Smartphone Comparison: OnePlus 9 Pro vs. Xiaomi Poco F4
1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | OnePlus 9 Pro | Xiaomi Poco F4 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 163.2 × 73.6 × 8.7 mm | 163.2 × 76 × 7.7 mm | Poco F4 is slightly wider and thinner, OnePlus 9 Pro has slightly larger volume. May affect one-handed use and pocketability. |
| Weight | 197g | 195g | Negligible difference in weight, both feel similar in hand. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.7" | 6.67" | Similar screen sizes; barely noticeable difference. |
| Resolution | 1440x3216 | 1080x2400 | OnePlus 9 Pro: Sharper, more detailed images and text, ideal for media consumption and viewing detailed content. |
| Pixel Density (PPI) | 525 | 395 | OnePlus 9 Pro: Noticeably sharper display, better for reading text and viewing high-resolution content. |
| Technology | Unknown | AMOLED | Xiaomi Poco F4: Deeper blacks, better contrast, more vibrant colors, better power efficiency for dark mode. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | Both offer smooth scrolling and animations, great for gaming and general use. |
| Brightness | 1300 nits | 1300 nits | Both offer excellent visibility under bright sunlight conditions. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Snapdragon 888 5G | Snapdragon 870 5G | OnePlus 9 Pro: Slightly better peak performance, but both are excellent for gaming and intensive tasks. |
| AnTuTu Score | 877,600 | 861,200 | Near identical real-world performance. Both can handle most demanding tasks smoothly. |
| GPU | Adreno 660 | Adreno 650 | OnePlus 9 Pro: Slightly better graphics performance, might show in very demanding gaming. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera Res | 48MP | 64MP | Poco F4: Higher resolution, potentially more detail in good light. OnePlus has a larger sensor for better low light performance |
| Main Sensor Size | 1/1.43" | 1/2" | OnePlus 9 Pro: Larger sensor generally captures more light and provides better performance in low-light scenarios. |
| Main Pixel Size | 1.12µm | 0.70µm | OnePlus 9 Pro's larger pixels tend to collect more light for improved low light photos and better dynamic range. |
| Selfie Camera Res | 16MP | 20MP | Poco F4: Higher resolution for potentially more detailed selfies |
| Selfie Sensor Size | 1/3.13" | 1/2" | Poco F4: Larger sensor for potentially better low-light selfies. |
| Telephoto Lens | Yes | No | OnePlus 9 Pro: Enables optical zoom for closer shots without loss of quality. |
| Wide Angle Lens Res | 50MP | 8MP | OnePlus 9 Pro: Significantly higher resolution for wider landscape shots |
| Wide Angle Sensor Size | 1/1.56" | 1/4" | OnePlus 9 Pro's larger sensor captures more light, leading to superior image quality. |
| Macro Lens | No | Yes | Xiaomi Poco F4: Can take close-up macro photos. |
| Black & White Lens | Yes | No | OnePlus 9 Pro: Provides monochrome photos that can enhance artistic expression. |
| Video | 8K@30fps, 4K@120fps | 4K@60fps | OnePlus 9 Pro: Can shoot higher resolution and higher framerate videos; better for content creators. |
| DxOMark | 122 | Not Tested | OnePlus 9 Pro: Rated for excellent image and video quality (as per DxOMark) |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 4500mAh | 4500mAh | Similar battery capacity, expected similar daily usage. |
| Charging | 65W fast charging | 67W fast charging | Both charge very quickly, minimal difference in charging times. |
| Features | Wireless Charging 50W, Reverse Charging | None | OnePlus 9 Pro: Adds convenience of wireless charging and the ability to charge other devices wirelessly. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 (up to 14) | Android 12 (up to 13) | Xiaomi Poco F4: Comes with a slightly newer version out of the box but will receive one less major OS update. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6 | Wi-Fi 6 | Both have the same modern Wi-Fi technology. |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.2, Apt-X | Bluetooth 5.2 | OnePlus 9 Pro: Supports Apt-X codec for higher quality audio with compatible headphones. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, Galileo, GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (L1), BeiDou (B1), Galileo (E1+E5a), BeiDou (B2), NavIC System, QZSS (L1 + L5) | Xiaomi Poco F4: Supports more satellite systems, potentially more accurate location tracking in diverse conditions. |
| SIM | Dual Nano SIM | Dual Nano SIM | Both can use two SIM cards at the same time. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal Storage | 128 GB/256 GB | 128 GB/256 GB | Both provide ample internal storage without options for expansion. |
| RAM | 8 GB/12 GB | 6 GB/8 GB/12 GB | Both have multiple RAM variants, offering smooth multitasking performance. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | No support for memory cards; users need to choose storage wisely. |
| Audio | |||
| Audio Quality | Dolby Atmos, Noise cancellation microphone, Stereo Speakers, 3 microphones | Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res Audio, Stereo Speakers, 2 microphones | OnePlus 9 Pro: More mics for clearer calls, and more immersive audio, better for content creation. Xiaomi Poco F4 has Hi-Res audio support which is great for music. |
| Security | |||
| Fingerprint Sensor | Basic fingerprint sensor | Side-mounted fingerprint sensor | Xiaomi Poco F4: Side-mounted sensor might be faster and more convenient. |
| Build | |||
| Screen Protection | Gorilla Glass 5 | Gorilla Glass 5 | Both have similar scratch protection. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
OnePlus 9 Pro Advantages:
- Superior Display: Higher resolution and pixel density for sharper visuals.
- More Versatile Camera System: Includes a telephoto lens for optical zoom, a higher resolution ultrawide, and a black & white lens.
- Advanced Video Features: Capable of recording 8K video and 4K at 120fps, ideal for demanding videography.
- Wireless Charging: Supports wireless charging and reverse wireless charging, providing extra convenience.
- Enhanced Audio Features: Noise cancellation microphone and 3 mics are beneficial for recording clear audio, better voice capture and immersive audio experience.
- Slightly higher performance due to better CPU and GPU, although the difference is minimal for most use cases.
- Higher software support as it gets android 14
Xiaomi Poco F4 Advantages:
- Newer OS out of the box with Android 12, though it is receiving one less major software update.
- Macro Lens: Dedicated macro camera for detailed close-up shots.
- Potentially better location accuracy due to more satellite system support.
- More Convenient Fingerprint Sensor: Side-mounted fingerprint sensor may be easier for some users.
- Hi-Res audio for better music listening experience.
- Slightly thinner body
Significant Trade-offs:
- OnePlus 9 Pro: Lacks a dedicated macro lens; slightly larger and thicker.
- Xiaomi Poco F4: Lacks telephoto, has lower resolution ultrawide camera, no wireless charging, and lacks advanced video features, and will receive one less major OS update.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
OnePlus 9 Pro:
- Ideal User: Power users, photographers, videographers, media consumers, and users who value premium features.
- Use Cases:
- Professional photography and videography.
- Heavy multitasking and gaming.
- Viewing high-resolution content.
- Users that like to watch movies with great color and sharpness.
- Users who want wireless charging.
Xiaomi Poco F4:
- Ideal User: Gamers, social media users, everyday users, budget-conscious buyers who don't require the absolute best camera.
- Use Cases:
- Mobile gaming with a 120Hz display.
- Social media and casual photography.
- Users who want a convenient fingerprint sensor.
- Users who like a slightly thinner device.
- Users who use wired headphones.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions:
- How important is camera quality and versatility to you? (Telephoto, wide-angle quality, and 8K video are critical on the OnePlus.)
- Do you need wireless charging or reverse wireless charging? (Only the OnePlus 9 Pro offers this.)
- Do you prioritize a sharper display or better location accuracy? (OnePlus 9 Pro has a higher resolution display; Xiaomi Poco F4 has slightly better GPS)
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- For the Photography Enthusiast: Choose the OnePlus 9 Pro for its superior camera system, particularly its telephoto and wide-angle lens, and advanced video capabilities.
- For the Casual User/Gamer on a Budget: The Xiaomi Poco F4 provides a solid display, decent performance, and a good camera for everyday use.
- For the Power User with a focus on media Consumption: The OnePlus 9 Pro is the better choice with a sharper display.
My Choice and Why
If I were choosing between these two phones, I would choose the OnePlus 9 Pro. While the Xiaomi Poco F4 offers compelling value, the OnePlus 9 Pro's overall package aligns more closely with my priorities. The superior camera system—including the telephoto lens for optical zoom, high-resolution ultrawide camera, a black & white lens, and its advanced video recording capabilities—is very appealing, I also value the convenience of wireless charging, the higher resolution screen, and the slightly better performance it offers. Even though it is older, it receives an update to Android 14. While the price is a factor, the benefits offered by the OnePlus 9 Pro would be worth it for me personally, even though the Xiaomi Poco F4 would be more than enough for most users.
