Smartphone Comparison: OnePlus 9 Pro vs. OnePlus 10 Pro
1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | OnePlus 9 Pro | OnePlus 10 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 163.2 × 73.6 × 8.7 mm | 163 × 73.9 × 8.6 mm | Virtually identical size, making handling and pocketability similar. |
| Weight | 197g | 201g | Both phones are very similar in weight. Negligible difference in hand feel. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.7" | 6.7" | Identical screen size; similar viewing experience for media consumption and gaming. |
| Resolution | 1440x3216 | 1440x3216 | Both provide a sharp and detailed display. |
| PPI | 525 | 525 | Identical pixel density, resulting in same sharpness. |
| Technology | Unspecified | Unspecified | Both phones use the same display technology, thus a similar viewing experience (if both are OLED), but this is not specified. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | Smooth scrolling and animations on both. |
| Brightness | 1300 nits | 1300 nits | Both displays offer excellent visibility, even under bright conditions |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Snapdragon 888 (5 nm) | Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 (4 nm) | OnePlus 10 Pro offers a newer generation processor, which translates to slightly better efficiency and slightly faster performance, particularly in demanding tasks. |
| AnTuTu Score | 877,600 | 900,491 | Very similar performance; everyday usage won't show large differences. |
| GPU | Adreno 660 | Adreno 730 | OnePlus 10 Pro has a newer, more powerful GPU for better graphics performance in gaming and demanding tasks. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 4500mAh | 5000mAh | OnePlus 10 Pro has a larger battery, offering significantly better battery life, especially for heavy users. |
| Charging | 65W fast charging | 80W fast charging | OnePlus 10 Pro charges the phone much faster, minimizing downtime. |
| Features | 50W Wireless Charging, Reverse Wireless Charging | 50W Wireless Charging, Reverse Wireless Charging | Both phones have identical wireless charging capabilities, no advantage |
| Camera | |||
| Standard Lens | 48MP, f/1.8, 1/1.43", Sony IMX789 | 48MP, f/1.8, 1/1.43", Sony IMX789 | Same sensor means similar overall image quality; any differences likely come from software processing. |
| Selfie Lens | 16MP, f/2.4, 1/3.13", Sony IMX471 | 32MP, f/2.0, 1/2.74", Sony IMX615 | OnePlus 10 Pro's selfie camera captures higher resolution and performs better in low light. |
| Telephoto Lens | 8MP, f/2.4, 1/4.4", Omnivision OV08A10 | 8MP, f/2.4, 1/4.4", Omnivision OV08A10 | Identical camera on both, no difference. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 50MP, f/2.2, 1/1.56", Sony IMX766 | 50MP, f/2.2, 1/2.76", Samsung S5KJN1 | OnePlus 9 Pro has a larger sensor on its wide angle, potentially resulting in better low-light and dynamic range. |
| Black & White Lens | 2MP, f/2.4, unspecified sensor | None | OnePlus 9 Pro has a dedicated B&W lens, suitable for specific monochrome photography. |
| Video | Up to 8K@30fps | Up to 8K@24fps | Both capable of high quality video; very minor differences. |
| DxOMark Score | Mobile:122, Photo:124, Video:118 | Mobile:122, Photo:124, Video:119 | Identical overall and photo scores, very slight advantage to the OnePlus 10 Pro in video performance. |
| Camera Features | Quad Camera, RAW | Triple Camera | Oneplus 9 Pro has an additional dedicated sensor for B&W photos, OnePlus 10 Pro has a more focused setup. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 (upgradable to 14) | Android 12 (upgradable to 14) | OnePlus 10 Pro ships with a newer version of Android and starts with the latest features; Both support the same latest OS. |
| Connectivity | |||
| WiFi | Wi-Fi 6 | Wi-Fi 7 | OnePlus 10 Pro supports the latest Wi-Fi standard (Wi-Fi 7), enabling faster speeds and better performance. |
| Bluetooth | 5.2 | 5.2 | No difference in Bluetooth. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo, L1+L5 | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, L1+L5, B2 | OnePlus 10 Pro has a slight advantage in GPS capability with support for Beidou B2 in addition to the other systems, potentially leading to more accurate location tracking. |
| SIM | Dual SIM Dual Standby | Dual SIM Dual Standby | No difference in SIM usage. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 128/256 GB | 128/256/512 GB | OnePlus 10 Pro provides an additional storage option. |
| RAM | 8/12 GB | 8/12 GB | Both have sufficient RAM for multitasking and gaming. |
| Expandable | No | No | No difference, both have no expandable storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Dolby Atmos, Noise cancellation microphone, Stereo Speakers, 3 microphones | Dolby Atmos, Noise cancellation microphone, Stereo Speakers, 3 microphones | Identical audio capabilities. |
| Security | |||
| Features | Basic Fingerprint Sensor | Basic Fingerprint Sensor | Identical fingerprint sensor technology |
| Build | |||
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus | OnePlus 10 Pro has a more scratch and crack resistant screen |
| Sensors | Biometric, Proximity, Motion, Gravity | Biometric, Proximity, Motion, RGB | Both have standard motion and proximity sensors. OnePlus 9 Pro has a Gravity sensor and OnePlus 10 Pro has an RGB sensor, both with limited practical impact. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
OnePlus 10 Pro Advantages:
- Newer Chipset: The Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 offers slightly better performance and power efficiency compared to the Snapdragon 888.
- Larger Battery: 5000mAh vs 4500mAh means noticeably longer battery life, particularly under heavy use.
- Faster Charging: 80W wired charging is a significant upgrade over the 65W charging, resulting in less time connected to the charger.
- Improved Selfie Camera: Higher resolution (32MP) and wider aperture (f/2.0) on the selfie lens, which performs better in low light and produces better images.
- Latest Wi-Fi Standard: Wi-Fi 7 support for faster wireless connections.
- More Storage Options: Additional 512GB variant.
- Better Screen Protection: Corning Gorilla Glass Victus offers better protection from drops and scratches compared to Gorilla Glass 5.
- Software: Ships with a newer Android version.
OnePlus 9 Pro Advantages:
- Wide-Angle Camera Sensor: The wide-angle lens has a larger sensor, which results in better image quality, especially in low-light conditions.
- Dedicated B&W Camera: A dedicated monochrome sensor for more artistic and dramatic B&W photos.
- GPS Support: OnePlus 9 Pro supports GLONASS (L1) and Galileo (E1+E5a) which in theory provides for more accuracy in location tracking.
Practical Implications
- The OnePlus 10 Pro is clearly a stronger choice for those who prioritize performance, battery life, and fast charging. The more powerful processor and larger battery provide a better experience, especially for heavy users. The faster charging is also useful for people always on the go.
- The OnePlus 9 Pro’s larger wide-angle sensor might appeal to photography enthusiasts who prioritize low-light wide-angle shots, or those who want the capability of a dedicated B&W sensor, but the rest of the camera hardware is very similar.
- The OnePlus 10 Pro's updated software and Wifi capabilities make it a better choice for users wanting the latest tech.
Significant Trade-offs
- The OnePlus 9 Pro’s main trade-off is the slightly less powerful processor and smaller battery compared to the OnePlus 10 Pro.
- The OnePlus 10 Pro’s main trade-off is the smaller wide angle sensor and the lack of B&W sensor.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
OnePlus 9 Pro Ideal Users:
- Photography Enthusiasts: Users who often take wide-angle shots in low-light conditions and value a dedicated B&W sensor.
- Budget-Conscious Buyers: Those looking for a flagship-level experience at a lower price point, especially if the phone is available at a discount compared to the OnePlus 10 Pro.
Users not needing maximum battery or processing: Users who do not have as many intensive tasks or use the phone for long periods outside.
Use Cases:
- Taking a lot of pictures in various environments, valuing a good wide angle camera.
- Daily use where the extra performance is not needed, such as media consumption, communication.
- Users needing a robust phone but not necessarily the latest and greatest specs.
OnePlus 10 Pro Ideal Users:
- Power Users: Those who push their phone to the limit with demanding games, multitasking, and resource-intensive apps.
- Heavy Phone Users: Those who need long battery life to get through a full day of usage.
- Technology Enthusiasts: Users who want the latest chip, charging speeds, and wifi features.
Selfie Photographers: Users who value the front facing camera more than other camera lenses.
Use Cases:
- Gaming, video editing, and other resource-intensive tasks
- Extensive use throughout the day without the need to recharge often.
- Frequent use of cloud-based services and need for fast download/upload.
- Taking pictures of themselves or groups of friends
Price-to-Value Ratio
- The OnePlus 9 Pro can often be found at a lower price than the OnePlus 10 Pro, making it a good value if you do not need the incremental performance and battery improvements.
- The OnePlus 10 Pro offers better future-proofing with the newer processor and faster wifi, which makes it worth the price difference if you plan on keeping the phone for longer.
4. Decision Framework
Here are three key questions to help you choose the right phone:
- How important is battery life and fast charging to you? If battery and charging are top priorities, the OnePlus 10 Pro’s larger battery and faster charging are a clear win. If not, the battery on the 9 Pro is fine for normal usage.
- How important is camera performance? The OnePlus 9 Pro will be a good option if wide angle lens or B&W photography are important to you. If selfies are important to you, the 10 Pro is a better choice.
- Do you need the latest in technology? If you want the newest chipset, wifi standard, and OS, then the OnePlus 10 Pro is the better option. However, both phones will get the same software updates in the end.
Scenario-Based Recommendations
- Scenario 1: Photography enthusiast with a limited budget: The OnePlus 9 Pro provides a good balance of camera quality and value, as well as a dedicated B&W camera. The wide-angle advantage in low light is important for such users.
- Scenario 2: Power user who games and multitasks heavily: The OnePlus 10 Pro’s better chipset and longer battery life makes it a better choice.
- Scenario 3: User who needs a phone that lasts all day without needing to charge, or charges very fast when needed: The OnePlus 10 Pro’s larger battery and faster charging will be much more convenient.
- Scenario 4: User who wants the latest in smartphone technology: The OnePlus 10 Pro is a better choice, as it has the latest software and better connectivity.
My Choice
Personally, I would choose the OnePlus 10 Pro. Although both phones have their strengths, the OnePlus 10 Pro's advantages in battery, charging, processing, software, and connectivity make it a more compelling choice for most users.
While the OnePlus 9 Pro has a slightly better wide-angle camera sensor and a dedicated B&W sensor, the improvements offered by the 10 Pro in key areas make it a more well-rounded option. I value the extra battery life and faster charging of the 10 Pro, as well as the newer processor and wireless connectivity.
