Smartphone Comparison: OnePlus 9 vs. Huawei nova Y90
1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | OnePlus 9 | Huawei nova Y90 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 160 × 74.2 × 8.7 mm | 163.3 × 74.7 × 8.4 mm | Nova Y90 is slightly taller, OnePlus 9 slightly thicker; negligible difference in hand feel. |
| Weight | 192g | 195g | Both feel similar in hand, minor weight difference is negligible. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.55" | 6.7" | Nova Y90 has a slightly larger viewing area, may be more immersive for media consumption. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2388 | Practically identical sharpness for typical use. |
| Pixel Density | 402 PPI | 391 PPI | Minor difference, both displays appear crisp to the human eye. |
| Technology | AMOLED | IPS LCD | OnePlus 9 has superior contrast, deeper blacks, better viewing angles and potentially more vibrant colors. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 90Hz | OnePlus 9 offers a smoother visual experience, especially in scrolling and gaming. |
| Brightness | 1100 nits | 0 nits | OnePlus 9 is much better for outdoor viewing, easily visible in bright sunlight; Huawei Nova Y90 brightness is unknown, likely much lower. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 5G (5 nm) | Qualcomm Snapdragon 680 4G (6 nm) | OnePlus 9 is significantly faster for demanding tasks, gaming, and future-proof performance. |
| AnTuTu Score | 880,900 | 249,000 | OnePlus 9 offers significantly faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and vastly better gaming performance. |
| GPU | Adreno 660 | Adreno 610 | OnePlus 9 has a much more capable GPU resulting in a significantly better gaming experience. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 4500mAh | 5000mAh | Nova Y90 likely offers longer battery life for typical usage. |
| Charging | 65W Fast Charging | 40W Fast Charging | OnePlus 9 charges significantly faster, convenient for quick top-ups. |
| Features | 15W Wireless Charging | None | OnePlus 9 offers convenient wireless charging capabilities. |
| Camera | |||
| Rear Main | 48MP, f/1.79, 1/1.4", 1.12µm (Sony IMX689) | 50MP, f/1.8, 0.70µm | OnePlus 9 likely has superior image quality in low light due to larger sensor and pixel size. |
| Front Selfie | 16MP, f/2.4, 1/3.13", 1.00µm (Sony IMX471) | 8MP, f/2.0 | OnePlus 9 captures sharper selfies with better dynamic range. |
| Wide Angle | 50MP, f/2.2, 1/1.56", 1.00µm (Sony IMX766) | None | OnePlus 9 has a versatile ultra-wide camera for landscape and group shots. |
| Black & White | 2MP, f/2.4 | None | OnePlus 9 has a dedicated black and white lens which may enhance creative photo options. |
| Secondary | None | 2MP, f/2.4 | Huawei Nova Y90's secondary camera is likely a macro or depth sensor for enhanced portrait mode. |
| Tertiary | None | 2MP, f/2.4 | Huawei Nova Y90's tertiary camera is likely a macro or depth sensor for enhanced portrait mode. |
| Video | Up to 8K@30fps with HDR, EIS, slow-motion 480fps | Up to 1080p@30fps, slow-motion 30fps | OnePlus 9 offers higher resolution and higher framerate video recording for professional quality videos. |
| Features | 4K/8K video, EIS, OIS, RAW 12 bit | Basic features, no RAW support | OnePlus 9 has more advanced features for better control over video and photo creation. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 (upgradable to 13) | Android 13 | Both phones feature a modern Android OS, but OnePlus 9 has a known upgrade path. |
| Connectivity | |||
| WiFi | WiFi 6 (802.11ax) | 802.11ac | OnePlus 9 supports newer and faster WiFi standards for better connectivity. |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.2 | Bluetooth 5.0 | OnePlus 9 has better Bluetooth version, enabling better audio codecs and stability |
| GPS | Dual-band GPS, BeiDou (B1, B2), Galileo (E1, E5a) | GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, Galileo | OnePlus 9 has more accurate location tracking and faster satellite connection |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 128GB or 256GB | 128GB | OnePlus 9 offers more storage (256GB variant), better for users with large media libraries. |
| RAM | 8GB or 12GB | 4GB, 6GB or 8GB | OnePlus 9 has more RAM (12GB variant), ideal for heavy multitasking and gaming. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither phone supports storage expansion. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Dolby Atmos, stereo speakers, noise cancellation | Basic audio features | OnePlus 9 has significantly enhanced audio quality for media consumption and calls. |
| Security | |||
| Features | basic fingerprint sensor | side-mounted fingerprint sensor | Huawei nova Y90's fingerprint sensor may be more conveniently located. |
| Build | |||
| Protection | Gorilla Glass 5 | Unknown | OnePlus 9 has better screen protection from scratches and drops. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Proximity, Biometric Fingerprint | Accelerometer, Compass, Ultrasonic proximity virtual, Gravity, Biometric Fingerprint | Both offer basic motion and orientation tracking. OnePlus 9 has a gyroscope useful in gaming and VR applications. Huawei's Ultrasonic proximity sensor may be more accurate and reliable than traditional proximity sensor. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
OnePlus 9 Advantages:
- Significantly Superior Performance: Snapdragon 888 chipset offers dramatically faster processing and graphics, better for gaming and demanding apps.
- Superior Display: AMOLED technology with 120Hz refresh rate provides vibrant colors, deeper blacks, smoother visuals, and much better outdoor visibility.
- Advanced Camera System: Includes a higher quality main sensor, dedicated ultra-wide lens, 8K video recording, better low light performance, and RAW photo capture.
- Faster Charging & Wireless Charging: 65W fast charging and 15W wireless charging are highly convenient for busy users.
- Better Audio: Dolby Atmos and stereo speakers deliver a far more immersive audio experience.
- More RAM and Storage: Higher RAM and storage (256GB option) provides more resources and storage for the user.
- Enhanced Connectivity: Supports faster WiFi 6 and a more recent version of Bluetooth with more codecs.
Practical Implications: The OnePlus 9 is a high-performance phone suitable for power users who need fast processing, high-quality multimedia, and cutting-edge features. It is excellent for gaming, content creation, and media consumption.
Huawei nova Y90 Advantages:
- Larger Battery: 5000 mAh battery may provide longer battery life for less intensive tasks, ideal for extended usage without needing to charge.
- Side-Mounted Fingerprint: May be more ergonomic and convenient than the standard in-display fingerprint sensor.
- Potentially Lower Cost: Typically a lower price point, makes it more accessible for budget-conscious users.
Practical Implications: The Huawei nova Y90 is a budget-friendly option suitable for users with more basic needs, who value battery life above all else and do not require demanding performance or advanced camera features. It's suitable for general browsing, social media and light gaming.
Significant Trade-offs:
- OnePlus 9: Higher price, but offers a premium experience.
- Huawei nova Y90: Significantly lower performance, inferior display, camera, and audio compared to the OnePlus 9.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
OnePlus 9 Ideal User:
- Gamers: Demanding mobile gamers who need smooth frame rates and quick loading times.
- Content Creators: Those who capture a lot of photos and videos and edit them on their phone.
- Tech Enthusiasts: Individuals who want the latest technology, superior performance, and the best possible display quality.
- Power Users: Users who multitask extensively and rely on demanding applications.
Use Cases:
- Playing graphics-intensive games such as Genshin Impact.
- Editing 4K videos on the go.
- Watching high-resolution HDR movies on a bright display.
- Running multiple applications without slowdown.
- Professional photography with RAW capabilities.
Huawei nova Y90 Ideal User:
- Budget-Conscious Shoppers: Users who prioritize affordability and battery life over top performance.
- Casual Smartphone Users: Users who primarily use their phone for browsing, social media, and basic communication.
- Users Needing Long Battery Life: People who need a phone that can last all day without needing to be charged.
- Users with basic photography needs: People who don't require professional photography features, or advanced video capabilities.
Use Cases:
- Browsing social media and the web.
- Making calls and sending messages.
- Listening to music and podcasts.
- Basic mobile gaming, that doesn't require high graphics performance.
- Casual photography, for social media.
Price-to-Value Ratio:
- OnePlus 9: Offers a high price-to-performance ratio, with a focus on cutting-edge features.
- Huawei nova Y90: Good value for the budget-conscious user seeking a basic experience with long battery life.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- What is your primary use case? (Gaming, media, content creation, basic daily use?)
- How important is display quality? (Outdoor visibility, vibrancy, smoothness?)
- What is your budget and what is the price of each phone?
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- High-Performance User: If performance, display quality, and advanced features are a priority, the OnePlus 9 is the clear choice despite the higher price.
- Budget-Conscious User: If affordability and long battery life are more important, the Huawei nova Y90 is a good option.
- Balanced User: If you need a decent balance of features and performance but are willing to trade some performance for a lower price, the Huawei nova Y90 might work, but the OnePlus 9 is recommended for the best overall experience.
What I Would Choose and Why
Given my experience as a smartphone analyst who values performance, display quality, and versatile camera capabilities, I would choose the OnePlus 9.
Here's why:
- Superior Performance: The Snapdragon 888 chipset in the OnePlus 9 provides a significantly smoother and more responsive experience. As someone who frequently multitasks, plays games, and uses demanding apps, the increased processing power and better GPU are critical to me.
- High-Quality Display: The AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate provides a visually superior experience. The colors are more vibrant, the blacks are deeper, and the 120Hz refresh rate makes everything feel incredibly smooth. The brightness is also a major factor, as it allows me to use my phone comfortably outdoors.
- Advanced Camera Features: The OnePlus 9's camera system is much more versatile, offering a dedicated ultra-wide lens and 8K video capabilities. The larger sensor sizes, higher quality components, and RAW support mean I can capture superior-quality photos and videos.
- Faster Charging and Wireless Charging: The 65W fast charging and 15W wireless charging is a major convenience. As someone always on the go, quickly topping up the battery is essential.
- Better Overall Experience: The superior audio quality of Dolby Atmos with stereo speakers, advanced Bluetooth connectivity, better location accuracy, more RAM, and more storage provides an overall higher quality experience.
While the Huawei nova Y90 does have a larger battery and may be better for basic usage, it does not match the overall performance and user experience of the OnePlus 9. For me, the OnePlus 9's premium features and high performance provide greater long-term value. The ability to capture and edit professional photos, run demanding apps smoothly and enjoy high-quality media outweighs the potential benefits of the nova Y90's longer battery life.
