Smartphone Comparison: OnePlus 9R vs. Honor 70
1. Specifications Comparison
Here's a detailed comparison of the OnePlus 9R and Honor 70, focusing on practical implications:
Design
Feature | OnePlus 9R | Honor 70 | Practical Impact |
---|---|---|---|
Dimensions | 161 × 74.1 × 8.4 mm | 161.4 × 73.3 × 7.9 mm | The Honor 70 is slightly thinner (0.5mm) which may feel more comfortable in hand. The OnePlus 9R is slightly wider, potentially affecting one-handed use for some users. |
Weight | 189g | 178g | The Honor 70 is 11g lighter, which is a noticeable difference that can reduce hand fatigue during extended use. |
Display
Feature | OnePlus 9R | Honor 70 | Practical Impact |
---|---|---|---|
Size | 6.55" | 6.67" | Honor 70 offers a slightly larger screen, providing a more immersive experience for media consumption and gaming. The difference is relatively small but may be noticeable. |
Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2400 | Both devices have the same resolution, resulting in identical sharpness. |
PPI | 402 | 395 | Both have very similar pixel density, which is practically indistinguishable to the naked eye. |
Technology | AMOLED | OLED | Both use high quality OLED technology which is visually similar, offering vibrant colors, deep blacks and good contrast ratios. |
Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | A 120Hz refresh rate makes scrolling smoother and more responsive, enhancing the overall user experience on both devices. |
Brightness | 0 nits | 0 nits | Peak brightness is unknown, which makes it impossible to compare their outdoor visibility or HDR performance. |
Performance
Feature | OnePlus 9R | Honor 70 | Practical Impact |
---|---|---|---|
Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 870 5G (7 nm) | Qualcomm Snapdragon 778G+ 5G (6 nm) | The Snapdragon 870 in the OnePlus 9R is a higher-tier chipset, offering more raw power for demanding tasks and gaming. The Snapdragon 778G+ in the Honor 70 is still very capable but less powerful overall. |
AnTuTu Score | 821,600 | 600,525 | The OnePlus 9R scores significantly higher in benchmarks, translating to faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and better gaming performance. |
GPU | Adreno 650 | Adreno 642L | The Adreno 650 in the OnePlus 9R offers superior graphics performance compared to the Adreno 642L, beneficial for gaming and graphics-intensive apps. |
Camera
Feature | OnePlus 9R | Honor 70 | Practical Impact |
---|---|---|---|
Main Camera | 48MP, f/1.7, 1/2", Sony IMX586, 0.80µm | 54MP, f/1.9, 1/1.49", Sony IMX800, 1.00µm | The Honor 70 has a larger sensor with bigger pixels, potentially resulting in better low-light performance and image quality. The OnePlus 9R has a wider aperture which might give a slight edge in specific scenarios, but the Honor 70's larger sensor and newer generation should make up for it in most scenarios. |
Selfie Camera | 16MP, f/2.4, 1/3.13", Sony IMX471, 1.00µm | 32MP, f/2.4, 1/3.2", Omnivision OV32C, 0.70µm | Honor 70's selfie camera has higher resolution, but OnePlus 9R has a slightly larger sensor (though with smaller pixels). Real world difference will vary. |
Wide Angle | 16MP, f/2.2, 1/3.09", Sony IMX481, 1.00µm | 50MP, f/2.2 | Honor 70 has much higher resolution for its ultrawide lens, likely capturing more detail than the OnePlus 9R. |
Portrait (Depth) | 2MP, f/2.4 | None | The OnePlus 9R has a dedicated depth sensor to assist in portrait mode, while the Honor 70 relies on software and its main lens, and may not have the same level of depth accuracy. |
Macro | 5MP, f/2.4 | 2MP, f/2.4 | The OnePlus 9R's macro lens may offer more detail, but macro lenses on both devices are likely to be mediocre. |
Video | 4K@60fps with HDR, EIS | 4K@30fps with EIS | The OnePlus 9R offers more versatile video recording capabilities at 4K@60fps with HDR. The Honor 70 offers 4K at 30fps. |
DxOMark | Not tested | Mobile: 115, Photo: 115, Video: 129 | Honor 70 has a tested camera performance, which is useful as a benchmark compared to the OnePlus 9R which is not tested. |
Features | Quadruple camera, OIS, Manual Focus, PDAF | Triple camera, Ultra Stable Video, Night Mode | The OnePlus 9R includes OIS and PDAF, which helps with image stability and faster focus, while the Honor 70 features ultra-stable video and night mode for enhancing video stability and low-light photos. |
Battery
Feature | OnePlus 9R | Honor 70 | Practical Impact |
---|---|---|---|
Capacity | 4500mAh | 4800mAh | The Honor 70 has a slightly larger battery, potentially resulting in slightly longer battery life, though real world usage will vary. |
Charging | 65W | 66W | Both phones have very fast charging, meaning you'll spend less time tethered to an outlet. |
Features | Non-removable | Reverse charging, Non-removable | The Honor 70's reverse charging capability can be useful for topping up other devices or accessories. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
OnePlus 9R Advantages:
- Superior Performance: The Snapdragon 870 and Adreno 650 offer significantly better processing and graphics power for smoother multitasking and gaming.
- More versatile video recording: 4K@60fps with HDR is better than Honor 70's 4K@30fps, and will result in better quality video recordings.
- Optical Image Stabilization (OIS): OIS helps to capture clearer and more stable photos and videos, particularly in low-light conditions.
- Advanced GPS: The 9R offers more satellite systems for better location tracking accuracy, which could be important for people who need to use GPS a lot.
Honor 70 Advantages:
- Larger and slightly lighter build: While it's minimal the Honor 70 is more ergonomic, making it more comfortable in hand and in pockets.
- Potentially Better Main Camera: Larger sensor, with larger pixels, and the updated IMX800 results in better performance compared to the 9R's Sony IMX586.
- Better ultrawide camera: The higher megapixel count results in a more detailed ultrawide shot, and the missing info on the 9R's sensor suggests it is inferior.
- Reverse Charging: Ability to charge other devices is a convenient feature.
- Newer Android version: It comes with Android 12 out of the box and with an unknown update path. The 9R ships with Android 10, upgradable to 13.
- Tested Camera Performance: Honor 70 has DxOMark tested scores that are a good benchmark of camera performance
Trade-offs:
- OnePlus 9R: Trades a slightly less ergonomic build and less advanced camera system for higher performance and better video options.
- Honor 70: Trades slightly less raw performance for a slightly more ergonomic build, a better ultrawide camera, reverse charging, and has a tested camera.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
OnePlus 9R Ideal User:
- Gamers: Its stronger processor and GPU will provide a better gaming experience.
- Power Users: Those who need fast app loading, seamless multitasking, and snappy performance will appreciate the OnePlus 9R.
- Video Enthusiasts: Users who record video often and want higher resolution videos with 60fps.
- Navigation Users: Users who want more accurate GPS performance.
Use Cases for OnePlus 9R:
- Playing graphically intensive mobile games.
- Video recording for content creation.
- Heavy multitasking and app usage.
- Frequent navigation with GPS
Honor 70 Ideal User:
- Photography Enthusiasts: Users who want a capable camera with good low-light performance and a high-resolution ultrawide lens will be satisfied.
- Casual Users: Those who prioritize a comfortable design and reliable daily performance will be happy with the Honor 70.
- Users who need reverse charging: Ability to charge other devices.
Use Cases for Honor 70:
- Taking photos and videos for social media.
- Everyday use such as browsing, social media, and calls.
- Using reverse charging.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- Performance Needs: Do you prioritize raw power for gaming and demanding apps, or is smooth everyday performance sufficient?
- Camera Preference: Do you need the best possible main camera and ultrawide lens, or are video and image stabilization more important?
- Battery Needs: Is the battery difference a major concern? Do you need reverse charging?
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: High-Performance Gaming: If gaming is your top priority, choose the OnePlus 9R for its stronger processor and GPU.
- Scenario 2: Casual Photography & Everyday Use: If a capable main camera and an ultrawide lens, along with a lighter phone is essential, choose the Honor 70.
- Scenario 3: Balanced Experience: If you need a balance between raw power, and are ok with the 4k@30fps video, choose the Honor 70.
- Scenario 4: Content Creation: If you want higher quality videos and good image stabilization, choose the OnePlus 9R
My Choice
Based on the analysis, I would choose the Honor 70.
Reasoning:
While the OnePlus 9R boasts a more powerful chipset and GPU, the Honor 70’s camera system, especially its main camera with a larger sensor and high-resolution ultrawide lens, appeals to me more. The Honor 70 also has a slight edge in terms of being slightly lighter, reverse charging and a newer version of Android.
While I acknowledge that the OnePlus 9R offers superior gaming performance, my primary use cases focus on photography and everyday use, and I value the added convenience of reverse charging and a lighter design, and the tested camera quality. In these areas, the Honor 70 holds a slight edge.
However, if I were a mobile gamer or needed the best possible video quality on a smartphone, the OnePlus 9R would be the clear winner.