1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | OnePlus 9R | ZTE nubia Flip | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Form Factor | Standard | Foldable | ZTE nubia Flip offers a unique, space-saving foldable design; OnePlus 9R has a more traditional, non-folding form factor. |
| Dimensions | 161 x 74.1 x 8.4 mm | 170 x 75.5 x 7 mm | ZTE nubia Flip is taller and slightly wider but thinner when unfolded; OnePlus 9R has a smaller footprint in non-folded state but is thicker. |
| Weight | 189g | 214g | OnePlus 9R is significantly lighter, which can make it more comfortable for extended use. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.55" | 6.9" | ZTE nubia Flip has a larger screen, better for media consumption and multitasking. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1188x2790 | ZTE nubia Flip offers sharper, more detailed images due to the higher resolution. |
| PPI | 402 | 439 | ZTE nubia Flip has slightly higher pixel density, potentially resulting in slightly crisper text and images. |
| Technology | AMOLED | Unknown | OnePlus 9R has an AMOLED display, which delivers superior contrast, deep blacks, and vibrant colors compared to unknown display tech of ZTE. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | Both have a 120Hz refresh rate, resulting in smooth scrolling and animations. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 0 nits | Brightness is unknown, which means the comparison is not possible. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 870 (7 nm) | Qualcomm Snapdragon 7 Gen 1 (4 nm) | OnePlus 9R's Snapdragon 870 offers higher raw performance for demanding tasks and gaming; ZTE nubia Flip's Snapdragon 7 Gen 1 is more power-efficient. |
| AnTuTu Score | 821,600 | 690,000 | OnePlus 9R scores significantly higher in benchmarks, indicating faster overall performance. |
| GPU | Adreno 650 | Adreno 644 | OnePlus 9R's Adreno 650 offers better graphics performance, important for gaming and graphically intensive applications. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 48MP, f/1.7, Sony IMX586, 1/2" sensor | 50MP, f/1.7 | ZTE nubia Flip has a slightly higher resolution main sensor. Sensor model and pixel size are unknown. |
| Selfie Camera | 16MP, f/2.4, Sony IMX471, 1/3.13" sensor | 16MP | Both have comparable selfie cameras. Sensor model and pixel size are unknown for ZTE. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 16MP, f/2.2, Sony IMX481, 1/3.09" sensor | None | OnePlus 9R has a dedicated wide-angle camera, allowing for more versatile photography. |
| Depth Sensor | 2MP, f/2.4 | 2MP, f/2.4 | Both have comparable depth sensors for portrait mode. |
| Macro Lens | 5MP, f/2.4 | None | OnePlus 9R has a macro lens, allowing for close-up photography. |
| Video | Up to 4K 60fps, EIS, Slow-mo 240fps | No 4k, Slow-mo 120fps | OnePlus 9R offers higher quality video recording, while ZTE nubia Flip is limited to lower resolutions. OnePlus 9R provides better stabilization. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 4500mAh | 4310mAh | Both phones offer similar battery capacity; expect comparable battery life for typical use. |
| Charging | 65W fast charging | 33W fast charging | OnePlus 9R charges significantly faster, resulting in less time plugged in. |
| Features | Non-removable | Reverse charging, Non-removable | ZTE nubia Flip has reverse charging for topping up accessories, while OnePlus 9R lacks this capability. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 10 (upgradable to 13) | Android 13 | ZTE nubia Flip comes with a newer Android version out of the box. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6, Dual-band, MIMO | Wi-Fi 6, Dual-band, MIMO | Both support modern Wi-Fi standards for fast and reliable connections. |
| Bluetooth | 5.1 | 5.2 | ZTE nubia Flip has a slightly newer Bluetooth version with potentially minor improvements in efficiency and connectivity. |
| GPS | GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, BeiDou, Galileo | GPS, GLONASS (L1), BeiDou (B1, B2), Galileo | ZTE nubia Flip supports more satellite systems, potentially improving location accuracy in certain situations. |
| SIM | Dual Nano-SIM | Dual Nano-SIM + eSIM | ZTE nubia Flip offers the flexibility of an eSIM for digital carrier switching, in addition to dual nano SIM support. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 128GB/256GB | 256GB/512GB | ZTE nubia Flip offers more internal storage options (up to 512GB) for users with larger media libraries. |
| RAM | 8GB/12GB | 8GB/12GB | Both have adequate RAM for smooth multitasking. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither phone offers expandable storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Dolby Atmos, Noise cancellation, Stereo Speakers | Basic audio features | OnePlus 9R offers a better audio experience with Dolby Atmos, noise cancellation for clearer calls and better audio separation. |
| Security | |||
| Features | basic fingerprint sensor | side-mounted fingerprint sensor | ZTE nubia Flip's side mounted fingerprint sensor is more convenient to access. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Protection | Unknown | Unknown | The screen protection of both phones is unknown so a direct comparison is not possible. |
| Sensors | |||
| Features | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Pedometer | ZTE nubia Flip has additional Pedometer functionality. |
| ## 2. Key Differences Analysis |
OnePlus 9R Advantages:
- Superior Performance: The Snapdragon 870 chipset provides significantly better raw performance and gaming capabilities.
- AMOLED Display: Offers superior color reproduction, contrast, and deeper blacks.
- Better Video Recording: Supports higher resolution 4K recording at 60fps, with enhanced electronic image stabilization (EIS).
- Faster Charging: 65W fast charging allows for significantly faster battery top-ups.
- Enhanced Audio: Features Dolby Atmos, noise cancellation microphone and stereo speakers providing a better audio experience.
- More Versatile Camera System: Includes a dedicated wide-angle lens and macro lens.
ZTE nubia Flip Advantages:
- Foldable Design: Unique, compact foldable form factor with a larger unfolded screen.
- Higher Resolution Display: Offers a sharper and more detailed visual experience.
- eSIM support: Offers the convenience of an eSIM, in addition to dual SIM support.
- Newer Bluetooth: Features Bluetooth 5.2 for potentially better connection stability and efficiency.
- Reverse Charging: Can charge other devices wirelessly.
- Newer Android Version: Comes with Android 13 out of the box.
- Potentially More Storage: Offers up to 512 GB of internal storage.
Trade-offs:
- OnePlus 9R has a smaller screen but uses a superior AMOLED panel for better visual fidelity
- OnePlus 9R lacks the foldable design for better compactness and unique form factor, but ZTE nubia Flip is heavier and thicker when folded.
- ZTE nubia Flip has a newer version of Android and supports more satellite systems for GPS, but it has an inferior chipset.
- OnePlus 9R is significantly faster and has a better camera setup, but lacks the convenience of eSIM.
- ZTE nubia Flip provides a slightly larger display with better pixel density, but lacks some advanced camera features like an ultrawide and macro lens.
- ZTE nubia Flip has reverse charging but is heavier and charges slower than OnePlus 9R.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
OnePlus 9R:
- Ideal User: Gamers, power users, photography enthusiasts, those who prioritize performance and video quality.
- Use Cases: Demanding mobile gaming, high-quality video recording, smooth multitasking, viewing HDR content, enjoying immersive audio experiences.
- Price-to-Value: Offers excellent performance and features for its price, but lacks the unique form factor of a foldable.
ZTE nubia Flip:
- Ideal User: Early adopters who value innovation, users who want a compact device that unfolds into a larger screen, those who value the latest software and features.
- Use Cases: Reading e-books, browsing the web, watching videos on the go, making use of the foldable screen for multitasking.
- Price-to-Value: Likely more expensive due to its foldable technology, but delivers a unique user experience.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- Form Factor: Is a foldable screen a must-have feature, or is a standard smartphone design sufficient?
- Performance Needs: How important is high performance for gaming and demanding tasks?
- Camera Requirements: Do you need a versatile camera system with a wide-angle, macro, and high quality video recording, or is a simpler camera setup acceptable?
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- For Gamers and Power Users: Choose the OnePlus 9R for its superior performance and smoother gaming experience.
- For Media Consumption and Innovation: Choose the ZTE nubia Flip if you want the latest form factor and a larger screen for enjoying multimedia content.
- For Everyday Use and Versatility: Choose the OnePlus 9R if you want a good performing all rounder with a superior AMOLED display and a more versatile camera.
- For Those Wanting to Try Foldable Technology: Choose the ZTE nubia Flip for its unique foldable design, if that is the most important factor.
My Choice:
If I were choosing between these two phones, I would choose the OnePlus 9R.
Here's why: While the ZTE nubia Flip's foldable design is intriguing and the potential for a larger screen is appealing, several factors make the OnePlus 9R the more practical choice for me. First and foremost, the performance difference is substantial. The Snapdragon 870 in the OnePlus 9R is simply a more powerful chipset, which translates to a smoother, more responsive experience, especially when gaming. This makes it more future-proof.
Furthermore, the AMOLED display on the OnePlus 9R is superior, which is particularly important for media consumption. The higher quality of video recording capabilities will ensure that videos are sharp and detailed. Moreover, I prefer the more versatile camera setup of the OnePlus 9R with a wide-angle lens, macro lens and a main sensor which will be suitable for various use cases.
Finally, the faster charging capabilities of the OnePlus 9R would be very convenient, since it would charge much faster than the ZTE Nubia flip, ensuring less downtime. Although I appreciate the innovative approach of the ZTE nubia Flip, the performance, display quality, and superior video of the OnePlus 9R is a more practical choice.
