1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | OnePlus 9 | OnePlus 9RT 5G | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 160 x 74.2 x 8.7 mm | 162.2 x 74.6 x 8.3 mm | OnePlus 9RT 5G is slightly taller and thinner, while OnePlus 9 is a bit more compact; overall, very similar handling experience. |
| Weight | 192g | 198.5g | OnePlus 9 is slightly lighter, which might be noticeable during extended one-handed use. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.55" | 6.62" | Negligible difference; both screens will offer a very similar viewing experience. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2400 | Identical sharpness; both screens provide the same clarity for everyday use and multimedia consumption. |
| PPI | 402 | 397 | Essentially the same; pixel density will not be noticeably different to the human eye. |
| Technology | AMOLED | AMOLED | Both provide excellent contrast and vibrant colors typical of AMOLED displays. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | Both offer a smooth and fluid experience, ideal for gaming and scrolling. |
| Brightness | 1100 nits | 0 nits | OnePlus 9 has a significantly brighter screen, making it much easier to use outdoors in bright sunlight; brightness info is missing for the OnePlus 9RT 5G, which is a significant drawback. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Snapdragon 888 (5 nm) | Snapdragon 888 (5 nm) | Both offer flagship-level performance, handling any app or game with ease. |
| Antutu Score | 880,900 | 881,700 | Practically identical performance; the real-world experience will be indistinguishable in terms of speed and responsiveness. |
| GPU | Adreno 660 | Adreno 660 | Same graphics processing power; Both phones will handle demanding games with comparable performance. |
| Camera | |||
| Standard Camera | 48MP, f/1.79, 1/1.4" IMX689 | 50MP, f/1.8, 1/1.56" IMX766 | OnePlus 9 has a slightly larger sensor for better low-light performance and wider aperture, OnePlus 9RT 5G has higher resolution; slight advantage for OnePlus 9 in low light performance |
| Selfie Camera | 16MP, f/2.4, 1/3.13" IMX471 | 16MP, f/2.4, 1/3.13" IMX471 | Identical front-facing camera; both will produce similar selfie quality. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 50MP, f/2.2, 1/1.56" IMX766 | 16MP, f/2.2, 1/3.09" IMX481 | OnePlus 9 has a vastly superior wide-angle camera with much higher resolution and a larger sensor. OnePlus 9 should produce far better wide-angle photos. |
| Macro Lens | N/A | 2MP, f/2.4 | OnePlus 9RT 5G includes a dedicated macro lens; provides the ability to capture extreme close-up shots. |
| Black & White Lens | 2MP, f/2.4 | N/A | OnePlus 9 features a dedicated Black & White sensor; allows for monochrome shots and potentially better depth sensing in certain lighting conditions. |
| Video | Up to 8K 30fps | Up to 4K 60fps | OnePlus 9 can capture higher-resolution video (8K), useful for professional-grade video or high-resolution archiving. |
| Video Stabilization | No | Yes | OnePlus 9RT 5G offers Optical Image Stabilization (OIS) for smoother, less shaky videos. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 4500mAh | 4500mAh | Both offer the same battery capacity; battery life should be comparable. |
| Charging | 65W Fast Charging | 65W Fast Charging | Identical fast charging capabilities; both phones will recharge quickly. |
| Features | 15W Wireless Charging | 2*2250mAh Dual Cell | OnePlus 9 offers the convenience of wireless charging while the OnePlus 9RT 5G uses double battery cells (may offer slightly faster charging speeds in practice). |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 (upgradable to 13) | Android 11 (upgradable to 13) | Both offer a similar software experience with Android 11 upgradable to 13. |
| Connectivity | |||
| WiFi | Wi-Fi 6 | Wi-Fi 6 | Both offer modern Wi-Fi standards for fast wireless connectivity. |
| Bluetooth | 5.2, SBC | 5.2 | Both offer Bluetooth 5.2 with similar audio codecs. |
| GPS | L1+L5, B1, E1+E5a, B2 | L1+L5, B1, E1+E5a | OnePlus 9 has slightly better GPS functionality including Beidou B2. |
| SIM | Dual SIM | Dual SIM | Both support dual SIM functionality for flexibility in choosing carriers. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 128GB/256GB | 128GB/256GB | Same storage options; choose based on individual storage needs. |
| RAM | 8GB/12GB | 8GB/12GB | Both provide ample RAM for multitasking and resource-intensive apps. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither supports microSD cards for expandable storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Dolby Atmos, 3 Mics | Dolby Atmos | Both offer stereo speakers and Dolby Atmos; OnePlus 9 has better audio clarity during calls thanks to the 3 microphones. |
| Security | |||
| Features | Fingerprint Sensor | Fingerprint Sensor | Both phones utilize a standard fingerprint sensor for security. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Protection | Gorilla Glass 5 | Unknown | OnePlus 9 offers a superior glass protection for the screen. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope | Both phones offer all the essential sensors for a smart phone. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
OnePlus 9 Advantages:
- Significantly Brighter Display: 1100 nits brightness makes it much more usable in direct sunlight compared to the OnePlus 9RT 5G (which has unknown brightness specifications)
- Superior Wide-Angle Camera: 50MP with larger sensor; significantly better image quality for wide-angle shots.
- 8K Video Recording: Ability to record at higher resolutions, suitable for professional use.
- Wireless Charging: Offers the convenience of 15W wireless charging.
- Better GPS: Supports more satellite systems including BeiDou B2 for better location accuracy.
- Superior screen protection: Gorilla Glass 5 provides more peace of mind in everyday usage.
- Enhanced Audio Recording: 3 microphones for potentially better noise cancellation and clarity.
- Black & White Sensor: Dedicated B&W sensor for artistic photography.
OnePlus 9RT 5G Advantages:
- Dedicated Macro Lens: Allows for close-up photography.
- Optical Image Stabilization (OIS): Better video stabilization for smoother footage.
- Double Battery Cells: Potentially slightly faster charging (in practice) due to its dual-cell design.
- Newer phone It's newer by 6 months, 23 days.
Trade-offs:
- OnePlus 9: Loses out on a dedicated macro lens and OIS.
- OnePlus 9RT 5G: Significant disadvantage in outdoor display visibility (due to missing brightness specification), lacks advanced GPS, wireless charging, and a dedicated black and white sensor.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
OnePlus 9 - Ideal For:
- Outdoor users: The brighter display is crucial for viewing the screen in sunlight.
- Photography Enthusiasts: Superior wide-angle camera, 8K video, and dedicated B&W lens are attractive.
- Users wanting convenience: Wireless charging, superior screen protection and better audio quality during calls is an advantage.
- Users who are into archival quality videos: 8K Video might be suitable for long-term storage.
Use Cases:
- Taking photos and videos during outdoor trips and events.
- Using the phone for navigation in bright daylight conditions.
- Professionals needing high-resolution video capture.
- Users who prefer the convenience of wireless charging
OnePlus 9RT 5G - Ideal For:
- Casual photographers: Macro lens is a fun feature for close-ups.
- Video creators: OIS is ideal for smoother, more stable videos.
- Gamers and Performance users: Excellent performance and quick charging due to dual cell battery.
- Users that want to have the latest software: Being released 6 months later, the OnePlus 9RT 5G might be getting longer software support.
Use Cases:
- Capturing close-up detail shots of small objects.
- Shooting videos while walking or in dynamic situations.
- Users who prioritize fast charging speeds.
- Users who want the latest version.
Price-to-Value:
- The OnePlus 9 offers a higher value proposition for users who need a superior camera system, wireless charging, a brighter display and overall enhanced audio experience
- The OnePlus 9RT 5G is better for users who need a macro lens, better video stabilization, and potentially faster charging in practice
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
Outdoor Use: How often do you use your phone outdoors in direct sunlight? If often, then the brighter display of the OnePlus 9 is important.
Photography Needs: Do you prioritize a superior wide-angle camera, or do you prefer macro close-ups and better video stabilization?
Charging Convenience: Do you value wireless charging or potentially slightly faster charging due to the dual-cell setup?
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Frequent outdoor use, often taking photos: OnePlus 9
- Scenario 2: Mostly indoor usage, emphasis on close-up photography and stable videos: OnePlus 9RT 5G
- Scenario 3: General user who values superior screen protection and audio during calls: OnePlus 9
My Choice
I would choose the OnePlus 9. The significantly brighter display is a must-have for me, as I often use my phone outdoors. The superior wide-angle camera is also a significant plus since I frequently take landscape photos. While I would miss the macro lens and OIS, the overall superior camera capabilities, better GPS, wireless charging, higher screen protection and the dedicated black and white sensor, as well as overall slightly better audio during calls make the OnePlus 9 a better overall fit for my needs.
