1. Specifications Comparison
Design
| Feature | OnePlus 9R | OnePlus Nord 2 5G | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 161 × 74.1 × 8.4 mm | 159.1 × 73.3 × 8.3 mm | OnePlus 9R is slightly taller; Both are very similar and will feel comparable in hand. |
| Weight | 189g | 189g | Identical weight; Both should feel similarly weighted when held. |
| Build Quality | Screen: Unknown | Screen: Gorilla Glass 5 | Nord 2 offers better protection against scratches and minor impacts to the display. |
Display
| Feature | OnePlus 9R | OnePlus Nord 2 5G | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Size | 6.55" | 6.43" | OnePlus 9R provides slightly more screen real estate for content consumption. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2400 | Identical sharpness for both; Fine detail and text clarity is consistent between the two. |
| PPI | 402 | 409 | Very similar pixel density; Both will appear equally sharp to the eye. |
| Technology | AMOLED | AMOLED | Both offer vibrant colors, deep blacks and excellent contrast ratios, enhancing viewing experience. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 90Hz | OnePlus 9R offers smoother scrolling, animations and gaming experience due to its higher refresh rate. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 0 nits | Peak brightness unknown; Difficult to compare screen visibility under bright sunlight. |
Performance
| Feature | OnePlus 9R | OnePlus Nord 2 5G | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 870 5G (7 nm) | Mediatek Dimensity 1200 (6 nm) | Snapdragon 870 is generally preferred for gaming and heavier tasks, while Dimensity 1200 excels in AI processing and efficiency. |
| AnTuTu Score | 821,600 | 714,400 | OnePlus 9R demonstrates superior overall benchmark performance in this comparison. |
| GPU | Adreno 650 | Mali-G77 MC9 | Adreno 650 is a good performer for gaming; Mali G77 performs well for most graphics-intensive tasks. |
Camera
| Feature | OnePlus 9R | OnePlus Nord 2 5G | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main Camera | 48MP, f/1.7, 1/2", Sony IMX586, 0.8µm | 50MP, f/1.8, 1/1.56", Sony IMX766, 1.0µm | Nord 2's larger sensor and pixel size suggest better low-light performance; 9R has slightly wider aperture and thus could allow more light. |
| Selfie Camera | 16MP, f/2.4, 1/3.13", Sony IMX471, 1.0µm | 32MP, f/2.45, 1/2.74", Sony IMX615, 0.8µm | Nord 2 may capture more detailed selfies, particularly in good lighting; 9R's bigger pixel size could make a difference in low light. |
| Wide-Angle Lens | 16MP, f/2.2, 1/3.09", Sony IMX481, 1.0µm | 8MP, f/2.25, 1/2.8", Sony IMX355, 1.14µm | OnePlus 9R can potentially capture wider and more detailed landscape shots. |
| Portrait (Depth) | 2MP, f/2.4 | N/A | 9R has a dedicated depth sensor for portrait mode; Nord 2 likely relies on software for depth effects. |
| Macro Lens | 5MP, f/2.4 | N/A | 9R offers a dedicated macro lens for close-up shots |
| Black & White | N/A | 2MP, f/2.4, 1/5", GalaxyCore GC02M1, 1.75µm | Nord 2 offers a dedicated black and white sensor for artistic shots |
| Video | 4K@60fps with HDR, EIS | 4K@30fps with EIS | 9R offers smoother higher quality video recording with greater framerate. |
| Features | Quadruple camera, OIS, Manual Focus | Triple camera, OIS, Continuous autofocus | 9R offers more camera lenses to work with; Nord 2 has continuous autofocus that can be useful in video. |
Battery
| Feature | OnePlus 9R | OnePlus Nord 2 5G | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 4500mAh | 4500mAh | Both offer similar potential battery life, though software and chip usage may vary. |
| Charging | 65W Fast Charging | 65W Fast Charging | Both phones charge quickly, minimizing downtime. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
OnePlus 9R Advantages
- Smoother Display: 120Hz refresh rate for a more fluid user experience.
- Higher Performance: Snapdragon 870 chipset and higher benchmark scores indicate better performance for demanding tasks and gaming.
- More Versatile Camera System: Includes a dedicated macro lens and depth sensor. Offers 4K video at a higher framerate (60fps) than the Nord 2 5G.
- Wider Camera Lens: Wider main and wide camera lenses.
- Dolby Atmos: Offers enhanced audio quality due to Dolby Atmos support.
- More Location Satellites: GPS (L1+L5), BeiDou (B1), Galileo (E1+E5a) for more precise location tracking.
OnePlus Nord 2 5G Advantages
- Newer Main Camera Sensor: Larger sensor size (Sony IMX766) and larger pixel size in the main sensor means better low-light capabilities and higher image quality for the primary camera.
- Newer Bluetooth: Bluetooth 5.2, potentially offering improved connectivity.
- Newer Android Version: Comes with Android 11 compared to the 9R's Android 10 and is a more recent phone.
- Gorilla Glass 5: Superior scratch and impact protection
- Selfie Camera: Higher resolution front camera potentially captures more detailed selfies.
- Additional Black & White camera: Dedicated black and white sensor for more artistic photography.
- Continuous Autofocus: useful for video recording.
- RGB sensor: more advanced environmental awareness.
Significant Trade-Offs
- Performance vs. Camera: 9R focuses on performance while Nord 2 emphasizes camera quality.
- Display Smoothness vs. Battery Life: 120Hz on 9R might use more battery compared to Nord 2's 90Hz.
- Camera Versatility vs. Low-Light Excellence: OnePlus 9R has more camera features, but Nord 2 excels in low-light.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
OnePlus 9R Ideal Users
- Gamers: Benefit from the higher refresh rate display and stronger chipset for better gaming performance.
- Power Users: Appreciate the faster processor for smooth multitasking and demanding applications.
- Photography Enthusiasts: Want a variety of lenses and modes, including macro and depth, even with slightly lower low-light performance than the Nord 2.
- Users Needing precise location tracking: Users who rely on precise location tracking.
Users Wanting more comprehensive audio features: Offers Dolby Atmos support.
Use Cases: Mobile gaming, video editing, heavy app usage, travel photography.
OnePlus Nord 2 5G Ideal Users
- Photography Focused Users: Prioritize excellent low-light camera performance and detailed selfies.
- Users Wanting Newer OS: User who want a more recent version of Android.
- Everyday Users: Need reliable daily performance with a long-lasting battery.
- Users wanting better screen protection: Corning Gorilla Glass 5 protects from scratches and impacts.
Users Wanting more artistic photography: Offers dedicated black and white camera.
Use Cases: Social media photography, casual gaming, daily tasks, general media consumption.
Price-to-Value Considerations
- Both phones would have been in a similar price range when released
- The OnePlus 9R provides a premium feel with a stronger focus on performance.
- The OnePlus Nord 2 5G focuses more on photography capabilities.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers
- Performance vs. Camera: Do you prioritize smooth performance and gaming, or better camera quality, especially in low-light?
- Display Smoothness vs. Battery Life: Is a 120Hz display crucial, or are you okay with 90Hz in exchange for potentially better battery life?
- Camera Versatility vs. Low Light: Do you want additional lenses and manual camera modes, or is low-light image quality more important?
Scenario-Based Recommendations
- Scenario 1: Gamers & Power Users: Choose OnePlus 9R for smoother gaming and better app performance.
- Scenario 2: Photography Lovers (Low-Light Focus): Choose OnePlus Nord 2 5G for better low-light performance and detailed selfies.
- Scenario 3: Balanced User: Both are viable, but consider the slightly better performance of the 9R or better camera performance of the Nord 2 5G as tiebreakers.
- Scenario 4: More advanced user: Choose the OnePlus 9R for more versatility, advanced camera features, enhanced audio, and more precise location tracking
- Scenario 5: User that prefer the latest and most advanced features: Choose the OnePlus Nord 2 5G for the latest bluetooth, newer android version, and more advanced environmental sensors.
My Choice
If I were choosing between these two phones, I would personally lean towards the OnePlus 9R. While the Nord 2 5G has a compelling main camera and a newer Bluetooth version, the overall package of the 9R aligns better with my usage style. I value the smoother 120Hz display for general use and content consumption, as well as the more powerful Snapdragon 870 for a snappier experience and gaming. I also find the additional camera versatility more compelling than a dedicated black and white sensor and prioritize the main and wide cameras that allow for wider captures. The improved audio due to Dolby Atmos and more accurate location services are features that I would prefer. Although the display is not protected by Gorilla Glass like the Nord 2 5G, I am comfortable using a screen protector. Ultimately, for my needs and preferences the additional features of the 9R slightly outweigh the improvements offered by the Nord 2 5G. The slightly older Android OS is not as much of a concern for me compared to better performance and a versatile camera system.
