Smartphone Comparison: OnePlus 9 Pro vs. Motorola Moto G04s
1. Specifications Comparison
Here's a detailed comparison of the key specifications of the OnePlus 9 Pro and Motorola Moto G04s, focusing on their practical implications for users:
Design
| Feature | OnePlus 9 Pro | Motorola Moto G04s | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 163.2 x 73.6 x 8.7 mm | 163.5 x 74.5 x 8 mm | OnePlus 9 Pro is slightly thicker (0.7mm) but has a very similar overall size. The Motorola G04s is a bit wider and thinner. |
| Weight | 197g | 178.8g | The Motorola G04s is noticeably lighter (18.2g), making it more comfortable for one-handed use and extended periods of holding, while the OnePlus feels more substantial in hand. |
| Build Quality | Gorilla Glass 5 | Gorilla Glass 3 | OnePlus 9 Pro has better scratch resistance on the screen due to its higher version of Gorilla Glass. |
Display
| Feature | OnePlus 9 Pro | Motorola Moto G04s | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Size | 6.7" | 6.56" | OnePlus 9 Pro offers a slightly larger viewing area. |
| Resolution | 1440x3216 | 720x1612 | OnePlus 9 Pro has a significantly sharper and more detailed display, resulting in crisp text, images, and videos. The G04s has a lower resolution which is less sharp. |
| PPI | 525 | 269 | OnePlus 9 Pro has a much higher pixel density, meaning images look crisper and text is sharper. The G04s display looks less detailed. |
| Technology | IPS LCD | Motorola G04s features a standard IPS LCD panel. We don't have information about the OnePlus 9 Pro screen technology, though the resolution implies its more advanced than the G04s, likely OLED. | |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 90Hz | OnePlus 9 Pro offers smoother scrolling and animations, making the user interface feel more fluid. The G04s is slightly less smooth but still decent for everyday use. |
| Brightness | 1300 nits | 0 nits | OnePlus 9 Pro is significantly brighter, making it much easier to see the screen in direct sunlight. We don't have the brightness information for G04s, but it is almost certainly lower. |
Performance
| Feature | OnePlus 9 Pro | Motorola Moto G04s | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chipset | Snapdragon 888 5G (5 nm) | Unisoc T606 (12 nm) | OnePlus 9 Pro offers substantially faster performance for demanding tasks, such as gaming, video editing, and multitasking. Motorola G04s is slower and is mainly for basic tasks. |
| AnTuTu Score | 877,600 | 220,000 | The benchmark scores highlight the vast performance difference. The OnePlus 9 Pro will feel significantly more responsive in everyday use and have much smoother performance in demanding applications and games. |
| GPU | Adreno 660 | Mali-G57 MP1 | OnePlus 9 Pro's GPU is vastly superior for gaming and graphics-intensive tasks. Motorola G04s offers a less powerful GPU, limiting its performance in 3D gaming. |
Battery
| Feature | OnePlus 9 Pro | Motorola Moto G04s | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 4500mAh | 5000mAh | Motorola Moto G04s has a larger battery, potentially offering longer battery life on a single charge. |
| Charging | 65W fast charging | 15W fast charging | OnePlus 9 Pro charges much faster, significantly reducing the time spent plugged into an outlet. Motorola G04s charges slowly. |
| Features | Wireless, Reverse | Non-removable | OnePlus 9 Pro offers wireless charging and can even wirelessly charge other devices. Motorola G04s has a standard non-removable battery. |
Camera
| Feature | OnePlus 9 Pro | Motorola Moto G04s | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main Camera | 48MP, f/1.8, 1/1.43" sensor | 50MP, f/1.8, 1/2.76" sensor | OnePlus 9 Pro's larger sensor gathers more light, resulting in better low-light performance and overall image quality despite the slightly lower megapixel count. |
| Selfie Camera | 16MP, f/2.4 | 5MP, f/2.2 | OnePlus 9 Pro provides much higher resolution for more detailed selfies. Motorola has a wider aperture. |
| Telephoto Lens | 8MP, f/2.4, 1/4.4" sensor | None | OnePlus 9 Pro can zoom in without significant loss in quality, while Motorola G04s can only use digital zoom that may lack detail. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 50MP, f/2.2, 1/1.56" sensor | None | OnePlus 9 Pro offers the option to take wide-angle photos, useful for landscapes and group photos, while Motorola G04s is limited to the standard field of view of its main lens. |
| B&W Camera | 2MP, f/2.4 | None | OnePlus 9 Pro can take dedicated black and white photos, a niche feature. |
| Video | 8K@30fps, 4K@120fps, EIS | 1080p@30fps | OnePlus 9 Pro can record in much higher quality, more stable footage and offers advanced features like 8K and 4K at higher frame rates. Motorola G04s is limited to standard 1080p video. |
| DXOMark Score | 122 (Mobile), 124 (Photo), 118 (Video) | Not tested | OnePlus 9 Pro's high scores indicate superior camera performance compared to most other phones. Motorola G04s is not tested. |
| Features | 4K/8K video, OIS, EIS, RAW, Night Mode, Optical and digital zoom, Quadruple camera | OIS, EIS, Digital Zoom, HDR, Autofocus | OnePlus 9 Pro offers more advanced camera features like 4K/8K video recording, OIS, RAW shooting for better post-processing, a night mode, and more advanced zoom. |
Software
| Feature | OnePlus 9 Pro | Motorola Moto G04s | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| OS | Android 11 (upgradable to 14) | Android 14 | Motorola G04s has a more updated version of Android out of the box. OnePlus has Android 11 at launch, but can be updated. |
Connectivity
| Feature | OnePlus 9 Pro | Motorola Moto G04s | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| WiFi | Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax), MIMO | 802.11ac | OnePlus 9 Pro supports faster and more efficient WiFi. |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.2, APT-x, LDAC, SBC, AAC | Bluetooth 5.0 | OnePlus 9 Pro provides a more reliable and feature rich Bluetooth experience. |
| GPS | Dual-band, multiple systems | Standard, SUPL | OnePlus 9 Pro can acquire GPS signal more rapidly and more accurately. |
| SIM | Dual SIM (Nano) | Dual SIM (Nano) | Both devices support using two SIM cards at the same time. |
Storage
| Feature | OnePlus 9 Pro | Motorola Moto G04s | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Internal | 128GB/256GB | 64GB/128GB/256GB | Both phones offer a good amount of storage space but the Moto G04s starts at a lower capacity of 64GB. |
| RAM | 8GB/12GB | 4GB | OnePlus 9 Pro has significantly more RAM for smoother multitasking and more responsive app loading. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither phone allows for additional storage via microSD card. |
Audio
| Feature | OnePlus 9 Pro | Motorola Moto G04s | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Audio | Dolby Atmos, Stereo Speakers, Noise Cancellation, 3 Microphones | Dolby Atmos | OnePlus 9 Pro offers a better sound experience due to its stereo speakers and extra microphones that also help with noise cancellation while the G04s has a basic audio setup. |
Security
| Feature | OnePlus 9 Pro | Motorola Moto G04s | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sensor | Basic Fingerprint Sensor | Side-mounted Fingerprint Sensor | Motorola G04s has more advanced security since a side-mounted fingerprint sensor is more intuitive. |
Sensors
| Feature | OnePlus 9 Pro | Motorola Moto G04s | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Gyroscope, Compass | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Gyroscope | OnePlus 9 Pro has a compass, which is good for navigation and augmented reality apps. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Here's a summary of the key advantages and disadvantages of each phone:
OnePlus 9 Pro Advantages:
- Superior Performance: Much faster chipset and GPU, leading to smoother and more responsive performance.
- Significantly Better Display: Higher resolution, higher pixel density, smoother refresh rate, much higher brightness, resulting in a vastly superior visual experience.
- Far Superior Camera System: More versatile with multiple lenses, larger sensors, higher video quality, optical zoom, and additional features.
- Faster Charging: Much faster charging speeds and wireless charging.
- More RAM: Better multitasking and responsiveness.
- Better Audio: Stereo speakers and noise cancellation with multiple microphones.
- Better Build Quality: Higher version of Gorilla Glass on the screen.
- Better Connectivity: Newer WiFi and Bluetooth versions.
Motorola Moto G04s Advantages:
- Lighter: More comfortable for one-handed use and extended holding.
- Potentially Longer Battery Life: Larger battery, which may translate to better battery life.
- More Updated Android OS out of the box
- Lower Price: Significantly more affordable, making it attractive to budget-conscious buyers.
- Side-mounted Fingerprint Sensor: Slightly more convenient security sensor.
Significant Trade-offs:
- The OnePlus 9 Pro has a much higher price point.
- The Motorola Moto G04s lags significantly behind in display quality, camera capabilities, and performance.
- OnePlus 9 Pro has worse battery life in comparison to the G04s.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
OnePlus 9 Pro Ideal Users:
- Power Users: Individuals who need top-tier performance for gaming, video editing, and other demanding tasks.
- Photography Enthusiasts: Users who want a versatile camera system with excellent image quality and various shooting options.
- Media Consumers: Users who prioritize a high-quality display for viewing videos and photos.
- Tech Enthusiasts: People who want the latest technology and features, such as fast wireless charging.
Motorola Moto G04s Ideal Users:
- Budget-Conscious Buyers: Users who prioritize affordability over top-tier performance and features.
- Basic Smartphone Users: People who mainly use their phones for calling, texting, social media, and light browsing.
- Users who prioritize battery life: Those who need a device that can last all day.
- Users who want a lightweight device: Users who prioritize comfort and easy handling.
Specific Use Cases:
- OnePlus 9 Pro:
- Playing graphically intensive mobile games at the highest settings.
- Editing and sharing high-resolution videos.
- Capturing professional-quality photos and videos.
- Enjoying streaming high resolution media.
- Motorola Moto G04s:
- Browsing social media and the web.
- Making calls and sending messages.
- Using basic apps for daily tasks.
- Listening to music and podcasts.
4. Decision Framework
Here are three key questions a buyer should ask themselves:
- What is my budget? If you have a limited budget, the Motorola Moto G04s is the only viable option.
- How important is performance and display quality to me? If you need top-tier performance and visuals, the OnePlus 9 Pro is the clear choice.
- What are my primary use cases? If you mainly use your phone for basic tasks, the Motorola G04s will suffice. If you are more demanding then the OnePlus is essential.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Mobile gaming and multimedia consumption - The OnePlus 9 Pro is the best choice due to its processing power, display and stereo speakers.
- Scenario 2: Budget user who needs a daily driver - The Motorola Moto G04s is adequate for basic tasks and won't break the bank, with the bonus of having an up-to-date OS, the Motorola G04s is the preferred choice.
- Scenario 3: User who values a versatile camera system - The OnePlus 9 Pro wins in this category thanks to its superior camera sensors and software.
- Scenario 4: Need a phone with great battery- The Motorola G04s will give you longer lasting battery due to its higher capacity.
My Choice
If I had to choose between the two, I would pick the OnePlus 9 Pro. Despite its higher price tag, the massive difference in performance, display quality, and camera capabilities makes it worth the investment for my personal usage. I regularly use my phone for demanding tasks like gaming, photo/video editing and video streaming. The OnePlus 9 Pro's superior screen is also a huge bonus for content consumption. The Motorola G04s is a decent budget device, but it would not fulfill my requirements. The performance and display gap are so significant that the user experience will be entirely different.
