Smartphone Comparison: OnePlus 9R vs. Nothing Phone (2a)
1. Specifications Comparison
Design
| Feature | OnePlus 9R | Nothing Phone (2a) | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 161 x 74.1 x 8.4 mm | 161.7 x 76.3 x 8.6 mm | Similar height and thickness, Nothing Phone (2a) is slightly wider and has a larger overall volume, might feel slightly bulkier in hand. |
| Weight | 189g | 190g | Virtually identical weight, minimal difference in hand feel. |
| Build Quality (Screen) | Unknown | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | Nothing Phone (2a) offers better protection against scratches and drops on its screen. |
Display
| Feature | OnePlus 9R | Nothing Phone (2a) | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Size | 6.55" | 6.7" | Nothing Phone (2a) provides a slightly larger viewing area, beneficial for media consumption and multitasking. |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 | 1080 x 2412 | Both are very similar, providing sharp images for everyday use. |
| PPI | 402 | 394 | Both have similar pixel density, resulting in comparable clarity for everyday use. |
| Technology | AMOLED | AMOLED | Both use AMOLED, offering vibrant colors, deep blacks, and good contrast. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | Both offer smooth scrolling and animations, making the user experience more fluid. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 1300 nits | Nothing Phone (2a) provides dramatically better visibility in bright sunlight. |
Performance
| Feature | OnePlus 9R | Nothing Phone (2a) | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 870 5G (7 nm) | Mediatek Dimensity 7200 Pro (4 nm) | OnePlus 9R has a slightly older chip with higher benchmark scores, while Nothing Phone (2a)'s newer 4nm chip is more energy efficient. |
| Antutu Score | 821,600 | 688,952 | OnePlus 9R scores higher in benchmarks, implying potentially better peak performance. |
| GPU | Adreno 650 | Mali-G610 MC4 | Different GPUs, but both capable of handling most mobile games, although OnePlus 9R might have a slight edge. |
Camera
| Feature | OnePlus 9R | Nothing Phone (2a) | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main Camera | 48MP, f/1.7, 1/2" sensor, Sony IMX586 | 50MP, f/1.88, 1/1.56" sensor, Samsung GN9 | Nothing Phone (2a) has a slightly larger sensor and 2MP higher resolution, potentially better low-light and detailed images. |
| Selfie Camera | 16MP, f/2.4, 1/3.13" sensor, Sony IMX471 | 32MP, f/2.2, 1/2.74" sensor, Sony IMX615 | Nothing Phone (2a) has higher resolution and wider aperture, potentially better selfie quality |
| Wide Angle Lens | 16MP, f/2.2, 1/3.09" sensor, Sony IMX481 | None | OnePlus 9R has a dedicated wide-angle lens for more versatile photography. |
| Portrait Lens | 2MP, f/2.4 | None | OnePlus 9R offers a dedicated depth sensor for better 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" sensor, Samsung S5KJN1 | Nothing Phone (2a) combines wide-angle and macro into one lens, offering similar versatility. |
| Video Recording | Up to 4K@60fps with HDR, EIS; 1080p@240fps | Up to 4K@30fps with EIS, 1080p@120fps | Both record 4K, but OnePlus 9R offers smoother 60fps recording with HDR, Nothing Phone (2a) has a better slow-mo. |
| Features | 4K Video, Digital zoom, Quadruple camera, Digital image stabilization, Optical Stabilization (OIS), Autofocus, Touch focus, Manual focus, Phase detection autofocus (PDAF), Continuous shooting, Geotagging, Panorama, HDR, Face detection, White balance settings, ISO settings, Exposure compensation, Scene mode, Self-timer, RAW | Time-Lapse, 4K Video, Digital zoom, Dual camera, Digital image stabilization, Optical Stabilization (OIS), Autofocus, Touch focus, Phase detection autofocus (PDAF), Continuous shooting, Geotagging, Panorama, HDR, Face detection, White balance settings, ISO settings, Exposure compensation, Scene mode, Self-timer, RAW, Night Mode | OnePlus 9R has more specialized camera features, while Nothing Phone (2a) adds time lapse and night mode. |
Battery
| Feature | OnePlus 9R | Nothing Phone (2a) | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 4500mAh | 5000mAh | Nothing Phone (2a) offers a noticeably larger battery, likely providing better battery life. |
| Charging | 65W Fast Charging, Li-Polymer | 45W Fast Charging, Li-Ion | OnePlus 9R charges faster, but Nothing Phone (2a) could have better battery endurance due to larger capacity. |
| Features | Non-removable | Non-removable, No charger in box | Nothing Phone (2a) requires users to purchase a charger separately. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
OnePlus 9R Advantages
- Potentially Higher Peak Performance: The Snapdragon 870 offers higher benchmark scores, which might translate to better performance for demanding games and apps.
- Faster Charging: 65W charging is faster than 45W, meaning shorter charging times.
- More Versatile Camera Setup: Dedicated wide-angle, macro, and portrait lenses offer more flexibility for different shooting scenarios.
- Wider Video Recording: Ability to record 4k video at 60fps with HDR and EIS.
- Manual Focus: Provides more control over the camera settings, which can be useful for advanced users.
- Dolby Atmos and Noise Cancellation Mic: Enhanced audio experience for content consumption.
Nothing Phone (2a) Advantages
- Newer Chipset: The Dimensity 7200 Pro is more energy-efficient due to the 4nm process, potentially leading to better battery life.
- Larger Battery: The 5000mAh battery should last longer than the 4500mAh of the OnePlus 9R.
- Superior Screen Protection: Corning Gorilla Glass 5 provides enhanced durability.
- Significantly Brighter Display: With 1300 nits of brightness, the screen is much more visible in bright sunlight.
- Better Selfie Camera: Higher resolution and wider aperture for better self portraits.
- Newer Bluetooth: Supports Bluetooth 5.3, for better connection.
- More Advanced Location Accuracy: Supports additional satellite systems for more precise location tracking.
- Time Lapse and Night Mode: Adds versatility for creative and low-light photography.
- Newer OS: Ships with Android 14.
Trade-offs
- OnePlus 9R: Sacrifices battery size and brightness for potentially higher peak performance and more camera features.
- Nothing Phone (2a): Sacrifices peak performance for better battery, display brightness, and a more recent OS.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
OnePlus 9R
- Ideal User: Gamers and power users who prioritize performance and want a more versatile camera system.
- Use Cases: Mobile gaming, video recording, taking various types of photos using different lenses, demanding application use.
- Value: Good if peak performance and fast charging are high priorities, can be a better choice if found at a lower price point.
Nothing Phone (2a)
- Ideal User: Users who value battery life, outdoor visibility, and a more modern software experience.
- Use Cases: Everyday use, media consumption, bright sunlight scenarios, users who prioritize a clean and latest OS.
- Value: Good if display quality, battery life, and the newest Android version are important; better value for its combination of features and being more current.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers
- Performance or Battery Life? Do you prioritize peak performance for demanding tasks, or do you need a phone that can easily last through the day with a more energy efficient processor?
- Camera Versatility or Brightness/Selfie Quality? Do you prefer to have a dedicated wide-angle, macro, and depth lens, or would you rather have better screen brightness and a higher quality selfie camera?
- Latest Software or Familiarity? Do you prefer the newest Android version, or are you comfortable with an older OS that might have less updates?
Scenario-Based Recommendations
- Scenario 1: Mobile Gamer: Choose the OnePlus 9R for its potentially higher peak performance and faster charging.
- Scenario 2: Outdoor Photographer: Choose the Nothing Phone (2a) for better display brightness, and higher quality selfie camera.
- Scenario 3: Everyday User: Choose the Nothing Phone (2a) for a combination of features, notably, larger battery, brighter display, and more recent software.
- Scenario 4: Budget-Conscious User: Both are older phones now, compare the current prices and choose the phone with better value for your needs.
My Choice
I would choose the Nothing Phone (2a). While the OnePlus 9R offers a higher benchmark score, which is beneficial for gaming, the Nothing Phone (2a) provides a more balanced and modern experience, especially for the everyday user. The larger battery, significantly brighter display, superior screen protection, better selfie camera, more modern OS, and updated connectivity features all make it a more compelling choice in my opinion. The combination of better battery life and a more versatile camera setup for normal use, makes it the best overall choice for me.
