1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | OnePlus 9 | Honor Magic5 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 160 × 74.2 × 8.7 mm | 162.9 × 76.7 × 8.8 mm | Honor Magic5 Pro is slightly larger and may feel less comfortable for one-handed use, OnePlus 9 is slightly more compact. |
| Weight | 192g | 219g | OnePlus 9 is significantly lighter, making it more comfortable for extended use and carrying in pockets. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.55" | 6.81" | Honor Magic5 Pro has a slightly larger display, offering a more immersive experience for media consumption and gaming. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1312x2848 | Honor Magic5 Pro has a much sharper display with more detail, better for reading, photos, and videos. |
| PPI | 402 | 460 | Honor Magic5 Pro has a noticeably sharper display, resulting in crisper text and images. |
| Technology | AMOLED | OLED | Similar quality displays, both offer vibrant colors and deep blacks. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | Both offer smooth scrolling and animations. |
| Brightness | 1100 nits | 1800 nits | Honor Magic5 Pro is much better for outdoor use in bright sunlight. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Snapdragon 888 5G (5 nm) | Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 (4 nm) | Honor Magic5 Pro has a significantly faster processor, resulting in faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and better gaming performance. |
| AnTuTu Score | 880,900 | 1,406,562 | Honor Magic5 Pro offers a significantly smoother experience, especially in demanding applications. |
| GPU | Adreno 660 | Adreno 740 | Honor Magic5 Pro provides better graphics performance, offering an advantage in gaming and other GPU-intensive tasks. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 48MP, f/1.79, 1/1.4", 1.12µm | 50MP, f/1.6, 1/1.12", 1.40µm | Honor Magic5 Pro's main camera should capture more light, detail, and has a better dynamic range. |
| Telephoto | None | 50MP, f/3.0, 1/2.51", 0.64µm | Honor Magic5 Pro has a telephoto lens for optical zoom, enhancing versatility, not available on OnePlus 9. |
| Selfie Camera | 16MP, f/2.4, 1/3.13", 1.00µm | 12MP, f/2.4, 1.22µm | OnePlus 9 has a higher megapixel count for the selfie camera, but Honor Magic5 Pro may offer better light capture and pixel size |
| Wide Angle Lens | 50MP, f/2.2, 1/1.56", 1.00µm | None | OnePlus 9 has a dedicated ultrawide lens, great for group photos and landscapes, not available on Honor Magic5 Pro. |
| Wide Angle + Macro | None | 50MP, f/2.0, 1/2", 0.70µm | Honor Magic5 Pro has a wide angle lens with macro capabilities enhancing versatility. |
| ToF 3D sensor | None | 0.3MP | Honor Magic5 Pro may have improved depth sensing for AR applications and better portrait modes, not available on OnePlus 9. |
| Black & white | 2MP, f/2.4 | None | OnePlus 9 has a dedicated B&W sensor for artistic photos, not available on Honor Magic5 Pro. |
| Video | 8K@30fps, 4K@60fps, EIS | 4K@60fps, EIS | OnePlus 9 offers higher video resolution, but both offer similar frame rates at 4K. Honor Magic5 Pro offers Optical stabilization. |
| DxOMark | Not Tested | Mobile: 152, Selfie: 123 | Honor Magic5 Pro has a confirmed excellent camera performance, as per DxOMark, while OnePlus 9 camera performance is unknown based on DxOMark. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 4500mAh | 5100mAh | Honor Magic5 Pro will likely have better battery life, allowing for longer usage between charges. |
| Charging | 65W Fast, 15W Wireless | 66W Fast, 50W Wireless, 5W Reverse | Honor Magic5 Pro charges faster wirelessly, and can be used to charge other devices. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 (up to 13) | Android 13 (up to 14) | Honor Magic5 Pro has a more recent OS, which may include new features, better performance, and improved security. |
| Connectivity | |||
| WiFi | Wi-Fi 6 | Wi-Fi 7 | Honor Magic5 Pro supports the latest WiFi standard, resulting in faster speeds and better reliability, especially in crowded areas. |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.2 | Bluetooth 5.2 | Both offer similar Bluetooth features, Honor Magic5 Pro has the extra EDR. |
| GPS | GPS, GLONASS, etc. | GPS, QZSS, etc. | Honor Magic5 Pro has broader satellite support, offering potentially higher accuracy and reliability. |
| SIM | Dual Nano SIM | Dual Nano SIM/eSIM | Honor Magic5 Pro provides eSIM support allowing for an extra digital sim profile. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal Storage | 128/256 GB | 128/256/512 GB | Honor Magic5 Pro provides a larger storage option, useful for those who need extra space for files, photos, and apps. |
| RAM | 8/12 GB | 8/12/16 GB | Honor Magic5 Pro offers more RAM for smoother multitasking, and better performance when running multiple applications or heavy games. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone allows for storage expansion. |
| Audio | |||
| Audio Quality | Dolby Atmos, Noise Cancellation, 3 Mics | DTS / DTS X, Stereo Speakers | OnePlus 9 offers more immersive audio with Dolby Atmos and better voice capture with noise cancellation, Honor Magic5 Pro offers a different spatial audio technology. |
| Security | |||
| Fingerprint | Basic Fingerprint Sensor | Basic Fingerprint Sensor | Both offer the same basic biometric security with a fingerprint scanner. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | Unknown | OnePlus 9 has a screen protection with Corning Gorilla Glass 5 which is considered very reliable. Honor Magic5 Pro screen protection is unknown. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Gravity | Honor Magic5 Pro has an additional Gravity sensor, useful for advanced gaming and features. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
OnePlus 9 Advantages:
- Lighter and More Compact: More comfortable to hold and carry for extended periods.
- Dedicated Ultrawide Camera: Better versatility for landscapes and group photos.
- 8K Video Recording: Offers higher video quality for those who need it.
- Dolby Atmos + Noise Cancellation: Enhanced audio experience with spatial audio and clearer calls.
- Confirmed screen protection: The screen is protected by Gorilla Glass 5.
- Black and White camera: For artistic photos.
Practical Implications of OnePlus 9 Advantages:
- The OnePlus 9's lighter weight enhances portability and ease of use.
- Having an ultrawide lens is useful for photography enthusiasts.
- 8K video recording allows for high-resolution video capture, but the storage space needed is higher.
- Dolby Atmos improves the sound of movies or music in the speaker.
Honor Magic5 Pro Advantages:
- Superior Performance: Faster chipset and GPU results in smoother multitasking and gaming.
- Higher Resolution & Brighter Display: Sharper, more vibrant screen with excellent outdoor visibility.
- Larger Battery: Longer battery life for extended use without needing frequent charging.
- Better Main Camera: Larger sensor and wider aperture for improved low-light performance.
- Telephoto + Macro lens: Improved camera versatility with optical zoom and macro capabilities.
- Faster Wireless Charging: Convenient and faster wireless charging.
- Reverse Wireless Charging: Can charge other devices wirelessly.
- Newer OS: Up to date OS version with the latest features and security updates.
- Latest WiFi Standard: Faster and more reliable WiFi connectivity.
- Larger RAM and Storage options: Better multitasking and more space for media and apps.
- eSIM Support: More convenient for travel or multiple phone numbers.
- DxOMark Tested camera: Confirmed high performance on both main and selfie cameras.
Practical Implications of Honor Magic5 Pro Advantages:
- The Honor Magic5 Pro's superior performance enhances overall usability, especially in demanding situations.
- The brighter and sharper display makes it better for outdoor use and viewing high-resolution media.
- Better battery life means less need for frequent charging.
- The upgraded camera system results in better photo and video capture in diverse conditions.
- The latest wifi and eSIM can improve performance in certain use cases.
Trade-offs:
- The Honor Magic5 Pro is heavier and larger compared to the OnePlus 9.
- The OnePlus 9 lacks a telephoto lens for optical zoom, where Honor Magic5 Pro excels, but the OnePlus 9 offers an ultrawide camera which the Honor Magic5 Pro lacks.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
OnePlus 9 Ideal User:
- Users who prioritize a lightweight and compact design.
- Photographers who enjoy wide-angle shots.
- Users who want good audio quality with spatial sound and clear calls.
- Users who want high resolution videos.
- Users who want a phone with screen protection and an artistic B&W camera.
Use Cases for OnePlus 9:
- Everyday phone calls and messaging.
- Casual photography with an emphasis on ultrawide shots.
- Consuming media with great sound quality.
- Video content creators who need 8K videos.
- People who prefer a more compact and portable phone.
Honor Magic5 Pro Ideal User:
- Users who demand the best performance for gaming and multitasking.
- Photography enthusiasts who want versatile camera features including better low light performance.
- Users who need a long battery life for all-day use.
- People who need the latest features, like faster WiFi and eSIM.
- Users who value a bright and sharp display for media consumption.
Use Cases for Honor Magic5 Pro:
- Demanding gaming with high graphical fidelity.
- Professional photography and video capture in various conditions.
- All-day use without the need for charging.
- Heavy multitasking with multiple apps running simultaneously.
- Frequent travel with eSIM support.
- Users who watch videos frequently.
Price-to-Value Ratio:
- The Honor Magic5 Pro, being newer, is likely more expensive but provides better overall features.
- The OnePlus 9 could be a better value pick for those with less demanding needs.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions to Ask:
- How important is portability and lightweight design to you? (OnePlus 9 is lighter and more compact)
- What are your main use cases for the camera? (Honor Magic5 Pro has better main, telephoto, and macro lenses while the OnePlus 9 has an ultrawide camera and 8K video capabilities)
- How much do you prioritize battery life, performance, and display quality? (Honor Magic5 Pro excels in all three)
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Budget-Conscious User: If budget is the primary concern, the OnePlus 9 will offer good value and a lightweight experience.
- Performance and Camera Enthusiast: The Honor Magic5 Pro is the better option for those who want the best camera, performance, and battery.
- Frequent Traveler: The Honor Magic5 Pro has support for eSIM and a better GPS, making it more suitable for travel.
- Everyday User: If the user only needs basic phone functionality with good battery life and a lightweight build, the OnePlus 9 will suffice.
My Choice
I would choose the Honor Magic5 Pro. Although I value the lightweight design of the OnePlus 9, the performance boost offered by the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2, the superior camera system with telephoto and macro lenses, the much brighter and sharper display, larger battery, and the latest WiFi and OS are too significant to ignore. The Honor Magic5 Pro seems to provide better overall performance and a more complete flagship experience for a wider range of tasks. The confirmed performance of the cameras, due to the DxOMark tests, also makes this phone a much better choice for people that prioritize camera performance. The additional features of the Honor Magic5 Pro, such as faster wireless charging, reverse charging, and eSIM support, further solidify its position as the superior choice for my needs. The additional features of the Honor Magic5 Pro outweigh the lightweight design of the OnePlus 9 for my personal usage scenario.
