1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | OnePlus 9 Pro | Huawei nova 12i | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 163.2 × 73.6 × 8.7 mm | 163.3 × 74.7 × 8.4 mm | Similar size; Huawei is slightly wider, OnePlus slightly thicker; likely negligible in hand |
| Weight | 197g | 199g | Virtually identical weight; minimal difference |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.7" | 6.7" | Same screen real estate |
| Resolution | 1440x3216 | 1080x2388 | OnePlus 9 Pro: Significantly sharper and clearer images; better for detailed content; Huawei nova 12i: adequate for general use but less detail |
| Pixel Density | 525 PPI | 391 PPI | OnePlus 9 Pro: Sharper text and images; noticeable difference in clarity; Huawei nova 12i: good but less crisp than OnePlus |
| Technology | IPS LCD | Huawei: potentially better color reproduction vs unknown; OnePlus 9 Pro tech is not mentioned | |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 90Hz | OnePlus 9 Pro: Smoother animations and scrolling; more fluid gaming experience |
| Brightness | 1300 nits | 0 nits | OnePlus 9 Pro: Excellent outdoor visibility even in bright sunlight; Huawei nova 12i: likely poor visibility in direct sunlight (brightness spec missing). |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Snapdragon 888 5G (5 nm) | Snapdragon 680 4G (6 nm) | OnePlus 9 Pro: Significantly faster app loading, smoother multitasking, better gaming; Huawei nova 12i: Slower overall performance, less suitable for demanding tasks. |
| AnTuTu Score | 877,600 | 289,000 | OnePlus 9 Pro: Much more powerful for gaming, video editing, and demanding apps; Huawei nova 12i: Basic performance for everyday tasks. |
| GPU | Adreno 660 | Adreno 610 | OnePlus 9 Pro: Better graphics performance for gaming, video rendering; Huawei nova 12i: Weaker GPU for basic graphic needs. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 4500mAh | 5000mAh | Huawei nova 12i: Slightly better battery life for longer usage between charges; OnePlus 9 Pro: Slightly less battery life. |
| Charging | 65W Fast Charging | 40W Fast Charging | OnePlus 9 Pro: Faster charging, reducing time spent plugged in; Huawei nova 12i: slower charging times |
| Features | Reverse charging, Wireless charging 50W, REverse wireless charging, Non-removable | Non-removable | OnePlus 9 Pro: More versatility with wireless charging and reverse wireless charging. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 48MP, f/1.8, 1/1.43", Sony IMX789, 1.12µm | 108MP, f/1.9, 1/1.67", Samsung HM6, 0.64µm | Huawei nova 12i: Higher resolution but smaller pixel size might be less sensitive to light; OnePlus 9 Pro: larger sensor and pixel size likely better in low light. |
| Selfie Camera | 16MP, f/2.4, 1/3.13", Sony IMX471, 0.70µm | 8MP, f/2.0 | OnePlus 9 Pro: Higher resolution selfies; Huawei nova 12i: Wider aperture for better low light selfie (sensor size is missing). |
| Telephoto Lens | 8MP, f/2.4, 1/4.4", Omnivision OV08A10, 1.00µm | Not present | OnePlus 9 Pro: Optical zoom for distant subjects; Huawei nova 12i: No dedicated telephoto |
| Wide Angle Lens | 50MP, f/2.2, 1/1.56", Sony IMX766, 1.00µm | Not present | OnePlus 9 Pro: Wider field of view for landscape shots; Huawei nova 12i: No dedicated wide-angle |
| Portrait Mode | Not present | 2MP, f/2.4 | Huawei nova 12i: Dedicated depth sensor for portrait effect; OnePlus 9 Pro: no depth sensor, might rely on software for portrait mode. |
| Black & White Camera | 2MP, f/2.4 | Not present | OnePlus 9 Pro: Dedicated B&W sensor for artistic shots; Huawei nova 12i: no B&W capabilities |
| Video | 8K@30fps, 4K@120fps, EIS | 1080p@30fps | OnePlus 9 Pro: Professional-grade video capabilities; Huawei nova 12i: Basic video recording only. |
| DxOMark | Main: 122, Photo: 124, Video: 118 | Not tested | OnePlus 9 Pro: Verified good camera performance; Huawei nova 12i: Performance is unknown |
| Camera Features | 4K/8K Video, OIS, Optical zoom, RAW | Digital zoom, PDAF | OnePlus 9 Pro: More advanced features and flexibility for pro users; Huawei nova 12i: Basic feature set |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 (up to 14) | OnePlus 9 Pro: Android with confirmed updates; Huawei nova 12i: OS info missing | |
| Connectivity | |||
| WiFi | WiFi 6 (802.11ax) | 802.11ac | OnePlus 9 Pro: Faster WiFi; Huawei nova 12i: Slower WiFi. |
| Bluetooth | 5.2 LE | 5.0 LE | OnePlus 9 Pro: Newer and potentially faster Bluetooth; Huawei nova 12i: older version. |
| GPS | GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (L1), BeiDou (B1), Galileo (E1+E5a) | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, Galileo | OnePlus 9 Pro: More accurate GPS; Huawei nova 12i: Good but less accurate. |
| SIM | Dual SIM | Dual SIM | Both support dual sim |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 128/256GB | 128/256GB | Both have similar storage options |
| RAM | 8/12GB | 8GB | OnePlus 9 Pro: More RAM (12GB option), better multitasking; Huawei nova 12i: standard RAM for everyday usage. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither phone supports extra storage |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Dolby Atmos, Stereo Speakers | Basic | OnePlus 9 Pro: Superior audio quality and features; Huawei nova 12i: Basic audio experience |
| Security | |||
| Features | Fingerprint sensor | Side-mounted fingerprint sensor | Huawei nova 12i: More ergonomic placement of fingerprint sensor; OnePlus 9 Pro: Basic fingerprint sensor location is unknown |
| Build Quality | |||
| Protection | Gorilla Glass 5 | Unknown | OnePlus 9 Pro: Better screen protection; Huawei nova 12i: Screen protection is missing |
| Sensors | |||
| Features | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope | Fingerprint, Accelerometer, Compass, Ultrasonic proximity virtual | OnePlus 9 Pro: More comprehensive sensor suite, ideal for gaming, Huawei nova 12i: basic set, plus ultrasonic proximity sensor |
2. Key Differences Analysis
OnePlus 9 Pro Advantages:
- Significantly Superior Performance: The Snapdragon 888 chipset offers much faster processing, smoother multitasking, and better gaming performance compared to the Snapdragon 680.
- Far Superior Display: Higher resolution, higher pixel density and 120Hz refresh rate provide a much sharper, smoother, and more visually appealing experience. Much higher brightness improves outdoor visibility.
- Advanced Camera System: Offers telephoto, wide-angle, and B&W lenses, along with better video recording capabilities, optical zoom and stabilization. Higher main camera sensor size and pixel size also mean better low light performance.
- Faster Charging: 65W wired and 50W wireless charging is significantly faster than the 40W charging of the Huawei nova 12i, with the added wireless charging and reverse wireless charging features.
- Superior Audio: Dolby Atmos and stereo speakers offer a much better audio experience.
- More comprehensive connectivity and sensors: Features more advanced WiFi, Bluetooth and GPS with better location accuracy as well as a gyro sensor.
- Better build quality: Gorilla Glass 5 offers better protection.
Huawei nova 12i Advantages:
- Larger Battery: A slightly larger battery (5000mAh vs 4500mAh) for potentially longer battery life.
- Side-mounted fingerprint sensor: Can be more convenient for unlocking.
- Portrait depth sensor: Offers a dedicated depth sensor which may be better in portrait images.
- Lower price: The Huawei nova 12i is likely more affordable.
- Unknown display tech: Could have potentially better color reproduction due to IPS LCD screen.
Trade-offs:
- OnePlus 9 Pro: While it has much better overall specs, it comes at a cost of battery size and price.
- Huawei nova 12i: It has a larger battery and portrait sensor but falls significantly behind in performance, display quality, camera versatility, charging speed, audio quality and connectivity features.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
OnePlus 9 Pro Ideal User:
- Power User: Demands high performance for gaming, video editing, or other demanding tasks.
- Multimedia Enthusiast: Appreciates a high-quality display for media consumption, with enhanced audio and professional grade video recording capabilities.
- Photography Lover: Values versatility and quality in mobile photography, benefiting from multiple lenses and advanced video modes.
- Tech Enthusiast: Wants the latest tech features like fast charging, wireless charging, and advanced connectivity.
Use Cases:
- High-end mobile gaming with demanding graphics.
- High-resolution video recording and editing.
- Photography with varying perspectives and scenarios.
- Productivity tasks involving multitasking and resource-intensive apps.
- Enjoying high quality streaming content.
Huawei nova 12i Ideal User:
- Budget-Conscious User: Seeks a basic smartphone experience at a lower cost.
- Casual User: Uses a phone primarily for browsing, social media, and basic communication.
- Battery Life Focused: Prefers longer battery life over high-performance features.
- Basic Photography: Needs a phone for occasional photos and casual use.
Use Cases:
- Basic social media browsing and communication.
- Casual photography and video recording.
- Everyday tasks like checking emails, browsing web and basic apps.
- Users who need a reliable phone but not the best features.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- What is your budget? The OnePlus 9 Pro will likely be more expensive.
- How important is performance? For high-end gaming, the OnePlus 9 Pro is the clear choice. If all you need is basic, the Huawei is fine.
- How important is display quality and camera versatility? For premium display and camera features, the OnePlus is superior.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Performance & Media Enthusiast: If you need excellent performance, a high-quality display, advanced camera and video features, and fast charging, choose the OnePlus 9 Pro.
- Scenario 2: Budget-Conscious & Casual Use: If you prioritize price, battery life and basic functionalities, choose the Huawei nova 12i.
- Scenario 3: Balanced Approach: If you want a mix of performance and features and you don't need the absolute best in all categories, consider looking for alternatives between the price points of these two devices.
My Choice
If I were choosing between these two phones, I would absolutely choose the OnePlus 9 Pro. While the Huawei nova 12i has a slightly bigger battery and a potentially more ergonomic fingerprint sensor, the OnePlus 9 Pro offers an overwhelmingly superior experience in almost every other aspect.
The massive difference in processing power, display quality (especially the higher resolution, pixel density and brightness) and camera capabilities makes the OnePlus 9 Pro a much better device for my needs. I also value its faster charging speeds, better audio, and the additional features like wireless charging and reverse wireless charging. I am also interested in high quality photos, video, and gaming.
The Huawei nova 12i is okay for basic use, but the performance gap is too significant to ignore. For my use case, the added cost of the OnePlus 9 Pro is justified by the superior features and overall user experience it provides.
