Smartphone Comparison: OnePlus 9 vs. Nothing Phone (1)
1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | OnePlus 9 | Nothing Phone (1) | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 160 × 74.2 × 8.7 mm | 159.2 × 75.8 × 8.3 mm | Nothing Phone (1) is slightly wider (1.6mm) and thinner (0.4mm). Overall size is very similar and unlikely to cause a noticeable difference in handling. |
| Weight | 192g | 193.5g | Both phones are virtually the same weight. Minimal impact on user experience. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.55" | 6.55" | Identical screen size, no difference in perceived display size. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2400 | Identical pixel count, resulting in similar sharpness and clarity. |
| PPI | 402 | 402 | Identical pixel density, no difference in clarity. |
| Technology | AMOLED | OLED | Similar display quality, both offer vibrant colors and deep blacks. Minor differences in panel technology are not usually noticeable in everyday use. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | Both offer smooth scrolling and animations, a key benefit for gaming and general use. |
| Brightness | 1100 nits | 1200 nits | Nothing Phone (1) is slightly brighter, leading to better outdoor visibility under direct sunlight. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM8350 Snapdragon 888 5G (5 nm) | Qualcomm SM7325-AE Snapdragon 778G+ 5G (6 nm) | OnePlus 9 has a significantly more powerful chip, resulting in better performance for demanding tasks like gaming, video editing, and heavy multitasking. |
| Antutu Score | 880,900 | 624,253 | OnePlus 9 has a much higher benchmark score, indicating faster app loading and smoother overall performance. |
| GPU | Adreno 660 | Adreno 642L | OnePlus 9's GPU is more powerful, providing a better gaming experience with higher frame rates and more complex graphics. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 4500mAh | 4500mAh | Both phones have similar battery capacity, expected to provide similar battery life for typical daily use. |
| Charging | 65W Fast Charging | 33W Fast Charging | OnePlus 9 charges much faster, reducing downtime. This is particularly useful for users who need to quickly top up their phones. |
| Features | 15W Wireless Charging | 15W Wireless Charging, 5W Reverse Wireless Charging, No charger in box | Nothing Phone (1) has reverse wireless charging capabilities. Both support the same wireless charging speed. The lack of an included charger may be an inconvenience for some. |
| Camera | |||
| Standard Camera | 48MP, f/1.79, 1/1.4", Sony IMX689, 1.12µm | 50MP, f/1.88, 1/1.56", Sony IMX766, 1.00µm | OnePlus 9's larger sensor and wider aperture can potentially capture more light in low-light conditions. |
| Selfie Camera | 16MP, f/2.4, 1/3.13", Sony IMX471, 1.00µm | 16MP, f/2.2, 1/3.13", Sony IMX471, 1.00µm | Nothing Phone (1) has a slightly wider aperture on its selfie camera for better low-light performance. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 50MP, f/2.2, 1/1.56", Sony IMX766, 1.00µm | Not available | OnePlus 9 has a dedicated wide-angle lens for capturing wider scenes. |
| Wide Angle + Macro Lens | Not available | 50MP, f/2.2, 1/2.76", Samsung S5KJN1, 0.64µm | Nothing Phone (1) has a wide-angle lens that also supports macro photography for detailed close-up shots. |
| Black & White Lens | 2MP, f/2.4, Unknown Sensor | Not available | OnePlus 9 has a dedicated black & white lens. Its practical impact for most users may be limited. |
| Video | 8K@30fps, 4K@60fps with HDR, EIS | 4K@30fps with HDR, EIS | OnePlus 9 can record in higher 8K resolution, useful for professional video creation. Both have HDR and electronic image stabilization for smooth video. Nothing Phone (1) utilizes "Yes" for video stabilization |
| Video Stabilization | No | Yes | Nothing Phone (1) utilizes Optical Image Stabilization for smoother video recordings, while OnePlus 9 uses "No", possibly relying on EIS. |
| Slow-motion | 480fps | 120fps | OnePlus 9 has a higher slow-motion frame rate for more dramatic slow-motion video recordings. |
| Features | 4K Video, 8K Video, Triple camera, Digital image stabilization, Contrast detection autofocus (CDAF), RAW 12 bits | 4K Video, Dual camera, Optical Stabilization (OIS), RAW | OnePlus 9 has more camera features, including higher resolution video recording, RAW 12 bit. Nothing Phone (1) has OIS. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 (upgradable to 13) | Android 12 (upgradable to 15) | Nothing Phone (1) ships with a newer version of Android and will receive more future software updates. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | WiFi 6 | WiFi 6 | Both have support for modern Wi-Fi standards. |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.2 | Bluetooth 5.2 | Both support modern Bluetooth standards with similar audio codecs. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo, GPS (L1+L5), BeiDou (B1), Galileo (E1+E5a), BeiDou (B2) | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, Galileo, GPS (L1+L5), Galileo (E1+E5a), NavIC System | Nothing Phone (1) supports additional navigation systems for potentially improved location accuracy. |
| SIM | Dual SIM | Dual SIM | Both support dual SIM functionality. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal Storage | 128GB/256GB | 128GB/256GB | Both phones offer the same storage options, meeting standard needs. |
| RAM | 8GB/12GB | 8GB/12GB | Both offer sufficient RAM for smooth multitasking. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone offers expandable storage, so choose the right storage configuration for your long-term needs. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Dolby Atmos, Noise Cancellation Microphone, Stereo Speakers, 3 microphones | Stereo Speakers, 3 microphones | OnePlus 9 has additional audio features, potentially offering enhanced audio quality, clearer calls, better audio separation and immersion, and better voice capture. |
| Security | |||
| Features | Fingerprint sensor | Fingerprint sensor | Both have a basic fingerprint sensor for standard biometric security. |
| Build | |||
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | Both phones have the same level of screen protection. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, RGB | Nothing Phone (1) features an additional RGB sensor. This can enhance display adjustments based on ambient conditions or add other features. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
OnePlus 9 Advantages:
- Significantly more powerful chipset: Snapdragon 888 offers superior performance for gaming, demanding apps, and multitasking.
- Faster Charging: 65W charging significantly reduces charging time.
- 8K Video Recording: Provides higher video resolution for professional content creation.
- Dedicated Wide Angle and Black & White Lens: Offers more creative flexibility when taking photos.
- Dolby Atmos and Noise Cancellation: Superior audio experience with immersive sound and clearer calls.
Nothing Phone (1) Advantages:
- Newer Operating System: Ships with Android 12 and guaranteed future updates, ensuring better longevity.
- Slightly brighter display: Improved outdoor visibility.
- Reverse Wireless Charging: Useful for charging other devices wirelessly.
- Optical Image Stabilization: Potentially better image quality in video and low light situations
- Wide Angle + Macro Lens The macro lens allows you to capture detailed close-up shots.
- More satellite systems for GPS: Potentially more accurate and reliable navigation.
- RGB Sensor: Useful for adjusting display settings based on the surrounding ambient light.
Trade-offs:
- OnePlus 9: While having a powerful processor it is older. It has slower wireless charging compared to it's wired charging, and lacks OIS.
- Nothing Phone (1): Slower performance compared to the OnePlus 9, lacks higher resolution video recording, and does not include a charger in the box.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
OnePlus 9:
- Ideal Users: Gamers, heavy multitaskers, and users who prioritize performance above all else.
- Use Cases:
- Playing graphically demanding mobile games.
- Video editing on the go.
- Using multiple apps simultaneously without lag.
- Users who need a fast charging option.
- Users that use video recording as a core component of the phone.
- Users that want high quality audio recording and output.
Nothing Phone (1):
- Ideal Users: Users seeking a balance between good performance, newer software, and unique features.
- Use Cases:
- General daily use, including social media, browsing, and casual gaming.
- Users who prioritize future software updates.
- Users who appreciate the unique design elements and the convenience of reverse wireless charging.
- Users who need a solid all-rounder with good image and video quality, particularly in low light.
- Users who value GPS accuracy.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions to Consider:
- How important is raw processing power? If you are a heavy gamer or multitasker, the OnePlus 9's Snapdragon 888 is the better choice.
- How important is the latest software? The Nothing Phone (1) offers a newer Android version and more future updates.
- What camera features are most important to you? OnePlus 9 offers dedicated wide angle and black & white lenses while Nothing Phone (1) offers OIS and a wide angle + macro lens.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Gaming & Performance: Choose the OnePlus 9 for its superior chipset and graphics.
- Scenario 2: Future-Proofing & Software: Choose the Nothing Phone (1) for its newer software and updates.
- Scenario 3: Versatile Usage: If you want a solid camera and need a good all rounder phone the Nothing Phone (1) is your best choice, especially if you need macro photography.
- Scenario 4: Content Creator: Choose the OnePlus 9 because of the higher video quality and audio features.
My Choice
If I were choosing between these two phones, I would pick the Nothing Phone (1). While the OnePlus 9 has a more powerful processor and faster charging, the Nothing Phone (1) offers a better balance for my needs. The combination of a good camera, especially in low light, a more modern operating system with longer support, OIS, reverse wireless charging, and the unique design is compelling for me. Although it lacks the 8k video recording and the raw processing power of the OnePlus 9, the modern approach of the Nothing Phone (1) would be better suited for my day-to-day use.
