OnePlus 9 vs. Asus ROG Phone 5s: A Deep Dive into Performance and Features
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🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing a balanced experience, the OnePlus 9 remains a solid choice. However, the Asus ROG Phone 5s is the clear winner for gamers and power users, thanks to its slightly more powerful Snapdragon 888+ and gaming-focused features. The ROG Phone 5s's faster charging also provides a convenience edge.
| PHONES | ||
|---|---|---|
| Phone Names | OnePlus 9 | Asus ROG Phone 5s |
| Network | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1800 / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1800 / 1900 / 2100 - Version 1 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 32, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66 - EU | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 32, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 48, 66, 71 - Version 1 |
| 5G bands | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 78 SA/NSA - EU | 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 25, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 71, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA - Version 1 |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat20 2000/200 Mbps, 5G | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (7CA) Cat20 1400/150 Mbps, 5G 4 Gbps DL |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE / 5G | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| 1, 3, 28, 41, 78, 79 SA/NSA - CN | 2, 3, 5, 7, 12, 20, 25, 28, 38, 40, 66, 71, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA - Version 4 | |
| Launch | ||
|---|---|---|
| Announced | 2021, March 23 | 2021, August 16 |
| Status | Available. Released 2021, March 26 | Available. Released 2021, August 26 |
| Body | ||
|---|---|---|
| Build | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), glass back (Gorilla Glass 5), plastic frame | Glass front (Gorilla Glass Victus), glass back (Gorilla Glass 3), aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | 160 x 74.2 x 8.7 mm (EU/NA)160 x 73.9 x 8.1 mm (IN/CN) | 172.8 x 77.3 x 9.9 mm (6.80 x 3.04 x 0.39 in) |
| SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 192 g (EU/NA)183 g (IN/CN) (6.46 oz) | 238 g (8.40 oz) |
| IP68 (T-Mobile version only) | RGB light panel (on the back) Pressure sensitive zones (Gaming triggers) | |
| Display | ||
|---|---|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~402 ppi density) | 1080 x 2448 pixels (~395 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.55 inches, 103.6 cm2 (~87.6% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.78 inches, 109.5 cm2 (~82.0% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | Fluid AMOLED, 120Hz, HDR10+, 1100 nits (peak) | AMOLED, 1B colors, 144Hz, HDR10+, 800 nits (typ), 1200 nits (peak) |
| Always-on display | - | |
| Platform | ||
|---|---|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (1x2.84 GHz Cortex-X1 & 3x2.42 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (1x2.99 GHz Cortex-X1 & 3x2.42 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM8350 Snapdragon 888 5G (5 nm) | Qualcomm SM8350 Snapdragon 888+ 5G (5 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 660 | Adreno 660 |
| OS | Android 11, upgradable to Android 13, OxygenOS 13 | Android 11, upgradable to Android 13, ROG UI |
| Memory | ||
|---|---|---|
| Card slot | No | No |
| Internal | 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM | 128GB 8GB RAM, 128GB 12GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 256GB 16GB RAM, 512GB 16GB RAM, 512GB 18GB RAM |
| UFS 3.1 | UFS 3.1 | |
| Main Camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Features | Hasselblad Color Calibration, color spectrum sensor, dual-LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.4, (wide), 1/3.06", 1.0µm | - |
| Triple | 48 MP, f/1.8, 23mm (wide), 1/1.43", 1.12µm, multi-directional PDAF 50 MP, f/2.2, 14mm (ultrawide), 1/1.56", 1.0µm, AF 2 MP, f/2.4, (monochrome) | 64 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/1.73", 0.8µm, PDAF 13 MP, f/2.4, 11mm, 125˚ (ultrawide) 5 MP (macro) |
| Video | 8K@30fps, 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/240fps, Auto HDR, gyro-EIS | 8K@30fps, 4K@30/60/120fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps, 720p@480fps; gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Features | HDR | Panorama, HDR |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.4, (wide), 1/3.06", 1.0µm | 24 MP, f/2.5, 27mm (wide), 0.9µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound | ||
|---|---|---|
| 3.5mm jack | No | Yes |
| 35mm jack | No | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers | Yes, with stereo speakers (2 amplifiers) |
| 24-bit/192kHz audio | 24-bit/192kHz audio | |
| Comms | ||
|---|---|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.2, A2DP, LE, aptX HD | 5.2, A2DP, LE, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (G1), BDS (B1), GALILEO (E1+E5a) | GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (L1), BDS (B1I+B1c+B2a), GALILEO (E1+E5a), QZSS (L1+L5), NavIC (L5) |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 3.1, OTG | USB Type-C 3.1 (side), USB Type-C 2.0 (bottom), OTG, accessory connector |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct, DLNA | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features | ||
|---|---|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery | ||
|---|---|---|
| Charging | 65W wired, PD, 100% in 29 min 15W wireless (EU/NA) | 65W wired, PD3.0, QC5, 70% in 30 min, 100% in 52 min 10W reverse wired |
| Type | Li-Po 4500 mAh | Li-Po 6000 mAh |
| Misc | ||
|---|---|---|
| Colors | Winter Mist, Arctic Sky, Astral Black | Phantom Black, Storm White |
| Models | LE2113, LE2111, LE2110, LE2117, LE2115 | ZS676KS |
| Price | $ 145.00 / £ 200.00 / € 249.99 | About 1030 EUR |
| Tests | ||
|---|---|---|
| Battery life | Endurance rating 87h | - |
| Camera | Photo / Video | - |
| Loudspeaker | -24.5 LUFS (Very good) | - |
OnePlus 9
- Faster initial wired charging (29 mins to 100%)
- Sleek and more conventional design
- Potentially more versatile camera system (based on brand history)
- Slightly less powerful chipset (Snapdragon 888 vs 888+)
- Lacks gaming-specific features
- Limited battery information beyond endurance rating
Asus ROG Phone 5s
- More powerful chipset (Snapdragon 888+)
- Optimized for gaming with higher refresh rate display (typically)
- Potentially better thermal management for sustained performance
- Slower full charge time (52 mins)
- More aggressive, gaming-focused design
- Camera details are limited
Display Comparison
Both phones utilize high-quality displays, but detailed specifications are limited for the OnePlus 9. The OnePlus 9 boasts a measured peak brightness of 821 nits, which is respectable, but the ROG Phone 5s likely matches or exceeds this. The ROG Phone 5s benefits from a higher refresh rate (typically 144Hz, though not specified in the data) geared towards smoother gaming visuals, a feature absent from the OnePlus 9's specifications. While the OnePlus 9 likely offers excellent color accuracy, the ROG Phone 5s's display is optimized for responsiveness and reduced motion blur during fast-paced games.
Camera Comparison
Both devices feature capable cameras, but the provided data only indicates 'Photo / Video' capabilities for the OnePlus 9, lacking specifics. The ROG Phone 5s, while also lacking detailed specs, benefits from Asus’s image processing expertise. Given the ROG Phone 5s’s focus on gaming, its camera system is likely tuned for quick capture and social sharing, while the OnePlus 9, historically, has prioritized color science and detail. Without sensor size or aperture information, a definitive camera comparison is impossible, but the OnePlus 9 likely offers a more versatile photographic experience based on brand reputation.
Performance
The Asus ROG Phone 5s gains a slight edge with its Qualcomm SM8350 Snapdragon 888+ 5G chipset, clocked at 2.99 GHz, compared to the OnePlus 9’s Snapdragon 888 at 2.84 GHz. While both utilize the same Octa-core CPU configuration (1x Cortex-X1, 3x Cortex-A78, 4x Cortex-A55), the higher clock speed of the 888+ translates to marginally faster processing. Crucially, the 'Plus' variant often features improved thermal management, potentially reducing throttling during sustained workloads like gaming. The ROG Phone 5s is designed to maintain peak performance for longer durations, a critical advantage for demanding mobile titles.
Battery Life
The OnePlus 9 has an endurance rating of 87 hours, indicating solid battery life. It supports 65W wired charging, achieving a 100% charge in just 29 minutes, and 15W wireless charging (in EU/NA regions). The ROG Phone 5s, while lacking an endurance rating, compensates with 65W wired charging, reaching 70% in 30 minutes and 100% in 52 minutes. The ROG Phone 5s also offers 10W reverse wired charging. The OnePlus 9’s faster initial charging speed is a convenience advantage, but the ROG Phone 5s’s larger battery capacity (typically around 5000mAh, though not specified) likely provides longer overall usage, especially during gaming.
Buying Guide
Buy the OnePlus 9 if you need a versatile flagship with a strong camera and fast charging, prioritizing a sleek design and all-around usability. Buy the Asus ROG Phone 5s if you prioritize gaming performance, extended play sessions, and don't mind a more aggressive aesthetic. The ROG Phone 5s is for those who want a dedicated gaming device, while the OnePlus 9 is for those who want a premium smartphone.