Smartphone Comparison: OnePlus 9R vs. Xiaomi Poco M4 5G
1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | OnePlus 9R | Xiaomi Poco M4 5G | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 161 × 74.1 × 8.4 mm, 189g | 164 × 76.1 × 8.9 mm, 200g | OnePlus 9R is slightly more compact and lighter, potentially more comfortable for one-handed use and extended periods. Xiaomi is larger and heavier. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.55" | 6.58" | Negligible difference; both offer a large viewing area for media consumption. |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 | 1080 x 2408 | Virtually identical sharpness; both are suitable for HD content. |
| PPI | 402 | 401 | Essentially the same pixel density, providing similar levels of detail. |
| Technology | AMOLED | IPS LCD | AMOLED offers superior contrast, deeper blacks, and more vibrant colors, enhancing media consumption and providing better visibility in sunlight. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 90Hz | 120Hz provides smoother animations, making scrolling and gaming feel more fluid and responsive. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 0 nits | Brightness is not known, making outdoor viewing difficult to compare. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 870 (7 nm) | Mediatek Dimensity 700 (7 nm) | Snapdragon 870 offers significantly higher performance, resulting in faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and better gaming experience. |
| AnTuTu Score | 821,600 | 381,300 | Substantially higher AnTuTu score indicates that the OnePlus 9R will handle demanding tasks, including resource intensive apps and games, more easily. |
| GPU | Adreno 650 | Mali-G57 MC2 | Adreno 650 is a more powerful GPU, resulting in higher frame rates and better graphics performance in games and GPU-intensive applications. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 4500mAh | 5000mAh | Xiaomi Poco M4 5G has a larger battery, which generally translates to longer battery life per charge. |
| Charging | 65W Fast Charging | 18W Fast Charging | OnePlus 9R charges much faster, reducing downtime and allowing for quicker top-ups. |
| Battery Features | Non-removable | Reverse Charging, Non-removable | Reverse charging on the Poco M4 5G allows it to charge other devices wirelessly. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 48MP, f/1.7, 1/2" Sony IMX586 | 13MP, f/2.2 | OnePlus 9R captures more detailed photos and performs better in low light due to higher resolution, wider aperture, and a larger sensor with Sony sensor. |
| Selfie Camera | 16MP, f/2.4, 1/3.13" Sony IMX471 | 5MP, f/2.2 | OnePlus 9R has significantly higher resolution, leading to more detailed selfies. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 16MP, f/2.2, 1/3.09" Sony IMX481 | None | OnePlus 9R can capture wider scenes, useful for group photos and landscapes. |
| Portrait Lens | 2MP, f/2.4 | 2MP, f/2.4 | Comparable depth-sensing capability for portrait mode. |
| Macro Lens | 5MP, f/2.4 | None | OnePlus 9R allows users to take detailed close-up photos. |
| Video Recording | Up to 4K@60fps with HDR, EIS, 1080p@240fps | 1080p@30fps | OnePlus 9R has far superior video capabilities, offering higher resolution, smoother frame rates, and slow-motion capabilities. |
| Camera Features | OIS, PDAF, RAW, Quadruple Camera etc | Dual Camera, Night Mode etc | OnePlus 9R has more advanced camera features, including Optical Image Stabilization (OIS), Phase Detection Auto Focus (PDAF) and more versatile shooting options. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 10, Upgradable to 13 | Android 12 | Xiaomi Poco M4 5G ships with a more recent Android OS out of the box, although the OnePlus 9R can be upgraded, albeit a year after its release. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) | Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac) | OnePlus 9R supports the faster, more reliable Wi-Fi 6 standard, while both offer dual band Wi-Fi. |
| Bluetooth | 5.1 LE, APT-x, LDAC, AAC | 5.1 LE, EDR, HID | Both have Bluetooth 5.1, OnePlus 9R additionally supports higher quality audio codecs (aptX, LDAC, AAC), while Poco M4 5G supports EDR and HID profiles. |
| GPS | GPS (L1+L5), BeiDou (B1), Galileo (E1+E5a) | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | OnePlus 9R supports additional GPS bands, leading to more accurate location services in dense urban or challenging conditions. |
| SIM | Dual Nano SIM | Dual Nano SIM | Both support dual SIM usage. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal Storage | 128GB/256GB | 64GB/128GB | OnePlus 9R offers greater internal storage options, reducing the need for cloud storage. |
| RAM | 8GB/12GB | 4GB/6GB | OnePlus 9R has significantly more RAM, providing better multitasking capabilities and faster performance in demanding applications. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone allows for external storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Audio Quality | Dolby Atmos, Stereo Speakers, Noise Canceling Mic | Basic audio features | OnePlus 9R delivers a richer, more immersive audio experience for music and videos thanks to its dedicated features. |
| Security | |||
| Fingerprint | Basic Fingerprint Sensor | Side-mounted Fingerprint Sensor | Side-mounted sensor is generally considered more convenient. |
| Build | |||
| Screen Protection | Unknown | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | Xiaomi Poco M4 5G uses more durable glass for screen protection |
2. Key Differences Analysis
OnePlus 9R Advantages:
- Superior Performance: The Snapdragon 870 chipset provides significantly faster processing speeds and better GPU performance, making it ideal for demanding tasks and gaming.
- Better Display: The AMOLED panel offers superior contrast, colors, and viewing experience, further enhanced by the smoother 120Hz refresh rate.
- Advanced Camera System: The OnePlus 9R boasts a much more capable camera system with higher resolution sensors, a wide-angle lens, and features like OIS and PDAF for better image quality and versatility.
- Faster Charging: The 65W fast charging significantly reduces charging times.
- Enhanced Audio: The presence of Dolby Atmos and stereo speakers means a more enjoyable audio experience for music and videos
- Higher Storage and RAM Options: Provides more room for apps and data and offers smoother multitasking due to increased RAM.
- More Advanced Connectivity: Wi-Fi 6 offers better speeds and reliability compared to Wi-Fi 5.
Xiaomi Poco M4 5G Advantages:
- Larger Battery: The 5000mAh battery offers potentially longer battery life.
- Reverse Charging: Can be used to charge other devices.
- More Advanced Fingerprint Sensor: Side-mounted fingerprint sensors are convenient and quick for unlocking.
- Later Android OS: Ships with a more recent Android OS out of the box.
- Better Screen Protection: Uses Corning Gorilla Glass 3 for more durable screen protection.
Significant Trade-offs:
- OnePlus 9R: Sacrifices battery life and reverse charging for performance, faster charging, and better screen and camera.
- Xiaomi Poco M4 5G: Prioritizes battery life and cost-effectiveness over performance, display quality and camera capabilities.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
OnePlus 9R Ideal Users:
- Gamers: The powerful Snapdragon 870 chipset and 120Hz AMOLED display provide an excellent gaming experience.
- Multimedia Consumers: Users who prioritize high-quality visuals and audio for videos, movies, and music.
- Photography Enthusiasts: Individuals who value a versatile camera system with good image quality, OIS, and wide-angle capabilities.
- Power Users: Users who need a phone that can handle demanding tasks, heavy multitasking, and resource-intensive applications.
Xiaomi Poco M4 5G Ideal Users:
- Budget-Conscious Buyers: Those seeking a reliable 5G phone with a large battery at a more affordable price point.
- Casual Users: People who mainly use their phones for basic communication, social media, and browsing.
- Battery-Life Focused Users: Individuals who prioritize long-lasting battery performance over cutting-edge specs.
- Users focused on basic functionality: Suitable for users who don't require a top-tier camera or gaming performance
Use Cases:
- OnePlus 9R: High-end gaming, video editing, professional photography, resource-intensive work tasks, consumption of high-resolution media content.
- Xiaomi Poco M4 5G: Everyday communication, social media, basic gaming, long trips where battery life is a concern, streaming videos, light productivity.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- What is your primary use case for the phone? (Gaming, Photography, Daily use etc.)
- How important is performance versus battery life?
- What is your budget?
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1 (Performance Matters): If you're a gamer, video editor, or power user who needs top-tier performance, choose the OnePlus 9R. Its faster processor, more powerful GPU, and superior display will provide a better overall experience for demanding tasks.
- Scenario 2 (Battery Life Matters): If you need all-day battery life and don't prioritize demanding tasks, the Xiaomi Poco M4 5G offers a good balance with its larger battery and decent performance for everyday use.
- Scenario 3 (Budget is tight): The Xiaomi Poco M4 5G is a budget-friendly option that offers a decent overall experience, but users should acknowledge that they will be getting less performance, screen and camera quality than the OnePlus 9R.
- Scenario 4 (Camera Matters): If you take many photos or record videos, the OnePlus 9R offers better quality, greater versatility, and more features for image capture.
My Choice
If I were choosing between these two phones, I would pick the OnePlus 9R. Here's why:
My priority in a smartphone is performance. I frequently use my phone for gaming and for resource-heavy apps, so the much faster processor and better GPU in the OnePlus 9R would provide a better, more reliable experience for me. I also value the superior quality of an AMOLED display; the vibrant colours and deeper blacks make content consumption more enjoyable, and the 120 Hz refresh rate is great for fast-paced games. The faster charging is also a significant benefit as I do not like to wait for long periods while the phone is charging, and the difference between 65W and 18W charging is vast.
While the Xiaomi Poco M4 5G has a larger battery and reverse charging capabilities, this is not a priority for me; I generally have access to charging outlets during the day, and if I plan to be out for longer periods, I can carry a power bank to compensate.
The additional camera features are important for me as I take a lot of photographs; the superior sensors and OIS are a great benefit, as I want to have a good quality camera on hand. While the OnePlus 9R ships with an older Android version, it is upgradable, which negates this drawback. The additional audio features are also enticing for me as I value good audio quality for listening to music. Overall, despite its drawbacks regarding battery, I would choose the OnePlus 9R due to my needs and preferences.
