1. Specifications Comparison
Here's a detailed comparison of the OnePlus 9 Pro and vivo X100 Pro, focusing on the practical implications of their specifications:
| Feature | OnePlus 9 Pro | vivo X100 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 163.2 × 73.6 × 8.7 mm | 164.1 × 75.3 × 8.9 mm | The vivo X100 Pro is slightly larger and thicker, potentially feeling less comfortable in smaller hands, with more overall volume. |
| Weight | 197g | 221g | OnePlus 9 Pro is significantly lighter making it more comfortable for extended use. The vivo X100 Pro is heavier which might be noticeable. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.7" | 6.78" | Negligible difference in screen size, both offer immersive viewing experience. |
| Resolution | 1440x3216 | 1260x2800 | OnePlus 9 Pro has a sharper display; text and images will appear more defined on OnePlus 9 Pro. |
| Pixel Density (PPI) | 525 | 452 | OnePlus 9 Pro offers sharper image with higher PPI. |
| Technology | missing | AMOLED | vivo X100 Pro has superior display technology (AMOLED) which translates to more vibrant colors, deeper blacks, better contrast, and power efficiency for dark themes. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | Both offer smooth scrolling and animations. |
| Brightness | 1300 nits | 3000 nits | vivo X100 Pro offers superior outdoor visibility, especially in bright sunlight. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 (5 nm) | Mediatek Dimensity 9300 (4 nm) | vivo X100 Pro chipset is more modern, leading to higher performance and efficiency. |
| AnTuTu Score | 877,600 | 1,881,325 | vivo X100 Pro has much better performance, making it noticeably faster in apps loading, multitasking, and gaming. |
| GPU | Adreno 660 | Immortalis-G720 MC12 | vivo X100 Pro has a significantly more powerful GPU, resulting in higher gaming performance. |
| Camera | |||
| Rear Main | 48MP, f/1.8, 1/1.43", 1.12µm | 50MP, f/1.75, 1", 1.60µm | vivo X100 Pro main sensor has larger pixel size, which can capture more light and lead to better low-light photos and the sensor is also larger. |
| Selfie | 16MP, f/2.4, 1/3.13", 0.70µm | 32MP, f/2.0, 1/2.8", 0.80µm | vivo X100 Pro offers significantly more detail, better low-light and better dynamic range for selfies. |
| Telephoto | 8MP, f/2.4, 1/4.4", 1.00µm | none | OnePlus 9 Pro offers optical zoom capabilities. |
| Wide Angle | 50MP, f/2.2, 1/1.56", 1.00µm | 50MP, f/2.0, 1/2.76", 0.64µm | OnePlus 9 Pro has a larger sensor, potentially better image quality, while vivo X100 Pro has wider aperture for slightly better low-light performance. |
| Black & White | 2MP, f/2.4, missing | none | OnePlus 9 Pro offers black & white sensor for dedicated monochrome shots. |
| Telephoto + Macro | none | 50MP, f/2.5, 1/2", 0.70µm | vivo X100 Pro offers combined Telephoto and macro sensor. |
| Video | 8K@30fps, 4K@120fps, HDR, EIS | 8K@30fps, 4K@60fps, EIS | Both offer excellent video quality; vivo X100 Pro has slightly higher slow motion. |
| DxOMark Score | 122 (overall) | 150 (overall) | vivo X100 Pro delivers significantly better camera performance according to DxOMark scores. |
| Camera Features | Quad, OIS, EIS, RAW 12bits, LAF etc. | Triple, OIS, EIS, Gimbal, Cinematic, LAF etc. | Both have rich feature sets; vivo X100 Pro offers Gimbal stabilization and Cinematic mode while OnePlus 9 Pro provides RAW 12bits. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 4500mAh | 5400mAh | vivo X100 Pro offers longer battery life, reducing the need for frequent charging. |
| Charging | 65W fast charging | 100W fast charging | vivo X100 Pro charges significantly faster, meaning less time tethered to an outlet. |
| Features | 50W Wireless, Reverse wireless charging | 50W Wireless charging | Both offer wireless charging, OnePlus has reverse wireless charging which can be used for charging other devices. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 (up to 14) | Android 14 (up to 15) | vivo X100 Pro comes with a newer OS and longer support for OS updates. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6 | Wi-Fi 7 | vivo X100 Pro has newer Wi-Fi standard, offering faster speeds, reduced latency and better overall performance in congested network. |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.2 | Bluetooth 5.4 | vivo X100 Pro provides improved connectivity with newer Bluetooth version. |
| GPS | Multiple systems | Multiple systems, including QZSS, BeiDou (B2), NavIC | vivo X100 Pro offers more accurate positioning, especially in areas with limited GPS signal. |
| SIM | Dual Nano SIM | Dual Nano SIM / eSIM | vivo X100 Pro offers more flexible dual SIM options with eSIM support. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 128GB/256GB | 256GB/512GB/1024GB | vivo X100 Pro provides significantly more storage, suitable for users with extensive media libraries. |
| RAM | 8GB/12GB | 12GB/16GB | vivo X100 Pro offers better multitasking performance due to higher RAM. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither supports expandable storage, so consider the internal storage options carefully. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Dolby Atmos, Stereo Speakers, Noise cancellation microphone | Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res Audio, Stereo Speakers | Both offer good audio experience; OnePlus 9 Pro offers better voice capture with noise cancellation mic and vivo X100 Pro provides a superior audio quality. |
| Security | |||
| Features | basic fingerprint sensor | basic fingerprint sensor | Both offer basic fingerprint sensor based biometrics. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | unknown | OnePlus 9 Pro offers superior screen protection. vivo X100 Pro's screen protection is unknown. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Biometric, Proximity, Motion | Biometric, Proximity, Motion | Both phones offer same basic sensors. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
OnePlus 9 Pro Advantages:
- Lighter and more compact: Easier to handle and carry.
- Sharper Display: Slightly higher resolution provides better visual clarity.
- Reverse Wireless Charging: Ability to charge other devices wirelessly.
- Black & white camera sensor: Dedicated monochrome shots
- Screen Protection: Known Corning Gorilla Glass 5 protection.
vivo X100 Pro Advantages:
- Newer and more Powerful Chipset: Faster performance, more efficient.
- Significantly higher benchmark scores: Superior performance in multitasking and gaming.
- Brighter AMOLED Display: Much better visibility in sunlight, vibrant color, deeper blacks
- Better Camera System: Superior performance in both photo and video based on DxOMark scores, larger main sensor for low-light photography
- Larger Battery and Faster Charging: Longer battery life and quicker recharge times.
- Newer Bluetooth and WiFi: Improved connectivity speeds and performance.
- More Storage and RAM: More space for files and better performance.
- eSIM Support: More flexible dual SIM options.
- More accurate GPS: Enhanced navigation accuracy with additional satellite system support.
- Hi-Res Audio Support
- Gimbal Stabilization: better video performance
- Cinematic Mode: better video effects
Significant Trade-offs:
- OnePlus 9 Pro: The older chipset and camera system are its main drawbacks compared to the vivo X100 Pro.
- vivo X100 Pro: Heavier and bulkier build and unknown screen protection.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
OnePlus 9 Pro Ideal User:
- Users who prioritize a lightweight and compact phone.
- Users who want a high-resolution display for sharp visuals.
- Users who use their phone as a secondary camera and want a dedicated black and white lens.
- Users who use wireless charging regularly and want to reverse charge other devices.
- Users on a tighter budget, looking for good value from a flagship model from 2021.
Use Cases for OnePlus 9 Pro:
- Everyday use, browsing, social media
- Casual photography with good detail
- Light gaming
- Office use due to its compact and lightweight design
vivo X100 Pro Ideal User:
- Users who want the best possible performance, for gaming and multitasking.
- Users who prioritize camera quality.
- Users who require long battery life and fast charging.
- Users who want a top-tier display for media consumption.
- Users who want the latest and most advanced connectivity options, including eSIM.
Use Cases for vivo X100 Pro:
- Professional photography and videography
- Mobile gaming, high-end games
- Heavy multimedia consumption (streaming, editing, etc.)
- Frequent travel, requiring accurate GPS, long battery life and eSIM.
- Outdoor use in direct sunlight.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions to Consider:
- How important is camera quality to you? If photography is a top priority, the vivo X100 Pro is a clear winner.
- Do you prioritize portability and ergonomics, or performance and features? If you want a lighter device, the OnePlus 9 Pro is a better choice. If you prefer maximum power and battery life, the vivo X100 Pro is better.
- What is your budget? The OnePlus 9 Pro is likely more affordable, but the vivo X100 Pro may be worth the investment if you need its top-tier features.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Casual User: If you mainly browse the web, use social media, and take casual pictures, the OnePlus 9 Pro offers good value at a potentially lower price point.
- Scenario 2: Photography Enthusiast: If you want the best possible camera performance, the vivo X100 Pro is the superior option, offering better image quality, Gimbal stabilization and more features.
- Scenario 3: Mobile Gamer: For mobile gamers, the vivo X100 Pro's faster processor, GPU, and higher RAM make it a superior choice for demanding games.
- Scenario 4: Long Battery Life: If you are often away from a charger and require long battery life, the vivo X100 Pro will serve you better due to its larger battery and fast charging capabilities.
My Choice
Given these two phones, I would choose the vivo X100 Pro. While the OnePlus 9 Pro has its merits, the sheer improvement in processing power, battery life, display brightness, and especially camera performance on the vivo X100 Pro are too significant to ignore. As someone who values performance and a great camera, I'd be willing to trade a bit of portability for these advantages. The larger storage options and advanced connectivity features also add to its appeal for long-term use. Although, the lack of knowledge about the screen protection on the vivo is a concern and something a potential buyer should look into before making a decision.
