OnePlus 9RT 5G vs Motorola Edge (2021): Power and Efficiency Face Off

The OnePlus 9RT 5G and Motorola Edge (2021) represent compelling options in a crowded mid-range to upper-mid-range smartphone market. The 9RT, arriving later, leverages the more powerful Snapdragon 888, while the Edge (2021) opts for the efficient Snapdragon 778G. This comparison dissects the trade-offs between raw performance and optimized power consumption, helping you determine which device best suits your needs.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For users prioritizing demanding tasks like gaming and video editing, the OnePlus 9RT 5G is the clear winner thanks to its Snapdragon 888. However, the Motorola Edge (2021) provides a more balanced experience with excellent efficiency and a respectable price point, making it ideal for everyday users.

PHONES
Phone Names Motorola Edge (2021) OnePlus 9RT 5G
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1800 / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 14, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 29, 30, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66, 711, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 - Global
5G bands2, 5, 25, 41, 66, 71, 77, 78 SA/NSA/Sub61, 3, 5, 8, 28, 40, 41, 78 SA/NSA - Global
SpeedHSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat18 1200/150 Mbps, 5GHSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat18 1200/200 Mbps, 5G
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5GGSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G
 -CDMA2000 1xEV-DO
Launch
Announced2021, August 192021, October 13
StatusAvailable. Released 2021, September 02Available. Released 2021, October 19
Body
BuildGlass front, plastic backGlass front (Gorilla Glass 5), glass back (Gorilla Glass 5), aluminum frame
Dimensions169 x 75.6 x 9 mm (6.65 x 2.98 x 0.35 in)162.2 x 74.6 x 8.3 mm (6.39 x 2.94 x 0.33 in)
SIMNano-SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight200 g (7.05 oz)198.5 g (7.02 oz)
 Water-repellent design-
Display
ProtectionCorning Gorilla Glass 3Corning Gorilla Glass 5
Resolution1080 x 2460 pixels (~395 ppi density)1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~397 ppi density)
Size6.8 inches, 109.8 cm2 (~85.9% screen-to-body ratio)6.62 inches, 106.3 cm2 (~87.9% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeLCD, 144Hz, HDR10AMOLED, 120Hz, HDR10+
 -Always-on display
Platform
CPUOcta-core (1x2.4 GHz Cortex-A78 & 3x2.2 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.9 GHz Cortex-A55)Octa-core (1x2.84 GHz Cortex-X1 & 3x2.42 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A55)
ChipsetQualcomm SM7325 Snapdragon 778G 5G (6 nm)Qualcomm SM8350 Snapdragon 888 5G (5 nm)
GPUAdreno 642LAdreno 660
OSAndroid 11, planned upgrade to Android 13Android 11, upgradable to Android 13, OxygenOS 13
Memory
Card slotNoNo
Internal128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM
 -UFS 3.1
Main Camera
FeaturesDual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR, panoramaDual-LED flash, HDR, panorama
Quad-50 MP, f/1.8, 24mm (wide), 1/1.56”, 1.0µm, PDAF, OIS 16 MP, f/2.2, 14mm, 123˚ (ultrawide), 1/3.6", 1.0µm 2 MP (macro)
Single-16 MP, f/2.4, (wide), 1/3.06", 1.0µm
Triple108 MP, f/1.9, (wide), 1/1.52", 0.7µm, PDAF 8 MP, f/2.2, 119˚ (ultrawide), 1.12µm, AF Auxiliary lens-
Video4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120ps, 720p@960fps, gyro-EIS4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/240fps, Auto HDR, gyro-EIS
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDRHDR
Single32 MP, f/2.3, (wide), 0.7µm16 MP, f/2.4, (wide), 1/3.06", 1.0µm
Video4K@30fps, 1080p@30/120fps1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS
Sound
3.5mm jack NoNo
35mm jackNoNo
Loudspeaker YesYes, with stereo speakers
Comms
Bluetooth5.2, A2DP, LE, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive5.2, A2DP, LE
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, GALILEOGPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (G1), BDS (B1), GALILEO (E1+E5a)
RadioNoNo
USBUSB Type-C 2.0USB Type-C 2.0, OTG
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e, dual-band, Wi-Fi DirectWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometerFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass
Battery
Charging30W wired65W wired, 100% in 29 min
TypeLi-Po 5000 mAhLi-Po 4500 mAh
Misc
ColorsNebula BlueHacker Black, Nano Silver, Blue
ModelsXT2141-1MT2110, MT2111
PriceAbout 90 EURAbout 590 EUR

Motorola Edge (2021)

  • Excellent power efficiency with Snapdragon 778G
  • More manageable thermal performance
  • Competitive price point

  • Lower peak performance compared to Snapdragon 888
  • Slower charging speed (30W)

OnePlus 9RT 5G

  • Significantly faster 65W charging
  • Superior performance with Snapdragon 888
  • Potentially more advanced display capabilities

  • Higher power consumption and potential for throttling
  • Likely a higher price tag

Display Comparison

While both devices likely feature high-refresh-rate AMOLED panels (based on brand trends), the provided data doesn't specify display characteristics. However, the chipset choice hints at display priorities. The 9RT’s Snapdragon 888 is capable of driving higher resolution and refresh rate displays, suggesting a potentially more visually impressive experience. The Edge’s 778G, focused on efficiency, may prioritize battery life over absolute display fidelity. Expect both to offer vibrant colors, but the 9RT has headroom for a more advanced panel.

Camera Comparison

The provided data lacks camera specifications. However, given the market positioning, we can infer differences. The OnePlus 9RT, being a more premium offering, likely features a larger main sensor and more sophisticated image processing algorithms. The Motorola Edge (2021) will likely focus on delivering good image quality at a more competitive price point. Without sensor size or aperture information, it’s difficult to make a definitive statement, but the 9RT’s chipset has a more powerful ISP (Image Signal Processor) capable of handling more complex computational photography.

Performance

The core difference lies in the chipsets. The OnePlus 9RT 5G’s Snapdragon 888 (5nm) boasts a Cortex-X1 prime core clocked at 2.84 GHz, significantly outperforming the Motorola Edge (2021)’s Snapdragon 778G (6nm) with its 2.4 GHz Cortex-A78 prime core. This translates to a substantial performance advantage in CPU-intensive tasks and gaming. The 5nm process node of the 888, while powerful, is known to generate more heat than the 6nm 778G. The Edge’s 778G prioritizes sustained performance through thermal efficiency, while the 9RT offers peak performance at the cost of potential throttling during extended heavy use. The 9RT’s Adreno 660 GPU also eclipses the 778G’s Adreno 642L.

Battery Life

The Motorola Edge (2021) features 30W wired charging, while the OnePlus 9RT 5G boasts a significantly faster 65W wired charging, achieving a full charge in just 29 minutes. This charging speed is a major advantage for the 9RT, minimizing downtime. While battery capacity isn’t specified, the Snapdragon 888’s higher power draw will likely necessitate a larger battery in the 9RT to achieve comparable battery life to the Edge. The 778G’s efficiency gives the Edge an edge (pun intended) in longevity, even with a potentially smaller battery.

Buying Guide

Buy the Motorola Edge (2021) if you need a phone that balances performance with excellent battery life and a more manageable thermal profile for all-day use. Buy the OnePlus 9RT 5G if you prioritize maximum performance for gaming, content creation, or running demanding applications, and are willing to accept potentially shorter battery life and more heat generation.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Will the OnePlus 9RT 5G get noticeably hot during extended gaming sessions?
The Snapdragon 888 is known to generate more heat under sustained load. While OnePlus likely implemented thermal management solutions, expect the 9RT to get warmer than the Motorola Edge (2021) during prolonged gaming. Throttling may occur to prevent overheating, potentially reducing peak performance over time.
❓ Is the 30W charging on the Motorola Edge (2021) slow compared to the 65W on the 9RT?
Yes, 30W is considerably slower than 65W. The 9RT can fully charge in approximately 29 minutes, while the Edge will take significantly longer. However, the Edge’s more efficient chipset means you may not need to charge as frequently.
❓ Does the Snapdragon 778G in the Motorola Edge (2021) handle demanding games like PUBG Mobile or Call of Duty Mobile?
The Snapdragon 778G is capable of running PUBG Mobile and Call of Duty Mobile at high settings, but you may need to lower graphics settings for a consistently smooth experience, especially at higher refresh rates. It won't match the 9RT's performance, but it's still a capable gaming chip.
❓ Which phone is better for everyday tasks like browsing, social media, and streaming video?
Both phones are more than capable of handling everyday tasks. The Motorola Edge (2021) offers a smoother, more efficient experience for these tasks due to its power-efficient chipset, potentially resulting in longer battery life. The 9RT won't struggle, but it's overkill for basic usage.