1. Specifications Comparison
Design
| Feature | OnePlus 9 | Realme 12 Pro+ | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Physical Size | 160 × 74.2 × 8.7 mm | 161.5 × 74 × 8.8 mm | Very similar dimensions; Realme 12 Pro+ is slightly taller but it's negligible. |
| Weight | 192g | 196g | Virtually identical weight; Both feel similar in hand. |
Display
| Feature | OnePlus 9 | Realme 12 Pro+ | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Size | 6.55" | 6.7" | Realme 12 Pro+ offers a slightly larger viewing area. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2412 | Both offer very sharp and detailed images with no significant visual difference. |
| PPI | 402 | 394 | Both have comparable pixel density, resulting in similar display sharpness. |
| Technology | AMOLED | AMOLED | Both provide vibrant colors, deep blacks and excellent contrast. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | Both provide a smooth and fluid experience when scrolling and gaming. |
| Brightness | 1100 nits | 0 nits | OnePlus 9's significantly higher brightness allows for better outdoor visibility in direct sunlight. Realme 12 Pro+ brightness is unknown, potentially impacting outdoor use. |
Performance
| Feature | OnePlus 9 | Realme 12 Pro+ | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 (5 nm) | Qualcomm Snapdragon 7s Gen 2 (4 nm) | OnePlus 9 has a significantly more powerful chipset, resulting in faster app loading, smoother multitasking and better gaming performance. |
| AnTuTu Score | 880,900 | 603,400 | OnePlus 9 scores much higher, indicating superior overall performance. |
| GPU | Adreno 660 | Adreno 710 | OnePlus 9's GPU offers superior gaming performance. |
Camera
| Feature | OnePlus 9 | Realme 12 Pro+ | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main Camera Resolution | 48MP | 50MP | Realme 12 Pro+ has a marginally higher resolution sensor, though the image quality difference is not solely based on resolution. |
| Main Camera Aperture | f/1.79 | f/1.8 | OnePlus 9 has slightly wider aperture potentially capturing slightly more light. |
| Main Camera Sensor Size | 1/1.4" | 1/1.56" | OnePlus 9 has a larger sensor, which often results in better low-light performance. |
| Selfie Camera Resolution | 16MP | 32MP | Realme 12 Pro+ provides more detailed selfies with its higher resolution sensor. |
| Selfie Camera Sensor Size | 1/3.13" | 1/2.74" | Realme 12 Pro+ has a larger sensor which allows better low light performance. |
| Telephoto Lens | No | 64MP | Realme 12 Pro+ offers a dedicated telephoto lens for optical zoom capabilities. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 50MP | No | OnePlus 9 offers a dedicated ultrawide lens with a high resolution sensor. |
| Wide Angle + Macro Lens | No | 8MP | Realme 12 Pro+ offers a macro mode with its ultrawide lens. |
| Black & White Lens | 2MP | No | OnePlus 9 features a dedicated black and white sensor for monochromatic photography |
| Video Recording | Up to 8K@30fps | Up to 4K@30fps | OnePlus 9 can record videos in higher 8K resolution, but lacks OIS. |
| Video Stabilization | EIS | EIS, OIS | Realme 12 Pro+ offers superior stabilization due to OIS |
Battery
| Feature | OnePlus 9 | Realme 12 Pro+ | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 4500mAh | 5000mAh | Realme 12 Pro+ should offer longer battery life due to its larger battery capacity. |
| Charging Speed | 65W | 67W | Realme 12 Pro+ charges slightly faster but the difference is likely negligible. |
| Wireless Charging | 15W | No | OnePlus 9 offers convenient wireless charging. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
OnePlus 9 Advantages:
- Superior Performance: The Snapdragon 888 chipset offers significantly better performance for demanding tasks and gaming.
- Brighter Display: The higher peak brightness ensures better visibility in bright sunlight.
- 8K Video Recording: Offers higher video recording resolution, beneficial for professional or aspiring videographers.
- Wireless Charging: Convenient wireless charging adds flexibility.
- Dedicated Wide Angle Lens: Superior ultrawide camera with a high res sensor.
- Larger Main Camera Sensor: Better low-light performance from the larger main camera sensor
- Black & White Lens: A dedicated B&W sensor for artistic photography
Realme 12 Pro+ Advantages:
- Larger Battery: Offers potentially longer battery life.
- Telephoto Lens: Provides dedicated optical zoom capabilities.
- Dedicated Macro Lens: Allows for close up photos.
- Better Selfie Camera: Higher resolution and a bigger sensor offers higher quality selfies.
- OIS on Main Camera: Better video stabilization and sharper images.
- Newer Android OS: Ships with Android 14.
Trade-offs:
- OnePlus 9 sacrifices battery capacity for better performance and wireless charging.
- Realme 12 Pro+ sacrifices processing power for a telephoto lens and longer battery.
- OnePlus 9 lacks OIS in the main camera
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Ideal User for OnePlus 9:
- Performance Enthusiasts: Gamers and users who prioritize speed and responsiveness for demanding tasks.
- Outdoor Users: Those who frequently use their phone in bright sunlight.
- Multimedia Creators: Individuals who want the option of recording videos in 8K.
- Wireless Charging Fans: Users who use wireless charging often.
- Photography Fans: Those who want a dedicated ultrawide lens or black and white photos.
Ideal User for Realme 12 Pro+:
- Photography Focused: Users who value a telephoto lens for optical zoom and a good selfie camera.
- Battery Life Prioritizers: Those who need a phone that can last throughout a full day on a single charge.
- General Users: Users who want a well-rounded phone with decent performance and features.
- Macro Photography Fans: Users who enjoy taking photos of objects close up.
Use Cases:
- OnePlus 9: Smooth gaming, video editing, outdoor navigation, general performance, high quality wide angle photos, B&W photos.
- Realme 12 Pro+: Day-long usage, zoomed-in photography, detailed selfies, macro photography.
Price-to-Value Ratio:
- The OnePlus 9 is an older phone and will likely be available at a lower price point compared to the Realme 12 Pro+. However, that doesn't mean that it isn't a better value. You should choose the phone that best suits your needs and budget.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions to Consider:
Do you prioritize performance or camera versatility? If you need top-tier performance go for the OnePlus 9, but if you value a versatile camera setup, the Realme 12 Pro+ is a better choice.
Is battery life or display brightness more important? If battery life is the priority, then the Realme 12 Pro+ is better. For better sunlight viewing, the OnePlus 9 is superior.
Do you need optical zoom and OIS, or wireless charging and 8K recording? If you need a telephoto lens and OIS, then the Realme 12 Pro+ is superior. For wireless charging and 8K video recording, the OnePlus 9 is a better choice.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: You are a gamer who plays demanding games and often uses your phone outdoors. Recommendation: OnePlus 9 due to the superior performance and better screen visibility.
- Scenario 2: You take a lot of photos, including zoomed shots and selfies, and value good battery life. Recommendation: Realme 12 Pro+ due to the telephoto lens, better selfie camera, and larger battery.
- Scenario 3: You need a balance of decent performance and good camera capabilities. Recommendation: It depends on your preference: If a versatile camera system, including a telephoto lens, is important, then the Realme 12 Pro+ is a better option. If you want an ultrawide lens, B&W lens and higher performance, then the OnePlus 9 is the better choice.
Final Decision
My Choice:
I would personally choose the OnePlus 9. While the Realme 12 Pro+ has a newer OS, better battery life and a telephoto lens, I value the superior performance of the Snapdragon 888, the higher display brightness and higher quality ultrawide lens. The ability to record videos in 8K and use wireless charging also makes the phone stand out for me. While I enjoy photography, I don't see myself using a telephoto lens as often as I would use a wide-angle lens. Additionally, I feel that the processing power of the OnePlus 9 is far more important for my daily usage of apps and games. Therefore, the OnePlus 9 is the better pick for me.
