Smartphone Comparison: OnePlus 9 Pro vs. Honor 90
1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | OnePlus 9 Pro | Honor 90 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 163.2 × 73.6 × 8.7 mm | 161.9 × 74.1 × 7.8 mm | OnePlus 9 Pro is slightly taller and thicker; Honor 90 is slimmer and may feel more comfortable in hand. |
| Weight | 197g | 183g | Honor 90 is lighter, which can be noticeable during prolonged use. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.7" | 6.7" | Both have the same screen size. |
| Resolution | 1440x3216 | 1200x2664 | OnePlus 9 Pro has a noticeably sharper and clearer display with more pixels. |
| Pixel Density (PPI) | 525 | 435 | OnePlus 9 Pro's display looks crisper, text and images will be noticeably clearer. |
| Technology | AMOLED | Honor 90's AMOLED offers richer colors, deeper blacks, and better power efficiency for dark themes. | |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | Both offer smooth scrolling and animations. |
| Brightness | 1300 nits | 1600 nits | Honor 90 is more readable in direct sunlight. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 5G (5 nm) | Qualcomm Snapdragon 7 Gen 1 Accelerated Edition (4 nm) | OnePlus 9 Pro has a flagship-level chipset, resulting in faster processing for demanding tasks. |
| AnTuTu Score | 877,600 | 701,227 | OnePlus 9 Pro offers slightly faster app loading and smoother multitasking. |
| GPU | Adreno 660 | Adreno 644 | OnePlus 9 Pro has a more powerful GPU for better gaming performance. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 4500mAh | 5000mAh | Honor 90 offers longer battery life for all-day use. |
| Charging | 65W fast charging, Li-Polymer | 66W fast charging, Li-Ion | Both offer fast charging, and the difference in speed is negligible. |
| Features | Reverse charging, Wireless charging 50W, REverse wireless charging | Non-removable | OnePlus 9 Pro offers more convenient charging options and can act as a wireless power bank. |
| Camera | |||
| Standard Camera Resolution | 48MP | 200MP | Honor 90 offers higher resolution photos, but the real-world impact depends on processing and sensor quality. |
| Standard Camera Aperture | f/1.8 | f/1.9 | OnePlus 9 Pro has a slightly wider aperture, which can perform better in low-light situations. |
| Standard Camera Sensor Size | 1/1.43" | 1/1.4" | Honor 90 has a slightly larger sensor which may capture more light, however, the real-world impact will depend on other factors like processing. |
| Selfie Camera Resolution | 16MP | 50MP | Honor 90 captures more detail and has better selfie capabilities. |
| Telephoto Lens | Yes | No | OnePlus 9 Pro offers better zoomed-in photos with its telephoto lens. |
| Wide Angle Lens | Yes | No | OnePlus 9 Pro captures more in a frame with its wide-angle lens. |
| Portrait Mode (depth) | No | Yes | Honor 90 enables better portrait mode with a dedicated depth sensor. |
| Wide Angle + Macro | No | Yes | Honor 90 has a versatile wide-angle lens capable of macro photography. |
| Black & White Camera | Yes | No | OnePlus 9 Pro offers a specific Black & white sensor for artistic photos. |
| Video Recording | 8K@30fps, 4K@120fps | 4K@30fps | OnePlus 9 Pro offers higher video resolutions, suitable for pro-level video. |
| Video Stabilization | Yes | No | OnePlus 9 Pro offers better video stabilization using its technology for stable video recording |
| Slow-motion | Yes, 480 fps | Yes, 960 fps | Honor 90 captures high-speed movements with more detail in slow-motion. |
| DxOMark Mobile Score | 122 | 122 | Both have the same overall camera score, implying similar overall image quality. |
| DxOMark Photo Score | 124 | 128 | Honor 90 captures better photos according to DxOMark. |
| DxOMark Video Score | 118 | 126 | Honor 90 offers better video quality according to DxOMark. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 (upgradable to 14) | Android 13 | Honor 90 ships with a newer Android version, offering the latest features and security. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6 | Wi-Fi 6 | Both phones have similar Wi-Fi capabilities. |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.2 | Bluetooth 5.2 | Both phones have similar Bluetooth capabilities. |
| GPS | GPS (L1+L5) | GPS | OnePlus 9 Pro offers more precise location tracking. |
| SIM | Dual SIM | Dual SIM | Both phones support Dual SIM functionality. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal Storage | 128/256 GB | 256/512 GB | Honor 90 has larger storage options. |
| RAM | 8/12 GB | 8/12/16 GB | Honor 90 has the option for more RAM, useful for heavy multitasking. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither supports expandable storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Audio Quality | Dolby Atmos, Stereo Speakers, 3 microphones | Noise cancellation microphone | OnePlus 9 Pro offers a more immersive and better audio experience. |
| Security | |||
| Features | basic fingerprint sensor | basic fingerprint sensor | Both have similar fingerprint security. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | Unknown | OnePlus 9 Pro has more durable screen protection against scratches and falls. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope | Accelerometer, Compass | OnePlus 9 Pro has more sensors suitable for advanced features and gaming. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
OnePlus 9 Pro Advantages:
- Sharper Display: Higher resolution and pixel density result in a more detailed and crisp viewing experience.
- Flagship Performance: The Snapdragon 888 5G chipset offers superior processing power for demanding tasks and gaming.
- Versatile Camera System: Features telephoto and wide-angle lenses, along with a B&W lens. Better video stabilization.
- Advanced Audio Features: Includes Dolby Atmos, stereo speakers, and multi-mic setup for better sound quality.
- Wireless Charging: Supports fast wireless charging and reverse wireless charging for added convenience.
- Better Build Quality: Screen protection is more durable than Honor 90's unknown build.
- More comprehensive sensors: Gyroscope and additional features.
- Higher Video Quality: 8K@30fps and 4K@120fps recording options.
Honor 90 Advantages:
- Brighter Display: Significantly brighter screen, more visible under direct sunlight.
- Larger Battery: Longer battery life for extended usage.
- Higher storage and RAM options: Excellent for power users.
- Newer Software: Comes with a newer version of Android, offering more up-to-date features.
- Higher Resolution Selfie Camera: Enhanced selfie quality.
- More Versatile Macro Camera Dedicated depth and Macro sensors.
- Better Video Scores: DxOMark tests showed better photo and video quality compared to OnePlus 9 Pro.
Trade-offs:
- OnePlus 9 Pro sacrifices battery life and display brightness for processing power and a more robust camera system with optical zoom.
- Honor 90 offers better battery and brighter display but has a less powerful chipset and lacks certain camera features like telephoto and wide angle lens. It does, however, have better macro and portrait capabilities.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
OnePlus 9 Pro Ideal User:
- Power Users and Gamers: Those who need top-tier performance for demanding applications and gaming.
- Photography and Videography Enthusiasts: Users who require advanced camera features, including telephoto zoom and 8K video recording.
- Multimedia Consumers: People who value high-quality audio with immersive sound and Dolby Atmos.
- Those needing Wireless Charging: Users who appreciate the convenience of wireless charging and reverse wireless charging for other devices.
Use Cases for OnePlus 9 Pro:
- Playing graphics-intensive games.
- Capturing professional-grade videos.
- Using the phone as a portable audio hub for high-quality sound.
- Using wireless charging for convenience.
Honor 90 Ideal User:
- Everyday Users: People who need a reliable phone with good battery life and a bright screen for outdoor visibility.
- Social Media Enthusiasts: Users who prioritize high-quality selfies and social media content.
- Those Seeking Latest Android Features: People who want the latest Android features and security updates.
- Budget-Conscious Buyers Those looking for the best value for money.
Use Cases for Honor 90:
- Daily tasks, like browsing, messaging, and social media.
- Taking selfies and sharing photos on social media.
- Using the phone under bright sunlight without straining the eyes.
- Long battery life for daily use without worrying about recharging.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- Do you prioritize performance or battery life? If you need top-tier processing power and camera features, go for OnePlus 9 Pro. If you want a longer battery life and a brighter screen, choose Honor 90.
- What is the most important feature of your camera? If telephoto zoom and advanced video features are required, OnePlus 9 Pro is better. If you mostly take selfies and use macro photography, go for Honor 90.
- Are you a pro user? If so, the extra sensors, wireless charging, 8k video recording options on the OnePlus 9 Pro may justify the higher cost.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Mobile Gamer: Choose OnePlus 9 Pro for the superior processing power and advanced graphics.
- Scenario 2: Outdoorsy User: Choose Honor 90 for the brighter display and longer battery life.
- Scenario 3: Casual Photographer/Videographer: Choose Honor 90, better selfie and video scores, and versatile macro camera.
- Scenario 4: Pro Photographer/Videographer: Choose OnePlus 9 Pro for better telephoto, optical zoom and 8k video recording.
- Scenario 5: Power User: Choose Honor 90 for the larger RAM and Storage.
My Choice
Personally, I would choose the Honor 90. While the OnePlus 9 Pro is a powerful device with a better processor, a telephoto camera and a sharper display, the Honor 90 better suits my day-to-day needs. The larger battery and brighter display are more useful to me than a slightly faster processor and I mostly take photos of casual subjects, which is more suited to the Honor 90's camera system. The higher selfie resolution is also a plus, as is the newer software. The Honor 90 represents a better balance of features and functionality for my personal use case, particularly if budget is a consideration.
