1. Specifications Comparison
Design
| Feature | OnePlus 9 | vivo X100 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 160 × 74.2 × 8.7 mm | 164.1 × 75.3 × 8.9 mm | vivo X100 Pro is slightly larger, which might be less comfortable for one-handed use. |
| Weight | 192g | 221g | OnePlus 9 is significantly lighter, making it more comfortable for extended use and easier to carry. |
| Build Quality | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 (Screen) | Unknown (Screen) | OnePlus 9 offers known screen protection against scratches and drops. vivo X100 Pro lacks specified screen protection. |
Display
| Feature | OnePlus 9 | vivo X100 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Size | 6.55" | 6.78" | vivo X100 Pro has a slightly larger screen, offering a more immersive experience for media consumption and gaming. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1260x2800 | vivo X100 Pro has a much sharper display, resulting in clearer text and images. |
| PPI | 402 | 452 | vivo X100 Pro's higher pixel density means finer details and crisper visuals. |
| Technology | AMOLED | AMOLED | Both phones offer vibrant colors and deep blacks characteristic of AMOLED technology. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | Both phones offer smooth scrolling and animations, resulting in a fluid user experience. |
| Brightness | 1100 nits | 3000 nits | vivo X100 Pro's significantly higher brightness is ideal for outdoor use in bright sunlight, making the display much more readable. |
Performance
| Feature | OnePlus 9 | vivo X100 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM8350 Snapdragon 888 5G (5 nm) | Mediatek Dimensity 9300 (4 nm) | vivo X100 Pro's newer chip offers superior performance, faster processing, and improved power efficiency. |
| AnTuTu Score | 880,900 | 1,881,325 | vivo X100 Pro provides significantly better performance for gaming, multitasking, and resource-intensive applications. |
| GPU | Adreno 660 | Immortalis-G720 MC12 | vivo X100 Pro's GPU offers superior graphics performance, providing a better gaming and media experience. |
Camera
| Feature | OnePlus 9 | vivo X100 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main Camera | 48MP, f/1.79, 1/1.4" Sony IMX689 | 50MP, f/1.75, 1" Sony IMX989 | vivo X100 Pro has a larger sensor size, higher resolution and wider aperture, leading to better low-light performance, better dynamic range and more detailed photos. |
| Selfie Camera | 16MP, f/2.4, 1/3.13" Sony IMX471 | 32MP, f/2.0, 1/2.8" Samsung S5KGD2 | vivo X100 Pro has higher resolution, wider aperture, and a larger sensor, resulting in better quality selfies, especially in low light. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 50MP, f/2.2, 1/1.56" Sony IMX766 | 50MP, f/2.0, 1/2.76" Samsung S5KJN1 | OnePlus 9 has a slightly larger sensor, while the vivo X100 Pro has a slightly wider aperture. The differences in practical usage may vary depending on the lighting conditions and shot composition, with OnePlus 9 handling low light slightly better and the vivo X100 Pro being slightly better for wide and bright shots. |
| Telephoto + Macro | None | 50MP, f/2.5, 1/2" Omnivision OV64B | vivo X100 Pro has a dedicated telephoto + macro lens, allowing for better zoom capabilities and close-up shots. |
| Black & White Lens | 2MP, f/2.4 | None | OnePlus 9 has a dedicated B&W lens for artistic shots |
| Video Recording | Up to 8K@30fps, HDR, EIS | Up to 8K@30fps, EIS | Both offer high-quality video recording but vivo X100 Pro has better stabilization with EIS enabled. |
| DXOMark Score | Not Tested | Main 150 (Photo: 149, Video: 145) | vivo X100 Pro has superior camera quality with a significantly higher score than OnePlus 9. |
| Camera Features | 4K/8K Video, Digital Zoom, PDAF, CDAF, RAW 12 bits, etc. | Cinematic Mode, Flicker Sensor, Noise Reduction, OIS, Gimbal, Laser AF, RAW, etc | vivo X100 Pro has superior features in terms of stabilization, focus and overall photo quality. |
Battery
| Feature | OnePlus 9 | vivo X100 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 4500mAh | 5400mAh | vivo X100 Pro has a larger battery, providing longer battery life throughout the day. |
| Charging | 65W Fast Charging, 15W Wireless | 100W Fast Charging, 50W Wireless, Reverse Charging | vivo X100 Pro charges significantly faster and offers faster wireless charging, plus reverse charging functionality. |
| Battery Type | Li-Polymer | Lithium | Lithium is the better battery technology. |
Software
| Feature | OnePlus 9 | vivo X100 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Operating System | Android 11 (Upgradable to 13) | Android 14 (Upgradable to 15) | vivo X100 Pro ships with a newer version of Android and will receive more future updates. |
Connectivity
| Feature | OnePlus 9 | vivo X100 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| WiFi | WiFi 6 (802.11ax) | WiFi 7 (802.11be) | vivo X100 Pro supports the latest Wi-Fi standard, offering faster speeds and more stable connections. |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.2 | Bluetooth 5.4 | vivo X100 Pro has a newer version for better power efficiency and range. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, Galileo, NavIC System | vivo X100 Pro supports more satellite systems, leading to more accurate and reliable location tracking. |
| SIM | Dual SIM (Nano) | Dual SIM (Nano/eSIM) | vivo X100 Pro supports eSIM, providing additional flexibility for carrier options. |
Storage
| Feature | OnePlus 9 | vivo X100 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Internal Storage | 128 GB or 256 GB | 256 GB or 512 GB or 1024 GB | vivo X100 Pro provides much more storage space, beneficial for users with many files and apps. |
| RAM | 8 GB or 12 GB | 12 GB or 16 GB | vivo X100 Pro has more RAM, leading to smoother multitasking and better performance with intensive apps. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone offers expandable storage. |
Audio
| Feature | OnePlus 9 | vivo X100 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Audio Quality | Dolby Atmos, Stereo Speakers, Noise cancellation microphone, 3 microphones | Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res Audio, Stereo Speakers | OnePlus 9 offers slightly more advanced features for clearer calls and better audio immersion, while vivo X100 Pro provides higher quality for music lovers. |
Security
| Feature | OnePlus 9 | vivo X100 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fingerprint Sensor | Basic Fingerprint Sensor | Basic Fingerprint Sensor | Both devices offer basic biometric security via a fingerprint sensor. |
Sensors
| Feature | OnePlus 9 | vivo X100 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Gravity | vivo X100 Pro has additional gravity sensors, which may allow more advanced gaming and motion-related applications. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
OnePlus 9 Advantages
- Lighter Design: More comfortable for extended one-handed use and carrying.
- Black & White Lens: Adds artistic options for photography enthusiasts.
- Noise Cancellation Microphone: Enhances call quality and voice capture in noisy environments
- Better Screen Protection: Corning Gorilla Glass 5 offers superior screen protection compared to the unknown screen protector on the vivo X100 Pro
- Cheaper Price Point: The OnePlus 9 is likely to be more affordable given its older release date.
vivo X100 Pro Advantages
- Superior Performance: Much more powerful chipset (Dimensity 9300) for faster app loading, gaming, and multitasking.
- Significantly Better Display: Higher resolution, brightness, and pixel density for a more vibrant and sharper viewing experience, especially outdoors.
- Superior Camera System: Larger main sensor, dedicated telephoto lens, and higher DXOMark score, leading to better photo and video quality.
- Larger Battery & Faster Charging: Longer battery life and much faster wired and wireless charging.
- Newer Software: Ships with Android 14 and will receive more updates.
- Better Connectivity: Supports Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 5.4 for faster and more reliable connections.
- More RAM & Storage Options: Offers up to 16GB of RAM and 1TB of storage.
- Hi-Res Audio: Offers higher quality audio output
- Advanced Sensors: Offers more advanced sensors for additional features
- Reverse Charging: Allows charging of other devices
Trade-offs
- OnePlus 9: While being lighter and more affordable, it lags significantly behind the vivo X100 Pro in terms of performance, display quality, camera capabilities, battery life, and charging speed.
- vivo X100 Pro: It is heavier and slightly larger, which might be less comfortable for some users, and has an unknown screen protector.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
OnePlus 9 Ideal User
- Budget-Conscious Users: Those looking for a more affordable smartphone with decent performance.
- Users Prioritizing Lightweight Design: Those who prefer a lighter and more comfortable phone.
- Basic Smartphone Users: Those who primarily use their phone for standard tasks and do not need the very best performance.
- Users interested in experimenting with a Black & White lens: Those who want artistic black and white photos.
Users who prioritize better audio for calls: Those who want better audio and voice clarity during calls.
Specific Use Cases: Everyday browsing, social media, casual photography, calls, and basic gaming.
vivo X100 Pro Ideal User
- Performance Enthusiasts: Gamers and users who need top-tier performance for demanding apps and multitasking.
- Photography Lovers: Those who prioritize camera quality and features for photos and videos.
- Heavy Media Consumers: Those who value a large, high-resolution, and bright display for watching videos and browsing content.
- Power Users: Those who need long battery life and fast charging.
Users who want the latest and greatest features: Those who want the newest software, faster connectivity and better overall features.
Specific Use Cases: High-end gaming, professional photography and videography, media creation, long-term usage, and outdoor usage in bright sunlight.
Price-to-Value Ratio
- OnePlus 9: Offers a decent price-to-value ratio for budget-conscious users who are okay with older technology.
- vivo X100 Pro: Has a high price-to-value ratio given its top-of-the-line performance and features, especially for users who will benefit from its advanced features.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions to Consider
- What is my budget? The OnePlus 9 will be significantly more affordable than the vivo X100 Pro.
- How important is camera performance to me? If photography is a high priority, the vivo X100 Pro is the clear choice with its superior camera system.
- Do I need top-tier performance and the latest features? If you require the best performance, display quality, and connectivity, the vivo X100 Pro is recommended.
Scenario-Based Recommendations
- Scenario 1: Casual User If you are a casual user with basic needs, the OnePlus 9 will be fine, but might be slow in the future, especially if you plan to use the phone for more than two years.
- Scenario 2: Mobile Photographer If you are interested in photography, the vivo X100 Pro offers superior quality and is better equipped for low-light situations and offers better zoom capabilities.
- Scenario 3: Heavy Gamer/Power User For heavy gaming, multitasking, and intensive use, the vivo X100 Pro offers a vastly superior experience.
- Scenario 4: Outdoor Enthusiast: If you need a smartphone that performs well outdoors, the vivo X100 Pro's superior screen brightness makes it the better choice
My Choice and Why
I would choose the vivo X100 Pro. Despite its higher price point and slightly heavier design, the advantages in performance, display quality, camera capabilities, and battery life are too significant to ignore. As a tech enthusiast, I value the best possible user experience, and the vivo X100 Pro's cutting-edge features and superior specifications make it a more future-proof option. The drastically improved camera, processing power and brighter display make it a much more versatile and enjoyable device for my daily usage. The extra battery capacity and faster charging are also important factors for my needs. While the OnePlus 9 is still a competent phone, the vivo X100 Pro offers a significantly superior overall package.
