1. Specifications Comparison
Feature | OnePlus 9R | Realme C55 | Practical Impact |
---|---|---|---|
Design | |||
Dimensions | 161 × 74.1 × 8.4 mm | 165.6 × 75.9 × 7.9 mm | Realme C55 is slightly taller and wider, OnePlus 9R is slightly thicker. May affect one-handed use and pocketability. |
Weight | 189g | 189.5g | Virtually identical weight, should feel very similar in hand. |
Display | |||
Size | 6.55" | 6.72" | Realme C55 offers a slightly larger viewing area, which could be preferable for media consumption. |
Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2400 | Same level of sharpness for both. |
PPI | 402 | 392 | Both offer similar pixel density, so both will appear sharp. |
Technology | AMOLED | IPS LCD | OnePlus 9R has superior contrast, deeper blacks, more vibrant colors and better energy efficiency for dark themes. Realme C55 display will have more washed out colors and blacks will be more like gray. |
Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 90Hz | OnePlus 9R will have smoother animations and scrolling, more responsive gaming. |
Brightness | 0 nits | 680 nits | Realme C55 is significantly better for use in bright sunlight. OnePlus 9R display will be more difficult to see outdoors in bright lighting. Note: OnePlus 9R brightness value is most likely a typo, not actually 0 nits. |
Performance | |||
Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 870 5G (7 nm) | Mediatek Helio G88 (12 nm) | OnePlus 9R offers considerably higher performance for demanding apps, multitasking, and gaming. |
AnTuTu Score | 821,600 | 245,800 | OnePlus 9R is over 230% faster, ensuring a much smoother user experience for most tasks. |
GPU | Adreno 650 | Mali-G52 MC2 | OnePlus 9R's Adreno 650 provides superior graphics processing for gaming and GPU-intensive apps. |
Battery | |||
Capacity | 4500mAh | 5000mAh | Realme C55 is likely to have better battery life between charges. |
Charging | 65W Fast Charging, Li-Polymer | 33W Fast Charging, Li-Ion | OnePlus 9R will charge much faster. |
Camera | |||
Main Camera | 48MP, f/1.7, 1/2", Sony IMX586, 0.8µm | 64MP, 1/2", Omnivision OV64B, 0.7µm | Realme C55 has higher resolution, but OnePlus has larger pixels and a brighter aperture which potentially performs better in low light. |
Selfie Camera | 16MP, f/2.4, 1/3.13", Sony IMX471, 1.0µm | 8MP, f/2.0 | OnePlus 9R has significantly higher resolution and larger pixels in selfie camera. Realme C55 selfie will have a wider view. |
Wide Angle Lens | 16MP, f/2.2, 1/3.09", Sony IMX481, 1.0µm | None | OnePlus 9R has the flexibility of an ultra-wide camera for group shots and landscapes. |
Depth Sensor | 2MP, f/2.4 | 2MP, f/2.4, 1/5", GalaxyCore GC02M1, 1.75µm | Both offer depth sensors for portrait mode. |
Macro Lens | 5MP, f/2.4 | None | OnePlus 9R has a dedicated macro camera for closeup photography. |
Video | Up to 4K@60fps with HDR, EIS | 1080p@30/60fps | OnePlus 9R allows for higher resolution recording and more stable video with OIS. |
Camera Features | 4K Video, OIS, PDAF, Quad camera, RAW | Dual camera, Night Mode | OnePlus 9R has features suited for pro-level photography (OIS, RAW), Realme C55 has Night Mode. |
Software | |||
OS | Android 10 (Upgradable to 13) | Android 13 | Realme C55 ships with a newer OS, but OnePlus 9R can be upgraded to Android 13. |
Connectivity | |||
Wi-Fi | WiFi 6, MIMO | Wi-Fi 5 | OnePlus 9R supports the newer Wi-Fi standard and MIMO for faster and more stable connections, better suited for areas with congested Wi-Fi networks. |
Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.1 with APT-x, LDAC, AAC | Bluetooth 5.2 with EDR, HID | Realme C55 supports a newer Bluetooth version. OnePlus 9R offers better high-fidelity audio codec support, while Realme C55 has Enhanced Data Rate and Human Interface Profile support. |
GPS | GPS (L1+L5), BeiDou (B1), Galileo (E1+E5a) | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | OnePlus 9R has more precise GPS thanks to the addition of extra bands and constellations. |
SIM | Dual SIM Dual Standby (Nano SIM + Nano SIM) | Dual SIM Dual Standby (Nano SIM + Nano SIM) | Same dual SIM support for both. |
Storage | |||
Internal | 128GB or 256GB | 64GB, 128GB, or 256GB | Both phones offer up to 256 GB of storage. Realme C55 also has a 64GB version. |
RAM | 8GB or 12GB | 4GB, 6GB, or 8GB | OnePlus 9R can have significantly more RAM for smoother multitasking and better performance in demanding applications. |
Expandable | No | No | Neither phone has expandable storage. |
Audio | |||
Audio Quality | Dolby Atmos, Noise cancellation, Stereo Speakers | Basic | OnePlus 9R offers significantly better sound quality and immersion for music and videos. |
Security | |||
Fingerprint Sensor | Basic fingerprint sensor | Side-mounted fingerprint sensor | Realme C55 has a faster, more convenient sensor. |
Build Quality | |||
Screen Protection | Unknown | Unknown | Specific screen protection information is missing, but both are likely to have some sort of tempered glass. |
Sensors | |||
Sensors | Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Proximity, Fingerprint | Accelerometer, Proximity, Fingerprint | OnePlus 9R has additional sensors for more advanced functionality and gaming. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
OnePlus 9R Advantages:
- Significantly Superior Performance: The Snapdragon 870 chipset offers vastly higher processing power than the Helio G88, resulting in much faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and better gaming performance.
- Superior Display: The AMOLED display offers better contrast, more vibrant colors, and deeper blacks, leading to a better overall viewing experience. The 120Hz refresh rate provides smoother animations.
- Better Camera Capabilities: The OnePlus 9R offers 4K video recording, a dedicated ultra-wide lens, optical image stabilization (OIS), and features such as RAW image capture for more flexibility and image quality. Also has a higher resolution selfie camera with larger pixel size.
- Enhanced Audio: Features Dolby Atmos, stereo speakers, and a noise-canceling microphone for a better multimedia and communication experience.
- Faster Charging: 65W fast charging will quickly recharge the phone for more use.
- Better Connectivity: Features a more up-to-date Wi-Fi (WiFi 6 with MIMO), and GPS with more constellations and bands, offering better network performance and location accuracy.
Realme C55 Advantages:
- Newer OS: Ships with Android 13, offering the latest software features and updates (however, the 9R can be upgraded to 13)
- Larger Battery: The 5000mAh battery provides potentially longer battery life.
- Higher Brightness: Significantly better visibility in bright outdoor conditions thanks to 680nits of brightness.
- Newer Bluetooth: Features Bluetooth 5.2
- Side-Mounted Fingerprint Scanner: May offer more convenience than the basic fingerprint sensor of the OnePlus 9R.
Significant Trade-offs:
- Performance: The Realme C55 significantly lags behind the OnePlus 9R in terms of processing and graphics performance.
- Display Quality: The Realme C55's IPS LCD panel cannot match the color reproduction, contrast, and viewing experience offered by the OnePlus 9R's AMOLED screen.
- Camera Quality: The Realme C55 has a higher resolution main sensor, but lacks a dedicated ultrawide lens, OIS and advanced features and does not offer 4K video.
- Audio Quality: The Realme C55 offers basic audio and lacks features like stereo speakers and noise cancellation.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
OnePlus 9R Ideal User:
- Gamers: The powerful chipset, dedicated GPU, high refresh rate screen, and advanced sensors make this the better phone for gaming.
- Power Users: Those who multitask extensively, use demanding apps, and require a smooth overall experience.
- Photography Enthusiasts: Users who need more flexibility with camera features such as RAW, ultrawide shots, and better video quality.
- Media Consumers: Users who value high-quality audio-visual experiences, better suited for watching movies or listening to music with enhanced audio.
- Tech-Savvy Users: Those who appreciate faster charging, the latest WiFi and GPS technology.
Realme C55 Ideal User:
- Budget-Conscious Users: Those looking for a dependable phone that can handle basic tasks and prioritize good battery life and bright display above all else.
- Users with Simple Needs: Those who primarily use their phones for social media, communication, and light web browsing and are not concerned about gaming or advanced camera features.
- Outdoor Enthusiasts: The higher screen brightness is great for outdoor use.
- Users Who Prioritize Battery Life: The larger battery provides longer use between charges.
Use Cases:
- OnePlus 9R:
- High-end gaming with smooth frame rates and fast response times.
- 4K video recording and editing.
- Viewing and editing RAW photos.
- Video conferencing in noisy environments, using stereo speakers and noise cancelling microphone.
- Using Wi-Fi 6 to take full advantage of a fast home network.
- Precise location tracking for navigation.
- Realme C55:
- Social media browsing and video consumption.
- Longer battery life for extended trips and travel.
- Comfortable use outdoors in bright daylight.
- General day-to-day use at a more affordable price point.
- Fast unlock with the side-mounted fingerprint sensor.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- How important is performance and gaming to you? If gaming, performance, and speed are top priorities, the OnePlus 9R is a clear choice. If these are less important or you are a light user, the Realme C55 is a great option.
- How important is display quality? If you value the viewing experience with superior contrast and colors, and a high refresh rate, the OnePlus 9R is far superior. If a bright display is the primary concern, the Realme C55 will be a good option.
- Which camera features are most important for you? If you want more video recording quality, more versatility and better image quality with advanced features, the OnePlus 9R is the choice. If a basic point and shoot is sufficient, the Realme C55 is ok.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: You are a gamer who also enjoys high-quality multimedia.
- Recommendation: OnePlus 9R for its performance, better display and audio capabilities.
- Scenario 2: You need a reliable phone for daily use, mostly social media, with long battery and good outdoor visibility
- Recommendation: Realme C55 for it's brightness and long battery.
- Scenario 3: You are a photography enthusiast who needs flexible camera features.
- Recommendation: OnePlus 9R, for the better camera quality, OIS, and video recording.
- Scenario 4: You are on a very tight budget and need the best value
- Recommendation: Realme C55, offering great value at a low cost.
My Choice
If I were choosing between these two phones, I would choose the OnePlus 9R. While both phones have their strengths, the OnePlus 9R offers a more rounded, premium experience. I personally value the superior performance, higher quality AMOLED display, better camera capabilities with the ultrawide lens, advanced audio, and faster charging speeds. While it may not have the same battery capacity or brightness as the Realme C55, for my typical usage (which involves performance-heavy tasks and lots of media consumption), the OnePlus 9R is the clear winner.