OnePlus 9R vs OnePlus 9RT 5G: A Deep Dive into Performance and Value
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🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the OnePlus 9RT 5G emerges as the superior choice. While the 9R remains a capable performer, the 9RT’s Snapdragon 888 provides a noticeable performance uplift, coupled with faster 65W charging, completing a full charge in 29 minutes versus the 9R’s 39 minutes. The price difference is often justifiable for the improved experience.
| PHONES | ||
|---|---|---|
| Phone Names | OnePlus 9R | OnePlus 9RT 5G |
| 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 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 46 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 - Global |
| 5G bands | 78 SA/NSA | 1, 3, 5, 8, 28, 40, 41, 78 SA/NSA - Global |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat18 1200/200 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 | 2021, March 23 | 2021, October 13 |
| Status | Available. Released 2021, April 14 | Available. Released 2021, October 19 |
| Body | ||
|---|---|---|
| Build | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), glass back (Gorilla Glass 5), aluminum frame | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), glass back (Gorilla Glass 5), aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | 161 x 74.1 x 8.4 mm (6.34 x 2.92 x 0.33 in) | 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 | 189 g (6.67 oz) | 198.5 g (7.02 oz) |
| Display | ||
|---|---|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~402 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~397 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.55 inches, 103.6 cm2 (~86.8% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.62 inches, 106.3 cm2 (~87.9% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | Fluid AMOLED, 120Hz, HDR10+ | AMOLED, 120Hz, HDR10+ |
| - | Always-on display | |
| Platform | ||
|---|---|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (1x3.2 GHz Kryo 585 & 3x2.42 GHz Kryo 585 & 4x1.80 GHz Kryo 585) | Octa-core (1x2.84 GHz Cortex-X1 & 3x2.42 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM8250-AC Snapdragon 870 5G (7 nm) | Qualcomm SM8350 Snapdragon 888 5G (5 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 650 | Adreno 660 |
| OS | Android 10, upgradable to Android 14, OxygenOS 14 | Android 11, upgradable to Android 13, OxygenOS 13 |
| Memory | ||
|---|---|---|
| Card slot | No | No |
| Internal | 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM | 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM |
| - | UFS 3.1 | |
| Main Camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Features | Dual-LED flash, HDR, panorama | Dual-LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Quad | 48 MP, f/1.7, 26mm (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF, OIS 16 MP, f/2.2, 14mm, 123˚ (ultrawide), 1/3.6", 1.0µm 5 MP (macro) 2 MP, f/2.4, (monochrome) | 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@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/240fps, Auto HDR, gyro-EIS | 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/240fps, Auto HDR, gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Features | HDR | HDR |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.4, (wide), 1/3.06", 1.0µm | 16 MP, f/2.4, (wide), 1/3.06", 1.0µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS | 1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS |
| Sound | ||
|---|---|---|
| 3.5mm jack | - | No |
| 35mm jack | No | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| Comms | ||
|---|---|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.1, A2DP, LE, aptX HD | 5.2, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (G1), BDS (B1), GALILEO (E1+E5a) | GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (G1), BDS (B1), GALILEO (E1+E5a) |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 3.1, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| 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/6, 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, 100% in 39 min | 65W wired, 100% in 29 min |
| Type | Li-Po 4500 mAh | Li-Po 4500 mAh |
| Misc | ||
|---|---|---|
| Colors | Carbon Black, Lake Blue | Hacker Black, Nano Silver, Blue |
| Models | LE2101, LE2100 | MT2110, MT2111 |
| Price | About 360 EUR | About 590 EUR |
| SAR | 1.17 W/kg (head) 0.85 W/kg (body) | - |
OnePlus 9R
- Excellent value for money
- Smooth performance for everyday tasks
- Fast 65W charging (39 minutes)
- Snapdragon 870 is outperformed by the 888
- May exhibit more throttling during prolonged gaming
OnePlus 9RT 5G
- Superior performance with Snapdragon 888
- Faster 65W charging (29 minutes)
- Improved image processing capabilities
- Generally more expensive than the 9R
- Snapdragon 888 can run hotter under sustained load
Display Comparison
Both devices share a 6.55-inch Fluid AMOLED display, but the specifics aren't provided. However, given OnePlus’s history, we can assume both offer excellent color accuracy and viewing angles. The key difference lies in the underlying processing power driving the display. The 9RT’s more powerful chipset can potentially handle higher refresh rates more consistently, and may offer slightly improved HDR performance. Without specific brightness nits data, it’s difficult to definitively declare a winner, but the 9RT’s superior processing power gives it a slight edge.
Camera Comparison
Detailed camera specs are missing, but we can infer some differences. Both likely feature similar primary sensors, but the 9RT, benefiting from the Snapdragon 888’s improved image signal processor (ISP), will likely deliver better image processing, particularly in low-light conditions. The 888’s ISP enables faster autofocus, improved dynamic range, and more accurate color reproduction. Without knowing sensor sizes or aperture values, it’s difficult to make a definitive judgment, but the 9RT’s superior ISP gives it a likely advantage in image quality.
Performance
The core distinction here is the chipset: the OnePlus 9R features the Qualcomm Snapdragon 870 5G (7nm), while the 9RT 5G boasts the Snapdragon 888 5G (5nm). The Snapdragon 888, built on a smaller 5nm process, offers a significant performance advantage, particularly in GPU-intensive tasks. The 888’s Cortex-X1 prime core (2.84 GHz) is a substantial upgrade over the 870’s Kryo 585 (3.2 GHz). While the 870’s higher clock speed might show a slight edge in single-core tasks, the 888’s architectural improvements and Adreno 660 GPU deliver superior overall performance. The 5nm process also translates to better thermal efficiency, potentially mitigating throttling during extended gaming sessions. The 9RT’s LPDDR5 RAM further contributes to faster data access and improved responsiveness.
Battery Life
Battery capacity isn’t specified, but the real-world impact is heavily influenced by the chipset’s efficiency and charging speed. Both devices support 65W wired charging, but the 9RT completes a full charge in 29 minutes, while the 9R takes 39 minutes. This 10-minute difference is significant for users who frequently need to top up their battery quickly. The Snapdragon 888’s 5nm process, despite its higher peak performance, is more power-efficient than the 870’s 7nm process, potentially offsetting some of the power draw from the more powerful CPU and GPU.
Buying Guide
Buy the OnePlus 9R if you prioritize value and a consistently smooth experience for everyday tasks and moderate gaming. It’s an excellent option for users who don’t demand the absolute highest performance. Buy the OnePlus 9RT 5G if you’re a power user, a mobile gamer, or someone who frequently engages in demanding tasks like video editing. The Snapdragon 888 and faster charging justify the price premium for those seeking a more responsive and capable device.