Smartphone Comparison: OnePlus 9R vs. Nothing Phone (2a) Plus
1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | OnePlus 9R | Nothing Phone (2a) Plus | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 161 × 74.1 × 8.4 mm | 161.7 × 76.3 × 8.5 mm | Nothing Phone (2a) Plus is slightly wider and thicker, but the difference is negligible in practical use. |
| Weight | 189g | 190g | Virtually identical weight; both will feel similar in hand. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.55" | 6.7" | Nothing Phone (2a) Plus has a slightly larger screen, providing a more immersive viewing experience. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2412 | Both offer similar sharpness, no noticeable difference to the naked eye. |
| PPI | 402 | 395 | Both have excellent pixel density, expect sharp text and images. |
| Technology | AMOLED | AMOLED | Both offer vibrant colors, deep blacks, and excellent contrast. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | Smooth scrolling and animations on both; ideal for gaming and everyday use. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 1300 nits | Nothing Phone (2a) Plus has significantly better outdoor visibility in bright sunlight. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 870 5G (7 nm) | Mediatek Dimensity 7350 Pro (4 nm) | Both offer similar performance for daily tasks and gaming. The Dimensity has a more modern architecture (4nm vs 7nm) leading to better battery efficiency. |
| AnTuTu Score | 821,600 | 805,721 | Nearly identical performance, both handle demanding apps and games well. |
| GPU | Adreno 650 | Mali-G610 MC4 | Both GPUs provide smooth gaming experiences, but they differ in architecture. |
| Camera | |||
| Rear Standard | 48MP, f/1.7, 1/2", Sony IMX586, 0.8µm | 50MP, f/1.88, 1/1.56", Samsung GN9, 1.0µm | Nothing Phone (2a) Plus has a larger sensor and larger pixels, likely capturing more light and resulting in better low-light performance. |
| Front Selfie | 16MP, f/2.4, 1/3.13", Sony IMX471, 1.0µm | 50MP, f/2.2, 1/2.76", Samsung S5KJN1, 0.64µm | Nothing Phone (2a) Plus offers much higher resolution selfies and a wider aperture, but smaller pixel size. |
| Wide Angle | 16MP, f/2.2, 1/3.09", Sony IMX481, 1.0µm | None | OnePlus 9R has a dedicated wide-angle lens. |
| Portrait (depth) | 2MP, f/2.4 | None | OnePlus 9R has a dedicated depth sensor for portrait mode. |
| Macro Lens | 5MP, f/2.4 | None | OnePlus 9R has a dedicated macro lens. |
| Wide Angle + Macro | None | 50MP, f/2.2, 1/2.76", Samsung S5KJN1, 0.64µm | Nothing Phone (2a) Plus uses a single sensor to do both macro and wide angle. |
| Video Recording | Up to 4K 60fps | Up to 4K 30fps | OnePlus 9R can record at a higher framerate, meaning more fluid videos. Both offer EIS for video stabilization. |
| Camera Features | Quad camera, OIS, Manual focus | Dual camera, OIS, Night Mode, Time-Lapse | OnePlus 9R has a dedicated quad-camera setup with a manual focus option; Nothing Phone (2a) Plus offers a dedicated Night Mode. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 4500mAh | 5000mAh | Nothing Phone (2a) Plus has a larger battery, likely providing longer battery life. |
| Charging | 65W fast charging | 50W fast charging | OnePlus 9R charges faster; both feature fast charging capabilities. |
| Battery Features | Non-removable | Non-removable, No charger in box | Nothing Phone (2a) Plus does not include a charger in the box. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 10 (upgradable to 13) | Android 14 (upgradable to 17) | Nothing Phone (2a) Plus offers a newer and longer software support. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) | Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) | Both support the same Wi-Fi standards. |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.1 LE | Bluetooth 5.3 | Nothing Phone (2a) Plus has a newer version of Bluetooth, potentially offering improved battery efficiency. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo, GPS (L1+L5), BeiDou (B1), Galileo (E1+E5a) | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, Galileo, GPS (L1+L5), NavIC System | Nothing Phone (2a) Plus supports more satellite systems for better location accuracy. |
| SIM | Dual SIM (Nano) | Dual SIM (Nano) | Both offer dual SIM support, allowing two phone numbers to be used. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 128/256GB | 256GB | Nothing Phone (2a) Plus offers only one storage option and no microSD support. |
| RAM | 8/12 GB | 12 GB | Both phones offer excellent RAM for multitasking. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither phone has expandable storage, limiting flexibility. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Dolby Atmos, Noise cancellation microphone, Stereo Speakers | Hi-Res Audio, Stereo Speakers, 3 microphones | Both phones feature stereo speakers. OnePlus 9R has Dolby Atmos, while Nothing Phone (2a) Plus has Hi-Res Audio. |
| Security | |||
| Features | Fingerprint sensor | Fingerprint sensor | Both phones offer standard fingerprint sensor technology. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Protection | Unknown | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | Nothing Phone (2a) Plus offers superior scratch and drop resistance for its display. |
| Sensors | |||
| Biometric: Fingerprint; Proximity: Proximity; Motion: Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope | Biometric: Fingerprint; Proximity: Proximity; Motion: Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Gravity | Both phones feature the basic set of sensors. Nothing Phone (2a) Plus also features Gravity sensor. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
OnePlus 9R Advantages:
- Faster Charging: 65W charging is significantly faster than the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus's 50W. This is useful for users who need quick top-ups.
- Dedicated Camera Lenses: Offers dedicated wide-angle, macro, and depth sensors for more versatile photography.
- Dolby Atmos: Superior audio quality when using headphones.
- 4K 60fps video: Ability to record 4k video at 60fps.
Nothing Phone (2a) Plus Advantages:
- Newer Software: Runs on a newer version of Android (14) with better long-term support.
- Larger Battery: 500mAh larger battery capacity, likely leading to better battery life.
- Brighter Display: Significantly brighter display, making it much better for outdoor visibility.
- Larger Main Camera Sensor: Larger sensor with larger pixels, potentially better low-light performance.
- Better Front Camera: Higher resolution front camera.
- More Satellite Systems: Supports more GPS satellite systems for better accuracy.
- Superior Screen Protection: Corning Gorilla Glass 5 provides better scratch and drop resistance.
Trade-offs:
- The OnePlus 9R offers slightly faster charging and a more versatile camera setup with dedicated lenses, but the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus offers a brighter display, longer software support, and likely better battery life due to larger battery and more efficient chip.
- OnePlus 9R has faster 4k video recording, while Nothing Phone (2a) Plus has better front-facing camera.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
OnePlus 9R Ideal User:
- Users who prioritize fast charging: Ideal for those who are frequently on the go and need to quickly top up their battery.
- Users who like versatile camera setups: Useful for users who value having dedicated lenses (wide-angle, macro, depth).
- Users who enjoy high-quality audio with Dolby Atmos: Good for users who listen to music and watch movies on their phone.
Nothing Phone (2a) Plus Ideal User:
- Users who prioritize battery life: Suitable for users who want long-lasting power and avoid frequent charging.
- Users who need a phone with good outdoor visibility: Perfect for those who spend time outdoors under bright sunlight.
- Users who value long-term software support: Ideal for users who plan to use their phone for several years.
- Users who like taking better selfies: Ideal for social media enthusiasts.
Specific Use Cases:
- OnePlus 9R: Gaming with quick charging, content creation with dedicated lenses, multimedia consumption with Dolby Atmos.
- Nothing Phone (2a) Plus: Daily usage, outdoor photography, extensive social media usage, business travel.
Price-to-Value Ratio: The Nothing Phone (2a) Plus is newer and has more modern features, which justify it having a slightly higher price.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions to Consider:
- How important is fast charging to you? (OnePlus 9R excels here)
- Do you need a bright display for outdoor use? (Nothing Phone (2a) Plus is far superior)
- Do you prefer a more versatile camera setup, or a better front camera with newer software and longer battery life? (OnePlus 9R has dedicated lenses, but Nothing Phone (2a) Plus has better overall software and camera)
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- For the Fast Charging Enthusiast: Choose the OnePlus 9R if you are always on the go and need a quick power top up.
- For the Outdoor Photographer: Choose the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus if you often take photos outdoors due to the better display brightness.
- For the Long-Term User: Choose the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus for its newer software and longer software support.
- For the Casual User: Choose the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus for its all round strengths and modern features.
My Choice
I would choose the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus. While the OnePlus 9R's faster charging is appealing, the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus offers a more well-rounded package for my needs. The brighter screen is a huge advantage, especially when I'm using my phone outdoors. The combination of a larger battery, more modern software and better front-facing camera also wins it for me. Despite the slightly slower charging, the larger battery should mean less frequent need to recharge. The better software support means the phone will stay relevant longer. While the OnePlus 9R has some benefits, the overall package of the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus better suits my use case.
