1. Specifications Comparison
Design
| Feature | OnePlus 9R | Samsung Galaxy M35 | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Dimensions | 161 × 74.1 × 8.4 mm | 162.3 × 78.6 × 9.1 mm | The M35 is larger, which might be less comfortable for one-handed use. The 9R is slimmer and easier to handle. |
| Weight | 189g | 222g | The 9R is significantly lighter making it more comfortable for long periods of holding and portability. |
Display
| Feature | OnePlus 9R | Samsung Galaxy M35 | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Size | 6.55" | 6.6" | Both offer a similar immersive viewing experience. The small difference is negligible in everyday use. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2340 | Both have very similar sharpness; the minor resolution difference is unlikely to be noticeable. |
| Pixel Density | 402 PPI | 390 PPI | Both offer very sharp displays. The small difference will not be noticeable. |
| Technology | AMOLED | AMOLED | Both offer vibrant colors, deep blacks, and good contrast, enhancing visual experience. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | Both offer smoother scrolling and animations, which is more responsive for gaming and general usage. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 0 nits | Peak brightness is not specified which makes it difficult to assess outdoor visibility. |
Performance
| Feature | OnePlus 9R | Samsung Galaxy M35 | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM8250-AC Snapdragon 870 5G (7 nm) | Exynos 1380 (5 nm) | Snapdragon 870 is a slightly older high performance chipset. The Exynos 1380 is a modern mid-range chip. Expect the 9R to handle demanding tasks slightly better. |
| AnTuTu Score | 821,600 | 578,500 | The 9R will load apps faster and perform smoother due to significantly higher benchmark score. |
| GPU | Adreno 650 | Mali-G68 MP5 | Adreno 650 generally provides better graphics performance, especially in gaming. |
Camera
| Feature | OnePlus 9R | Samsung Galaxy M35 | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Main Camera | 48MP, f/1.7, 1/2", Sony IMX586, 0.8µm | 50MP, f/1.8, 1/2", Sony LYT-600, 1.0µm | The M35 has slightly higher resolution and bigger pixels, potentially better low-light performance, while 9R has a wider aperture. |
| Selfie Camera | 16MP, f/2.4, 1/3.13", Sony IMX471, 1.0µm | 13MP, f/2.2, 1.12µm | The 9R has a higher resolution, but M35 has a wider aperture and larger pixel size which could mean better low light performance. |
| Wide Angle | 16MP, f/2.2, 1/3.09", Sony IMX481, 1.0µm | 8MP, f/2.2 | The 9R offers a much higher resolution wide-angle lens, resulting in more detailed wide angle shots. |
| Portrait Camera | 2MP, f/2.4 | None | The 9R has dedicated depth sensor for better portraits. The M35 is missing this. |
| Macro Camera | 5MP, f/2.4 | 2MP, f/2.4 | The 9R captures more detailed macro shots. |
| Video Recording | 4K@60fps with HDR, EIS, 1080p@240fps with HDR, EIS | 4K@30fps with EIS, 720p@480fps with EIS | The 9R can record 4K at 60fps and has more options for slow motion. The M35 has better slow motion. |
| Camera Features | Quadruple camera, Manual focus, PDAF, RAW, OIS, 4K Video | Triple Camera, All Pixel Omni- Directional PDAF, NPU AI Engine, RAW 12 bits, DOL HDR, OIS, 4K Video | M35 has more AI and computational features, the 9R is geared toward manual photography. |
Battery
| Feature | OnePlus 9R | Samsung Galaxy M35 | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Capacity | 4500mAh | 6000mAh | The M35 offers significantly longer battery life due to the larger capacity. |
| Charging | 65W fast charging, Li-Polymer | 25W fast charging, Li-Ion | The 9R charges much faster. M35 charging is slower but battery lasts longer. |
Software
| Feature | OnePlus 9R | Samsung Galaxy M35 | Practical Impact |
|---|
| OS | Android 10, upgradable to 13 | Android 14 | The M35 will have the latest features, security patches and potentially longer software support. |
Other
| Feature | OnePlus 9R | Samsung Galaxy M35 | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.1 | 5.3 | M35 has a newer version that is slightly more efficient and better for newer devices. |
| Storage | 128GB/256GB | 128GB/256GB | Both provide ample storage but have no expandable storage. |
| RAM | 8GB/12GB | 6GB/8GB | 9R can handle more heavy duty tasks at a time |
| Security | Basic Fingerprint | Side-mounted Fingerprint | M35 has more sophisticated fingerprint scanner location and therefore is more user-friendly. |
| Screen Protection | Unknown | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus | The M35 screen will have better protection against scratches and damage. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
OnePlus 9R Advantages:
- Superior Performance: The Snapdragon 870 chipset offers significantly better CPU and GPU performance, resulting in faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and better gaming experiences.
- Faster Charging: 65W fast charging significantly reduces charging time.
- Higher Resolution Wide-Angle & Macro Camera: The higher resolution sensors captures much more details.
- Better Video Recording: Capable of recording 4K at 60FPS and 1080p slow motion.
- More RAM: The option for 12GB of RAM offers better multitasking capability.
- Manual Camera Controls: Offers more control for photography enthusiasts.
Practical Implications: The 9R is better for users who prioritize performance, fast charging, and superior camera capabilities.
Samsung Galaxy M35 Advantages:
- Significantly Longer Battery Life: The 6000mAh battery provides much better endurance.
- Latest Software: Runs on the newest version of android with all the features and security improvements that it offers.
- Better Main Camera Sensor: The larger pixel size may lead to better low light performance in the main sensor.
- Advanced Camera Features: Includes computational photography enhancements for more automated picture taking.
- Superior Screen Protection: Corning Gorilla Glass Victus screen protection means more peace of mind.
- Newer Bluetooth Version: Newer Bluetooth version is more efficient.
- Side Mounted Fingerprint Sensor: Much more convenient fingerprint sensor placement.
Practical Implications: The M35 is better for users who prioritize battery life, updated software, automatic photography and device durability.
Significant Trade-offs
- The OnePlus 9R trades battery life and a side-mounted fingerprint sensor for much faster charging, and superior performance, and camera features.
- The Samsung Galaxy M35 trades performance and charging speed for significantly longer battery life and an updated user experience.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
OnePlus 9R Ideal User:
- Gamers: The superior performance is critical for high-end mobile gaming.
- Power Users: Those who multitask heavily and demand fast loading times from their devices.
- Photography Enthusiasts: Manual controls and fast video recording options are ideal.
- Users Who Value Speed: The 65W fast charging is a significant benefit for those on the go.
Specific Use Cases:
- Playing graphics-intensive mobile games like Genshin Impact or Call of Duty Mobile.
- Switching between multiple demanding applications and editing videos.
- Capturing fast-action shots and videos.
- Quickly charging the phone during short breaks.
Samsung Galaxy M35 Ideal User:
- Users Prioritizing Battery Life: Those who need their phone to last all day without needing to charge.
- Casual Photographers: Users who prefer automated camera modes and AI enhancements.
- Everyday Users: Those seeking a reliable phone with a good display for general use.
- Users Prioritizing Durability: The improved screen protection adds a layer of security against damage.
- Users who prefer updated software: Those who value a phone with the latest features, security patches and longevity.
Specific Use Cases:
- Long days of travel without access to charging.
- Casual photography for everyday moments.
- Extended periods of media consumption such as watching shows or reading articles.
- Users who prefer a newer device with the latest OS and software features.
Price-to-Value Ratio
- The OnePlus 9R is older and may be available at a discounted price, making it a high-performance phone with great value.
- The Samsung Galaxy M35 is newer and is therefore more expensive. However, the updated features, battery life, and updated OS justifies the cost for some users.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- How important is battery life to you? If you prioritize all-day usage without needing to charge, the M35 is better. If you can charge throughout the day, then the 9R is viable.
- Do you need the best performance for gaming and heavy tasks, or is a smooth experience sufficient? The 9R is much better for demanding tasks, the M35 is adequate for the average user.
- Are you an advanced user who values manual camera controls and fast charging? The 9R is better suited for enthusiast photographers and users who value speed.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Gaming and Demanding Tasks: If you primarily use your phone for gaming and heavy multitasking and will have easy access to a charger, choose the OnePlus 9R for its superior performance and fast charging.
- Scenario 2: All-Day Battery and Updated Features: If you need a phone that will last all day without needing to charge, want an updated OS, and value camera AI enhancements, choose the Samsung Galaxy M35.
- Scenario 3: Balanced Use and Budget: If you want a combination of good performance and battery at a good value, compare the current prices of both. The OnePlus 9R may be cheaper because it is older, which would make it a better value, if you can live with the trade-offs.
My Choice and Why
If I had to choose, I would personally opt for the OnePlus 9R. My priority is performance and the ability to perform heavy tasks such as multitasking and gaming. While the M35 has better battery and a more modern software experience, I would prefer to trade this for the superior processing power of the 9R and the fast charging capabilities. Additionally, I enjoy taking photos and the manual controls and video recording features would be very important to me. Despite being older, the performance advantage of the 9R is more beneficial to my use cases than the improvements in battery life and the updated OS of the M35.
