1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Oppo Find X3 Pro | Huawei nova 9 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 163.6 x 74 x 8.3 mm | 160 x 73.7 x 7.8 mm | Oppo is slightly larger and thicker, may feel less comfortable for one-handed use. |
| Weight | 193g | 175g | Huawei is lighter, making it more comfortable for extended holding and carrying around. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.7" | 6.57" | Oppo offers a slightly larger viewing area, better for media consumption and gaming. |
| Resolution | 1440 x 3216 | 1080 x 2340 | Oppo has significantly sharper display; text and images look much clearer. |
| Pixel Density | 525 ppi | 392 ppi | Oppo offers crisper visuals, especially noticeable with small fonts and high-resolution images. |
| Technology | AMOLED | OLED | Both offer vibrant colors and deep blacks, similar viewing experience. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | Both have buttery smooth scrolling and animations for a fluid user experience. |
| Brightness | 1300 nits | 0 nits | Oppo is significantly more readable in bright sunlight, excellent outdoor visibility. Huawei's brightness is unknown, making it a gamble for outdoor usage. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 5G (5 nm) | Qualcomm Snapdragon 778G 4G (6 nm) | Oppo has a much faster processor for demanding apps, gaming, and future-proofing. Huawei uses an older chip without 5G support. |
| AnTuTu Score | 876,500 | 578,555 | Oppo offers significantly better performance for demanding tasks and gaming. |
| GPU | Adreno 660 | Adreno 642L | Oppo provides smoother graphics performance in games and other GPU-intensive tasks. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 4500mAh | 4300mAh | Oppo has a slightly larger battery; may result in a bit more usage time before needing to recharge, though the difference is minimal. |
| Charging | 65W Fast Charging | 66W Fast Charging | Both offer very fast charging, quickly top up the battery. |
| Features | Reverse Charging, 30W Wireless Charging | Non-removable | Oppo has added convenience with wireless charging and the ability to charge other devices. Huawei only has standard charging. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 50MP, f/1.8, 1/1.56" | 50MP, f/1.9, 1/1.56" | Oppo has a slightly wider aperture, possibly better low-light performance. |
| Selfie Camera | 32MP, f/2.4 | 32MP, f/2.0 | Huawei offers a wider aperture for better selfies in lower lighting conditions. |
| Telephoto Lens | 13MP, f/2.4 | None | Oppo offers optical zoom capabilities, better for capturing distant subjects. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 50MP, f/2.2 | 8MP, f/2.2 | Oppo offers far superior ultra-wide photos in terms of detail and quality. |
| Portrait Mode (Depth) | None | 2MP, f/2.4 | Huawei offers depth sensing, which helps with background blur, Oppo lacks it. |
| Macro Lens | None | 2MP, f/2.4 | Huawei has macro photography capabilities for close-up shots. Oppo is missing this feature. |
| Video | Up to 4K@60fps | Up to 720p@960fps | Oppo has significantly higher video resolution and frame rate, better for videography; Both offer different stabilization technologies. |
| DxOMark Score | Mobile: 128, Photo: 134, Video: 125 | Not Available | Oppo provides an idea of the expected image and video quality. Huawei has not had a formal test done. |
| Features | OIS, Optical Zoom, RAW | None | Oppo has superior optical image stabilization and zoom, enhancing picture quality. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 (upgradable to 14) | Unknown | Oppo offers a modern Android OS experience and planned updates. The lack of information about the OS on Huawei is a significant concern. |
| Connectivity | |||
| WiFi | WiFi 6 (802.11ax) | WiFi 6 (802.11ax) | Both offer similar Wi-Fi speed, Oppo has extra Wi-Fi features. |
| Bluetooth | 5.2 (LE, APT-x, LDAC, AAC) | 5.2 (EDR) | Oppo offers high-quality wireless audio options. |
| GPS | Advanced GPS | Standard GPS | Oppo provides greater accuracy in location services thanks to more satellite support. |
| SIM | Dual Nano SIM | Micro + Nano SIM | Oppo offers two nano SIMs, Huawei provides flexibility with one micro and one nano SIM slot. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 256GB/512GB | 128GB/256GB | Oppo offers higher storage capacity, more room for files, photos, apps. |
| RAM | 12GB/16GB | 8GB | Oppo is more capable for heavy multitasking and demanding apps/games. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither supports external storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Dolby Atmos, Stereo Speakers | Basic | Oppo offers enhanced sound with spatial audio and stereo effect for better media and gaming experience. |
| Security | |||
| Features | Fingerprint sensor | Fingerprint sensor | Both offer standard fingerprint biometric security. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Protection | Gorilla Glass 5 | Unknown | Oppo has better scratch and drop resistance. Huawei's protection is unknown. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Pedometer, Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope | Oppo includes a pedometer for fitness tracking. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Oppo Find X3 Pro Advantages:
- Superior Display: Significantly higher resolution and brightness, offering sharper, clearer visuals, especially in outdoor conditions.
- More Powerful Performance: The Snapdragon 888 chipset provides noticeably better speed, smoother multitasking, and better gaming performance compared to the Snapdragon 778G 4G.
- Better Camera System: The Oppo boasts an additional telephoto lens, higher resolution wide-angle lens, OIS, and superior video recording capabilities, including 4K resolution, optical zoom, and RAW capabilities.
- More Versatile Battery Features: Includes wireless charging, reverse wireless charging, and reverse charging, which are all absent in the Huawei.
- Enhanced Audio: Offers Dolby Atmos and Stereo Speakers, giving a much better audio experience.
- Greater Storage and RAM: Includes up to 512GB storage, and 16 GB RAM.
- Advanced GPS and Wi-Fi: Enhanced location accuracy and extra Wi-Fi features.
- Screen Protection: Better screen protection against scratches and drops thanks to Corning Gorilla Glass 5.
Practical Implications of Oppo's Advantages: The Oppo is the clear winner when it comes to demanding tasks and situations, including intense gaming, high-quality media consumption, outdoor visibility, photography, and videography. The extra features improve ease of use and versatility, and make the experience much more enjoyable.
Huawei nova 9 Advantages:
- Lighter Design: The phone is more comfortable to hold and carry around due to its reduced weight.
- Wider Aperture on Front Camera: Slightly better low-light performance for selfies.
- Dedicated Macro and Depth Lenses: Offers additional photography options for close-ups and portrait mode with background blur.
- Potentially faster wired charging While the difference is only 1W, it is a slight advantage.
Practical Implications of Huawei's Advantages: The Huawei is slightly better for users who care about lightweight design and have a desire for macro and portrait photography with a dedicated depth lens.
Significant Trade-offs:
- Oppo Find X3 Pro: The main trade off is its larger size and weight compared to the Huawei nova 9.
- Huawei nova 9: The major trade-offs are the lack of 5G support, lower processing power, significantly lower resolution and brightness, lack of advanced camera features, lack of wireless charging, poor audio, and uncertain software support.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Oppo Find X3 Pro:
- Ideal User: Power users, gamers, photographers, videographers, and those who frequently consume high-quality media on their phones.
- Use Cases: High-end mobile gaming, creating and editing videos, capturing detailed photos in various scenarios, watching HDR content in bright sunlight, and running heavy applications.
- Price-to-Value: While likely more expensive, offers high performance and features, suitable for users who need the best-in-class specs and camera capabilities.
Huawei nova 9:
- Ideal User: Users who prioritize a lightweight phone, basic photography features with dedicated macro and depth lenses, and do not need top-tier performance.
- Use Cases: Daily social media use, casual gaming, general photography with the extra macro and depth capabilities, and users who want a cheaper phone.
- Price-to-Value: Likely more affordable, suitable for users on a budget who don't need the best possible features.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- Performance Needs: Do you need a fast phone for demanding games and applications, or is basic performance sufficient?
- Display Importance: How critical is screen quality (resolution, brightness) for your typical use (e.g., outdoor visibility, viewing experience)?
- Camera Requirements: Are you interested in advanced photography and video features, including optical zoom, RAW capture, and high video resolutions?
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: High-Performance User
- If you need top-tier performance, gaming capabilities, high-quality video capabilities, and the best possible screen, the Oppo Find X3 Pro is the clear choice.
- Scenario 2: Budget-Conscious User
- If budget is a primary concern, and you are okay with basic performance, a lower resolution screen, basic photo capabilities, and don't mind lack of 5G or wireless charging, then the Huawei nova 9 may be sufficient. However, note the lack of brightness and uncertain software support.
- Scenario 3: Casual User with a Focus on Photography
- If you are a casual user but would like extra camera functionality, you may lean towards the Huawei nova 9, but note that image quality may be lower compared to the Oppo.
My Choice and Explanation
If I were choosing between these two phones, I would pick the Oppo Find X3 Pro. The main reasons are:
- Superior performance: The Snapdragon 888 offers much faster processing, which is better for multitasking and future-proofing. The better GPU also means smoother graphics in games.
- Significantly Better Display: The higher resolution and brightness make a huge difference in daily use, especially when using the phone in bright sunlight or watching high-resolution content.
- Much More Versatile Camera: The inclusion of a telephoto lens, a much higher resolution wide-angle lens, optical image stabilization, and superior video recording capabilities (4K with higher frame rates), makes the camera system on the Oppo significantly better for all sorts of situations. The ability to capture RAW images is also appealing.
- Wireless Charging: The added convenience of wireless and reverse wireless charging is a great feature to have in a modern smartphone.
- Better Audio: The Dolby Atmos and stereo speakers offer a much better experience for media and gaming,
- Peace of mind: The listed specs are more complete, allowing for better informed decision making, especially the better screen protection and Android 11/14 OS.
While the Huawei has its advantages with its lighter design and some extra lenses, the drawbacks in processing power, display quality, camera capabilities, and battery features make the Oppo a much better pick. I am willing to pay extra for these improvements and would prefer the added versatility and performance offered by the Oppo. The lack of brightness information on the Huawei makes it unusable in bright outdoor situations, a critical failure for a smartphone.
