1. Specifications Comparison
Design
| Feature | OnePlus 9 Pro | Huawei Pura 70 Ultra | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Dimensions | 163.2 × 73.6 × 8.7 mm | 162.6 × 75.1 × 8.4 mm | Huawei is slightly wider and thinner. Both are similar in size, but Huawei might feel more substantial. |
| Weight | 197g | 226g | OnePlus is significantly lighter, improving comfort during extended use. Huawei feels heavier in the hand. |
Display
| Feature | OnePlus 9 Pro | Huawei Pura 70 Ultra | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Size | 6.7" | 6.8" | Negligible difference in screen size. Both offer a large viewing area. |
| Resolution | 1440x3216 | 1260x2844 | OnePlus has a sharper display with more detail, noticeably better for viewing text and high-res images. |
| Pixel Density | 525 PPI | 460 PPI | OnePlus provides a crisper and clearer image, better for users sensitive to display quality. |
| Technology | | OLED | Huawei has better display technology with richer colors and deeper blacks. OnePlus's tech is not specified. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | Both offer smooth scrolling and animations. |
| Brightness | 1300 nits | 2500 nits | Huawei has dramatically superior outdoor visibility, making it usable under direct sunlight. |
Performance
| Feature | OnePlus 9 Pro | Huawei Pura 70 Ultra | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM8350 Snapdragon 888 5G (5 nm) | Kirin 9010 (7 nm) | Different chipsets. Both are high-performance. The OnePlus uses a 5nm chip versus 7nm for Huawei. |
| AnTuTu Score | 877,600 | 869,707 | Both offer similar overall performance for everyday tasks and demanding applications. |
| GPU | Adreno 660 | Maleoon 910 | Different GPUs, likely with slightly different performance profiles in graphic intensive tasks. Real-world difference not clear without benchmark tests. |
Camera
| Feature | OnePlus 9 Pro | Huawei Pura 70 Ultra | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Main Camera | | | |
| Resolution | 48MP | 50MP | Huawei has a slight resolution advantage for larger prints/crops. |
| Aperture | f/1.8 | f/1.6 | Huawei has a wider aperture, allowing more light, theoretically better for low-light scenarios. |
| Sensor Size | 1/1.43" | 1" | Huawei's much larger sensor should capture more light and detail. |
| Selfie Camera | | | |
| Resolution | 16MP | 13MP | OnePlus captures slightly more detailed selfies. |
| Aperture | f/2.4 | f/2.4 | Both have identical apertures. |
| Telephoto Lens | | | |
| Resolution | 8MP | 50MP | Huawei has significantly better telephoto resolution, offering superior zoom capabilities. |
| Aperture | f/2.4 | f/2.1 | Huawei has a wider aperture, resulting in better low light zoomed pictures. |
| Wide Angle Lens | | | |
| Resolution | 50MP | 40MP | OnePlus has a higher resolution, resulting in slightly more detailed wide angle shots. |
| Sensor Size | 1/1.56" | 1/1.7" | OnePlus has larger sensor, allowing slightly more light and detail. |
| Black & White | | | |
| Resolution | 2MP | N/A | OnePlus has a dedicated black & white sensor, useful for monochromatic photography. |
| Video | Up to 8K@30fps | 4K max | OnePlus has the ability to record 8K videos which is better for professional usage. |
| Slow Motion | 480 fps | 960 fps | Huawei has a higher slow-motion framerate, enabling more detailed slow-motion video capture. |
| DxoMark Mobile Score | 122 | 163 | Huawei has a much better overall score for camera performance. |
| DxoMark Photo Score | 124 | 0 | OnePlus scored significantly better in photo tests. |
| DxoMark Video Score | 118 | 0 | OnePlus scored significantly better in video tests. |
Battery
| Feature | OnePlus 9 Pro | Huawei Pura 70 Ultra | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Capacity | 4500mAh | 5200mAh | Huawei has a larger battery capacity, likely offering longer battery life. |
| Charging | 65W | 100W | Huawei has significantly faster charging, allowing for quicker recharges. |
| Wireless Charging | 50W | 80W | Huawei has faster wireless charging. |
| Reverse Wireless Charging | Yes | 20W | OnePlus's reverse wireless charging is faster. |
Software
| Feature | OnePlus 9 Pro | Huawei Pura 70 Ultra | Practical Impact |
|---|
| OS | Android 11 | | Huawei's OS is unknown, OnePlus has Android with planned upgrades. |
Connectivity
| Feature | OnePlus 9 Pro | Huawei Pura 70 Ultra | Practical Impact |
|---|
| WiFi | Wi-Fi 6 | Wi-Fi 6 | Both support modern Wi-Fi standards. |
| Bluetooth | 5.2 with LE and aptX | 5.2 | OnePlus has more advanced Bluetooth features. |
| GPS | More standards | More standards | Huawei's GPS system should have improved accuracy with more satellite support. |
| SIM | Dual SIM | Dual SIM | Both support dual SIM functionality. |
Storage
| Feature | OnePlus 9 Pro | Huawei Pura 70 Ultra | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Internal | 128GB/256GB | 512GB/1024GB | Huawei has significantly more storage options for users with lots of media. |
| RAM | 8GB/12GB | 16GB | Huawei has more RAM for smoother multitasking. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither phone supports expandable storage. |
Audio
| Feature | OnePlus 9 Pro | Huawei Pura 70 Ultra | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Quality | Dolby Atmos, Stereo Speakers, 3 Mics, Noise Cancellation | Dolby Atmos, Stereo Speakers | OnePlus offers enhanced audio recording and call quality due to its additional mics. |
Security
| Feature | OnePlus 9 Pro | Huawei Pura 70 Ultra | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Fingerprint | Basic | Basic | Both offer basic fingerprint security, no advanced features noted. |
Build Quality
| Feature | OnePlus 9 Pro | Huawei Pura 70 Ultra | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Screen Protection | Gorilla Glass 5 | Unknown | OnePlus has a known superior glass protection. |
Sensors
| Feature | OnePlus 9 Pro | Huawei Pura 70 Ultra | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Fingerprint, Proximity | Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Fingerprint, Proximity, Hall, RGB | Huawei has more advanced sensors. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
OnePlus 9 Pro Advantages:
- Sharper Display: Higher resolution and pixel density for a crisper viewing experience.
- Known Screen Protection: Gorilla Glass 5 provides a level of scratch and drop resistance, the Huawei is unknown.
- Better video recording: With the ability to record 8K videos.
- Audio Features: Noise-canceling mics for clearer calls.
Huawei Pura 70 Ultra Advantages:
- Superior Display Technology: OLED display for better colors and contrast.
- Significantly Higher Brightness: 2500 nits, offering exceptional outdoor visibility.
- Larger Battery & Faster Charging: Longer battery life and quicker recharges.
- More Storage & RAM: Larger storage capacities and more RAM, useful for power users.
- Better Camera Sensor and Telephoto Lens: Larger main sensor and significantly better telephoto capabilities for high-quality images, and better overall camera performance according to DxoMark.
- More advanced sensors: Hall and RGB sensors.
- Higher slow motion video: With 960fps.
- Better Wireless Charging: Faster wireless charging.
- More precise GPS: With added satellite support.
Trade-offs:
- OnePlus 9 Pro: Lighter and has higher display sharpness, but with an older chip, smaller battery, lower brightness and weaker cameras overall.
- Huawei Pura 70 Ultra: Heavier, but has superior display technology, much brighter, better camera system with much better telephoto lens, larger battery and much faster charging, with more storage.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
OnePlus 9 Pro Ideal User:
- Users: People who value lightweight design and sharper displays.
- Use Cases: Everyday use, browsing, social media consumption and some content creation.
Huawei Pura 70 Ultra Ideal User:
- Users: Power users who prioritize superior display quality, exceptional outdoor visibility, great camera quality and long battery life.
- Use Cases: Professional photography, videography, gaming, outdoor use in bright conditions, long trips where battery life is critical.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions:
- How important is camera quality and telephoto capabilities? If camera quality and zoom are paramount, the Huawei is a better choice.
- Is outdoor visibility critical? If so, the Huawei's much brighter screen makes it better for bright conditions.
- What is the price to value? Consider what each phone is offering for the price and if its value justifies the cost.
- Is a lightweight phone important? If yes, the OnePlus is the better choice.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Outdoor Enthusiast/Photographer: Choose the Huawei for its superior camera, screen brightness and battery life.
- Scenario 2: Casual User: The OnePlus might suffice due to its lower weight and sharper display, while saving some money.
- Scenario 3: Power User: The Huawei is better due to its storage, RAM, battery and camera.
My Choice
I would choose the Huawei Pura 70 Ultra. While the OnePlus 9 Pro has some strengths, like a sharper display and slightly lighter weight, the Pura 70 Ultra offers a more compelling package overall for my needs. The superior OLED display with its exceptional brightness is crucial for outdoor use, and the significantly better camera system with the superior telephoto capabilities are a big plus. The larger battery and much faster charging also mean I wouldn't worry about running out of power during a long day of travel. The trade-off in weight is acceptable for the gains in other areas, such as storage, and the more advanced sensors. Even though the OnePlus scored better in some DxoMark tests, the overall score is much better on the Huawei.
