Smartphone Comparison: OnePlus 9 Pro vs. Realme C35
1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | OnePlus 9 Pro | Realme C35 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 163.2 × 73.6 × 8.7 mm | 164.4 × 75.6 × 8.1 mm | OnePlus 9 Pro is slightly shorter and thinner, but also narrower. Realme C35 is slightly taller and wider but feels thinner in hand. |
| Weight | 197g | 189g | Realme C35 is slightly lighter, potentially more comfortable for extended use. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.7" | 6.6" | OnePlus 9 Pro offers a slightly larger viewing area. |
| Resolution | 1440x3216 | 1080x2408 | OnePlus 9 Pro has a significantly sharper and more detailed display. |
| Pixel Density (PPI) | 525 | 401 | OnePlus 9 Pro's display will look noticeably crisper and less pixelated. |
| Technology | Unspecified | IPS LCD | Realme C35 uses IPS LCD technology; OnePlus 9 Pro's display technology is not specified, making direct comparison on color and contrast difficult. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 60Hz | OnePlus 9 Pro has much smoother scrolling and animations; a noticeable difference when navigating the UI or playing games. |
| Brightness | 1300 nits | 0 nits | OnePlus 9 Pro screen will be much more readable in bright sunlight. Realme C35's brightness is not specified, making comparison difficult. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM8350 Snapdragon 888 5G (5 nm) | Unisoc Tiger T616 (12 nm) | OnePlus 9 Pro has a significantly more powerful processor, resulting in faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and better gaming performance. |
| AnTuTu Score | 877,600 | 230,726 | OnePlus 9 Pro delivers dramatically better performance; noticeable during resource-intensive tasks like gaming and video editing. |
| GPU | Adreno 660 | Mali-G57 MP1 | OnePlus 9 Pro's graphics processor is significantly more powerful, offering better visual quality and performance in games. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 4500mAh | 5000mAh | Realme C35 has a slightly larger battery, potentially offering longer battery life. |
| Charging | 65W Fast Charging | 18W Fast Charging | OnePlus 9 Pro charges much faster, reducing downtime. |
| Features | Reverse charging, Wireless charging 50W, REverse wireless charging | None | OnePlus 9 Pro has superior charging options including wireless and reverse wireless charging. |
| Camera | |||
| Standard Camera | 48MP (f/1.8, 1/1.43", 1.12µm, Sony IMX789) | 50MP (f/1.8) | Realme C35 has a slightly higher megapixel count; However, sensor size and pixel size information is missing, which are important to determining image quality. OnePlus 9 Pro has a larger sensor. |
| Selfie Camera | 16MP (f/2.4, 1/3.13", 0.70µm, Sony IMX471) | 8MP (f/2.0) | OnePlus 9 Pro has a higher resolution selfie camera. Realme C35's aperture may allow better low-light selfies, but pixel size info is missing for a full comparison. |
| Telephoto Lens | 8MP (f/2.4, 1/4.4", 1.00µm, Omnivision OV08A10) | None | OnePlus 9 Pro offers optical zoom capabilities not available on Realme C35. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 50MP (f/2.2, 1/1.56", 1.00µm, Sony IMX766) | None | OnePlus 9 Pro can take wider shots with a dedicated ultrawide lens. |
| Macro Lens | None | 2MP (f/2.4) | Realme C35 has a macro lens for close-up shots, not available on the OnePlus 9 Pro. |
| Black & White | 2MP (f/2.4) | 2MP (f/2.8) | OnePlus 9 Pro has a slightly wider aperture, potentially better in low-light scenarios. |
| Video | 8K@30fps, 4K@120fps | 1080p@30fps | OnePlus 9 Pro is capable of much higher quality video recording. |
| DXOMARK | Mobile: 122, Photo: 124, Video: 118 | Not Tested | OnePlus 9 Pro's camera has been rated very well in comparison to other phones. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 (Upgradable to 14) | Android 11 | OnePlus 9 Pro has a potential OS upgrade. Realme C35's maximum OS version is not specified. |
| Connectivity | |||
| WiFi | Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) | 802.11ac | OnePlus 9 Pro supports faster and more efficient WiFi standards. |
| Bluetooth | 5.2 | 5.0 | OnePlus 9 Pro has a more modern Bluetooth version. |
| GPS | GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (L1), BeiDou (B1), Galileo (E1+E5a) | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou | OnePlus 9 Pro supports more satellite systems, resulting in better GPS accuracy. |
| 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/256GB | 64GB/128GB | OnePlus 9 Pro offers more internal storage options. |
| RAM | 8GB/12GB | 4GB | OnePlus 9 Pro has significantly more RAM, improving multitasking. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither phone supports expandable storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Dolby Atmos, Stereo Speakers, Noise cancellation, 3 microphones | Basic audio features | OnePlus 9 Pro delivers a much better audio experience. |
| Security | |||
| Features | basic fingerprint sensor | side-mounted fingerprint sensor | Realme C35 has a more convenient side-mounted fingerprint sensor. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | Unknown | OnePlus 9 Pro has a more durable screen. |
| Sensors | |||
| Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope | Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope | OnePlus 9 Pro has an additional fingerprint sensor. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
OnePlus 9 Pro Advantages:
- Superior Performance: Much more powerful processor and GPU, making it excellent for demanding tasks and gaming.
- High-Quality Display: Significantly sharper, smoother (120Hz), and brighter display, ideal for media consumption and outdoor use.
- Advanced Camera System: Offers a versatile camera system with telephoto and wide-angle lenses, along with higher quality video.
- Faster Charging: Supports significantly faster wired and wireless charging.
- Enhanced Audio: Features Dolby Atmos, stereo speakers, and noise cancellation.
- Better Connectivity: Supports Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.2, and more accurate GPS.
- More RAM and Storage: Offers more RAM for smoother multitasking, and storage options for storing more data
Realme C35 Advantages:
- Larger Battery: Has a slightly larger battery, potentially offering longer battery life.
- Macro Lens: Includes a dedicated macro lens for close-up photography.
- Side-Mounted Fingerprint Sensor: Offers a more convenient fingerprint unlock location.
- Lighter Build: Slightly lighter, which some users might find more comfortable.
- Lower price point: Typically found in the budget smartphone price range making it more accessible
Trade-offs:
- OnePlus 9 Pro: Higher price point, heavier, battery capacity is less than the Realme C35, but is offset by much faster charging and wireless charging.
- Realme C35: Significantly lower performance, inferior display, less versatile camera system, and lacks premium features like wireless charging.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
OnePlus 9 Pro is ideal for:
- Power Users: Those who need the best performance for gaming, multitasking, and demanding applications.
- Media Enthusiasts: People who consume a lot of videos or play games, benefiting from the high-quality display and audio.
- Photography Lovers: Users who need a versatile camera system with high quality video and photo capabilities.
- Professionals: Users who need a powerful, reliable device with fast charging.
Specific use cases for OnePlus 9 Pro:
- Playing graphically intensive mobile games.
- Editing 4K or 8K videos on the go.
- Professional photography and videography.
- Using multiple apps simultaneously without slowdown.
- Heavy use in bright outdoor settings
Realme C35 is ideal for:
- Budget-Conscious Users: Those who need a functional smartphone at a low price.
- Basic Users: Those who primarily use their phone for calls, social media, and basic web browsing.
- Users Prioritizing Battery Life: People who need their phone to last all day without needing a recharge.
Specific use cases for Realme C35:
- Daily social media browsing and messaging.
- Taking occasional casual photos.
- Web browsing and light document viewing.
- Long battery life for basic use.
- Users who prioritize affordability.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- What is your budget? The OnePlus 9 Pro is significantly more expensive.
- How important is performance to you? If you need the best performance, the OnePlus 9 Pro is the clear choice. If your needs are basic, the Realme C35 may suffice.
- What are your most common phone use cases? If you need a good camera, display, or need power for demanding use, the OnePlus 9 Pro is ideal. If your needs are less demanding then the Realme C35 might be adequate.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Mobile Gamer or Professional Photographer - Choose the OnePlus 9 Pro for its superior performance and camera capabilities.
- Scenario 2: Budget-Conscious User - Choose the Realme C35 if you primarily need basic smartphone functions and are on a tight budget.
- Scenario 3: All-Around User with a Medium Budget - The OnePlus 9 Pro provides a premium experience, but if cost is a concern, there may be better alternatives in the mid range category with better performance than the Realme C35. Consider looking for other models based on your preference.
- Scenario 4: User Prioritizing Battery Life - The Realme C35 might provide slightly better battery life but the OnePlus 9 Pro's superior fast charging makes up for its slightly lower battery capacity.
My Choice
If I were choosing between these two phones, I would choose the OnePlus 9 Pro. While it is the older phone and more expensive, the sheer difference in performance, display quality, camera capabilities, and overall premium features is too significant to ignore. The significantly faster charging also negates the Realme C35's larger battery.
The OnePlus 9 Pro is the better choice for anyone who needs a high-performance smartphone. The difference in user experience in areas like responsiveness, gaming, and media consumption will be very noticeable and make the additional cost worthwhile. Although the Realme C35 offers a lower cost entry point, the compromises in performance and display are too high and will cause frustration over the long term.
