1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | OnePlus 9R | Motorola Edge 50 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Launch Date | 2021-04-14 | 2024-04-08 | Motorola is significantly newer, with updated tech. |
| Dimensions | 161 × 74.1 × 8.4 mm | 161.2 × 72.4 × 8.2 mm | Motorola is slightly narrower and thinner, potentially feeling more comfortable in hand. |
| Weight | 189g | 186g | Both are very similar in weight, negligible difference. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.55" | 6.7" | Motorola's larger screen provides more viewing area for media and productivity. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1220x2712 | Motorola's higher resolution makes images and text noticeably sharper. |
| Pixel Density | 402 PPI | 446 PPI | Motorola offers a slightly crisper image due to higher pixel density. |
| Technology | AMOLED | P-OLED | Both offer vibrant colors and deep blacks; similar viewing experience. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 144Hz | Motorola's higher refresh rate results in smoother animations, especially in gaming. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 2000 nits | Motorola is far superior in bright sunlight visibility. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 870 5G (7nm) | Qualcomm Snapdragon 7 Gen 3 (4nm) | Motorola's newer chip offers better efficiency and marginally better performance. |
| AnTuTu Score | 821,600 | 866,863 | Motorola has a slightly better benchmark score, translating to marginally smoother performance. |
| GPU | Adreno 650 | Adreno 720 | Motorola’s Adreno 720 is newer and offers better graphics performance. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 4500mAh | 4500mAh | Both should provide similar battery life under normal use. |
| Charging | 65W Fast Charging | 125W Fast Charging | Motorola charges significantly faster, minimizing downtime. |
| Features | Non-removable | Reverse charging, Non-removable, 50W wireless charging, 10W reverse wireless charging | Motorola offers additional convenience features like wireless charging and reverse charging. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 48MP, f/1.7 | 50MP, f/1.4 | Motorola's wider aperture allows for better low-light performance; slightly higher resolution. |
| Selfie Camera | 16MP, f/2.4 | 50MP, f/1.9 | Motorola offers significantly higher resolution and better low-light selfies. |
| Telephoto Lens | None | 10MP, f/2.0 | Motorola has a dedicated zoom lens for better optical zoom. |
| Wide-Angle Lens | 16MP, f/2.2 | 13MP, f/2.2 | OnePlus has slightly higher resolution wide-angle images. |
| Portrait Lens | 2MP, f/2.4 | None | OnePlus has a dedicated depth sensor for portrait shots. |
| Macro Lens | 5MP, f/2.4 | None | OnePlus has a dedicated macro lens for close-up shots. |
| Video | 4K@60fps, EIS, HDR | 4K@30fps, EIS, HDR | OnePlus offers 4k@60fps while Motorola 4k@30fps |
| Camera Features | Quadruple camera, OIS, PDAF, RAW | Triple camera, OIS, PDAF, Time-lapse, Night Mode, Dual Capture, Optical Zoom | Motorola offers more versatile shooting modes and optical zoom. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 10 (Upgradable to 13) | Android 14 (Upgradable to 17) | Motorola offers a newer, more feature-rich and secure Android version. |
| Connectivity | |||
| WiFi | WiFi 6 | WiFi 7 | Motorola offers faster, more reliable WiFi connectivity with newer standards and the 6GHz band. |
| Bluetooth | 5.1 | 5.4 | Motorola provides a newer version with improved performance. |
| SIM | Dual Nano SIM | Dual Nano SIM + eSIM | Motorola provides eSIM support for flexibility in carrier selection. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 128GB/256GB | 256GB/512GB/1024GB | Motorola offers significantly more storage options. |
| RAM | 8GB/12GB | 12GB/16GB | Motorola provides higher RAM options for smoother multitasking. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither offers expandable storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Audio | Dolby Atmos, Stereo Speakers, Noise Cancellation Mic | Dolby Atmos, Stereo Speakers, 3 Mics | Both have good audio; Motorola has 3 microphones. |
| Security | |||
| Security | Basic Fingerprint Sensor | Basic Fingerprint Sensor | Both offer basic fingerprint security. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Unknown | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus | Motorola's screen is significantly more resistant to scratches and drops. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
OnePlus 9R Advantages:
- Dedicated Macro Lens: Offers close-up photography.
- Portrait Lens: Offers better portrait photography with depth effect.
- 4k@60fps video recording: Allows for smoother high quality video recording.
Motorola Edge 50 Pro Advantages:
- Newer Technology: Launched almost 3 years later, with newer chipset and display.
- Superior Display: Higher resolution, better outdoor visibility (brightness), and a smoother refresh rate.
- Faster Charging: Significantly faster wired charging and wireless charging.
- More Versatile Camera System: Telephoto zoom lens, better low-light performance, better front-facing camera, and more software features.
- More RAM and Storage: Provides better multitasking and more storage options.
- Newer Android Version: Comes with a newer OS and should receive longer software support.
- eSIM support: Allows for digital SIM switching.
- Better Build Quality: Uses Corning Gorilla Glass Victus for screen protection.
- Better WiFi: WiFi 7 with the 6Ghz band for fast, reliable connectivity
Trade-offs:
- OnePlus 9R: Sacrifices display quality, camera versatility, and battery charging speed for dedicated macro and depth lenses; older software.
- Motorola Edge 50 Pro: Lacks the dedicated macro and portrait lenses.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
OnePlus 9R Ideal User:
- Budget-conscious buyers: Looking for a good value on a slightly older phone, who are not too concerned about the latest features.
- Macro Photography Enthusiasts: Users who frequently take close-up pictures and want a dedicated macro lens.
- Users who need 4k@60fps: Users who want smoother higher resolution video recording capabilities.
Motorola Edge 50 Pro Ideal User:
- Tech Enthusiasts: Want the newest technology and best possible display and camera quality.
- Power Users: Who need fast charging, better performance, and more RAM for demanding applications.
- Travelers: Who can benefit from eSIM, wireless charging, reverse charging, and a bright display for outdoor use.
- Photographers: Who want a versatile camera setup with zoom and better low light performance.
- Users who need the newest WiFi standard: Users who need the best performance in crowded WiFi networks with faster speeds.
Use Cases:
- OnePlus 9R: Good for everyday tasks, basic mobile gaming, casual macro photography, budget-conscious media consumption.
- Motorola Edge 50 Pro: Excellent for content creation, mobile gaming, on-the-go productivity, outdoor use, photography, video recording.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- Is having the latest technology important? (Motorola offers newer processor, screen, and software)
- How important is camera versatility and quality? (Motorola has better overall camera setup and zoom)
- How important is fast charging and wireless charging? (Motorola charges significantly faster and provides wireless charging.)
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Budget-Conscious User, Macro Photography Focus - If cost is the primary concern and you want dedicated macro and depth lenses, the OnePlus 9R is a reasonable choice, provided you are willing to sacrifice a much more advanced experience in all other categories.
- Scenario 2: Tech Enthusiast, High Performance - If you need the latest tech, fastest charging, better performance, and superior camera, the Motorola Edge 50 Pro is the better choice for you.
- Scenario 3: Versatile User, Everyday Use - If you need an all rounder for media, gaming and photography, the Motorola Edge 50 Pro is again the better option due to a newer, better display and camera quality, and faster charging.
My Choice
If I were choosing between these two phones, I would choose the Motorola Edge 50 Pro. The significant advancements in display technology (brightness, resolution, refresh rate), significantly faster charging, superior camera versatility (telephoto lens, better low-light performance, better front camera), and more future proof features like newer chipset, Android version, and improved connectivity (WiFi 7, Bluetooth 5.4, eSIM) far outweigh the OnePlus 9R's advantages, which are primarily in dedicated lenses for macro and depth. The Motorola's screen alone would be a night-and-day difference in daily usage, especially outdoors. While the 9R might be cheaper, the improved performance, camera quality, and future-proofing that the Motorola offers makes it a more sensible choice in the long run.
