Smartphone Comparison: OnePlus 9 vs. Asus ROG Phone 6
1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | OnePlus 9 | Asus ROG Phone 6 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 160 × 74.2 × 8.7 mm | 173 × 77 × 10.3 mm | ROG Phone 6 is larger, making it less pocketable and potentially harder to use one-handed. |
| Weight | 192g | 239g | OnePlus 9 is significantly lighter, making it more comfortable for prolonged use. |
| Build Quality | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus | Asus ROG Phone 6 has superior scratch and drop protection for the screen. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.55" | 6.78" | Asus ROG Phone 6 provides a slightly more immersive viewing experience due to its larger screen. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2448 | Both are sharp, with no noticeable difference in clarity for most users. |
| PPI | 402 | 395 | Very similar sharpness, no noticeable difference in detail. |
| Technology | AMOLED | AMOLED | Both offer vibrant colors, deep blacks, and excellent contrast. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 165Hz | Asus ROG Phone 6 offers smoother animations and a more fluid experience, particularly noticeable in gaming. |
| Brightness | 1100 nits | 1200 nits | Asus ROG Phone 6 has better outdoor visibility in direct sunlight. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 (5 nm) | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 (4 nm) | ROG Phone 6 provides significantly faster processing, better efficiency, and improved performance in demanding tasks. |
| AnTuTu Score | 880,900 | 1,203,000 | Asus ROG Phone 6 is notably faster, leading to quicker app loading and smoother multitasking. |
| GPU | Adreno 660 | Adreno 730 | ROG Phone 6 has a more powerful GPU, delivering higher frame rates and enhanced graphics in games. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 48MP, f/1.79, 1/1.4" Sony IMX689 | 50MP, f/1.9, 1/1.56" Sony IMX766 | OnePlus 9 has slightly better low-light performance due to larger sensor and wider aperture, but Asus ROG Phone 6 has a more updated sensor and better image processing. |
| Selfie Camera | 16MP, f/2.4, 1/3.13" Sony IMX471 | 12MP, f/2.0, 1/2.93" Sony IMX663 | Asus ROG Phone 6 selfie camera is better in low light due to wider aperture and larger pixels. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 50MP, f/2.2, 1/1.56" Sony IMX766 | 13MP, f/2.2 | OnePlus 9 captures much more detailed wide-angle shots. |
| Macro Lens | None | 5MP, f/2.4 | Asus ROG Phone 6 has a dedicated macro lens for close-up shots. |
| Black & White Lens | 2MP, f/2.4 | None | OnePlus 9 has a dedicated black & white lens for monochrome shots. |
| Video | Up to 8K@30fps, HDR, EIS | Up to 8K@24fps, EIS | Both offer professional-grade video recording, but Asus ROG Phone 6 offers smoother results with EIS. |
| Stabilisation | EIS | OIS & EIS | Asus ROG Phone 6 is likely to have more stable videos, especially in shaky conditions, due to OIS. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 4500mAh | 6000mAh | ROG Phone 6 offers significantly longer battery life, especially beneficial for heavy users. |
| Charging | 65W Fast Charging, 15W Wireless Charging | 65W Fast Charging, Bypass, Reverse Charging 10W | Both phones offer fast charging, but ROG Phone 6 offers reverse charging and bypass charging features . |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 (Upgradable to 13) | Android 12 (Upgradable to 13) | Asus ROG Phone 6 ships with a newer Android version. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6 | Wi-Fi 6/6E | Similar Wi-Fi speeds for most users. |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.2 LE | Bluetooth 5.2 | Both offer modern Bluetooth connectivity, with minor differences in codec support that might matter for some audio equipment. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo, GPS (L1+L5), BeiDou (B1), Galileo (E1+E5a), BeiDou (B2) | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, Galileo, GPS (L1+L5), BeiDou (B1), Galileo (E1+E5a), BeiDou (B2), NavIC System, QZSS (L1 + L5) | ROG Phone 6 has more precise location tracking due to better GPS support. |
| SIM | Dual SIM | Dual SIM | Both phones support dual SIM functionality. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 128 GB / 256 GB | 128 GB / 256 GB / 512 GB | ROG Phone 6 offers more internal storage options. |
| RAM | 8 GB / 12 GB | 8 GB / 12 GB / 16 GB | ROG Phone 6 has more RAM options, allowing for more efficient multitasking. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither phone supports expandable storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Dolby Atmos, Noise cancellation microphone, Stereo Speakers, 3 microphones | DTS / DTS X, Hi-Res Audio, Noise cancellation microphone, Stereo Speakers, 4 microphones | ROG Phone 6 offers better audio performance with DTS X, Hi-Res Audio, and additional microphones. |
| Security | |||
| Features | Fingerprint Sensor | Fingerprint Sensor | Both phones use a similar fingerprint sensor. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Hall | ROG Phone 6 features an additional Hall sensor for specialized applications. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
OnePlus 9 Advantages:
- Lighter and More Compact: The OnePlus 9 is noticeably lighter and more compact, making it easier to handle and carry around.
- Potentially Better Main Camera in Low Light The OnePlus 9 has a wider aperture (f/1.79) and larger 1/1.4" sensor compared to the ROG Phone 6’s (f/1.9) and 1/1.56", making it a superior performer in low-light conditions.
- 15W Wireless Charging: Offers wireless charging convenience, a feature absent on the ROG Phone 6.
- Higher Resolution Wide-Angle Camera At 50MP, the OnePlus 9 has a significantly higher resolution for its wide-angle camera over the ROG Phone 6's 13MP.
Asus ROG Phone 6 Advantages:
- Superior Performance: The Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 chipset and Adreno 730 GPU deliver significantly faster processing speeds and better gaming performance.
- Larger Battery: The 6000mAh battery provides considerably longer battery life, ideal for heavy users and gamers.
- Smoother Display: The 165Hz refresh rate provides a visibly more fluid experience.
- Better Audio: DTS/DTS X and Hi-Res Audio provide enhanced audio quality and immersion.
- Reverse and Bypass Charging The ROG Phone 6 also offers reverse charging, allowing it to function as a power bank and a bypass charging feature that allows charging without direct impact to the battery.
- Macro Lens: A dedicated macro lens allows for detailed close-up photography.
- Better Selfie Camera: Although lower resolution, wider aperture and larger pixel size makes it superior in low light conditions.
- More RAM Options 16GB RAM available for superior multitasking.
- More Storage Options 512 GB storage available for more media and applications.
- Optical Image Stabilization (OIS): OIS helps in delivering better video stability, whereas the OnePlus 9 solely relies on EIS.
- Better Screen Protection: Gorilla Glass Victus offers improved screen protection over Gorilla Glass 5.
Trade-offs:
- The OnePlus 9 sacrifices performance and battery life for a lighter design and better low-light performance from its main camera.
- The Asus ROG Phone 6 is bulkier and heavier but excels in performance, battery life, and gaming features.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
OnePlus 9 Ideal User:
- General Users: Users who prioritize a sleek design, light weight and ease of handling with a good main camera performance.
- Users Who Prefer Wireless Charging: Those who want the convenience of wireless charging.
- Users who prioritize wide angle shots: Those who often use the ultrawide camera for group photos and landscapes.
Cost-conscious users: Users who are looking for better value for money when compared to the ROG Phone 6.
Use Cases: Everyday tasks, social media, photography in good and low-light conditions, casual gaming.
Asus ROG Phone 6 Ideal User:
- Hardcore Gamers: Those who need the absolute best performance and features for mobile gaming.
- Power Users: Those who push their phones to the limits with heavy multitasking and resource-intensive apps.
- Multimedia Enthusiasts: Users who consume a lot of content and need excellent battery life and high-quality audio.
Users who frequently record videos: The ROG Phone 6 offers OIS for stable recording, and 120fps slow motion at 4K.
Use Cases: High-end gaming, heavy multitasking, content creation, media consumption, extended use without charging.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions to Consider:
- Do you prioritize gaming and performance above all else? If yes, the Asus ROG Phone 6 is the clear choice.
- Is battery life or ease of handling more important to you? The ROG Phone 6 offers significantly better battery life, while the OnePlus 9 is more compact and lighter, which will allow for easier prolonged usage.
- Do you need wireless charging and a great low light main camera If yes, the OnePlus 9 is the better choice.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- For Casual Users: If you're a casual user who values a good all-around phone, the OnePlus 9 is a great option, offering a balance of features without being overly bulky or expensive.
- For Gamers: If you are a gamer and require top performance for gaming then the Asus ROG Phone 6 is the superior option.
- For Multimedia Consumption: The ROG Phone 6, with its excellent audio, large screen, and long battery life, will be a great pick.
- For Creators: If video recording or content creation is your focus then the Asus ROG Phone 6 with OIS and its better recording capabilities might be the better choice, with a caveat that the OnePlus 9 main camera may provide better image quality in some situations.
My Choice
I would choose the Asus ROG Phone 6. While I appreciate the sleek design and lightness of the OnePlus 9, the ROG Phone 6's performance advantages, longer battery life, and superior audio are more important to my needs. I am primarily focused on performance, so the ROG Phone 6 is the clear winner here. Furthermore, the inclusion of Optical Image Stabilization (OIS) makes the ROG Phone 6 a great option for video recording. While it's bulkier, the benefits outweigh this disadvantage for me.
While the OnePlus 9 has a higher resolution wide-angle camera and wireless charging capabilities, the superior performance of the Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 chip and the overall user experience that the ROG Phone 6 offers make it a better choice for my specific use case. Ultimately, if my goal was to maximize gaming performance and overall phone capabilities, the ROG Phone 6 stands out as the better option.
