files. Both offer the same amount of storage in lower configurations. |
| RAM | 8GB or 12GB | 8GB, 12GB or 16GB | ROG Phone 6 offers up to 16GB of RAM which results in smoother multitasking, especially for gaming and running multiple apps concurrently. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither phone supports expandable storage. |
Audio
| Feature | OnePlus 9 Pro | Asus ROG Phone 6 | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Quality | Dolby Atmos, Stereo Speakers, 3 Microphones | DTS / DTS X, Hi-Res Audio, Stereo Speakers, 4 Microphones | ROG Phone 6 offers an enhanced audio experience with DTS:X surround sound, Hi-Res audio playback, a higher number of microphones, resulting in better quality calls and gaming audio. |
Security
| Feature | OnePlus 9 Pro | Asus ROG Phone 6 | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Features | Basic Fingerprint Sensor | Basic Fingerprint Sensor | Both provide standard fingerprint sensor security. |
Build Quality
| Feature | OnePlus 9 Pro | Asus ROG Phone 6 | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Screen Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus | ROG Phone 6 has more robust screen protection against scratches and drops. |
Sensors
| Feature | OnePlus 9 Pro | Asus ROG Phone 6 | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Gravity | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Hall | Both have a comprehensive suite of motion sensors. The ROG Phone 6's additional hall sensor is suitable for advanced features and gaming. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
OnePlus 9 Pro Advantages:
- Sharper Display: Higher resolution (1440x3216) and pixel density (525 PPI) for crisper visuals.
- Brighter Display: Higher brightness (1300 nits) for better visibility in sunlight.
- More Versatile Camera System: Includes a telephoto lens for optical zoom and an additional black & white sensor, offers a more versatile quad-camera system with unique features.
- Faster Wireless Charging: 50W wireless charging.
- More up to date Android OS: Offers Android 14.
Asus ROG Phone 6 Advantages:
- Superior Performance: Newer and more powerful Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 chipset with a higher AnTuTu score and more powerful GPU for faster app loading and smoother operation.
- Smoother Display: Higher 165Hz refresh rate for ultra-smooth scrolling and gaming.
- Larger Battery: 6000mAh battery for significantly longer battery life.
- Bypass Charging: Minimizes battery degradation during extended gaming.
- Better Audio: Superior audio system with DTS:X, Hi-Res audio, and four microphones.
- More Storage Options: Offers a 512GB option.
- More RAM Options: Offers a 16GB option.
- More Robust Screen Protection: Offers Gorilla Glass Victus screen protection.
- More Satellite Systems: Better and more precise GPS navigation.
Trade-offs
- OnePlus 9 Pro: Sacrifices performance, battery life, and some gaming features for a better display, more versatile camera system and wireless charging.
- Asus ROG Phone 6: Sacrifices a bit of display sharpness and camera versatility, for significantly better performance, battery, audio quality, and screen protection.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
OnePlus 9 Pro:
- Ideal User: Users who prioritize a high-resolution display, versatile camera capabilities, and wireless charging.
- Use Cases:
- Photography enthusiasts: Users who value high-quality photos with multiple lenses, including a telephoto and black & white sensor.
- Content Consumers: Users who enjoy watching high-resolution videos and reading text on a sharp screen.
- Users who prefer wireless charging.
- Price-to-value: The OnePlus 9 Pro may offer better value for users who don't need the extra gaming features but still want a premium phone with a great camera and a sharp screen, however the price will likely be less than the ROG Phone 6.
Asus ROG Phone 6:
- Ideal User: Gamers and power users who need the absolute best performance and battery life.
- Use Cases:
- Mobile Gamers: Users who play graphically intensive games and need high refresh rate, long battery life, and bypass charging.
- Power Users: Users who perform heavy multitasking and require maximum processing power and memory.
- Audio Enthusiasts: Users who value high-quality audio and require it for music listening and gaming.
- Price-to-value: The ROG Phone 6 is likely to be more expensive but offers exceptional performance, battery life, and gaming-centric features that may be worth the price for targeted users.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- What is my primary use case? (Gaming, photography, everyday use, or content consumption)
- How important is performance vs. camera quality? (Prioritize raw power or versatility of camera features)
- How important is battery life vs. wireless charging? (Do you need all day battery, or a quick charge on the go)
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Gaming is the Priority: Choose the Asus ROG Phone 6 for its superior performance, higher refresh rate, larger battery, bypass charging, and better audio.
- Scenario 2: High-Quality Camera and Display are Critical: Choose the OnePlus 9 Pro for its sharper, brighter display, versatile camera system, telephoto lens, wireless charging, and more up to date OS.
- Scenario 3: Balanced Performance and Features: If you want a bit of everything at a price point that is less than the ROG Phone 6, then the OnePlus 9 Pro could offer the better option.
Personal Choice
If I had to choose, I would pick the Asus ROG Phone 6. While the OnePlus 9 Pro has a sharper display and a more versatile camera system, my primary use case leans towards performance and longevity. The ROG Phone 6's superior chipset, higher refresh rate, massive battery, and optimized gaming features make it the better device for my needs. I also value the bypass charging feature for long gaming sessions. While the camera might not be as versatile, the overall package of the ROG Phone 6 is more compelling for someone who needs raw power, battery, and strong audio. Although I will use the camera features, it's not my primary concern for my daily use. The higher refresh rate and faster speeds would result in an overall more enjoyable experience.
