1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | OnePlus 9 | Huawei Pura 70 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 160 × 74.2 × 8.7 mm | 157.6 × 74.3 × 8 mm | Pura 70 is slightly smaller, potentially more pocketable. OnePlus 9 is slightly thicker, may feel bulkier. |
| Weight | 192g | 207g | OnePlus 9 is lighter, more comfortable for extended use. Pura 70 is heavier, feels more substantial. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.55" | 6.6" | Negligible difference, both offer similar viewing area. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1256x2760 | Pura 70 has a significantly sharper display, better for reading text and viewing detailed images. |
| PPI | 402 | 460 | Pura 70's higher pixel density leads to crisper visuals, less pixelation. |
| Technology | AMOLED | OLED | Similar display quality, both offer vibrant colors and deep blacks. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | Both offer smooth scrolling and animations. |
| Brightness | 1100 nits | 2500 nits | Pura 70 offers far superior visibility in bright sunlight, making it better for outdoor use. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 5G | Kirin 9000S1 | Different chipsets; OnePlus 9 has slightly better benchmark performance. |
| AnTuTu Score | 880,900 | 768,000 | OnePlus 9 slightly faster for demanding tasks and gaming. |
| GPU | Adreno 660 | Maleoon 910 | Different architectures, hard to make direct comparison; both capable for most tasks. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 4500mAh | 4900mAh | Pura 70 may provide slightly longer battery life on a single charge. |
| Charging | 65W Fast Charging | 65W Fast Charging | Both phones charge quickly. |
| Features | 15W Wireless Charging | 50W Wireless Charging, 7.5W Reverse Wireless Charging | Pura 70 offers much faster wireless charging, and can wirelessly charge other devices. |
| Camera | |||
| Standard | 48MP, f/1.79, 1/1.4" | 50MP, f/1.4, 1/1.3" | Pura 70's main camera captures more light and has a slightly larger sensor, potentially resulting in better image quality. |
| Selfie | 16MP, f/2.4, 1/3.13" | 13MP, f/2.4 | OnePlus 9 has slightly higher resolution selfie camera. |
| Telephoto | N/A | 12MP, f/3.4 | Pura 70 has a dedicated telephoto camera for optical zoom, while OnePlus 9 relies on digital zoom. |
| Wide Angle | 50MP, f/2.2, 1/1.56" | 13MP, f/2.2 | OnePlus 9 has a higher resolution ultrawide camera. |
| Black & White | 2MP, f/2.4 | N/A | OnePlus 9 has a dedicated monochrome camera. |
| Video | Up to 8K@30fps | 4K | OnePlus 9 has higher video recording capabilities (8K) , Pura 70 has better stabilisation and more advanced features. |
| Features | 8K Video, RAW 12 bits, Digital zoom, EIS | Optical Zoom, OIS, Laser Autofocus (LAF), Dual front camera, RAW | Pura 70 offers advanced optical zoom, OIS, and laser autofocus while the OnePlus has 8K and 12-bit RAW support. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11, upgradable to 13 | (Likely HarmonyOS, not specified) | OnePlus 9 has a more standardized Android experience. The Pura 70 likely has the more advanced HarmonyOS. |
| Connectivity | |||
| WiFi | Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) | Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) | Both have the latest Wi-Fi standards. |
| Bluetooth | 5.2, LE, aptX, LDAC | 5.2, LDAC | OnePlus 9 has additional features for better connectivity to wireless devices. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, QZSS, GLONASS, BeiDou, NavIC, Galileo | Pura 70 supports more satellite systems for greater location accuracy, especially in urban areas. |
| SIM | Dual SIM Dual Standby | Dual SIM Dual Standby | Both have similar dual-SIM capabilities. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 128GB or 256GB | 256GB, 512GB, or 1024 GB | Pura 70 offers significantly more storage options. |
| RAM | 8GB or 12GB | 12GB | Both offer great RAM performance; Pura 70 comes only with the more powerful 12GB configuration. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither offers expandable storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Dolby Atmos, Stereo Speakers, Noise cancellation microphone, 3 microphones | Dolby Atmos, Stereo Speakers | OnePlus 9 has better audio, with noise cancellation and better microphone systems. |
| Security | |||
| Features | Fingerprint Sensor | Fingerprint Sensor | Both have a basic fingerprint sensor. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | Unknown | OnePlus 9 offers known screen protection; Huawei's screen protection is unknown. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Gravity, Hall, RGB | Pura 70 has a more comprehensive sensor suite for a better user experience. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
OnePlus 9 Advantages:
- Slightly Better Performance: Higher AnTuTu score suggests marginally better performance for demanding tasks and gaming.
- Higher Resolution Ultrawide and Front Camera: The 50MP ultrawide camera and the 16MP front camera offer more detail.
- More Advanced Audio: Better audio capture and noise cancellation features make the OnePlus 9 a better option for media creation and phone calls.
- 8K Video: Offers the option to record in 8K.
- Known screen protection: Gorilla Glass 5 offers a higher standard of protection.
Huawei Pura 70 Advantages:
- Superior Display Brightness: Significantly brighter screen is much better for outdoor use.
- Higher Display Resolution: Sharper display with higher pixel density for better detail and clarity.
- Telephoto Lens: Dedicated telephoto lens for optical zoom, providing better image quality at long ranges.
- Much Better Wireless Charging: Faster wireless charging and reverse wireless charging, adds practical convenience.
- Larger Battery: Slightly larger battery, leading to better battery life.
- More Storage Options: Offers significantly more internal storage space (up to 1TB).
- More Comprehensive Sensor Suite: Provides a better experience for games and other apps that use more sensors.
- OIS: Optical image stabilization leads to sharper images, especially in low light or while moving.
- Laser Autofocus (LAF): For faster and more accurate focusing in challenging conditions.
- Latest Operating System: Likely has the more advanced HarmonyOS.
Trade-offs:
- OnePlus 9: Trades better camera features, screen and battery for slightly better benchmark scores and audio.
- Huawei Pura 70: Trades some benchmark performance and audio features for a much better display, camera and overall usability.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
OnePlus 9 Ideal User:
- Gamers: Users who prioritize slightly better peak performance.
- Media Creators: Users who want higher quality video (8K), or better voice quality.
- Budget-Conscious Buyers: Might be more affordable now, offers good performance at a better price.
Use Cases:
- Playing graphically intensive mobile games.
- Recording high-resolution video content.
- Voice recording and making calls in noisy environments.
Huawei Pura 70 Ideal User:
- Photography Enthusiasts: Users who want the best camera quality, especially zoom and low-light capabilities.
- Outdoor Users: Users who need a bright screen for outdoor visibility.
- Power Users: Users who need long battery life and fast charging.
- Storage Lovers: Users who need a lot of storage for high quality media.
Use Cases:
- Taking photos in various lighting conditions.
- Viewing content outdoors in bright sunlight.
- Long days away from a charger
- Using a large library of music or pictures.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- How important is camera performance, especially optical zoom and low-light quality?
- How crucial is outdoor screen visibility and overall display quality?
- How important is battery life and wireless charging flexibility?
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Casual user, focusing on overall value: If the OnePlus 9 is significantly cheaper, it is a good choice for users who prioritize performance on a budget.
- Scenario 2: Photography enthusiast: The Huawei Pura 70 is the better choice due to its telephoto lens, larger sensor, better low light capture and OIS.
- Scenario 3: Demanding outdoor user: The Huawei Pura 70 is a must have due to its better brightness.
- Scenario 4: Power user requiring large local storage: The Huawei Pura 70 offers much more storage with up to 1TB of capacity.
My Choice
If I were choosing between the two, I would opt for the Huawei Pura 70. While the OnePlus 9 has some advantages in terms of benchmark performance and specific audio recording features, the Pura 70 excels in areas that matter more to my daily usage. The significantly brighter display is essential for my outdoor usage, and the superior camera system with its telephoto lens and OIS is a major plus for photography. Additionally, the faster wireless charging and larger battery are very useful, making the Pura 70 a more versatile choice. While the benchmark score is lower, the real world difference would likely not affect my daily use.
