Honor Magic3 Pro+ vs OnePlus 9 Pro: A Detailed Flagship Comparison

The Honor Magic3 Pro+ and OnePlus 9 Pro represent peak Android flagship performance from 2021, but now with price drops, the choice isn't as clear. Both devices leverage Qualcomm's Snapdragon 888 series, but diverge in charging technology, camera implementation, and overall user experience. This comparison dissects the key differences to determine which phone delivers the most value today.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For most users, the OnePlus 9 Pro offers a more balanced package. While the Honor Magic3 Pro+ boasts faster wireless charging, the OnePlus 9 Pro’s established software, excellent display, and comparable performance make it the more practical choice, especially considering current pricing.

PHONES
Phone Names Honor Magic3 Pro+ OnePlus 9 Pro
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - SIM 1 & SIM 2GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1800 / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 411, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 32, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66 - EU
5G bands1, 3, 5, 8, 28, 38, 41, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 78 SA/NSA - EU
SpeedHSPA, LTE-A, 5GHSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat20 2000/200 Mbps, 5G
TechnologyGSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5GGSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE / 5G
 CDMA2000 1xEV-DO 1, 3, 28, 41, 78, 79 SA/NSA - CN
Launch
Announced2021, August 122021, March 23
StatusAvailable. Released 2021, September 19Available. Released 2021, March 30
Body
BuildGlass front, ceramic back, aluminum frameGlass front (Gorilla Glass 5), glass back (Gorilla Glass 5), aluminum frame
Dimensions162.8 x 74.9 x 9.9 mm (6.41 x 2.95 x 0.39 in)163.2 x 73.6 x 8.7 mm (6.43 x 2.90 x 0.34 in)
SIMDual SIM (Nano-SIM, dual stand-by)· Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight236 g (8.32 oz)197 g (6.95 oz)
 IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 min)IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 min)
Display
Protection-Corning Gorilla Glass 5
Resolution1344 x 2772 pixels, 18.5:9 ratio (~456 ppi density)1440 x 3216 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~525 ppi density)
Size6.76 inches, 115.7 cm2 (~94.9% screen-to-body ratio)6.7 inches, 108.4 cm2 (~90.3% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeOLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, HDR10+LTPO Fluid2 AMOLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, HDR10+, 1300 nits (peak)
 -Always-on display
Platform
CPUOcta-core (1x2.99 GHz Cortex-X1 & 3x2.42 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A55)Octa-core (1x2.84 GHz Cortex-X1 & 3x2.42 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A55
ChipsetQualcomm SM8350 Snapdragon 888+ 5G (5 nm)Qualcomm SM8350 Snapdragon 888 5G (5 nm)
GPUAdreno 660Adreno 660
OSAndroid 11, Magic UI 5Android 11, upgradable to Android 14, OxygenOS 14
Memory
Card slotNoNo
Internal512GB 12GB RAM128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM
 -UFS 3.1
Main Camera
FeaturesLED flash, HDR, panoramaLaser AF, color spectrum sensor, Hasselblad Color Calibration, dual-LED flash, HDR, panorama
Quad50 MP, f/1.9, 23mm (wide), 1/1.28", 1.22µm, multi-directional PDAF, OIS 64 MP, f/3.5, 90mm (telephoto), 1/2.0", 0.7µm, PDAF, OIS, 3.5x optical zoom, 10x hybrid zoom 64 MP, f/1.8, (monochrome) 64 MP, f/2.4, 11mm 126˚ (ultrawide), 1/2.0", 0.7µm, PDAF TOF 3D (depth)48 MP, f/1.8, 23mm (wide), 1/1.43", 1.12µm, multi-directional PDAF, OIS 8 MP, f/2.4, 77mm (telephoto), 1.0µm, PDAF, OIS, 3.3x optical zoom 50 MP, f/2.2, 14mm (ultrawide), 1/1.56", 1.0µm, AF 2 MP, f/2.4, (monochrome)
Single13 MP, f/2.4, 100˚ (ultrawide) TOF 3D, (depth/biometrics sensor)16 MP, f/2.4, (wide), 1/3.06", 1.0µm
Video4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60fps, gyro-EIS8K@30fps, 4K@30/60/120fps, 1080p@30/60/240fps, Auto HDR, gyro-EIS
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDRHDR
Single13 MP, f/2.4, 100˚ (ultrawide) TOF 3D, (depth/biometrics sensor)16 MP, f/2.4, (wide), 1/3.06", 1.0µm
Video1080p@30fps1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS
Sound
3.5mm jack NoNo
35mm jack-No
Loudspeaker Yes, with stereo speakersYes, with stereo speakers
 -24-bit/192kHz audio
Comms
Bluetooth5.2, A2DP, LE, aptX HD5.2, A2DP, LE, aptX HD
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (L1), BDS (B1I+B1c+B2a)GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (G1), BDS (B1), GALILEO (E1+E5a)
RadioNoNo
USBUSB Type-C 3.1, OTGUSB Type-C 3.1, OTG
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi DirectWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct, DLNA
Features
SensorsFingerprint (under display, optical), Face ID, accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, color spectrumFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass
Battery
Charging66W wired 66W wireless 5W reverse wireless 5W reverse wired65W wired, PD, 100% in 29 min 50W wireless, 100% in 43 min 5W reverse wireless
TypeLi-Po 4600 mAh, non-removableLi-Po 4500 mAh
Misc
ColorsCeramic Black, Ceramic WhiteMorning Mist, Forest Green, Stellar Black
ModelsELZ-AN20LE2121, LE2125, LE2123, LE2120, LE2127
PriceAbout 1070 EUR€ 246.17 / $ 264.95 / £ 287.00
Tests
Battery life- Endurance rating 86h
Camera- Photo / Video
Loudspeaker- -24.1 LUFS (Very good)

Honor Magic3 Pro+

  • Faster 66W wireless charging
  • Snapdragon 888+ offers slight performance edge
  • Potentially more efficient chipset

  • Magic UI may not appeal to all users
  • Limited availability in some regions
  • Camera details are less well-known

OnePlus 9 Pro

  • Refined OxygenOS software experience
  • Excellent display brightness and color accuracy
  • Hasselblad-tuned camera system

  • Slower wireless charging compared to Honor
  • Snapdragon 888 may throttle under sustained load
  • Software updates can be slower than some competitors

Display Comparison

The OnePlus 9 Pro features a 6.7-inch display capable of reaching 859 nits of peak brightness, ensuring excellent visibility even in direct sunlight. While the Honor Magic3 Pro+’s display specs aren’t provided, Honor typically prioritizes color accuracy and high refresh rates in their flagships. The OnePlus 9 Pro’s LTPO technology dynamically adjusts the refresh rate from 1Hz to 120Hz, optimizing battery life. Without comparable display data for the Magic3 Pro+, the OnePlus 9 Pro’s measured brightness and adaptive refresh rate give it a clear edge for outdoor usability and power efficiency.

Camera Comparison

Both the Honor Magic3 Pro+ and OnePlus 9 Pro emphasize photography and videography. The OnePlus 9 Pro benefits from a partnership with Hasselblad, focusing on natural color science. While specific sensor details for the Magic3 Pro+ are missing, the OnePlus 9 Pro’s camera system is well-documented, featuring a 48MP main sensor with OIS, a 50MP ultrawide lens, and an 8MP telephoto lens. The OnePlus 9 Pro’s image processing aims for realistic colors and dynamic range. Without detailed camera specs for the Honor, it’s difficult to definitively declare a winner, but the OnePlus 9 Pro’s Hasselblad tuning and established reputation provide a strong foundation.

Performance

Both phones utilize the Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 series, but the Honor Magic3 Pro+ steps up to the Snapdragon 888+ 5G (5nm). This 'plus' variant features a slightly higher peak CPU clock speed – 2.99 GHz Cortex-X1 versus 2.84 GHz on the OnePlus 9 Pro’s Snapdragon 888. While the difference in real-world performance is often marginal, the 888+ generally exhibits better sustained performance due to improved thermal management. Both devices share the same CPU core configuration (1x Cortex-X1, 3x Cortex-A78, 4x Cortex-A55) and utilize LPDDR5 RAM, but the 888+'s efficiency could translate to less throttling during extended gaming sessions.

Battery Life

The OnePlus 9 Pro boasts an endurance rating of 86 hours, indicating solid battery life. It supports 65W wired charging, achieving a 100% charge in just 29 minutes, and 50W wireless charging, taking 43 minutes for a full charge. The Honor Magic3 Pro+ matches the 65W wired charging speed and significantly surpasses it with 66W wireless charging. While the OnePlus 9 Pro’s battery capacity isn’t specified, the Honor Magic3 Pro+’s faster wireless charging is a key differentiator for users who prioritize convenience. Both phones offer 5W reverse wireless charging for accessories.

Buying Guide

Buy the Honor Magic3 Pro+ if you prioritize the absolute fastest wireless charging speeds and are comfortable with Honor’s Magic UI. Its 66W wireless charging is a significant advantage for those who frequently top up wirelessly. Buy the OnePlus 9 Pro if you value a refined software experience, a consistently bright and color-accurate display, and a well-rounded camera system with Hasselblad color calibration. It’s the safer, more polished option for the average user.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Does the Snapdragon 888 in the OnePlus 9 Pro suffer from significant thermal throttling during prolonged gaming sessions?
The Snapdragon 888 is known to generate heat under sustained load. The OnePlus 9 Pro incorporates cooling solutions, but some throttling is still possible during extended gaming. However, it's generally manageable and doesn't drastically impact performance for most users. The Honor Magic3 Pro+'s 888+ may mitigate this slightly, but real-world differences are often minimal.
❓ How does the 50W wireless charging on the OnePlus 9 Pro compare to the 66W wireless charging on the Honor Magic3 Pro+ in terms of real-world charging time?
The Honor Magic3 Pro+'s 66W wireless charging is significantly faster. While the OnePlus 9 Pro takes 43 minutes for a full wireless charge, the Magic3 Pro+ can achieve a full charge in a considerably shorter timeframe, making it ideal for users who rely heavily on wireless charging.
❓ Is the Hasselblad color calibration on the OnePlus 9 Pro noticeable in everyday photos?
Yes, the Hasselblad partnership aims for more natural and accurate color reproduction. Users report that photos taken with the OnePlus 9 Pro exhibit a more realistic color palette compared to some competitors that tend to oversaturate colors. This is particularly noticeable in landscape and portrait photography.
❓ What are the key differences between OxygenOS on the OnePlus 9 Pro and Magic UI on the Honor Magic3 Pro+?
OxygenOS is known for its clean, near-stock Android experience with subtle customizations. Magic UI, on the other hand, offers a more heavily customized interface with a wider range of features and visual changes. OxygenOS generally appeals to users who prefer a minimalist approach, while Magic UI caters to those who enjoy more customization options.