Apple iPhone 15 Plus vs OnePlus 9
The Verdict
iPhone 15 Plus commands a $170 premium with its newer A16 Bionic processor, superior 2000-nit display brightness, and refined 48MP camera system with Dolby Vision 4K recording. OnePlus 9 counters with a larger 120Hz display (versus 60Hz), faster 65W charging, and more RAM at 8GB. While the OnePlus excels in refresh rate and charging speed, the iPhone 15 Plus delivers better overall camera quality, significantly brighter OLED panel, superior performance longevity, and iOS reliability. Battery capacity favors OnePlus marginally (4500mAh vs 4383mAh), but real-world endurance depends on optimization. For those prioritizing cutting-edge performance, superior display quality, and premium cameras, the iPhone 15 Plus justifies its price. Budget-conscious buyers seeking high refresh rates and fast charging should consider the OnePlus 9, though its Android 11 age presents software concerns.
Who Should Buy
Buy the Apple iPhone 15 Plus if…
- →Outstanding battery life from large 4383 mAh cell
- →Dynamic Island replaces notch on a non-Pro model
- →48 MP main camera is a major upgrade over iPhone 14 Plus
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 15 Plus
Pros
- Outstanding battery life from large 4383 mAh cell
- Dynamic Island replaces notch on a non-Pro model
- 48 MP main camera is a major upgrade over iPhone 14 Plus
- First USB-C port on a standard Plus model
- Large display great for media consumption
Cons
- Capped at 60Hz with no ProMotion upgrade
- USB-C limited to USB 2.0 transfer speeds
- No telephoto camera
- No always-on display
- Bulky and heavy for everyday use
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 15 Plus | OnePlus 9 |
|---|---|---|
| Software | iOS 17 | Android 11, OxygenOS 11 |
| Body | ||
| Weight | 201 g | 192 g |
| Material | Aluminum frame | Plastic frame, Gorilla Glass 5 |
| IP rating | IP68 | No official rating |
| Dimensions | 160.9 x 77.8 x 7.8 mm | 160 x 74.2 x 8.7 mm |
| Camera | ||
| Main camera | 48 MP | 48 MP, f/1.8, OIS (Hasselblad tuned) |
| Front camera | 12 MP | 16 MP, f/2.4 |
| Video | 4K@60fps Dolby Vision | 8K@30fps, 4K@60fps |
| Ultrawide | 12 MP | 50 MP, f/2.2, freeform lens |
| Mono | — | 2 MP, f/2.4 |
| Memory | ||
| RAM | 6 GB | 8 GB |
| Storage options | 128 GB, 256 GB, 512 GB | 128 GB, 256 GB |
| Battery | ||
| Capacity | 4383 mAh | 4500 mAh |
| Charging | 20W wired | 65W Warp Charge wired |
| Wireless charging | 15W MagSafe | 15W wireless |
| Display | ||
| Size | 6.7 inches | 6.55 inches |
| Type | Super Retina XDR OLED | AMOLED |
| Resolution | 2796 x 1290 | 2400 x 1080 |
| Refresh rate | 60Hz | 120Hz |
| Brightness (nits) | 2000 | 1100 |
| Processor | ||
| CPU | Hexa-core | Octa-core (1x2.84 GHz + 3x2.42 GHz + 4x1.8 GHz) |
| GPU | Apple GPU (5-core) | Adreno 660 |
| Chipset | Apple A16 Bionic | Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 |
| Connectivity | ||
| 5G | ||
| NFC | ||
| USB | USB-C 2.0 | USB-C 3.1 |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6 | Wi-Fi 6 |
| Bluetooth | 5.3 | 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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