1. Specifications Comparison
Design
| Feature | OnePlus 9 | Motorola Edge 50 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Dimensions | 160 × 74.2 × 8.7 mm | 161.2 × 72.4 × 8.2 mm | The Edge 50 Pro is slightly taller and thinner, while the OnePlus 9 is wider. The difference in hand feel might be noticeable, with the Edge 50 Pro being a bit more slender. |
| Weight | 192g | 186g | The Edge 50 Pro is lighter by 6g, which may be subtly more comfortable for extended use. |
| Build | Gorilla Glass 5 (screen), not specified (body) | Gorilla Glass Victus (screen), not specified (body) | The Edge 50 Pro has a more durable screen with Gorilla Glass Victus, offering better scratch and drop resistance. |
Display
| Feature | OnePlus 9 | Motorola Edge 50 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Size | 6.55" | 6.7" | The Edge 50 Pro has a slightly larger screen, offering a more immersive viewing experience, especially for media consumption and gaming. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1220x2712 | The Edge 50 Pro has significantly higher resolution, leading to sharper images and text. |
| PPI | 402 | 446 | The higher pixel density on the Edge 50 Pro makes the display appear crisper. |
| Technology | AMOLED | P-OLED | Both offer excellent contrast and vibrant colors; differences are minor in real-world usage. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 144Hz | The Edge 50 Pro provides slightly smoother scrolling and animations, enhancing the perceived responsiveness. |
| Brightness | 1100 nits | 2000 nits | The Edge 50 Pro is significantly brighter, providing much better visibility in direct sunlight. |
Performance
| Feature | OnePlus 9 | Motorola Edge 50 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 (5nm) | Qualcomm Snapdragon 7 Gen 3 (4nm) | The Snapdragon 888 in the OnePlus 9 is older but is a flagship chipset, generally offering slightly higher performance in demanding tasks. The 7 Gen 3 in the Edge 50 Pro is more power-efficient and newer, offering competitive performance in most day-to-day tasks. |
| AnTuTu Score | 880,900 | 866,863 | The scores are very close, suggesting near-identical real-world performance. |
| GPU | Adreno 660 | Adreno 720 | The Adreno 720 on the Edge 50 Pro is newer and more efficient. |
Camera
| Feature | OnePlus 9 | Motorola Edge 50 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Main Camera | 48MP, f/1.79, 1/1.4", 1.12µm pixels | 50MP, f/1.4, 2.00µm pixels | The Edge 50 Pro has a wider aperture for better low-light performance, and larger individual pixels. |
| Selfie Camera | 16MP, f/2.4, 1/3.13", 1.00µm pixels | 50MP, f/1.9, 0.64µm pixels | The Edge 50 Pro has a much higher resolution front camera and a wider aperture for better selfies, particularly in low light. |
| Telephoto Lens | None | 10MP, f/2.0, 1.00µm pixels | The Edge 50 Pro offers dedicated optical zoom capabilities, absent in the OnePlus 9. |
| Wide-angle Lens | 50MP, f/2.2, 1/1.56", 1.00µm pixels | 13MP, f/2.2, 1.12µm pixels | OnePlus 9 has a much higher resolution wide angle lens, while Motorola edge has larger individual pixel size |
| Black & White Lens | 2MP, f/2.4 | None | The OnePlus 9 has a dedicated monochrome sensor which can enhance black-and-white photography, if that's your jam. |
| Video | Up to 8K@30fps | Up to 4K@30fps | The OnePlus 9 offers higher resolution video recording (8K), which could be important for certain niche use cases, but the Edge 50 Pro has more practical video features, including OIS. |
| Features | 8K Video, Ultra stable video, CDAF, RAW 12 bits | Time-Lapse, Optical zoom, OIS, Continuous autofocus, Dual capture, RAW | The Edge 50 Pro has OIS for better stabilization during video capture, and optical zoom for better quality at distance. The OnePlus 9 offers 8k video recording which is useful to some users but might not be necessary for most people. |
Battery
| Feature | OnePlus 9 | Motorola Edge 50 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Capacity | 4500mAh | 4500mAh | Both have the same battery capacity, expecting similar battery life during day to day usage. |
| Charging | 65W wired, 15W wireless | 125W wired, 50W wireless, 10W reverse wireless | The Edge 50 Pro has significantly faster wired and wireless charging, which means less time plugged in, and the ability to charge other devices wirelessly. |
| Features | 15W Wireless Charging | Reverse charging, 50W wireless charging, 10W reverse wireless charging | The Edge 50 Pro offers more versatile charging options with reverse wireless charging support, allowing it to charge other devices. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
OnePlus 9 Advantages
- 8K Video Recording: Offers higher resolution video recording for users who need it.
- Higher Resolution Wide Angle Lens: 50MP vs 13MP offering higher detail in ultrawide shots.
- Dedicated Black & White Sensor: Can be useful in certain specific photographic use-cases
- Slightly better audio recording: Noise cancellation microphone, leading to enhanced spatial audio, clearer calls, better audio separation and immersion, and better voice capture.
- More satellite systems for GPS: Useful in precise location tracking and areas with weaker GPS signals.
Motorola Edge 50 Pro Advantages
- Significantly Brighter Display: Much better visibility in sunlight with a 2000 nits display.
- Faster Charging: 125W wired and 50W wireless charging for quicker top-ups.
- Telephoto Lens with Optical Zoom: Better zoom capabilities, with higher quality at a distance.
- Superior Screen Protection: Gorilla Glass Victus offers better scratch and drop resistance.
- Newer Bluetooth Version: Bluetooth 5.4 offers potential for more reliable connections.
- More Versatile Wireless Charging: Including reverse wireless charging at 10W, allowing it to charge other devices.
- Newer OS Version: Android 14 out of the box, promising longer software support.
- eSIM Support: Enables easier switching between carriers without physically changing SIM cards.
- Larger Storage Options: Up to 1TB compared to 256GB on the OnePlus 9.
- More RAM Options: 16GB RAM compared to 12GB in the OnePlus 9.
- Optical Image Stabilization: OIS for better video quality in less-than-ideal lighting situations.
- Faster Wifi Speeds: Wifi 7 compatible with lower latency and less interference.
Significant Trade-offs
- OnePlus 9: Loses out on optical zoom, faster charging, and a brighter display. The lack of eSIM is a significant drawback.
- Motorola Edge 50 Pro: While superior in many ways, the chipset is a slight step down from the flagship one in the OnePlus 9, and it lacks the 8k recording option.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
OnePlus 9 Ideal Users
- Video Enthusiasts: Those who need 8K video recording capabilities and are ok with carrying a portable camera.
- Users Prioritizing Wide-Angle Photography: Users who take a lot of wide angle photos will appreciate the higher resolution sensor.
- Users who like a black and white sensor Those who like to experiment with black and white photography.
- Users who prefer better audio recording: Those who like to record videos using their phone.
- Users who prefer more precise GPS tracking: Users who enjoy the outdoors and need precise location.
Motorola Edge 50 Pro Ideal Users
- Outdoor/Frequent Travelers: Users who need a bright display in direct sunlight and fast charging.
- Content Creators: Those who value a versatile camera system with optical zoom and good stabilization.
- Users Who Value Screen Protection: Those who are prone to dropping their phones and want more durability.
- Users Who Use e-SIMs: Those who prefer the convenience of switching carriers with e-SIMs.
- Heavy Multitaskers: Users who like to run multiple apps at once and need a phone with larger RAM.
- Users Who Need Fast Wifi Speeds: Gamers and those who download larger files on a frequent basis.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions to Consider
- Do you need 8K video recording and a higher resolution ultra wide lens? If yes, then the OnePlus 9 might be a better option for you. If you value optical zoom and OIS, then the Motorola is better suited.
- How important is a bright display for outdoor use? If you frequently use your phone in bright sunlight, the significantly brighter display of the Edge 50 Pro will make a huge difference.
- How much do you prioritize charging speed and versatility? If you want fast wired and wireless charging, with the added benefit of reverse wireless charging, the Edge 50 Pro is the clear choice.
Scenario-Based Recommendations
- Scenario 1 (Outdoor Photography): If you spend a lot of time taking photos outdoors, the brighter display and versatile camera system of the Motorola Edge 50 Pro makes it a superior choice.
- Scenario 2 (Media Consumption): The Motorola Edge 50 Pro, with its larger, higher resolution, and brighter screen, offers a more immersive viewing experience. The faster refresh rate is a welcome addition as well.
- Scenario 3 (Heavy Usage and Travel): The Motorola Edge 50 Pro is the clear choice, with faster charging, a more durable screen, and eSIM support making it a more convenient and versatile travel companion.
- Scenario 4 (Video Creation): If 8k recording is essential then you should go for the OnePlus 9, otherwise, the Motorola Edge 50 Pro is a better choice for most people.
My Choice
Based on the specifications and my assessment of practical user needs, I would choose the Motorola Edge 50 Pro.
While the OnePlus 9 offers a slightly higher performing chipset, and a 8k video recording option, the Edge 50 Pro is the better all-rounder. The Edge 50 Pro boasts a superior display, faster charging, a more versatile camera system with optical zoom and OIS, a newer OS, and a better build with superior screen protection.
For the average user, the benefits offered by the Edge 50 Pro – particularly the brighter display, faster charging, and improved camera versatility – would provide a much better overall experience compared to the advantages of the OnePlus 9. For these reasons, I believe the Motorola Edge 50 Pro offers greater value and would be my preferred choice for most users.
