1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | OnePlus 9R | Asus ROG Phone 8 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 161 × 74.1 × 8.4 mm | 163.8 × 76.8 × 8.9 mm | ROG Phone 8 is larger and bulkier, may be less comfortable in hand or pockets for some users. |
| Weight | 189g | 225g | OnePlus 9R is significantly lighter, making it more comfortable for extended use. ROG Phone 8 may feel heavy in long sessions. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.55" | 6.78" | ROG Phone 8 has a slightly larger screen, offering a bit more immersion for media consumption and gaming. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2400 | Both displays are equally sharp, so no practical difference here in terms of image clarity. |
| PPI | 402 | 388 | Very similar pixel density, no visible difference in clarity for the average user. |
| Technology | AMOLED | AMOLED | Both screens offer excellent contrast and vibrant colors, but the ROG Phone 8 might have better colour accuracy given it is a more recent display. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 165Hz | ROG Phone 8 offers smoother scrolling and animations, creating a more fluid user experience, especially noticeable in fast-paced games and animations. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 2500 nits | ROG Phone 8 is significantly brighter, ensuring better screen visibility in bright sunlight, making it much more usable outdoors. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM8250-AC Snapdragon 870 5G (7 nm) | Qualcomm SM8650-AB Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 (4 nm) | ROG Phone 8's newer chipset provides much faster processing, better app loading, multitasking, and improved performance in demanding games and apps. |
| AnTuTu Score | 821,600 | 2,020,000 | ROG Phone 8 provides much higher benchmark performance, ensuring it handles demanding tasks with ease and stays relevant for much longer. |
| GPU | Adreno 650 | Adreno 750 | ROG Phone 8's superior GPU results in significantly better graphics rendering, important for demanding games and video editing. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 4500mAh | 5500mAh | ROG Phone 8 offers substantially longer battery life, allowing for extended usage without recharging. |
| Charging | 65W | 65W | Both phones charge quickly with 65W, though the ROG Phone 8's larger battery may take slightly longer to reach full charge. |
| Camera | |||
| Standard Camera | 48MP, f/1.7, 1/2", Sony IMX586 | 50MP, f/1.9, 1/1.56", Sony IMX890 | ROG Phone 8's main camera has a higher resolution, larger sensor, and larger pixels, potentially resulting in better image quality, especially in low light and better details. |
| Selfie Camera | 16MP, f/2.4, 1/3.13", Sony IMX471 | 32MP, Unknown | ROG Phone 8's front camera has much higher resolution, for higher detail selfies. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 16MP, f/2.2, 1/3.09", Sony IMX481 | None | OnePlus 9R offers a dedicated wide-angle camera for capturing expansive shots. |
| Portrait Lens | 2MP, f/2.4, Unknown | None | OnePlus 9R has a dedicated portrait camera for depth sensing. |
| Macro Lens | 5MP, f/2.4, Unknown | 5MP, f/2.4, Unknown | Both phones have similar macro camera capabilities. |
| Wide Angle + Macro | None | 13MP, f/2.2, Unknown | The ROG Phone 8 has a combined wide-angle and macro lens for additional versatility. |
| Video | 4K@60fps HDR, EIS, 1080p@240fps | 8K@24fps HDR, EIS, 4K@60fps HDR, EIS, 1080p@480fps | ROG Phone 8 can record in 8K and has higher slow motion fps than the 9R, better for pro-level video capture and more detailed slow-mo. |
| Camera Features | Quadruple camera, OIS, PDAF, RAW, etc. | Triple camera, OIS, Gimbal, LAF, Night Mode, etc. | ROG Phone 8 offers features like 8K video, optical zoom, gimbal, laser autofocus, and night mode enhancing its versatility; OnePlus 9R is more focused on the camera hardware itself. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 10, Max 13 | Android 14, Max 16 | ROG Phone 8 has a much more recent OS out of the box with better security and more potential for future updates. |
| Connectivity | |||
| WiFi | WiFi 6 (802.11ax) | WiFi 7 (802.11be) | ROG Phone 8 has the newer WiFi 7 standard for much faster internet speeds, lower latency, and better handling of crowded networks. |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.1 LE | Bluetooth 5.3 LE | ROG Phone 8 has a newer Bluetooth version for improved battery life and connection stability and additional supported audio codecs. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, NavIC | ROG Phone 8 supports a wider range of satellite systems, potentially leading to more accurate location tracking. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 128GB or 256GB | 256GB | Both have a max of 256 GB storage. OnePlus 9R has a lower-end storage variant. |
| RAM | 8GB or 12GB | 12GB or 16GB | ROG Phone 8 has more RAM options for improved multitasking, reducing lag and better game performance. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither supports expandable storage; user must decide on storage before purchase. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Dolby Atmos, Noise cancellation microphone, Stereo Speakers | DTS / DTS X, Stereo Speakers, 3 microphones | Both have stereo speakers, though may sound different in terms of quality. ROG Phone 8 has DTS and more microphones. OnePlus 9R has Dolby Atmos. |
| Security | |||
| Fingerprint | Basic | Basic | Both have standard fingerprint scanners; no major differences in biometric security. |
| Build | |||
| Screen Protection | Unknown | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2 | ROG Phone 8 has much better scratch and drop protection for the screen, increasing the phone's longevity. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Gravity | ROG Phone 8 has an additional Gravity sensor, mostly used for gaming and advanced features. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
OnePlus 9R Advantages:
- Lighter and More Compact: More comfortable for extended use and easier to handle with one hand.
- Dedicated wide angle and portrait lens: Offers a wide range of camera shooting possibilities.
- Dolby Atmos: Enhances audio experience for media consumption.
Asus ROG Phone 8 Advantages:
- Superior Performance: Cutting-edge Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset for much better performance in games and demanding apps.
- Brighter Display: Excellent outdoor visibility due to its much higher brightness rating.
- Higher Refresh Rate: Smoother user experience and more responsive gaming due to the 165Hz refresh rate.
- Larger Battery: Significantly longer battery life, reducing the need to recharge.
- 8K Video Recording: Pro-level video capture capabilities for content creators.
- Gimbal OIS: The addition of a gimbal OIS gives the device better video capabilities
- Newer Software: Comes with Android 14 out of the box with guaranteed future updates.
- Better Connectivity: Supports the latest WiFi 7 and Bluetooth 5.3 standards, leading to faster speeds and better connections.
- Superior Screen Protection: The Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2 screen is more durable and drop resistant.
- More RAM Options: For improved multitasking, reducing lag and better game performance
Trade-offs:
- The ROG Phone 8 is significantly heavier and bulkier than the OnePlus 9R.
- The OnePlus 9R has dedicated wide-angle and portrait cameras but the ROG Phone 8 includes a wide + macro lens.
- The OnePlus 9R is missing the screen protection of the ROG Phone 8.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
OnePlus 9R Ideal User:
- Users who prioritize a comfortable, lightweight device.
- Users who want a versatile camera and don't need pro-level video recording
- Users who don't play graphic-intensive games.
- Users who value smooth everyday performance but aren't pushing the phone to its limits.
- Users on a tighter budget looking for value.
Use Cases for OnePlus 9R:
- Everyday social media and web browsing.
- Casual gaming and media consumption.
- Photography in a variety of conditions
- Users who prefer a lighter device for long usage.
Asus ROG Phone 8 Ideal User:
- Hardcore mobile gamers who want the highest performance.
- Users who consume a lot of multimedia content.
- Users who require pro-level video recording capabilities.
- Users who need long battery life and do not want to charge often.
- Users who need their phone to work outside under bright sunlight.
- Users who want the most cutting-edge features available.
Use Cases for Asus ROG Phone 8:
- Playing graphic-intensive mobile games at high frame rates.
- Capturing high quality videos.
- Extended use in bright outdoor environments.
- Power users who demand top-tier performance.
- Content creation professionals and enthusiasts.
Price-to-Value Ratio:
The ROG Phone 8 is likely to be more expensive due to its advanced features. It is a value if the extra power, better display, and battery are required. The OnePlus 9R is good value for budget buyers who do not need the top-end specs.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- What is my primary use case? (e.g., gaming, photography, everyday use)
- How important is battery life and screen visibility?
- What is my budget? (ROG Phone 8 is likely to be more expensive).
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
Budget-Conscious User: If you just want a phone that does everything decently well, the OnePlus 9R is the more value-orientated choice, but be prepared to upgrade sooner than the ROG Phone 8.
Gaming Enthusiast: Choose the Asus ROG Phone 8 for its superior performance, higher refresh rate, and extended battery life.
Content Creator: Choose the Asus ROG Phone 8 for its 8K video recording, advanced camera features, and better screen visibility.
Everyday User: The OnePlus 9R is the more comfortable, easier-to-carry device for everyday tasks, while the ROG Phone 8 might be overkill if you don't need its enhanced features. If having the best possible screen is a priority, the ROG Phone 8's brightness might be a selling point.
My Choice
If I were choosing between these two phones, I would personally pick the Asus ROG Phone 8.
Reasons:
- Future-Proofing: The ROG Phone 8's cutting-edge Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chip and more advanced features mean that it will stay powerful for longer, and the device is simply more future proof.
- Superior Display: The 165Hz refresh rate and 2500 nits brightness makes for a significant step up in display quality, particularly for viewing outdoors.
- Extended Battery: I value the longer battery life for those times when I'm away from a charger for longer than expected.
- Versatility: While I appreciate the wide and depth lenses on the 9R, I much prefer the better camera performance of the ROG Phone 8, especially with the 8K recording capability which I would use.
While I do prefer the smaller size and lightness of the OnePlus 9R, I find the performance, display quality, and battery life of the ROG Phone 8 much more important for my needs. This means that, despite the higher price, the ROG Phone 8 is the clear winner for me, especially for long-term use.
