1. Specifications Comparison
Design
| Feature | OnePlus 9 | Motorola Edge 30 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 160 × 74.2 × 8.7 mm | 163.1 × 76 × 8.8 mm | Motorola Edge 30 Pro is slightly larger and might feel bulkier in hand; OnePlus 9 is more compact, likely fitting smaller hands better. |
| Weight | 192g | 196g | Both phones are similar in weight; negligible difference in hand feel. |
| Build Quality (Screen Protection) | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | OnePlus 9 offers better scratch and shatter resistance, extending screen lifespan. |
Display
| Feature | OnePlus 9 | Motorola Edge 30 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Size | 6.55" | 6.7" | Motorola Edge 30 Pro offers a slightly larger viewing area, better for media consumption and multitasking. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2400 | Both offer a crisp, detailed viewing experience. |
| PPI | 402 | 393 | Both phones have a similar pixel density; the difference is imperceptible to the human eye. |
| Technology | AMOLED | OLED | Both technologies offer vibrant colors, deep blacks, and excellent contrast; differences are negligible in real-world use. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 144Hz | Motorola Edge 30 Pro offers slightly smoother scrolling and animations, beneficial for gamers and users who appreciate fluidity. |
| Brightness | 1100 nits | 0 nits | OnePlus 9 will be much easier to view in bright sunlight. The Motorola Edge 30 Pro brightness is not specified, it may cause visibility issues in direct sunlight. |
Performance
| Feature | OnePlus 9 | Motorola Edge 30 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 (5 nm) | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 (4 nm) | Motorola Edge 30 Pro has a more powerful and efficient chip, resulting in snappier performance and better power efficiency. |
| Antutu Score | 880,900 | 1,061,400 | Motorola Edge 30 Pro demonstrates higher performance in benchmarks, indicating faster app loading and smoother multitasking. |
| GPU | Adreno 660 | Adreno 730 | Motorola Edge 30 Pro offers better graphics performance, important for demanding games and graphics-intensive applications. |
Camera
| Feature | OnePlus 9 | Motorola Edge 30 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main Camera | 48MP, f/1.79, 1/1.4", Sony IMX689 | 50MP, f/1.8, 1/1.55", Omnivision OV50A | OnePlus 9 has a slightly larger sensor and a wider aperture, potentially capturing more light and detail in low light, but the difference is marginal. |
| Selfie Camera | 16MP, f/2.4, 1/3.13", Sony IMX471 | 60MP, f/2.2, 1/2.8", Omnivision OV60A | Motorola Edge 30 Pro captures higher resolution and has a larger sensor, leading to sharper and more detailed selfies. |
| Wide Angle | 50MP, f/2.2, 1/1.56", Sony IMX766 | Not Available | OnePlus 9 offers a dedicated ultrawide lens, letting you capture more in your photos. |
| Portrait (Depth) Camera | Not Available | 2MP, f/2.4 | Motorola Edge 30 Pro has a depth sensor for better portrait mode effects; OnePlus 9 does not offer this sensor. |
| Wide Angle + Macro | Not Available | 50MP, f/2.2, 1/2.76", Samsung S5KJN1 | Motorola Edge 30 Pro offers wide angle and macro functionality in the same sensor. |
| Black & White Camera | 2MP, f/2.4 | Not Available | OnePlus 9 offers a dedicated monochrome camera for artistic black-and-white photos. |
| Video Recording | 8K@30fps, 4K@60fps, 1080p@240fps | 8K@30fps, 4K@60fps, 1080p@960fps | Motorola Edge 30 Pro supports higher slow motion frame rate and better video stabilisation for smoother videos. |
| Video Stabilization | No | Yes | Motorola Edge 30 Pro features video stabilization for smoother recording of videos. |
| DXOMARK Score | Not Available | Mobile: 101, Photo: 107, Video: 102 | Motorola Edge 30 Pro has undergone professional testing for camera quality, which is not available for the OnePlus 9. |
Battery
| Feature | OnePlus 9 | Motorola Edge 30 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 4500mAh | 4800mAh | Motorola Edge 30 Pro might offer slightly longer battery life due to its larger battery capacity. |
| Charging | 65W Fast Charging, 15W Wireless Charging | 68W Fast Charging, 15W Wireless Charging, 5W Reverse Wireless Charging | Both phones offer extremely fast charging. The Motorola offers reverse charging to charge accessories or other devices. |
| Battery Features | Non-removable, 15W Wireless Charging | Reverse charging, Non-removable, Wireless charging 15W, Reverse charging 5W | Motorola Edge 30 Pro has reverse charging feature, allowing it to charge other devices wirelessly; both phones offer similar basic wireless charging capabilities. |
Other
| Feature | OnePlus 9 | Motorola Edge 30 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Operating System | Android 11 (upgradable to 13) | Android 12 (upgradable to 13) | Motorola Edge 30 Pro ships with a newer Android version, offering more modern features, longer support time, and potentially better security. |
| WiFi | WiFi 6, Wi-Fi MiMO | WiFi 6 | OnePlus 9 offers additional Wi-Fi MiMO feature, enabling better connectivity, specifically with multiple devices. |
| GPS | GPS (L1+L5), BeiDou (B1), Galileo (E1+E5a), BeiDou (B2) | GPS (L1+L5), Galileo (E1+E5a) | OnePlus 9 supports more satellite systems for more accurate location tracking. |
| Internal Storage | 128 GB or 256 GB | 128 GB, 256 GB or 512 GB | Motorola Edge 30 Pro offers a larger maximum storage option. |
| RAM | 8GB or 12 GB | 8GB or 12 GB | Both offer sufficient RAM for multitasking and resource intensive apps. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone allows for expandable storage, which may be a limiting factor for users who take a lot of photos or videos. |
| Audio Quality | Dolby Atmos, Noise cancellation microphone, Stereo Speakers, 3 microphones | Dolby Atmos, Stereo Speakers, 3 microphones | OnePlus 9 offers better audio separation and immersion and better voice capture thanks to the Noise cancellation microphone. |
| Security | basic fingerprint sensor | side-mounted fingerprint sensor | Motorola Edge 30 Pro features a more convenient fingerprint sensor location for unlocking the phone. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
OnePlus 9 Advantages:
- Better Screen Protection: Gorilla Glass 5 offers better scratch and shatter resistance.
- Superior Outdoor Visibility: Higher screen brightness (1100 nits) makes it much easier to view in direct sunlight.
- Wider Camera Selection: Dedicated wide-angle lens, and monochrome lens for unique creative effects.
- Better Audio Capture: Noise cancellation microphone offers improved call quality, better audio separation, and immersive experience.
- More Accurate GPS Tracking: More satellite systems supported for improved location accuracy, great for navigation.
Motorola Edge 30 Pro Advantages:
- Newer & More Powerful Chipset: Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 offers improved performance and efficiency compared to the Snapdragon 888.
- Faster Refresh Rate: 144Hz offers a smoother, more fluid user experience, specifically for gamers.
- Larger Battery: 300 mAh larger battery allows for a slightly better battery performance
- Better Selfie Camera: Higher resolution and larger sensor result in superior selfie image quality.
- Versatile Rear Camera Setup: Offers a dedicated portrait sensor and a wide-angle lens that also handles macro shots.
- Superior Video Stabilization: Optical image stabilization provides smoother videos.
- Faster Charging: 68W wired charging is negligibly faster than OnePlus 9, but also offers 5W reverse wireless charging capability.
- Newer OS: Comes with Android 12 out of the box (upgradable to 13), providing a more up to date operating experience.
- Larger Maximum Storage: Offers a 512GB storage option for users with extensive media collections.
- Professional Camera Score: DXOMARK testing shows that the camera performance of the Motorola Edge 30 Pro is better than the OnePlus 9 camera.
- Advanced Fingerprint Sensor: Side-mounted fingerprint sensor is more convenient than OnePlus' standard sensor.
Trade-offs:
- OnePlus 9's slightly more compact form might appeal to those seeking a smaller phone. The Motorola Edge 30 Pro is a bit larger and might be less comfortable for small hands.
- While the Motorola Edge 30 Pro offers a newer and more powerful chipset and a faster refresh rate, OnePlus 9 is still extremely powerful.
- Motorola Edge 30 Pro lacks a dedicated black and white camera, and a dedicated wide-angle lens, but its versatile wide-angle + macro sensor is a compromise
- OnePlus 9 has better screen protection and outdoor visibility, which are crucial for daily use.
- Motorola Edge 30 Pro's camera has been professionally tested and has a higher DXOMARK score than the OnePlus 9, which has not been tested
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
OnePlus 9 Ideal User:
- Outdoor Enthusiasts: Users who frequently use their phones outdoors, needing good visibility in bright sunlight, would appreciate OnePlus 9's display.
- Audiophiles: Users who prioritize enhanced sound quality, with a focus on better voice capture and spatial audio experience, will appreciate the Noise Cancellation microphone.
- Photography Enthusiasts: Those who value having dedicated wide angle and black & white lenses in addition to the main lens.
- Users with concerns over screen protection: The Gorilla Glass 5 offers better scratch and shatter resistance.
- Users wanting a slightly smaller phone: The OnePlus 9 is more compact and ergonomic compared to the Motorola Edge 30 Pro.
Use Cases:
- Outdoor photography, navigation, and reading under bright sunlight
- Listening to music, capturing clear audio, and using the phone for clear communication.
- Unique photography projects, artistic black and white photography, and wide-angle landscape shots.
Motorola Edge 30 Pro Ideal User:
- Performance Seekers: Users who prioritize raw processing power, smoother animations, and the latest tech, will appreciate the newer chipset and higher refresh rate.
- Mobile Gamers: Gamers who require a smooth display and the best graphics performance will appreciate the 144Hz refresh rate and Adreno 730 GPU.
- Selfie Lovers: Users who prioritize high-quality selfies, will appreciate the 60MP front-facing camera.
- Video Creators: Those who prioritize video quality will appreciate the video stabilization and higher frame rates.
- Users Seeking Versatility: Users who want a versatile camera system for different types of photography, without needing a dedicated black and white sensor.
- Users seeking convenience: Users who want a more convenient fingerprint sensor location, will appreciate the side-mounted one.
- Users with extensive media: Users who require large amounts of storage for their content, will appreciate the 512GB storage option.
Use Cases:
- Playing demanding mobile games at high framerates.
- Capturing professional-quality selfies and videos.
- General, everyday use for its fast performance and modern experience.
- Professionals who need a versatile camera and can benefit from the reverse charging capabilities.
Price-to-Value Ratio:
- The Motorola Edge 30 Pro, being a newer device, may come at a higher initial price point, but it often offers greater value if performance and camera quality are top priorities.
- The OnePlus 9, being an older device, might offer better value for users on a budget.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- Is screen visibility in bright sunlight a priority? If yes, then the OnePlus 9 is a significantly better choice due to its high brightness (1100 nits).
- Is top-tier performance and gaming a priority? If yes, the Motorola Edge 30 Pro's Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 chipset and 144Hz refresh rate provide a more fluid experience.
- Do you prefer a slightly smaller phone, or a larger, modern camera setup? The OnePlus 9 is smaller, but the Motorola Edge 30 Pro is more versatile and offers a better selfie camera.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Bright Sunlight User: Choose the OnePlus 9 for its superior outdoor visibility and better audio features.
- Scenario 2: Mobile Gaming & Performance: Choose the Motorola Edge 30 Pro for its newer processor, better GPU and faster refresh rate.
- Scenario 3: Multimedia and Versatile Camera User: Choose the Motorola Edge 30 Pro for its improved selfie camera, portrait mode, video stabilization and professional camera rating.
- Scenario 4: Budget Conscious User: The OnePlus 9 may offer a better value as an older device if price is a major concern.
Personal Choice:
I would choose the Motorola Edge 30 Pro. While the OnePlus 9 offers better screen protection, and superior brightness, the Motorola Edge 30 Pro provides a more compelling package for my personal needs and use cases. The superior processing power, advanced camera system, and higher refresh rate are more beneficial for my lifestyle. I would prefer the convenience of a more modern smartphone over the smaller design, a monochrome camera, and screen visibility in direct sunlight. I am primarily using my phone for performance-intensive tasks, taking photos indoors, and browsing the web where the additional brightness is not a concern.
