1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | OnePlus 9R | Nothing Phone (2) | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 161 × 74.1 × 8.4 mm | 162.1 × 76.4 × 8.6 mm | Nothing Phone (2) is slightly larger, may feel less comfortable for one-handed use in comparison to the OnePlus 9R |
| Weight | 189g | 201.2g | OnePlus 9R is slightly lighter, potentially more comfortable during long use |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.55" | 6.7" | Nothing Phone (2) has a slightly larger screen, better for media consumption, gaming |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2412 | Both offer similar sharpness; indistinguishable to the naked eye |
| PPI | 402 | 394 | Similar pixel density, indistinguishable sharpness |
| Technology | AMOLED | OLED | Both offer vibrant colors and deep blacks; negligible difference in picture quality |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | Both offer smooth scrolling and animations |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 1600 nits | Nothing Phone (2) is dramatically brighter, far better outdoor visibility in sunlight |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Snapdragon 870 (7nm) | Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 (4nm) | Nothing Phone (2) provides significantly better performance; faster app loading, smoother gaming |
| AnTuTu Score | 821,600 | 1,135,786 | Nothing Phone (2) has considerably better performance in benchmarks |
| GPU | Adreno 650 | Adreno 730 | Nothing Phone (2) provides better graphics performance for gaming and demanding tasks |
| Camera | |||
| Standard Lens | 48MP, f/1.7, 1/2" | 50MP, f/1.88, 1/1.56" | Nothing Phone (2) has a larger sensor, better for low-light performance |
| Selfie Lens | 16MP, f/2.4, 1/3.13" | 32MP, f/2.45, 1/2.74" | Nothing Phone (2) captures more detail, with a larger sensor but smaller pixel size |
| Wide Angle Lens | 16MP, f/2.2, 1/3.09" | N/A | OnePlus 9R has a dedicated ultrawide lens; Nothing Phone 2 does not have one |
| Portrait Lens | 2MP, f/2.4 | N/A | OnePlus 9R has a dedicated depth sensor for portrait effects. Nothing phone 2 does not have one. |
| Macro Lens | 5MP, f/2.4 | N/A | OnePlus 9R has a dedicated macro lens. Nothing phone 2 does not have one. |
| Wide Angle + Macro | N/A | 50MP, f/2.2, 1/2.76" | Nothing Phone (2) uses a single lens for ultrawide and macro photos; offers versatility |
| Video Recording | 4K@60fps, HDR, EIS | 4K@60fps, HDR, OIS, EIS | Nothing Phone (2) has OIS in addition to EIS, likely resulting in more stable video |
| Camera Features | Quad, Manual Focus, RAW | Dual, Time-Lapse, Night Mode | OnePlus 9R has more manual controls, while Nothing Phone (2) is better in low light |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 4500mAh | 4700mAh | Nothing Phone (2) has slightly better battery life on paper; likely to be marginal |
| Charging | 65W Fast Charging (Li-Polymer) | 45W Fast Charging (Li-Ion) | OnePlus 9R charges faster; Nothing Phone (2) has wireless charging |
| Features | Non-removable | Reverse, Wireless, Non-removable | Nothing Phone (2) supports wireless and reverse wireless charging |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 10, Upgradable to 13 | Android 13, Upgradable to 16 | Nothing Phone (2) has a newer OS, better support and likely longer software support |
| Connectivity | |||
| WiFi | WiFi 6 | WiFi 6 | Both phones offer excellent WiFi with dual-band support |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.1 | Bluetooth 5.3 | Nothing Phone (2) features better Bluetooth with lower latency & power consumption |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, Galileo, NavIC System | Nothing Phone (2) has more satellite systems, better location accuracy |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 128GB/256GB | 128GB/256GB/512GB | Nothing Phone (2) offers more internal storage capacity |
| RAM | 8GB/12GB | 8GB/12GB | Both phones are available with similar RAM configurations, excellent for multitasking |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone supports expandable storage, so users have to choose storage option carefully |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Dolby Atmos, Noise cancellation, Stereo | Hi-Res Audio, 3 microphones, Stereo | OnePlus 9R offers Dolby Atmos while Nothing Phone (2) offers Hi-Res Audio |
| Security | |||
| Features | Fingerprint | Fingerprint | Both offer fingerprint sensor for security |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen protection | Unknown | Unknown | Both phones use similar screen protection technology, however, the quality is unknown. |
| Sensors | |||
| Additional sensors | None | Gravity | Nothing Phone (2) has more sensors which may be used for a better user experience |
| ## 2. Key Differences Analysis |
OnePlus 9R Advantages:
- Faster Charging: 65W fast charging is significantly faster than the 45W charging of the Nothing Phone (2).
- Dedicated Macro and Depth Lenses: The 9R has dedicated lenses for macro and depth sensing.
- Wider Aperture on Main Lens: The OnePlus 9R has a slightly wider aperture on the main camera lens, which could lead to slightly better low light performance.
- Dolby Atmos: Offers Dolby Atmos for a more immersive audio experience.
- Lighter: Weighs 12.2g less.
Nothing Phone (2) Advantages:
- Superior Performance: The Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 offers significantly higher performance than the Snapdragon 870.
- Brighter Display: The 1600 nits display is significantly brighter, making it much easier to use outdoors in sunlight.
- Larger Main Camera Sensor & Better Processing: The Nothing Phone (2) has a larger main camera sensor, likely leading to better image quality, especially in low light, plus better processing.
- Wireless Charging & Reverse Wireless Charging: The phone offers more versatility for charging with wireless and reverse charging options.
- Newer Software: Android 13 out of the box with a longer potential support lifespan, meaning more updates for longer time.
- Bluetooth 5.3: Newer Bluetooth for more efficient connections.
- Hi-Res Audio: Offers Hi-Res audio, for audiophiles who want the best quality.
- More sensors: Nothing Phone 2 has more sensors for a better user experience.
- More Internal Storage Options: Available in a 512GB variant, while the OnePlus 9R is limited to 256GB.
Trade-offs:
- The OnePlus 9R trades performance and display brightness for slightly faster charging and dedicated macro and depth lenses.
- The Nothing Phone (2) trades the convenience of faster charging for significantly better performance, a better screen and more versatile charging options, plus better low-light photos.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
OnePlus 9R Ideal User:
- Users who prioritize fast charging: Those who need their phone to charge quickly and are not too worried about ultimate battery capacity.
- Users who value macro and depth effects: Photographers who frequently use macro and portrait photography with dedicated sensors.
- Users who value manual camera controls Photographers who like to have control over the ISO, white balance, and exposure.
- Budget-conscious users: May prefer the OnePlus 9R due to it being an older device.
Use Cases:
- Quick daily charging.
- Specific photography needs like portrait shots with bokeh and close-up macro images.
- Users who are not heavy mobile gamers.
- Users who prefer manual controls over camera processing.
Nothing Phone (2) Ideal User:
- Performance-focused users: Gamers and those who need the best possible performance for demanding applications.
- Users who prioritize display quality: Those who frequently use their phone outdoors and need a bright, clear screen.
- Users who want better low-light photos: The larger main camera sensor on the Nothing Phone (2) allows for much better quality low light photos.
- Users who want more flexibility on battery charging: Those who need wireless charging and who want to use their phone to charge other wireless accessories.
- Users who want latest software: Those who want the latest OS out of the box with a longer potential support lifespan.
Use Cases:
- Heavy mobile gaming and multitasking.
- Outdoor usage with clear visibility.
- Wireless charging of the phone and its accessories.
- Photography in all conditions, especially low-light situations.
- User who values audio quality over a wider variety of audio options.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- How important is mobile gaming and peak performance? If gaming is a high priority, the Nothing Phone (2) is clearly superior.
- Do you prioritize outdoor screen visibility? If you use your phone in bright sunlight, the Nothing Phone (2) is the better choice.
- How important are features like Macro and Depth cameras versus overall camera quality and low-light photography? OnePlus 9R has dedicated macro and depth, but the Nothing Phone (2) has the better main lens for better overall photo quality.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Casual User: If you are a casual user who uses a smartphone for social media, calls, web surfing and video streaming, the OnePlus 9R may be sufficient. It will still perform well enough for everyday tasks and provide faster charging.
- Scenario 2: Mobile Gamer/Power User: If you are a power user who is going to game or use demanding apps, then the Nothing Phone (2) is the clear winner. It is able to provide much better performance and graphics quality.
- Scenario 3: Photography Enthusiast: If you are going to use the smartphone for photography, then the Nothing Phone (2) has a much better main sensor with better overall photo quality. However, the OnePlus 9R may be a viable alternative if you prioritize having dedicated macro and depth sensors.
- Scenario 4: Outdoor User: If you frequently use your phone in bright sunlight, the Nothing Phone (2) is dramatically superior due to its screen brightness.
My Choice
If I had to choose between the two, I would pick the Nothing Phone (2). While the OnePlus 9R offers the advantage of faster charging and dedicated macro and depth lenses, the improvements in performance, display, main camera sensor size (for better low light), and newer software of the Nothing Phone (2) are too significant to ignore. The brighter screen will enhance visibility, and wireless charging and reverse wireless charging add more versatility. Ultimately, the Nothing Phone (2) provides a more future-proofed, premium experience that aligns with my needs of demanding performance, good camera quality, and overall better quality of life features.
