1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | OnePlus 9 Pro | Motorola Edge 30 Ultra | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 163.2 × 73.6 × 8.7 mm | 161.8 × 73.5 × 8.4 mm | Very similar physical size. The OnePlus 9 Pro is slightly taller and thicker, but the difference is marginal. |
| Weight | 197g | 198.5g | Both phones are nearly identical in weight and will feel similar in hand. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.7" | 6.67" | Negligible difference in screen size. |
| Resolution | 1440x3216 | 1080x2400 | The OnePlus 9 Pro has a noticeably sharper display due to significantly higher pixel density, resulting in crisper images and text. |
| Pixel Density (PPI) | 525 | 395 | The OnePlus 9 Pro's display will be noticeably sharper. |
| Technology | P-OLED | Motorola has a better display technology (P-OLED) offering more vibrant colors and deeper blacks. | |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 144Hz | The Motorola Edge 30 Ultra will have a slightly smoother visual experience during scrolling and gaming. |
| Brightness | 1300 nits | 1250 nits | Both screens are very bright. The OnePlus 9 Pro offers a negligibly higher brightness, but the difference is unlikely to be noticeable in everyday use. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 (5nm) | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 (4nm) | The Motorola Edge 30 Ultra offers significantly better performance with a newer and more efficient chipset, resulting in faster app loading and smoother operation |
| AnTuTu Score | 877,600 | 1,231,300 | The Motorola Edge 30 Ultra has significantly superior performance. |
| GPU | Adreno 660 | Adreno 730 | The Adreno 730 on the Motorola Edge 30 Ultra offers better gaming performance and graphics rendering. |
| Camera | |||
| Standard Lens | 48MP, f/1.8, 1/1.43", Sony IMX789 | 200MP, f/1.95, 1/1.22", Samsung ISOCELL HP1 | The Motorola Edge 30 Ultra will capture far more detailed images, while OnePlus 9 Pro has a wider aperture for better low light. Motorola’s larger sensor should also improve low-light shots. |
| Selfie Lens | 16MP, f/2.4, 1/3.13", Sony IMX471 | 60MP, f/2.2, 1/2.8", Omnivision OV60A | The Motorola Edge 30 Ultra has a much higher resolution and wider aperture for better selfies. |
| Telephoto Lens | 8MP, f/2.4, 1/4.4", Omnivision OV08A10 | 12MP, f/1.6 | Motorola has higher resolution and better light gathering in Telephoto. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 50MP, f/2.2, 1/1.56", Sony IMX766 | 50MP, f/2.2, 1/2.76", Samsung S5KJN1 | OnePlus 9 Pro has a larger sensor, potentially resulting in better wide-angle photos, especially in low light. |
| Black & White Lens | 2MP, f/2.4 | None | The OnePlus 9 Pro has an additional Black and White camera sensor for different kinds of photography. |
| Video Recording | Up to 8K@30fps | Up to 8K@30fps | Both offer professional-grade video. Motorola has superior slow-motion capability. |
| DxOMark Score | Overall: 122, Photo: 124, Video: 118 | Not Available | The OnePlus 9 Pro has a camera system rated by DxOMark but there is no information about Motorola. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 4500mAh | 4610mAh | Similar battery capacity. Both should offer similar battery life. |
| Charging | 65W fast charging | 125W fast charging | The Motorola Edge 30 Ultra charges significantly faster, reducing downtime. |
| Wireless Charging | 50W, Reverse Wireless Charging | 50W, 10W Reverse Wireless Charging | The OnePlus 9 Pro offers slightly higher wireless charging speeds and has reverse wireless charging capabilities. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 (upgradable to 14) | Android 12 (upgradable to 13) | The OnePlus 9 Pro, despite launching with an older OS, has an available upgrade to Android 14, which means more modern features and support. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6 | Wi-Fi 6 | Similar WiFi capabilities. |
| Bluetooth | 5.2 with aptX, LDAC, SBC, AAC | 5.2 | OnePlus has more advanced audio codecs over Bluetooth. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo, (L1+L5) | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, SUPL, Galileo (L1+L5) | Motorola offers more satellite systems for slightly improved accuracy. |
| SIM | Dual Nano SIM | Dual Nano SIM | Both support dual SIM functionality. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 128 GB or 256 GB | 128 GB or 256 GB | Same storage options for both. |
| RAM | 8GB or 12GB | 8GB or 12GB | Both provide sufficient RAM for smooth multitasking. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither offers expandable storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Dolby Atmos, Stereo Speakers, 3 microphones, Noise cancellation microphone | Dolby Atmos, Stereo Speakers, 2 microphones | The OnePlus 9 Pro has a slight edge in audio features. |
| Security | |||
| Features | Fingerprint sensor | Fingerprint sensor | Both have similar biometric security. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Protection | Gorilla Glass 5 | Gorilla Glass 5 | Both use similar screen protection. |
| Sensors | |||
| Suite | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope | Comprehensive suite of sensors for both. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
OnePlus 9 Pro Advantages:
- Sharper Display: Higher resolution and PPI provide a crisper viewing experience.
- More mature Software: Upgradable to Android 14, which provides access to latest Google software features, as well as security patches.
- Enhanced Audio Features: Has a 3 microphone setup with noise cancellation for more clear and crisp audio.
- More Versatile Camera System: Black and white lens, Ultra Stable video, and features such as continuous autofocus, contrast detection autofocus, and laser autofocus.
- Superior Wireless Charging Ecosystem: Faster wireless charging speeds and reverse wireless charging for convenience.
- Better Bluetooth Audio Codec Support: The OnePlus 9 Pro supports advanced Bluetooth codecs (aptX, LDAC, SBC, AAC), offering superior audio fidelity for compatible headphones.
Motorola Edge 30 Ultra Advantages:
- Superior Performance: The Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 chipset offers significantly better performance than the Snapdragon 888.
- Higher Refresh Rate: 144Hz display provides slightly smoother visuals.
- Faster Charging: 125W fast charging significantly reduces charging times.
- Higher Resolution Main Camera: 200MP sensor captures more detail and has a larger sensor for better low-light performance.
- Superior Selfie Camera: 60MP front camera with a wider aperture provides superior selfies.
- More Advanced GPS Tracking: The Edge 30 Ultra provides better GPS tracking via QZSS.
Trade-offs:
- The OnePlus 9 Pro has better display resolution and a more versatile camera system, but sacrifices some raw processing power and charging speed compared to the Motorola Edge 30 Ultra.
- The Motorola Edge 30 Ultra offers superior performance and fast charging, but has a lower resolution display compared to OnePlus, less advanced Bluetooth codec support, less versatile camera system, and less features in audio.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Ideal Users for OnePlus 9 Pro:
- Media Consumers: Users who value high-resolution, accurate color displays for watching videos and browsing photos.
- Audiophiles: Users who frequently listen to music over Bluetooth and want the best sound quality (LDAC, AptX Support) and who use headphones regularly.
- Photography Enthusiasts: Those who appreciate a versatile camera setup with a black and white lens, high-quality ultrawide lens, and lots of camera features.
- Software Enthusiasts: Users who prefer the latest OS features and Google security patches.
- Wireless Charging Users: Users who prioritize the convenience of fast wireless charging and reverse wireless charging.
Ideal Users for Motorola Edge 30 Ultra:
- Performance Seekers: Gamers and power users who need the best possible performance from their phone.
- Heavy Multitaskers: Those who often have many apps running simultaneously.
- Users needing fast charging: Individuals who frequently find themselves running low on battery and need a quick charge.
- Selfie Enthusiasts: Users who prioritize high-quality front-facing camera performance.
- General Users: People who want a well-rounded phone with a great camera and excellent performance.
Specific Use Cases:
- OnePlus 9 Pro: Excellent for photo editing and content creation due to its display and versatile camera, as well as extended usage with its wireless charging capabilities. Also a great choice for listening to music and audio due to Bluetooth codec support.
- Motorola Edge 30 Ultra: Excels in mobile gaming and other performance-intensive tasks, and is perfect for users who need a phone that can quickly charge in between tasks. Also suitable for high-quality selfie usage and fast video recording.
Price-to-Value Ratio:
- The Motorola Edge 30 Ultra provides more powerful and faster features at a similar price, making it a better value for the money.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- Do you prioritize a sharper display or raw performance? If a higher resolution screen is more important than faster processing, the OnePlus 9 Pro is better, but if you value faster processing speeds and raw performance, then the Motorola Edge 30 Ultra is better.
- How important is fast charging and wireless charging? If fast charging speeds are critical, the Motorola is preferable, but if you value a more versatile wireless charging experience, the OnePlus is better.
- Which camera system is more important to you? If you prioritize a versatile camera system with a high-quality main, ultrawide, and an additional black and white sensor, the OnePlus 9 Pro is better, but if you need high resolution and better selfies, the Motorola Edge 30 Ultra is better.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Mobile Gamer: Choose the Motorola Edge 30 Ultra for its better performance and high refresh rate.
- Scenario 2: Content Creator: Choose the OnePlus 9 Pro for its high-quality display, advanced camera features, and versatile audio features.
- Scenario 3: Casual User: The Motorola Edge 30 Ultra is the better option due to its faster charging, better performance, and well-rounded camera system.
My Choice
I would choose the Motorola Edge 30 Ultra. Here's why:
While the OnePlus 9 Pro has some strengths (sharper display and a more versatile camera system with a black and white lens and better audio features), the overall performance advantage of the Motorola Edge 30 Ultra is more significant for my needs. The faster chipset translates to a more responsive experience in daily tasks, app launching, and especially when gaming. The 125W fast charging is a huge convenience, ensuring I can quickly top up the battery when needed. The higher-resolution main camera and superior selfie camera of the Edge 30 Ultra would also be a benefit for daily use and the inclusion of QZSS for GPS Tracking would also be convenient. The lack of audio codecs in Bluetooth can be amended with a pair of wired headphones and the lack of a Black and White lens is not a deal-breaker.
The superior performance and charging speed offered by the Motorola Edge 30 Ultra, which is available at a similar price makes it a more sensible choice.
