1. Specifications Comparison
Design
| Feature | OnePlus 9R | OnePlus Nord 4 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Physical Size | 161 × 74.1 × 8.4 mm | 162.6 × 75 × 8 mm | Nord 4 is slightly taller (1.6mm) and thinner (0.4mm). May affect one-handed use and pocketability. |
| Weight | 189g | 199.5g | Nord 4 is 10.5g heavier, potentially noticeable during extended holding or pocket carry. |
| Build | Screen protection: Unknown | Screen protection: Unknown | Both lack information, so no practical implication can be determined. |
Display
| Feature | OnePlus 9R | OnePlus Nord 4 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Size | 6.55" | 6.74" | Nord 4 has a slightly larger screen, offering more screen real estate for content consumption and gaming. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1240x2772 | Nord 4 offers sharper visuals, leading to clearer text and images. |
| PPI | 402 | 450 | Nord 4 has a slightly higher pixel density, resulting in slightly sharper text and images. |
| Technology | AMOLED | AMOLED | Both have vibrant colors and deep blacks. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | Both offer smooth scrolling and animations, a more fluid user experience. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 2200 nits | Nord 4 offers superior visibility in bright outdoor conditions and sunlight, making it easier to see the screen in sunlight. |
Performance
| Feature | OnePlus 9R | OnePlus Nord 4 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM8250-AC Snapdragon 870 5G (7 nm) | Qualcomm SM7675 Snapdragon 7+ Gen 3 (4 nm) | Nord 4's newer chipset has better efficiency and performance, leading to faster app loading and smoother multitasking. |
| AnTuTu Score | 821,600 | 1,366,982 | Nord 4 has significantly better performance, resulting in a snappier and more responsive experience. Better for gaming and heavy app use. |
| GPU | Adreno 650 | Adreno 732 | Nord 4's newer GPU offers better graphics processing, resulting in better gaming experience. |
Battery
| Feature | OnePlus 9R | OnePlus Nord 4 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 4500mAh | 5500mAh | Nord 4 has a larger battery, potentially offering significantly longer usage on a single charge. |
| Charging | 65W fast charging | 100W fast charging | Nord 4 can charge much faster, reducing downtime. |
| Features | Non-removable | Non-removable | Both have non-removable batteries. |
Camera
| Feature | OnePlus 9R | OnePlus Nord 4 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard Camera | 48MP, f/1.7, 1/2" Sony IMX586 | 50MP, f/1.8, 1/2" Sony LYT-600 | Nord 4 has slightly higher resolution with a marginally smaller aperture; different sensors may impact image quality, with Nord 4 likely capturing slightly more detail. |
| Selfie Camera | 16MP, f/2.4, 1/3.13" Sony IMX471 | 16MP, f/2.4, 1/3.13" Sony IMX471 | Identical front cameras, offering similar selfie performance. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 16MP, f/2.2, 1/3.09" Sony IMX481 | 8MP, f/2.2, 1/2.8" Sony IMX355 | 9R offers a higher-resolution wide lens; Nord 4 has a larger sensor. |
| Portrait mode (depth) | 2MP, f/2.4 | Not available | 9R has a dedicated depth sensor, potentially offering better bokeh effect in portrait shots. |
| Macro Lens | 5MP, f/2.4 | Not available | 9R has a dedicated macro camera for close-up shots. |
| Video | Up to 4K 60fps, HDR, EIS, 1080p 240fps | Up to 4K 60fps, EIS, 1080p 120fps | 9R supports HDR in more modes while both have EIS and Slow-motion. |
| Features | Quadruple camera, OIS, PDAF, Manual focus, RAW | Dual camera, OIS, PDAF | 9R has more camera options including manual mode and RAW capture, while Nord 4 has a simpler dual camera system. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
OnePlus 9R Advantages:
- Dedicated Depth and Macro Cameras: Offers more versatility in photography for portrait and close-up shots.
- Manual focus, RAW capture: More control over photography with manual focus and RAW capture for advanced users.
- Slightly Lighter: More comfortable for extended handheld use.
OnePlus Nord 4 Advantages:
- Significantly Faster Processor: Offers smoother performance, better multitasking, and faster app loading.
- Significantly Higher AnTuTu Score: Better performance, leading to improved gaming and application speeds.
- Much Brighter Display: Significantly better outdoor visibility, making it easier to use in sunlight.
- Larger Battery: Offers longer battery life, which reduces the need for frequent charging.
- Faster Charging: Shorter charging times with faster charging speed.
- Newer Software: Comes with a more recent version of Android with more OS updates planned.
- Better Bluetooth Support: Improved audio quality with Bluetooth 5.4.
Trade-offs:
- The OnePlus 9R offers a more versatile camera system with dedicated depth and macro sensors, along with additional control for photography enthusiasts, while the Nord 4 provides better overall image quality.
- The Nord 4 is slightly heavier and larger but has a larger, higher-resolution display and a much brighter screen, along with a larger battery capacity and significantly faster charging.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
OnePlus 9R Ideal User:
- Photography Enthusiasts: Users who value a versatile camera system with depth and macro lenses, as well as manual controls for creative photography.
- Users Preferring Lighter Phones: Users who prefer a slightly lighter device for comfort during prolonged use.
- Users who prefer manual camera controls: Users who like to tweak camera settings manually to get better results
Specific Use Cases for OnePlus 9R:
- Close-up Photography: Capturing detailed macro images of flowers or small objects.
- Portrait Photography: Taking photos with blurred backgrounds using the dedicated depth sensor.
- Creative Shoots: Having control with manual camera settings and taking RAW photos.
OnePlus Nord 4 Ideal User:
- Power Users: Users who demand top-tier performance for gaming, multitasking, and heavy app usage.
- Outdoor Users: Users who often use their phone in bright sunlight and need a display that remains visible.
- Users Needing Long Battery Life: Users who need a phone that can last through a long day without needing to be recharged.
- Users that want up-to-date software: Users who want a phone with newer Android version and a better update plan
Specific Use Cases for OnePlus Nord 4:
- Gaming: Running resource-intensive games at high settings due to the powerful chipset and GPU.
- Outdoor Navigation: Using the phone outdoors for navigation with its bright, easily visible display.
- All-Day Usage: Having the battery life to last a full day with consistent usage.
Price-to-Value:
- The Nord 4 offers better overall performance, display quality, and battery life. The increased price may be justified for users needing maximum performance.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- How important is camera versatility? If you value having a depth and macro sensor and manual controls, the 9R is better; if performance is more important, the Nord 4 is better.
- Do you need the best performance and display? If you need the fastest performance and the brightest display for outdoor use, the Nord 4 is the better choice.
- How important is battery life and charging speed? If you need long battery life and faster charging, Nord 4 is the better choice due to it's higher capacity and faster charging.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Casual user with basic photo needs: The Nord 4 is the better option due to its increased performance and better battery life, which is suitable for everyday usage.
- Scenario 2: Photography enthusiast: The OnePlus 9R is suitable for users who want a better camera experience with manual controls, and better portrait and macro photos.
- Scenario 3: Gamer or heavy app user: The Nord 4 is the superior option due to its more powerful processor and better graphics performance.
- Scenario 4: Outdoor worker or frequent traveller: The Nord 4 is the better option for heavy outdoor use, due to its brighter display and increased battery capacity.
My Choice
If I were choosing between these two phones, I would pick the OnePlus Nord 4.
Here's why:
While the OnePlus 9R has a slightly more versatile camera system on paper with its macro and depth cameras, the overall improvements offered by the OnePlus Nord 4 outweigh those benefits for my typical usage. The newer chipset (Snapdragon 7+ Gen 3) offers a massive performance boost which means the phone would feel snappier and more responsive for day-to-day tasks, and handle intensive apps without any issue. I also value having a brighter display, which makes viewing the screen outdoors much easier, and the bigger battery is a must for anyone that uses their phone heavily on any day.
The more up-to-date software is also a benefit, since it provides more support and it means the phone will have support for a longer time.
For me, the advantages of the Nord 4 - especially its vastly superior performance, display brightness, and battery life - make it a more compelling choice for most use cases. Although the lack of macro and depth cameras on the Nord 4 is a trade-off, the overall experience will be better for me.
