1. Specifications Comparison
Here's a detailed comparison of the OnePlus 9R and Motorola Edge 50 Fusion, focusing on practical implications:
Design
| Feature | OnePlus 9R | Motorola Edge 50 Fusion | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 161 × 74.1 × 8.4 mm | 161.9 × 73.1 × 7.9 mm | The Edge 50 Fusion is slightly taller and narrower, but noticeably thinner, making it potentially more comfortable to hold. The 9R is a bit more bulky |
| Weight | 189g | 174.9g | The Edge 50 Fusion is lighter, which could make a difference during extended use. 14 grams may not sound like a lot, but the effect is felt in the long run |
Display
| Feature | OnePlus 9R | Motorola Edge 50 Fusion | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Size | 6.55" | 6.7" | The Edge 50 Fusion has a slightly larger screen, offering a more immersive viewing experience. The difference is marginal. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2400 | Both have similar sharpness. You likely won't see much difference during regular use |
| Pixel Density (PPI) | 402 | 393 | The 9R has a slightly sharper image on paper, but the real-world difference is almost unnoticeable. |
| Technology | AMOLED | P-OLED | Both technologies provide vibrant colors and deep blacks, offering a great visual experience. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | Smooth scrolling and animations on both devices enhance the overall user experience. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 1600 nits | The Edge 50 Fusion is much brighter, making it significantly easier to see in bright outdoor conditions. This is a critical advantage for visibility |
Performance
| Feature | OnePlus 9R | Motorola Edge 50 Fusion | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 870 5G (7nm) | Qualcomm Snapdragon 7s Gen 2 (4nm) | The 9R's chipset is slightly more powerful for demanding tasks and gaming. Although it's a 7nm vs a 4nm CPU, it's negligibly better in reality. |
| AnTuTu Score | 821,600 | 776,541 | The 9R is marginally faster, but the difference is not night and day. Both offer acceptable performance. |
| GPU | Adreno 650 | Adreno 710 | The Adreno 650 is generally considered to be a better GPU in reality. |
Camera
| Feature | OnePlus 9R | Motorola Edge 50 Fusion | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main Camera | 48MP, f/1.7, 1/2" | 50MP, f/1.8, 1/1.56" | The Edge 50 Fusion has a larger sensor, likely resulting in better low-light performance and less digital noise. |
| Selfie Camera | 16MP, f/2.4, 1/3.13" | 32MP, f/2.45, 1/3.14" | The Edge 50 Fusion has a higher resolution for detailed selfies, but might not perform better in low light than the 9R. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 16MP, f/2.2, 1/3.09" | Not Available | The 9R has a dedicated wide-angle lens for capturing more in the frame; the Edge 50 Fusion combines ultrawide and macro into one |
| Portrait Lens | 2MP, f/2.4 | Not Available | The 9R has a dedicated depth lens for portrait mode, which the Edge 50 Fusion lacks. |
| Macro Lens | 5MP, f/2.4 | Not Available | The 9R has a dedicated macro lens for close-up shots. |
| Wide Angle + Macro Lens | Not Available | 13MP, f/2.2, 1/3" | The Edge 50 Fusion uses a combined lens for macro and ultrawide photography, allowing for more versatility in different shooting scenarios. |
| Video Recording | Up to 4K@60fps with HDR, EIS | Up to 4K@30fps with EIS | The 9R can record at 4K 60 fps, while the Edge 50 Fusion records 4k at 30 fps with EIS. Both offer EIS for smoother videos. Edge 50 Fusion has a higher slow-mo frame rate. |
| Camera Features | Quadruple camera, OIS, RAW | Dual camera, OIS, Time-Lapse, Dual capture, Night Mode | The 9R has a dedicated setup for ultrawide, depth and macro shots. The Edge 50 Fusion has dual capture for photos with both lenses, and a time-lapse functionality, and a night mode. |
Battery
| Feature | OnePlus 9R | Motorola Edge 50 Fusion | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 4500mAh | 5000mAh | The Edge 50 Fusion has a significantly larger battery, likely offering better battery life, especially under heavy usage. |
| Charging | 65W Fast Charging | 68W Fast Charging | Both phones have rapid charging, with the Edge 50 Fusion being negligibly faster, not much practical difference. |
| Battery Features | Non-removable | Reverse charging, Non-removable | The Edge 50 Fusion has reverse charging, allowing it to charge other devices. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
OnePlus 9R Advantages:
- Slightly Stronger Processing Power: The Snapdragon 870 chipset offers marginally better performance than the 7s Gen 2 in benchmarks, although this isn't an obvious difference in everyday use.
- Dedicated Camera Lenses: The 9R includes dedicated lenses for ultrawide, macro, and depth, potentially offering more flexibility for specific photo types.
- 4K@60FPS Video Recording: The 9R's ability to record in 4K at 60 fps is a plus for videography enthusiasts.
- Audio Features: The 9R has noise cancellation microphone.
Motorola Edge 50 Fusion Advantages:
- Significantly Better Screen Brightness: The 1600 nits brightness is a huge advantage for visibility in bright sunlight.
- Larger Battery: The 5000mAh battery will likely offer longer battery life, a practical advantage for all users.
- Newer Software: Comes with Android 14 out of the box, and is planned to be supported for longer.
- Faster WiFi Speeds: Supports WiFi 6E.
- More Storage Options: Available in up to 512 GB of storage.
- eSIM Support: Useful for travelers or for managing multiple numbers.
- Better Screen Protection: Gorilla Glass 5 offers better protection than what the 9R has.
- Reverse Charging: The ability to charge other devices is a convenient feature.
- Combined Wide-Angle Macro Lens: Offers versatility in shooting.
- Higher Resolution Selfie Camera: For higher quality selfies.
Significant Trade-offs:
- OnePlus 9R: Loses out on screen brightness, battery life and newer features such as an eSIM or WiFi 6E.
- Motorola Edge 50 Fusion: Lacks dedicated depth, macro, and ultrawide lenses, as well as 4k 60 fps recording, potentially limiting versatility.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
OnePlus 9R Ideal User:
- Users who prefer slightly more raw performance (although in reality the performance is quite similar), and appreciate specific camera lenses.
- Users who can live with a lower screen brightness and a smaller battery capacity.
Users who prefer to rely on a slightly older device with a dedicated depth sensor.
Use Cases: Mobile gamers, users who frequently use multiple camera lenses, users who prefer slightly older devices.
Motorola Edge 50 Fusion Ideal User:
- Users who prioritize display visibility in outdoor settings, longer battery life, and a newer Android version.
- Users who value the convenience of reverse charging and eSIM capabilities.
- Users who prefer a more versatile macro/ultrawide lens combination.
- Users who prioritize better screen protection.
Users who prefer more storage capacity.
Use Cases: Outdoor enthusiasts, frequent travelers, users who want a phone that can last all day without needing to recharge, and users who care about newer OS features.
Price-to-Value Ratio:
- Assuming both phones are priced competitively in the same bracket, the Motorola Edge 50 Fusion offers a slightly better overall value due to its modern features, higher battery capacity, significantly better screen brightness, and expandable storage options.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- How important is screen brightness for outdoor visibility? (A critical question if you spend time outdoors)
- Do I need the added convenience of a larger battery and reverse charging? (If you are a heavy user, then the larger battery is critical)
- Which camera setup better suits my photography style – dedicated lenses or the versatility of a combined lens? (If you take a lot of depth, macro, and ultrawide photos, the 9R is good. If you prefer to shoot macro and ultrawide on one lens, the Edge 50 Fusion is better).
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Outdoor Enthusiast - If you spend a lot of time outdoors, the Motorola Edge 50 Fusion with its significantly higher screen brightness is the clear winner.
- Scenario 2: Heavy User - The Edge 50 Fusion's larger battery capacity and reverse charging make it a better choice for users who need all-day battery life and the ability to charge other devices.
- Scenario 3: Casual Photographer - If you aren't a serious photographer, the camera set-up isn't really too different. The Edge 50 Fusion has a better main sensor and a higher res selfie camera, but the 9R has 3 dedicated sensors.
- Scenario 4: Mobile Gaming- The 9R would be a better fit due to its slightly more powerful CPU and dedicated GPU.
My Choice
If I had to choose between the OnePlus 9R and the Motorola Edge 50 Fusion, I would choose the Motorola Edge 50 Fusion. The significantly brighter screen, the larger battery capacity, eSIM support, and the more recent software are compelling reasons. While the OnePlus 9R offers marginally better raw performance, the real world difference isn't that great. The added features of reverse charging and expandable storage of the Edge 50 Fusion also push me more towards that phone. The updated OS and planned updates also mean I will be able to use the device for longer, whereas the 9R is nearing the end of its software support. For me, the better display and battery life of the Edge 50 Fusion are more useful for daily usage. Ultimately, the Edge 50 Fusion presents a more well-rounded package with better all-around features for a more recent device, and is therefore the better purchase of the two in my opinion.
