Apple iPhone 12 vs OnePlus 9
The Verdict
Apple's iPhone 12 delivers a more refined flagship experience with its superior OLED display (1200 nits brightness, XDR grading) and industry-leading A14 Bionic processor, though limited to 60Hz refresh. OnePlus 9 counters with a larger 6.55-inch 120Hz AMOLED screen, significantly larger 4500 mAh battery, and faster 65W charging. Camera capabilities differ: iPhone 12 excels at computational photography and video with Dolby Vision HDR support, while OnePlus 9 offers higher megapixel counts (48MP main, 50MP ultrawide) and 8K video recording. OnePlus provides more RAM (8GB vs 4GB) and charges considerably faster. iPhone 12 edges ahead in software optimization, ecosystem integration, and long-term value retention, whereas OnePlus 9 delivers superior raw specs and charging speed at a lower entry price. For users prioritizing refined performance and longevity, iPhone 12 wins; for specs-conscious buyers wanting faster charging and higher refresh rates, OnePlus 9 provides compelling value.
Who Should Buy
Buy the Apple iPhone 12 if…
- →First iPhone with 5G connectivity
- →Ceramic Shield front cover is four times more drop-resistant
- →Flat-edge design is comfortable and stylish
Buy the OnePlus 9 if…
- →65W Warp Charge fills battery in 29 minutes
- →Excellent main and ultrawide cameras
- →Hasselblad color calibration
Category Scores
Pros & Cons
Apple iPhone 12
Pros
- First iPhone with 5G connectivity
- Ceramic Shield front cover is four times more drop-resistant
- Flat-edge design is comfortable and stylish
- A14 Bionic delivers excellent performance and efficiency
- Dolby Vision HDR video recording is a first for any smartphone
Cons
- 60Hz display when competitors offered 90Hz or 120Hz
- Small 2815 mAh battery offers mediocre battery life
- 64 GB base storage is inadequate in 2020
- Lightning port instead of USB-C
- No telephoto lens — only dual camera
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
| Spec | Apple iPhone 12 | OnePlus 9 |
|---|---|---|
| Software | iOS 14 | Android 11, OxygenOS 11 |
| Body | ||
| Weight | 164 g | 192 g |
| Material | Aluminum frame, Ceramic Shield front | Plastic frame, Gorilla Glass 5 |
| IP rating | IP68 | No official rating |
| Dimensions | 146.7 x 71.5 x 7.4 mm | 160 x 74.2 x 8.7 mm |
| Camera | ||
| Main camera | 12 MP, f/1.6, OIS | 48 MP, f/1.8, OIS (Hasselblad tuned) |
| Front camera | 12 MP TrueDepth, f/2.2 | 16 MP, f/2.4 |
| Video | 4K@60fps, Dolby Vision HDR | 8K@30fps, 4K@60fps |
| Ultrawide | 12 MP, f/2.4 | 50 MP, f/2.2, freeform lens |
| Mono | — | 2 MP, f/2.4 |
| Memory | ||
| RAM | 4 GB | 8 GB |
| Storage options | 64 GB, 128 GB, 256 GB | 128 GB, 256 GB |
| Battery | ||
| Capacity | 2815 mAh | 4500 mAh |
| Charging | 20W wired | 65W Warp Charge wired |
| Wireless charging | 15W MagSafe | 15W wireless |
| Display | ||
| Size | 6.1 inches | 6.55 inches |
| Type | Super Retina XDR OLED | AMOLED |
| Resolution | 2532 x 1170 | 2400 x 1080 |
| Refresh rate | 60Hz | 120Hz |
| Brightness (nits) | 1200 | 1100 |
| Processor | ||
| CPU | Hexa-core (2x3.1 GHz + 4x1.8 GHz) | Octa-core (1x2.84 GHz + 3x2.42 GHz + 4x1.8 GHz) |
| GPU | Apple GPU (4-core) | Adreno 660 |
| Chipset | Apple A14 Bionic | Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 |
| Connectivity | ||
| 5G | ||
| NFC | ||
| USB | Lightning | USB-C 3.1 |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6 | Wi-Fi 6 |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 | 5.2 |
Related Comparisons
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.
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