1. Specifications Comparison
Design
| Feature | OnePlus 9R | Motorola Edge 20 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 161 x 74.1 x 8.4 mm | 163 x 76 x 7 mm | Motorola Edge 20 is taller and wider, but thinner. OnePlus 9R has a larger overall volume, and may feel bulkier. |
| Weight | 189g | 163g | Motorola Edge 20 is significantly lighter, making it more comfortable for extended use. |
| Build Quality | Unknown Screen Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | Motorola Edge 20 offers better screen protection against scratches and minor impacts. |
Display
| Feature | OnePlus 9R | Motorola Edge 20 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Size | 6.55" | 6.7" | Motorola Edge 20 has a slightly larger screen, potentially offering a more immersive viewing experience. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2400 | Both phones offer the same level of sharpness and detail. |
| PPI | 402 | 385 | Both phones have very similar pixel density, meaning the screens appear equally sharp in typical usage. |
| Technology | AMOLED | OLED | Both screens offer vibrant colors and deep blacks. The difference is minimal in real-world scenarios. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 144Hz | Motorola Edge 20 has a slightly smoother scrolling experience, though the difference may not be noticeable for all users. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 0 nits | Unable to determine real world impact due to missing data. |
Performance
| Feature | OnePlus 9R | Motorola Edge 20 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 870 5G | Qualcomm Snapdragon 778G 5G | OnePlus 9R offers significantly better performance for demanding tasks such as gaming and video editing. |
| AnTuTu Score | 821,600 | 589,200 | The OnePlus 9R provides much faster app loading times, smoother multitasking, and enhanced gaming performance due to a higher benchmark score. |
| GPU | Adreno 650 | Adreno 642L | The Adreno 650 in the OnePlus 9R will offer better graphical performance, especially for gaming. |
Camera
| Feature | OnePlus 9R | Motorola Edge 20 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main Camera | 48MP, f/1.7, 1/2", Sony IMX586, 0.8µm | 108MP, f/1.9, 1/1.52", Samsung S5KHM2, 0.7µm | Motorola Edge 20 has higher resolution for more detail. OnePlus 9R has a slightly wider aperture for better low-light performance, and larger pixel size. The larger sensor size on the Motorola Edge 20 will provide a larger light gathering area. |
| Selfie Camera | 16MP, f/2.4, 1/3.13", Sony IMX471, 1.0µm | 32MP, f/2.3, 0.7µm | Motorola Edge 20 offers higher resolution selfies. The wider aperture of the Motorola Edge 20 means slightly better low-light selfies. |
| Telephoto Lens | No | 8MP, f/2.4 | Motorola Edge 20 has a dedicated telephoto lens for better zoom capabilities. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 16MP, f/2.2, 1/3.09", Sony IMX481, 1.0µm | No | OnePlus 9R features a dedicated wide-angle lens for capturing more in a scene. |
| Portrait Mode (Depth) | 2MP, f/2.4 | No | OnePlus 9R has a dedicated depth sensor to improve portrait mode. |
| Macro Lens | 5MP, f/2.4 | No | OnePlus 9R has a dedicated macro lens for close-up photography. |
| Wide Angle + Macro | No | 16MP, f/2.2 | Motorola Edge 20 has a combined wide-angle and macro lens, offering flexibility |
| Video Recording | Up to 4K@60fps with HDR, EIS | Up to 4K@30fps with EIS | OnePlus 9R offers 60fps recording at 4K, allowing for smoother videos, both offer electronic image stabilization (EIS). |
| Slow-Motion | Yes, 240 fps | Yes, 960fps | The Motorola Edge 20 offers more extreme slow-motion capture. |
| Camera Features | Quadruple camera, Optical Stabilization (OIS), Phase detection autofocus (PDAF), RAW | Optical zoom, Triple camera | OnePlus 9R has OIS for less shaky videos, and a more versatile camera system, including RAW capture for image editing. Motorola Edge 20 has optical zoom for better long distance image capture. |
Battery
| Feature | OnePlus 9R | Motorola Edge 20 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 4500 mAh | 4020 mAh | OnePlus 9R has a slightly larger battery, potentially offering better battery life. |
| Charging | 65W Fast Charging | 30W Fast Charging | OnePlus 9R charges significantly faster, reducing downtime. |
| Battery Features | Non-removable | Reverse Charging, Non-removable | Motorola Edge 20 can act as a power bank for other devices, both phones do not offer removable batteries. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
OnePlus 9R Advantages:
- Significantly Higher Performance: The Snapdragon 870 chipset and Adreno 650 GPU provides a substantial performance advantage, making it better for gaming, multitasking, and resource-intensive apps.
- Faster Charging: 65W charging dramatically reduces charging times compared to the Motorola's 30W charging.
- More Versatile Camera System: Features a dedicated wide-angle lens, macro lens, and depth sensor for more creative photography options. Offers RAW image capture for editing, and Optical Image Stabilization for video.
- Better Audio: Includes stereo speakers, Dolby Atmos, and a noise-canceling microphone providing superior audio playback and call quality.
- More RAM Option: Offers 12GB RAM for heavy multitasking.
- More Accurate GPS: Supports more satellite systems for more accurate location tracking.
- Better Video: Records 4k videos at 60FPS with EIS.
- More Software Updates: Although older initially, the OnePlus 9R will receive android 13.
Motorola Edge 20 Advantages:
- Lighter and Thinner Design: More comfortable to hold and carry for extended periods.
- Newer Bluetooth: Includes newer Bluetooth 5.2 for more advanced wireless connections.
- Higher Refresh Rate Display: 144Hz offers a slightly smoother visual experience.
- Better Main Camera Resolution: 108MP camera captures more detailed photos. The larger sensor may also provide better low light results, when pixel binning is applied.
- Dedicated Telephoto Lens: Offers better zoom capabilities compared to OnePlus 9R.
- Wider Selfie Lens: Offers slightly better low light selfies.
- Reverse Charging: Can be used to charge other devices.
- Combined Wide Angle + Macro Lens: Increased flexibility for wide angle and macro photography
- Superior Screen Protection: Corning Gorilla Glass 3 adds extra protection against scratches.
- Extreme Slow Motion: Offers higher slow motion recording capabilities, capturing 960 fps.
Significant Trade-offs:
- Performance vs. Portability: The OnePlus 9R prioritizes performance, while the Motorola Edge 20 focuses on a lighter, more portable design.
- Charging Speed vs. Battery Features: OnePlus 9R provides faster charging, while the Motorola Edge 20 offers reverse charging.
- Camera Versatility vs. Zoom: The OnePlus 9R excels in versatile photography, whereas the Motorola Edge 20 offers better zoom.
- Camera Quality: The difference in main camera image quality will vary due to the different sensors, processing algorithms, and lens specifications.
- Audio Quality vs. Design: The OnePlus 9R has a more premium audio experience and is thicker, while the Motorola Edge 20 offers basic audio capabilities but is thinner.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
OnePlus 9R Ideal Users:
- Gamers: The powerful chipset, GPU, and higher RAM make this an ideal choice for mobile gamers.
- Power Users: Those who multitask frequently or use resource-intensive applications will benefit from its higher performance.
- Photography Enthusiasts: Users who want a versatile camera system with more options and manual control would appreciate the features on the OnePlus 9R
- Users who value fast charging: Those who want to get their phone charged as quickly as possible
- Multimedia Consumers: Enjoy high quality media with Dolby Atmos speakers.
Motorola Edge 20 Ideal Users:
- Users who value portability: Those who want a light and thin phone that is comfortable to carry.
- Casual Photographers: Users who want a basic yet capable camera system with good zoom capabilities for everyday photography.
- Social Media Content Creators: Benefit from the higher resolution selfie camera.
- Users who want a stylish design: Those who value design and aesthetics.
- Users that want the latest bluetooth connectivity.
Specific Use Cases:
- OnePlus 9R:
- Playing graphics-intensive games (e.g., Genshin Impact, Call of Duty Mobile).
- Video editing on the go.
- Taking photos in various situations using different lenses and editing RAW.
- Fast-paced multitasking with many applications.
- Motorola Edge 20:
- Casual daily usage with web browsing and social media.
- Taking photos and videos for social media.
- Traveling, due to its light and portable design.
- Extended video calls, due to lighter weight and reverse charging.
Price-to-Value Ratio:
- The OnePlus 9R generally offers a stronger price-to-performance ratio, especially if performance and a versatile camera are a priority.
- The Motorola Edge 20 may be appealing to those who value portability and a better display, but it costs more for less performance.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions to Consider:
- Do you prioritize performance or portability? If performance for gaming and heavy tasks is a must, the OnePlus 9R is the clear choice. If you value a light and thin phone that is comfortable to carry, the Motorola Edge 20 is better suited.
- How important is the camera system and its features to you? If you need a versatile camera system with many shooting options and a wide-angle lens, the OnePlus 9R is preferable. If you need better zoom capabilities and a higher resolution camera, the Motorola Edge 20 is the better option.
- How important is fast charging and long-lasting battery? If fast charging is a high priority, the OnePlus 9R with its 65W charging is more suitable. If the ability to charge other devices is more important, the Motorola Edge 20 with reverse charging is better.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Mobile Gamer/Power User
- Recommendation: OnePlus 9R. The superior performance and RAM will provide a better gaming and multitasking experience.
- Scenario 2: Casual User who Values Portability
- Recommendation: Motorola Edge 20. The lighter design, high refresh rate display, and reasonable camera system are a good fit for this user.
- Scenario 3: Photography Enthusiast
- Recommendation: OnePlus 9R. The wider range of lens options, RAW capture, and OIS, make it more suitable for a wider range of photography styles.
- Scenario 4: Budget Conscious User
- Recommendation: OnePlus 9R. The better specifications for the price outweigh the advantages of the Motorola Edge 20.
My Choice and Why
I would choose the OnePlus 9R.
Here's why:
- Performance is Key: As someone who uses my phone for a lot of multitasking, app testing, and occasional gaming, the Snapdragon 870 chipset and Adreno 650 GPU on the OnePlus 9R would provide a much smoother and more enjoyable experience. The higher performance for a lower price point is a big draw for me.
- Versatile Camera: While the 108MP sensor on the Motorola Edge 20 is impressive, the OnePlus 9R's full range of lenses, including a dedicated wide-angle, macro, and depth sensor, offers more creative possibilities. The inclusion of OIS for video is also a critical feature for me, and I like having RAW capture available.
- Fast Charging: The 65W fast charging is a significant convenience and reduces the worry of running out of battery, whereas the 30W charging speed is underwhelming.
- Better Audio Experience: I like listening to media and often prefer not to use headphones. The Dolby Atmos and stereo speakers provide an immersive experience.
- Software Updates: The android 13 software update will allow my phone to have a longer use lifespan.
While the Motorola Edge 20 has a sleeker design, higher refresh rate display, and a newer bluetooth version, these benefits do not outweigh the performance, camera capabilities, and fast charging offered by the OnePlus 9R, which I feel would greatly enhance my user experience overall. The OnePlus 9R also offers a better price-to-performance ratio.
