1. Specifications Comparison
Design
| Feature | OnePlus 9 Pro | Honor X8b | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Dimensions | 163.2 x 73.6 x 8.7 mm | 161.1 x 74.6 x 6.8 mm | OnePlus 9 Pro is slightly taller and noticeably thicker, making it feel bulkier. Honor X8b is slimmer and more pocketable. |
| Weight | 197g | 166g | Honor X8b is significantly lighter, making it more comfortable for extended use. |
| Build | Not fully detailed | Not fully detailed | We lack full build details to compare materials and durability; OnePlus has Gorilla Glass screen protection. |
Display
| Feature | OnePlus 9 Pro | Honor X8b | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Size | 6.7" | 6.7" | Both have the same screen size; no difference here. |
| Resolution | 1440 x 3216 | 1080 x 2412 | OnePlus 9 Pro has a much sharper display, with more detail visible in images and text. |
| Pixel Density (PPI) | 525 | 394 | OnePlus 9 Pro offers a sharper, clearer image, especially noticeable for reading small text and viewing detailed content. |
| Technology | Not specified | AMOLED | Honor X8b has more vibrant colors, deeper blacks, better contrast, and more power efficiency for dark themes. We don't know the display tech for the OnePlus 9 Pro. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 90Hz | OnePlus 9 Pro has slightly smoother scrolling and animations. The difference may not be very noticeable for typical usage. |
| Brightness | 1300 nits | 2000 nits | Honor X8b is significantly brighter, making it much easier to see the screen in direct sunlight. |
Performance
| Feature | OnePlus 9 Pro | Honor X8b | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 5G | Qualcomm Snapdragon 680 4G | OnePlus 9 Pro has a much more powerful processor, resulting in faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and significantly better gaming performance. The Honor X8b has a 4G chip. |
| AnTuTu Score | 877,600 | 250,000 | OnePlus 9 Pro offers vastly superior performance for demanding tasks and gaming. The Honor X8b is more suited for basic tasks. |
| GPU | Adreno 660 | Adreno 610 | OnePlus 9 Pro has a much faster GPU for graphically intensive applications like 3D games. |
Camera
| Feature | OnePlus 9 Pro | Honor X8b | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Main Camera Resolution | 48MP | 108MP | Honor X8b captures more detailed images in good lighting conditions. The difference isn't always noticeable unless you zoom in, but it offers potential for more cropping flexibility. |
| Main Camera Aperture | f/1.8 | f/1.75 | Honor X8b may perform slightly better in low-light situations due to the wider aperture. |
| Front Camera Resolution | 16MP | 50MP | Honor X8b captures significantly higher resolution selfies and video calls, allowing for greater detail. |
| Front Camera Aperture | f/2.4 | f/2.1 | Honor X8b has better low-light performance for selfies due to the wider aperture. |
| Telephoto Lens | Yes (8MP) | No | OnePlus 9 Pro can zoom in on subjects without significant loss of detail, providing greater versatility in shooting. |
| Wide Angle Lens | Yes (50MP) | Yes (5MP) | OnePlus 9 Pro captures much more detailed wide-angle shots, making it suitable for landscapes or group photos. The Honor X8b has a very low resolution here. |
| Macro Lens | No | Yes (2MP) | Honor X8b can take close-up shots of small objects, a capability the OnePlus 9 Pro lacks. |
| Black & White Lens | Yes (2MP) | No | OnePlus 9 Pro captures black and white photos for creative control. |
| Video Recording | Up to 8K@30fps | Up to 1080p@30fps | OnePlus 9 Pro offers far superior video recording capabilities, including 8K resolution and higher frame rates, ideal for professional content. |
| Video Stabilization | Yes | No | OnePlus 9 Pro provides smoother, less shaky video footage. |
| DXOMARK | 122 (Mobile) | Not tested | OnePlus 9 Pro has a tested and well rated camera, whereas Honor has no official score here. |
Battery
| Feature | OnePlus 9 Pro | Honor X8b | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Capacity | 4500mAh | 4500mAh | Both have identical battery capacity, implying similar battery life based on that spec. |
| Charging | 65W Fast Charging | 35W Fast Charging | OnePlus 9 Pro charges much faster, reducing downtime for charging. |
| Wireless Charging | Yes (50W) | No | OnePlus 9 Pro supports convenient wireless charging. |
| Reverse Charging | Yes | No | OnePlus 9 Pro can be used to charge other devices wirelessly. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
OnePlus 9 Pro Advantages
- Superior Performance: Significantly faster processor and GPU for smoother multitasking, gaming, and app loading.
- Higher Resolution Display: Much sharper display with a higher pixel density, resulting in crisper visuals, text, and graphics.
- Versatile Camera System: Includes Telephoto, Wide-Angle, and Black & White lenses, offering more shooting options and greater flexibility. Superior quality wide-angle lens.
- Advanced Video Capabilities: Offers 8K video recording, advanced stabilization, and higher frame rates.
- Faster Charging: Includes 65W wired and 50W wireless charging for quick power-ups.
- Enhanced Audio: Features Dolby Atmos, noise cancellation, stereo speakers, and 3 microphones for better sound quality.
- Better Connectivity: Newer WiFi and Bluetooth standard.
- More Sensors: Includes Gyroscope for enhanced gaming and motion tracking.
Honor X8b Advantages
- Lighter and Slimmer: More comfortable to hold and carry around, especially for extended periods.
- Brighter Display: Significantly brighter screen, providing excellent visibility in direct sunlight.
- High-Resolution Main Camera: 108MP main camera offers potential for very detailed images in ideal conditions.
- High-Resolution Front Camera: 50MP front camera provides excellent selfies and video calls.
- Macro Lens: Dedicated macro lens for detailed close-up shots.
- Newer OS: Ships with a newer version of Android out of the box.
- Larger Storage Option: Up to 512GB of storage available.
Trade-offs
- OnePlus 9 Pro: Heavier and bulkier, less portable, and lacks a macro camera. Its display technology isn't specified, which is a weak point in the comparison.
- Honor X8b: Significantly less powerful performance, lower-resolution display, less versatile camera system, lower video recording capabilities, slower charging, and inferior audio.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
OnePlus 9 Pro
- Ideal User: Power users, gamers, multimedia creators, photography enthusiasts.
- Use Cases:
- Demanding mobile gaming with high graphics.
- Video editing and content creation.
- Professional photography and videography.
- Multitasking with resource-intensive applications.
- Users who value audio quality and versatility.
- Price-to-Value: Offers premium features and performance for a higher price; worth the cost for users needing advanced capabilities.
Honor X8b
- Ideal User: Casual users, those prioritizing a lightweight and bright device, casual photographers, basic social media users.
- Use Cases:
- Everyday tasks, browsing, social media.
- Taking selfies and group photos.
- Viewing content in bright outdoor conditions.
- Users who value sleek design.
- General usage without demanding apps or games.
- Price-to-Value: Provides a balanced experience at a more affordable price point; suitable for users with basic needs.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions:
- Performance Needs: Do you need a phone for gaming, video editing, or other demanding tasks, or are you mainly browsing and using social media?
- Display Priority: Is a sharper, high-resolution display more important, or is brightness the primary concern for outdoor visibility?
- Camera Requirements: Do you need versatile zoom capabilities, high-quality video recording, and advanced camera features, or are basic shots and selfies sufficient?
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- For the Power User: Choose the OnePlus 9 Pro for its superior performance, high-resolution display, and advanced camera capabilities.
- For the Casual User: Choose the Honor X8b for its lighter design, brighter display, and suitable camera setup for social media use.
- For the Mobile Photographer: Choose the OnePlus 9 Pro for its versatile and higher-quality camera system and video recording capabilities.
- For a User on a Budget: The Honor X8b represents a much more budget friendly option that performs well for day to day use.
My Choice
If I had to choose between the two, I would choose the OnePlus 9 Pro. The superior performance, higher-resolution display, and vastly more versatile camera system make it a more compelling choice for my personal needs. While it is an older device, the gap in performance between its chipset and the Honor X8b's is simply too large. The camera system, especially the ultrawide, video, and telephoto are far superior, which is a main concern of mine. I do wish that the display tech was specified, but even if it's not AMOLED, the higher resolution makes it more appealing to me. The fast charging and wireless charging are also valuable features that I would utilize. While the Honor X8b has its strengths in its design and front camera, they are not enough to overcome the massive performance and camera differences. The price of the OnePlus 9 Pro will likely have also dropped by now, making it an even more attractive purchase.
