1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | OnePlus 9 | Huawei nova Y70 Plus | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 160 × 74.2 × 8.7 mm | 168.3 × 77.7 × 9 mm | Huawei is larger, might be less comfortable in smaller hands/pockets. |
| Weight | 192g | 199g | OnePlus 9 is slightly lighter, potentially more comfortable for extended use. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.55" | 6.75" | Huawei has a slightly larger display for more immersive content consumption. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 720x1600 | OnePlus 9 has a much sharper display, text and images appear clearer. |
| Pixel Density | 402 PPI | 260 PPI | OnePlus 9's display has much greater detail and clarity. |
| Technology | AMOLED | IPS LCD | OnePlus 9 has superior contrast, black levels, and color vibrancy, better for viewing multimedia. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 60Hz | OnePlus 9 has smoother scrolling and animations for a more fluid experience. |
| Brightness | 1100 nits | 0 nits | OnePlus 9 is much more visible in bright sunlight. Huawei's brightness spec is missing, potentially problematic for outdoor use. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 5G (5 nm) | Kirin 710A (14 nm) | OnePlus 9 is significantly faster and more responsive in all tasks. |
| AnTuTu Score | 880,900 | 103,500 | OnePlus 9 offers drastically superior performance for demanding apps and gaming. |
| GPU | Adreno 660 | Mali-G51 MP4 | OnePlus 9's GPU enables high-fidelity graphics in games. |
| RAM | 8GB or 12GB | 4GB | OnePlus 9 provides smoother multitasking and faster app switching, especially with the 12 GB variant. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera Resolution | 48MP, f/1.79, 1/1.4" sensor | 48MP, f/1.8, sensor info missing | OnePlus 9 has a slightly wider aperture and a larger sensor for better low-light performance. Sensor details missing for Huawei. |
| Front Camera Resolution | 16MP, f/2.4, 1/3.13" sensor | 8MP, f/2.0, sensor info missing | OnePlus 9 captures more detailed selfies. Huawei has a wider aperture for better low light but less resolution. |
| Wide Angle Resolution | 50MP, f/2.2, 1/1.56" sensor | 5MP, f/2.2, sensor info missing | OnePlus 9 has a vastly superior ultra-wide camera for landscape and group photos. |
| Portrait Mode | No | 2MP, f/2.4 depth sensor | Huawei has a dedicated depth sensor for more realistic portrait photos. |
| Black & White | 2MP, f/2.4, sensor info missing | No | OnePlus 9 offers a dedicated black and white mode for artistic shots. |
| Video Recording | Up to 8K@30fps | Up to 1080p@30fps | OnePlus 9 can shoot much higher resolution, professional-grade video. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 4500 mAh | 6000 mAh | Huawei has a significantly larger battery for potentially longer battery life. |
| Charging | 65W Fast Charging, 15W Wireless | 22.5W Fast Charging | OnePlus 9 charges much faster, and offers wireless charging |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 (upgradable to 13) | Android based OS | OnePlus 9 has an actual Android OS and has an upgrade path. Huawei OS information is missing/incomplete. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6 | 802.11n | OnePlus 9 supports much faster and more modern WiFi standards. |
| Bluetooth | 5.2 | 5.1 | OnePlus 9 has the newer Bluetooth version, which may offer better efficiency and connectivity. |
| GPS | Multiple satellite systems | Multiple satellite systems | OnePlus 9 supports more satellite systems for precise location. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 128 GB or 256 GB | 64 GB or 128 GB | OnePlus 9 has more storage capacity in its top config. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone has expandable storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Dolby Atmos, Stereo speakers | Basic audio features | OnePlus 9 has significantly better audio with stereo speakers and Dolby Atmos |
| Security | |||
| Features | basic fingerprint sensor | side-mounted fingerprint sensor | Huawei has a more convenient side-mounted fingerprint sensor |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | Unknown | OnePlus 9 offers much greater screen protection |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Gyroscope, Compass | Gravity sensor | OnePlus 9 includes more sensors, useful for AR and gaming apps |
2. Key Differences Analysis
OnePlus 9 Advantages:
- Superior Display: AMOLED, higher resolution, higher refresh rate, significantly higher brightness.
- Practical Impact: Much better viewing experience, especially outdoors and for media consumption.
- Vastly Superior Performance: Snapdragon 888 chipset, much higher benchmark scores, more RAM.
- Practical Impact: Faster app loading, smoother multitasking, excellent gaming performance, and more future-proof.
- Better Camera System: Higher resolution sensors, larger sensor sizes for the main and ultrawide, better video recording capabilities.
- Practical Impact: Captures higher quality photos with more detail, better low-light performance and better video recording capabilities.
- Faster Charging: 65W fast charging, wireless charging.
- Practical Impact: Significantly quicker recharge times and convenient wireless charging.
- Better Audio: Stereo speakers, Dolby Atmos, 3 microphones.
- Practical Impact: More immersive and better quality audio for music and videos.
- Better connectivity: More modern WiFi and Bluetooth versions.
- Practical Impact: Faster speeds and more reliable connections.
- More Storage: larger internal storage options, more RAM
- Practical Impact: More room for photos, videos, apps and better multitasking abilities.
Huawei nova Y70 Plus Advantages:
- Larger Battery Capacity: 6000mAh.
- Practical Impact: Potentially longer battery life, especially for users who prioritize endurance.
- Side-mounted Fingerprint Sensor: Offers convenience in unlocking the device.
- Practical Impact: Unlocking with side-mounted fingerprint sensor is more convenient for some users.
- Dedicated Depth Sensor: Enhanced portrait mode photos.
- Practical Impact: Better portrait photos using the dedicated depth sensor.
Significant Trade-offs:
- OnePlus 9: Smaller battery capacity and lacks a dedicated depth sensor for portrait photography.
- Huawei nova Y70 Plus: Significantly lower performance, much lower display quality, inferior camera, and slower charging speeds. Lacks information on display protection, operating system, and some sensor details.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
OnePlus 9 Ideal User:
- Power Users: People who demand high performance for gaming, multitasking, and demanding apps.
- Media Consumers: Users who prioritize a high-quality display for watching videos and browsing.
- Photography Enthusiasts: Users who want a versatile camera system capable of taking high quality photos and videos.
- Users who value fast charging and wireless charging
- Users who value audio quality and immersion
Use Cases:
- Playing graphics-intensive mobile games.
- Editing photos and videos on the go.
- Watching high-resolution content in bright sunlight.
- Multitasking between many apps smoothly.
Huawei nova Y70 Plus Ideal User:
- Budget-Conscious Users: Users who prioritize battery life and can compromise on performance and display quality.
- Users with Basic Smartphone Needs: Primarily for calling, texting, and basic social media browsing.
- Users who prefer a side-mounted fingerprint sensor.
Use Cases:
- Long days away from a charger, basic mobile communication.
- Casual browsing and social media use.
- Taking photos and videos without needing high fidelity.
Price-to-Value Ratio:
- OnePlus 9: Offers a much higher value in terms of performance, display quality, and camera capabilities, justifying its higher price if the budget allows.
- Huawei nova Y70 Plus: Provides a more budget-friendly option but compromises significantly on many aspects that are deemed essential for the average user.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- Performance Needs: How important is smooth multitasking, gaming, and overall speed?
- Display Quality: How much do you value sharpness, color accuracy, and outdoor visibility?
- Battery Life vs. Charging Speed: Is long battery life the top priority, or is faster charging more important?
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Power User on a Mid-Range Budget
- Recommendation: OnePlus 9. The much greater processing power and higher quality display is more essential than the slightly smaller battery.
- Scenario 2: Budget-Conscious User Primarily Concerned About Battery Life
- Recommendation: Huawei nova Y70 Plus, if battery life is of utmost importance and compromises in all other areas are acceptable. However, the missing brightness spec is concerning.
- Scenario 3: User Who Values Display Quality and Camera Performance
- Recommendation: OnePlus 9. The AMOLED display, higher refresh rate, and far superior camera system provide a superior experience.
My Choice
If I were to choose between these two phones, I would choose the OnePlus 9. While the Huawei has a larger battery, the OnePlus 9 offers a superior experience in almost every other way. The higher quality display is crucial for content consumption, the performance boost is necessary for a smooth user experience, and the far better cameras are essential to capturing good quality photos and videos. The faster charging and wireless charging capabilities would also be a huge benefit. I value having a reliable phone that offers a great overall user experience and the OnePlus 9 is the better choice. The Huawei Y70 Plus is too much of a compromise for my needs, given the major limitations in display, performance, and cameras. The lack of clarity surrounding the Huawei's OS is also worrying.
