1. Specifications Comparison
Here's a detailed comparison of the OnePlus 9 and Honor Magic4 Pro, focusing on their practical implications:
Design
| Feature | OnePlus 9 | Honor Magic4 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Dimensions | 160 × 74.2 × 8.7 mm | 163.6 × 74.7 × 9.1 mm | The Honor Magic4 Pro is slightly taller and thicker, making it slightly less pocketable. |
| Weight | 192g | 209g | The OnePlus 9 is noticeably lighter, offering more comfortable prolonged use. |
Display
| Feature | OnePlus 9 | Honor Magic4 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Size | 6.55" | 6.81" | Honor Magic4 Pro provides a more immersive experience with a larger screen for media and gaming. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1312x2848 | The Honor Magic4 Pro has a significantly sharper display, leading to clearer text and images. |
| PPI | 402 | 460 | The higher pixel density on the Honor Magic4 Pro results in a more crisp and detailed visual experience. |
| Technology | AMOLED | OLED | Both offer excellent colors and deep blacks, with no practical difference for most users. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | Both provide smooth scrolling and animations. |
| Brightness | 1100 nits | 1000 nits | OnePlus 9 offers slightly better outdoor visibility in bright sunlight. |
Performance
| Feature | OnePlus 9 | Honor Magic4 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM8350 Snapdragon 888 5G (5 nm) | Qualcomm SM8450 Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 (4 nm) | Honor Magic4 Pro offers a newer generation chipset with better overall performance and efficiency. |
| AnTuTu Score | 880,900 | 945,832 | Honor Magic4 Pro provides slightly better performance for demanding tasks and games. |
| GPU | Adreno 660 | Adreno 730 | Honor Magic4 Pro has a newer GPU for improved graphics rendering. |
Camera
| Feature | OnePlus 9 | Honor Magic4 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Main Camera Resolution | 48MP | 50MP | Slightly higher resolution on Honor Magic4 Pro, but the difference is marginal |
| Main Camera Aperture | f/1.79 | f/1.9 | OnePlus 9 gathers more light resulting in slightly better low-light performance. |
| Main Camera Sensor Size | 1/1.4" | 1/1.56" | OnePlus 9 has a larger sensor for better light gathering and dynamic range. |
| Telephoto Camera | Not Available | 64MP | Honor Magic4 Pro has an dedicated telephoto lens for better zoom capabilities. |
| Selfie Camera Resolution | 16MP | 12MP | OnePlus 9 offers higher-resolution selfies. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 50MP | Not Available | OnePlus 9 has an dedicated wide angle lens for capturing a wider field of view. |
| ToF 3D Sensor | Not Available | 0.3MP | Honor Magic4 Pro has a ToF sensor for depth mapping in photos and videos |
| Wide Angle + Macro | Not Available | 50MP | Honor Magic4 Pro offers a macro mode using its wide-angle lens |
| Black & White Camera | 2MP | Not Available | OnePlus 9 captures dedicated black & white photos for artistic effects. |
| Video Recording | Up to 8K@30fps | Up to 4K@60fps | OnePlus 9 supports higher 8K video resolution |
| Slow-Motion | 480fps | 960fps | Honor Magic4 Pro records slower slow-motion videos. |
| DXOMARK | Not Tested | Main: 126, Photo: 132, Video: 117 | Honor Magic4 Pro's camera performance has been independently tested and benchmarked. |
| Camera Features | 8K Video, Triple Camera, Contrast Autofocus, RAW 12 bits | Optical Zoom, Quad Camera, OIS, Laser AF, Dual Front Camera, Main Selfie Cam, RAW | Honor Magic4 Pro offers more versatile camera features. |
Battery
| Feature | OnePlus 9 | Honor Magic4 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Capacity | 4500mAh | 4600mAh | Similar battery life for both phones, with a minor edge for the Honor Magic4 Pro |
| Charging Speed | 65W | 100W | Honor Magic4 Pro charges significantly faster. |
| Wireless Charging | 15W | 100W | Honor Magic4 Pro offers much faster wireless charging. |
| Reverse Charging | Not Available | Available | The Honor Magic4 Pro can charge other devices wirelessly. |
Other
| Feature | OnePlus 9 | Honor Magic4 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|
| OS | Android 11, Upgradable to 13 | Android 12 | Honor Magic4 Pro starts with a newer Android version. |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6 | Wi-Fi 6 | Both have similar Wi-Fi capabilities. |
| Bluetooth | 5.2, aptX, LDAC, AAC, SBC | 5.2, aptX, LDAC, AAC, SBC, EDR | Honor Magic4 Pro has the additional EDR feature for Bluetooth connection |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, Beidou, QZSS, Galileo, NavIC | Honor Magic4 Pro has more extensive GPS support for better location accuracy |
| Internal Storage | 128/256 GB | 256/512 GB | Honor Magic4 Pro offers higher maximum storage capacities. |
| RAM | 8/12 GB | 8/12 GB | Both offer adequate RAM for multitasking. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone has expandable storage. |
| Audio Quality | Dolby Atmos, Noise Cancelling, 3 Mics | DTS/DTS X, Stereo Speakers | OnePlus 9 offers more enhanced audio quality, while Honor Magic4 Pro offers stereo speakers with DTS support. |
| Security | Fingerprint sensor | Fingerprint sensor | Both offer basic fingerprint security |
| Screen Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | Unknown | OnePlus 9 has confirmed screen protection |
| Sensors | Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Proximity, Fingerprint | Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Proximity, Gravity, Fingerprint | Honor Magic4 Pro includes a Gravity Sensor |
2. Key Differences Analysis
OnePlus 9 Advantages
- Lighter and more compact: More comfortable for single-hand use and pocketable.
- Brighter Display: Offers better outdoor visibility.
- 8K Video Recording: Allows higher quality video capture for professional use cases.
- Wider Aperture in Main Camera: Slightly better low-light performance and shallower depth of field.
- Dedicated Wide Angle Lens: Allows dedicated wide-angle captures, unlike the Magic4 Pro which uses its ultrawide lens for macro photos.
- Dolby Atmos, Noise cancellation microphone, 3 microphones: Better audio quality for content consumption and recording.
Honor Magic4 Pro Advantages
- Newer and More Powerful Chipset: Superior performance for demanding games and tasks.
- Sharper Display: Higher resolution and pixel density providing a more detailed visual experience.
- Telephoto Lens: Dedicated zoom capabilities for capturing distant subjects.
- Faster Charging: Significantly faster both wired and wireless charging.
- Reverse Wireless Charging: Can charge other devices wirelessly.
- ToF 3D Sensor: Better depth sensing capabilities for camera features.
- Wide Angle + Macro camera: Can take both wide-angle and macro shots with same camera.
- Higher Storage Options: 256GB and 512GB storage options vs 128GB and 256GB on the OnePlus 9.
- Better GPS: Supports more satelite systems.
- DXOMARK scores Independently tested and benchmarked camera performance.
- More Camera Features: Has Optical Zoom, Quad Camera, OIS, Laser AF, Dual Front Camera, Main Selfie Cam, RAW
Significant Trade-Offs
- OnePlus 9: Loses out on newer chipset, telephoto lens, and faster charging, which may hinder performance for power users and those seeking more diverse photography options.
- Honor Magic4 Pro: Slightly heavier and bulkier, and does not have 8k video recording and wide angle lens.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
OnePlus 9 Ideal Users
- Users who value a lightweight and compact design: Prefers phones that are easy to handle and pocket.
- Users who prioritize outdoor screen visibility: Those frequently using their phone in bright sunlight.
- Video Enthusiasts who require 8K video capture: Professionals or hobbyists needing high-resolution video.
- Users who value better audio recording quality: For calls, and video recordings.
- Users who value dedicated Wide Angle Lens: Users who like wide-angle shots.
Use Cases:
- Casual browsing, social media, and everyday tasks.
- Outdoor photography and videography where brightness is essential.
- Video recording in very high resolution
- Users who prefer a device that offers great audio quality
Honor Magic4 Pro Ideal Users
- Power users and gamers: Those who need top-tier performance for demanding applications and gaming.
- Users who prioritize display sharpness: Those who want the best visual quality for consuming content.
- Users who need versatile camera system: Those who want a capable camera system with a telephoto lens, and macro capabilities.
- Users who want fast charging: Those who need to charge their phone quickly and wirelessly.
- Users who need higher storage: Those who need to store a lot of data.
- Users who want to record slow motion videos: For those who are interested in slowing down time in their videos.
Use Cases:
- Gaming, heavy multitasking, and performance-intensive apps.
- High-quality media consumption and detailed visual work.
- Capturing zoom photography or taking advantage of Macro capabilities.
- Users that need to charge their device quickly.
- Using the device to charge other devices.
Price-to-Value Ratio
- The price-to-value ratio would depend on the pricing of the Honor Magic4 Pro vs the OnePlus 9. If the price is comparable or similar, the Honor Magic4 Pro offers superior value for most users with its newer features and performance. If the price difference is significantly higher, the OnePlus 9 might be a better option for budget users.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- Do you prioritize a compact and lightweight design or a large screen? (OnePlus 9 is lighter; Honor Magic4 Pro has a larger screen.)
- Do you need the absolute best performance and camera versatility or does the performance of the OnePlus 9 suffice? (Honor Magic4 Pro has a more powerful chipset and better telephoto/macro capabilities.)
- Do you need fast charging, and wireless charging features, or is fast charging not a priority? (Honor Magic4 Pro has much faster wired and wireless charging and reverse wireless charging.)
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- For the Casual User: If you need a good overall phone for everyday tasks, with a reliable camera, the OnePlus 9 is a solid, budget-friendly choice.
- For the Power User/Gamer: If you need maximum performance, a better display, and a more versatile camera, the Honor Magic4 Pro is the superior option, though it comes with some trade-offs in weight and size.
- For the Photography Enthusiast: If you require high-resolution 8k video, with good low light, and a wide angle lens, the OnePlus 9 is a good option. If you require zoom, macro capabilities and better camera performance based on testing benchmarks, the Honor Magic4 Pro is a better choice.
- For the Battery Conscious User: If you need the phone to charge very quickly and wirelessly, the Honor Magic4 Pro is a clear winner.
My Choice and Why:
I would choose the Honor Magic4 Pro. While the OnePlus 9 has its strengths, the Honor Magic4 Pro offers a more compelling package overall. I value the newer and more powerful chipset for better performance, especially in demanding games and applications. I also prefer the sharper display for media consumption and the versatile camera system, which includes a telephoto lens, OIS, and macro capabilities. The much faster wired and wireless charging are also crucial factors, allowing me to quickly top up the device.
The Honor Magic4 Pro, is a better choice for people looking for better performance, more camera versatility, faster charging and a more premium device.
