1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Oppo Find X3 Pro | Huawei nova 9 SE | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 163.6 × 74 × 8.3 mm | 164.6 × 75.6 × 7.9 mm | Oppo is slightly thinner, Huawei is a bit wider, but both are very similar in size |
| Weight | 193g | 191g | Negligible difference, both feel similar in hand |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.7" | 6.78" | Almost identical screen sizes, no noticeable difference |
| Resolution | 1440x3216 | 1080x2388 | Oppo has a significantly sharper and more detailed display |
| PPI | 525 | 387 | Oppo's display is noticeably clearer and less pixelated, especially for text and images |
| Technology | AMOLED | IPS LCD | Oppo has superior color reproduction, deeper blacks, better contrast, and more efficient in dark mode |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 90Hz | Oppo provides slightly smoother animations and scrolling, especially noticeable in fast-paced content |
| Brightness | 1300 nits | 0 nits (Not Specified) | Oppo is much better for outdoor use, providing excellent visibility in sunlight. Huawei's brightness is unknown and may struggle outdoors. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 5G (5 nm) | Qualcomm Snapdragon 680 4G (6 nm) | Oppo offers significantly faster performance, smoother multitasking, and better gaming capabilities. Huawei’s chipset is slower and may struggle with demanding apps and games |
| AnTuTu Score | 876,500 | 248,000 | Oppo is much more powerful, resulting in snappier app loading, seamless multitasking, and better gaming |
| GPU | Adreno 660 | Adreno 610 | Oppo has a superior GPU for smoother graphics in games and demanding applications |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 4500mAh | 4000mAh | Oppo offers longer battery life for more usage between charges |
| Charging | 65W Fast Charging | 66W Fast Charging | Both phones charge quickly; Huawei is negligibly faster |
| Features | Wireless charging (30W), Reverse Wireless Charging, Reverse charging | Reverse charging | Oppo offers more charging convenience with wireless options |
| Camera | |||
| Standard Camera | 50MP, f/1.8, 1/1.56", Sony IMX766 | 108MP, f/1.9, 1/1.52", Samsung S5KHM2 | Huawei captures higher resolution images. Oppo has a wider aperture and larger pixel size, resulting in better low-light performance. Overall, Oppo has slightly better image quality. |
| Selfie Camera | 32MP, f/2.4, 1/2.74", Sony IMX615 | 16MP, f/2.2 | Oppo captures higher resolution selfie images. Huawei's has a slightly wider aperture for better low light selfies. Overall, Oppo has better selfie quality |
| Telephoto Lens | 13MP, f/2.4, 1/3.4", Samsung S5K3M5 | None | Oppo provides optical zoom for better close up images, while Huawei does not |
| Wide Angle Lens | 50MP, f/2.2, 1/1.56", Sony IMX766 | None | Oppo has a wide-angle lens for capturing more in each shot. Huawei does not have a wide angle lens |
| Portrait Lens | None | 2MP, f/2.4 | Huawei has a dedicated depth lens for portrait shots. Oppo relies on software processing. |
| Macro Lens | None | 2MP, f/2.4 | Huawei has a macro lens for close-up shots, Oppo does not |
| Wide Angle + Macro Lens | None | 8MP, f/2.2 | Huawei has a combined wide-angle macro, making versatility. Oppo does not have a dedicated macro lens |
| Video | 4K@60fps with HDR, EIS | 1080p@30fps with EIS | Oppo offers higher quality video recording with better stabilization |
| Slow-motion | 480 fps | 960 fps | Huawei offers faster slow-motion capture |
| DxOMark | Overall: 128, Photo: 134, Video: 125 | Not tested | Oppo has a significantly better overall camera performance compared to Huawei. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11, upgradable to 14 | Android 11 | Oppo will be upgraded to Android 14, Huawei is not specified |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | WiFi 6 (802.11ax) | WiFi 6 (802.11ax) | Both have the same high speed Wi-Fi capabilities |
| Bluetooth | 5.2 | 5.0 | Oppo uses a newer version of bluetooth for more stable, faster connections |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | Oppo supports more satellite systems for more accurate location tracking |
| SIM | Dual SIM (Nano) | Dual SIM (Nano) | Both support dual SIM cards |
| Storage | |||
| Internal Storage | 256 GB or 512 GB | 128 GB or 256 GB | Oppo provides more internal storage options |
| RAM | 12 GB or 16 GB | 6 GB or 8 GB | Oppo offers much more RAM, allowing for smoother performance and multitasking |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither offer storage expansion |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Dolby Atmos, Stereo Speakers | Basic | Oppo provides much better audio with enhanced spatial and better sound separation |
| Security | |||
| Features | basic fingerprint sensor | side-mounted fingerprint sensor | Huawei is faster and more convenient with a side-mounted sensor |
| Build Quality | |||
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | Unknown | Oppo provides protection against scratches and damage with Corning Gorilla Glass |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Gravity, Pedometer | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope | Oppo provides more sensor data for more advanced features and gaming |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Oppo Find X3 Pro Advantages:
- Superior Display: AMOLED with higher resolution, PPI, and brightness for a much better viewing experience.
- Significantly Higher Performance: Snapdragon 888 chipset offers far superior processing power for gaming and heavy apps.
- Better Camera System: Includes telephoto and wide-angle lenses, higher quality standard camera, and better overall image quality (as indicated by DxOMark score).
- Wireless Charging: 30W wireless charging adds convenience.
- More RAM and Storage Options: Up to 16 GB of RAM and 512 GB of storage.
- Better Audio: Dolby Atmos and stereo speakers provide much better sound quality.
- More Advanced Connectivity: Newer Bluetooth version and more satellite systems for location tracking.
- More Protection: Gorilla Glass 5 provides more screen protection.
More Sensor Data: More sensors provide more versatility.
Practical Implications: The Find X3 Pro excels in tasks requiring smooth performance, high quality visuals, and versatile camera capabilities.
Huawei Nova 9 SE Advantages:
- Slightly Faster Charging: Marginally faster 66W charging, though both are very fast.
- Portrait and Macro Lenses: Dedicated lenses for close up and portraits.
- Slightly Wider Selfie Aperture: Better in low-light conditions for selfies.
- Side-mounted fingerprint scanner: Easier to access and more convenient.
- Higher Resolution Standard Camera: More detail in standard photographs.
Faster Slow-motion: 960 fps slow-motion capture.
Practical Implications: The Nova 9 SE offers a good camera for general photography with dedicated lenses for macro and portrait modes and provides faster slow-motion capture. The device charges quickly and has a more convenient fingerprint scanner.
Trade-offs:
- Oppo Find X3 Pro: More expensive.
- Huawei Nova 9 SE: Lower performance, lower quality display, and fewer camera features.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Oppo Find X3 Pro Ideal Users:
- Power Users: Those who require high performance for gaming, multitasking, and demanding applications.
- Photography Enthusiasts: Users who prioritize high quality photos and videos, and want versatility in different scenarios.
- Media Consumers: Users who value a high-quality display for watching movies, browsing, and other media.
- Users with Large Files: Users who need the option for more internal storage for media and files.
- Users who Value Convenience: Those that need wireless charging and reverse wireless charging.
Specific Use Cases for Oppo Find X3 Pro:
- Gaming at high frame rates and detail settings
- Professional-quality photography and videography
- Enjoying HDR content on a vibrant display
- Multitasking heavy applications and work
- Long travel sessions and need to rely on wireless charging
Huawei Nova 9 SE Ideal Users:
- Casual Users: Those who use their phones for basic tasks like social media, browsing, and messaging.
- Budget-Conscious Users: Those looking for a capable phone at a more affordable price.
- Users Who Enjoy Photography: Users that want the versatility of a macro and portrait lens for general photography.
- Users who want longer slow-motion capture: Those that want to capture fast movement in slow-motion at a higher frame rate.
- Users who Prefer Faster Fingerprint Unlock: Those who prefer side-mounted fingerprint sensors.
Specific Use Cases for Huawei Nova 9 SE:
- Everyday tasks such as browsing and social media
- General photography in good lighting conditions
- Long travel sessions that need the convenience of fast charging
- Users that use fingerprint security frequently and prefer side mounted sensors
- Users that want to capture fast moving objects in slow-motion
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- Performance Needs: Do you need high performance for gaming and heavy apps, or will basic performance suffice?
- Display Quality: How important is display quality (resolution, color accuracy, brightness) for your usage?
- Camera Versatility: Do you need a versatile camera system with zoom and wide-angle lenses, or will basic photography features work for you?
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: High Performance & Camera Focus: If you need a phone for gaming, demanding applications, and high quality photography, the Oppo Find X3 Pro is the clear choice.
- Scenario 2: Budget-Conscious & Basic Needs: If you are on a budget and need a phone for general usage and basic photography, the Huawei Nova 9 SE is a suitable option.
- Scenario 3: Balanced Performance and Photography: If you want great quality performance and photography, the Oppo Find X3 Pro is still recommended, as it offers a much better experience in both categories than the Huawei Nova 9 SE.
- Scenario 4: Focus on Slow-motion: If slow-motion video capture is important, the Huawei Nova 9 SE is the better choice, but comes at a large cost of lower performance, display, and image quality.
My Choice
I would choose the Oppo Find X3 Pro.
Here's why:
Despite being the older phone by one year, it significantly outperforms the Huawei in almost every category that matters to me. I value a high-quality display for media consumption and gaming, the superior performance of the Snapdragon 888 chipset ensures smooth multitasking, and the enhanced camera capabilities give me the most versatility.
While the Huawei offers some unique features like a dedicated portrait and macro lens, and the faster slow-motion capture, it is at the cost of lower quality performance, display, and image quality overall. For me, the overall user experience is more important than those features.
The higher price of the Oppo is justified by the better quality display, more processing power, more versatile camera system, and additional features like wireless charging and better audio. For me, it represents better long term value, which makes it a better fit for my needs.
