1. Specifications Comparison
Here's a detailed comparison of the OnePlus 9R and ZTE nubia Red Magic 9S Pro, focusing on practical impacts:
Design
| Feature | OnePlus 9R | ZTE nubia Red Magic 9S Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 161 × 74.1 × 8.4 mm | 164 × 76.4 × 8.9 mm | Red Magic is larger, making it slightly less comfortable for one-handed use, especially for users with smaller hands. |
| Weight | 189g | 229g | OnePlus 9R is significantly lighter, improving comfort during extended use and making it more pocketable. |
| Build | Unknown | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 (screen) | Red Magic has improved screen scratch resistance. |
Display
| Feature | OnePlus 9R | ZTE nubia Red Magic 9S Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Size | 6.55" | 6.8" | Red Magic provides a slightly more immersive experience for media consumption and gaming. |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 | 1116 x 2480 | Red Magic offers a marginally sharper display, though most users might not perceive a big difference in regular usage. |
| Pixel Density | 402 PPI | 400 PPI | Both are very sharp, any difference is negligible to the human eye. |
| Technology | AMOLED | AMOLED | Both provide vibrant colors, deep blacks and good viewing angles. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | Both offer smooth scrolling and fluid animations. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 0 nits | Both phones have identical peak brightness at 0 nits. This spec is incomplete. In a real world situation this would be crucial for usability in bright sunlight. |
Performance
| Feature | OnePlus 9R | ZTE nubia Red Magic 9S Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 870 (7 nm) | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 (4 nm) | Red Magic has a much more powerful, more efficient chipset, ensuring smoother and faster performance for all tasks, particularly gaming and demanding apps. |
| Antutu Score | 821,600 | 2,369,542 | Red Magic delivers significantly higher performance, leading to faster app loading, better multitasking, and smoother gaming experiences. |
| GPU | Adreno 650 | Adreno 750 | Red Magic's GPU offers superior graphics capabilities. |
Camera
| Feature | OnePlus 9R | ZTE nubia Red Magic 9S Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard Camera | 48MP, f/1.7, 1/2", Sony IMX586, 0.80µm | 50MP, f/1.88, 1/1.57", Samsung GN5, 1.00µm | Red Magic's larger sensor and pixel size may allow better low-light performance. |
| Selfie Camera | 16MP, f/2.4, 1/3.13", Sony IMX471, 1.00µm | 16MP, f/2.0, 1/3.06", Omnivision OV16A1Q, 1.12µm | Red Magic should perform better in low-light selfies due to wider aperture and larger pixel size. |
| Wide Angle | 16MP, f/2.2, 1/3.09", Sony IMX481, 1.00µm | 50MP, f/2.0, 1/2.76", Samsung S5KJN1, 0.64µm | Red Magic captures much more detail in wide-angle shots due to higher resolution; performance is likely to be better in low light thanks to a wider aperture but smaller pixel size. |
| Portrait (Depth) | 2MP, f/2.4 | N/A | OnePlus 9R has a dedicated depth sensor. |
| Macro Lens | 5MP, f/2.4 | 2MP, f/2.4, 1/5", GalaxyCore GC02M1, 1.75µm | OnePlus 9R has a higher resolution macro lens, but the larger pixel size on the Red Magic might result in better low light performance, but resolution will be lower. |
| Video | Up to 4K@60fps | Up to 8K@30fps | Red Magic offers higher resolution video recording for professional use. |
| Features | Quadruple Camera, OIS, PDAF, RAW | Triple Camera, OIS, Gimbal, LAF, Under-display | Both have OIS and advanced shooting features, Red Magic has additional Gimbal stabilization, laser autofocus and under-display camera. OnePlus has additional features like PDAF and RAW capture for more experienced users. |
Battery
| Feature | OnePlus 9R | ZTE nubia Red Magic 9S Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 4500mAh | 6500mAh | Red Magic has a significantly larger battery, potentially offering much longer battery life, especially during intensive tasks like gaming. |
| Charging | 65W | 80W | Red Magic charges faster, allowing for quicker top-ups. |
| Removable | Non-removable | Non-removable | Standard practice, no user-replacable battery in either device. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
OnePlus 9R Advantages:
- Lighter and more compact: More comfortable to hold and pocket.
- Lower Weight: For those with smaller hands and people that prefer lightweight phones, the OnePlus offers a significant 40g reduction.
- Depth Sensor: Includes a dedicated depth camera, which should help with portrait mode shots.
- Macro Lens: Higher resolution macro lens for capturing detailed close-up shots.
ZTE nubia Red Magic 9S Pro Advantages:
- Superior Performance: Much more powerful chipset for smoother gaming and overall performance.
- Larger Battery: Significantly longer battery life for extended usage.
- Faster Charging: Quicker charging times, reducing downtime.
- Superior Main Camera: Larger sensor for better low-light shots and higher overall quality.
- 8k Video: Offers much higher resolution video for content creators.
- Better Wi-Fi: Supports the new 802.11be standard.
- Better Bluetooth: Supports Bluetooth 5.2
- Better GPS: Supports more location technologies for improved accuracy.
- More RAM: Improved for multitasking and gaming.
- Better Screen Protection: Offers Corning Gorilla Glass 5 screen protection.
- Wider Aperture Selfie Lens For better low light selfies.
- Gimbal Stabilization: Allows for smoother video recordings and better stabilization in photos.
- Laser Autofocus: For faster focus in all situations.
- Under Display Camera: For a more seamless display.
Trade-offs:
- Size and Weight: Red Magic is larger and heavier, which can affect comfort and portability.
- No Depth Sensor: Red Magic does not include a depth sensor, portrait mode will be based on software.
- Software support: The Red Magic may not receive as many software updates as the OnePlus 9R.
- No RAW Capture: Red Magic lacks RAW capture mode, which limits post-processing capabilities for advanced users.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
OnePlus 9R Ideal User:
- Users who value a more compact and lightweight phone.
- Users who prioritize a balance of good performance and camera quality.
- Users who prefer a streamlined UI and a large software update promise.
- Users who want a versatile daily driver with good all-round capabilities.
- Users who want a more traditional smartphone experience.
Use Cases:
- Daily communication, social media browsing, and casual media consumption.
- Photography in well-lit conditions and for users that want an easy to use point and shoot experience.
- General app usage and some light gaming.
ZTE nubia Red Magic 9S Pro Ideal User:
- Hardcore gamers and performance enthusiasts.
- Users who require long battery life and fast charging.
- Users who prioritize top-tier processing power for demanding tasks.
- Users who want the best possible camera in low light.
- Content creators who value high-resolution video capabilities.
- Users who like the latest technology and a more advanced experience.
Use Cases:
- Heavy gaming, including graphically demanding titles.
- Video editing and creation on-the-go.
- Heavy multi-tasking and running resource-intensive apps.
- Photography in challenging low-light conditions.
Price-to-Value Ratio:
The ZTE nubia Red Magic 9S Pro commands a premium price, but offers top-tier performance and advanced features to justify the cost. The OnePlus 9R offers good value for users seeking a balanced experience at a lower cost but is an older device now and may struggle with modern tasks compared to the Red Magic 9S Pro.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- What are your primary use cases? Is it gaming, photography, or general daily tasks?
- How important is size and weight? Do you prefer a more compact phone or a larger one with a bigger screen and battery?
- What is your budget? Are you willing to pay a premium for top-tier performance and features?
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- For casual users who prioritize comfort and balance: The OnePlus 9R is a good choice. It offers good enough all-round performance, a lightweight design and is easy to use.
- For gamers and performance enthusiasts: The ZTE nubia Red Magic 9S Pro is the clear winner. It offers top-tier performance, long battery life, and advanced gaming features.
- For users who want the best possible camera: The ZTE nubia Red Magic 9S Pro is preferable due to its superior main sensor and low light performance, Gimbal and laser autofocus.
- For content creators: The ZTE nubia Red Magic 9S Pro is the best choice due to 8k video capability and features like gimbal stabilization.
My Choice
If I were choosing between these two phones, I would go with the ZTE nubia Red Magic 9S Pro. Here's why:
While the OnePlus 9R is a capable device with a more comfortable weight and design, the Red Magic 9S Pro offers an overall superior experience. The significantly more powerful processor, coupled with a larger battery and faster charging, makes it better suited for demanding tasks and provides the highest possible performance with gaming in mind. The camera system with a larger main sensor and gimbal stabilization means you will likely get better results in low light.
While it is heavier, the Red Magic 9S Pro is also feature rich and future proofed with the newest connectivity features like Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.2 and improved GPS. Its advanced features, like 8K video recording, a laser autofocus system and under-display camera make it a top tier flagship in 2024.
Although the OnePlus 9R may be more suitable for the average user who wants a daily driver, the Red Magic 9S Pro is a much better device overall for someone who wants to spend money and have the best experience possible.
