Smartphone Comparison: OnePlus 9 Pro vs. Nothing Phone (2)
1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | OnePlus 9 Pro | Nothing Phone (2) | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 163.2 × 73.6 × 8.7 mm | 162.1 × 76.4 × 8.6 mm | OnePlus 9 Pro is slightly taller and narrower; Nothing Phone (2) is wider. Minimal difference in hand feel. |
| Weight | 197g | 201.2g | Both are similar in weight; negligible difference for most users. |
| Build | Not Specified | Not Specified | Screen protection: OnePlus 9 Pro has Gorilla Glass 5. Nothing Phone (2) screen protection is unknown. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.7" | 6.7" | Identical screen size; both offer large viewing area. |
| Resolution | 1440x3216 | 1080x2412 | OnePlus 9 Pro's higher resolution results in noticeably sharper text and images. |
| PPI | 525 | 394 | OnePlus 9 Pro's higher pixel density makes for crisper visuals. |
| Technology | Not Specified | OLED | Nothing Phone (2)'s OLED likely offers better contrast and colors compared to the unknown technology of the OnePlus 9 Pro. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | Both offer smooth scrolling and animations. |
| Brightness | 1300 nits | 1600 nits | Nothing Phone (2) is more readable in bright sunlight. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 5G (5 nm) | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 (4 nm) | Nothing Phone (2) has a newer and more powerful chip, resulting in faster performance and better power efficiency. |
| AnTuTu Score | 877,600 | 1,135,786 | Nothing Phone (2) is noticeably faster in benchmarks, which translates to snappier app launches and smoother multitasking. |
| GPU | Adreno 660 | Adreno 730 | Nothing Phone (2)'s newer GPU means better graphics performance, beneficial for gaming and graphic-intensive apps. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 4500 mAh | 4700 mAh | Nothing Phone (2) offers marginally better battery life, but real-world usage is similar |
| Charging | 65W Fast Charging | 45W Fast Charging | OnePlus 9 Pro charges significantly faster. |
| Features | 50W Wireless Charging, Reverse Wireless Charging | 15W Wireless Charging, 5W Reverse Wireless Charging | OnePlus 9 Pro offers faster wireless charging. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 48MP, f/1.8, 1/1.43", Sony IMX789 | 50MP, f/1.88, 1/1.56", Sony IMX890 | OnePlus 9 Pro has larger sensor and slightly wider aperture, but Nothing Phone (2) has slightly higher resolution; differences are subtle in most conditions. |
| Selfie Camera | 16MP, f/2.4, 1/3.13", Sony IMX471 | 32MP, f/2.45, 1/2.74", Sony IMX615 | Nothing Phone (2) captures more detailed selfies with its higher resolution sensor. |
| Telephoto | 8MP, f/2.4, 1/4.4", Omnivision OV08A10 | None | OnePlus 9 Pro offers dedicated optical zoom; Nothing Phone (2) relies on digital zoom. |
| Wide Angle | 50MP, f/2.2, 1/1.56", Sony IMX766 | None | OnePlus 9 Pro has dedicated ultra-wide lens; Nothing Phone (2) does not. |
| Wide Angle + Macro | None | 50MP, f/2.2, 1/2.76", Samsung S5KJN1 | Nothing Phone (2) has ultra-wide and macro lens. |
| Black & White | 2MP, f/2.4 | None | OnePlus 9 Pro has a dedicated black and white lens. |
| Video | Up to 8K@30fps | Up to 4K@60fps | OnePlus 9 Pro can shoot higher resolution videos, while both offer stabilization. |
| Camera Scores | DXOMARK: 122 (Photo 124, Video 118) | Not tested | OnePlus 9 Pro has been tested for mobile camera quality. |
| Additional Features | 8K Video, Optical zoom, Quadruple camera, Ultra stable video, Continuous autofocus, Manual focus, Contrast detection autofocus (CDAF), Laser autofocus (LAF), RAW, RAW 12 bits | Time-Lapse, Dual camera | OnePlus 9 Pro offers advanced camera modes; Nothing Phone (2) offers time-lapse. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 (upgradable to 14) | Android 13 (upgradable to 16) | Nothing Phone (2) has a newer Android version out of the box. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) | Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) | Both have the latest Wi-Fi standards. |
| Bluetooth | 5.2 | 5.3 | Nothing Phone (2) has a slightly more recent Bluetooth version. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo, GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (L1), BeiDou (B1), Galileo (E1+E5a) | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, Galileo, GPS (L1+L5), NavIC System | Nothing Phone (2) has access to more satellite systems, potentially providing more accurate location data. |
| SIM | Dual SIM Dual Standby (Nano SIM + Nano SIM) | Dual SIM Dual Standby (Nano SIM + Nano SIM) | Both support dual SIM functionality. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 128GB or 256GB | 128GB, 256GB or 512GB | Nothing Phone (2) offers more storage options, including a 512GB variant |
| RAM | 8GB or 12GB | 8GB or 12GB | Both offer ample RAM for smooth performance |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither phone supports expandable storage |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Dolby Atmos, Noise Cancellation Mic, Stereo Speakers, 3 mics | Hi-Res Audio, Stereo Speakers, 3 mics | Both provide good audio; OnePlus has Dolby Atmos and better noise cancellation while Nothing has Hi-Res Audio. |
| Security | |||
| Features | Basic fingerprint sensor | Basic fingerprint sensor | Both have basic fingerprint sensor. |
| Sensors | Biometric: Fingerprint; Proximity: Proximity; Motion: Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope | Biometric: Fingerprint; Proximity: Proximity; Motion: Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope | Both have all the necessary sensors for full functionality |
2. Key Differences Analysis
OnePlus 9 Pro Advantages
- Higher Display Resolution: Sharper images and text.
- Faster Charging: 65W wired and 50W wireless charging is significantly quicker.
- Telephoto Lens: Dedicated optical zoom for closer shots.
- Wide Angle Lens: Dedicated ultra-wide lens
- 8K Video Recording: Professional grade video recording.
- Black & White Lens: Dedicated black and white camera.
- Dolby Atmos: Enhanced audio with spatial sound.
- Screen Protection Gorilla Glass 5 provides added durability.
Nothing Phone (2) Advantages
- Newer Processor: More powerful and efficient Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 chip.
- Higher AnTuTu Score: Faster overall performance in benchmarks.
- Brighter Display: Better visibility in sunlight.
- Newer Android OS: Comes with a more recent Android version and longer update support.
- Larger Battery: Slightly better battery life.
- Higher Resolution Selfie Camera: More detailed selfie images.
- More Storage Options: Available 512 GB variant for high storage needs
- Macro Lens: Dedicated Macro lens
- Hi-Res Audio: Better support for high fidelity audio
Trade-offs
- OnePlus 9 Pro: Older chipset, lower brightness, no wide angle + macro camera.
- Nothing Phone (2): Slower charging, lacks telephoto lens and 8K video recording, unknown screen protection.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Ideal Users for OnePlus 9 Pro
- Photography Enthusiasts: Users who value a versatile camera system with telephoto, wide angle and black & white lenses, RAW shooting and 8K video recording capabilities.
- Fast Charging Advocates: Users who prioritize rapid wired and wireless charging.
- High Resolution Display Users: Users who prefer the sharpest text and images.
- Multimedia Users: Users who enjoy immersive audio using Dolby Atmos.
Use Cases:
- Capturing high-quality photos and videos in various scenarios (travel, events, etc.)
- Quickly topping up the battery before leaving the house.
- Consuming media with crisp details
- Video editors or anyone who needs 8K video for personal or professional reasons
Ideal Users for Nothing Phone (2)
- Performance Seekers: Users who prioritize the latest processor and smooth performance.
- Outdoor Users: Users who need excellent screen visibility in bright sunlight.
- Selfie Takers: Users who enjoy high resolution self-portraits.
- Long-Term Support Seekers: Users who appreciate a phone with a newer OS and extended update lifespan.
- Users on a Budget: Those seeking a flagship experience without breaking the bank
- Users who need large storage: Those needing large amount of storage for personal and professional use
Use Cases:
- Playing demanding mobile games or running graphic-intensive apps.
- Using the phone outdoors on sunny days.
- Taking clear selfies and participating in video calls
- Ensuring the phone receives the latest software updates
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions to Consider
- Do you prioritize camera versatility with zoom and 8K video, or a newer chipset and higher brightness display?
- Is fast charging a must-have feature for you, or is longer software support more important?
- Do you need maximum storage or is 256 GB enough for you?
Scenario-Based Recommendations
- Scenario 1: Photography Focused User If you value a versatile camera setup and higher resolution, choose the OnePlus 9 Pro.
- Scenario 2: Performance Focused User If you prefer a smoother and more efficient device with more storage, choose the Nothing Phone (2).
- Scenario 3: Budget-Conscious User: If you prefer a slightly better spec phone but also want something for a good price-to-value ratio, choose the Nothing Phone (2).
My Choice
If I were choosing between these two phones, I would choose the Nothing Phone (2). While the OnePlus 9 Pro has a slight edge in camera versatility with its dedicated telephoto and 8K video capabilities, the Nothing Phone (2) offers a better balance of performance, battery life, display brightness, and long-term software support. The newer Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 chip and brighter display are more important for my everyday usage, plus the larger storage option is a must for me. Although the OnePlus 9 Pro is an excellent phone, the Nothing Phone (2)'s combination of newer technology and the benefits it offers outweigh the slightly better camera hardware.
