Smartphone Comparison: OnePlus 9 vs. Honor 90
1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | OnePlus 9 | Honor 90 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 160 × 74.2 × 8.7 mm | 161.9 × 74.1 × 7.8 mm | Honor 90 is slightly taller and thinner, making it feel a bit more modern. OnePlus 9 has a slightly larger volume, which can impact ergonomics and pocketability. |
| Weight | 192g | 183g | Honor 90 is lighter, which can be more comfortable for extended use, while the OnePlus 9 is heavier, giving a more substantial feel. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.55" | 6.7" | Honor 90 offers a slightly larger screen for more immersive viewing. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1200x2664 | Honor 90 has a higher resolution, resulting in sharper images and text. |
| Pixel Density | 402 ppi | 435 ppi | Honor 90's higher pixel density provides a slightly clearer and sharper display. |
| Technology | AMOLED | AMOLED | Both offer vibrant colors and deep blacks typical of AMOLED displays. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | Both provide a smooth scrolling experience. |
| Brightness | 1100 nits | 1600 nits | Honor 90's higher brightness will be significantly more visible in direct sunlight, making it much better for outdoor use. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 5G (5 nm) | Qualcomm Snapdragon 7 Gen 1 Accelerated (4nm) | OnePlus 9 offers higher raw performance for demanding tasks and gaming. Honor 90's chipset is more power-efficient, potentially offering slightly better battery life. |
| AnTuTu Score | 880,900 | 701,227 | OnePlus 9 is significantly faster in benchmarks, indicating better overall performance and smoother app loading. |
| GPU | Adreno 660 | Adreno 644 | OnePlus 9's GPU is more powerful for gaming and graphically intensive tasks. |
| Camera | |||
| Standard Camera | 48MP, f/1.79, 1/1.4", 1.12µm (Sony IMX689) | 200MP, f/1.9, 1/1.4", 0.56µm (Samsung ISOCELL HP3) | Honor 90 offers much higher resolution for detail, while OnePlus 9 has a wider aperture for better low-light performance (though image processing also plays a role). |
| Selfie Camera | 16MP, f/2.4, 1/3.13", 1.00µm (Sony IMX471) | 50MP, f/2.4 | Honor 90 offers much higher resolution for selfies, potentially capturing more details. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 50MP, f/2.2, 1/1.56", 1.00µm (Sony IMX766) | Not Available | OnePlus 9 offers a dedicated wide-angle lens for capturing expansive scenes, which is absent on the Honor 90. |
| Portrait (Depth) | Not Available | 2MP, f/2.4, 2.24µm | Honor 90 has a depth sensor to improve portrait mode quality, which the OnePlus 9 lacks. |
| Wide Angle + Macro | Not Available | 12MP, f/2.2, 1.12 µm | Honor 90 has a wide angle + macro lens, allowing versatile close-up shots. |
| Black & White | 2MP, f/2.4 | Not Available | OnePlus 9 has a dedicated black & white sensor for specialized photography, which is absent on Honor 90. |
| Video | Up to 8K@30fps with HDR, EIS | Up to 4K@30fps with EIS | OnePlus 9 can record higher-resolution video, suitable for professional users. Both offer stabilization for smoother footage. |
| DXOMark Score | N/A | Mobile: 122 (Photo: 128, Video: 126) | Honor 90's DXOMark score indicates decent camera performance, while the OnePlus 9 has no public score. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 4500mAh | 5000mAh | Honor 90 has a larger battery, likely offering longer battery life. |
| Charging | 65W Fast Charging (Li-Polymer), 15W Wireless Charging | 66W Fast Charging (Li-Ion) | Both have fast charging; Honor 90 charges slightly faster. OnePlus 9 has the advantage of wireless charging, which the Honor 90 lacks. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 (upgradable to 13) | Android 13 | Honor 90 has a newer OS out of the box and may receive future updates for longer, whereas the OnePlus 9 is currently capped to Android 13. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6 | Wi-Fi 6 | Both support fast Wi-Fi. |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.2 | Bluetooth 5.2 | Both offer modern Bluetooth features. Honor 90 has EDR while the OnePlus 9 does not. |
| GPS | GPS (L1+L5), Galileo(E1+E5a), Beidou (B2) | GPS, Galileo (E1), Beidou(B1) | OnePlus 9 provides more accurate GPS with dual-band support, while Honor 90 has single-band GPS. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal Storage | 128/256 GB | 256/512 GB | Honor 90 offers higher storage options. |
| RAM | 8/12 GB | 8/12/16 GB | Honor 90 offers a 16GB RAM option, suitable for heavy multitasking. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone allows for expandable storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Dolby Atmos, Stereo Speakers, 3 mics | Noise cancellation microphone | OnePlus 9 has enhanced audio with Dolby Atmos, stereo speakers, and multiple microphones for better audio capture and playback. |
| Security | |||
| Features | basic fingerprint sensor | basic fingerprint sensor | Both have a basic fingerprint sensor for security. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | Unknown | OnePlus 9 has better screen protection. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope | Accelerometer, Compass, RGB | OnePlus 9 has a gyroscope for advanced motion tracking while the Honor 90 has an RGB sensor which can be used for color sensing. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
OnePlus 9 Advantages:
- Superior Performance: The Snapdragon 888 offers significantly higher processing power, leading to faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and better gaming performance.
- Advanced Camera Features: Includes a wide-angle lens, and 8K video recording, offering more versatile photography capabilities. Offers also a dedicated black & white sensor and has Manual Focus and Contrast Detection Autofocus.
- Enhanced Audio: Features Dolby Atmos, stereo speakers, and three microphones for superior audio capture and playback.
- Wireless Charging: Offers 15W wireless charging.
- Better GPS: Provides more accurate GPS due to dual-band support.
- Better Screen Protection: Has Corning Gorilla Glass 5.
- Gyroscope: Includes a gyroscope for advanced motion tracking, especially useful for gaming.
Honor 90 Advantages:
- Newer Technology: Launched more recently, potentially offering better software support and newer technologies.
- Larger, Higher Resolution Display: A bigger and sharper screen for a more immersive viewing experience.
- Higher Brightness: Significantly brighter display for excellent outdoor visibility.
- Larger Battery: Offers a larger battery, likely leading to longer battery life.
- Higher Resolution Cameras: Both front and back cameras have much higher megapixel counts, potentially capturing more details.
- More RAM Option: Offers a 16GB RAM option, ideal for heavy multitasking.
- Higher Storage Options: Comes with 256/512GB versions.
- Depth Sensor: Has a depth sensor for improved portrait photography.
- Wider Angle + Macro Lens: Offers a wide angle + macro camera for versatile photography.
- Faster Charging: Offers slightly faster wired charging.
Trade-offs:
- OnePlus 9 sacrifices newer camera sensors, a bigger battery and display, and 16GB of RAM for better performance, enhanced audio and more advanced camera features.
- Honor 90 sacrifices raw performance and more advanced camera options for a higher resolution screen and battery, larger storage options and more RAM and a slightly better selfie camera.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Ideal User for OnePlus 9:
- Performance Enthusiasts: Gamers and users who need the best possible performance from their phone.
- Multimedia Creators: Users who need to record high-quality video (up to 8K) or use enhanced audio features.
- Photography Enthusiasts: Users who want versatile camera options including a wide-angle lens and more manual controls.
- Users Who value Wireless Charging: Those who prefer the convenience of wireless charging.
Specific Use Cases for OnePlus 9:
- Playing graphically intensive games.
- Recording high-resolution video.
- Editing photos and videos on the go.
- Listening to music with enhanced audio quality.
Ideal User for Honor 90:
- Casual Users: Everyday users who prioritize a large, high-quality display, long battery life, and good camera quality.
- Social Media Users: People who take many selfies and prefer detailed images.
- Users Who value high brightness: Users who use the phone often in bright sunlight.
- Multi-taskers: Users who need more ram for multi-tasking on their phone.
Specific Use Cases for Honor 90:
- Watching videos and movies on the go.
- Taking selfies and sharing content on social media.
- Using the phone outdoors for extended periods.
- Heavy multi-tasking.
Price-to-Value Ratio:
- The OnePlus 9 may offer better value for performance and camera versatility, especially for power users if found at a lower price.
- The Honor 90 might be a better value for a user focused on screen quality, battery life and higher storage and RAM options.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- How important is raw performance for gaming and app loading? If very important, OnePlus 9 is preferable.
- What is the primary use case for the camera? If versatility and professional quality are preferred, the OnePlus 9 is a better fit. For high-resolution selfies and general social media use, the Honor 90 might be sufficient.
- How crucial is battery life and outdoor screen visibility? If important, the Honor 90 is better suited.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: High-Performance Gaming: Choose OnePlus 9 for its superior chipset and GPU.
- Scenario 2: All-Day Use with Excellent Display: Choose Honor 90 for its better battery life, higher brightness, and larger screen.
- Scenario 3: Versatile Camera and Creative Uses: Choose OnePlus 9 for its wider lens, more versatile options and higher-end video recording.
- Scenario 4: Multitasking and Storage: Choose Honor 90 for its 16 GB of RAM and 512 GB storage option.
My Choice:
If I had to choose between the two, I would lean towards the OnePlus 9. While the Honor 90 offers a more modern package with a larger screen and higher resolution cameras, the OnePlus 9’s superior processing power is more important to me. I also value the inclusion of more versatile camera options, 8K video recording, enhanced audio capabilities and wireless charging. Additionally, having a gyroscope will help in gaming. I can tolerate a smaller battery and a slightly less sharp screen for the better performance and enhanced features. However, if I were a user who prioritized a large and bright display for outdoor use, along with excellent battery life, the Honor 90 would be a better choice, but for me the difference in processing power is more important.
