1. Specifications Comparison
Design
| Feature | OnePlus 9 | Honor 70 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 160 × 74.2 × 8.7 mm | 161.4 × 73.3 × 7.9 mm | Honor 70 is slightly taller and thinner, potentially feeling more slender; OnePlus 9 is a bit thicker. |
| Weight | 192g | 178g | Honor 70 is lighter, which might be more comfortable for prolonged use. |
Display
| Feature | OnePlus 9 | Honor 70 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Size | 6.55" | 6.67" | Honor 70 has a slightly larger screen for more immersive media consumption. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2400 | Both offer the same sharpness, so visually no difference in clarity. |
| PPI | 402 | 395 | Both offer very similar pixel density and visual clarity. |
| Technology | AMOLED | OLED | Both provide vibrant colors, deep blacks, and high contrast. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | Both provide a smooth scrolling experience, ideal for gaming and social media. |
| Brightness | 1100 nits | 0 nits | OnePlus 9's display is significantly brighter making it much more usable in direct sunlight. Honor 70's brightness is not specified, suggesting it might be lower, impacting outdoor visibility. |
Performance
| Feature | OnePlus 9 | Honor 70 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 5G (5 nm) | Qualcomm Snapdragon 778G+ 5G (6 nm) | OnePlus 9 has a more powerful processor, leading to faster app loading and smoother multitasking, especially with demanding apps. |
| AnTuTu Score | 880,900 | 600,525 | OnePlus 9 provides significantly better overall performance (approximately 47% higher benchmark), leading to smoother experience with demanding apps and heavy multitasking. |
| GPU | Adreno 660 | Adreno 642L | OnePlus 9's GPU will handle graphics-intensive tasks like gaming more effectively. |
Camera
| Feature | OnePlus 9 | Honor 70 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main Camera Resolution | 48MP | 54MP | Honor 70 has a higher megapixel count, which could potentially result in more detailed photos, but the sensor size plays a big role as well. |
| Main Camera Aperture | f/1.79 | f/1.9 | OnePlus 9's wider aperture allows more light, potentially resulting in better low-light performance. |
| Main Camera Sensor Size | 1/1.4" | 1/1.49" | OnePlus 9's slightly larger sensor captures more light and detail resulting in better image quality. |
| Selfie Camera Resolution | 16MP | 32MP | Honor 70 has a higher megapixel count, resulting in more detailed selfie photos. |
| Selfie Camera Sensor Size | 1/3.13" | 1/3.2" | OnePlus 9 has a slightly larger sensor, potentially better in low light selfies. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 50MP, f/2.2, 1/1.56" sensor | 50MP, f/2.2 | Both have comparable wide-angle capabilities. Honor 70's sensor size is missing. |
| Macro Lens | None | 2MP, f/2.4 | Honor 70 allows for close-up macro photography, while OnePlus 9 lacks this feature. |
| Black & White Lens | 2MP, f/2.4 | None | OnePlus 9 has a dedicated B&W sensor for monochrome photography, while Honor 70 lacks this feature. |
| Video Recording | 8K@30fps, 4K@60fps | 4K@30fps | OnePlus 9 offers higher resolution video recording (8K), appealing to professional videographers. |
| Slow Motion Video | 480fps | 960fps | Honor 70 has higher slow-motion capture rate for detailed slow motion video. |
| DXOMark Score | Not Available | 115 (Photo), 129 (Video) | Honor 70 has a benchmark score, while OnePlus 9's camera performance is not tested by DXOMark. |
Battery
| Feature | OnePlus 9 | Honor 70 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 4500mAh | 4800mAh | Honor 70 has a slightly larger battery, which might result in longer usage time. |
| Charging | 65W | 66W | Both have similar fast charging capabilities. |
| Features | 15W Wireless Charging | Reverse Charging | OnePlus 9 offers the convenience of wireless charging, while Honor 70 can act as a power bank to charge other devices. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
OnePlus 9 Advantages:
- Superior Performance: The Snapdragon 888 offers significantly better processing power, especially for demanding apps and gaming.
- Brighter Display: Much better visibility under direct sunlight.
- 8K Video Recording: Ability to capture high-resolution video for advanced content creation.
- Wireless Charging: Convenient charging option for those who prefer it.
- Enhanced Audio: Dolby Atmos, noise cancellation microphone, and 3 microphones for better audio capture and immersion.
- Advanced GPS: Better location accuracy thanks to additional satellite systems support.
- Screen Protection: Corning Gorilla Glass 5 for more durable screen protection.
Honor 70 Advantages:
- Lighter and Thinner Design: Might be more comfortable to hold and carry.
- Larger Battery: Potentially longer battery life, though it may not make a significant difference in everyday use.
- Higher Resolution Selfie Camera: For more detailed selfie photos.
- Macro Lens: Adds versatility for close-up photography.
- Reverse Charging: Option to charge other devices, acting as a power bank.
- Higher Slow-Motion Video: 960fps for more detailed slow-motion capture.
- Later Android Version: Newer operating system out of the box.
Trade-offs:
- OnePlus 9: The primary trade-off is that the device was launched earlier so the software will not be supported as long as a newer phone
- Honor 70: The primary trade-off is significantly lower performance for gaming and demanding applications in comparison to the OnePlus 9, as well as lower quality main camera sensor.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Ideal User for OnePlus 9:
- Gamers: The superior processor and GPU will provide a smoother gaming experience.
- Power Users: Those who heavily multitask and use demanding applications.
- Videographers: Users who want to record professional-quality 8K video.
- Outdoor Users: Those who need a bright screen for use in direct sunlight.
- Users who prioritize performance over everyting else: The OnePlus 9 will outperform the Honor 70 in every performance related metric.
Ideal User for Honor 70:
- Casual Photographers: Users who value a good selfie camera and have an interest in macro photography.
- Users who like a slimmer and lighter device: The Honor 70 is lighter and thinner in comparison to the OnePlus 9.
- Users who value battery capacity more: The slightly bigger battery might be a slight edge for battery-focused users.
- Users who want a phone with the latest OS out of the box The Honor 70 comes with a newer version of Android.
- Users who want better slow motion recording: the 960fps slow motion will be better for slow motion video.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- How important is raw performance? If you frequently play games or use demanding apps, the OnePlus 9 is significantly better.
- How important is the display quality, especially outdoors? If you often use your phone in direct sunlight, the OnePlus 9's brighter screen is the clear winner.
- How important are camera features? If a good selfie camera and macro lens is a priority, then the Honor 70 is better, if 8K video and advanced manual controls are needed, the OnePlus 9 is better.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Gaming and Performance: Choose OnePlus 9. It offers superior performance, and a better GPU.
- Scenario 2: Photography Focused: Choose Honor 70 if you value selfie camera and macro capabilities. If you want to shoot 8K videos and want the best main camera, choose OnePlus 9.
- Scenario 3: All-Around User: If you need a reliable phone for everyday use, both will do the job. The OnePlus 9 is better if you need the brightness for outdoors and performance. The Honor 70 is better if you want the slightly bigger battery, the slimmer profile and the newer Android version.
My Choice
I would choose the OnePlus 9.
Reasoning: The superior performance offered by the Snapdragon 888 is a key factor for my usage, which includes gaming and running demanding applications, making the OnePlus 9 the more appropriate choice. Additionally, the brighter display is crucial for outdoor usability, where my typical phone usage often occurs. While the Honor 70 has some interesting features, the benefits of the OnePlus 9 are more significant to my priorities.
