1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | OnePlus 9 | Huawei Mate X3 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Form Factor | Standard | Foldable | Huawei Mate X3 offers a larger screen that folds for portability; OnePlus 9 is a standard slab phone. |
| Dimensions | 160 × 74.2 × 8.7 mm | 156.9 × 141.5 × 5.3 mm (Unfolded) | OnePlus 9 is taller and thicker; Huawei Mate X3 is much wider when unfolded and thinner. The Mate X3 has a larger overall volume despite being shorter. |
| Weight | 192g | 239g | OnePlus 9 is significantly lighter and more comfortable for extended one-handed use. The Mate X3 is heavier, likely making it less convenient for prolonged use. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.55" | 7.85" | Huawei Mate X3 offers a significantly larger screen for immersive media consumption and multitasking. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 2224x2496 | Huawei Mate X3 provides a much sharper and clearer image due to the higher resolution. |
| PPI | 402 | 426 | Huawei Mate X3 has a slightly sharper screen but the difference is not drastic. |
| Technology | AMOLED | Unknown | OnePlus 9's AMOLED display offers better contrast, black levels, and power efficiency for dark themes compared to the unknown tech of the Huawei Mate X3. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | Both offer smooth scrolling and animations. |
| Brightness | 1100 nits | 0 nits | OnePlus 9 is significantly better for outdoor visibility in bright conditions. The missing brightness spec for the Mate X3 is a critical omission, making it impossible to assess its outdoor usability. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Snapdragon 888 5G (5 nm) | Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 4G (4 nm) | Huawei Mate X3's chipset is newer, offering better performance but lacks 5G capability. OnePlus 9 has older chipset with 5G but weaker performance. |
| AnTuTu Score | 880,900 | 1,238,400 | Huawei Mate X3 performs considerably better in benchmarks, indicating faster app loading and smoother overall performance. |
| GPU | Adreno 660 | Adreno 730 | Huawei Mate X3's GPU is more powerful, meaning better gaming performance and graphics rendering. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 4500mAh | 4800mAh | Huawei Mate X3 has a slightly larger battery, which may translate to slightly longer usage between charges. |
| Charging | 65W fast charging, 15W Wireless | 66W fast charging, 50W wireless | Huawei Mate X3 has faster wireless charging (50W vs 15W), and slightly faster wired charging, making it more convenient for on-the-go power-ups. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 48MP f/1.79 1/1.4" Sony IMX689 1.12µm | 50MP f/1.8 1/1.56" Sony IMX766 1.00µm | OnePlus 9 has a larger sensor which typically means better low light performance, while the Mate X3 has slightly higher resolution and a smaller sensor. |
| Selfie Camera | 16MP f/2.4 1/3.13" Sony IMX471 1.00µm | 8MP f/2.4, Unknown Sensor, Unknown Pixel Size | OnePlus 9 has a higher-resolution selfie camera. The Mate X3 specs are incomplete, so direct comparison is difficult. |
| Telephoto Lens | None | 16MP f/3.4 1/3.09" Sony IMX351 1.00µm | Huawei Mate X3 offers a dedicated telephoto lens for optical zoom, while OnePlus 9 lacks this feature. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 50MP f/2.2 1/1.56" Sony IMX766 1.00µm | None | OnePlus 9 has a dedicated wide-angle lens, the Mate X3 lacks this feature. |
| Wide + Macro | None | 12MP f/2.2 Sony IMX688 | Huawei Mate X3 offers a wide + macro camera, a feature missing on the OnePlus 9. |
| Black & White Lens | 2MP f/2.4 | None | OnePlus 9 includes a black and white sensor which could enhance monochrome images; missing on Mate X3. |
| Video | Up to 8K@30fps with HDR, EIS | Up to 4K@60fps with EIS | OnePlus 9 has the ability to shoot videos up to 8K resolution, while Mate X3 only goes up to 4K, albeit at 60fps which can be a preferable capture mode for some. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11, upgradeable to 13 | Unknown | OnePlus 9 has a clear upgrade path to Android 13; The OS of the Mate X3 is not defined. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) | Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) | Both support modern Wi-Fi standards, ensuring fast wireless connectivity. |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.2 with LE, APT-x, LDAC | Bluetooth 5.2 with LE, EDR, LDAC | Both have Bluetooth 5.2; OnePlus 9 supports APT-x; Huawei Mate X3 has EDR. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, Beidou, QZSS, Galileo, NavIC | Huawei Mate X3 supports more satellite systems for better location accuracy. |
| SIM | Dual SIM Dual Standby | Dual SIM Full Active | Both support Dual SIM; Huawei Mate X3 is full active, meaning both SIMs can be used at the same time, a slightly better feature compared to dual standby on the OnePlus. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 128GB or 256GB | 256GB, 512GB or 1024GB | Huawei Mate X3 offers much higher storage options for users requiring a lot of storage space for media and files. |
| RAM | 8GB or 12GB | 8GB or 12GB | Both phones offer plenty of RAM for multitasking. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone allows for additional storage, limiting users to the built-in memory. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Dolby Atmos, Stereo Speakers | Stereo Speakers | OnePlus 9 has Dolby Atmos, noise cancellation microphone and three microphones; Mate X3 has basic stereo. |
| Security | |||
| Features | Basic fingerprint sensor | Side-mounted fingerprint sensor | Huawei Mate X3 has a more modern and convenient side-mounted fingerprint sensor. |
| Build | |||
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | Unknown | OnePlus 9 offers known screen protection against scratches and damage, the Mate X3 is unknown. |
| Sensors | Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope | Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Barometer | Huawei Mate X3 has an additional Barometer, which is useful for altitude measurement. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
OnePlus 9 Advantages:
- Lighter and more compact: Significantly more comfortable for one-handed use and daily carry.
- Superior Display Technology (AMOLED): Better black levels, contrast, and power efficiency, especially for dark themes.
- Higher display brightness: Better visibility in bright sunlight, making it better for outdoor use.
- 8K Video Recording: Offers higher video recording resolution for professional video capture.
- Wide-Angle Camera: Dedicated wide-angle camera for versatility.
- More defined Software Experience: Has a known Android version and clear upgrade path.
- Dolby Atmos: Enhanced audio experience.
- Black & White Lens: Offers additional creative camera options for monochrome photography.
- Gorilla Glass 5: Superior screen protection.
Huawei Mate X3 Advantages:
- Foldable Design with larger display: Provides a tablet-like experience when unfolded and more compact when folded.
- Newer Chipset (Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1): Significantly better performance in benchmarks and real-world tasks.
- Better Graphics (Adreno 730): More powerful GPU for gaming and graphics-intensive applications.
- Larger Battery: Slightly better battery life.
- Faster Charging (66W wired, 50W wireless): Quicker charging capabilities, both wired and wirelessly.
- Telephoto Lens: Dedicated telephoto lens for optical zoom, offering increased camera versatility.
- Dual SIM Full Active: Both SIMs are usable at the same time, an improvement over dual standby.
- More Storage Options: Offers larger internal storage options for media and files.
- Additional Sensors: Includes a Barometer, providing more environmental data.
Trade-offs:
- OnePlus 9: Trades some performance and camera versatility for a more compact and user-friendly design, as well as a superior display in certain aspects.
- Huawei Mate X3: Trades some portability for a larger, foldable display, and does not have the same software clarity as the OnePlus 9. It also has an unknown display technology that may not be as good. It also lacks a dedicated wide-angle camera. The lack of a stated screen protection is also a cause for concern.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
OnePlus 9 Ideal User:
- Users who prioritize portability: Prefer a lightweight phone that's easy to carry and use with one hand.
- Content consumers: Appreciate an AMOLED display for vibrant colors and deep blacks.
- Users who take videos often: Need 8K video capabilities.
- Outdoor users: Benefit from a bright display for visibility in sunlight.
- Users who care about software updates: Can be upgraded to Android 13.
- Audio Lovers: Will benefit from Dolby Atmos, noise cancellation and 3 microphones
Use Cases:
- Everyday use, social media, browsing
- Outdoor photography and videography
- Casual mobile gaming
- Media consumption on the go
Huawei Mate X3 Ideal User:
- Users who prioritize screen real estate: Want a large, foldable display for immersive experiences.
- Heavy multitaskers: Need a powerful processor for demanding applications.
- Users who need lots of storage: Will fill up internal storage.
- Users who need to zoom: Will value the dedicated telephoto lens.
- Users who need long battery life: Will make use of slightly larger battery capacity.
- Users who charge quickly: Will appreciate fast wired and wireless charging.
- Users in need of enhanced GPS: Will appreciate the extra satellite tracking.
Use Cases:
- Productivity and multitasking (e.g., editing documents, spreadsheets, presentations)
- Immersive media consumption (movies, games, etc)
- Photography requiring optical zoom
- Gaming with great graphic performance
- Navigation in challenging environments
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- Do you prefer a standard smartphone design or the versatility of a foldable? The OnePlus 9 is a traditional slab, while the Mate X3 offers a more versatile design.
- Is display quality more important or raw performance? The OnePlus 9 has an excellent AMOLED display, while the Mate X3 offers significantly higher performance.
- How important is camera versatility and zoom capabilities? The OnePlus 9 has a wide-angle lens, the Mate X3 has a dedicated telephoto lens.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: On-the-Go Multimedia Consumer
- Recommendation: OnePlus 9. Its lighter design, high-quality AMOLED screen, and good brightness make it ideal for media on the go.
- Scenario 2: Power User / Multitasker
- Recommendation: Huawei Mate X3. Its stronger processor and larger display are excellent for demanding applications.
- Scenario 3: Photographer:
- Recommendation: It depends, The OnePlus 9 has 8K video capability and a dedicated wide-angle lens while the Huawei Mate X3 has a dedicated telephoto lens.
- Scenario 4: Value Buyer
- Recommendation: The OnePlus 9 would be better for people looking for a value phone.
My Choice:
If I were to choose between these two phones, I would opt for the OnePlus 9. While the Huawei Mate X3 has impressive features, including a foldable design and significantly better performance, my daily use case aligns better with the OnePlus 9. I value the lightweight, compact design for one-handed use, the vibrant AMOLED display for media consumption, the known software clarity, and the superior outdoor visibility thanks to the brightness of the screen. Additionally, the inclusion of a wide-angle lens and 8K video are more useful to me. Even though the Huawei Mate X3 has better benchmark scores, for my daily use the OnePlus 9 is sufficient. The missing brightness spec for the Mate X3 also makes me hesitant. Finally, the OnePlus 9 likely offers a better price-to-value ratio. The Mate X3, despite its innovation, caters to a more niche market.
