1. Specifications Comparison
Design
| Feature | OnePlus 9R | Motorola Edge 30 | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Dimensions | 161 × 74.1 × 8.4 mm | 159.4 × 74.2 × 6.8 mm | OnePlus 9R is slightly taller and thicker, while Motorola Edge 30 is thinner and lighter. Motorola is more pocketable. |
| Weight | 189g | 155g | Motorola Edge 30 is significantly lighter, making it more comfortable for extended use. |
| Build Quality | Unknown screen protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | Motorola Edge 30 has better screen scratch and shatter protection. |
Display
| Feature | OnePlus 9R | Motorola Edge 30 | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Size | 6.55" | 6.5" | Minimal difference in screen size, negligible in day-to-day use. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2400 | Identical sharpness; both screens are very detailed. |
| PPI | 402 | 405 | Virtually indistinguishable pixel density; both screens look crisp. |
| Technology | AMOLED | AMOLED | Vibrant colors and deep blacks on both screens. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 144Hz | Motorola Edge 30 provides slightly smoother animations and scrolling. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 0 nits | Both phones have identical brightness. (Note: Brightness is likely not 0. This is a data error). |
Performance
| Feature | OnePlus 9R | Motorola Edge 30 | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 870 (7 nm) | Qualcomm Snapdragon 778G+ (6 nm) | OnePlus 9R offers more processing power for demanding tasks and games. |
| AnTuTu Score | 821,600 | 609,900 | OnePlus 9R demonstrates better overall performance in benchmark tests, resulting in snappier responsiveness. |
| GPU | Adreno 650 | Adreno 642L | OnePlus 9R has a more powerful GPU, better for graphic-intensive games. |
Camera
| Feature | OnePlus 9R | Motorola Edge 30 | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Standard Camera | 48MP, f/1.7, 1/2", Sony IMX586, 0.8µm | 50MP, f/1.8, 1/1.55", Omnivision OV50A, 1.0µm | Motorola Edge 30 has a slightly larger sensor and larger pixel size for better low light and dynamic range, despite slightly lower aperture. |
| Selfie Camera | 16MP, f/2.4, 1/3.13", Sony IMX471, 1.0µm | 32MP, f/2.25, 1/3.14", Samsung JD1, 0.7µm | Motorola Edge 30's higher resolution selfie camera captures more detailed selfies. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 16MP, f/2.2, 1/3.09", Sony IMX481, 1.0µm | None | OnePlus 9R has a dedicated wide-angle lens for capturing expansive scenes. |
| Portrait Camera | 2MP, f/2.4, | 2MP, f/2.4, 1.75µm | Both have similar depth sensors for portrait mode. |
| Macro Lens | 5MP, f/2.4 | None | OnePlus 9R has a dedicated macro lens for close-up shots. |
| Wide Angle + Macro | None | 50MP, f/2.2, 1/2.76", Samsung S5KJN1, 0.64 µm | Motorola Edge 30 has a combined ultra-wide and macro lens, offering more versatility. |
| Video | Up to 4K@60fps, HDR, EIS, Slow-motion 240fps | Up to 4K@30fps, HDR, EIS, Slow-motion 960fps | Both offer excellent video recording. Motorola has a higher slow-motion frame rate. |
| Camera Features | Quadruple camera, OIS, PDAF, etc | Triple camera, Night Mode, OIS, PDAF, etc | Motorola has a dedicated night mode for improved low-light images. The OnePlus 9R has an additional camera for depth of field. |
| Camera dxoMark | Not available | Not available | No direct comparison in terms of photo quality. |
Battery
| Feature | OnePlus 9R | Motorola Edge 30 | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Capacity | 4500mAh | 4020mAh | OnePlus 9R has a slightly larger battery, potentially offering better battery life. |
| Charging | 65W fast charging | 33W fast charging | OnePlus 9R can recharge its battery much faster. |
| Features | Non-removable | Non-removable | Standard non-removable batteries for both. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
OnePlus 9R Advantages:
- Stronger Performance: The Snapdragon 870 offers significantly better CPU and GPU performance, making it suitable for demanding games and multitasking.
- Faster Charging: 65W charging is significantly faster than the 33W charging of the Motorola Edge 30, meaning less time plugged into the wall.
- More Versatile Camera System: Inclusion of dedicated macro and wide-angle lenses, offers more shooting options.
- Larger Battery: Slightly higher capacity battery translates to potentially longer usage.
Motorola Edge 30 Advantages:
- Lighter and Thinner: More comfortable for extended use, especially for one-handed operation and carrying in the pocket.
- Smoother Display: Higher 144Hz refresh rate results in smoother visuals, especially during scrolling and fast-paced games.
- Better Main Camera Sensor: Larger sensor and pixels on the main camera typically translate to better low-light performance.
- Better Selfies: Higher resolution, wider aperture on the front facing camera.
- Newer Android Version: Comes with Android 12 out of the box, which may provide better security, privacy, and functionality.
- Better Screen Protection: Comes with Gorilla Glass 3.
Trade-offs
- OnePlus 9R: Trades portability and refresh rate for performance and camera versatility.
- Motorola Edge 30: Trades processing power, battery life, and charging speed for a more modern operating system, a sleeker design, higher refresh rate, and a more modern camera sensor.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
OnePlus 9R:
- Ideal User: Gamers, power users, and photography enthusiasts who prioritize performance and camera flexibility.
- Use Cases: Mobile gaming, video editing, capturing varied shots with different lenses, multitasking, extended usage without frequent charging.
- Value: Excellent performance-to-price ratio for users who need a high-performing device.
Motorola Edge 30:
- Ideal User: Users who value a sleek design, smoother display, better camera for general use, and the latest operating system.
- Use Cases: Social media, everyday tasks, smooth scrolling, video consumption, taking selfies, and general photography.
- Value: Suitable for users who prioritize a refined user experience, portability, and a good camera for everyday tasks.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- Performance Needs: How important is top-tier gaming and multitasking performance for you?
- Portability and Feel: Do you value a lightweight and sleek design over raw performance?
- Camera Preference: Do you want a dedicated zoom, wide-angle and macro lenses, or do you value better low-light photos from the main camera and better selfies?
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Mobile Gaming Enthusiast: Choose the OnePlus 9R for its superior chipset and GPU, and fast charging.
- Scenario 2: Everyday User with Focus on Design & Screen: Choose the Motorola Edge 30 for its lighter build, smoother display and newer OS.
- Scenario 3: Photography Enthusiast: Choose the OnePlus 9R for its versatility and macro lens, unless you prefer low light performance and better selfies.
- Scenario 4: All-rounder: Choose the Motorola Edge 30 for it's balanced user experience, or the OnePlus 9R if you want a boost in performance.
My Choice
If I had to choose, I would pick the Motorola Edge 30. While the OnePlus 9R has a significant advantage in processing power, I believe the Motorola Edge 30 offers a more balanced user experience for my needs. The lighter design, smoother display, better main camera sensor, newer operating system, and better selfie camera all appeal to me for my everyday use. I value these features over raw performance for my daily tasks and social media engagement, and even though the OnePlus 9R has the better battery life, the 33W charging speed is acceptable for me. However, if raw performance was my priority, or I played intensive games on my phone often, the OnePlus 9R would be my choice.
