Alright, let's dive into a head-to-head comparison of the OnePlus 10 Pro and the Huawei nova 9 SE. Buckle up, because we’re going to get into the nitty-gritty, translating tech specs into real-world experiences.
1. Specifications Breakdown
Here's a detailed breakdown of how these two phones stack up, focusing on what the numbers mean for you:
| Feature | OnePlus 10 Pro | Huawei nova 9 SE | Real-World Implications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 163 × 73.9 × 8.6 mm | 164.6 × 75.6 × 7.9 mm | The Nova 9 SE is slightly taller and wider, but the OnePlus 10 Pro is thicker. Overall, the OnePlus has a larger volume, might feel slightly bulkier in hand. |
| Weight | 201g | 191g | The Huawei is 10g lighter, which might make a small difference during prolonged use. |
| Build | Gorilla Glass Victus front, aluminum frame, glass back | Unknown Front, plastic frame, plastic back | OnePlus 10 Pro uses Gorilla Glass Victus for robust screen protection. Nova 9 SE has unknown front glass protection, likely a standard glass and plastic construction and less premium feel |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.7" | 6.78" | Negligible difference in size. Both offer a large screen experience. |
| Resolution | 1440x3216 | 1080x2388 | OnePlus 10 Pro has a significantly sharper display; text and images appear much more detailed. |
| PPI | 525 | 387 | OnePlus 10 Pro screen is noticeably sharper and clearer due to a higher pixel density, resulting in better visual clarity for text, images, and video. |
| Technology | (likely OLED) | IPS LCD | Likely OLED for OnePlus which means richer colors and deeper blacks and better contrast. IPS LCD for Huawei lacks this. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 90Hz | OnePlus 10 Pro's screen will feel smoother and more responsive, particularly during scrolling and gaming. |
| Brightness | 1300 nits | 0 nits | The OnePlus 10 Pro will be significantly more visible in bright, outdoor conditions. The Huawei will suffer in sunlight. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 (4 nm) | Qualcomm Snapdragon 680 4G (6 nm) | OnePlus 10 Pro has a flagship-level chip, much faster and more power efficient. Huawei has a midrange chip. This dictates performance and speed for both phones. |
| AnTuTu Score | 900,491 | 248,000 | OnePlus 10 Pro is significantly faster for demanding tasks, like high-end gaming, video editing, and heavy multitasking. |
| GPU | Adreno 730 | Adreno 610 | OnePlus 10 Pro’s GPU provides vastly superior graphics for gaming and other graphics-intensive tasks, where as the Huawei will struggle with graphically demanding games and operations. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 48MP (f/1.8, 1/1.43") | 108MP (f/1.9, 1/1.52") | Huawei has higher MP count, but OnePlus has a larger sensor and wider aperture, which should mean better image quality and low light capability. |
| Selfie Camera | 32MP (f/2.0, 1/2.74") | 16MP (f/2.2) | OnePlus 10 Pro captures more detail in selfies with a wider aperture and high resolution sensor. |
| Telephoto Lens | 8MP (f/2.4, 1/4.4") | Not Available | OnePlus 10 Pro has a dedicated zoom lens for better telephoto shots. Huawei has none. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 50MP (f/2.2, 1/2.76") | Not Available | OnePlus 10 Pro has a dedicated wide-angle lens for capturing more in a single frame. Huawei has none. |
| Portrait Depth | Not Available | 2MP (f/2.4) | Huawei has a dedicated depth camera for enhanced portrait mode. |
| Macro Lens | Not Available | 2MP (f/2.4) | Huawei has a dedicated macro lens for close-up shots. |
| Wide+Macro | Not Available | 8MP (f/2.2) | Huawei has a dedicated wide and macro lens for more flexibility. |
| Video Recording | Up to 8K@24fps | Up to 1080p@30fps | OnePlus 10 Pro captures much higher resolution video, ideal for video enthusiasts and creators. |
| Battery Life | |||
| Capacity | 5000 mAh | 4000 mAh | OnePlus 10 Pro has a larger battery, potentially offering longer battery life. |
| Charging | 80W Fast Charging, 50W Wireless, Reverse Wireless | 66W Fast Charging, Reverse Charging | The OnePlus 10 Pro can charge much faster via both wired and wireless charging, and additionally has reverse wireless capability. |
| Software | |||
| Operating System | Android 12, Upgradable to 14 | Android 11, no upgrade | OnePlus 10 Pro has a more up to date OS and will have a longer period of software updates, while Huawei may have no major Android updates. |
| Connectivity | |||
| WiFi | Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be) | Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) | OnePlus 10 Pro supports the latest Wi-Fi standard for faster and more efficient connectivity. |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.2 LE | Bluetooth 5.0 | OnePlus 10 Pro has a newer Bluetooth standard for better stability and power efficiency |
| GPS | GPS (L1+L5), Galileo (E1+E5a) , BeiDou (B2) | GPS, Galileo | OnePlus 10 Pro offers more accurate positioning thanks to dual-band GPS and more satellite options. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal Storage | 128/256/512 GB | 128/256 GB | OnePlus 10 Pro offers a higher storage option. Both lack expandable storage. |
| RAM | 8/12 GB | 6/8 GB | OnePlus 10 Pro offers more RAM for smoother multitasking. |
| Audio | |||
| Audio Quality | Dolby Atmos, Stereo Speakers, Noise cancellation mic | Basic Audio | OnePlus has superior audio features with spatial and immersive audio experiences, better calls and stereo sounds. |
| Security | Basic Fingerprint Sensor | Side-Mounted Fingerprint Sensor | Huawei has a more convenient side-mounted fingerprint scanner. |
| Sensors | Additional RGB Sensor | No Additional Sensors | Oneplus offers additional color sensing capabilities. |
2. Key Insights
OnePlus 10 Pro Strengths:
- Superior Performance: The Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 chipset delivers top-tier performance, ideal for demanding apps, gaming, and multitasking.
- Exceptional Display: High resolution, high refresh rate, and excellent brightness combine for a stunning viewing experience.
- Advanced Camera System: A versatile camera setup with a telephoto lens, wide-angle lens, and great image quality.
- Faster Charging: The 80W charging along with 50W wireless charging, along with reverse wireless, makes it a battery champ.
- Up to Date Software: Offers the latest OS with likely longer support.
Huawei Nova 9 SE Strengths:
- Higher Resolution Main Camera: A 108MP main camera with a large sensor and a lower price tag.
- Dedicated macro and depth sensors: Adds flexibility for close-up and portrait shots.
- Lightweight Build: The 10 gram weight difference might be a noticeable plus for some users.
- Side Mounted Fingerprint Sensor Arguably a more convenient way to unlock the phone.
Trade-offs and Limitations:
- OnePlus 10 Pro: Lacks a macro and depth sensors, may be heavier, might be more expensive.
- Huawei nova 9 SE: Midrange performance, an inferior display, and not as great of a camera system as the OnePlus 10 Pro.
3. User Profiles and Recommendations
OnePlus 10 Pro is Best For:
- Power Users: Individuals who demand top-tier performance for gaming, video editing, and heavy multitasking.
- Media Enthusiasts: Users who value a stunning display for watching videos, browsing photos, and enjoying vivid content.
- Photography Buffs: Those who desire a versatile camera system with great image quality and advanced features like a telephoto and wide angle.
- Future-Proofing: Users who want a phone with the latest features and longevity.
Huawei nova 9 SE is Best For:
- Budget-Conscious Users: Individuals who need a decent phone with decent specs at a lower price point.
- Casual Photographers: Users who want a high megapixel camera and extra lens flexibility for macro and depth sensors.
- Everyday Users: Those who need a decent smartphone for basic tasks, like social media and browsing.
- Users that Prefer Lightness: Some users would prefer the lighter phone to carry with them all day.
4. Buying Decision Framework
Here are three key questions to help you decide:
- Performance: Is top-tier performance and speed your priority, or are you okay with mid-range?
- Display Quality: Do you care about a high-resolution, high refresh rate display, or is a decent display good enough?
- Camera Needs: Do you need a versatile camera system with advanced features, or is a simple, high-resolution camera enough?
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Gaming and Content Creation: Choose the OnePlus 10 Pro for its powerful processor, higher refresh rate screen, and high resolution video capture.
- Scenario 2: Everyday Use and Budget: The Huawei nova 9 SE offers decent everyday performance and some nice camera features at a lower price.
- Scenario 3: Photography Enthusiasts: The OnePlus 10 Pro, despite lacking macro/depth sensors, has a better main sensor, a wider aperture lens, and zoom lens, making it more versatile for serious photography.
My Choice
If I had to choose, I would personally go with the OnePlus 10 Pro. As a tech journalist, I value the absolute best performance, a stunning display, and a versatile camera setup for creating content. The faster performance, higher quality display, and advanced camera features are worth the extra cost for me as it’s a device that will perform well now and in the future. Also the latest software and more reliable wireless/bluetooth are useful to me. While the Huawei has some attractive features, especially the extra lenses for creative photos, its lower performance and outdated software are downsides that I would rather not compromise on.
