Smartphone Comparison: OnePlus 9 Pro vs. Honor Magic6 Pro
1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | OnePlus 9 Pro | Honor Magic6 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 163.2 x 73.6 x 8.7 mm | 162.5 x 75.8 x 8.9 mm | Honor Magic6 Pro is slightly wider and thicker; may feel slightly bulkier in hand. |
| Weight | 197g | 225g | OnePlus 9 Pro is significantly lighter, more comfortable for long use. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.7" | 6.8" | Virtually the same size, negligible difference in viewing area. |
| Resolution | 1440 x 3216 | 1280 x 2800 | OnePlus 9 Pro has a noticeably sharper display with more detail. |
| Pixel Density | 525 ppi | 453 ppi | OnePlus 9 Pro's higher pixel density results in crisper text and images. |
| Technology | OLED | Honor Magic6 Pro offers vibrant colors and deeper blacks typical of OLED, while the technology used in OnePlus 9 Pro is not specified. | |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | Both offer smooth scrolling and animations. |
| Brightness | 1300 nits | 0 nits | OnePlus 9 Pro is significantly better for outdoor visibility in bright sunlight, the Magic6 Pro’s nit information is missing, making it impossible to compare outdoor visibility. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Snapdragon 888 (5 nm) | Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 (4 nm) | Honor Magic6 Pro has a much newer and more powerful processor, offering faster performance and efficiency. |
| AnTuTu Score | 877,600 | 2,069,877 | Honor Magic6 Pro is significantly faster in real-world use, loading apps and multitasking with greater fluidity and better for gaming. |
| GPU | Adreno 660 | Adreno 750 | Honor Magic6 Pro's newer GPU allows for better graphics performance. |
| Camera | |||
| Standard Camera | 48MP, f/1.8, 1/1.43" | 50MP, f/1.4, 1/1.3" | Honor Magic6 Pro should perform slightly better in low light due to the larger sensor and wider aperture. |
| Telephoto + Portrait Camera | 180MP, f/2.6 | Honor Magic6 Pro has a dedicated Telephoto + Portrait camera offering significantly enhanced zoom capabilities and detailed portrait photos | |
| Selfie Camera | 16MP, f/2.4, 1/3.13" | 50MP, f/2.0, 1/2.51" | Honor Magic6 Pro has a much higher-resolution front camera with a larger sensor for better selfies. |
| Telephoto Lens | 8MP, f/2.4, 1/4.4" | OnePlus 9 Pro has a dedicated Telephoto camera for optical zoom. | |
| Wide Angle Lens | 50MP, f/2.2, 1/1.56" | OnePlus 9 Pro has a dedicated wide-angle lens for capturing more in the frame. | |
| Wide Angle + Macro Camera | 50MP, f/2.0, 1/2.88" | Honor Magic6 Pro offers wide-angle and macro capabilities in one lens. | |
| Black & White Camera | 2MP, f/2.4 | OnePlus 9 Pro includes a dedicated black and white sensor for stylistic photography. | |
| Video | Up to 8K@30fps | Up to 4K@60fps | OnePlus 9 Pro offers higher resolution video recording (8K), while Honor Magic6 Pro benefits from OIS and higher slow-motion capabilities. |
| DxOMark (Mobile) | 122 | 158 | Honor Magic6 Pro's camera is significantly superior based on DxOMark scores. |
| DxOMark (Selfie) | 151 | Honor Magic6 Pro provides a very high performing selfie camera. | |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 4500mAh | 5600mAh | Honor Magic6 Pro offers significantly better battery life due to a larger capacity. |
| Charging | 65W fast charging | 80W fast charging | Honor Magic6 Pro charges slightly faster. |
| Wireless Charging | 50W | 66W | Honor Magic6 Pro charges slightly faster wirelessly, the Oneplus 9 Pro has no info on reverse charging speed. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 (upgradable to 14) | Android 14 (upgradable to 18) | Honor Magic6 Pro ships with a newer version of Android and has a longer support cycle. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6 | Wi-Fi 7 | Honor Magic6 Pro supports newer Wi-Fi standards for faster speeds and better performance. |
| Bluetooth | 5.2 | 5.3 | Honor Magic6 Pro has a newer version of Bluetooth. |
| GPS | L1+L5 | L1+L5+B2,QZSS | Honor Magic6 Pro offers a more comprehensive suite of GPS satellite systems for better accuracy. |
| SIM | Dual Nano SIM | Dual Nano SIM / eSIM | Honor Magic6 Pro offers eSIM for greater flexibility. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 128/256 GB | 256/512/1024 GB | Honor Magic6 Pro provides more storage options including larger capacities for more photos, videos and apps. |
| RAM | 8/12 GB | 12/16 GB | Honor Magic6 Pro has more RAM which enhances multitasking, and future-proofing. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone supports expandable storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Dolby Atmos, Noise cancellation microphone, 3 microphones | DTS / DTS X | OnePlus 9 Pro has more audio features, such as noise cancellation and Dolby Atmos. |
| Security | |||
| Features | Fingerprint sensor | Fingerprint sensor | Both phones offer basic fingerprint security. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Protection | Gorilla Glass 5 | Unknown | OnePlus 9 Pro has known screen protection, it is unknown whether the Honor Magic6 Pro has any protection. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Proximity, Fingerprint | Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Proximity, Fingerprint, Barometer | Honor Magic6 Pro includes a barometer for advanced environmental data. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Advantages of OnePlus 9 Pro:
- Sharper Display: Higher resolution and pixel density provide a crisper viewing experience.
- Brighter Screen: Significantly higher brightness makes it better for outdoor viewing.
- 8K Video Recording: Can record at higher resolutions for professional-grade video content.
- Audio features: Dolby Atmos, noise-canceling microphone and 3 microphones provide enhanced audio experience.
- Wide Angle and Telephoto Lens: Offers more versatile photography with dedicated telephoto and wide angle lenses.
Advantages of Honor Magic6 Pro:
- Newer and Faster Processor: Significantly faster performance due to the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3.
- Larger Battery: Offers much better battery life.
- Superior Camera System: Better main, front and zoom cameras based on larger sensor, wider apertures, and higher resolution.
- Latest Android: Ships with the latest Android version and longer OS support.
- Faster Charging: Slightly faster wired and wireless charging.
- More Connectivity Features: Supports Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.3, and more satellite systems for GPS.
- More Storage and RAM options: Allows for more space and better multitasking.
- eSIM Support: Allows for digital carrier switching and more flexible SIM management.
Trade-offs:
- The OnePlus 9 Pro's advantage in display sharpness and brightness is countered by its older processor, smaller battery, and the outdated OS.
- The Honor Magic6 Pro's superior performance and camera are somewhat offset by the heavier weight and unknown screen protection.
- While the OnePlus 9 Pro has dedicated telephoto and wide-angle lenses, the Honor Magic6 Pro has more advanced standard, zoom and selfie cameras.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Ideal Users for OnePlus 9 Pro:
- Users who prioritize screen quality: Users that value sharpness, detail and outdoor visibility.
- Users who need 8K video: Content creators looking for professional video recording options.
- Users who like dedicated camera lenses: User who want more creative control through the telephoto and wide angle lenses.
Use Cases for OnePlus 9 Pro:
- Outdoor enthusiasts: Will benefit from the brighter display
- Video production: Can leverage 8K recording capabilities.
- Users seeking versatility in camera modes: Benefit from the dedicated wide angle and telephoto lens.
Ideal Users for Honor Magic6 Pro:
- Users who need top-tier performance: Power users who need fast apps, smooth multitasking and great gaming.
- Photography enthusiasts: Those who prioritize camera quality and versatility.
- Users who need long battery life: Those who require a phone that lasts all day without charging.
- Users seeking the latest features: Those who want the latest software, connectivity and hardware.
Use Cases for Honor Magic6 Pro:
- Mobile gamers: Will benefit from the powerful processor and GPU.
- Frequent travelers: Will appreciate the long battery life and comprehensive GPS capabilities.
- Content creators: Will benefit from the high-quality camera, though not 8k like the OnePlus.
Price-to-Value:
- The Honor Magic6 Pro offers more value given its advanced technology and performance.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- How important is raw performance and future-proofing? (Honor Magic6 Pro is significantly better)
- How important is battery life and charging speed? (Honor Magic6 Pro excels here)
- How critical is display sharpness/brightness vs overall camera quality? (OnePlus 9 Pro has a sharper screen but the Honor Magic6 Pro has a better camera).
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- For Professional Videographers: If 8K video is a must-have, the OnePlus 9 Pro is the only option, otherwise the Honor Magic6 Pro offers a better camera system.
- For Power Users and Gamers: The Honor Magic6 Pro is the clear choice due to its superior processor, RAM and better cooling system.
- For General Users: The Honor Magic6 Pro offers a better balance of features with its superior performance, battery life, and camera quality.
- For Users on a Budget: Given the age of the OnePlus 9 Pro, it might be available at a lower price, however given the significant differences it may not be worth purchasing over the Honor Magic6 Pro.
Final Decision
If I were to choose, I would pick the Honor Magic6 Pro. While the OnePlus 9 Pro has its merits with the sharper screen and 8K video capabilities, the Honor Magic6 Pro offers a more compelling overall package for daily use. The significantly faster processor, superior camera system (based on DxOMark scores), significantly longer battery life, and newer software make it a more future-proof and versatile device. The lack of brightness information for the Honor Magic6 Pro is a drawback, but its other features outweigh that for most use cases. The fact that the Honor Magic6 Pro offers superior performance, better battery and better cameras is worth more than the 8K video and sharper display on the OnePlus 9 Pro, which is also an older phone.
