1. Specifications Comparison
Design
| Feature | OnePlus 9 | Oppo Find X5 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 160 × 74.2 × 8.7 mm | 160.3 × 72.6 × 8.7 mm | OnePlus 9 is slightly wider (1.6mm), but both are similarly sized and thick. |
| Weight | 192g | 196g | Both phones have virtually identical weight; negligible difference. |
| Build Quality | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus | Oppo Find X5 offers better scratch and drop protection for its screen, potentially extending its lifespan. |
Display
| Feature | OnePlus 9 | Oppo Find X5 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Size | 6.55" | 6.55" | Identical screen size provides the same viewing area. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2400 | Same resolution results in similar sharpness. |
| PPI | 402 | 402 | Identical pixel density offers comparable display clarity. |
| Technology | AMOLED | AMOLED | Identical AMOLED panels; both offer vibrant colors, deep blacks and energy efficiency. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | Smooth scrolling and animation; same experience on both phones. |
| Brightness | 1100 nits | 1300 nits | Oppo Find X5 offers better outdoor visibility in bright conditions, improving screen readability under direct sunlight. |
Performance
| Feature | OnePlus 9 | Oppo Find X5 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 5G (5 nm) | Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 5G (5 nm) | Identical chipsets; similar performance across applications and games, resulting in a similar user experience. |
| AnTuTu Score | 880,900 | 877,800 | Virtually identical benchmark scores, meaning real-world performance is indistinguishable. |
| GPU | Adreno 660 | Adreno 660 | Both phones offer the same graphical capabilities for games and graphically demanding apps. |
Camera
| Feature | OnePlus 9 | Oppo Find X5 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main Camera | 48MP, f/1.79, 1/1.4", Sony IMX689, 1.12µm | 50MP, f/1.8, 1/1.56", Sony IMX766, 1.00µm | OnePlus 9's larger sensor size (1/1.4") and wider aperture (f/1.79) should perform slightly better in low light and have a shallower depth of field compared to Oppo's main sensor. |
| Selfie Camera | 16MP, f/2.4, 1/3.13", Sony IMX471, 1.00µm | 32MP, f/2.4, 1/2.74", Sony IMX615, 0.80µm | Oppo Find X5 captures more detailed selfies due to its higher resolution and a larger sensor, but it has slightly smaller pixels. |
| Telephoto Lens | None | 13MP, f/2.4, 1/3.4", Samsung S5K3M5, 1.00µm | Oppo Find X5 has a dedicated telephoto lens for optical zoom, allowing for closer shots without losing image quality. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 50MP, f/2.2, 1/1.56", Sony IMX766, 1.00µm | None | OnePlus 9 features a dedicated wide-angle lens for expansive landscape shots. |
| Wide Angle + Macro Lens | None | 50MP, f/2.2, 1/1.56", Sony IMX766, 1.00µm | Oppo Find X5's wide-angle lens also functions as a macro camera for capturing close-up details. |
| Black & White Lens | 2MP, f/2.4 | None | OnePlus 9 includes a dedicated monochrome lens for black and white photography. |
| Video | Up to 8K@30fps, HDR, EIS, various 4K/1080p options | Up to 4K@60fps, HDR, EIS, various 1080p options | OnePlus 9 records higher resolution video (8K), while the Oppo Find X5 is limited to 4K; Oppo Find X5 offers "Yes" video stabilization while OnePlus 9 does not. |
| DXOMark | Not Tested | Main: 114, Photo: 124, Video: 95 | Only Oppo Find X5 has a DXOMark rating, offering insights into its overall camera performance, specifically excelling in photo quality. |
Battery
| Feature | OnePlus 9 | Oppo Find X5 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 4500mAh | 4800mAh | Oppo Find X5 has a slightly larger battery (300mAh), which may translate into marginally longer battery life between charges for some users. |
| Charging | 65W fast charging, 15W Wireless | 80W fast charging, 30W Wireless, Reverse Charging 10W | Oppo Find X5 charges faster both wired and wirelessly; its reverse charging feature can be convenient for charging other devices. |
Software & Other
| Feature | OnePlus 9 | Oppo Find X5 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| OS | Android 11 (up to 13) | Android 12 (up to 14) | Oppo Find X5 launches with a newer Android version and is likely to receive updates for a longer period. |
| WiFi | WiFi 6 | WiFi 6 | Both offer similar fast WiFi standards and features. |
| Bluetooth | 5.2 | 5.2 | Both support similar bluetooth features. |
| GPS | More Satellite systems | Standard Satellite systems + QZSS | OnePlus 9 has slightly more GPS satellite support, potentially increasing location accuracy in certain situations. |
| SIM | Dual Nano SIM | Dual Nano SIM + eSIM | Oppo Find X5 includes an eSIM, allowing users to potentially use two different phone numbers without a second physical SIM. |
| Storage | 128GB or 256GB | 128GB or 256GB | Both offer similar storage options. |
| RAM | 8GB or 12GB | 8GB or 12GB | Both offer similar RAM configurations, enabling smooth multitasking. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone allows users to expand storage with microSD cards. |
| Audio | Dolby Atmos, 3 Microphones | Dolby Atmos, 2 Microphones | OnePlus 9 has a slight edge with an extra microphone for enhanced voice capture, clearer calls, and better audio separation. |
| Security | Fingerprint Sensor | Fingerprint Sensor | Similar fingerprint security. |
| Sensors | Comprehensive sensor suite | Comprehensive sensor suite | Both offer comprehensive sensors suitable for advanced features and gaming |
2. Key Differences Analysis
OnePlus 9 Advantages:
- 8K Video Recording: Shoots higher resolution videos, appealing to users who want professional grade video content.
- Dedicated Wide-Angle Lens: Offers a dedicated wide-angle lens for landscape photography.
- Black & White Lens: Adds creative options for dedicated black and white photography.
- Slightly Larger Main Camera Sensor: Could result in better low-light performance and shallower depth-of-field.
- Enhanced Audio Capture: The extra microphone may provide better sound clarity for calls and recordings.
- More GPS Satellite Support: Potentially more accurate GPS positioning.
Oppo Find X5 Advantages:
- Newer Device: Launched nearly a year after OnePlus 9, benefiting from slightly newer software and features.
- Brighter Display: 200 nits higher brightness significantly improves outdoor visibility.
- Dedicated Telephoto Lens: Provides optical zoom capabilities, enabling closer shots without digital zoom degradation.
- Wider Angle + Macro Lens: Offers two features in a single lens, which is great for versatility and creative photography.
- Faster Charging: Both wired and wireless charging are significantly faster, reducing downtime.
- Reverse Wireless Charging: Can be used to charge other devices on the go.
- eSIM Support: Enables the use of a digital SIM card, providing more flexibility in carrier options.
- Better Screen Protection: Corning Gorilla Glass Victus offers improved protection against scratches and drops.
- Better Selfie Camera: Higher resolution with a larger sensor can lead to better looking selfies.
- DXOMark Camera Score: Provides a benchmark for good camera performance, especially for photos.
- More Advanced Video Stabilisation: Offers more advanced video stabilization.
Significant Trade-offs
- OnePlus 9 trades the telephoto lens, better screen protection, and faster charging for higher video recording resolution and a dedicated wide-angle lens.
- Oppo Find X5 sacrifices 8K video recording and a dedicated wide-angle lens for better screen protection, a telephoto lens, and faster charging capabilities.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
OnePlus 9:
- Ideal Users: Users who prioritize video recording and landscape photography, especially in scenarios where 8K video is desirable.
- Use Cases:
- Professional-grade video content creation.
- Landscape photography enthusiasts.
- Users who value a dedicated monochrome lens for artistic photography.
- Users who value slightly larger main camera sensor for low-light performance.
- Price-to-Value: The OnePlus 9 may be a good value for users focused on camera features such as 8K video recording and a dedicated wide angle lens, if available at a competitive price.
Oppo Find X5:
- Ideal Users: Users who want better screen protection, better outdoor screen visibility, a dedicated zoom lens and a faster charging smartphone. Also ideal for users who require flexibility in carrier options (eSIM support).
- Use Cases:
- Users frequently using phones outdoors (better brightness).
- Those who need the flexibility of fast charging capabilities.
- Users who want versatile photography with a dedicated zoom lens and macro photography.
- Travelers or users who need to manage multiple phone numbers.
- Users who want a more recent phone that will get long term support.
- Price-to-Value: The Oppo Find X5 offers a robust camera system, superior screen protection and faster charging, if available at a competitive price and the lack of 8K video and a dedicated wide angle lens isn't an issue.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions:
- How important is 8K video recording for you? If it's essential for your creative workflow, the OnePlus 9 is the better pick.
- Do you prioritize faster charging, better screen protection, and optical zoom? If so, the Oppo Find X5 is the more suitable option.
- Which do you value more - a dedicated wide angle lens or a dedicated telephoto lens? The OnePlus 9 comes with a dedicated wide-angle lens whilst the Oppo Find X5 comes with a dedicated telephoto lens.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Professional Videographer: If you need the highest video resolution possible, choose the OnePlus 9 for its 8K capabilities, despite losing the telephoto lens.
- Scenario 2: Outdoor Photographer/Everyday User: If you spend a lot of time outdoors or want a more versatile camera with a telephoto lens, and you appreciate fast charging and better screen protection, go with the Oppo Find X5.
- Scenario 3: Budget-Conscious User: If both phones are similarly priced, carefully consider which phone provides better value based on your specific use case, considering the trade-offs. If one phone is significantly cheaper, it might be the better choice.
- Scenario 4: Long Term Support: The Oppo Find X5 is the better choice for users wanting long term software support.
My Choice
If I had to choose, I would choose the Oppo Find X5. While the 8K recording of the OnePlus 9 is impressive, for my daily use, the better screen protection (Gorilla Glass Victus), much brighter display for visibility outdoors, the convenience of faster charging (both wired and wireless), and most importantly, the inclusion of a dedicated telephoto lens for optical zoom, as well as a more versatile wide angle/macro lens is more appealing. The newer Android version and eSIM support are also beneficial. I rarely find myself needing 8K video and value the versatility of a zoom lens more.
