Smartphone Comparison: OnePlus 9R vs. Motorola ThinkPhone
1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | OnePlus 9R | Motorola ThinkPhone | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Launch Date | 2021-04-14 | 2023-01-29 | ThinkPhone is significantly newer, potentially with longer software support |
| Dimensions | 161 × 74.1 × 8.4 mm | 158.8 × 74.4 × 8.3 mm | Very similar size, OnePlus 9R slightly taller, virtually identical thickness and width |
| Weight | 189g | 188.5g | Virtually identical weight; negligible difference |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.55" | 6.6" | Negligible difference in screen size |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2400 | Identical sharpness; Both offer crisp visuals |
| PPI | 402 | 399 | Virtually identical pixel density; negligible difference in image clarity |
| Technology | AMOLED | P-OLED | Similar display technology; expect vibrant colors and good contrast on both |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 144Hz | ThinkPhone offers slightly smoother scrolling and animations |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 1200 nits | ThinkPhone has significantly better outdoor visibility in bright sunlight |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 870 (7 nm) | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 (4 nm) | ThinkPhone has a much more powerful and efficient chipset, resulting in faster app loading and better overall performance |
| AnTuTu Score | 821,600 | 1,232,700 | ThinkPhone has notably higher benchmark score, indicating a much faster and smoother experience in daily use and gaming |
| GPU | Adreno 650 | Adreno 730 | ThinkPhone has a more powerful GPU, leading to better graphics performance in games and demanding apps |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 4500mAh | 5000mAh | ThinkPhone likely offers better battery life, allowing for longer usage without recharging |
| Charging | 65W fast charging | 68W fast charging | Both offer fast charging capabilities, with ThinkPhone having a minor edge |
| Features | Non-removable | Non-removable, 15W wireless charging | ThinkPhone offers convenient wireless charging |
| Camera | |||
| Rear (Standard) | 48MP, f/1.7, 1/2", Sony IMX586 | 50MP, f/1.8, 1/1.55", Omnivision OV50A | ThinkPhone has a slightly better sensor and larger pixel size. Potentially better image quality in various lighting situations |
| Selfie | 16MP, f/2.4, 1/3.13", Sony IMX471 | 32MP, f/2.45 | ThinkPhone provides higher resolution selfies, for more detailed images |
| Wide Angle | 16MP, f/2.2, 1/3.09", Sony IMX481 | Not Available | OnePlus 9R offers dedicated ultra-wide shots |
| Portrait (depth) | 2MP, f/2.4 | 2MP, f/2.4 | Similar depth sensors for portrait mode |
| Macro | 5MP, f/2.4 | Not Available | OnePlus 9R has a dedicated macro lens for close-up shots |
| Wide Angle + Macro | Not Available | 13MP, f/2.4 | ThinkPhone provides a combination lens for wide angle and macro photography |
| Video | Up to 4K@60fps | Up to 8K@30fps | ThinkPhone supports higher resolution video recording (8K), allowing for more professional-grade content creation |
| Camera Features | Quadruple camera, Manual focus | Triple camera, Optical zoom, 8K video | ThinkPhone has optical zoom and 8K recording, while OnePlus 9R has macro and an extra camera. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 10, max version 13 | Android 13 | ThinkPhone has a much newer OS out of the box, and likely longer software support. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) | Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) | Both support the latest Wi-Fi standards |
| Bluetooth | 5.1 | 5.2 | ThinkPhone has a newer Bluetooth version |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo, GPS (L1+L5), BeiDou (B1), Galileo (E1+E5a) | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, SUPL, Galileo | OnePlus 9R has better GPS, potentially better location accuracy |
| SIM | Dual SIM | Dual SIM | Both support dual SIM functionality |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 128GB/256GB | 256GB | ThinkPhone comes only in 256GB storage. |
| RAM | 8GB/12GB | 8GB | OnePlus 9R has a 12 GB option for more intensive use |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither phone supports expandable storage |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Dolby Atmos, Noise cancellation microphone, Stereo Speakers | Dolby Atmos, Stereo Speakers, 2 microphones | OnePlus 9R offers additional features, like noise cancellation. |
| Security | |||
| Features | basic fingerprint sensor | basic fingerprint sensor | Both provide basic fingerprint security |
| Build Quality | |||
| Protection | Unknown | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus | ThinkPhone has much better screen protection from scratches and impacts |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Proximity | Accelerometer, Gyroscope, Proximity | OnePlus 9R has a compass for direction and orientation |
2. Key Differences Analysis
OnePlus 9R Advantages:
- More RAM option: 12GB RAM available for smoother multitasking
- Dedicated Macro Lens: For detailed close-up photography
- Dedicated Wide Angle Lens: For wide landscape shots
- Compass: For advanced orientation and direction-related functions
- Slightly better audio: Offers a noise cancellation microphone for clearer calls
Motorola ThinkPhone Advantages:
- Newer and More Powerful Chipset: Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 is significantly faster, offering better overall performance and efficiency.
- Significantly Higher Brightness: 1200 nits for excellent outdoor visibility.
- Higher Refresh Rate: 144Hz provides smoother scrolling and animation
- Larger Battery: 500mAh more capacity for longer battery life
- Wireless Charging: 15W wireless charging support for more convenient charging.
- Higher Resolution Selfie Camera: 32MP for more detailed selfies.
- 8K Video Recording: For higher resolution videos.
- Corning Gorilla Glass Victus: Provides superior screen protection.
- Newer OS: Ships with Android 13, offering newer features and likely longer software support.
- Combined Wide Angle + Macro Lens: For more versatile camera functionality.
Trade-offs:
- OnePlus 9R has a more versatile camera system with separate macro and wide-angle lenses but lacks the higher resolution video, performance and display capabilities of the ThinkPhone.
- Motorola ThinkPhone sacrifices the dedicated macro lens and compass found in the 9R, but gains a significantly better performing phone in nearly every other area.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
OnePlus 9R Ideal Users:
- Users who prioritize versatile camera: Those who want a dedicated macro lens for close-up shots and a wide angle lens for landscape shots
- Gamers: Benefit from the 12 GB RAM for smoother performance in demanding games.
- Users who want the extra audio feature: Noise cancellation microphone for clearer calls
Motorola ThinkPhone Ideal Users:
- Power Users: Those who need the best possible performance for demanding tasks.
- Outdoor Enthusiasts: Who need excellent screen visibility in bright sunlight
- Users who want better battery life: Longer usage without the need to recharge frequently
- Mobile Photographers/Videographers: Benefit from a high-quality camera sensor, optical zoom, 8k video recording
- Users who prioritize latest OS version: Want the latest features and longer software support.
- Users who prioritize more security features: Want the extra durability and protection with Corning Gorilla Glass Victus
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- Do you need the best possible performance? The ThinkPhone's Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 chip offers much better speed and efficiency.
- Do you need the best display for outdoor usage? The ThinkPhone's 1200 nit brightness is vastly superior in bright sunlight.
- How important is camera flexibility? The OnePlus 9R offers separate macro and wide-angle lenses while ThinkPhone has one combined and a higher resolution, better quality standard lens.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- For power users and those who value performance, display quality, battery life, the Motorola ThinkPhone is the clear choice. Its superior chipset, higher brightness, and newer features make it ideal for demanding tasks and everyday use.
- For users who prioritize camera flexibility and prefer separate macro and wide-angle lenses, along with more audio features, the OnePlus 9R is a good option, though it trades performance and display quality.
Personal Choice
If I had to choose, I would pick the Motorola ThinkPhone.
The primary reason is its significantly superior performance thanks to the Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 chipset and newer Android OS. This translates into a more fluid, responsive, and future-proof experience. I also highly value the ThinkPhone's brighter display for outdoor visibility, its larger battery capacity, and wireless charging. While the OnePlus 9R offers the versatility of dedicated macro and wide angle lenses and a noise cancellation microphone, the overall user experience of the ThinkPhone is far superior, and I prefer better core performance over the additional camera features found in the OnePlus. For me, the increased speed, better display, and superior battery life of the ThinkPhone outweigh the benefits of the 9R's extra camera features and additional RAM.
