1. Specifications Comparison
Feature | OnePlus 9 Pro | Asus ROG Phone 8 Pro | Practical Impact |
---|---|---|---|
Design | |||
Launch Date | 2021-03-30 | 2024-01-18 | Asus is significantly newer, with newer tech and software. |
Dimensions | 163.2 × 73.6 × 8.7 mm | 163.8 × 76.8 × 8.9 mm | Asus is slightly larger and thicker, potentially less comfortable for small hands. |
Weight | 197g | 225g | OnePlus is lighter, more comfortable for extended holding. |
Display | |||
Size | 6.7" | 6.78" | Negligible difference, both offer a large viewing area. |
Resolution | 1440x3216 | 1080x2400 | OnePlus has sharper text and images, better for detailed content. |
PPI | 525 | 388 | OnePlus offers a noticeably sharper display due to higher pixel density. |
Technology | AMOLED | Asus has superior color accuracy, contrast and efficiency. | |
Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 165Hz | Asus provides smoother animations, crucial for gaming and fast scrolling. |
Brightness | 1300 nits | 2500 nits | Asus has much better visibility in bright sunlight. |
Performance | |||
Chipset | Snapdragon 888 5G (5 nm) | Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 (4 nm) | Asus offers significantly faster processing, better for demanding tasks. |
AnTuTu Score | 877,600 | 2,020,000 | Asus delivers a substantially higher benchmark score, meaning a smoother experience for gaming, apps and multitasking. |
GPU | Adreno 660 | Adreno 750 | Asus has a more powerful GPU, leading to better graphics performance, particularly in gaming. |
Battery | |||
Capacity | 4500mAh | 5500mAh | Asus has longer battery life, although actual usage depends on factors such as screen brightness and what is being used on the phone. |
Charging | 65W Fast Charging | 65W Fast Charging | Both phones can be charged quickly. |
Features | Reverse charging, Wireless charging 50W, REverse wireless charging | Non-removable | OnePlus can act as a wireless power bank for other devices. |
Camera | |||
Standard Camera | 48MP, f/1.8, 1/1.43" | 50MP, f/1.9, 1/1.56" | Similar main cameras; OnePlus has a larger sensor with slightly wider aperture. |
Selfie Camera | 16MP, 1/3.13" | 32MP, 1/3.2" | Asus has higher resolution for more detailed selfies. |
Telephoto Lens | 8MP, f/2.4, 1/4.4" | 32MP, f/2.4, 1/3.2" | Asus has higher zoom capabilities with more detail. |
Wide Angle Lens | 50MP, f/2.2, 1/1.56" | N/A | OnePlus has a dedicated ultra-wide camera. |
Wide Angle + Macro | N/A | 13MP, f/2.2, 1/3" | Asus has a dedicated wide-angle camera that also handles macro shots. |
Black & White | 2MP, f/2.4 | N/A | OnePlus has a dedicated B&W lens for artistic shots. |
Video | Up to 8K@120fps with HDR, EIS | Up to 8K@24fps with HDR, EIS | Similar video quality; OnePlus supports higher frame rates. |
DXOMark Score | Main: 122, Photo: 124, Video: 118 | N/A | OnePlus camera performance is objectively rated better |
Camera Features | Quadruple camera, Ultra stable video, PDAF, CDAF, RAW, RAW 12 bits | Triple camera, Gimbal | Both offer stabilization and advanced features. |
Software | |||
OS | Android 11 (up to 14) | Android 14 (up to 16) | Asus has newer software with more recent updates and features. |
Connectivity | |||
WiFi | WiFi 6 | WiFi 7 | Asus has faster and more stable connections. |
Bluetooth | 5.2 | 5.3 | Asus has a newer version with slightly better efficiency. |
GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, NavIC | Asus has more satellite systems, better for precise location tracking. |
SIM | Dual Nano SIM | Dual Nano SIM | Both support dual SIMs. |
Storage | |||
Internal Storage | 128GB/256GB | 512GB/1024GB | Asus offers significantly more internal storage. |
RAM | 8GB/12GB | 16GB/24GB | Asus has a larger RAM capacity, beneficial for multitasking. |
Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone supports microSD cards. |
Audio | |||
Audio Quality | Dolby Atmos, Noise cancellation microphone | DTS / DTS X | Slight edge to OnePlus with Dolby Atmos. |
Security | |||
Fingerprint Sensor | Basic Fingerprint Sensor | Basic Fingerprint Sensor | Both offer basic fingerprint sensors for security. |
Build Quality | |||
Screen Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2 | Asus has better screen protection from scratches and drops. |
Sensors | |||
Sensors | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope | Both have comprehensive sensor suites. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
OnePlus 9 Pro Advantages:
- Sharper Display: Higher resolution (1440x3216) and pixel density (525 PPI) resulting in crisper images and text.
- Camera Versatility: A dedicated wide-angle camera and a dedicated B&W lens, offering more flexibility for creative photography.
- Wireless Charging & Reverse Wireless Charging: Ability to charge wirelessly and act as a wireless power bank, great for convenience.
- Slightly Lighter: More comfortable to hold for extended periods.
- Objectively Better Camera Performance: Has a DXOMark camera score indicating better camera performance for pictures and video.
Asus ROG Phone 8 Pro Advantages:
- Superior Performance: Significantly faster Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset for smoother gaming and multitasking, confirmed by much higher AnTuTu score.
- Smoother Display: Higher refresh rate of 165Hz offering fluid visuals, particularly beneficial for gamers.
- Brighter Display: Much higher brightness (2500 nits) for excellent outdoor visibility.
- Longer Battery Life: Larger 5500 mAh battery for extended usage.
- Better Screen Protection: More durable Gorilla Glass Victus 2 screen protection.
- More Internal Storage: Up to 1 TB of storage, suitable for users who store a lot of content.
- Better Connectivity: Supports Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 5.3 for the latest in wireless technology.
- Better GPS: More satellite support, especially useful in areas with poor signal.
- Better Selfie and Telephoto: Significantly improved sensor on front and telephoto lens compared to the OnePlus.
- More RAM: Up to 24GB of RAM, a plus for heavy multitasking.
- Newer Software: Shipped with Android 14 (up to 16), offering access to recent software features
Significant Trade-offs:
- OnePlus 9 Pro: Slightly older technology and lower performance compared to ROG Phone 8 Pro.
- Asus ROG Phone 8 Pro: Larger and heavier, and not as good camera versatility, less sharp display.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
OnePlus 9 Pro:
- Ideal User: Users who value a premium display with great color accuracy, a good camera, and are not heavy gamers or power users.
- Use Cases:
- General daily use, web browsing, social media
- Photography enthusiasts seeking varied camera options
- Users who value wireless charging and reverse wireless charging for added convenience.
- Users who prefer a lighter, more comfortable phone for one-handed usage
Asus ROG Phone 8 Pro:
- Ideal User: Gamers, power users, and anyone who prioritizes performance, responsiveness and battery life above all else.
- Use Cases:
- High-end gaming with demanding graphics
- Multitasking between resource-intensive applications
- Outdoor use in bright sunlight
- Users who want the latest connectivity and location technology.
- Users who need a large amount of internal storage.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions:
- How important is gaming and overall performance? If gaming and performance are your priority, the Asus ROG Phone 8 Pro is the clear choice.
- Do you prefer a sharper display, or a brighter and smoother one? If display sharpness is your preference the OnePlus wins, but the Asus has a brighter screen with a higher refresh rate.
- How important is wireless charging and reverse wireless charging? The OnePlus 9 Pro offers these features while the Asus ROG Phone 8 Pro doesn't have wireless charging of any kind.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Casual User: If you are a casual user who values a good balance of features, a solid camera, and comfort, the OnePlus 9 Pro remains a viable option.
- Heavy User: If you are a heavy user who wants the best performance, long battery life and do a lot of gaming and demanding tasks, the Asus ROG Phone 8 Pro is the superior choice.
- Photography Focus: If versatile camera capabilities, especially with the dedicated wide and black/white cameras, are most important, the OnePlus 9 Pro would be a good option, even though the sensors aren't as good. If you want a much better zoom and selfie camera, the Asus is the better option.
- Outdoor User: If you are someone who frequently uses their phone in outdoor, bright conditions, the Asus is better.
My Choice
I would choose the Asus ROG Phone 8 Pro. Although I appreciate the sharper display and some additional camera features of the OnePlus 9 Pro, the Asus ROG Phone 8 Pro's superior performance, significantly brighter screen, higher refresh rate, larger battery and newer software, and the fact that it is more future proof are more important to me. The newer processor and better graphics would make the experience far smoother for demanding apps and future games, and the additional battery capacity means I don't have to worry about running out of power so quickly. Although the OnePlus 9 Pro has a more versatile camera, the Asus ROG Phone 8 Pro offers more detail from the selfie and telephoto cameras which is more important for my use cases. The additional storage and RAM are a great bonus as well. While it might be a bit bulkier, I am willing to trade that for the performance gains it offers.