1. Specifications Comparison
Design
| Feature | OnePlus 9 | Motorola Edge 40 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 160 × 74.2 × 8.7 mm | 158.4 × 72 × 7.6 mm | The Edge 40 is more compact, making it slightly more comfortable for one-handed use. The OnePlus 9 is noticeably thicker and wider, potentially feeling bulkier. |
| Weight | 192g | 167g | The Edge 40 is significantly lighter, enhancing portability and reducing fatigue during extended use. |
| Build Quality (Screen) | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | Unknown | OnePlus 9 has a known screen protection which will provide better scratch and impact resistance, while the Edge 40's screen protection is unknown. |
Display
| Feature | OnePlus 9 | Motorola Edge 40 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Size | 6.55" | 6.55" | Both have the same screen size, offering similar viewing real estate. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2400 | Identical resolution means the same sharpness and detail levels for both screens. |
| PPI | 402 | 402 | Both have the same pixel density, resulting in equal sharpness on both displays. |
| Technology | AMOLED | P-OLED | Both offer vibrant colors, deep blacks, and excellent contrast ratios. The difference in tech is very subtle and likely unnoticeable for most users. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 144Hz | The Edge 40's higher refresh rate provides slightly smoother scrolling and animations, which is most noticeable in fast-paced content and gaming. |
| Brightness | 1100 nits | 1200 nits | The Edge 40 has a brighter screen, providing better visibility in direct sunlight. |
Performance
| Feature | OnePlus 9 | Motorola Edge 40 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 (5 nm) | Mediatek Dimensity 8020 (6 nm) | The OnePlus 9's Snapdragon 888 generally offers slightly better raw processing power and gaming performance. |
| AnTuTu Score | 880,900 | 762,526 | The OnePlus 9 scores higher in benchmarks, indicating potentially faster performance in demanding applications and games. |
| GPU | Adreno 660 | Mali-G77 MC9 | The Adreno 660 in the OnePlus 9 has a slight performance advantage in demanding graphics applications and games. |
Camera
| Feature | OnePlus 9 | Motorola Edge 40 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main Camera Resolution | 48MP | 50MP | The Edge 40 has a marginally higher resolution, potentially capturing slightly more detail. |
| Main Camera Aperture | f/1.79 | f/1.4 | The Edge 40 has a wider aperture, allowing for better low-light performance and shallower depth of field. |
| Main Camera Sensor Size | 1/1.4" | 1/1.55" | The OnePlus 9 has a slightly larger sensor, potentially capturing more light and detail in some situations. |
| Selfie Camera Resolution | 16MP | 32MP | The Edge 40 has a higher resolution selfie camera, resulting in sharper and more detailed selfies. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 50MP | None | The OnePlus 9 includes a dedicated wide-angle lens, allowing users to capture more in a single shot. |
| Wide Angle + Macro Lens | None | 13MP | The Edge 40 offers a combination wide-angle and macro lens, allowing versatility in different shooting scenarios. |
| Black & White Lens | 2MP | None | OnePlus 9 has a B&W lens which can provide unique creative options. |
| Video Recording | Up to 8K@30fps | Up to 4K@30fps | The OnePlus 9 can record higher resolution videos (8K), which is useful for professional-grade content. The Edge 40 offers smoother stabilization. |
| Stabilization | EIS (Electronic Image Stabilization) | EIS and OIS (Optical Image Stabilization) | Motorola has both EIS and OIS for much more stable and smooth videos. |
| Additional Features | Triple camera, Manual focus, CDAF, RAW 12 bits | Dual camera, LAF, RAW | The OnePlus 9 has more options for manual control, and the Edge 40 has a fast and reliable laser focus system, and OIS. |
Battery
| Feature | OnePlus 9 | Motorola Edge 40 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 4500mAh | 4400mAh | Similar battery capacity suggests comparable battery life for typical usage scenarios. |
| Charging Speed | 65W | 68W | The Edge 40 has slightly faster charging, resulting in slightly shorter charging times. |
| Wireless Charging | 15W | 15W | Both phones offer wireless charging at the same speed. |
Other
| Feature | OnePlus 9 | Motorola Edge 40 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Operating System | Android 11 (upgradable to 13) | Android 13 (upgradable to 15) | The Edge 40 comes with a more recent Android version out of the box, which includes the latest features and security patches. It also will receive 2 major OS updates in the future, unlike the OnePlus 9. |
| WiFi | WiFi 6 (802.11ax) with MiMO | WiFi 6 (802.11ax) | Both have similar WiFi capabilities, the OnePlus 9 has MIMO for enhanced WiFi performance, although the average user is unlikely to notice any difference. |
| Bluetooth | 5.2 LE with aptX, LDAC, SBC, AAC | 5.2 LE with aptX, LDAC, SBC, AAC, LHDC | The Edge 40 also includes LHDC audio codec, potentially giving slightly better audio quality for compatible devices. |
| GPS | GPS (L1+L5), BeiDou (B1), Galileo (E1+E5a), BeiDou (B2) | GPS (L1+L5), BeiDou (B1), SUPL, Galileo | OnePlus 9 has more comprehensive GPS support, while the Edge 40 has SUPL. |
| SIM | Dual Nano SIM | Dual Nano SIM + eSIM | The Edge 40 supports eSIM for digital carrier switching, which offers more flexibility to travel internationally or switch carriers easily, while the OnePlus has dual Nano SIM slots. |
| Storage | 128GB or 256GB | 256GB | The Edge 40 offers only the 256GB version, while the OnePlus 9 has options for 128GB and 256GB. |
| RAM | 8GB or 12GB | 8GB | The OnePlus 9 has a 12GB option for superior multitasking and high performance, whereas the Edge 40 is limited to 8 GB. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone offers expandable storage, so users should choose the option with enough internal storage. |
| Audio Quality | Dolby Atmos, Stereo Speakers, 3 microphones, Noise cancellation microphone | Dolby Atmos, Stereo Speakers, 3 microphones | OnePlus 9 has Noise cancellation microphone, which provides clearer audio for calls and recordings. |
| Security | Fingerprint Sensor | Fingerprint Sensor | Both phones offer standard fingerprint sensors for security. |
| Sensors | Comprehensive suite of sensors | Comprehensive suite of sensors | Both phones have a complete suite of sensors for their advanced functions. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
OnePlus 9 Advantages:
- Higher Performance: The Snapdragon 888 chipset and higher AnTuTu score provide superior processing power for demanding apps and games.
- 8K Video Recording: Offers 8K video recording, useful for professional video work.
- Wide-Angle Lens: Includes a dedicated wide-angle camera for more versatile photography.
- Noise Cancellation Microphone: The OnePlus 9's noise-cancellation microphone provides clearer audio for calls and recordings.
- More RAM Options: Available with 12GB of RAM, providing a better experience for multitasking.
- Better Build Quality: Screen is protected by Corning Gorilla Glass 5, giving better peace of mind.
- Black and White Camera: Has an additional camera for B&W photos.
Motorola Edge 40 Advantages:
- Lighter & Thinner: More comfortable to hold and carry for extended periods.
- Smoother Display: Higher refresh rate (144Hz) for a smoother user experience.
- Brighter Screen: Better outdoor visibility thanks to a brighter display (1200 nits).
- Faster Charging: Slightly faster 68W charging for quicker battery top-ups.
- Wider Aperture: Superior performance in low-light photography due to the wider aperture.
- Higher Resolution Selfie Camera: Takes sharper and more detailed selfies with a 32MP sensor.
- eSIM Support: Offers eSIM support for greater connectivity flexibility.
- Latest OS: Ships with the latest Android OS, providing access to the newest features and better long term software support.
- Optical Image Stabilization: Provides superior video quality thanks to OIS and EIS, unlike the OnePlus 9 which only has EIS.
Trade-offs:
- OnePlus 9: Sacrifices portability and newer software for performance and camera flexibility.
- Motorola Edge 40: Gives up some raw performance and 8k video capability for a more refined user experience and modern features.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Ideal Users for OnePlus 9:
- Gamers: Benefits from the more powerful Snapdragon chipset and higher RAM option for demanding gaming experiences.
- Video Content Creators: The 8K video recording and manual camera settings provide more control for advanced video projects.
- Users Who Prioritize Performance: Those who value raw processing power and app loading speed over other factors.
- Users Who Value More Camera Options: Users who desire more flexibility in their photos, such as a wide angle lens and B&W lens will benefit from this phone.
Ideal Users for Motorola Edge 40:
- Casual Users: Appreciates the lightweight design, smooth display, and long-lasting battery for daily use.
- Social Media Enthusiasts: Benefits from the higher resolution selfie camera and wider aperture for better low-light shots.
- Travelers: Benefit from the support for eSIM, making it easy to change providers while traveling.
- Video Recording Enthusiasts: Benefit from the OIS stabilization, making videos smooth and stable.
- Users Who Prefer Up-to-Date Software: Want a phone with the latest Android and better future software support.
Specific Use Cases:
- OnePlus 9: High-end gaming, video production, photography enthusiasts, and users who require maximum multitasking capabilities.
- Motorola Edge 40: Daily social media, consuming content, traveling, and those who value a comfortable user experience.
Price-to-Value Ratio:
- The OnePlus 9 may offer a better price-to-performance ratio for heavy users due to its powerful chipset, while the Motorola Edge 40 provides a better experience for the average user for its more refined experience and newer features.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- What is your primary use case? Is it gaming and content creation (OnePlus 9) or daily usage and social media (Edge 40)?
- How important is display smoothness and brightness to you? Do you value the 144Hz display of the Edge 40 more than the 120Hz panel of the OnePlus 9?
- Do you require the latest OS and future software support or raw processing power? The Motorola offers the latest software with better support, whereas the OnePlus 9 offers raw processing power.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Mobile Gaming Enthusiast
- Recommendation: OnePlus 9, for the stronger chipset and higher RAM, even if it is older.
- Scenario 2: Social Media Content Creator
- Recommendation: Motorola Edge 40, for the higher resolution selfie camera and better video stabilization.
- Scenario 3: Business Traveler
- Recommendation: Motorola Edge 40, for the eSIM support and lighter form factor.
- Scenario 4: General User
- Recommendation: Motorola Edge 40 for a lighter and more comfortable experience with the most recent software.
- Scenario 5: Video Recording Enthusiast
- Recommendation: Motorola Edge 40 for the better stabilization with OIS.
What would I choose and why?
I would personally choose the Motorola Edge 40. While the OnePlus 9 has some appealing advantages in terms of raw processing power and video resolution, the Edge 40 has several key factors that align better with my priorities as a general user. I value the lighter and thinner design for comfortable everyday use. The smoother display (144Hz) and brighter screen make for a more enjoyable and responsive experience. Additionally, the higher resolution selfie camera and OIS stabilization, plus the newer OS with support for future updates, are very important. While the performance difference is there, the performance of the Edge 40 is still powerful enough to do everything that I require, and it offers a better balance of modern features and user experience.
