Smartphone Comparison: OnePlus 9 vs. Nothing Phone (2)
1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | OnePlus 9 | Nothing Phone (2) | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 160 × 74.2 × 8.7 mm | 162.1 × 76.4 × 8.6 mm | Nothing Phone (2) is slightly taller and wider; negligible difference in thickness. May affect one-handed use for those with smaller hands. |
| Weight | 192g | 201.2g | OnePlus 9 is slightly lighter, which might be noticeable over extended periods of use. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.55" | 6.7" | Nothing Phone (2) offers a slightly larger viewing area, which is beneficial for media consumption and gaming. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2412 | Both offer sharp displays, with negligible difference in pixel density. |
| Pixel Density (PPI) | 402 | 394 | Both have very similar pixel density, so difference is not noticeable. |
| Technology | AMOLED | OLED | Both offer vibrant colors and deep blacks; display quality is largely similar. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | Both offer smooth scrolling and animations. |
| Brightness | 1100 nits | 1600 nits | Nothing Phone (2) is significantly brighter, offering better visibility in bright sunlight, making it better for outdoor use. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Snapdragon 888 (5 nm) | Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 (4 nm) | Nothing Phone (2) has a newer, more powerful and more efficient processor, resulting in faster app loading, smoother performance and better gaming. |
| AnTuTu Score | 880,900 | 1,135,786 | Nothing Phone (2) shows a notable performance increase according to benchmark scores, which is beneficial for gaming and demanding apps. |
| GPU | Adreno 660 | Adreno 730 | Nothing Phone (2) has a more powerful GPU, resulting in better gaming performance. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 4500mAh | 4700mAh | Nothing Phone (2) has slightly more battery capacity, potentially offering slightly longer battery life. |
| Charging | 65W fast charging | 45W fast charging | OnePlus 9 has faster charging, getting you back to full battery more quickly. |
| Features | 15W Wireless Charging | Reverse charging, 15W wireless charging, 5W reverse wireless | Nothing Phone (2) offers reverse wireless charging functionality, which can be convenient for charging other devices. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 48MP, f/1.79, 1/1.4", IMX689 | 50MP, f/1.88, 1/1.56", IMX890 | OnePlus 9 has larger sensor and wider aperture (in theory), resulting in potentially better low-light performance. Nothing Phone (2) has a newer sensor. |
| Selfie Camera | 16MP, f/2.4, 1/3.13", IMX471 | 32MP, f/2.45, 1/2.74", IMX615 | Nothing Phone (2) has higher resolution and a larger sensor, potentially resulting in better selfies. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 50MP, f/2.2, 1/1.56", IMX766 | None | OnePlus 9 includes a dedicated wide angle lens, offering more versatility in photography. |
| Wide Angle + Macro | None | 50MP, f/2.2, 1/2.76", S5KJN1 | Nothing Phone (2) offers macro mode, allowing for detailed close-up shots. |
| Black & White Lens | 2MP, f/2.4 | None | OnePlus 9 offers a dedicated monochrome camera, a very niche feature. |
| Video | 8K@30fps, 4K@60fps, EIS | 4K@60fps, OIS, EIS | OnePlus 9 can record 8k videos, a professional-grade feature. Nothing Phone (2) uses OIS, a feature that provides better video stabilization than EIS. |
| Camera Features | 8K Video, Triple Camera, RAW 12 bits, Ultra Stable Video | Time-Lapse, Dual Camera, Optical Stabilization (OIS) | OnePlus 9 has more video recording capabilities. Nothing Phone (2) uses Optical stabilization and has Time-lapse. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 (upgradable to 13) | Android 13 (upgradable to 16) | Nothing Phone (2) has a newer OS, and is likely to receive software support for a longer period of time. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6 | Wi-Fi 6 | Both support the latest Wi-Fi standards, offering fast wireless speeds. |
| Bluetooth | 5.2 | 5.3 | Nothing Phone (2) has a newer Bluetooth version, which may provide slightly better efficiency. |
| GPS | L1+L5, Beidou, Galileo | L1+L5, NavIC, QZSS | Nothing Phone (2) supports more satellite systems, potentially offering slightly better location accuracy. |
| SIM | Dual SIM | Dual SIM | Both offer dual SIM functionality, allowing for the use of two numbers on one device. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal Storage | 128/256 GB | 128/256/512 GB | Nothing Phone (2) has an option for 512 GB, offering more storage space for users with large media libraries. |
| RAM | 8/12 GB | 8/12 GB | Both offer plenty of RAM for smooth multitasking. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone offers expandable storage, so users must choose a sufficient storage variant. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Dolby Atmos, Stereo Speakers, 3 microphones, Noise cancellation mic | Hi-Res Audio, Stereo Speakers, 3 microphones | OnePlus 9 offers better spatial audio, clearer calls, better voice capture thanks to Dolby Atmos and noise cancellation. |
| Security | |||
| Features | Fingerprint sensor | Fingerprint sensor | Both offer fingerprint sensor for biometric security. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Gorilla Glass 5 | Unknown | OnePlus 9 has Corning Gorilla Glass 5 for screen protection. The Nothing Phone (2)'s screen protection is unknown, making the OnePlus 9 more secure. |
| Sensors | Biometric, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope | Biometric, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Gravity | Nothing Phone (2) has a gravity sensor. Both offer a comprehensive suite of sensors needed for smartphone functionalities. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
OnePlus 9 Advantages:
- Faster Charging: 65W charging is significantly faster, getting you back to full battery quicker.
- 8K Video Recording: Supports 8K video, appealing to users who need very high resolution video capture.
- Wider Aperture Main Lens, Larger Sensor: Potentially better low-light camera performance, but this is theoretical and practical results could vary.
- Dedicated Wide-Angle Lens: Offers more versatile photography than a macro lens in some situations.
- Dolby Atmos & Noise cancellation mic: Offer clearer calls and spatial audio thanks to the noise cancelling microphone.
- Gorilla Glass 5 screen protection: Known, reliable protection for the screen
Nothing Phone (2) Advantages:
- Newer, More Powerful Chipset: Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 offers noticeably better performance in benchmarks and real-world use.
- Significantly Brighter Display: 1600 nits makes it much better for outdoor use under bright sunlight.
- Larger Battery: Slightly longer battery life thanks to higher capacity.
- Reverse Wireless Charging: Can charge other devices, a very convenient feature.
- OIS Video Stabilisation: A more reliable video stabilization system.
- Newer Software: Ships with Android 13 and is likely to receive longer software support.
- More Storage Options: Offers a 512GB model, providing more space for users with large storage needs.
- More GPS Systems: Offers a more reliable GPS experience thanks to the extra GPS Systems.
Significant Trade-offs:
- OnePlus 9: While having faster charging, it is using an older, less efficient chipset and lower display brightness.
- Nothing Phone (2): While boasting a brighter screen, more storage, better GPS, and a more modern chip it has slower charging than the OnePlus 9.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Ideal User for OnePlus 9:
- Users on a tighter budget: May be available at a lower price due to its age.
- Video Enthusiasts: Those who value 8K video recording and are prepared to deal with its limitations.
- Users looking for faster charging: Value the ability to top-up their battery faster.
- Those who value the brand's ecosystem: If the user has already used OnePlus products.
Use Cases for OnePlus 9:
- Video Production: Recording 8K video for higher resolution projects.
- General media consumption: The display is still very good for consuming content.
- Casual Gaming: Can handle games with reasonable performance.
Ideal User for Nothing Phone (2):
- Power Users: Those who need the best possible performance for demanding apps and games.
- Outdoor Enthusiasts: Those who need a screen that is easily visible in bright sunlight.
- Tech Enthusiasts: Those who want a modern software experience and unique design with reverse charging.
- Users wanting a more powerful GPS system: Users who are concerned about accurate GPS systems.
Use Cases for Nothing Phone (2):
- Mobile Gaming: Playing graphically intensive games with smooth frame rates.
- Outdoor Photography: Capturing photos and videos in bright conditions with better visibility.
- Travel: Taking advantage of its GPS and reverse charging capabilities.
- Everyday usage: Enjoying a smoother performance, great display and a more modern software experience.
Price-to-Value Ratio:
- The OnePlus 9 offers a potentially cheaper option with fast charging, and video recording capabilities, but might feel dated in terms of performance and display brightness.
- The Nothing Phone (2) justifies its price with a more modern chipset, brighter screen, longer software support, more storage, and more GPS systems, making it a better value for users who want more modern specs.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions to Consider:
Is raw performance or display brightness more important to you? The Nothing Phone (2) is the clear winner in performance and screen visibility. If raw power and outdoor visibility matter most, then this is the obvious choice.
Do you need 8K video capture, or are you more focused on video stabilisation and a more modern device? The OnePlus 9 provides 8K video and faster charging; the Nothing Phone (2) boasts better video stabilization, a newer system, and reverse wireless charging.
How important is longer software support, reverse wireless charging, and a more modern design? The Nothing Phone (2) wins in these areas, providing a more future-proof device. The OnePlus 9 is a good choice if you don't mind a slightly older device.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: You need a phone primarily for gaming and outdoor use.
- Recommendation: Nothing Phone (2) due to its better performance and brighter screen.
- Scenario 2: You want the cheapest option and some video recording capabilities, and you don't mind a slightly older phone.
- Recommendation: OnePlus 9 due to its lower price and 8k video recording.
- Scenario 3: You want a modern phone that will last longer and have better software support.
- Recommendation: Nothing Phone (2) due to its newer software and chipset.
My Choice and Why
If I were choosing between these two phones, I would pick the Nothing Phone (2).
While the OnePlus 9 offers faster charging and 8K video, the Nothing Phone (2) provides a more well-rounded and future-proof experience. The key reasons for my choice are:
- Significantly better Performance: The Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 is a substantial upgrade over the Snapdragon 888. This translates to smoother everyday use, better gaming, and longer-lasting performance.
- Superior Display Brightness: The 1600 nits display of the Nothing Phone (2) is a game-changer for outdoor visibility. I often use my phone outside, and this would make a real difference.
- Longer Software Support: The newer Android 13 and its future upgrades make the Nothing Phone (2) a smarter long-term investment.
- Modern Features: I find reverse wireless charging extremely convenient and the better GPS to be very important.
- Improved Camera: The better sensor in the main camera, coupled with OIS makes the Nothing Phone (2) a better option.
- More Storage: The option for a 512 GB model is extremely useful if the user stores a lot of media on their phones.
While the OnePlus 9's faster charging and 8K video are nice, the overall user experience of the Nothing Phone (2), thanks to its vastly superior chip, brighter screen, and longer software support makes it the better device for me.
