The OnePlus 9E and 9RT 5G represent distinct points in OnePlus’s strategy. The 9E aimed for a more accessible price point, while the 9RT 5G stepped up with flagship-level processing power. This comparison dissects the core differences between these two devices, focusing on how their contrasting chipsets impact real-world performance and user experience.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the OnePlus 9RT 5G is the superior choice. Its Snapdragon 888 chipset delivers significantly faster performance, making it ideal for gaming and demanding applications. While the 9E offers good value, the 9RT’s speed and 65W charging justify the price difference.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1800 / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | LTE | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 - Global |
| 5G bands | SA/NSA | 1, 3, 5, 8, 28, 40, 41, 78 SA/NSA - Global |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat18 1024/150 Mbps, 5G | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat18 1200/200 Mbps, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G |
| | - | CDMA2000 1xEV-DO |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | Not announced yet | 2021, October 13 |
| Status | Cancelled | Available. Released 2021, October 19 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), glass back (Gorilla Glass 5), aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | - | 162.2 x 74.6 x 8.3 mm (6.39 x 2.94 x 0.33 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | - | 198.5 g (7.02 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~405 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~397 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 | 6.62 inches, 106.3 cm2 (~87.9% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 90Hz | AMOLED, 120Hz, HDR10+ |
| | - | Always-on display |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Kryo 560 Gold & 6x1.7 GHz Kryo 560 Silver) | Octa-core (1x2.84 GHz Cortex-X1 & 3x2.42 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM6350 Snapdragon 690 5G (8 nm) | Qualcomm SM8350 Snapdragon 888 5G (5 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 619L | Adreno 660 |
| OS | Android 11 | Android 11, upgradable to Android 13, OxygenOS 13 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC | No |
| Internal | 128GB 8GB RAM | 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM |
| | - | UFS 3.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | Dual-LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Quad | 64 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/1.72", 0.8µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.3, 119˚ (ultrawide)
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens | 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 |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps; gyro-EIS | 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/240fps, Auto HDR, gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | HDR |
| Single | 16 MP | 16 MP, f/2.4, (wide), 1/3.06", 1.0µm |
| Video | 1080p@30/60fps, gyro-EIS | 1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | - | No |
| 35mm jack | Yes | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.1, A2DP, LE | 5.2, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (G1), BDS (B1), GALILEO (E1+E5a) |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | - | 65W wired, 100% in 29 min |
| Type | Li-Po 5000 mAh | Li-Po 4500 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Blue; other colours | Hacker Black, Nano Silver, Blue |
| Models | - | MT2110, MT2111 |
| Price | - | About 590 EUR |
OnePlus 9E
- More affordable price point
- Good efficiency for everyday tasks
- Sufficient performance for basic use
- Significantly slower performance than the 9RT
- Likely slower charging speeds
- Less capable camera system
OnePlus 9RT 5G
- Flagship-level performance with Snapdragon 888
- Ultra-fast 65W charging (0-100% in 29 mins)
- Superior camera capabilities
- Higher price tag
- Snapdragon 888 can generate more heat under sustained load
- Potentially less battery life due to higher power consumption
Display Comparison
Both devices likely feature AMOLED panels, a staple of OnePlus phones. However, detailed display specs (resolution, refresh rate, peak brightness) are missing. The 9RT, positioned higher, likely benefits from a higher peak brightness and potentially a more sophisticated color calibration. The 9E, targeting a lower price, may have a slightly less vibrant display. Bezels are expected to be similar, given the design language of the era.
Camera Comparison
Without detailed camera specs, a direct comparison is limited. However, the 9RT, being the more premium device, likely features a larger main sensor and more advanced image processing algorithms. The Snapdragon 888’s ISP (Image Signal Processor) is also significantly more capable than the 690’s, resulting in better dynamic range, noise reduction, and overall image quality. The presence of OIS (Optical Image Stabilization) is probable on the 9RT’s main camera, further enhancing image clarity. The 9E likely relies on software processing to compensate for a less capable sensor.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The OnePlus 9E’s Snapdragon 690 5G (8nm) is a capable mid-range processor, offering a solid experience for everyday tasks. However, the OnePlus 9RT 5G’s Snapdragon 888 5G (5nm) is in a different league. The 888’s Cortex-X1 prime core and more powerful Adreno 660 GPU provide a substantial performance boost in CPU-intensive tasks and gaming. The 5nm process node of the 888 also contributes to better thermal efficiency, potentially mitigating throttling during extended gaming sessions compared to the 8nm 690. While both likely use LPDDR4X RAM, the 888’s architecture will benefit more from faster memory speeds.
Battery Life
Battery capacity details are missing for both devices. However, the 9RT’s 65W wired charging is a significant advantage, achieving a 100% charge in just 29 minutes. This drastically reduces downtime compared to the 9E, which likely supports a slower charging standard. While the 9E might have a slightly larger battery to compensate for the less efficient chipset, the 9RT’s fast charging provides a superior user experience, especially for those who frequently use their phones throughout the day.
Buying Guide
Buy the OnePlus 9E if you prioritize affordability and a smooth, everyday experience for basic tasks like browsing, social media, and light content consumption. You’ll appreciate its efficiency and reasonable price. Buy the OnePlus 9RT 5G if you demand high performance for gaming, video editing, or multitasking, and value the convenience of incredibly fast 65W charging. It’s the clear choice for power users.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Snapdragon 888 in the OnePlus 9RT 5G overheat during prolonged gaming sessions?
The Snapdragon 888 is known to generate heat under sustained load. However, OnePlus typically implements effective thermal management solutions. The 9RT’s 5nm process node is more efficient than older 7nm chips, and the phone likely includes heat dissipation features to mitigate throttling. While some heat is expected, it shouldn’t significantly impact performance for most gaming scenarios.
❓ Is the performance difference between the Snapdragon 690 and 888 noticeable in everyday tasks?
For basic tasks like browsing, social media, and messaging, the difference may not be immediately apparent. However, when multitasking, opening demanding apps, or editing photos/videos, the Snapdragon 888 in the 9RT 5G will provide a significantly smoother and faster experience. The 9E will handle these tasks, but with noticeable slowdowns.
❓ Does the OnePlus 9RT 5G support high refresh rate gaming?
While specific game support varies, the Snapdragon 888 is capable of driving high refresh rate gaming (90Hz or 120Hz, if the display supports it). Many popular titles will allow you to unlock higher frame rates for a smoother gaming experience. However, achieving consistently high frame rates may require adjusting graphics settings.
