1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | OnePlus 9 | Motorola Edge 30 Ultra | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Launch Date | 2021-03-26 | 2022-09-08 | Motorola is significantly newer, benefiting from newer tech. |
| Dimensions | 160 × 74.2 × 8.7 mm | 161.8 × 73.5 × 8.4 mm | Motorola is slightly taller and thinner, may feel slightly more modern. |
| Weight | 192g | 198.5g | OnePlus is slightly lighter, may be more comfortable for long usage. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.55" | 6.67" | Motorola has slightly larger screen, better for media consumption. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2400 | Identical sharpness; both are very crisp. |
| PPI | 402 | 395 | Very similar pixel density, negligible difference to the eye. |
| Technology | AMOLED | P-OLED | Both offer excellent contrast and color reproduction. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 144Hz | Motorola offers smoother animations and scrolling experience. |
| Brightness | 1100 nits | 1250 nits | Motorola is brighter, better visibility in direct sunlight. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 5G (5 nm) | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 (4 nm) | Motorola chipset is significantly faster, better for gaming and demanding apps. |
| Antutu Score | 880,900 | 1,231,300 | Motorola offers better performance in demanding tasks and games |
| GPU | Adreno 660 | Adreno 730 | Motorola's GPU offers superior gaming performance and graphics rendering. |
| Camera | |||
| Rear Main Camera | 48MP, f/1.79, 1/1.4" Sony IMX689 | 200MP, f/1.95, 1/1.22" Samsung ISOCELL HP1 | Motorola has significantly higher resolution for more detail and larger sensor for better low-light performance. |
| Selfie Camera | 16MP, f/2.4, 1/3.13" Sony IMX471 | 60MP, f/2.2, 1/2.8" Omnivision OV60A | Motorola has much higher resolution, wider aperture, and larger sensor, better for selfies. |
| Telephoto Lens | None | 12MP, f/1.6 | Motorola provides dedicated zoom capabilities; OnePlus has none. |
| Wide-Angle Lens | 50MP, f/2.2, 1/1.56" Sony IMX766 | 50MP, f/2.2, 1/2.76" Samsung S5KJN1 | OnePlus has a larger sensor, potentially better wide-angle low light performance. |
| Black & White Lens | 2MP, f/2.4 | None | OnePlus offers specific B&W photos. |
| Video | Up to 8K@30fps | Up to 8K@30fps | Similar quality; Motorola offers more slow-motion options and better stabilization. |
| Camera Features | Lacks OIS, additional video features, RAW 12 bits | Includes OIS, RAW | Motorola offers more advanced features like OIS and RAW capture. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 4500mAh | 4610mAh | Similar battery life, both should last a full day for most users. |
| Charging | 65W Wired, 15W Wireless | 125W Wired, 50W Wireless, 10W Reverse Wireless | Motorola charges much faster, both wired and wirelessly. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11, upgradable to 13 | Android 12, upgradable to 13 | Motorola starts with a newer OS version, both will get OS 13 |
| Connectivity | |||
| WiFi | Wi-Fi 6 | Wi-Fi 6 | Similar Wi-Fi performance, both can utilize modern Wi-Fi. |
| Bluetooth | 5.2 with aptX, LDAC, SBC, AAC | 5.2 | OnePlus offers a few more advanced audio codecs for Bluetooth. |
| GPS | More | More | Motorola has more advanced location tracking through its satellite systems |
| SIM | Dual SIM | Dual SIM | Dual SIM functionality on both phones |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 128GB/256GB | 128GB/256GB | Same options for storage |
| RAM | 8GB/12GB | 8GB/12GB | Same ram options |
| Expandable | No | No | No option for expanded storage |
| Audio | |||
| Audio Quality | Dolby Atmos, Noise cancellation, Stereo Speakers, 3 Mics | Dolby Atmos, Stereo Speakers, 2 Mics | OnePlus has additional noise cancellation features with 3 microphones, may offer slightly better audio recording. |
| Security | |||
| Features | Fingerprint Sensor | Fingerprint Sensor | Both offer similar fingerprint sensor based security. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | Both offer the same screen protection technology. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Gravity | Motorola has all the basic sensors plus gravity sensor. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
OnePlus 9 Advantages:
- Slightly Lighter Build: At 192g, it's marginally more comfortable for prolonged use.
- Potentially Better Wide-Angle Low Light: Larger wide-angle sensor for potentially better low light performance.
- Black & White Lens: Offers a dedicated mode for monochrome photography.
- Slightly More Advanced Bluetooth Codecs: Supports aptX, LDAC, SBC, and AAC codecs.
- Noise Cancellation and 3 Mics: The OnePlus 9 may have slightly better audio recording during calls and videos.
Motorola Edge 30 Ultra Advantages:
- Newer, More Powerful Chipset: Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 provides significantly better performance.
- Faster Refresh Rate: 144Hz display offers smoother animations.
- Higher Brightness: 1250 nits enhances outdoor visibility.
- Significantly Higher Resolution Camera: 200MP main sensor captures more detail.
- Better Selfies: Higher resolution and better aperture on the front-facing camera.
- Telephoto Lens: Dedicated optical zoom lens for better zoomed photos.
- Faster Charging: 125W wired and 50W wireless charging for incredibly quick top-ups.
- Optical Image Stabilization (OIS): Offers better image stabilization and clearer images, especially in low light.
- RAW capture: Allows for more editing and control over images.
- More Advanced GPS: Includes QZSS, SUPL and QZSS(L1+L5) for better location accuracy.
- Gravity Sensor: Can be useful for advanced gaming applications
Trade-offs:
- OnePlus 9 trades newer performance for slightly lighter build, advanced Bluetooth codecs and a better audio recording system.
- Motorola Edge 30 Ultra sacrifices B&W mode and some advanced Bluetooth codecs for significantly better camera, performance, and faster charging.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
OnePlus 9 Ideal Users:
- Users who value comfort and build: The slightly lighter and more comfortable design is better for users who prioritize that.
- Audio Enthusiasts: Those who prioritize Bluetooth audio quality and are able to appreciate the difference of the additional codecs and microphones.
- Photography Enthusiasts: Users who appreciate a dedicated black and white lens might prefer this.
Use Cases:
- Casual day to day use.
- Regular podcast listener or making voice calls.
- Unique and stylized photography.
Motorola Edge 30 Ultra Ideal Users:
- Performance Seekers: Users who demand top-tier performance for gaming and demanding tasks.
- Camera-Centric Users: Those who prioritize taking high-quality, detailed photos and videos.
- Fast-Paced Lifestyles: Those who need fast charging to quickly top-up the phone through-out the day.
- Users Who Want the Latest Technology
Use Cases:
- Mobile gaming or video editing.
- Capturing high-resolution photos and videos.
- Heavy multi-tasking between different applications.
- Users who travel and need reliable location tracking.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions to Ask:
- Performance Needs: Do you need the absolute best performance, or is it just adequate for your usage?
- Camera Priorities: Do you heavily prioritize photo and video quality, especially zooming capabilities?
- Charging Requirements: Do you need the fastest charging available, or is standard fast charging sufficient?
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: If you are a gamer, or require high performance for tasks, and care about photography, choose the Motorola Edge 30 Ultra.
- Scenario 2: If you are prioritize having a good audio experience through bluetooth, and prefer the slightly more comfortable feel in the hand, choose the OnePlus 9.
- Scenario 3: If you value cutting edge technology and want a newer device, choose the Motorola Edge 30 Ultra.
My Choice
If I were choosing between the two, I would select the Motorola Edge 30 Ultra. While I appreciate the design and slightly better audio features of the OnePlus 9, the Motorola offers a more significant upgrade in areas I prioritize.
The significantly better performance of the Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 is a major advantage for smoother app loading and gameplay. The vastly superior camera system, with a higher resolution main sensor, better telephoto lens, and improved selfie camera, is more important to me than a dedicated B&W lens or additional bluetooth codecs. Finally, the much faster charging speeds will be very useful to me.
While the OnePlus 9 does have its strengths, the Motorola Edge 30 Ultra aligns better with my overall needs and provides a more noticeable upgrade in the key areas I prioritize in a modern smartphone.
