1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | OnePlus 9 Pro | Motorola Moto G51 5G | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 163.2 × 73.6 × 8.7 mm | 170.5 × 76.5 × 9.1 mm | Moto G51 5G is larger and slightly thicker, potentially less comfortable for single-handed use. |
| Weight | 197g | 208g | OnePlus 9 Pro is lighter, better for extended holding. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.7" | 6.8" | Negligible difference, both offer a large viewing area. |
| Resolution | 1440x3216 | 1080x2400 | OnePlus 9 Pro offers significantly sharper and clearer visuals. |
| PPI | 525 | 387 | OnePlus 9 Pro has a much sharper display with finer details. |
| Technology | IPS LCD | OnePlus 9 Pro's display tech is unknown, while Moto G51 has a standard IPS LCD display. | |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | Both offer smooth scrolling and animations. |
| Brightness | 1300 nits | 0 nits | OnePlus 9 Pro is much brighter, offering better outdoor visibility under direct sunlight. Moto G51 5G is likely unreadable under bright sunlight. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 5G (5 nm) | Qualcomm Snapdragon 480+ 5G (8 nm) | OnePlus 9 Pro offers significantly higher performance for gaming and demanding apps. |
| AnTuTu Score | 877,600 | 381,000 | OnePlus 9 Pro is much faster in real-world tasks. |
| GPU | Adreno 660 | Adreno 619 | OnePlus 9 Pro has a better GPU for demanding graphics. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 4500mAh | 5000mAh | Motorola Moto G51 5G likely offers longer battery life. |
| Charging | 65W fast charging | 10W fast charging | OnePlus 9 Pro charges much faster reducing downtime. |
| Features | Reverse charging, 50W Wireless charging | None | OnePlus 9 Pro offers convenient wireless charging and reverse wireless charging of other devices. |
| Camera | |||
| Standard Camera | 48MP, f/1.8, 1/1.43", Sony IMX789 | 50MP, f/1.8, 1/2.76", Samsung S5KJN1 | OnePlus 9 Pro has a larger sensor, leading to better low-light performance. |
| Selfie Camera | 16MP, f/2.4, 1/3.13", Sony IMX471 | 13MP, f/2.2 | Motorola has a slightly wider aperture for selfies but smaller sensor. |
| Telephoto Lens | 8MP, f/2.4, 1/4.4" | None | OnePlus 9 Pro offers optical zoom capabilities. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 50MP, f/2.2, 1/1.56", Sony IMX766 | 8MP | OnePlus 9 Pro has a much higher resolution wide-angle lens. |
| Macro Lens | None | 2MP | Motorola has a macro lens, allowing for close-up shots. |
| Black & White Lens | 2MP, f/2.4 | None | OnePlus 9 Pro has a dedicated black and white sensor. |
| Video Recording | Up to 8K@30fps | Up to 1080p@240fps | OnePlus 9 Pro offers far superior video recording capabilities. |
| DxOMark Score | 122 (Mobile), 124 (Photo), 118 (Video) | Not Available | OnePlus 9 Pro has a well-regarded camera system based on the benchmark. |
| Camera Features | Many advanced features | Basic features | OnePlus 9 Pro offers more camera features. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11, upgradable to 14 | Android 11, upgradable to 12 | OnePlus 9 Pro offers longer software support. |
| Connectivity | |||
| WiFi | Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) | 802.11ac | OnePlus 9 Pro supports faster and more stable WiFi. |
| Bluetooth | 5.2 LE, APT-x, LDAC, SBC, AAC | 5.1 LE | OnePlus 9 Pro has a newer Bluetooth version with more audio codec support. |
| GPS | L1+L5 | Basic GPS | OnePlus 9 Pro offers more precise GPS with dual band support. |
| SIM | Dual SIM | Dual SIM | Both support Dual SIM. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal Storage | 128GB/256GB | 64GB/128GB | OnePlus 9 Pro offers more storage capacity. |
| RAM | 8GB/12GB | 4GB/8GB | OnePlus 9 Pro offers more RAM, improving multitasking. |
| Expandable Storage | None | None | Neither support expandable storage |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Dolby Atmos, Stereo Speakers, Noise cancellation mic, 3 microphones | Dolby Atmos, 2 microphones | OnePlus 9 Pro has better audio recording and playback capabilities. |
| Security | |||
| Features | Basic fingerprint | Side-mounted fingerprint | Side-mounted is generally more responsive and convenient. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | Unknown | OnePlus 9 Pro's screen has superior protection. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Gyroscope | OnePlus 9 Pro offers a slightly more comprehensive sensor suite. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
OnePlus 9 Pro Advantages:
- Superior Display: Higher resolution, pixel density, and much higher brightness offering a sharper viewing experience, especially in bright outdoor conditions.
- Significantly Higher Performance: Top-tier chipset and more RAM for smooth multitasking, demanding games, and faster app loading.
- Advanced Camera System: More versatile camera setup with better sensors, optical zoom, and superior video recording.
- Faster Charging and Wireless Options: Significantly faster charging and convenient wireless charging features.
- Better Audio: Stereo speakers and more microphones offer a better audio experience.
- Latest Connectivity Standards: Faster Wi-Fi and Bluetooth version.
- Longer Software Support: More OS upgrades.
- Better Screen Protection: Corning Gorilla Glass 5.
Motorola Moto G51 5G Advantages:
- Larger Battery: Likely provides longer battery life.
- Macro Lens: Dedicated macro lens for close-up photography.
- Side-Mounted Fingerprint Sensor: Generally more responsive and ergonomically convenient.
- Lower Price: It is likely a much more affordable device, making it a good choice for budget-conscious consumers.
Trade-offs:
- OnePlus 9 Pro: Significantly higher price.
- Motorola Moto G51 5G: Sacrifices performance, display quality, camera features, and charging speed for a lower price and slightly longer battery life.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
OnePlus 9 Pro is Ideal For:
- Power Users: Individuals who demand the best performance for gaming, multitasking, and demanding applications.
- Photography Enthusiasts: Users who want a versatile camera system with great image quality and advanced video capabilities.
- Media Consumers: Individuals who value a high-resolution, bright, and vivid display for watching videos, browsing, and gaming.
- Tech Enthusiasts: Users who desire the latest features and technology, such as fast wireless charging, and faster connectivity.
Use Cases:
- Gaming with high graphics settings.
- Video editing or photo editing on the go.
- Watching high-resolution content with vibrant colors.
- Outdoor use in bright sunlight.
- Heavy multitasking between numerous apps.
Motorola Moto G51 5G is Ideal For:
- Budget-Conscious Users: Individuals who want a decent smartphone without spending too much.
- Everyday Users: People who primarily use their phone for basic tasks like social media, communication, and light browsing.
- Users Prioritizing Battery Life: Users who prioritize long-lasting battery life over other features.
- Macro Photography Enthusiasts: Users who are interested in close-up photography.
Use Cases:
- Basic social media browsing.
- Casual gaming and entertainment.
- Taking photos of everyday objects with a macro lens.
- Day to day communications and productivity apps.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- What is my budget? The OnePlus 9 Pro is significantly more expensive.
- How important is performance and display quality? The OnePlus 9 Pro is much faster and has a superior display.
- What is my priority: battery life or charging speed and features? Moto G51 has longer battery life but OnePlus 9 Pro charges much faster with wireless options.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1 (High Performance & Camera): If you prioritize performance, camera quality, and display, and your budget allows, the OnePlus 9 Pro is the better choice.
- Scenario 2 (Budget Conscious & Basic Use): If you are on a tight budget and only need a basic phone for everyday tasks with a longer battery, the Motorola Moto G51 5G is a more economical choice.
- Scenario 3 (Battery Life): If battery life is the absolute priority and other features are secondary, the Motorola Moto G51 5G may be preferred, however the practical use of that additional battery capacity is questionable given the lack of display brightness for outdoor use.
My Choice
If I were choosing between these two phones, I would choose the OnePlus 9 Pro. While the Motorola G51 5G offers a larger battery, I prioritize overall performance, display quality, and the camera system and I am willing to pay more for it. The 1300 nits brightness of the OnePlus 9 Pro is a very important feature, making the phone usable outdoors. Additionally, the much higher benchmark score, higher resolution display and more capable camera system are features that I value. The Motorola G51 5G's display brightness being at 0 nits suggests that it might be unusable under bright sunlight, which is a deal-breaker for me. The inclusion of wireless charging, faster wired charging, a more advanced Wi-Fi standard, and stereo speakers also make the OnePlus 9 Pro a more compelling device. While the price is certainly higher, the performance and feature set justify the cost for my needs and would provide a better experience overall.
