1. Specifications Comparison
Here's a detailed comparison of the OnePlus 9R and Asus ROG Phone 5 specifications, focusing on their practical impact:
Design
| Feature | OnePlus 9R | Asus ROG Phone 5 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Physical Size | 161 × 74.1 × 8.4 mm | 172.8 × 77.3 × 10.3 mm | The ROG Phone 5 is noticeably larger and bulkier, making the OnePlus 9R more comfortable for one-handed use. |
| Weight | 189g | 238g | OnePlus 9R is significantly lighter, making it easier to hold for longer periods without fatigue. The ROG Phone 5's weight may be tiring during prolonged use. |
Display
| Feature | OnePlus 9R | Asus ROG Phone 5 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Size | 6.55" | 6.78" | The ROG Phone 5 offers a slightly larger screen, which is better for media consumption and gaming. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2448 | Both have similar resolutions, providing sharp visuals. The difference is minimal in everyday use. |
| PPI | 402 | 395 | Both have similar pixel density, resulting in comparably sharp display clarity. |
| Technology | AMOLED | AMOLED | Both offer vibrant colors, deep blacks, and excellent contrast ratios due to AMOLED technology. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 144Hz | The ROG Phone 5's higher refresh rate provides a smoother visual experience, especially beneficial for gamers. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 0 nits | Both phones have identical peak brightness, however both should be bright enough for outdoor use. (Note: The provided value of 0 nits seems incorrect and is likely a data error.) |
Performance
| Feature | OnePlus 9R | Asus ROG Phone 5 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 870 5G (7 nm) | Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 5G (5 nm) | The Snapdragon 888 in the ROG Phone 5 is more powerful, leading to slightly better performance in demanding tasks and gaming, with improved energy efficiency |
| Antutu Score | 821,600 | 883,000 | The ROG Phone 5 shows slightly better performance in benchmarks, indicating marginally faster app loading and multitasking. |
| GPU | Adreno 650 | Adreno 660 | The Adreno 660 in the ROG Phone 5 provides superior graphics performance, resulting in better gaming and graphics-intensive app experience |
Battery
| Feature | OnePlus 9R | Asus ROG Phone 5 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 4500mAh | 6000mAh | The ROG Phone 5 has significantly larger battery, offering much longer battery life especially for gamers and heavy users. |
| Charging | 65W Fast Charging | 65W Fast Charging | Both offer fast charging, allowing for quick top-ups |
| Features | Non-removable | Bypass Charging, Reverse charging, Non-removable | ROG Phone 5 offers bypass charging (charging the phone without charging the battery, reducing heat while gaming), and reverse charging to power other devices. |
Camera
| Feature | OnePlus 9R | Asus ROG Phone 5 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard Camera Resolution | 48MP | 64MP | The ROG Phone 5's higher resolution provides more detail in photos and allows for cropping without losing too much quality. |
| Standard Camera Aperture | f/1.7 | f/1.8 | OnePlus 9R's slightly wider aperture might allow better low-light performance. |
| Standard Camera Sensor Size | 1/2" | 1/1.7" | The larger sensor in the ROG Phone 5 captures more light, potentially improving image quality. |
| Selfie Camera Resolution | 16MP | 24MP | ROG Phone 5 offers higher resolution for selfies, capturing more details. |
| Selfie Camera Aperture | f/2.4 | f/2.45 | OnePlus 9R's wider aperture might allow slightly better low-light selfies. |
| Selfie Camera Sensor Size | 1/3.13" | 1/2.8" | ROG Phone 5's larger sensor should capture more light. |
| Wide Angle Lens Resolution | 16MP | 13MP | OnePlus 9R has a slightly higher resolution wide angle lens |
| Wide Angle Lens Aperture | f/2.2 | f/2.5 | OnePlus 9R's wider aperture should lead to brighter wide angle photos |
| Portrait Mode (depth) | 2MP | None | OnePlus 9R includes a dedicated depth sensor for portrait mode. |
| Macro Lens | 5MP, f/2.4 | 5MP, f/2.0 | Asus ROG Phone 5's wider aperture should provide slightly better macro photos. |
| Video Resolution | 4K@60fps | 8K@30fps, 4K@120fps | The ROG Phone 5 offers more advanced video recording, supporting 8K resolution. |
| Video Stabilization | HDR, EIS | EIS | The specific method and effectiveness of stabilization might differ in real-world scenarios between the two phones. |
Software
| Feature | OnePlus 9R | Asus ROG Phone 5 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| OS | Android 10 | Android 11 | ROG Phone 5 starts with a newer Android version, potentially offering more recent features from the start, although both phones have been updated past these starting versions. |
| Max Android Version | 13 | 12 | While OnePlus 9R has had a newer version of Android at the end of it's software updates, both phones are at the end of the software support. |
Other Features | Feature | OnePlus 9R | Asus ROG Phone 5 | Practical Impact | |---|---|---|---| | Screen Protection | Unknown | Corning Gorilla Glass 6 | Asus ROG Phone 5 has better protection against scratches and falls | | Audio | Dolby Atmos, Stereo Speakers | DTS / DTS X, Hi-Res Audio, Stereo Speakers, 4 microphones | ROG Phone 5 has more comprehensive audio features making it superior for music listening and gaming | | RAM | 8 GB or 12 GB | 8 GB or 12 GB or 16 GB or 18 GB | ROG Phone 5 has more RAM options, especially 16GB and 18GB, excellent for heavy multitasking and demanding games | | Internal Storage | 128 GB or 256 GB | 128 GB or 256 GB or 512 GB | ROG Phone 5 has more storage options, with up to 512GB. | | Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone supports expandable storage.|
2. Key Differences Analysis
OnePlus 9R Advantages:
- Lighter and More Compact: The 9R is more comfortable for everyday use due to its lighter weight and smaller dimensions.
- Slightly Wider Aperture on Standard and Selfie Camera: Potentially better low-light performance for photos on the primary and selfie cameras
- Dedicated Portrait Mode Camera: Offers a dedicated depth sensor for more effective background blur.
- Slightly higher resolution and wider aperture for the wide angle lens
- Better Max Software Version Support: This is important for people who plan on using their phones for many years
- More common video stabilization system
Asus ROG Phone 5 Advantages:
- Superior Performance: Snapdragon 888 chipset and Adreno 660 GPU offer better performance, especially for demanding tasks and gaming.
- Larger Battery: The 6000mAh battery provides significantly longer battery life, ideal for heavy users.
- Higher Refresh Rate Display: Smoother visual experience thanks to the 144Hz refresh rate.
- Higher Resolution Main and Selfie Cameras, Larger Main Camera Sensor: The ROG Phone 5 has the potential for more detailed images.
- Advanced Video Recording: Supports 8K video recording and higher frame rates for slow-motion.
- Additional Battery Features: Bypass charging and reverse charging.
- More RAM and storage options: The ROG Phone 5 has many options depending on price, with some offering 16GB of RAM, 18GB of RAM or 512GB of storage.
- Enhanced Audio Features: More robust audio playback, superior voice capture for music listening and gaming.
- Better Screen Protection: Corning Gorilla Glass 6 gives a level of confidence that the device's screen is protected against damage.
Trade-offs:
- The OnePlus 9R offers a more comfortable form factor but sacrifices some performance and battery life compared to the ROG Phone 5.
- The Asus ROG Phone 5 is bulkier and heavier, but delivers a more powerful experience with better battery life.
- The OnePlus 9R has a slightly better selfie and standard camera aperture, potentially offering slightly better low light performance, at the cost of less detail and resolution.
- The OnePlus 9R has a dedicated portrait mode camera, the Asus ROG Phone 5 does not.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
OnePlus 9R:
- Ideal User: Users who prioritize a comfortable, lightweight phone for everyday use.
- Use Cases:
- General social media and browsing
- Casual photography and videography
- Users who prefer comfortable handling over extreme performance
- Everyday use and media consumption
- Price-to-Value: Offers good value for users who don't require top-tier gaming performance.
- Additional Use Case: User prefers the slightly higher software support for longer use
Asus ROG Phone 5:
- Ideal User: Hardcore gamers, power users, and those who prioritize performance and battery life above all.
- Use Cases:
- High-end gaming
- Video editing and other demanding tasks
- Users who need extended battery life for long sessions
- Mobile content creators and those who need high quality audio and video recording
- Price-to-Value: Higher cost for top-tier performance and features.
- Additional Use Case: Users who want to get the highest performance for their dollar
4. Decision Framework
Here are three key questions for potential buyers:
What is your main usage for the device?
- Casual Use: If your focus is mainly on social media, browsing, and light photography, the OnePlus 9R should suffice.
- Gaming/Demanding Tasks: If you are a gamer or frequently use demanding applications, the Asus ROG Phone 5 will deliver a smoother experience.
How important is battery life and form factor?
- Long Battery Life: If battery life is a high priority, the Asus ROG Phone 5 is the clear winner.
- Comfortable Usage: If a more comfortable, compact and lightweight device is preferred the OnePlus 9R is superior.
How much are you willing to spend?
- Budget-Conscious: If you are on a budget, the OnePlus 9R may offer better value with minor compromises.
- Premium Performance: If you are willing to pay a premium for top-tier performance and features, the Asus ROG Phone 5 is the better choice.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
Scenario 1: Casual Daily User: If you mainly use your phone for social media, browsing, and taking occasional photos, the OnePlus 9R is the better choice due to its lighter weight and more comfortable handling, plus you get more years of software updates.
Scenario 2: Mobile Gamer/Power User: If you need top-tier gaming performance, the longest possible battery life, and advanced video features, the Asus ROG Phone 5 is the superior choice.
Scenario 3: Hybrid User: If you value a balance between everyday comfort and high-end performance, consider whether the extra bulk and weight of the Asus ROG Phone 5 are an acceptable trade-off for its improved performance and longer battery life, or if the slightly lower performance of the OnePlus 9R is an acceptable trade off for a more comfortable device.
My Choice
If I were choosing between these two phones, I would pick the Asus ROG Phone 5. While I appreciate the lighter and more compact design of the OnePlus 9R, my priority is top-tier performance, better battery life, and better audio/video capabilities. I prioritize being able to play the most demanding games at high settings, and I know the Snapdragon 888 and Adreno 660 GPU can deliver that.
I would also want the best possible audio/video experience for music and media consumption, and the ROG Phone 5 has more comprehensive audio features, including hi-res audio playback and additional microphones. Finally, the significantly larger battery capacity means that I could use the phone all day with intensive use, and that's something I value greatly.
While the ROG Phone 5 is heavier and bulkier, I'm willing to compromise on ergonomics for the performance and features it provides.
