Smartphone Comparison: OnePlus 9 Pro vs. Motorola Moto G (2022)
1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | OnePlus 9 Pro | Motorola Moto G (2022) | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 163.2 x 73.6 x 8.7 mm | 165.4 x 75.8 x 9.4 mm | Motorola is slightly larger and thicker, may feel less comfortable in smaller hands or pockets. |
| Weight | 197g | 204g | OnePlus is slightly lighter, potentially more comfortable for prolonged use. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.7" | 6.5" | OnePlus offers slightly larger screen real estate for media consumption and multitasking. |
| Resolution | 1440 x 3216 | 720 x 1600 | OnePlus provides a much sharper display with significantly more detail and clarity. |
| PPI | 525 | 270 | OnePlus has a significantly higher pixel density, resulting in crisper text and images. |
| Technology | Unknown | IPS LCD | Motorola uses IPS LCD, known for good color accuracy and viewing angles. The OnePlus display technology isn't specified, but with its other specs, is likely OLED. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 90Hz | OnePlus has a smoother display, making scrolling and animations feel more fluid and responsive. |
| Brightness | 1300 nits | 0 nits | OnePlus display is much brighter, offering vastly superior outdoor visibility in sunlight. Motorola's is unspecified, implying it may not be very bright. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 5G (5 nm) | Mediatek Dimensity 700 (7 nm) | OnePlus has a much more powerful chip, handling demanding tasks like gaming and video editing much better. |
| AnTuTu Score | 877,600 | 389,300 | OnePlus delivers significantly faster performance, better app loading times, and smoother multitasking. |
| GPU | Adreno 660 | Mali-G57 MC2 | OnePlus has a much more powerful GPU, offering a better experience in graphics-intensive applications and games. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 48MP, f/1.8, 1/1.43", Sony IMX789, 1.12µm | 50MP, f/1.8, 1/2.76", Samsung S5KJN1, 0.64µm | Motorola has slightly higher resolution, but OnePlus has a significantly larger sensor, potentially resulting in better low-light performance and image quality. |
| Selfie Camera | 16MP, f/2.4, 1/3.13", Sony IMX471, 0.70µm | 13MP, f/2.2, Unknown, 1.12µm | OnePlus offers higher resolution, but Motorola has larger pixels and a slightly wider aperture, which could perform better in low light, though sensor quality is unknown. |
| Telephoto Lens | 8MP, f/2.4, 1/4.4", Omnivision OV08A10, 1.00µm | None | OnePlus offers optical zoom capabilities, allowing for closer shots without loss of detail. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 50MP, f/2.2, 1/1.56", Sony IMX766, 1.00µm | None | OnePlus offers a dedicated wide-angle lens, useful for capturing more in a single shot. |
| Portrait Mode (depth) | None | 2MP, f/2.4, Unknown, 1.75µm | Motorola has a dedicated depth sensor for better bokeh in portrait shots. |
| Macro Lens | None | 2MP, f/2.4, Unknown, 1.75µm | Motorola has a dedicated macro lens for close-up photography. |
| Black & White Lens | 2MP, f/2.4, Unknown | None | OnePlus offers a dedicated monochrome sensor for creative B&W photography. |
| Video | 8K@30fps, 4K@120fps | 1080p@30fps | OnePlus offers significantly more video recording capabilities, such as higher resolution and frame rates, with additional features. |
| DxoMark Score | 122 | None | OnePlus has been benchmarked and offers good quality for mobile photography and videography. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 4500 mAh | 5000 mAh | Motorola has a larger battery, which should translate to longer battery life. |
| Charging | 65W Fast Charging | 10W Fast Charging | OnePlus charges much faster, significantly reducing downtime. |
| Features | Wireless Charging, Reverse Charging | None | OnePlus offers more charging versatility with wireless and reverse wireless charging. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 (up to 14) | Android 12 | Motorola has a slightly newer Android version out of the box, but OnePlus has confirmed updates through Android 14. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | WiFi 6 (802.11ax) | 802.11ac | OnePlus supports a newer Wi-Fi standard, offering better speeds and performance. |
| Bluetooth | 5.2 | 5.1 | OnePlus offers a slightly newer Bluetooth version. |
| GPS | GPS (L1+L5) | GPS | OnePlus supports more GPS systems for more accurate location tracking. |
| SIM | Dual SIM | Single SIM | OnePlus offers dual SIM functionality, useful for managing multiple numbers or travel. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal Storage | 128/256 GB | 64 GB | OnePlus has significantly more storage, suitable for users with extensive files. |
| RAM | 8/12 GB | 6 GB | OnePlus offers more RAM, better for multitasking and performance. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone offers expandable storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Dolby Atmos, Stereo Speakers, 3 Microphones | Basic audio features | OnePlus offers superior audio quality with stereo speakers and noise cancellation for a better experience. |
| Security | |||
| Fingerprint Sensor | Basic | Side-Mounted | Motorola offers a more convenient side-mounted fingerprint reader. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | Unknown | OnePlus uses a name-brand, robust screen protector. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Accelerometer, Gyroscope, Compass, Proximity, Gravity | Accelerometer, Gyroscope, Compass, Proximity, Barometer | Motorola includes an additional barometer sensor for measuring atmospheric pressure, useful in specific scenarios like hiking or weather tracking. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
OnePlus 9 Pro Advantages:
- Significantly Superior Display: Much higher resolution, pixel density, refresh rate, and brightness, leading to a noticeably sharper, smoother, and more vibrant visual experience, particularly in outdoor conditions.
- Massively Superior Performance: The Snapdragon 888 chipset offers a significant advantage in overall speed, multitasking, gaming, and demanding applications.
- Advanced Camera System: Includes a telephoto lens, wide-angle lens, and black & white lens, with significantly superior video recording capabilities, a larger main camera sensor, and better optical zoom.
- Faster Charging: 65W fast charging is much faster than the 10W charging on the Motorola, reducing downtime. Wireless and reverse charging add versatility.
- Better Audio: Stereo speakers, Dolby Atmos, and noise cancellation microphone for a superior audio experience.
- More RAM and Storage: Significantly more RAM and internal storage (both options are substantially larger)
- Advanced Connectivity: Support for Wi-Fi 6 and more accurate GPS systems
Motorola Moto G (2022) Advantages:
- Larger Battery: A larger 5000 mAh battery should offer longer battery life compared to the OnePlus 9 Pro.
- Portrait and Macro Lenses: Offers dedicated macro and depth sensors for additional photographic options.
- Newer Android Version Out of the Box: Ships with Android 12, while the OnePlus ships with Android 11
- Side-mounted Fingerprint Sensor: May be preferred for convenience by some users.
- Barometer sensor: An additional sensor for weather tracking and hiking.
Significant Trade-offs:
- OnePlus 9 Pro: Loses out on battery capacity compared to the Moto G (2022), and lacks a dedicated macro or depth sensor.
- Motorola Moto G (2022): Sacrifices almost every aspect of performance, display quality, and advanced features for the sake of battery, low-cost price and a few extra cameras.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
OnePlus 9 Pro:
- Ideal User: Power users, gamers, content creators, and photography enthusiasts who demand the highest performance and a premium experience. Users who prioritize visual quality, speed, and advanced features.
- Use Cases: Mobile gaming, video editing, high-resolution media consumption, professional photography and videography, and demanding multitasking.
- Value: Offers high-end features at a likely mid-range to high-end price, representing good value for users who require top-tier performance and features.
Motorola Moto G (2022):
- Ideal User: Budget-conscious users who prioritize battery life and basic smartphone functionality over advanced features. Users who are not concerned about high-performance gaming or media-heavy use.
- Use Cases: Basic communication, social media browsing, light app usage, and users who require a phone with long battery life for extended use.
- Value: Provides a budget-friendly option for users who want a basic smartphone without the expensive features, and want solid battery life.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- What is your budget? The Motorola will be significantly cheaper, likely to fit into very limited budgets.
- How important is performance and display quality? If these are priorities, the OnePlus is the only choice. If basic functionality is all you need, the Motorola is acceptable.
- What is your primary use case? High-performance users need the OnePlus; budget users might benefit from the Moto G.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Budget-Conscious, Basic User: If you need a phone for basic tasks with long battery life, the Motorola Moto G (2022) is the better, budget-friendly option.
- Scenario 2: Performance and Display Priority: If you require top-tier performance, a high-quality display, and advanced features like a better camera, the OnePlus 9 Pro is the clear choice, assuming you can afford it.
- Scenario 3: Photography and Media Enthusiast: If you enjoy mobile photography, and video editing or consumption, the OnePlus 9 Pro with its more capable camera system and superior display is the better choice.
Final Recommendation
If I were choosing, I would choose the OnePlus 9 Pro. While it might come at a higher price point, the massive advantages in performance, display quality, camera capabilities, and faster charging are more important to me. The Motorola Moto G (2022) has the benefit of a slightly larger battery and is a newer phone, but those advantages cannot outweigh the massive differences in performance, display, camera, and even connectivity. I am also in the category of "power user", for whom the OnePlus is clearly better suited.
