Smartphone Comparison: OnePlus 9 vs. Huawei nova 8i
1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | OnePlus 9 | Huawei nova 8i | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Launch Date | 2021-03-26 | 2021-07-22 | Huawei nova 8i is newer by about 4 months |
| Dimensions | 160 × 74.2 × 8.7 mm | 161.9 × 74.7 × 8.6 mm | Huawei nova 8i is slightly taller and wider, negligibly different thickness; may feel slightly larger in hand |
| Weight | 192g | 190g | Both phones have very similar weight, will feel comparable in hand |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.55" | 6.67" | Huawei nova 8i has a marginally larger screen, slightly more immersive |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2376 | Both offer very similar sharpness, no noticeable difference |
| PPI | 402 | 391 | Visually almost identical, no practical difference |
| Technology | AMOLED | IPS LCD | OnePlus 9 has significantly better contrast, deeper blacks, more vibrant colors, and better power efficiency with dark themes |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 60Hz | OnePlus 9 offers much smoother scrolling and animations, better for gaming and overall responsiveness |
| Brightness | 1100 nits | 0 nits | OnePlus 9 is much brighter, significantly better for outdoor visibility in sunlight, the 0 nits value for Huawei is unexpected and might be missing data |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM8350 Snapdragon 888 5G (5 nm) | Qualcomm SM6115 Snapdragon 662 (11 nm) | OnePlus 9 has a vastly more powerful processor, much faster performance, smoother multitasking, and better gaming capabilities |
| Antutu Score | 880,900 | 201,000 | OnePlus 9 delivers vastly superior performance in demanding tasks such as gaming and heavy applications, showing a significant difference in responsiveness |
| GPU | Adreno 660 | Adreno 610 | OnePlus 9 has a much more powerful GPU, better for high-end graphics and gaming performance |
| Camera | |||
| Rear (Main) | 48MP, f/1.79, 1/1.4", Sony IMX689, 1.12µm | 64MP, f/1.9, 0.80µm | Huawei nova 8i offers higher resolution, but the OnePlus 9 has a larger sensor size with larger pixels and a wider aperture for better low-light performance |
| Rear (Wide) | 50MP, f/2.2, 1/1.56", Sony IMX766, 1.0µm | 8MP, f/2.2, 1.12µm | OnePlus 9 has a much higher resolution wide-angle lens, capturing more detailed images and videos |
| Rear (Portrait) | N/A | 2MP, f/2.4, 1.75µm | Huawei nova 8i has a dedicated depth sensor for better bokeh effect, the OnePlus 9 lacks this |
| Rear (Macro) | N/A | 2MP, f/2.4, 1.75µm | Huawei nova 8i has a dedicated macro lens for close-up shots, the OnePlus 9 lacks this |
| Rear (Black & White) | 2MP, f/2.4 | N/A | OnePlus 9 has a dedicated B&W camera for monochrome shots, the Huawei lacks this |
| Selfie | 16MP, f/2.4, 1/3.13", Sony IMX471, 1.0µm | 16MP, f/2.0 | Huawei nova 8i has wider aperture on selfie, potentially better in low light |
| Video | Up to 8K@30fps | 1080p@30fps | OnePlus 9 captures much higher resolution and quality videos, suitable for professional content creation; Huawei is limited to FHD |
| Features | 4K/8K Video, RAW 12 bits, etc. | Digital Zoom, HDR, etc | OnePlus 9 provides advanced features for video production, offering higher quality capture and more control over settings |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 4500mAh | 4300mAh | OnePlus 9 has a slightly larger battery, potentially giving slightly longer usage time |
| Charging | 65W Fast Charging | 66W Fast Charging | Both have very similar fast charging; practical difference is negligible |
| Features | 15W Wireless Charging | None | OnePlus 9 supports wireless charging for convenient charging |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 (upgradeable to 13) | Android 10 | OnePlus 9 has a more modern OS and better long-term software support |
| Connectivity | |||
| WiFi | WiFi 6 (802.11ax) | 802.11ac | OnePlus 9 has faster and more stable WiFi |
| Bluetooth | 5.2 | 5.0 | OnePlus 9 has newer bluetooth version for better connectivity |
| GPS | L1+L5 | L1 | OnePlus 9 offers more precise GPS tracking due to dual-band support |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 128GB or 256GB | 128GB | OnePlus 9 offers a 256GB storage option for those who need more storage space |
| RAM | 8GB or 12GB | 6GB | OnePlus 9 has more RAM, better multitasking, and gaming performance |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone offers expandable storage |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Dolby Atmos, 3 mics | Stereo Speakers, 2 mics | OnePlus 9 has more immersive audio with Dolby Atmos and better voice capture with 3 mics |
| Security | |||
| Features | basic fingerprint sensor | side-mounted fingerprint sensor | Huawei nova 8i has a faster, more reliable fingerprint sensor placement |
| Build Quality | |||
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | Unknown | OnePlus 9 has better protection against screen scratches |
2. Key Differences Analysis
OnePlus 9 Advantages:
- Superior Display: AMOLED with 120Hz refresh rate provides much better visual quality, smoother animations and better visibility in sunlight than the IPS LCD screen on the Huawei nova 8i.
- Much Better Performance: The Snapdragon 888 chipset significantly outperforms the Snapdragon 662, leading to faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and better gaming.
- Advanced Camera System: Superior main and ultrawide sensors offer better image quality, especially in low light, also 8K video recording capability.
- Better Software Support: Ships with Android 11, upgradable to 13, offering more modern features and longer-term updates.
- Faster Connectivity: Supports WiFi 6 and Bluetooth 5.2 for more stable and faster connectivity.
- Wireless Charging: Offers 15W wireless charging, adding convenient charging options.
- Better Audio: Dolby Atmos and 3 microphones for enhanced audio and voice clarity.
Huawei nova 8i Advantages:
- Slightly Larger Screen: Marginal 0.12" increase in screen size can be slightly more immersive for some users.
- Dedicated Depth and Macro Camera: Offers dedicated depth and macro lenses for specialized photo modes, which the OnePlus 9 lacks.
- Side-mounted Fingerprint Sensor: Typically faster and more convenient for unlocking compared to in screen sensors.
- Potentially Faster Charging: Although negligible on paper with 66W vs 65W.
Trade-offs:
- OnePlus 9 sacrifices macro and depth lenses for a superior main and ultrawide camera and high-end performance.
- Huawei nova 8i sacrifices display quality and performance for extra camera features and a side-mounted fingerprint sensor.
- OnePlus 9 does not have expandable storage.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
OnePlus 9 Ideal User:
- Power Users: Gamers, multitaskers, and anyone who needs a fast and responsive phone for demanding tasks.
- Media Consumers: People who watch videos, browse social media, and appreciate a high-quality display.
- Photography Enthusiasts: Users who want to capture high-quality photos and videos, even in low light, and have access to higher resolution recording.
- Tech Savvy Users: Users who want the latest features and are comfortable with a slightly higher price for top performance.
Use Cases:
- Gaming: Smooth, high-frame-rate gaming experience with the powerful Snapdragon 888 and 120Hz display.
- Video Editing: 8K video recording and editing on-the-go, benefiting from the powerful processor.
- Outdoor Use: High brightness display offers excellent outdoor visibility.
Huawei nova 8i Ideal User:
- Casual Users: Those who primarily use their phone for social media, browsing, and basic apps, not demanding heavy performance.
- Budget-Conscious Buyers: Users who prioritize features over raw power and are looking for a more affordable option.
- Macro Photography Enthusiasts: Users who enjoy taking close-up photos using the dedicated macro camera.
Use Cases:
- Social Media: Everyday use for browsing and posting content.
- Casual Photography: Taking snapshots in various scenarios.
- Basic Tasks: Email, messaging, and browsing.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- How important is performance and gaming? If high performance is crucial, the OnePlus 9 is the clear winner.
- How important is display quality? If vibrant colors and smooth scrolling are important, the AMOLED display with 120 Hz refresh rate in the OnePlus 9 is the better option.
- What is your budget and price sensitivity? If price is a primary factor, the Huawei nova 8i offers better value in the budget range but compromises on performance and screen quality.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: High Performance & Multimedia: If you prioritize gaming, video editing, and a high-quality display, choose the OnePlus 9.
- Scenario 2: Casual Use & Budget: If you primarily use your phone for casual browsing and social media and want a budget-friendly option, choose the Huawei nova 8i.
- Scenario 3: Photography & Creative Control: If having more creative control over photos and video is a priority, then the OnePlus 9's more advanced camera features could be more beneficial, despite lacking the dedicated macro and depth sensors.
My Choice
If I were choosing between these two phones, I would choose the OnePlus 9.
My reasoning is based on the fact that the OnePlus 9 offers a significantly superior experience in the areas that matter most to me. The AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate is much better for daily use, offering significantly better image quality and smoother animations. Moreover, its powerful Snapdragon 888 chipset provides a faster and smoother overall experience, especially for gaming and demanding applications. While the Huawei nova 8i may have a few more camera features and better fingerprint sensor placement, they don't outweigh the benefits of the OnePlus 9’s superior display, performance, and software support.
