1. Specifications Comparison
Design
| Feature | OnePlus 9 | OnePlus 11 | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Physical Size | 160 × 74.2 × 8.7 mm | 163.1 × 74.1 × 8.5 mm | OnePlus 11 is slightly taller and thinner, with minimal practical difference in hand feel. |
| Weight | 192g | 205g | OnePlus 9 is slightly lighter; might be noticeable during extended use. |
Display
| Feature | OnePlus 9 | OnePlus 11 | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Size | 6.55" | 6.7" | OnePlus 11 offers a slightly larger viewing area, better for media consumption. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1440x3216 | OnePlus 11 has a noticeably sharper display, resulting in clearer text and images. |
| PPI | 402 | 525 | OnePlus 11 has significantly higher pixel density, leading to a much crisper image. |
| Technology | AMOLED | AMOLED | Both offer vibrant colors and deep blacks, similar viewing experiences. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | Both offer smooth scrolling and animations. |
| Brightness | 1100 nits | 1300 nits | OnePlus 11 is brighter and more readable in direct sunlight. |
Performance
| Feature | OnePlus 9 | OnePlus 11 | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM8350 Snapdragon 888 5G (5 nm) | Qualcomm SM8550-AB Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 (4 nm) | OnePlus 11 has a significantly faster and more efficient processor, better for gaming and heavy multitasking. |
| AnTuTu Score | 880,900 | 1,389,474 | OnePlus 11 provides a much snappier user experience, with faster app loading and smoother performance. |
| GPU | Adreno 660 | Adreno 740 | OnePlus 11 offers superior graphics performance, essential for high-end games and graphics-intensive apps. |
Camera
| Feature | OnePlus 9 | OnePlus 11 | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Standard Camera | 48MP, f/1.79, 1/1.4", Sony IMX689 | 50MP, f/1.8, 1/1.56", Sony IMX890 | OnePlus 9 has a larger sensor and wider aperture, generally better for low-light. OnePlus 11 has slightly higher resolution. |
| Selfie Camera | 16MP, f/2.4, 1/3.13", Sony IMX471 | 16MP, f/2.4, 1/3.1", Samsung S5K3P9 | Similar selfie camera performance on both phones. |
| Telephoto Lens | N/A | 32MP, f/2.0, 1/2.74", Sony IMX709 | OnePlus 11 offers dedicated telephoto zoom, better for capturing distant subjects. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 50MP, f/2.2, 1/1.56", Sony IMX766 | N/A | OnePlus 9 has a dedicated wide angle lens for capturing more of the scene in photos. |
| Wide Angle + Macro | N/A | 48MP, f/2.2, 1/2", Sony IMX581 | OnePlus 11 has a combined wide-angle and macro lens for versatile photography. |
| Black & White | 2MP, f/2.4 | N/A | OnePlus 9 has dedicated black and white camera |
| Video | Up to 8K@30fps | Up to 8K@24fps | Both support high-quality video, but OnePlus 11 has electronic image stabilization while the OnePlus 9 does not |
| DXOMark Score | N/A | 127 (Mobile) | OnePlus 11 has been tested to have good camera performance. |
| Camera Features | Contrast detection autofocus (CDAF), RAW 12 bits | Flicker sensor, Optical zoom, Optical Stabilization (OIS), Gimbal, Continuous autofocus, RAW | OnePlus 11 has more advanced camera features, including OIS for steadier shots and Gimbal stabilization. |
Battery
| Feature | OnePlus 9 | OnePlus 11 | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Capacity | 4500mAh | 5000mAh | OnePlus 11 likely provides longer battery life on a single charge. |
| Charging | 65W Fast Charging, Li-Polymer, 15W Wireless Charging | 100W Fast Charging, Lithium | OnePlus 11 charges much faster. OnePlus 9 offers wireless charging capability. |
| Removable | No | No | Both phones have non-removable batteries. |
Software
| Feature | OnePlus 9 | OnePlus 11 | Practical Impact |
|---|
| OS | Android 11 (upgradable to 13) | Android 13 (upgradable to 14) | OnePlus 11 has a more recent Android version, with longer software support and more features. |
Connectivity
| Feature | OnePlus 9 | OnePlus 11 | Practical Impact |
|---|
| WiFi | WiFi 6 | WiFi 7 | OnePlus 11 has the latest Wi-Fi standard for faster speeds and better network performance. |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.2 | Bluetooth 5.3 | OnePlus 11 has a newer Bluetooth version, likely with improved power efficiency and connection stability. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo, GPS (L1+L5), BeiDou (B1), Galileo (E1+E5a), BeiDou (B2) | A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, Galileo, GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (L1), BeiDou (B1), Galileo (E1+E5a), BeiDou (B2), QZSS (L1 + L5) | OnePlus 11 supports more satellite systems, leading to better location accuracy, especially in challenging environments. |
| SIM | Dual SIM (Nano SIM + Nano SIM) | Dual SIM (Nano SIM + eSIM) | OnePlus 11 has eSIM support for more flexible carrier options, but lacks the ability to have two physical sim cards. |
Storage
| Feature | OnePlus 9 | OnePlus 11 | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Internal Storage | 128 GB or 256 GB | 128 GB, 256 GB or 512 GB | OnePlus 11 provides more storage options, including a 512 GB variant. |
| RAM | 8 GB or 12 GB | 8 GB, 12 GB or 16 GB | OnePlus 11 has 16 GB RAM option for better multitasking capabilities. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither device offers expandable storage. |
Audio
| Feature | OnePlus 9 | OnePlus 11 | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Quality | Dolby Atmos, Stereo Speakers, 3 microphones, Noise cancellation microphone | Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res Audio, Stereo Speakers, 2 microphones | OnePlus 9 offers a slightly better audio experience overall by providing an additional microphone for better voice capture, and noise cancellation capabilities. The OnePlus 11 offers Hi-Res Audio certification which may lead to a slightly better listening experience. |
Security
| Feature | OnePlus 9 | OnePlus 11 | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Features | Basic fingerprint sensor | Basic fingerprint sensor | Similar biometric security, reliable for daily usage. |
Build Quality
| Feature | OnePlus 9 | OnePlus 11 | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Screen Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus | OnePlus 11 offers superior protection against scratches and impacts. |
Sensors
| Feature | OnePlus 9 | OnePlus 11 | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Fingerprint, Proximity | Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Fingerprint, Proximity, Gravity | OnePlus 11 offers more sensors with the addition of the gravity sensor. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
OnePlus 9 Advantages
- Lighter Weight: Slightly more comfortable for extended use, and easier to carry.
- Wider Standard Camera Aperture and Larger Sensor: Better low-light performance in theory, but could be marginally so in real-world use.
- Dedicated Wide-Angle Lens: Allows for wide-angle photos that the OnePlus 11 cannot capture.
- Dedicated Black & White Camera: Allows for monochrome photography.
- Wireless Charging: Convenient for users who prefer wireless charging.
- Noise cancellation microphone, 3 microphones: Improved voice quality and clarity.
OnePlus 11 Advantages
- Significantly Faster Chipset: The Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 provides much better performance for gaming, heavy apps, and multitasking.
- Higher Resolution and PPI Display: Sharper and more detailed visuals, which provides a richer viewing experience.
- Brighter Display: Better visibility outdoors and in bright conditions.
- Larger Battery and Faster Charging: Longer battery life and much quicker charging times.
- Dedicated Telephoto lens: Better for zooming on distant objects.
- Latest Android Version: Longer software support and more features over time.
- Advanced Connectivity: Faster WiFi and Bluetooth for better connections.
- eSIM Support: More flexible carrier options, but less sim card capacity.
- More RAM option: 16GB of ram allows for smoother experience with heavy applications.
- More Storage Option: 512GB option for those who require it.
- Superior Screen Protection: More resistant to scratches and damage.
- Optical Image Stabilization (OIS): Provides smoother video capture.
- Gimbal Stabilization: Advanced video stabilization.
- Flicker Sensor: Helps reduce flicker in videos.
Trade-offs
- OnePlus 9: Loses out on overall performance and camera features for an older device. But it does have wireless charging, a dedicated black and white camera, dedicated wide-angle lens and noise cancellation microphone.
- OnePlus 11: Has a telephoto lens, but trades away the dedicated wide-angle lens found on the OnePlus 9.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
OnePlus 9 Ideal Users
- Users who prioritize a lighter device: The OnePlus 9 is lighter, making it more comfortable for extended use.
- Users who prefer wireless charging: The OnePlus 9 offers convenient 15W wireless charging.
- Budget-conscious users: If available at a lower price, it can be a reasonable option for those not needing the best performance.
- Users who value a dedicated wide-angle lens: Those who like to capture wide photos will appreciate the dedicated lens.
- Users who value a dedicated black and white camera: Those who enjoy monochrome photography will find this an advantage.
- Users who value voice quality: The 3 microphones and noise cancellation are beneficial for phone calls and voice recordings.
Use Cases:
- Casual usage, web browsing, social media.
- Photography enthusiasts who like wide-angle and monochrome photography.
- Users who prefer the convenience of wireless charging.
OnePlus 11 Ideal Users
- Performance Enthusiasts: Gamers and power users will benefit from the newer chipset and higher RAM.
- Users who need long battery life: The larger battery and fast charging make it ideal for long days away from a charger.
- Users who prioritize display quality: The higher resolution and brightness are ideal for media consumption.
- Users who need telephoto zoom: Good for users who take a lot of zoomed-in photos.
- Users who require better video stabilization: The OIS and Gimbal stabilization features offer better videos.
- Users who need the latest software: Android 13 ensures the best software experience.
Use Cases:
- High-end mobile gaming and heavy app use.
- Professional photography and videography.
- Users who need a reliable device for work and travel.
- Media consumption.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions
- How important is raw performance to you? (Gaming, heavy app usage)
- What is your priority in terms of camera features? (Zoom vs wide angle, low light vs bright conditions)
- How important is wireless charging or fast charging?
Scenario-Based Recommendations
- Scenario 1: Gaming & Performance
- Recommendation: OnePlus 11 is the clear winner due to its significantly faster chipset, higher RAM and dedicated gaming GPU.
- Scenario 2: Casual Use, Budget Conscious
- Recommendation: OnePlus 9 If available at a substantially lower price, this is still a capable phone for basic tasks and has some decent camera functionality. If the prices are close, the OnePlus 11 would be the best option.
- Scenario 3: Photography Focused (Zoom)
- Recommendation: OnePlus 11, its telephoto lens, is ideal for capturing distant shots.
- Scenario 4: Photography Focused (Wide Angle)
- Recommendation: OnePlus 9, its dedicated wide-angle lens is best for capturing wide-angle photos.
- Scenario 5: Battery Life & Fast Charging
- Recommendation: OnePlus 11 The larger battery and faster charging give it a massive advantage.
- Scenario 6: Superior audio and voice call quality
- Recommendation: OnePlus 9 The 3 microphones and noise cancellation allow for superior voice capture.
- Scenario 7: Wireless charging convenience
- Recommendation: OnePlus 9 This phone comes with wireless charging, while the OnePlus 11 does not.
What I Would Choose
Given the choice, I would choose the OnePlus 11. While the OnePlus 9 has some appealing features like wireless charging, the dedicated wide-angle camera, and the three microphones, the performance gap is significant. The OnePlus 11's faster chipset, much brighter higher resolution display, better camera features (including a dedicated telephoto lens, Gimbal stabilization and RAW capabilities), significantly larger battery with faster charging, and more robust build with better screen protection make it a much more compelling and future-proof option. The improved performance would ensure a smoother experience for everyday usage, and the superior camera features allows for more professional-grade photos and videos. Although the lack of a wide-angle lens is disappointing, the zoom lens makes up for it. While the OnePlus 9 is a decent phone, the OnePlus 11 is a much bigger leap in terms of user experience, and offers much better value overall. The loss of the wireless charging function may be a negative for some, but the massive benefits outweigh the loss.
