1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | OnePlus 9R | Sony Xperia 5 IV | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 161 × 74.1 × 8.4 mm | 156 × 67 × 8.2 mm | OnePlus 9R is larger and may feel less comfortable in hand, especially for smaller hands. Sony Xperia 5 IV is more compact and pocketable. |
| Weight | 189g | 172g | Sony Xperia 5 IV is lighter, making it more comfortable for prolonged use. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.55" | 6.1" | OnePlus 9R offers a larger screen, better for media consumption. Sony Xperia 5 IV is more compact. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2520 | Sony Xperia 5 IV has slightly sharper images and text due to a higher pixel count. |
| Pixel Density | 402 ppi | 449 ppi | Sony Xperia 5 IV has a sharper display. |
| Technology | AMOLED | OLED | Both offer vibrant colors and deep blacks. Minimal practical difference. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | Both offer smooth scrolling and animations. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 0 nits | Brightness is not available, cannot assess outdoor readability. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Snapdragon 870 (7 nm) | Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 (4 nm) | Sony Xperia 5 IV has a more powerful and efficient chipset leading to better performance in demanding tasks and more efficient power usage. |
| AnTuTu Score | 821,600 | 1,021,542 | Sony Xperia 5 IV is significantly faster in benchmarks, resulting in smoother app loading and gaming performance. |
| GPU | Adreno 650 | Adreno 730 | Sony Xperia 5 IV's Adreno 730 provides better graphics performance for gaming. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 4500mAh | 5000mAh | Sony Xperia 5 IV has a larger battery, likely offering longer battery life. |
| Charging | 65W Fast Charging | 30W Fast Charging | OnePlus 9R charges much faster. |
| Features | Non-removable | Bypass Charging, Reverse Charging, Non-removable | Sony Xperia 5 IV's bypass charging is useful for gaming while plugged in. Reverse charging allows it to charge other devices. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 48MP, f/1.7, 1/2", 0.8µm pixel size | 12MP, f/1.7, 1/1.7", 1.8µm pixel size | OnePlus 9R has a higher megapixel count, but Sony Xperia 5 IV has a larger sensor and pixel size, which should result in better low-light performance. |
| Selfie Camera | 16MP, f/2.4, 1/3.13", 1.0µm pixel size | 12MP, f/2.0, 1.25µm pixel size | Sony Xperia 5 IV has a wider aperture and larger pixel size, which should result in better low-light selfies. |
| Telephoto Lens | None | 12MP, f/2.4, 1/3.5", 1.0µm pixel size | Sony Xperia 5 IV has a dedicated telephoto lens for optical zoom capabilities. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 16MP, f/2.2, 1/3.09", 1.0µm pixel size | 12MP, f/2.2, 1/2.55", 1.4µm pixel size | Sony Xperia 5 IV has a larger sensor size, which should result in better low light shots. |
| Portrait Mode | 2MP, f/2.4 | None | OnePlus 9R has a dedicated portrait mode camera (depth sensor) for better blurred backgrounds. |
| Macro Lens | 5MP, f/2.4 | None | OnePlus 9R has a dedicated macro lens for close-up shots. |
| Video | Up to 4K@60fps, HDR, EIS | Up to 4K@120fps, HDR, OIS, EIS | Sony Xperia 5 IV offers more advanced video capabilities, including higher frame rates and optical image stabilization. |
| DXOMark | Not Tested | Mobile 119, Photo 121, Video 113 | Only Sony Xperia 5 IV has a score, indicating that it might have better camera quality. |
| Camera Features | Quadruple camera, Manual Focus | Triple camera, Optical zoom, Ultra stable video | Sony Xperia 5 IV has more advanced camera features (optical zoom, Ultra stable video); OnePlus has an additional depth and macro camera. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 10 (upgradable to 13) | Android 12 (upgradable to 13) | Sony Xperia 5 IV has a more modern base OS. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | WiFi 6, Wi-Fi MiMO | WiFi 6 | OnePlus 9R has Wi-Fi MiMO for potentially faster Wi-Fi speeds. |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.1 | Bluetooth 5.2 | Sony Xperia 5 IV has a newer Bluetooth version with more features. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo, GPS (L1+L5), BeiDou (B1), Galileo (E1+E5a) | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, Galileo, GPS (L1+L5), Galileo (E1+E5a) | Sony Xperia 5 IV supports QZSS. Both have similar location capabilities. |
| SIM | Dual Nano SIM | Dual Nano SIM + eSIM | Sony Xperia 5 IV offers the flexibility of using an eSIM. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 128GB or 256GB | 128GB or 256GB | Both phones offer similar storage options. |
| RAM | 8GB or 12GB | 8GB | OnePlus 9R can have more RAM for better multitasking and gaming performance on high ram variant. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone allows for microSD card expansion. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Dolby Atmos, Noise cancellation microphone, Stereo Speakers | Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res Audio, Stereo Speakers | Sony Xperia 5 IV has Hi-Res Audio for superior audio quality, while the OnePlus 9R has noise cancellation. |
| Security | |||
| Features | Basic fingerprint sensor | Side-mounted fingerprint sensor | Sony Xperia 5 IV has a more convenient and responsive side-mounted fingerprint sensor. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Unknown | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus | Sony Xperia 5 IV offers superior protection against scratches and cracks. |
| Sensors | Biometric, Proximity, Motion | Biometric, Proximity, Motion, Environmental | Sony Xperia 5 IV has a barometer sensor for advanced environmental data. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
OnePlus 9R Advantages:
- Faster Charging: 65W charging is significantly faster than 30W, reducing charging time.
- Potentially Higher RAM: Option for 12GB RAM allows for smoother multitasking on higher ram variant.
- Additional Camera Lenses: Dedicated macro and depth sensors for different creative shots.
- Wi-Fi MiMO: Might offer slightly faster and more stable Wi-Fi connections.
Sony Xperia 5 IV Advantages:
- More Powerful Chipset: Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 offers superior performance and efficiency.
- Better Main Camera Sensor: Larger sensor and pixel size should result in better low-light performance.
- Telephoto Lens: Dedicated telephoto lens provides optical zoom capability.
- More Advanced Video Recording: Higher frame rate video recording up to 4K 120fps, with OIS.
- Larger Battery: 5000mAh battery likely provides longer battery life.
- eSIM Support: Allows for more flexibility in choosing carriers.
- Better Screen Protection: Corning Gorilla Glass Victus for enhanced scratch and shatter resistance.
- Hi-Res Audio: Offers better audio quality for audiophiles.
- Bypass and Reverse Charging: Offers added functionality while charging.
- More Advanced Bluetooth: Newest Bluetooth version for a wider array of uses.
- Additional Sensors: Barometer for altitude tracking and environmental data.
Significant Trade-offs:
- OnePlus 9R: Slower processor, inferior cameras in some aspects, and smaller battery than the Sony Xperia 5 IV.
- Sony Xperia 5 IV: Slower charging, higher price point, and lacks a dedicated macro and depth sensor.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
OnePlus 9R Ideal User:
- Users who prioritize fast charging: If you need a phone that charges quickly, the OnePlus 9R is a strong option.
- Budget-conscious users: Likely more affordable than the Sony Xperia 5 IV, offering good value for the price.
- Users who enjoy macro and portrait photography: Dedicated depth and macro lenses offer creative options.
- Users who do not require the latest performance: Adequate performance for most tasks and mobile games.
- Users who don't mind a larger phone: Prefers bigger screen for media consumption.
Use Cases for OnePlus 9R:
- Everyday tasks, social media, and browsing.
- Casual mobile gaming.
- Users who need a fast charge during the day.
- Creative users who enjoy macro and portrait shots.
Sony Xperia 5 IV Ideal User:
- Users who prioritize performance: The Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 offers a superior performance for intensive tasks and demanding games.
- Users who prioritize camera quality: Better low-light performance, optical zoom, and advanced video recording are great for content creators.
- Users who value battery life: Larger 5000 mAh battery for longer battery usage during the day.
- Users who prefer a more compact phone: Smaller dimensions make it more portable.
- Users who consume a lot of multimedia content : Great display and High Res Audio for multimedia.
Use Cases for Sony Xperia 5 IV:
- Demanding mobile gaming.
- High-quality photography and videography.
- Users who require long battery life.
- Users who appreciate compact design.
- Users who want better screen protection.
- Users who consume a lot of multimedia.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions to Consider:
- Performance Needs: Do you need the latest and greatest performance, or is a mid-range processor sufficient?
- Camera Priorities: Do you prioritize low-light performance and video capabilities, or do you prefer macro and portrait modes?
- Battery and Charging: Is battery life more important, or do you prioritize fast charging?
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Performance-Focused Gamer: If you are a mobile gamer, choose the Sony Xperia 5 IV. Its superior chipset and GPU offer better performance.
- Scenario 2: Casual User on a Budget: If you need a reliable phone for everyday tasks and want a good value, the OnePlus 9R is a better option.
- Scenario 3: Photography Enthusiast: If you are a camera enthusiast, choose the Sony Xperia 5 IV. It has a better camera system with optical zoom and advanced video recording capabilities.
- Scenario 4: Heavy User on the Go: If battery life and advanced features are important, the Sony Xperia 5 IV is better due to the larger battery, bypass and reverse charging.
My Choice
If I had to choose, I would pick the Sony Xperia 5 IV.
Here's Why:
While the OnePlus 9R is a very competent phone, the Sony Xperia 5 IV stands out for several reasons that are important to me:
- Superior Performance: The Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 offers a significantly more powerful chipset, future-proofing the device for a longer period.
- Better Camera System: I highly prioritize a great camera experience. The Xperia 5 IV's larger sensor, better low-light performance, and telephoto lens provide a superior overall camera experience.
- Multimedia Experience: The higher resolution screen with more pixel density, paired with High-Res Audio for a better listening experience, make this a better media device.
- Build Quality and Durability: The Corning Gorilla Glass Victus gives me peace of mind that my screen is protected.
- Battery Life and Features: The larger battery offers more longevity. In addition, bypass and reverse charging are great for extra usability.
- More Advanced Bluetooth: The newest version is great for more advanced audio features.
While the faster charging on the OnePlus 9R is attractive, the advantages of the Sony Xperia 5 IV in terms of performance, camera, build, audio, and battery life make it the more appealing choice for my personal usage.
