1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | OnePlus 9 | Apple iPhone 15 Plus | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 160 × 74.2 × 8.7 mm | 160.9 × 77.8 × 7.8 mm | Similar height, iPhone 15 Plus is wider, OnePlus 9 is thicker. |
| Weight | 192g | 201g | OnePlus 9 is slightly lighter, which might feel more comfortable for prolonged use. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.55" | 6.7" | iPhone 15 Plus offers a slightly larger viewing area for immersive content consumption. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1290x2796 | iPhone 15 Plus has a significantly sharper display with higher pixel count. |
| PPI | 402 | 460 | iPhone 15 Plus has a noticeably clearer and more detailed display. |
| Technology | AMOLED | OLED | Both offer excellent contrast and vibrant colors. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 60Hz | OnePlus 9 provides smoother animations and scrolling for a more fluid user experience. |
| Brightness | 1100 nits | 2000 nits | iPhone 15 Plus is significantly more visible in bright sunlight. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 5G (5 nm) | Apple A16 Bionic (4 nm) | A16 Bionic is more powerful, offering faster app loading and better gaming performance. |
| AnTuTu Score | 880,900 | 1,470,000 | iPhone 15 Plus is significantly faster in benchmarks, indicating smoother and more responsive performance. |
| GPU | Adreno 660 | Apple GPU (5-core) | iPhone 15 Plus's GPU offers superior graphics performance in demanding tasks. |
| Camera | |||
| Standard Camera | 48MP, f/1.79, 1/1.4" | 48MP, f/1.6, 1/1.5" | iPhone 15 Plus has wider aperture, better in low light. OnePlus 9 has a slightly larger sensor. |
| Selfie Camera | 16MP, f/2.4, 1/3.13" | 12MP, f/1.9 | iPhone 15 Plus has a wider aperture for better low-light selfies. OnePlus 9 has higher resolution. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 50MP, f/2.2, 1/1.56" | Not Available | OnePlus 9 offers a dedicated wide-angle camera. |
| Wide Angle + Macro Lens | Not Available | 12MP, f/2.4 | iPhone 15 Plus offers a wide angle + macro camera. |
| Black & White Lens | 2MP, f/2.4 | Not Available | OnePlus 9 offers a dedicated Black and white lens. |
| Video | Up to 8K@30fps | Up to 4K@60fps | OnePlus 9 can record in higher resolution 8K but lacks advanced image stabilization. iPhone 15 Plus has better stabilization and stereo sound. |
| DXOMark Score | Not Available | Mobile: 145 (Photo: 147, Video: 153) | iPhone 15 Plus has a tested and verified superior camera performance. |
| Features | 8K Video, Triple camera, digital stabilization, RAW 12 bit | Cinematic Mode, Noise Reduction, OIS, Dual camera, RAW | iPhone 15 Plus has advanced features like cinematic mode, and OIS for stabilized videos, OnePlus 9 has 8k video. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 4500mAh | 4383mAh | Both have similar capacities for comparable battery life. |
| Charging | 65W Fast Charging | 20W Fast Charging | OnePlus 9 charges much faster, minimizing downtime. |
| Wireless Charging | 15W Wireless Charging | 15W MagSafe & 7.5W Qi Wireless Charging | iPhone 15 Plus has MagSafe and Qi Wireless charging support. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 (upgradable to 13) | iOS 17 (upgradable to 18) | Different operating systems with unique features and ecosystems. |
| Connectivity | |||
| WiFi | WiFi 6, Wi-Fi Direct, Wi-Fi Display | WiFi 6 | OnePlus 9 offers additional features like WiFi Direct and Wi-Fi Display. |
| Bluetooth | 5.2, APT-x, LDAC | 5.3 | iPhone 15 Plus has newer Bluetooth version |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo, GPS (L1+L5), BeiDou (B1), Galileo (E1+E5a), BeiDou (B2) | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, QZSS, Galileo | OnePlus 9 offers wider satellite system support for better location accuracy |
| SIM | Dual Nano SIM | Dual Nano SIM + eSIM | iPhone 15 Plus offers eSIM support for easy carrier switching, OnePlus 9 uses dual nano sim. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 128 GB or 256 GB | 128 GB, 256 GB or 512 GB | iPhone 15 Plus has more storage option. |
| RAM | 8 GB or 12 GB | 6 GB | OnePlus 9 offers more RAM for improved multitasking. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither phone has expandable storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Dolby Atmos, Stereo Speakers | Stereo Speakers | OnePlus 9 offers slightly enhanced audio quality with Dolby Atmos. |
| Security | |||
| Features | Fingerprint Sensor | Basic Security Features | OnePlus 9 has a fingerprint sensor for biometric authentication. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | Unknown | OnePlus 9 has better screen protection. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope | Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Barometer | iPhone 15 Plus has additional environmental sensors, OnePlus 9 has additional biometric sensor. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
OnePlus 9 Advantages:
- Faster Charging: 65W charging significantly reduces charging time, more convenient for users with busy schedules.
- Smoother Display: 120Hz refresh rate offers a more fluid and responsive user experience, especially during scrolling and gaming.
- More RAM: Up to 12GB of RAM allows for more seamless multitasking and better performance with demanding apps and games.
- Wider Satellite support: Provides a more precise location tracking.
- Dedicated Wide-Angle Lens: Provides versatility for capturing different types of photos
- Fingerprint Sensor: Provides biometric security
Apple iPhone 15 Plus Advantages:
- Superior Performance: The A16 Bionic chip provides significantly faster processing and graphics power, making the phone more responsive and future-proof.
- Better Camera System: Wider aperture on the standard and selfie camera, plus features like cinematic mode and OIS, results in higher-quality photos and videos, particularly in low-light conditions. DXOMark scores indicate that the iPhone camera is superior.
- Brighter Display: 2000 nits of brightness means superior visibility in bright sunlight, making it much better for outdoor use.
- More Storage Options: 512GB storage option offers more space for media and apps.
- eSIM Support: Provides added flexibility for digital carrier switching.
- Advanced Camera Features: Includes cinematic mode, noise reduction, OIS, and RAW capture, appealing to photography enthusiasts.
- Environmental Sensor: Offers a barometer that can be used by applications for weather and altitude detection.
Trade-offs:
- The OnePlus 9 trades superior camera performance, processing power and display brightness for faster charging and a smoother refresh rate.
- The iPhone 15 Plus trades faster charging and a higher refresh rate for superior performance and camera capabilities.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Ideal User for OnePlus 9:
- Gamers and Media Consumers: Users who prioritize a smooth, responsive display, and fast charging.
- Multitaskers: Users who frequently switch between apps and need ample RAM.
- Budget-Conscious Users: Users who seek a balance of premium features and are okay with last year's tech for better value.
Use Cases for OnePlus 9:
- Playing graphically intensive games
- Binge-watching videos or movies
- Daily multitasking between apps
- Quick charging on the go
Ideal User for iPhone 15 Plus:
- Photography and Videography Enthusiasts: Users who prioritize top-notch camera quality and advanced features like cinematic mode.
- Power Users: Users who require a smooth and highly performant device with excellent processing power.
- Users in Bright Conditions: Users who need a bright display for outdoor visibility.
- Ecosystem Enthusiasts: Users invested in the Apple ecosystem.
Use Cases for iPhone 15 Plus:
- Capturing high-quality photos and videos in various conditions
- Running demanding applications and games smoothly
- Reliable performance throughout the day
- Daily multitasking between apps
- Working outside frequently
Price-to-Value Ratio:
- The OnePlus 9 may offer a better price-to-value ratio for users who prioritize display smoothness and fast charging.
- The iPhone 15 Plus provides a better value for users who prioritize camera quality, processing power, and ecosystem.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- Do you prioritize a smoother display and fast charging or superior processing and camera quality? (OnePlus 9 for smoothness and fast charging, iPhone 15 Plus for superior processing and camera)
- Is camera quality your top priority or is having a versatile camera more important? (iPhone 15 Plus has better quality camera while OnePlus 9 has versatile cameras)
- Are you heavily invested in a specific ecosystem, or are you open to different operating systems? (iPhone 15 Plus for iOS, OnePlus 9 for Android)
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: The Mobile Gamer or Binge-Watcher: Choose the OnePlus 9 for the 120Hz display, more RAM, and the convenience of fast charging.
- Scenario 2: The Content Creator or Photography Enthusiast: Choose the iPhone 15 Plus for its superior camera quality, advanced features, and processing power.
- Scenario 3: The Daily Commuter: If you prefer the smooth animations and fast charging for those quick stops at the charging stations, the OnePlus 9 will provide you that. If you are looking for a phone that you can take anywhere, and especially outdoors in the sun, then the iPhone 15 Plus is the obvious choice.
- Scenario 4: The Budget-Conscious Power User: If you want good performance for as cheap as possible and are not bothered with the top tier camera experience, then the OnePlus 9 is the perfect phone for you.
My Choice
Personally, I would choose the iPhone 15 Plus. While the OnePlus 9 offers some compelling features like faster charging and a smoother display, the iPhone 15 Plus excels in areas that are more important to me: superior camera quality, significantly better performance, and a much brighter display. The A16 Bionic chip's performance advantage is substantial, and the camera's low-light capabilities and video features are valuable. I value the ecosystem and long-term software support of iOS, plus the added convenience of MagSafe wireless charging. Even though the refresh rate is only 60 Hz, this is not a deal breaker for me, and the improved display brightness, camera and software ecosystem is worth the trade off.
