1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | OnePlus 9 | Huawei nova 11 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 160 × 74.2 × 8.7 mm | 164.3 × 74.4 × 7.9 mm | Huawei is taller by 4.3mm, OnePlus is thicker by 0.8mm. Overall size is similar, but Huawei is slightly thinner and taller. |
| Weight | 192g | 188g | Very similar weight. Negligible difference. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.55" | 6.78" | Huawei has a slightly larger display, good for media consumption. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1200x2652 | Huawei's display is noticeably sharper, leading to clearer text and images. |
| Pixel Density | 402 ppi | 429 ppi | Huawei's higher pixel density makes the screen look sharper. |
| Technology | AMOLED | OLED | Both are high quality, delivering vibrant colors and deep blacks. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | Both offer smooth scrolling and animations. |
| Brightness | 1100 nits | 950 nits | OnePlus 9 is better for outdoor visibility in bright sunlight. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Snapdragon 888 5G (5 nm) | Snapdragon 778G 4G (6 nm) | OnePlus 9 has a much more powerful chipset for demanding tasks like gaming and video editing. Huawei nova 11 Pro is still capable for day to day use. |
| Antutu Score | 880,900 | 592,297 | OnePlus 9 is significantly faster, offering smoother performance across the board. |
| GPU | Adreno 660 | Adreno 642L | OnePlus 9 has a more powerful GPU, giving it a clear advantage in gaming. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | |||
| Resolution | 48MP | 50MP | Similar resolution, with marginal difference. |
| Aperture | f/1.79 | f/1.9 | OnePlus 9's wider aperture allows more light, better in low light. |
| Sensor Size | 1/1.4" | Unknown | OnePlus 9 has a larger sensor size, allowing it to capture more detail and perform better in low-light conditions |
| Selfie Camera | |||
| Resolution | 16MP | 60MP | Huawei's selfie camera has a significantly higher resolution, good for very detailed selfies. |
| Sensor Size | 1/3.13" | 1/2.8" | Huawei has slightly larger sensor for better quality in selfies. |
| Wide Angle | 50MP (dedicated) | 8MP (Macro) | OnePlus 9 provides a dedicated ultra-wide lens, where Huawei's is shared with a Macro function. |
| Black & White | 2MP (dedicated) | None | OnePlus 9 has a dedicated sensor, where Huawei doesn't have one. |
| Video Recording | 8K@30fps, 4K@60fps | 720p@960fps | OnePlus 9 records higher resolution video, great for content creators. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 4500mAh | 4500mAh | Both offer similar battery life under normal use. |
| Charging | 65W | 100W | Huawei charges much faster, reducing downtime. |
| Features | 15W Wireless Charging | Reverse charging | OnePlus 9 offers wireless charging, whereas Huawei nova 11 Pro allows you to charge other devices. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 (upgradable to 13) | Unknown | OnePlus 9 has a modern and known android based system, Huawei has a unknown OS. |
| Connectivity | |||
| WiFi | WiFi 6 | WiFi 6 | Both have latest WiFi versions. |
| Bluetooth | 5.2 | 5.2 | Both have latest Bluetooth versions. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo, GPS (L1+L5), BeiDou (B1), Galileo (E1+E5a), BeiDou (B2) | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, Galileo, GPS (L1+L5), BeiDou (B1), Galileo (E1+E5a), NavIC System, QZSS (L1 + L5) | Huawei has slightly better GPS support. |
| SIM | Dual SIM Dual Standby | Dual SIM Dual Standby | Both phones support 2 sims. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 128 GB or 256 GB | 128 GB or 256 GB or 512 GB | Huawei offers more storage options for users. |
| RAM | 8 GB or 12 GB | 6 GB or 8 GB or 12 GB | Both phones offer similar performance, but the base model of Huawei is smaller. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither phone can have its storage expanded via MicroSD. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Dolby Atmos, Stereo Speakers, Noise cancellation microphone, 3 microphones | Stereo Speakers | OnePlus 9 has a slight edge in audio features offering enhanced spatial audio, clearer calls, better audio separation and immersion, better voice capture |
| Security | |||
| Features | Fingerprint Sensor | Fingerprint Sensor | Both phones offer similar fingerprint sensor technology. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Protection | Gorilla Glass 5 | Unknown | OnePlus 9 has a clear advantage due to known glass protection. |
| Sensors | |||
| Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Fingerprint, Proximity | Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Fingerprint, Proximity, Gravity | Huawei has an additional sensor. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
OnePlus 9 Advantages:
- Superior Performance: The Snapdragon 888 chipset provides significantly faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and better gaming performance compared to the Snapdragon 778G in the Huawei. This is a significant advantage for power users and gamers.
- Better Main Camera: The wider aperture (f/1.79) and larger sensor size allows for better low-light performance and improved overall image quality. The dedicated Wide Angle lens also allows for better ultra-wide images.
- 8K Video Recording: Supports high-resolution video recording, ideal for content creators needing professional video quality.
- Wireless Charging: Supports 15W wireless charging for added convenience, which Huawei lacks.
- Dolby Atmos & Advanced Audio: Offers enhanced audio quality with Dolby Atmos, a noise-canceling microphone and 3 microphones for clearer calls and better voice recording.
- Known Screen Protection: Corning Gorilla Glass 5 provides good scratch and impact protection.
Huawei nova 11 Pro Advantages:
- Faster Charging: 100W fast charging can fully charge the phone much quicker than OnePlus's 65W charging, minimizing downtime.
- Higher Resolution Selfie Camera: The 60MP front camera provides much greater detail in selfie photos and videos, suitable for social media users.
- Reverse Charging: Ability to charge other devices using the phone's battery.
- Higher Storage Option: Provides 512 GB of internal storage, if needed.
- Better GPS: Supports additional satellite systems like QZSS and NavIC, possibly leading to better location accuracy.
- Gravity Sensor: Has one additional sensor compared to the OnePlus.
Trade-offs:
- OnePlus 9 users get much more power but lose on super-fast charging, and a slightly less sharp selfie camera.
- Huawei nova 11 Pro users sacrifice some performance for faster charging, a higher resolution selfie camera, and a few other smaller features.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
OnePlus 9 Ideal User:
- Power Users: Individuals who demand top-tier performance for gaming, video editing, and other intensive tasks.
- Photography Enthusiasts: Users who value high-quality images with better low light performance from the main camera.
- Content Creators: Those who need 8K video recording capabilities and high-fidelity audio recording for professional video projects.
- Users Wanting Wireless Charging: Someone that prefers wireless over wired charging.
Use Cases:
- Playing graphically demanding games at high settings
- Editing 4K or 8K videos on the go
- Capturing high-quality photos in diverse lighting conditions, especially low light.
Huawei nova 11 Pro Ideal User:
- Social Media Enthusiasts: Users who prioritize taking high-resolution selfie images and videos.
- Users Wanting Faster Charging: Someone that wants to charge their phone in record time.
- Casual Gamers: Users who play lighter games and don't need flagship level performance.
- Users Requiring Reverse Charging: Someone that needs to use their phone as a powerbank.
Use Cases:
- Taking highly detailed selfies for social media.
- Quickly recharging their phone during a busy day.
- Using the phone to charge other devices like wireless earbuds.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- Performance Needs: Do I need top-tier processing power for demanding tasks and gaming, or is a mid-range chipset sufficient?
- Charging Priorities: Do I prioritize faster charging times or wireless charging convenience?
- Camera Needs: Do I prefer high resolution selfies or a higher quality main camera?
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
Scenario 1: Performance is paramount.
- Recommendation: Choose the OnePlus 9. The Snapdragon 888 chipset delivers far superior performance for demanding applications.
Scenario 2: Quick Charging is essential.
- Recommendation: Choose the Huawei nova 11 Pro. Its 100W charging ensures minimal downtime, and the high-resolution selfie camera makes it appealing for social media users.
Scenario 3: Balanced Usage.
- Recommendation: If both features have equal value, the OnePlus 9 edges the competition, with better main camera quality, wireless charging, and a more robust processor.
My Choice
I would choose the OnePlus 9. While the Huawei nova 11 Pro offers a couple of compelling features like the faster charging and high-resolution selfie camera, the overall package offered by the OnePlus 9 is more attractive to me. I value the significant performance advantage of the Snapdragon 888 chipset, as it ensures a smoother, more responsive experience across all tasks. Additionally, the main camera on the OnePlus 9 is better, and the 8k video recording feature is very compelling to me. The inclusion of wireless charging is also a useful feature. While the Huawei's super-fast charging is tempting, the other advantages of the OnePlus 9 outweigh that for my personal needs.
