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Apple iPhone 12 Pro Max vs OnePlus 9

Updated Apr 2026phones
Apple iPhone 12 Pro Max
Apple
Apple iPhone 12 Pro Max
$1,099
8.1/10
VS
OnePlus 9
OnePlus
OnePlus 9
$729
8.4/10
Winner

The Verdict

iPhone 12 Pro Max delivers a premium package with superior display technology, exceptional computational photography, and a proven ecosystem, though it feels dated with 60Hz refresh and older A14 chip compared to 2021 flagships. OnePlus 9 counters with a 120Hz AMOLED screen, significantly faster Snapdragon 888 processor, larger 4500 mAh battery, and 65W charging that reaches 100% in roughly 30 minutes versus the iPhone's slower 20W standard charging. Camera quality slightly favors iPhone in low light thanks to its f/1.6 aperture and sensor-shift stabilization, but OnePlus's 48MP main sensor with Hasselblad tuning and 50MP ultrawide offer more versatility. Display brightness is nearly identical at 1200 and 1100 nits, yet OnePlus's 120Hz refresh makes scrolling noticeably smoother. Build quality leans Apple with stainless steel and Ceramic Shield, while OnePlus uses plastic but weighs 34g less. At $1099 versus $729, the iPhone demands a $370 premium for iOS exclusivity and brand value rather than raw specs. OnePlus 9 represents better value for performance-focused buyers who prioritize speed, screen smoothness, and charging convenience.

ValueOnePlus 9
CameraPro Max
BatteryOnePlus 9
DisplayOnePlus 9
PerformanceOnePlus 9

Who Should Buy

Buy the Apple iPhone 12 Pro Max if…

  • Large 6.7-inch Super Retina XDR display
  • Sensor-shift OIS exclusive to Pro Max
  • Excellent battery life for an iPhone

Buy the OnePlus 9 if…

  • 65W Warp Charge fills battery in 29 minutes
  • Excellent main and ultrawide cameras
  • Hasselblad color calibration

Category Scores

Apple iPhone 12 Pro Max
OnePlus 9
Value
7.0
8.7
Camera
8.7
8.2
Battery
7.5
8.6
Display
8.5
8.8
Performance
7.8
8.9

Pros & Cons

Apple iPhone 12 Pro Max

Pros

  • Large 6.7-inch Super Retina XDR display
  • Sensor-shift OIS exclusive to Pro Max
  • Excellent battery life for an iPhone
  • Dolby Vision HDR video recording
  • 5G support across sub-6 and mmWave

Cons

  • No 120Hz ProMotion display
  • Heavy at 226 g
  • 60Hz refresh rate felt dated in 2020
  • Lightning port
  • No charger included in the box

OnePlus 9

Pros

  • 65W Warp Charge fills battery in 29 minutes
  • Excellent main and ultrawide cameras
  • Hasselblad color calibration
  • 120Hz AMOLED display
  • Competitive pricing at $729

Cons

  • No telephoto camera
  • 2 MP monochrome sensor is useless
  • No official IP rating for water resistance
  • Plastic frame feels less premium
  • Snapdragon 888 heating issues

Full Specifications

SpecApple iPhone 12 Pro MaxOnePlus 9
SoftwareiOS 14Android 11, OxygenOS 11
Body
Weight226 g192 g
MaterialStainless steel frame, Ceramic Shield frontPlastic frame, Gorilla Glass 5
IP ratingIP68No official rating
Dimensions160.8 x 78.1 x 7.4 mm160 x 74.2 x 8.7 mm
Camera
Main camera12 MP, f/1.6, sensor-shift OIS48 MP, f/1.8, OIS (Hasselblad tuned)
Front camera12 MP TrueDepth, f/2.216 MP, f/2.4
Video4K@60fps, Dolby Vision HDR8K@30fps, 4K@60fps
Telephoto12 MP, f/2.2, 2.5x optical zoom
Ultrawide12 MP, f/2.450 MP, f/2.2, freeform lens
Mono2 MP, f/2.4
Memory
RAM6 GB8 GB
Storage options128 GB, 256 GB, 512 GB128 GB, 256 GB
Battery
Capacity3687 mAh4500 mAh
Charging20W wired65W Warp Charge wired
Wireless charging15W MagSafe15W wireless
Display
Size6.7 inches6.55 inches
TypeSuper Retina XDR OLEDAMOLED
Resolution2778 x 12842400 x 1080
Refresh rate60Hz120Hz
Brightness (nits)12001100
Processor
CPUHexa-core (2x3.1 GHz + 4x1.8 GHz)Octa-core (1x2.84 GHz + 3x2.42 GHz + 4x1.8 GHz)
GPUApple GPU (4-core)Adreno 660
ChipsetApple A14 BionicQualcomm Snapdragon 888
Connectivity
5G
NFC
USBLightningUSB-C 3.1
Wi-FiWi-Fi 6Wi-Fi 6
Bluetooth5.05.2

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This comparison is based on verified manufacturer specifications covering display, performance, camera, battery, and build quality. Scores are generated by analyzing specs across weighted categories on a 10-point scale. Learn more about our methodology.

Explore more in phones, see all Apple products or all OnePlus products. View full details for the Apple iPhone 12 Pro Max or the OnePlus 9.