Smartphone Comparison: OnePlus 9R vs. Realme 12+
1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | OnePlus 9R | Realme 12+ | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Launch Date | 2021-04-14 | 2024-03-02 | Realme 12+ is significantly newer, potentially offering better software support & newer tech. |
| Dimensions | 161 x 74.1 x 8.4 mm | 163 x 75.5 x 7.9 mm | Realme 12+ is slightly taller and wider, while OnePlus 9R is a bit thicker. May affect hand feel and pocketability. |
| Weight | 189g | 190g | Virtually identical weight, negligible difference in hand feel. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.55" | 6.67" | Realme 12+ offers a slightly larger viewing area for media and browsing. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2400 | Identical sharpness, text and images will appear equally clear. |
| PPI | 402 | 395 | Almost identical pixel density, negligible difference in perceived sharpness. |
| Technology | AMOLED | AMOLED | Both offer vibrant colors, deep blacks and good contrast for enjoyable viewing experience. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | Both provide a smooth scrolling experience, ideal for gaming and media consumption. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 2000 nits | Realme 12+ is significantly brighter and more usable in direct sunlight. OnePlus 9R's display brightness is not provided, which is a significant limitation for comparison. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 870 5G (7nm) | Mediatek Dimensity 7050 (6nm) | OnePlus 9R's chipset is more powerful for demanding tasks. Realme 12+ is more efficient. |
| AnTuTu Score | 821,600 | 601,000 | OnePlus 9R offers better performance for gaming and heavy apps. |
| GPU | Adreno 650 | Mali-G68 MC4 | OnePlus 9R has a more powerful GPU, resulting in better gaming performance. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera Resolution | 48MP | 50MP | Realme 12+ has slightly higher resolution but real-world differences can be subtle. |
| Main Camera Aperture | f/1.7 | f/1.88 | OnePlus 9R's wider aperture may perform slightly better in low light. |
| Main Camera Sensor | Sony IMX586 Exmor RS | Sony LYT-600 | Both use Sony sensors; LYT-600 is a newer sensor. |
| Main Camera Pixel Size | 0.80 µm | 0.61 µm | OnePlus 9R has larger pixels for better light capture but sensor technology is important |
| Selfie Camera Resolution | 16MP | 16MP | Both offer the same megapixel count for selfies. |
| Selfie Camera Aperture | f/2.4 | f/2.45 | OnePlus 9R has a slightly wider aperture for potentially better low-light selfies. |
| Wide Angle Camera Resolution | 16MP | 8MP | OnePlus 9R captures more detail in wide angle shots. |
| Portrait Camera | 2MP | N/A | OnePlus 9R has a dedicated depth sensor for portrait shots. |
| Macro Camera Resolution | 5MP | 2MP | OnePlus 9R can capture more detailed macro photos. |
| Video Recording | 4K@60fps (HDR, EIS) | 4K@30fps (EIS) | OnePlus 9R offers 4k 60fps while Realme 12+ is limited to 4k 30fps. |
| Video Features | HDR, EIS, OIS, Slow-motion | EIS, OIS, Slow-motion | Both have OIS and EIS, but OnePlus 9R includes HDR recording at 1080p/240fps. |
| Camera Features | Quadruple Camera, Manual Focus, RAW | Triple Camera | OnePlus 9R offers more camera features. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 4500mAh | 5000mAh | Realme 12+ has a larger battery, potentially offering longer battery life. |
| Charging | 65W | 67W | Both offer fast charging capabilities; Realme 12+ is marginally faster. |
| Software & Connectivity | |||
| OS | Android 10 (upgradable to 13) | Android 14 (upgradable to 16) | Realme 12+ has a newer OS, providing more up-to-date features and longer software support. |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6, MIMO | Wi-Fi 6 | OnePlus 9R has additional Wi-Fi MIMO support for better data transfer performance. |
| Bluetooth | 5.1 (LE, APT-x, LDAC, AAC) | 5.2 (LE, EDR, HID) | Realme 12+ has newer Bluetooth but OnePlus 9R provides additional audio codecs. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou | OnePlus 9R supports more satellite systems for better location accuracy. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal Storage Options | 128GB/256GB | 128GB/256GB/512GB | Realme 12+ offers a 512GB option for users needing more storage. |
| RAM Options | 8GB/12GB | 8GB/12GB | Both phones offer the same RAM options. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone offers expandable storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Audio Features | Dolby Atmos, Stereo Speakers | Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res Audio, Stereo Speakers, 2 Microphones | Realme 12+ offers Hi-Res audio and dual microphones for enhanced audio capture. |
| Security | |||
| Security Features | Fingerprint | Fingerprint | Both phones have similar fingerprint sensors. |
| Other | |||
| Screen Protection | Unknown | Unknown | The screen protection is unknown for both phones. This information would help assess the durability. |
| Sensors | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope | Both offer a comprehensive set of sensors. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
OnePlus 9R Advantages:
- Superior Performance: The Snapdragon 870 chipset and Adreno 650 GPU provide significantly better performance in benchmarks and real-world heavy use scenarios like gaming and multitasking.
- Better Camera Features: The 9R offers a quadruple camera setup, higher resolution ultrawide camera, dedicated portrait lens, manual focus and RAW support. It also records 4k video at 60fps with HDR, which is a higher framerate and an important option for videographers.
- More GPS Support: Supports additional satellite systems for improved location accuracy.
- More Audio Codec Support : Supports APT-x, LDAC and AAC codecs for better audio quality with wireless headphones.
Realme 12+ Advantages:
- Newer Technology: Launched almost three years later, with updated software, newer chipset and likely more software support.
- Brighter Display: Significantly brighter display at 2000 nits making it more visible in outdoor settings, particularly under direct sunlight, compared to the unknown brightness of the OnePlus 9R.
- Larger Battery: Offers a larger battery (5000mAh vs 4500mAh) for longer usage time.
- More Storage Option: Available with 512GB of internal storage.
- Newer Bluetooth: Uses a newer Bluetooth 5.2 standard.
- Enhanced Audio: Includes Hi-Res Audio and dual microphones.
Trade-offs:
- OnePlus 9R: Older device with potentially less software support. Its display brightness is not specified, which is a significant limitation for outdoor visibility. The device also has a smaller battery.
- Realme 12+: Weaker performance in demanding apps compared to the OnePlus 9R and inferior camera system overall.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Ideal User for OnePlus 9R:
- Gamers: Users who prioritize smooth gaming experience and high frame rates.
- Power Users: Users who run multiple demanding apps and need a high-performance device.
- Photography Enthusiasts: Users who prioritize camera features and are willing to learn manual settings, and also use the HDR recording mode.
- Users with Quality Audio : Users who want high quality wireless audio codecs.
- Users with less preference for outdoor visibility: If outdoor visibility is less important or is addressed by a user's usage habits, then the display limitation is not a significant issue.
Ideal User for Realme 12+:
- Everyday Users: Users who need a well-rounded phone with good battery life and a bright display for everyday tasks.
- Media Consumers: Users who prefer a large, vibrant display for watching videos and browsing.
- Users Prioritizing Software Support : Users who want to have a phone with up-to-date software with longer support.
- Users Needing More Storage : Users needing a large internal storage.
- Users Prioritizing Long Battery Life: Users who prefer a phone to last throughout the day.
Use Cases:
- OnePlus 9R: High-end mobile gaming, professional photography, running resource-intensive apps.
- Realme 12+: Social media, streaming videos outdoors, everyday communication, extended battery life for travel, large media library.
Price-to-Value Ratio:
- The OnePlus 9R may be available at a lower price point given its age, offering great performance for the price.
- The Realme 12+ might have a slightly higher price but offers more modern features.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- How important is gaming and app performance? If high-performance is a priority, the OnePlus 9R is the better option.
- How important is outdoor visibility? The Realme 12+ is significantly better in bright sunlight.
- How important is updated software? The Realme 12+ has a newer OS and will likely have better long-term support.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1 (Gaming): If gaming is the primary use case, the OnePlus 9R's Snapdragon 870 and Adreno 650 offers a better experience.
- Scenario 2 (Outdoor Use): If outdoor visibility is critical, the Realme 12+'s 2000 nits display brightness makes it the better option.
- Scenario 3 (Long-Term Use): If you prefer a modern device with more up-to-date software, the Realme 12+ is the better choice.
- Scenario 4 (Balanced User): For a good balance of features, battery life and a good display, the Realme 12+ is a very good option.
My Choice:
Given my priorities, I would choose the Realme 12+. While the OnePlus 9R offers better performance, the significantly brighter screen of the Realme 12+ is a critical factor for my use case, since I regularly use my phone outside in direct sunlight. The newer software, larger battery, and modern features make it a more well-rounded device for my typical usage. While the camera system of the 9R is better overall, the camera system of the 12+ is still suitable for casual photography. Therefore, the benefits of the brighter screen, longer battery life, and up-to-date software outweigh the performance and camera advantages of the OnePlus 9R.
