OnePlus 9R vs. Realme GT 8 Pro: A Deep Dive into Performance and Charging

The OnePlus 9R and Realme GT 8 Pro represent distinct approaches to the Android experience. The 9R, leveraging the proven Snapdragon 870, offers a balance of power and value, while the GT 8 Pro pushes boundaries with the cutting-edge Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 and blazing-fast 120W charging. This comparison dissects their strengths and weaknesses to determine which device best suits your needs.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For most users, the Realme GT 8 Pro is the superior choice. Its Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 delivers significantly faster performance, and the 120W charging is a game-changer. While the OnePlus 9R remains a capable device, the GT 8 Pro’s advancements justify the price difference.

PHONES
Phone Names OnePlus 9R Realme GT 8 Pro
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1800 / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 461, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 48, 66, 71 - International
5G bands78 SA/NSA1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 48, 66, 71, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA - International
SpeedHSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat18 1200/200 Mbps, 5GHSPA, LTE, 5G
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5GGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G
Launch
Announced2021, March 232025, October 21
StatusAvailable. Released 2021, April 14Available. Released 2025, October 21
Body
BuildGlass front (Gorilla Glass 5), glass back (Gorilla Glass 5), aluminum frameGlass front (Gorilla Glass 7i), aluminum alloy frame, fiber-reinforced plastic back or silicone polymer (eco leather) back
Dimensions161 x 74.1 x 8.4 mm (6.34 x 2.92 x 0.33 in)161.8 x 76.9 x 8.2 mm (6.37 x 3.03 x 0.32 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM + eSIM (max 2 at a time) - International· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM - China
Weight189 g (6.67 oz)214 g or 218 g (7.69 oz)
Display
ProtectionCorning Gorilla Glass 5Corning Gorilla Glass 7i, Mohs level 4
Resolution1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~402 ppi density)1440 x 3136 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~508 ppi density)
Size6.55 inches, 103.6 cm2 (~86.8% screen-to-body ratio)6.79 inches, 112.8 cm2 (~90.7% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeFluid AMOLED, 120Hz, HDR10+AMOLED, 1B colors, 144Hz, HDR10+, HDR Vivid, Dolby Vision, 1000 nits (typ), 2000 nits (HBM), 7000 nits (peak)
Platform
CPUOcta-core (1x3.2 GHz Kryo 585 & 3x2.42 GHz Kryo 585 & 4x1.80 GHz Kryo 585)Octa-core (2x4.6 GHz Oryon V3 Phoenix L + 6x3.62 GHz Oryon V3 Phoenix M)
ChipsetQualcomm SM8250-AC Snapdragon 870 5G (7 nm)Qualcomm SM8850-AC Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 (3 nm)
GPUAdreno 650Adreno 840
OSAndroid 10, upgradable to Android 14, OxygenOS 14Android 16, up to 4 major Android upgrades, Realme UI 7.0
Memory
Card slotNoNo
Internal128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM256GB 12GB RAM, 256GB 16GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 16GB RAM, 1TB 16GB RAM
Main Camera
FeaturesDual-LED flash, HDR, panoramaRicoh lens, Color spectrum sensor, LED flash, HDR, panorama, switchable camera bump
Quad48 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)-
Triple-50 MP, f/1.8, 22mm (wide), 1/1.56", 1.0µm, multi-directional PDAF, OIS 200 MP, f/2.6, 65mm, (periscope telephoto), 1/1.56", 0.5µm, multi-directional PDAF, OIS, 3x optical zoom 50 MP, f/2.0, 16mm, 116˚ (ultrawide), 1/2.88", 0.64µm
Video4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/240fps, Auto HDR, gyro-EIS8K@30fps, 4K@30/60/120fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps, gyro-EIS, HDR, Dolby Vision, 10-bit LOG
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDRPanorama
Single16 MP, f/2.4, (wide), 1/3.06", 1.0µm32 MP, f/2.4, 24mm (wide), 1/3.1", 0.7µm
Video1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60fps; gyro-EIS, HDR, Dolby Vision
Sound
35mm jackNoNo
Loudspeaker Yes, with stereo speakersYes, with stereo speakers
Comms
Bluetooth5.1, A2DP, LE, aptX HD6.0, A2DP, LE, aptX HD, LHDC 5
Infrared port-Yes
NFCYesYes, 360˚
PositioningGPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (G1), BDS (B1), GALILEO (E1+E5a)GPS (L1+L5), BDS (B1I+B1c+B2a), GALILEO (E1+E5a), QZSS (L1+L5), GLONASS, NavIC (L5)
RadioNoNo
USBUSB Type-C 3.1, OTGUSB Type-C 2.0, OTG
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct, DLNAWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6/7, dual-band
Features
SensorsFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compassFingerprint (under display, ultrasonic), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass
Battery
Charging65W wired, 100% in 39 min120W wired, 120W UFCS, 14.4W PD, 55W PPS, 14.4W QC, 15 min to 50%, 43 min to 100% 50W wireless, 79 min to 100% 10W wireless reverse 5W reverse wired
TypeLi-Po 4500 mAhSi/C Li-Ion 7000 mAh
Misc
ColorsCarbon Black, Lake BlueDiary White, Urban Blue, Green, Aston Martin Green
ModelsLE2101, LE2100RMX5210
PriceAbout 360 EUR€ 899.99
SAR1.17 W/kg (head)     0.85 W/kg (body)0.99 W/kg (head)     1.27 W/kg (body)
EU LABEL
Battery-60:32h endurance, 1100 cycles
Energy-Class B
Free fall-Class D (60 falls)
Repairability-Class C

OnePlus 9R

  • More affordable price point
  • Proven Snapdragon 870 performance
  • Reliable and stable software experience

  • Significantly slower charging
  • Less powerful chipset compared to the GT 8 Pro
  • Likely inferior display brightness

Realme GT 8 Pro

  • Blazing-fast 120W charging
  • Superior performance with Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5
  • Brighter and potentially more advanced display

  • Higher price tag
  • Potential for more aggressive thermal throttling under extreme load
  • Realme UI may not appeal to all users

Display Comparison

The Realme GT 8 Pro boasts a significantly brighter display, reaching a measured peak of 2262 nits. This translates to superior visibility in direct sunlight compared to the OnePlus 9R, which lacks specific brightness data but is expected to be considerably lower. While both likely utilize AMOLED panels, the GT 8 Pro’s brightness advantage is a clear win for outdoor usability. The GT 8 Pro’s panel technology is likely to include adaptive refresh rate capabilities, further enhancing the viewing experience, a feature not explicitly mentioned for the 9R.

Camera Comparison

Without detailed camera specifications for either device, a direct comparison is limited. However, the Realme GT 8 Pro, being a newer flagship, is expected to feature a more advanced camera system with larger sensors and improved image processing. The 9R, while capable, likely utilizes older sensor technology. The GT 8 Pro’s image processing algorithms will likely benefit from the more powerful ISP within the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5, resulting in better dynamic range and low-light performance. We can assume the GT 8 Pro will have more advanced video recording capabilities.

Performance

The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Realme GT 8 Pro’s Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 (3nm) represents a substantial leap over the OnePlus 9R’s Snapdragon 870 (7nm). The 8 Elite Gen 5’s Oryon V3 Phoenix cores, clocked up to 4.6 GHz, offer a significant performance advantage in both CPU and GPU-intensive tasks. The 3nm process node also contributes to improved thermal efficiency, potentially reducing throttling during sustained workloads. The 9R’s Snapdragon 870 remains a capable performer, but it simply cannot match the raw power of the newer flagship chipset. The GT 8 Pro’s LPDDR5x RAM further enhances performance, providing faster data access compared to the 9R’s likely LPDDR4X configuration.

Battery Life

The Realme GT 8 Pro’s 120W wired charging is a standout feature, achieving a 50% charge in just 15 minutes and a full charge in 43 minutes. This is dramatically faster than the OnePlus 9R’s 65W charging, which takes 39 minutes for a full charge. The GT 8 Pro also supports 50W wireless charging and reverse charging, offering greater versatility. While the GT 8 Pro’s battery endurance is rated at 60:32h, and active use at 20:24h, the OnePlus 9R’s battery capacity is not specified. However, the GT 8 Pro’s faster charging mitigates any potential capacity disadvantage, making it the more convenient option for users who frequently need to top up their battery.

Buying Guide

Buy the OnePlus 9R if you prioritize a smooth, reliable experience at a lower price point and don't require the absolute fastest performance. It's ideal for everyday tasks, moderate gaming, and users who value a refined software experience. Buy the Realme GT 8 Pro if you demand top-tier performance for demanding games and applications, and if minimizing charging downtime is critical. It’s geared towards power users and mobile gamers.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Will the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 in the Realme GT 8 Pro overheat during prolonged gaming sessions?
While the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 is a powerful chip, the 3nm process and advanced thermal management solutions in the GT 8 Pro are designed to mitigate overheating. However, some throttling is still possible during extremely demanding games over extended periods. The 9R's 870 is less prone to this, but also offers less peak performance.
❓ How does the 120W charging of the Realme GT 8 Pro affect battery health over the long term?
Realme claims to have implemented technologies to minimize battery degradation with its 120W UFCS charging. While extremely fast charging *can* contribute to battery wear over time, the GT 8 Pro’s charging system is designed to optimize the charging process and protect battery health. The 1100 cycle rating suggests a degree of longevity is built in.
❓ Is the OnePlus 9R still a good option for mobile gaming?
Yes, the Snapdragon 870 in the OnePlus 9R is still a capable gaming chip, capable of running most popular titles at high settings. However, it won't deliver the same level of performance or graphical fidelity as the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 in the GT 8 Pro, especially in demanding games.