1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | OnePlus 9R | Honor Magic4 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 161 × 74.1 × 8.4 mm | 163.6 × 74.7 × 9.1 mm | Honor Magic4 Pro is slightly larger and thicker, potentially less comfortable for small hands or tight pockets. OnePlus 9R is more compact. |
| Weight | 189g | 209g | OnePlus 9R feels lighter and more comfortable to hold for longer periods. Honor Magic4 Pro is noticeably heavier. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.55" | 6.81" | Honor Magic4 Pro offers a slightly more immersive viewing experience due to the larger screen, better for media consumption. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1312x2848 | Honor Magic4 Pro has a significantly sharper and more detailed display, especially noticeable when viewing high-resolution content or small text. |
| Pixel Density | 402 PPI | 460 PPI | Honor Magic4 Pro screen appears significantly sharper compared to OnePlus 9R's display. |
| Technology | AMOLED | OLED | Similar display technologies offering vibrant colors and deep blacks; differences are likely negligible to most users. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | Both offer smooth scrolling and animations, leading to a more responsive user interface and a better gaming experience. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 1000 nits | Honor Magic4 Pro offers much better outdoor visibility under bright sunlight. OnePlus 9R's outdoor visibility is expected to be significantly inferior. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Snapdragon 870 (7 nm) | Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 (4 nm) | Honor Magic4 Pro has a newer and more powerful chipset, offering better overall performance for demanding tasks and future-proofing. |
| AnTuTu Score | 821,600 | 945,832 | Honor Magic4 Pro shows 15% higher benchmark score, indicating superior real-world performance in gaming and resource-intensive applications. |
| GPU | Adreno 650 | Adreno 730 | Honor Magic4 Pro has a more powerful GPU, providing better graphics performance for demanding games and graphically intensive applications. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 48MP, f/1.7, 1/2" | 50MP, f/1.9, 1/1.56" | Honor Magic4 Pro's larger sensor with larger pixels can capture more light, resulting in better low-light performance. |
| Telephoto | None | 64MP, f/2.0, 1/2" | Honor Magic4 Pro offers dedicated optical zoom capabilities allowing for better quality zoomed shots. OnePlus 9R relies on digital zoom only. |
| Selfie Camera | 16MP, f/2.4, 1/3.13" | 12MP, f/2.4 | OnePlus 9R has slightly higher megapixel count. Both have the same aperture. The real-world impact will vary based on image processing. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 16MP, f/2.2, 1/3.09" | None | OnePlus 9R offers a dedicated wide-angle lens for capturing expansive scenes. Honor Magic4 Pro does not have a dedicated wide-angle lens. |
| ToF 3D Sensor | None | 0.3MP | Honor Magic4 Pro has a ToF 3D sensor for enhanced depth sensing, which can aid in portrait photography and augmented reality applications. |
| Portrait Mode (depth) | 2MP, f/2.4 | None | OnePlus 9R includes a dedicated depth sensor for enhanced portrait mode. |
| Macro Lens | 5MP, f/2.4 | None | OnePlus 9R includes a dedicated macro lens for capturing close-up shots. |
| Wide Angle + Macro | None | 50MP, f/2.2 | Honor Magic4 Pro utilizes a wide-angle lens for macro shots. |
| Video | 4K@60fps, HDR, EIS, Slow-motion 240fps | 4K@60fps, HDR, EIS, Slow-motion 960fps | Both offer 4K video, HDR, and EIS. Honor Magic4 Pro has superior slow-motion capabilities, capturing fast-moving objects with greater detail and clarity. |
| Camera Score (DxOMark) | None | Mobile: 126 (Photo: 132, Video: 117) | Honor Magic4 Pro has superior camera performance according to DxOMark scores. |
| Camera Features | Digital zoom, Quadruple camera, Digital image stabilization, OIS, Autofocus, PDAF, Panorama, HDR, RAW | Digital zoom, Optical zoom, Quadruple camera, Digital image stabilization, OIS, Ultra stable video, Autofocus, Laser AF, PDAF, Panorama, HDR, RAW, Night Mode | Honor Magic4 Pro has more camera features: Optical zoom, Ultra stable video, Laser AF, Night Mode. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 4500mAh | 4600mAh | Similar battery capacity suggesting comparable battery endurance. Real-world battery life will vary by usage. |
| Charging | 65W fast charging | 100W fast charging | Honor Magic4 Pro charges significantly faster, reducing downtime waiting for a full charge. |
| Features | Non-removable | Reverse charging, Non-removable, Wireless charging 100W | Honor Magic4 Pro offers more versatility with fast wireless charging and reverse charging for other devices. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
OnePlus 9R Advantages:
- Lighter and More Compact: More comfortable to hold for extended periods and easier to carry in pockets. This is particularly beneficial for users who prioritize portability and ergonomics.
- Dedicated Wide-Angle and Macro Lenses: Offers more flexibility in photography, capturing more expansive scenes and close-up details, which could appeal to users with specific photographic needs.
- Lower Price Point: This is a major benefit, as it provides good performance at a more affordable price.
- Slightly wider aperture on main camera: This could result in slightly better low-light performance, but this is often negated by the larger sensor of the main camera in the Honor Magic 4 Pro.
- Dolby Atmos audio: This results in improved audio quality and immersion
Honor Magic4 Pro Advantages:
- Superior Performance: The Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 provides significantly better performance for demanding tasks and gaming, making it a better choice for power users.
- Significantly Better Display: Higher resolution, higher pixel density and higher brightness lead to sharper visuals and better visibility outdoors.
- Faster Charging and Wireless Charging: 100W fast charging significantly reduces charge times, and 100W wireless charging provides added convenience and flexibility.
- Superior Camera: The larger main sensor and dedicated telephoto lens enhance image quality, especially in low light and when zooming. The camera is rated higher on DxOMark.
- Ultra Stable Video, Laser AF, Night Mode: Honor Magic4 Pro has more camera features.
- More Satellite Systems for Location: Support for additional satellite systems provides more accurate location services, this is particularly useful in areas where GPS signal might be weak or obstructed.
- Newer Bluetooth Version: Newer version for better range and speed and additional audio codecs.
- Larger Storage Options: 256GB or 512GB vs. 128GB or 256GB for the OnePlus.
Trade-offs:
- OnePlus 9R: While being lighter and more compact, it compromises on performance, display sharpness, and camera quality, as well as battery charging speed and features.
- Honor Magic4 Pro: Larger size and weight might be less comfortable for some, and lacks a dedicated macro and wide angle lens. It comes at a higher price point.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
OnePlus 9R:
- Ideal User: Budget-conscious users who prioritize a lighter, more compact design and who don't require top-tier performance or camera capabilities, but want a good all rounder.
- Use Cases:
- Everyday use, browsing, social media
- Casual gaming
- Users who prioritize a good screen but do not use their phone outdoors much
- Users who want a more affordable option but still want decent specifications
- Users who prioritize wide-angle and macro photography
Honor Magic4 Pro:
- Ideal User: Power users who need top-tier performance, a premium display and camera, and fast charging.
- Use Cases:
- Demanding gaming and intensive apps
- Professional photography and videography
- Heavy multitasking
- Users who use their phone outdoors often
- Users who need long battery life and fast charging
- Users who want the latest technology
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions to Consider:
- What is your budget? The Honor Magic4 Pro comes at a premium, while the OnePlus 9R offers a good balance at a lower price.
- How important is performance? If you are a heavy gamer or use demanding applications, the Honor Magic4 Pro is the superior choice.
- How often do you take photos and videos, and what are your priorities? For users who want a better camera with optical zoom, better low-light performance, and slow-motion video, the Honor Magic4 Pro is a better option, but if you want a wide-angle and macro lens you will be more pleased with the OnePlus.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1 (Budget Conscious): If budget is your primary concern, the OnePlus 9R is the more affordable option, providing a good balance of features for everyday use.
- Scenario 2 (Performance Enthusiast): If you prioritize top-tier performance, best display and camera quality, the Honor Magic4 Pro is the clear winner, despite the higher price.
- Scenario 3 (Photography/Videography Focused): If you want the most versatile camera system with optical zoom, faster charging and better slow-motion video, and superior DxOmark score, the Honor Magic4 Pro is the better choice. If you require a dedicated macro and wide-angle lens, the OnePlus is the winner.
- Scenario 4 (Daily Commuter): The OnePlus 9R would likely be a better fit if you require a smaller, more compact phone. If you prioritise battery and quick charging, as well as a brighter screen for outdoor use, the Honor Magic4 Pro is better.
What I would choose and why:
I would choose the Honor Magic4 Pro. While the OnePlus 9R is a competent phone, the Honor Magic4 Pro offers a significantly superior experience in several key areas that align with my priorities.
Specifically:
- Performance: As someone who uses my phone for demanding tasks and gaming, the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 is crucial for smooth operation and future-proofing. The 15% higher AnTuTu score of the Magic4 Pro is likely very noticeable.
- Display: The higher resolution, higher pixel density and 1000 nits of brightness is worth the extra investment for a superior viewing experience especially in bright sunlight.
- Camera: While I appreciate the dedicated macro and wide angle lenses of the OnePlus 9R, the Honor Magic4 Pro's larger main sensor, dedicated telephoto lens, and higher DxOMark rating is a significant advantage for me as I take many photos and videos. The Optical zoom is also very useful.
- Charging: The 100W charging and fast wireless charging of the Honor Magic4 Pro make it far more convenient, especially if I forget to charge the phone before leaving for work. The ability to reverse charge is also a very welcome feature.
While the OnePlus 9R is lighter and more compact, the performance, camera, and screen advantages of the Honor Magic4 Pro are worth the trade-off in size and weight. The higher price is acceptable considering the overall enhancements in user experience and features. The improved slow motion video, and laser autofocus are features that I would use often. The superior location accuracy of the Honor Magic4 Pro is also a useful bonus.
