Smartphone Comparison: OnePlus 9 Pro vs. Huawei Mate X3
1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | OnePlus 9 Pro | Huawei Mate X3 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Form Factor | Standard | Foldable | The Mate X3's foldable design offers a larger screen in a more compact form when folded, while the OnePlus 9 Pro is a standard, non-folding phone. |
| Dimensions (mm) | 163.2 x 73.6 x 8.7 | 156.9 x 141.5 x 5.3 | The OnePlus 9 Pro is taller and thicker, while the Mate X3 is significantly wider when unfolded. The Mate X3 is significantly larger in terms of volume. |
| Weight | 197g | 239g | The OnePlus 9 Pro is lighter, making it more comfortable for one-handed use and extended holding. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.7" | 7.85" | The Mate X3's larger display provides a more immersive viewing experience for media consumption and multitasking. |
| Resolution | 1440 x 3216 | 2224 x 2496 | The Mate X3 has a higher resolution, leading to sharper images and finer details, however this is offset by the pixel density. |
| Pixel Density (PPI) | 525 | 426 | The OnePlus 9 Pro has significantly higher pixel density, resulting in a sharper display with finer text. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | Both provide smooth scrolling and animation. |
| Brightness (nits) | 1300 | 0 | The OnePlus 9 Pro offers significantly better outdoor visibility due to its much higher brightness. The Huawei Mate X3 brightness is unknown, thus hard to evaluate. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Snapdragon 888 5G | Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 4G | The Mate X3's newer chipset offers faster processing for demanding apps and games. The OnePlus 9 Pro has 5G connectivity while the Huawei is only 4G. |
| AnTuTu Score | 877,600 | 1,238,400 | The Mate X3 achieves significantly higher benchmark scores, indicating better performance in gaming and demanding applications. |
| GPU | Adreno 660 | Adreno 730 | The Mate X3 has a newer, more powerful GPU for superior graphics rendering. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera Resolution | 48MP | 50MP | Both offer high-resolution photos. The Huawei Mate X3 has a slightly higher resolution. |
| Main Camera Sensor Size | 1/1.43" | 1/1.56" | The OnePlus 9 Pro has a larger sensor which can capture more light and detail. |
| Selfie Camera Resolution | 16MP | 8MP | The OnePlus 9 Pro has a higher resolution front camera, allowing for more detailed selfies. |
| Telephoto Lens Resolution | 8MP | 16MP | The Mate X3 has a higher resolution telephoto lens, offering better zoom capabilities. |
| Telephoto Lens Aperture | f/2.4 | f/3.4 | The OnePlus 9 Pro has a wider aperture which lets in more light. |
| Wide Angle Lens | Yes (50MP) | No | The OnePlus 9 Pro provides a dedicated wide-angle lens for expansive landscape shots. |
| Wide Angle + Macro Lens | No | Yes (12MP) | The Huawei Mate X3 offers a combination lens for wide-angle and macro shots. |
| Black & White lens | Yes (2MP) | No | The OnePlus 9 Pro can capture black & white photos natively. |
| Video Recording | Up to 8K@30fps | Up to 4K@60fps | The OnePlus 9 Pro supports higher resolution video recording (8K). |
| Slow-Motion Video | Up to 480 fps | Up to 960 fps | The Mate X3 has a superior slow motion mode. |
| DxOMark Score | 122 | Not Available | The OnePlus 9 Pro was tested by DxOMark. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 4500mAh | 4800mAh | The Mate X3 has a slightly larger battery, potentially offering longer battery life. |
| Charging | 65W wired, 50W wireless | 66W wired, 50W wireless | Both have fast wired charging, but the Mate X3 has slightly higher wired charging wattage. Both offer 50W wireless charging |
| Battery Features | Reverse charging, Wireless charging 50W, REverse wireless charging | Wireless charge 50W | The OnePlus 9 Pro offers additional wireless charging features. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 (upgradable to 14) | Android (version unknown) | OnePlus 9 Pro is confirmed to receive Android version 14. The Huawei OS version is unknown. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6 | Wi-Fi 6 | Both support the latest WiFi standards. |
| Bluetooth | 5.2 with APT-x | 5.2 with EDR | Both have Bluetooth 5.2, with minor differences in features. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, Beidou, QZSS, Galileo, NavIC | The Mate X3 supports more satellite systems, potentially offering more accurate positioning. |
| SIM | Dual SIM Dual Standby | Dual SIM Full Active | Huawei offers Dual SIM active use. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal Storage | 128/256 GB | 256/512/1024 GB | The Mate X3 offers more storage options and up to 1TB. |
| RAM | 8/12 GB | 8/12 GB | Both offer ample RAM for multitasking and demanding apps. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither offers expandable storage via SD card. |
| Audio | |||
| Audio Quality | Dolby Atmos, Noise cancellation microphone, Stereo Speakers, 3 microphones | Stereo Speakers | The OnePlus 9 Pro has a more comprehensive audio feature set. |
| Security | |||
| Security Features | basic fingerprint sensor | side-mounted fingerprint sensor | The Huawei Mate X3 has an updated fingerprint sensor. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Gorilla Glass 5 | Unknown | The OnePlus 9 Pro offers confirmed screen protection. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Proximity, Fingerprint | Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Proximity, Fingerprint, Barometer, Hall, RGB | Huawei has additional sensors for environmental and light sensing. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
OnePlus 9 Pro Advantages:
- Sharper Display: Higher pixel density for crisper visuals and text.
- Brighter Display: Significantly better outdoor visibility in bright sunlight.
- Superior Video Recording: Offers 8K video recording capability.
- More Audio Features: Includes Dolby Atmos, Noise cancellation microphone and additional microphones.
- Wider Camera Aperture: Larger sensor for standard camera.
- Confirmed OS Updates: Is confirmed to be updated to the latest Android 14.
- Additional Wireless Charging Features: Reverse wireless charging.
- Screen Protection: Includes Gorilla Glass 5.
Huawei Mate X3 Advantages:
- Larger Foldable Display: Offers a unique large-screen experience in a relatively compact form factor.
- Newer Chipset: Provides faster performance in benchmarks and gaming.
- Higher Benchmark Score: Better overall performance than the OnePlus 9 Pro.
- Larger Battery: Potentially longer battery life due to its larger capacity.
- Higher Resolution Telephoto: Better zoom capabilities due to higher megapixel count.
- More Storage: Up to 1TB internal storage.
- More GPS capabilities: Better GPS accuracy.
- Dual SIM active: Allows the use of two sims at the same time.
- Advanced Sensors: Includes a barometer, hall, and RGB sensor.
Significant Trade-offs:
- The OnePlus 9 Pro lacks the foldable form factor and larger screen of the Mate X3.
- The Huawei Mate X3 lacks the higher screen brightness of the OnePlus 9 Pro, also having an unknown protection rating.
- The OnePlus 9 Pro offers a more comprehensive audio experience but less storage capacity.
- The Huawei Mate X3 may have a shorter update cycle and no confirmed OS updates.
- The Huawei Mate X3 uses 4G only chipset.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
OnePlus 9 Pro:
- Ideal User: Users who prioritize a sharp, bright display, superior video recording capabilities, and a comprehensive audio experience.
- Use Cases:
- Outdoor photography and videography.
- Media consumption (watching high-resolution videos, reading).
- Users who desire a robust audio system.
- Those who value future OS updates.
Huawei Mate X3:
- Ideal User: Users who want a larger display for productivity or immersive viewing with a foldable design and value performance.
- Use Cases:
- Multitasking on a large screen.
- Tablet-like experience for browsing and media.
- Mobile gamers who want the best possible performance and graphics.
- Professionals who require advanced sensor capabilities.
- Those who want more storage space.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions:
- Do I need a foldable screen or a standard smartphone? This will be a huge deciding factor, as it is the main difference in design.
- Do I prioritize screen brightness and sharpness over a larger display? The OnePlus has a sharper screen and brighter outdoor visibility.
- Do I require the highest performance for gaming or productivity, or a more well rounded phone with software support? The Huawei has more powerful hardware, but less camera, audio and software features.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1 (Outdoor Enthusiast): Choose the OnePlus 9 Pro for its significantly brighter display, better video and camera features in natural light.
- Scenario 2 (Productivity User): Choose the Huawei Mate X3 for the large foldable display, potentially better multitasking and performance.
- Scenario 3 (Mobile Gamer): Choose the Huawei Mate X3 for its superior chipset, GPU, and higher benchmarks.
- Scenario 4 (Multimedia Lover): Choose the OnePlus 9 Pro for its sharp screen and impressive audio system.
Decision:
Personally, I would choose the OnePlus 9 Pro. While the Huawei Mate X3 offers a compelling foldable design and better performance on paper, the lack of information regarding the screen protection and the unknown software update support is concerning for long term use. Additionally, I prioritize screen brightness and video quality, areas where the OnePlus 9 Pro excels. The inclusion of Dolby Atmos and a superior set of audio features makes it a great overall package, while the confirmed software updates future-proof the device. Even though the Mate X3 has a better sensor in some areas, the OnePlus is good enough for most common uses, and its 8K video is better for people who want professional-grade video capabilities. Also, the significantly lower weight is preferable for long periods of use. For a standard user, the OnePlus 9 Pro represents a better all-around smartphone, focusing on core areas like display and camera.
