1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Oppo Find X3 Neo | Realme 9 Pro+ | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Launch Date | 2021-03-19 | 2022-02-21 | Realme 9 Pro+ is newer by almost a year, potentially offering longer software support. |
| Dimensions | 159.9 × 72.5 × 8 mm | 160.2 × 73.3 × 8 mm | Both have similar size and thickness, comfortable in hand. |
| Weight | 184g | 182g | Both are lightweight and easily portable. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.55" | 6.4" | Oppo has a slightly larger screen, which may be preferable for media consumption or gaming. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2400 | Both offer sharp and detailed visuals at FHD+ resolution. |
| PPI | 402 | 411 | Both have similar pixel density; difference is negligible. |
| Technology | AMOLED | AMOLED | Both offer vibrant colors, deep blacks, and good contrast. |
| Refresh Rate | 90Hz | 90Hz | Smooth scrolling and animations for both. |
| Brightness | 1100 nits | 0 nits | Oppo Find X3 Neo offers significantly better outdoor visibility in bright sunlight, as the Realme 9 Pro+ brightness is not specified. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 865 5G (7 nm+) | Mediatek Dimensity 920 (6 nm) | Oppo's chipset is higher-performing, faster in app loading and smoother operations. |
| AnTuTu Score | 743,500 | 496,970 | Oppo has significantly higher benchmark scores, implying snappier real-world performance. |
| GPU | Adreno 650 | Mali-G68 MC4 | Oppo's GPU should provide a better gaming experience. |
| Camera | |||
| Standard Camera | 50MP, f/1.8, 1/1.56" Sony IMX766 | 50MP, f/1.8, 1/1.56" Sony IMX766 | Both have similar high-quality main cameras. |
| Selfie Camera | 32MP, f/2.4, 1/2.74" Sony IMX615 | 16MP, f/2.4, 1/3.13" Sony IMX471 | Oppo offers higher resolution and a larger sensor for better selfies. |
| Telephoto Lens | 13MP, f/2.4, 1/3.4" | None | Oppo has a telephoto lens for optical zoom, offering more versatility. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 16MP, f/2.2 | 8MP, f/2.2, 1/2.8" Sony IMX355 | Oppo offers higher resolution for wide-angle shots. |
| Macro Lens | 2MP, f/2.4, 1/5" | 2MP, f/2.4, 1/5" | Both have comparable macro cameras. |
| Video | Up to 4K@60fps with HDR, EIS | Up to 4K@30fps with EIS | Oppo can record in 4K@60fps, offering better recording quality compared to 4K@30fps in Realme. |
| Camera Features | OIS, Dual Shot, Optical Zoom, Quad Camera, PDAF, CDAF | OIS, Ultra Stable Video, RAW, Triple Camera | Oppo offers optical zoom and additional autofocus systems, while Realme has RAW and ultra-stable video options. |
| DXOMark | 106 | N/A | Oppo's camera quality is validated by DXOMark score of 106, but there is no data for Realme. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 4500mAh | 4500mAh | Both have similar battery capacity, resulting in similar battery life. |
| Charging | 65W Fast Charging | 60W Fast Charging | Oppo charges slightly faster. |
| Features | Reverse Charging | None | Oppo can charge other devices wirelessly. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 (upgradeable to 12) | Android 12 (upgradeable to 13) | Realme has a newer Android version, promising longer software support. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | WiFi 6, Dual Band, Wi-Fi Hotspot, Wi-Fi Direct, Wi-Fi Display, Wi-Fi MIMO | WiFi 6, Dual Band, Wi-Fi Hotspot, Wi-Fi Direct, Wi-Fi Display, Wi-Fi MIMO | Both have similar connectivity options. |
| Bluetooth | 5.1 | 5.2 | Realme has the newer version for potentially better stability and features. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS | Oppo supports an additional satellite system for more accurate location. |
| SIM | Dual SIM (Nano) | Dual SIM (Nano) | Both support dual SIM functionality. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 128GB/256GB | 128GB/256GB | Both offer similar storage options. |
| RAM | 12GB | 6GB/8GB | Oppo offers significantly more RAM for better performance. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone offers expandable storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Hi-Res Audio, Stereo Speakers | Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res Audio, Noise cancellation microphone, Stereo Speakers, 2 microphones | Realme has more advanced audio features including Dolby Atmos. |
| Security | |||
| Features | Basic Fingerprint Sensor | Basic Fingerprint Sensor | Both use basic fingerprint sensor. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | Both have similar screen protection. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope | Fingerprint, Heart Rate, Proximity, Accelerometer, Gyroscope | Realme has additional Heart Rate sensor; Oppo has Compass. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Oppo Find X3 Neo Advantages:
- Significantly Higher Performance: The Snapdragon 865 chipset and higher AnTuTu score result in faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and better gaming performance.
- Superior Camera Versatility: A dedicated telephoto lens, higher-resolution wide-angle, and a higher-resolution selfie camera offers greater flexibility in photography. Optical zoom offers superior image quality when zooming.
- Better Outdoor Visibility: The much higher brightness display makes it easier to view the screen in direct sunlight.
- Faster Charging: Although marginal, the 65W charging allows slightly faster battery top-up.
- Reverse Charging: The ability to charge other devices wirelessly via the phone is a useful feature.
Realme 9 Pro+ Advantages:
- Newer Software: Ships with a newer version of Android (12), which implies longer software update support.
- Dolby Atmos Audio: Enhances the audio experience with spatial audio and immersive sound. Noise Cancellation microphone results in better audio quality for calls.
- Ultra-Stable Video: Offers improved video recording stability for smoother footage.
- Heart Rate Sensor: Integrated heart rate sensor for fitness tracking.
- More Features Has manual focus and the option to record in RAW.
- Potentially Longer Software Support: Being a newer device, it will likely receive updates longer.
- Newer Bluetooth: Has newer Bluetooth Version (5.2)
Trade-offs:
- Oppo Find X3 Neo: Older device with less software support, and lacks some of the audio features present on the Realme 9 Pro+.
- Realme 9 Pro+: Compromises on overall performance, camera versatility, and display brightness.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Ideal User for Oppo Find X3 Neo:
- Power Users: Those who need smooth performance for multitasking, gaming, and resource-intensive applications.
- Photography Enthusiasts: Users who want versatile camera capabilities with telephoto zoom, wide angle, and better selfies.
- Outdoor Use: Users who frequently use their phone in bright outdoor conditions.
- Users who like additional features: Such as the reverse charging.
Ideal User for Realme 9 Pro+:
- Multimedia Consumers: Individuals who value enhanced audio experience with Dolby Atmos and frequently watch videos on their phone.
- Social Media Creators: Those who need stable video recording and appreciate the RAW photo format.
- Health-Conscious Users: Those who want heart rate monitoring on their phone.
- Budget Conscious: Those who are looking for a good overall phone at a competitive price point.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- How important is raw performance? If you need the snappiest performance, Oppo is the clear choice.
- What do you value most in a camera? If you want the most versatile camera, Oppo wins, but if advanced video features are paramount, Realme is better.
- How important is outdoor visibility, and software support? If you use the phone in direct sunlight or want newer software, you need to decide between Oppo or Realme, respectively.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Heavy Gamer / Power User:
- Recommendation: Oppo Find X3 Neo due to its superior chipset and GPU.
- Scenario 2: Casual Photography and Video:
- Recommendation: It depends, if you need zoom, then Oppo is the way to go, but if you are more video focused, then Realme.
- Scenario 3: Budget Conscious:
- Recommendation: Realme 9 Pro+ offers a better price-to-value ratio and some good audio and video features.
My Choice
I would choose the Oppo Find X3 Neo.
While the Realme 9 Pro+ is newer and offers some appealing audio features and newer software, the raw performance difference between the phones is significant. The Snapdragon 865 in the Oppo Find X3 Neo results in a noticeably smoother user experience, especially during demanding tasks or games. I also value camera versatility, the telephoto lens, and the higher resolution wide angle and selfie cameras on the Oppo Find X3 Neo offer a better experience, as well as the high nit display. Although the software is slightly older, the core performance advantage outweighs this drawback for me.
