Smartphone Comparison: OnePlus 9 vs. Huawei Pura 70 Ultra
1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | OnePlus 9 | Huawei Pura 70 Ultra | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 160 × 74.2 × 8.7 mm | 162.6 × 75.1 × 8.4 mm | Pura 70 Ultra is slightly taller and narrower, the OnePlus 9 is slightly thicker, potentially affecting pocketability and grip |
| Weight | 192g | 226g | OnePlus 9 is significantly lighter, more comfortable for prolonged use. Pura 70 Ultra is heavier, may feel more substantial but less comfortable over long use. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.55" | 6.8" | Pura 70 Ultra has a slightly larger screen, offering a more immersive viewing experience for media consumption. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1260x2844 | Pura 70 Ultra's higher resolution results in a noticeably sharper, more detailed display, especially for text and images. |
| Pixel Density | 402 PPI | 460 PPI | Pura 70 Ultra offers a noticeably sharper display, with finer details and smoother visuals. |
| Technology | AMOLED | OLED | Both offer excellent color reproduction and deep blacks, similar high-quality experience. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | Both provide smooth scrolling and animations, enhancing gaming and general UI fluidity. |
| Brightness | 1100 nits | 2500 nits | Pura 70 Ultra's significantly higher brightness offers superior outdoor visibility in bright sunlight. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM8350 Snapdragon 888 5G (5 nm) | Kirin 9010 (7 nm) | Different chipsets; the performance difference is minimal based on Antutu scores, but real-world differences in app optimization and specific task performance may exist. |
| AnTuTu Score | 880,900 | 869,707 | Both offer similar performance in synthetic benchmarks, but real world performance may differ based on software optimizations. |
| GPU | Adreno 660 | Maleoon 910 | Different GPU configurations might influence gaming performance. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera Resolution | 48MP | 50MP | Pura 70 Ultra has slightly higher resolution, potentially offering slightly more detail in photos. |
| Main Camera Aperture | f/1.79 | f/1.6 | Pura 70 Ultra has wider aperture, better light gathering for low-light scenarios. |
| Main Camera Sensor Size | 1/1.4" | 1" | Pura 70 Ultra has a larger sensor, generally resulting in better low-light performance and dynamic range. |
| Main Camera Sensor Model | Sony IMX689 | Sony IMX989 | Different sensors, may impact color science and overall image quality. |
| Main Camera Pixel Size | 1.12 µm | 1.60 µm | Pura 70 Ultra has larger pixels for better light capture and low-light performance. |
| Selfie Camera Resolution | 16MP | 13MP | OnePlus 9 has a higher resolution selfie camera, better for detailed selfies. |
| Selfie Camera Aperture | f/2.4 | f/2.4 | Both have the same aperture. |
| Telephoto Lens | N/A | 50MP, f/2.1 | Pura 70 Ultra has a dedicated telephoto lens, allowing for better optical zoom capabilities. |
| Wide Angle Lens Resolution | 50MP | 40MP | OnePlus 9 has a higher resolution wide-angle lens for detailed wide shots. |
| Wide Angle Lens Sensor Size | 1/1.56" | 1/1.7" | OnePlus 9 has a slightly larger sensor for potentially better wide-angle photos. |
| Black & White Camera | 2MP, f/2.4 | N/A | OnePlus 9 includes a dedicated B&W sensor for unique photography effects. |
| Video | Up to 8K@30fps | 4K | OnePlus 9 can record up to 8K video and has some HDR capabilities, while Pura 70 Ultra maxes at 4K. |
| Video Stabilization | EIS | Yes | Huawei Pura 70 Ultra has image stabilization for smoother video recording, while OnePlus 9's stabilization is not explicitly stated. |
| DXOMark Main Score | N/A | 163 | Pura 70 Ultra has an excellent DxOMark score, indicating superior camera quality. OnePlus 9 not tested. |
| Camera Features | See full list in data | See full list in data | Both have a wide array of camera features, Pura 70 Ultra has OIS, optical zoom, and RAW support, while OnePlus 9 has 8K video capability. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 4500mAh | 5200mAh | Pura 70 Ultra has a larger battery, likely providing longer battery life. |
| Charging | 65W fast charging | 100W fast charging | Pura 70 Ultra charges significantly faster. |
| Wireless Charging | 15W | 80W | Pura 70 Ultra has much faster wireless charging. |
| Reverse Charging | No | Yes, 20W | Pura 70 Ultra can wirelessly charge other devices. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11, upgradable to 13 | Android 13 | |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6 | Wi-Fi 6 | Both support modern Wi-Fi standards. |
| Bluetooth | 5.2 LE | 5.2 | Both offer modern Bluetooth features, but OnePlus 9 has some additional audio codec support. |
| GPS | Multiple systems | Multiple systems + NavIC | Huawei Pura 70 Ultra supports more satellite systems for better location accuracy, especially in challenging environments. |
| SIM | Dual SIM | Dual SIM | Both support dual SIM functionality. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal Storage | 128 GB or 256 GB | 512 GB or 1024 GB | Pura 70 Ultra offers significantly more storage, ideal for users with large media collections. |
| RAM | 8 GB or 12 GB | 16 GB | Pura 70 Ultra has significantly more RAM for smoother multitasking and demanding apps. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone allows for additional storage via microSD. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Dolby Atmos, Stereo Speakers, 3 Microphones, Noise cancellation microphone | Dolby Atmos, Stereo Speakers | OnePlus 9 provides more audio features such as noise cancellation microphone, and 3 microphones, potentially offering better voice capture and audio quality |
| Security | |||
| Features | basic fingerprint sensor | basic fingerprint sensor | Both phones offer basic biometric security using fingerprint sensors |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Gorilla Glass 5 | Unknown | OnePlus 9 offers known screen protection |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | See full list in data | See full list in data | Huawei Pura 70 Ultra has additional sensors that the OnePlus 9 does not have, potentially offering a more complete user experience. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
OnePlus 9 Advantages:
- Lighter Weight: The OnePlus 9 is significantly lighter (34g), making it more comfortable for long use.
- 8K Video Recording: The OnePlus 9 supports higher video resolution (up to 8K), useful for high-quality video content.
- Black and White Camera: It has a dedicated B&W camera for unique monochrome photography.
- Known Screen Protection: It has Gorilla Glass 5 protection, providing better scratch and impact resistance.
- Slightly Better Audio Features: The inclusion of a noise-cancelling microphone, and an additional two microphones, can result in better voice capture and quality.
Huawei Pura 70 Ultra Advantages:
- Superior Display: Larger, higher-resolution screen with significantly higher brightness (2500 nits), better for outdoor visibility.
- Better Camera System: Larger main sensor, wider aperture, and a dedicated telephoto lens for better low-light performance, zoom capabilities, and overall image quality (as evidenced by its DxOMark score of 163).
- Larger Battery & Faster Charging: Larger battery capacity and significantly faster wired and wireless charging.
- More RAM and Storage: Comes with significantly more RAM and internal storage, improving multitasking and app loading speeds.
- Reverse Wireless Charging: Ability to charge other devices wirelessly.
- More sensors: Has more sensors for a more complete user experience.
Trade-offs:
- The OnePlus 9 trades advanced camera features, better battery, and display brightness for a lighter build and 8K video recording.
- The Pura 70 Ultra trades the lighter weight and 8k video of the OnePlus 9 for better camera, display, battery and overall performance.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
OnePlus 9 Ideal User:
- Budget-conscious users who want good performance with a capable camera and are not too focused on the highest end features.
- Users who prioritize lightweight design and comfort over premium camera and display features.
- Users interested in 8K video recording for content creation.
- Users who prefer having a dedicated B&W sensor.
- Users who don't need the absolute best low-light camera performance but are happy with very good quality.
Use Cases:
- Everyday photography and videography.
- Mobile gaming.
- Casual media consumption.
- Creating high-resolution video content in good lighting conditions.
Huawei Pura 70 Ultra Ideal User:
- Photography enthusiasts who prioritize the best possible camera quality, especially in low-light and zoom scenarios.
- Users who want the best mobile display experience, especially those who use their phones outdoors frequently.
- Power users who need long battery life and fast charging capabilities.
- Users who prioritize premium features and don't mind a heavier phone.
- Users who want the most RAM and storage available.
Use Cases:
- Professional photography.
- High-end mobile gaming.
- Heavy multitasking with multiple demanding apps.
- Outdoor use in bright sunlight.
- Users who need to charge their other devices wirelessly.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions to Consider:
- How important is camera quality to you? If it's a top priority, the Pura 70 Ultra is the clear winner.
- Do you need long battery life and fast charging? If yes, the Pura 70 Ultra excels in these areas.
- Do you prefer a lighter or heavier phone? If a lighter phone is a priority, the OnePlus 9 is the better choice.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- For the casual user: The OnePlus 9 provides good performance and camera quality at a lower price point and offers some extra video features, a dedicated black and white camera, and a lighter body.
- For the photography enthusiast: The Huawei Pura 70 Ultra is the better choice, with its superior camera hardware, display, and battery performance.
- For the power user: The Huawei Pura 70 Ultra is recommended, as it has better battery performance, more RAM and storage, a high quality display, and faster charging.
My Choice
If I were choosing between these two phones, I would choose the Huawei Pura 70 Ultra.
While I value the lighter weight of the OnePlus 9, the Pura 70 Ultra's superior camera system, especially its low-light capabilities, combined with the significantly brighter display, much better battery life, faster charging, and greater storage, make it the more compelling option for me. As a user who frequently uses my phone for photography, navigation, and content consumption, those features are higher priority to me than a lighter weight and 8K video recording. Although the OnePlus 9 has the additional microphone, the Pura 70 Ultra also has noise canceling, which is more valuable to me. The Pura 70 Ultra also provides a more modern and complete user experience with its additional sensors and reverse wireless charging. While it is a heavier phone, the increase in premium features are worth the tradeoff in this instance.
