1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | OnePlus 9R | Huawei nova 9 SE | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 161 × 74.1 × 8.4 mm | 164.6 × 75.6 × 7.9 mm | The Nova 9 SE is slightly taller and wider, while the 9R is thicker, but the differences are minor. Minimal impact on handling. |
| Weight | 189g | 191g | Both are nearly identical in weight, so neither is significantly heavier to carry. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.55" | 6.78" | The Nova 9 SE has a slightly larger screen, which is good for media consumption and multitasking. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2388 | Both have similar resolutions; sharpness is nearly identical for typical use. |
| PPI | 402 | 387 | Both are very sharp; differences in pixel density are not usually noticeable to the naked eye at this range. |
| Technology | AMOLED | IPS LCD | AMOLED on the 9R provides richer colors, deeper blacks, and better viewing angles, also saving battery when using dark themes. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 90Hz | The 120Hz refresh rate on the 9R offers smoother scrolling and animations, making the phone feel more responsive. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 0 nits | Peak brightness is not available, making a direct comparison on screen visibility in sunlight challenging. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Snapdragon 870 5G (7 nm) | Snapdragon 680 4G (6 nm) | The Snapdragon 870 in the 9R is significantly more powerful, leading to much better app performance, multitasking, and gaming. |
| AnTuTu Score | 821,600 | 248,000 | The 9R is much faster for demanding apps and games, based on benchmark scores. |
| GPU | Adreno 650 | Adreno 610 | The Adreno 650 in the 9R enables superior graphical performance for high-fidelity games and intensive applications. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 4500mAh | 4000mAh | The 9R’s larger battery should provide longer usage on a single charge, especially when paired with the more efficient AMOLED screen. |
| Charging | 65W Fast Charging | 66W Fast Charging | Both offer very fast charging, with slightly better results from the Huawei. |
| Features | Non-removable | Reverse charging, Non-removable | The Nova 9 SE can be used to charge other devices. |
| Camera | |||
| Standard | 48MP, f/1.7, 1/2", 0.8µm | 108MP, f/1.9, 1/1.52", 0.7µm | The Nova 9 SE has a higher resolution, but the 9R's wider aperture and larger pixels may lead to better low-light performance. |
| Selfie | 16MP, f/2.4, 1/3.13", 1.0µm | 16MP, f/2.2 | The Nova 9 SE’s wider aperture might give slightly better low-light selfies. |
| Wide Angle | 16MP, f/2.2, 1/3.09", 1.0µm | N/A | The 9R has a dedicated wide-angle lens for capturing broader scenes, which is missing on the Nova 9 SE. |
| Depth | 2MP, f/2.4 | 2MP, f/2.4 | Both have identical depth sensors for portrait photos. |
| Macro | 5MP, f/2.4 | 2MP, f/2.4 | The 9R's macro lens has a higher resolution, capturing more detail in very close-up shots. |
| Wide Angle + Macro | N/A | 8MP, f/2.2 | The Nova 9 SE has an additional wide angle + macro lens. |
| Video | 4K@60fps, HDR, EIS, Slow-motion 240fps | 1080p@30fps, EIS, Slow-motion 960fps | The 9R can record in higher-quality 4K video, the Nova 9 SE supports 960fps slo-mo |
| Features | OIS, 4K, RAW, PDAF | Ultra Stable Video, Night Mode, 4K, RAW, PDAF | The 9R has Optical Image Stabilization (OIS), for better video and low-light pictures, while the Nova 9 SE is better for stable videos and night shots |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 10 (Upgradable to 13) | Android 11 | The 9R is older but can be upgraded to Android 13, the Nova 9 SE is on Android 11, and there's no confirmation of future upgrades. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | WiFi 6 | WiFi 6 | Both support the latest WiFi standards. |
| Bluetooth | 5.1 LE | 5.0 | The 9R has a newer Bluetooth version offering faster and more energy-efficient connections. |
| GPS | L1+L5 | L1 | The 9R has a more advanced GPS system (L1+L5) providing better accuracy, especially in urban areas. |
| SIM | Dual SIM Dual Standby | Dual SIM Dual Standby | Both support dual SIM capabilities for using two numbers. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 128/256GB | 128/256GB | Both offer the same storage options. |
| RAM | 8/12GB | 6/8GB | The 9R has more RAM in its higher configuration, enabling better multitasking. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither phone supports microSD card expansion. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Dolby Atmos, Stereo Speakers, Noise Cancellation Mic | Basic audio features | The 9R provides better audio with spatial sound and clear calls and clearer sound for media consumption compared to the basic sound of the Nova 9 SE. |
| Security | |||
| Features | basic fingerprint sensor | side-mounted fingerprint sensor | The Nova 9 SE has a side-mounted fingerprint sensor which is usually more convenient and faster than a basic sensor. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Unknown | Unknown | Screen protection is unknown, a concern for phone protection. |
| Sensors | Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Fingerprint sensor, Proximity sensor | Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Fingerprint sensor, Proximity sensor | Both offer a comprehensive suite of sensors suitable for advanced features and gaming. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
OnePlus 9R Advantages:
- Superior Performance: The Snapdragon 870 is significantly faster than the Snapdragon 680 in the Nova 9 SE, resulting in smoother overall experience, better gaming, and more efficient multitasking.
- Better Display: The AMOLED panel provides richer colors, deeper blacks, and superior contrast than the IPS LCD on the Nova 9 SE.
- Higher Refresh Rate: The 120Hz display is smoother and more responsive than the 90Hz display on the Nova 9 SE.
- Better Main Camera: The main camera of the 9R is better in low-light scenarios due to a wider aperture.
- Advanced GPS: Offers more precise GPS location tracking with L1+L5 dual band.
- Better Audio: Features Dolby Atmos, Stereo Speakers, and Noise Cancellation for enhanced audio experience.
- More RAM: Higher RAM options ensure smoother multitasking and better performance.
- Better Video quality: 4k recording at higher FPS
- Optical Image Stabilization (OIS) For better image and video clarity.
Huawei nova 9 SE Advantages:
- Larger Screen: Slightly bigger display is great for media consumption.
- Higher Resolution Main Camera: 108MP sensor is better for high-resolution photos, though low-light performance may not be as good.
- Reverse Charging: The phone can charge other devices.
- Ultra Stable Video: For better video clarity
- Night Mode: For better low light photography.
- Wider Aperture Selfie Camera: For better selfie performance in low-light conditions
- Wide angle + Macro lens
Significant Trade-offs:
- OnePlus 9R: Older device (launched in 2021) with slightly lower main camera resolution but better low light performance, lacks reverse charging, and might not have as many camera features such as ultra stable video and night mode.
- Huawei nova 9 SE: Significantly less powerful chipset, an LCD screen that is not as vibrant, a lower refresh rate, older Bluetooth version and limited GPS band, making it a less premium experience for high-performance tasks.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
OnePlus 9R Ideal Users:
- Gamers: The powerful chipset and high refresh rate display are perfect for smooth, high-fidelity gaming.
- Power Users: Those who multitask heavily and need fast app loading times, the 9R's superior performance makes it ideal.
- Media Consumers: The AMOLED display and enhanced audio makes it great for watching videos and listening to music.
- Photography enthusiasts: The OIS makes it suitable for better photography
- Users who want a smoother experience: 120Hz refresh rate offers a more fluid experience.
Huawei nova 9 SE Ideal Users:
- Casual Users: Ideal for daily tasks like browsing, social media, and light media consumption.
- Battery Conscious Users: The reverse charging feature is valuable for those who need to charge other devices on the go.
- Users who need a good selfie camera: The wider aperture selfie camera is suitable for capturing better selfies in low light.
- Users on a budget: This phone targets budget-conscious buyers who don't need the highest performance.
- Users who need a versatile camera The wide angle+ macro lens may be useful to some users
Specific Use Cases:
- OnePlus 9R: High-end mobile gaming, video editing, heavy app usage, watching HDR content, users who value smooth multitasking.
- Huawei nova 9 SE: Social media, everyday browsing, casual photography, light gaming, users who like to charge other devices.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- How important is performance and gaming? If you want the best mobile performance, then the OnePlus 9R is the better choice.
- How much do you care about display quality? The AMOLED display of the OnePlus 9R provides a much better visual experience than the LCD of the Nova 9 SE.
- What is your camera usage? If you take lots of pictures, then the Nova 9 SE would be suitable thanks to its 108MP camera. If you record videos, the 9R has better quality.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- For Gamers/Power Users: Choose the OnePlus 9R for its superior chipset and high refresh rate.
- For Casual Users/Budget Users: The Huawei nova 9 SE is a more cost-effective choice for basic smartphone tasks.
- For Media Enthusiasts: The OnePlus 9R's AMOLED screen and enhanced audio would be more suitable for watching videos and listening to music.
- For camera enthusiasts: The Huawei Nova 9 SE is more suitable for its better main camera resolution, the ultra stable video and the wide angle+macro lens, while the OnePlus 9R is good for better low-light shots thanks to its larger aperture.
My Choice:
If I had to choose, I would pick the OnePlus 9R. The significant performance difference with the Snapdragon 870 is a crucial factor for me, as I value smooth multitasking and gaming. Additionally, the superior AMOLED display of the 9R is a huge advantage for media consumption. While the Huawei nova 9 SE has a larger screen, better main camera resolution, reverse charging, a wide angle + macro lens and a slightly better selfie camera, the 9R's overall package is more appealing to me due to the better display and significantly better performance.
