1. Specifications Comparison
Design
| Feature | OnePlus 9 Pro | Honor 70 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 163.2 × 73.6 × 8.7 mm | 161.4 × 73.3 × 7.9 mm | OnePlus 9 Pro is slightly taller and thicker; Honor 70 is more compact and likely easier to handle. |
| Weight | 197g | 178g | Honor 70 is significantly lighter, making it more comfortable for extended use. |
| Build Quality (Screen) | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | Unknown | OnePlus 9 Pro offers superior screen protection against scratches and damage. Honor 70 screen protection is unknown. |
Display
| Feature | OnePlus 9 Pro | Honor 70 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Size | 6.7" | 6.67" | Virtually identical screen size. Negligible difference. |
| Resolution | 1440x3216 | 1080x2400 | OnePlus 9 Pro has a much sharper display, resulting in clearer text and images. |
| PPI | 525 | 395 | OnePlus 9 Pro offers noticeably crisper visuals and finer details. |
| Technology | OLED | Honor 70 has superior display technology. Expect richer colors and better contrast on the Honor 70. OnePlus 9 Pro's screen technology is unspecified. | |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | Both provide smooth scrolling and animations. |
| Brightness | 1300 nits | 0 nits | OnePlus 9 Pro is far better for outdoor visibility in bright sunlight. Honor 70 brightness is unknown. |
Performance
| Feature | OnePlus 9 Pro | Honor 70 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 5G (5 nm) | Qualcomm Snapdragon 778G+ 5G (6 nm) | OnePlus 9 Pro has a more powerful processor, offering better performance for demanding tasks. |
| Antutu Score | 877,600 | 600,525 | OnePlus 9 Pro performs significantly better in benchmarks, indicating faster app loading and smoother operation. |
| GPU | Adreno 660 | Adreno 642L | OnePlus 9 Pro has a more powerful GPU, which results in better gaming performance. |
Camera
| Feature | OnePlus 9 Pro | Honor 70 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main Camera | 48MP, f/1.8, 1/1.43", Sony IMX789, 1.12 µm | 54MP, f/1.9, 1/1.49", Sony IMX800, 1.00 µm | Honor 70 has a slightly higher resolution, but OnePlus 9 Pro has a wider aperture and larger sensor for better low-light performance. |
| Selfie Camera | 16MP, f/2.4, 1/3.13", Sony IMX471, 0.70 µm | 32MP, f/2.4, 1/3.2", Omnivision OV32C, 0.70 µm | Honor 70 has a higher resolution for more detailed selfies, while the sensor sizes are nearly identical. |
| Telephoto Lens | 8MP, f/2.4, 1/4.4", Omnivision OV08A10, 1.00 µm | None | OnePlus 9 Pro offers optical zoom capabilities for distant subjects. |
| Wide-Angle Lens | 50MP, f/2.2, 1/1.56", Sony IMX766, 1.00 µm | 50MP, f/2.2 | Both provide wide-angle shots; sensor details for the Honor 70 are unspecified. |
| Macro Lens | None | 2MP, f/2.4 | Honor 70 has a dedicated macro lens for close-up photography. |
| Black & White Camera | 2MP, f/2.4 | None | OnePlus 9 Pro includes a dedicated B&W sensor. |
| Video | Up to 8K@30fps, HDR, EIS | Up to 4K@30fps, EIS | OnePlus 9 Pro offers higher video resolution capabilities, for capturing higher quality videos |
| DxOMark (Mobile) | Main: 122, Photo: 124, Video: 118 | Main: 115, Photo: 115, Video: 129 | OnePlus 9 Pro excels in photos, while Honor 70 excels in video according to DxOMark. |
| Camera Features | 8K video, Optical zoom, Quadruple camera, OIS, various autofocus methods, RAW 12 bits | Digital Zoom, Triple camera, Ultra Stable video, RAW | OnePlus 9 Pro offers more advanced camera features such as optical zoom and stabilization. |
Battery
| Feature | OnePlus 9 Pro | Honor 70 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 4500mAh | 4800mAh | Honor 70 has a slightly larger battery, possibly leading to longer usage between charges. |
| Charging | 65W Fast Charging | 66W Fast Charging | Both offer very fast charging, with minimal difference in speed. |
| Features | 50W Wireless charging, reverse wireless charging | None | OnePlus 9 Pro provides greater charging flexibility with wireless and reverse wireless charging. |
Other
| Feature | OnePlus 9 Pro | Honor 70 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| OS | Android 11 (upgradable to 14) | Android 12 | Honor 70 comes with a slightly more modern base Android version. |
| WiFi | WiFi 6, dual-band, etc. | WiFi 6, dual-band, etc. | Both support similar WiFi connectivity standards. |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.2 | Bluetooth 5.2 | Both have similar Bluetooth technology. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo, GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (L1), BeiDou (B1), Galileo (E1+E5a) | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | OnePlus 9 Pro has more precise location capabilities. |
| SIM | Dual SIM | Dual SIM | Both support dual SIM cards. |
| Internal Storage | 128 GB or 256 GB | 128 GB, 256 GB or 512 GB | Honor 70 offers more storage options, specifically a larger 512GB option |
| RAM | 8 GB or 12 GB | 6 GB, 8 GB or 12 GB | Both have similar RAM options, Honor 70 comes with a budget option (6GB) |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone supports microSD card. |
| Audio | Dolby Atmos, Noise cancellation microphone, Stereo Speakers, 3 microphones | Hi-Res Audio, Stereo Speakers | OnePlus 9 Pro provides enhanced audio capabilities (Dolby Atmos), while Honor 70 offers Hi-Res Audio support. |
| Security | Basic fingerprint sensor | Basic fingerprint sensor | Both include basic fingerprint sensors. |
| Sensors | Biometric: Fingerprint; Proximity: Proximity; Motion: Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope | Biometric: Fingerprint; Proximity: Proximity; Motion: Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Gravity | Both have standard smartphone sensors; OnePlus 9 Pro additionally includes Gravity |
2. Key Differences Analysis
OnePlus 9 Pro Advantages:
- Superior Display Resolution and Pixel Density: Offers sharper images and text, noticeable for detailed content viewing.
- Higher Performance Chipset: Provides smoother operation and better performance in demanding tasks like gaming and video editing.
- Advanced Camera System: Offers features such as optical zoom, higher resolution video recording (8k) and additional camera sensors, giving more flexibility and control over image capture, leading to higher quality photos.
- Wireless Charging and Reverse Wireless Charging: Adds flexibility to the charging experience, enabling the device to charge wirelessly and also act as a wireless power bank for other devices.
- Better screen protection: Offers protection against scratches and damages
- More precise GPS: More satellite support for precise locations.
Honor 70 Advantages:
- Lighter and More Compact Design: More comfortable to hold for longer periods and easier to carry.
- OLED display: Offers richer colors and better contrast.
- Larger Battery: Potentially offers slightly longer battery life.
- Higher Resolution Selfie Camera: Produces more detailed self-portraits.
- Macro Lens: Allows for capturing detailed close-up shots
- More Storage Options: Has a 512GB option, providing a significant advantage for users who need a lot of local storage.
- More modern Android OS (initial OS) : Comes with Android 12 which may have more modern software features.
Trade-offs:
- OnePlus 9 Pro: Trades a slightly bulkier design and lacks the OLED display technology of the Honor 70 for better performance, a more versatile camera system and wireless charging capabilities.
- Honor 70: Trades overall performance and camera versatility for a lighter design, slightly bigger battery, better selfie camera and a dedicated Macro lens.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Ideal User for OnePlus 9 Pro:
- Power Users: Those who frequently use resource-intensive apps, play demanding games, or multitask heavily.
- Photography Enthusiasts: Users who desire versatile camera options, including optical zoom and 8k video capability.
- Users who value high screen resolution: Users looking for the crispest details on their display and better outdoor visibility.
- Professionals: Individuals who value wireless charging and better connectivity for on-the-go usage.
- Users who want more control over camera settings: Individuals who value more advanced camera options.
Use Cases for OnePlus 9 Pro:
- Mobile gaming, video editing, and heavy app usage
- Professional photography and videography requiring detailed shots
- Outdoor use in bright sunlight
- Frequent travelers or those who need a dependable phone with better connectivity
Ideal User for Honor 70:
- Everyday Users: Individuals who prioritize comfort and ease of use, as well as selfies and social media content.
- Casual Photographers: Users who appreciate a good camera for everyday photos and selfies.
- Users on a Budget: Individuals seeking a balance of features and a good camera.
- Users who want a good display: Users who are looking for good contrast and colors.
- Users that value storage: Users who need more storage space on the phone
Use Cases for Honor 70:
- Daily social media use
- Taking detailed selfies
- Casual mobile photography for everyday moments
- Users who want a more compact phone
Price-to-Value Ratio:
The OnePlus 9 Pro offers a premium, high-performance experience, justifying its higher price point for power users and photography enthusiasts. The Honor 70 provides a solid experience with a focus on the camera and comfort at a potentially lower price, making it appealing to more casual users.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions:
- Do you prioritize performance for gaming and heavy app usage, or are you more focused on everyday use and camera versatility? (This will help you decide between the powerful chipset of the OnePlus or the larger storage and better selfie capabilities of the Honor)
- Is a high resolution display, better outdoor visibility and more flexibility in charging important for you, or do you value a more compact design and better contrasts? (Helps determine if you're swayed towards better screen quality and wireless charging or the comfort and OLED display)
- Do you frequently record professional-grade videos and use features like optical zoom, or are you mainly taking casual photos and selfies? (This question can narrow your choice to the advanced camera options of the OnePlus, or the everyday camera user needs covered by the Honor)
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Power User/Gamer: If you're a gamer, or frequently use demanding apps, and also need a professional-grade camera with more features like optical zoom, the OnePlus 9 Pro is the better choice due to its superior performance, more advanced camera features and higher resolution screen.
- Scenario 2: Everyday Casual User/Social Media: If you are focused on casual use and mainly care about taking good quality selfies and everyday pictures, the Honor 70 is the more suitable option because of its more compact design, higher resolution selfie camera and macro lens, while still being good enough for casual gaming and social media usage.
- Scenario 3: Budget-Conscious User: If price is a major concern, and you still want a decent camera, a good display, and a more modern OS, and are okay with less performance, Honor 70 offers an appealing balance.
My Choice
If I had to choose between these two phones, I would pick the OnePlus 9 Pro. While the Honor 70 has several compelling advantages like its lighter design, OLED display, better selfie camera, macro lens, and more storage options, the OnePlus 9 Pro wins because of the following main points:
- Performance: The Snapdragon 888 provides a much more significant leap in performance over the Snapdragon 778G+ making the phone feel faster and more responsive.
- Versatile Camera System: The OnePlus 9 Pro has a significantly more versatile camera system for everyday photography that provides additional features like 8k video recording and optical zoom, all of which the Honor lacks.
- Display Quality: The OnePlus 9 Pro display has a much higher pixel density, higher resolution and brightness which is important for my use case, although it is not an OLED panel like the Honor.
- Additional Features: The additional features like wireless charging, reverse wireless charging, and better connectivity provided by the OnePlus make it a more premium product for my needs.
Although the Honor 70 is a very good phone, the OnePlus 9 Pro is a more capable device that suits my preferences for performance and photography better.
