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What we think
The PerfectRec phone team Learn more
Updated January 12, 2024·
The iPhone 12's strengths include superior video capabilities with Dolby Vision recording and a more color-accurate OLED screen, while its notable disadvantages are a lower base storage and shorter battery life compared to the OnePlus 9. If camera quality is paramount, the iPhone has a dual-camera setup with better video recording options. However, the OnePlus 9 offers a better price-to-performance ratio with a larger base storage and significantly longer battery life, coupled with a higher refresh rate display for smoother scrolling. The decision largely hinges on whether you prioritize camera and ecosystem integration over price and battery performance. The iPhone uses iOS whereas the OnePlus uses Android, which may influence your decision based on your preference for a specific operating system environment. Give Feedback
this description is based on the product variant with some specs and product variant with some specs. At the time of writing, the variant with some specs cost some dollars and the variant with some specs cost some dollars.
Advantages of the Apple iPhone 12
- Good for taking photos
- Good for recording videos
- Very good display quality
Advantages of the OnePlus 9
- The OnePlus 9 has no clear advantages over the Apple iPhone 12.
Key differences
Video Quality
7.2
5.9
The Apple iPhone 12 takes good videos, while the OnePlus 9 takes poor videos.
The Apple iPhone 12 generally takes better videos due to its higher-rated video resolution/framerate, software experience, and notably superior video stabilization and low light performance compared to the OnePlus 9. While both devices have the same quality of microphone, the iPhone 12 offers better video dynamic range, further contributing to its higher video quality.
Battery
6.2 Hours
6.9 Hours
The Apple iPhone 12 has 6.2 hours of battery life. The OnePlus 9 has 6.9 hours of battery life.
Screen Size
The Apple iPhone 12 has a screen size of 6.1 inches and the OnePlus 9 is 6.55 inches.
Cost
$600
$399
$200
$300
$400
$500
$600
$700
$800
$900
The Apple iPhone 12 has a price of $600 and the OnePlus 9 costs $399.
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Key similarities
Overall Camera Quality
7.3
7.0
The Apple iPhone 12 and OnePlus 9 both have good overall cameras quality.
The Apple iPhone 12 offers a stronger overall camera experience, with a better video software experience, video stabilization, and video dynamic range compared to the OnePlus 9, which might make it a better choice for video enthusiasts. However, for selfies, both the iPhone 12 and OnePlus 9 have good selfie quality, so if selfies are a priority and cost is a concern, the OnePlus 9 could suffice.
Photo Quality
7.1
6.7
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Apple iPhone 12 to have good photos, while the OnePlus 9 takes only fair photos.
The iPhone 12 produces better selfies mainly due to its higher selfie quality, which may be attributed to better camera software optimization and advanced image processing. Meanwhile, the OnePlus 9, despite having a reasonable selfie camera resolution, falls behind on the selfie score and overall photo-taking experience, including low light performance and dynamic range, which are integral for high-quality images.
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How the Apple iPhone 12 and the OnePlus 9 compare to other phones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Apple iPhone 12 | OnePlus 9 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$600 | $399 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Apple | OnePlus | |
Operating System | |||
Operating System | iOS | Android | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | October 23, 2020 | March 26, 2021 | |
SCREEN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Screen Size | |||
Screen Size | 6.1" | 6.55" | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 2532 x 1170 | 2400 x 1080 | |
Variable refresh rate | |||
Variable refresh rate | No | No | |
Pixels Per Inch | |||
Pixels Per Inch | 460 | 402 | |
Display Type | |||
Display Type | OLED | OLED | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | A14 | SD888 | |
Internal Storage | |||
Internal Storage | 64 GB | 128 GB | |
RAM | |||
RAM | 4 GB | 8 GB | |
CAMERA | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Overall Camera Quality Score | |||
Overall Camera Quality Score | 7.4/10 | 7/10 | |
Photos Score | |||
Photos Score | 7.1/10 | 6.8/10 | |
Videos Score | |||
Videos Score | 7.3/10 | 5.9/10 | |
Rear Cameras | |||
Rear Cameras | Main, Ultrawide | Main, Ultrawide | |
Main Camera | |||
Main Camera | 12 megapixels + OIS | 48 megapixels | |
BATTERY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery Life | |||
Battery Life | 6.2 Hours | 6.9 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 2815 mAh | 4500 mAh | |
Wireless Charging | |||
Wireless Charging | Yes | Yes | |
Wireless charging Speed | |||
Wireless charging Speed | 15 W | 15 W | |
Reverse wireless charging | |||
Reverse wireless charging | No | No | |
PHYSICAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Size | |||
Size | 5.78" x 2.81" | 6.29" x 2.92" | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 5.78 oz | 6.77 oz | |
Back Material | |||
Back Material | Glass | Glass | |
Stereo Speakers | |||
Stereo Speakers | No | No | |
CONNECTIVITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Dual SIM | |||
Dual SIM | Yes | No | |
Bluetooth Version | |||
Bluetooth Version | 5.0 | 5.2 | |
A2DP | |||
A2DP | Yes | Yes | |
WiFi Version | |||
WiFi Version | 6 | 6 | |
NFC | |||
NFC | Yes | Yes | |
US 5G Bands | |||
US 5G Bands | (SA/NSA/Sub6/mmWave)1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 25, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 71, 77, 78, 79, 260, 261 (SA/NSA/Sub6) 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 25, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 77, 78, 79 | (SA/NSA/Sub6)1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 25, 28, 38, 40, 41, 48, 66, 71, 77, 78 | |
OTHER FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Biometric unlock | |||
Biometric unlock | Face unlock | Face unlock, Fingerprint sensor: Under Display | |
Unlockable Bootloader | |||
Unlockable Bootloader | No | Yes | |
Color | |||
Color | Blue, Purple, Green, White, Black, Red | Astral Black, Arctic Sky, Winter Mist | |
Stock Android | |||
Stock Android | N/A | No | |
SD Card | |||
SD Card | No | No | |
Shopping
Apple iPhone 12
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Dig into reviews and images
Pocket-lint
Stuart Miles | March 2022
"The iPhone 12 offers many of the important things that you want from the iPhone: a decent camera, 5G, great screen, fast processor. For the group of people who want a new iPhone without the price tag of the iPhone 12 Pro or iPhone 13 range, this is a great choice. There's no settling for second best with this smartphone."
OnePlus 9
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Dig into reviews and images
TechRadar
David Lumb | April 2021
"If you’re hunting for the best Android camera phone at this price, and one that doesn’t skimp on specs the OnePlus 9 is worth considering. Courtesy of a partnership with Hasselblad, the cameras offer better color correction, and both regular and ultra-wide photos look great. The OnePlus 9’s battery fully charges in under 30 minutes over a cable, and in 45 minutes using wireless charging. If you hate waiting for hours to charge your phone, you'll love the OnePlus 9."
Get a great deal on the Apple iPhone 12 or the OnePlus 9
About Apple
The tech giant called Apple is synonymous with the most popular smartphone in the world: the iPhone. Known for their build quality and aesthetics, as well as for their excellent integration between hardware and software, iPhones have defined the smartphone industry ever since their conception and they continue to do so by setting new industry standards. Apple's own operating system, called iOS, is known for its simplicity and ease of use, and the company tends to complement it well by creating devices with some of the most powerful processing hardware available in the mobile world. The iPhone is also known for its robust ecosystem of accessories, as it facilitates a very seamless experience when interacting with other Apple products, more so than most of its competitors.
About OnePlus
OnePlus, established in 2013, is a smartphone brand that first became known for providing flagship-like devices, at a fraction of the cost compared to more expensive Android competitors. OnePlus focuses on creating smartphones with powerful hardware at reasonable prices. They also bring hardware features normally not seen in other Android phones sold in the US, such as their ultra-fast “Warp Charge” and the beloved “Alert Slider”.
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Why trust us
This information was produced and vetted by the PerfectRec phones team. We are a product research and recommendation organization that meticulously reviews and evaluates the latest phone information and makes it digestible for you.
By the numbers
68
Phones evaluated
7,820
Phones stats compiled
8
Proprietary Phones ratings developed
196,200
Recommendations made
111,180
Consumer hours saved
About the phone team
Joe Golden, Ph.D
CEO and Phones Editor
Joe is an entrepreneur and lifelong electronics enthusiast with a Ph.D in Economics from the University of Michigan.
Jason Lew
Staff Expert & Software Engineer
Jason is a staff expert and software engineer that has been making laptop recommendations for 7 years and moderates one of the largest laptop subreddits.
Chandradeep Chowdhury
Staff Expert & Software Engineer
Chandradeep is a staff expert and software engineer and expert in televisions and monitors. He’s been making monitor recommendations for ten years.
Seth Peoples
Phones Expert
Seth is a US-based product expert focusing on smartphones and he is a moderator of one of the largest smartphone subreddits. His tailored recommendations have helped him earn over 87k comment karma, putting him in the top 1% of Redditors.
Efthimis Kotanidis
Phones Expert
Efthimis is a Greece-based product expert focusing on smartphones. He has been recommending phones for 4 years and his recommendations on Reddit have earned him over 35k karma.
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