1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | OnePlus 9 Pro | TCL 50 SE | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 163.2 x 73.6 x 8.7 mm | 168.2 x 75.5 x 8.1 mm | TCL 50 SE is slightly taller and wider, while OnePlus 9 Pro is a bit thicker. Overall difference in size is not significant |
| Weight | 197g | 195g | Both phones are virtually the same weight |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.7" | 6.78" | Negligible difference in screen size, both offer large displays |
| Resolution | 1440 x 3216 | 1080 x 2460 | OnePlus 9 Pro has a significantly sharper and more detailed display due to its higher resolution. Better for reading, media consumption and detailed visuals |
| PPI | 525 | 396 | OnePlus 9 Pro offers noticeably clearer text and sharper images due to much higher pixel density |
| Technology | Unknown | IPS LCD | TCL 50 SE has a standard LCD panel, OnePlus 9 Pro's display technology is not specified, making it hard to compare. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 90Hz | OnePlus 9 Pro offers slightly smoother scrolling and animations; may be noticeable during gaming and fast-paced UI interactions. |
| Brightness | 1300 nits | 900 nits | OnePlus 9 Pro is significantly brighter, offering much better visibility in direct sunlight. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 5G (5 nm) | Mediatek Helio G88 (12 nm) | OnePlus 9 Pro has a much more powerful high-end chipset, resulting in faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and significantly better gaming performance. |
| AnTuTu Score | 877,600 | 250,000 | The OnePlus 9 Pro demonstrates vastly superior performance for demanding tasks, gaming, and general speed, almost 3.5x higher than the TCL 50 SE |
| GPU | Adreno 660 | Mali-G52 MC2 | OnePlus 9 Pro's GPU offers dramatically better graphics performance; essential for demanding games. |
| Camera | |||
| Standard Camera | 48MP, f/1.8, 1/1.43", 1.12µm | 50MP, f/1.8, 0.64µm | TCL 50 SE has slightly higher megapixel count, but OnePlus 9 Pro has a larger sensor size & pixel size, likely capturing more light and detail. |
| Selfie Camera | 16MP, f/2.4, 1/3.13", 0.70µm | 8MP, f/2.0, 1.12µm | OnePlus 9 Pro offers higher resolution, but TCL 50 SE has a wider aperture which may be better in low light. |
| Telephoto Lens | 8MP, f/2.4 | Not Available | OnePlus 9 Pro has a dedicated telephoto lens for optical zoom; TCL 50 SE lacks this feature. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 50MP, f/2.2 | Not Available | OnePlus 9 Pro has a dedicated wide-angle lens, offering more flexibility for photography; TCL 50 SE lacks this feature. |
| Macro Lens | Not Available | 2MP, f/2.4 | TCL 50 SE has a macro lens for close-up shots; OnePlus 9 Pro does not. |
| Black & White Lens | 2MP, f/2.4 | Not Available | OnePlus 9 Pro has a dedicated black and white lens for specific artistic effects; TCL 50 SE does not |
| Video | Up to 8K@30fps | 1080p@30fps | OnePlus 9 Pro supports significantly higher video resolutions, suitable for professional-grade video recording. |
| DXOMark | Mobile: 122, Photo: 124, Video: 118 | Not Available | OnePlus 9 Pro’s camera performance is notably better based on DXOMark scores. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 4500 mAh | 5010 mAh | TCL 50 SE has a larger battery, likely leading to longer battery life between charges. |
| Charging | 65W Fast Charging | 33W Fast Charging | OnePlus 9 Pro charges significantly faster, reducing the time spent plugged in. |
| Features | Wireless charging, reverse charging | None | OnePlus 9 Pro offers more versatile charging options |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 (upgradable to 14) | Android 14 | TCL 50 SE ships with a newer version of Android. |
| Connectivity | |||
| WiFi | Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) | Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac) | OnePlus 9 Pro supports the latest Wi-Fi standard, potentially offering faster speeds and better stability. |
| Bluetooth | 5.2 | 5.1 | OnePlus 9 Pro has a more recent Bluetooth version |
| GPS | L1+L5, GLONASS (L1), BeiDou (B1), Galileo (E1+E5a) | Standard GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | OnePlus 9 Pro has dual-band GPS and more satellite support offering more accurate location tracking. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 128/256 GB | 128/256 GB | Both offer similar storage options. |
| RAM | 8/12 GB | 4/6 GB | OnePlus 9 Pro offers significantly more RAM, resulting in better multitasking and app performance. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither phone supports expandable storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Dolby Atmos, Noise cancellation microphone, Stereo Speakers, 3 microphones | Stereo Speakers | OnePlus 9 Pro offers enhanced audio features, including Dolby Atmos and noise cancellation. |
| Security | |||
| Features | Basic Fingerprint sensor | Side-mounted fingerprint sensor | TCL 50 SE has a more convenient side-mounted fingerprint reader. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | Unknown | OnePlus 9 Pro has a more resistant screen for drops and scratches. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer | OnePlus 9 Pro has a more comprehensive sensor suite, supporting more advanced features. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
OnePlus 9 Pro Advantages:
- Significantly Higher Performance: The Snapdragon 888 chipset provides a vastly superior user experience with much faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and much better gaming performance.
- Superior Display: Higher resolution, PPI, and brightness result in a significantly sharper and more vibrant display that is much better for outdoor visibility.
- Advanced Camera System: Offers more versatile shooting capabilities with telephoto and wide-angle lenses, higher quality video, and better overall image quality (based on DXOMark scores), optical stabilization.
- Faster Charging: 65W fast charging will drastically reduce the time the phone is plugged in
- Wireless charging Wireless charging, including reverse wireless charging
- More RAM: Up to 12GB RAM supports intensive multitasking and demanding applications without performance lag.
- Better Audio: Features like Dolby Atmos and noise cancellation enhance the audio experience for multimedia and calls.
- Better Connectivity: Supports the newer Wi-Fi 6 standard for faster and more stable connections, and dual-band GPS for more accurate location.
- More comprehensive sensors The inclusion of a compass and gyroscope enables more advanced applications.
- Better Screen Protection: Corning Gorilla Glass 5 is much better at protecting against scratches and accidental drops than unknown
TCL 50 SE Advantages:
- Larger Battery: The 5010mAh battery will likely provide longer battery life.
- Newer Android Version: Ships with Android 14, offering the latest software features and security updates.
- Macro Lens: Features a macro lens, allowing for close-up photography.
- Side-mounted Fingerprint Sensor: More convenient for unlocking the device.
- Wider Selfie Camera Aperture: May offer improved low-light performance.
Trade-offs:
- The OnePlus 9 Pro sacrifices battery capacity and a macro camera for a significantly more powerful processor, a better display, a more versatile camera system, faster charging, wireless charging and a more premium build.
- The TCL 50 SE offers a more basic experience with longer battery life, a lower cost, and a newer version of Android but at a significant cost in performance, screen quality, camera versatility, and charging speed.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
OnePlus 9 Pro Ideal User:
- Power Users: Individuals who demand top-tier performance for gaming, video editing, and heavy multitasking.
- Photography Enthusiasts: Users who prioritize camera quality and versatility.
- Multimedia Consumers: Those who appreciate high-quality displays for watching videos and other content.
- Tech-Savvy Users: Individuals who value advanced features like wireless charging, fast charging, and the latest connectivity standards.
Use Cases:
- Playing graphically demanding games at high settings.
- Shooting and editing high-resolution videos.
- Multitasking between numerous resource-intensive apps.
- Utilizing the phone as a primary device for all tasks, requiring peak performance.
TCL 50 SE Ideal User:
- Budget-Conscious Buyers: Users who prioritize affordability and basic functionality over top-tier specs.
- Casual Users: Individuals who primarily use their phone for social media, browsing, and light app usage.
- Users who prefer longer battery life: Those who prioritize battery life above all other features
- Users wanting the latest Android version: For those who prioritize the latest software version.
- Users wanting a macro lens: For those who want to be able to do close-up shots.
- Users who prioritize a side-mounted fingerprint sensor Those who find the side-mounted fingerprint sensor more convenient.
Use Cases:
- Daily social media browsing and messaging.
- Basic photography and videography.
- Casual gaming that doesn't require high graphics capabilities.
- Web browsing and light app use with a focus on extended battery life
Price-to-Value Ratio:
- The OnePlus 9 Pro has a higher price tag but delivers a much superior performance and feature set, representing better value for power users.
- The TCL 50 SE offers a budget-friendly option for those with basic needs, representing good value for the price point, but comes with significant trade offs in performance, screen quality and camera versatility.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions to Consider:
- What is your primary use case for a smartphone? (Gaming, photography, general use)
- How much importance do you place on performance vs. battery life?
- What's your budget, and how much are you willing to pay for premium features?
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
Scenario 1: Gaming and Performance
- Recommendation: OnePlus 9 Pro. Its powerful processor and GPU make it the clear winner for a smooth, high-performance gaming experience.
Scenario 2: Budget and Battery Life
- Recommendation: TCL 50 SE. Offers a lower price and longer battery life, sufficient for basic usage.
Scenario 3: Photography and Videography
- Recommendation: OnePlus 9 Pro. Its versatile camera system and advanced features offer far better image and video quality.
Scenario 4: General Use and Longevity
- Recommendation: OnePlus 9 Pro. Despite being an older phone, it provides a much better experience. The newer Android 14 of the TCL 50 SE is not a major advantage due to the lack of support for future upgrades.
My Choice
I would choose the OnePlus 9 Pro despite it being an older model. Here's why:
The performance difference, as highlighted by the AnTuTu scores and chipset analysis, is just too significant to ignore. The OnePlus 9 Pro’s Snapdragon 888 chipset, combined with its 8/12GB of RAM and Adreno 660 GPU, will provide a smoother, more responsive user experience for any demanding task I throw at it. This includes demanding games, heavy multitasking and running demanding apps.
The superior display of the OnePlus 9 Pro also stands out to me. Its higher resolution, higher pixel density and brighter panel make it far superior to the TCL 50 SE’s display. This better experience will be noticeable every time I use the phone, from browsing the web to consuming multimedia.
While the TCL 50 SE has a bigger battery, I’m confident the 65W fast charging of the OnePlus 9 Pro will make up for that by making the charging experience much faster and more convenient. The added versatility of wireless and reverse wireless charging is also another great advantage.
Lastly, I value versatility and quality in a camera system. The telephoto and wide-angle lenses, combined with its higher video resolutions and better DXOMark score makes the OnePlus 9 Pro a superior device in this regard.
The TCL 50 SE will be a fine option for someone who needs a basic phone on a tight budget, and prioritize battery life and the latest android version over other features. However, for me, the significant advantages of the OnePlus 9 Pro in performance, display, camera capabilities and charging speed outweigh the benefits of the larger battery, newer OS and cheaper price of the TCL 50 SE.
