Smartphone Comparison: OnePlus 9 Pro vs. ZTE Blade V60 Design
1. Specifications Comparison
Design
| Feature | OnePlus 9 Pro | ZTE Blade V60 Design | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Launch Date | 2021-03-30 | 2024-06-01 | ZTE Blade V60 Design is a newer device, potentially with more up-to-date software and features. |
| Dimensions | 163.2 x 73.6 x 8.7 mm | 164.2 x 75.3 x 8.6 mm | ZTE Blade V60 Design is slightly taller and wider, impacting one-handed use and pocketability. |
| Weight | 197g | 198g | Negligible difference in weight; both phones feel similarly hefty in hand. |
| Build Material | Not Specified | Not Specified | Build materials can affect durability and hand feel, but they are not specified. |
Display
| Feature | OnePlus 9 Pro | ZTE Blade V60 Design | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Size | 6.7" | 6.6" | OnePlus 9 Pro provides a slightly more immersive viewing experience due to the larger screen. |
| Resolution | 1440x3216 | 720x1612 | OnePlus 9 Pro has much sharper text and images, better for viewing photos, videos, and reading. |
| Pixel Density | 525 PPI | 267 PPI | OnePlus 9 Pro has a significantly clearer display with less visible pixelation; images will be crisper. |
| Technology | Not Specified | IPS LCD | ZTE Blade V60 Design has an IPS LCD, which usually offers good color reproduction and viewing angles. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 90Hz | OnePlus 9 Pro offers smoother scrolling and animations, enhancing responsiveness, especially noticeable while gaming. |
| Brightness | 1300 nits | 0 nits | OnePlus 9 Pro screen is much brighter, making it significantly more usable in direct sunlight. (0 nits for ZTE is likely a missing value, and it cannot be 0 nits) |
Performance
| Feature | OnePlus 9 Pro | ZTE Blade V60 Design | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chipset | Snapdragon 888 5G (5 nm) | Unisoc T606 (12 nm) | OnePlus 9 Pro offers much faster performance, better for gaming, demanding apps, and overall smoother operation. |
| AnTuTu Score | 877,600 | 240,000 | OnePlus 9 Pro delivers significantly higher benchmark performance, resulting in a more responsive and capable experience. |
| GPU | Adreno 660 | Mali-G57 MP1 | OnePlus 9 Pro's GPU provides much better graphics performance, crucial for gaming and graphically intensive tasks. |
Camera
| Feature | OnePlus 9 Pro | ZTE Blade V60 Design | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard Camera | 48MP, f/1.8, 1/1.43", Sony IMX789, 1.12 µm | 50MP, f/1.8, Sensor model not specified, Pixel size not specified | ZTE Blade V60 Design has a slightly higher megapixel count, but the OnePlus 9 Pro's larger sensor size and known sensor quality likely result in better image quality in various lighting. |
| Selfie Camera | 16MP, f/2.4, 1/3.13", Sony IMX471, 0.70 µm | 8MP, Sensor model not specified, Pixel size not specified | OnePlus 9 Pro takes significantly higher-resolution selfies with a higher quality sensor. |
| Telephoto Lens | 8MP, f/2.4, 1/4.4", Omnivision OV08A10, 1.00 µm | None | OnePlus 9 Pro has an additional telephoto lens for optical zoom capability, allowing for clear zoomed-in shots. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 50MP, f/2.2, 1/1.56", Sony IMX766, 1.00 µm | None | OnePlus 9 Pro includes an ultrawide lens which can capture much larger scenes. |
| Portrait Mode (Depth) | None | 2MP, f/2.4, Sensor model not specified, Pixel size not specified | ZTE Blade V60 Design features a dedicated depth sensor, potentially improving the bokeh effect in portrait photos. |
| Black & White | 2MP, f/2.4, Sensor model not specified, Pixel size not specified | None | OnePlus 9 Pro has a dedicated monochrome sensor for black-and-white photography and better light and detail capture. |
| Video Recording | Up to 8K@30fps with HDR, EIS, 4K@120fps | 1080p@30fps | OnePlus 9 Pro offers significantly better video recording capabilities, with higher resolutions, frame rates, HDR and stabilization. |
| DXOMark Score | 122 (Mobile), 124 (Photo), 118 (Video) | Not Tested | OnePlus 9 Pro's camera is tested and proven to be better in terms of photos and videos. |
| Camera Features | Extensive, including OIS, RAW, 4K, 8K video | Basic features | OnePlus 9 Pro offers significantly more professional and creative camera controls and capture options. |
Battery
| Feature | OnePlus 9 Pro | ZTE Blade V60 Design | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 4500mAh | 5000mAh | ZTE Blade V60 Design has a larger battery, likely resulting in longer battery life for general usage. |
| Charging | 65W Fast Charging | 22.5W Fast Charging | OnePlus 9 Pro charges significantly faster, reducing downtime while ZTE Blade V60 Design will take much longer. |
| Battery Features | Wireless, Reverse Charging | Basic, Non-Removable | OnePlus 9 Pro offers more convenient charging options, including wireless and reverse charging, making it more versatile. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
OnePlus 9 Pro Advantages:
- Superior Display: Higher resolution, pixel density, brightness, and refresh rate offer a much better viewing experience for all types of content.
- Much Higher Performance: The Snapdragon 888 chipset provides significantly faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and superior gaming performance.
- Advanced Camera System: Includes a telephoto lens, ultrawide lens, a much better main and selfie sensor, 8k Video, and a more complete suite of video and camera features, making it suitable for serious photography and videography.
- Faster Charging: 65W fast charging is significantly faster, reducing charge times dramatically.
- More Advanced Features: Wireless charging, reverse wireless and wired charging, better connectivity (WiFi 6, Bluetooth 5.2), better audio quality (Dolby Atmos, stereo speakers)
- Better Build Quality: Corning Gorilla Glass 5 offers enhanced screen protection.
- Software Support: Official upgrades to Android 14 is a huge advantage over the ZTE.
ZTE Blade V60 Design Advantages:
- Larger Battery: The 5000mAh battery provides longer battery life for extended usage periods.
- Newer OS out of the box: Ships with Android 13 vs 11 on the OnePlus
Trade-offs:
- OnePlus 9 Pro: While it excels in most areas, it has a smaller battery than the ZTE Blade V60 Design, potentially requiring more frequent charging, if used heavily. It is also older.
- ZTE Blade V60 Design: While offering a larger battery, its display, performance, and camera system are significantly weaker than the OnePlus 9 Pro.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Ideal User for OnePlus 9 Pro:
- Power Users: Those who prioritize performance, multitasking, and gaming.
- Photography Enthusiasts: Users who want a versatile camera system with professional-grade features.
- Multimedia Consumers: Individuals who appreciate a high-quality display for videos, games, and content consumption.
- Users wanting long-term Software support
- Users who want the best possible connectivity
Use Cases:
- Gaming on high graphics settings, editing photos, or creating videos.
- Heavy multitasking with multiple apps open simultaneously
- Capturing high-quality images and videos in diverse scenarios.
Ideal User for ZTE Blade V60 Design:
- Budget-Conscious Users: Those seeking a more affordable smartphone for basic usage.
- Users with basic tasks
- Users who prioritise battery life
Use Cases:
- General daily tasks like browsing the web, using social media, and making calls.
- Users who value longer battery life for less frequent charging.
- Basic camera use for everyday snapshots
Price-to-Value Ratio:
- The OnePlus 9 Pro offers much higher performance, better features, superior cameras, and a high-quality display. It is a much higher tier device.
- The ZTE Blade V60 Design is a budget-friendly option.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- What is your primary use case? (Gaming, photography, media consumption, basic use)
- What is your budget? (Are you willing to pay more for premium features?)
- How important are features like display quality, performance, camera, and battery life to you?
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: High-Performance User: If you need the best possible performance, display, camera, and features, the OnePlus 9 Pro is the clear choice.
- Scenario 2: Budget-Conscious User: If your main concern is battery life and cost, and you don't need high performance or advanced features, the ZTE Blade V60 Design might be a suitable option, but be prepared for a sub-par experience, especially with the display.
- Scenario 3: Balanced User: If you need a good balance of performance and battery life, with an adequate camera, you will need to look elsewhere as these are not good contenders.
My Choice and Why
Personally, I would choose the OnePlus 9 Pro. Despite being older, its advantages in display quality, processing power, and camera capabilities are significant and far outweigh the ZTE's larger battery capacity. As someone who values a smooth, responsive user experience, appreciates high-quality multimedia, and uses a phone for various tasks including gaming and photography, the OnePlus 9 Pro simply offers a more comprehensive and satisfying experience. The ZTE, while newer, feels like a very different class of phone, and compromises on the most important elements of a smartphone for me. The software support for the OnePlus is also a significant advantage.
