1. Specifications Comparison
Design
| Feature | OnePlus 9R | Xiaomi Poco F6 | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Physical Size | 161 × 74.1 × 8.4 mm | 160.5 × 74.5 × 8 mm | Similar size, Poco F6 is slightly thinner. Minimal practical difference in everyday use. |
| Weight | 189g | 179g | Poco F6 is slightly lighter, may feel less fatiguing during long usage sessions. |
Display
| Feature | OnePlus 9R | Xiaomi Poco F6 | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Size | 6.55" | 6.67" | Poco F6 offers a slightly larger viewing area, which can improve media consumption and gaming experience. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1220x2712 | Poco F6's higher resolution results in sharper, more detailed visuals, enhancing the viewing experience for text and images. |
| PPI | 402 | 446 | Poco F6 has a higher pixel density, leading to slightly sharper text and images. Noticeable for users with keen vision. |
| Technology | AMOLED | AMOLED | Identical display technology, both offer excellent contrast and vibrant colors. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | Both offer smooth scrolling and animations. Visually similar in everyday usage. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 2400 nits | Poco F6's much higher peak brightness makes it significantly more readable outdoors in bright sunlight. The 0 nits on the 9R is a data error. |
Performance
| Feature | OnePlus 9R | Xiaomi Poco F6 | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM8250-AC Snapdragon 870 5G (7 nm) | Qualcomm SM8635 Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 (4 nm) | Poco F6's newer and more powerful chipset provides significantly faster performance, improved efficiency, and better sustained performance. |
| AnTuTu Score | 821,600 | 1,530,662 | Poco F6 has substantially higher benchmark scores, suggesting much smoother operation for gaming, multitasking, and demanding apps. |
| GPU | Adreno 650 | Adreno 735 | Poco F6's newer GPU offers superior graphics performance, translating to smoother frame rates and higher graphics settings in games. |
Camera
| Feature | OnePlus 9R | Xiaomi Poco F6 | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Standard Camera | 48MP, f/1.7, 1/2", Sony IMX586, 0.80µm | 50MP, f/1.6, 1/2", Sony IMX882, 0.70µm | Poco F6’s primary camera has a slightly higher resolution and wider aperture, which can improve low-light performance, and has slightly smaller pixels. |
| Selfie Camera | 16MP, f/2.4, 1/3.13", Sony IMX471, 1.00µm | 20MP, f/2.0, Omnivision OV20B, pixel size unknown | Poco F6's front camera has higher resolution and a wider aperture, improving selfie image quality and low light performance. Pixel size on Poco F6 is unknown, so direct comparison is impossible. |
| Wide Angle Camera | 16MP, f/2.2, 1/3.09", Sony IMX481, 1.00µm | 8MP, f/2.2, 1/2.8", Sony IMX355, 1.14µm | OnePlus 9R has a higher resolution, but Poco F6 has larger individual pixels which can improve low light performance. Sensor size is larger on the Poco F6 potentially offering better quality. |
| Portrait mode (depth) | 2MP, f/2.4 | None | OnePlus 9R has dedicated hardware for depth sensing to provide better background blurring; it's unclear how the Poco F6 handles portrait mode without it. |
| Macro Lens | 5MP, f/2.4 | None | OnePlus 9R has a dedicated macro lens, allowing for close-up photography. Poco F6 lacks a macro lens. |
| Video | 4K@60fps with HDR, EIS; 1080p@240fps with HDR, EIS | 4K@60fps with EIS; 1080p@240fps with EIS | Both offer similar 4K video and slow motion capabilities. |
| Camera Features | Quadruple camera, RAW | Dual camera, 8K Video, Night Mode | The Poco F6 has an 8K video recording and night mode, while OnePlus 9R has a RAW format that allows for more advanced post-processing. |
Battery
| Feature | OnePlus 9R | Xiaomi Poco F6 | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Capacity | 4500mAh | 5000mAh | Poco F6's larger battery likely provides longer battery life, reducing the need for frequent charging. |
| Charging | 65W Fast | 90W Fast | Poco F6's faster charging allows for quicker top-ups, reducing waiting time. |
| Battery Type | Li-Polymer | Li-Ion | No significant difference in practical usage. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
OnePlus 9R Advantages:
- Dedicated Macro and Depth Sensors: Offers specialized lenses for macro and portrait photography.
- RAW Image Capture: Allows for advanced photo editing due to the inclusion of RAW images.
- Slightly Higher Resolution Wide-Angle Camera: Offers a 16MP sensor, potentially capturing more detail than the Poco F6's wide-angle lens.
Xiaomi Poco F6 Advantages:
- Superior Performance: The newer Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 chipset provides much better performance for gaming and multitasking.
- Significantly Brighter Display: The 2400 nit peak brightness makes it much better for outdoor visibility in bright conditions.
- Larger Battery and Faster Charging: Offers longer battery life and faster charging times.
- Higher Resolution Main Camera Offers a slightly higher resolution for the main camera.
- More Advanced Features: Includes 8K Video, Ultra stable video, Continuous autofocus, Night Mode.
- Newer Bluetooth Version: Supports Bluetooth 5.4 offering improved connection speeds and stability and the additional SBC codec.
- More Storage Options: Offers a larger maximum storage capacity of 512 GB, which is better for media hoarders.
- Better Screen Protection: Features Corning Gorilla Glass Victus screen protection, which provides better resistance to scratches and drops.
Trade-offs:
- OnePlus 9R: The OnePlus 9R offers older technology overall.
- Xiaomi Poco F6: The Poco F6 lacks a dedicated macro lens and a depth sensor which may impact some photographic use cases. It is also unclear about the selfie camera's pixel size.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
OnePlus 9R Ideal User:
- Budget-Conscious Photographer: Users who prioritize macro and portrait photography and want RAW editing capabilities at a lower price point.
- Users who need a good set of camera features: While the phone lags in processor performance and screen brightness, it contains features that are not on the other phone such as a macro lens and the ability to capture RAW images.
Xiaomi Poco F6 Ideal User:
- Performance Enthusiast/Gamer: Users who need a powerful processor for gaming and demanding apps.
- Outdoor Users: Users who require a high-brightness display that is clearly visible in direct sunlight.
- Media Consumers: Users who want the best possible screen for watching videos.
- Power Users: Those who need a long battery life and quick charging.
- Those who want to capture videos and photos with AI enhancement: The phone includes features such as 8K Video, Ultra stable video, Continuous autofocus, and Night Mode.
Use Cases:
- OnePlus 9R:
- Close-up photography with macro lens.
- Portrait photography using the depth sensor.
- Post-processing photographs with RAW files.
- Xiaomi Poco F6:
- High-end gaming with demanding graphics.
- Outdoor use, reading, and navigating in bright sunlight.
- Watching HDR videos and streaming content.
- Capture videos with night mode.
- Use the new bluetooth 5.4 for better wireless audio.
Price-to-Value:
The Xiaomi Poco F6 offers significantly more value, having a much more powerful chipset, screen, better battery, and additional features. It also has a newer operating system and is supported longer.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- What is my primary use case for the phone? (Gaming, Photography, Media, Daily Use)
- How important is outdoor visibility for my screen? (Very important if you spend a lot of time outside)
- Do I need a dedicated macro lens or would I prefer a more powerful overall phone? (Important to know if macro photography is important)
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- If you primarily game or require high performance: The Xiaomi Poco F6 is the clear choice because of the higher Antutu score and superior chipset.
- If you need the best display for outdoor use: The Xiaomi Poco F6, with its significantly brighter screen, is the preferred option.
- If you're on a very tight budget and need a dedicated macro and depth sensor: The OnePlus 9R can handle the basics and has unique camera features, but it will lag in other performance metrics.
- If you need more storage: The Xiaomi Poco F6 is the preferred option because it provides 256GB more storage.
What I would choose and why:
I would choose the Xiaomi Poco F6.
Here's why:
- Performance: The Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 chipset offers a substantial performance advantage, making it a much better choice for overall usage, and especially for gaming. The difference in the Antutu score makes it a very obvious choice for general speed and responsiveness.
- Display: The higher peak brightness of 2400 nits makes a significant difference for outdoor use, something I highly value. Additionally, the higher resolution also makes for a more enjoyable media viewing experience.
- Battery and Charging: The larger battery capacity coupled with the much faster 90W charging means less time plugged into the wall, which is very practical.
- Features: The extra features of the camera and overall phone make it the better all-around choice.
- Future Proofing: The newer operating system and more modern hardware make the Poco F6 a better option that will stay relevant longer.
While the OnePlus 9R has dedicated macro and depth sensors, the overall package of the Poco F6 is superior for me, outweighing the loss of those specific camera lenses. The Poco F6 provides a more compelling blend of performance, display quality, and battery life, making it the better option for a broader range of users including me.
