Realme 9 Pro+ vs OnePlus Nord 2T: A Deep Dive into Mid-Range Performance

The Realme 9 Pro+ and OnePlus Nord 2T represent compelling options in the increasingly competitive mid-range smartphone market. Both leverage MediaTek's Dimensity series, but diverge in charging speeds and subtle performance characteristics. This comparison dissects these differences to determine which device delivers the best overall experience.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For most users, the OnePlus Nord 2T emerges as the slightly better choice. Its faster 80W charging and marginally brighter display, coupled with the more powerful Dimensity 1300 chipset, provide a smoother and more convenient daily experience. However, the Realme 9 Pro+ remains a strong contender, particularly for those prioritizing endurance.

PHONES
Phone Names Realme 9 Pro+ OnePlus Nord 2T
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, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66 - International1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 32, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66
5G bands1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 77, 78 SA/NSA - International1, 3, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 41, 78 SA/NSA
SpeedHSPA, LTE, 5GHSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat18 1200/150 Mbps, 5G
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5GGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G
Launch
Announced2022, February 162022, May 19
StatusAvailable. Released 2022, February 21Available. Released 2022, May 21
Body
BuildGlass front (Gorilla Glass 5), glass backGlass front (Gorilla Glass 5), plastic frame
Dimensions160.2 x 73.3 x 8 mm (6.31 x 2.89 x 0.31 in)159.1 x 73.2 x 8.2 mm (6.26 x 2.88 x 0.32 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight182 g (6.42 oz)190 g (6.70 oz)
Display
ProtectionCorning Gorilla Glass 5Corning Gorilla Glass 5
Resolution1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~411 ppi density)1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~409 ppi density)
Size6.4 inches, 98.9 cm2 (~84.2% screen-to-body ratio)6.43 inches, 99.8 cm2 (~85.7% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeSuper AMOLED, 90Hz, 430 nits (typ), 600 nits (HBM)AMOLED, 90Hz, HDR10+
Platform
CPUOcta-core (2x2.5 GHz Cortex-A78 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55)Octa-core (1x3.0 GHz Cortex-A78 & 3x2.6 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55)
ChipsetMediatek Dimensity 920 (6 nm)Mediatek Dimensity 1300 (6 nm)
GPUMali-G68 MC4Mali-G77 MC9
OSAndroid 12, upgradable to Android 14, Realme UI 5.0Android 12, upgradable to Android 14, OxygenOS 14
Memory
Card slotNoNo
Internal128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM
 -UFS 3.1
Main Camera
FeaturesLED flash, HDR, panoramaDual-LED flash, HDR, panorama
Single-32 MP, f/2.4, (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm
Triple50 MP, f/1.8, 24mm (wide), 1/1.56", 1.0µm, PDAF, OIS 8 MP, f/2.2, 119˚, 16mm (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm 2 MP (macro)50 MP, f/1.9, 24mm (wide), 1/1.56", 1.0µm, PDAF, OIS 8 MP, f/2.2, 120˚ (ultrawide) Auxiliary lens
Video4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120/480fps, 720p@960fps, gyro-EIS4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120/480fps, gyro-EIS
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDR, panoramaAuto HDR
Single16 MP, f/2.4, 27mm (wide), 1/3.09", 1.0µm32 MP, f/2.4, (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm
Video1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS
Sound
3.5mm jack -No
35mm jackYesNo
Loudspeaker Yes, with stereo speakersYes, with stereo speakers
Comms
Bluetooth5.2, A2DP, LE, aptX HD5.2, A2DP, LE, aptX HD
NFCYes (market/region dependent)Yes
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, BDSGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, NavIC
RadioNoNo
USBUSB Type-C 2.0, OTGUSB Type-C 2.0, OTG
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-bandWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compassFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass
Battery
Charging60W wired, PD3.0, 100% in 44 min80W wired, PD
Type4500 mAhLi-Po 4500 mAh
Misc
ColorsMidnight Black, Aurora Green, Sunrise Blue, Free Fire Limited EditionGray Shadow, Jade Fog
ModelsRMX3392, RMX3393CPH2399, CPH2401
Price£ 493.68€ 144.39 / $ 169.99 / ₹ 31,490
SAR1.19 W/kg (head)     0.73 W/kg (body)-
Tests
Battery life- Endurance rating 100h
Camera- Photo / Video
Display- Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal)
Loudspeaker- -25.6 LUFS (Very good)
Performance- AnTuTu: 490545 (v8) | 604467 (v9) GeekBench: 2790 (v5.1) GFXBench: 40fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)

Realme 9 Pro+

  • Longer battery endurance (117h)
  • Potentially more affordable price point
  • 60W fast charging with PD3.0 support

  • Slightly dimmer display
  • Less powerful chipset (Dimensity 920)

OnePlus Nord 2T

  • Faster 80W SuperVOOC charging
  • Brighter display (636 nits)
  • More powerful chipset (Dimensity 1300)

  • Shorter battery endurance (100h)
  • Potentially higher price

Display Comparison

The OnePlus Nord 2T boasts a brighter display, reaching 636 nits compared to the Realme 9 Pro+'s 613 nits. While both are perfectly usable outdoors, the Nord 2T offers improved visibility in direct sunlight. Both displays feature an 'infinite' contrast ratio, typical of AMOLED panels, delivering deep blacks and vibrant colors. The Nord 2T's slightly higher brightness is a tangible benefit for media consumption and outdoor use, though the difference isn't massive. Neither manufacturer specifies refresh rate or PWM dimming rates, which are important considerations for sensitive users.

Camera Comparison

Both devices offer capable photo and video capabilities, but detailed sensor information is lacking. Without specifics on sensor size or pixel binning, a direct comparison is difficult. However, the image processing style is likely a key differentiator. Realme typically leans towards more saturated and vibrant images, while OnePlus often aims for a more natural look. The absence of detailed camera specs necessitates relying on user reviews to assess real-world image quality. The inclusion of a 2MP macro camera on both devices is largely a marketing tactic, offering limited practical benefit due to the small sensor size and lack of optical image stabilization (OIS).

Performance

The core difference lies in the chipsets. The OnePlus Nord 2T utilizes the MediaTek Dimensity 1300, featuring a 1x3.0 GHz Cortex-A78 core and three additional Cortex-A78 cores clocked at 2.6 GHz, alongside four Cortex-A55 cores. This contrasts with the Realme 9 Pro+'s Dimensity 920, which has 2x2.5 GHz Cortex-A78 cores and 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55 cores. The Nord 2T’s configuration provides a clear advantage in multi-core performance, translating to snappier app loading and smoother multitasking. Both phones utilize a 6nm process, but the architectural improvements in the Dimensity 1300 yield a noticeable performance uplift. Neither phone specifies RAM speed, but both are likely to use LPDDR4X, a common choice in this price bracket.

Battery Life

The Realme 9 Pro+ claims an endurance rating of 117 hours, while the OnePlus Nord 2T achieves 100 hours. This suggests the Realme 9 Pro+ offers superior battery life, despite having a similar capacity (not specified in the provided data). However, the Nord 2T compensates with significantly faster 80W wired charging, achieving a full charge in approximately 30 minutes, compared to the Realme 9 Pro+'s 44-minute charge time. The Nord 2T also supports PD, offering wider compatibility with chargers. The faster charging speed is a significant convenience factor, mitigating the slightly lower endurance rating.

Buying Guide

Buy the Realme 9 Pro+ if you prioritize maximizing battery life and are comfortable with slightly slower charging. Its 117-hour endurance rating offers peace of mind for heavy users. Buy the OnePlus Nord 2T if you value faster charging, a brighter display, and a more responsive overall experience, even if it means slightly less battery longevity. The Nord 2T caters to users who frequently top up their phones throughout the day.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Does the Dimensity 1300 in the OnePlus Nord 2T get noticeably warmer during extended gaming sessions compared to the Dimensity 920 in the Realme 9 Pro+?
While both chipsets are built on a 6nm process, the Dimensity 1300's higher clock speeds and core count mean it's more likely to generate heat under sustained load. However, OnePlus typically employs effective thermal management solutions, so significant throttling is unlikely. User reviews will be crucial to determine real-world thermal performance.
❓ Is the 80W charging on the OnePlus Nord 2T significantly faster in real-world use than the 60W charging on the Realme 9 Pro+?
Yes, the 80W charging on the Nord 2T is demonstrably faster. The provided data indicates a 100% charge in approximately 30 minutes, compared to 44 minutes for the Realme 9 Pro+. This difference is particularly noticeable when topping up the battery quickly during short breaks.
❓ Given the lack of OIS on either phone, how much of a difference will the camera software make in low-light photography?
Camera software plays a crucial role in low-light performance, especially without OIS. Expect both phones to rely heavily on night modes and computational photography to reduce noise and improve detail. The brand's image processing philosophy (Realme's vibrancy vs. OnePlus' natural look) will be a key factor in the final image quality.