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

The Honor Magic3 Pro+ and OnePlus 9 Pro represent the pinnacle of Android flagship design from 2021, both powered by Qualcomm's Snapdragon 888 series. While both aim for a premium experience, they diverge in key areas like charging speed, and subtle chipset differences. This comparison dissects these nuances to determine which device delivers the most value.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For users prioritizing ultimate charging speed and a slight performance edge, the Honor Magic3 Pro+ is the winner. However, the OnePlus 9 Pro offers a comparable experience with excellent battery endurance and a refined software experience, making it a strong contender.

PHONES
Phone Names Honor Magic3 Pro+ OnePlus 9 Pro
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 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, 5GHSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat20 2000/200 Mbps, 5G
TechnologyGSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5GGSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE / 5G
 -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)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM· 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)
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
FeaturesColor spectrum sensor, LED 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)
Single-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 -No
35mm jackNoNo
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, compassFingerprint (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 mAhLi-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 wired and wireless charging
  • Snapdragon 888+ offers a slight performance boost
  • Potential for better thermal management

  • Battery capacity not specified
  • Software support may be less consistent than OnePlus

OnePlus 9 Pro

  • Excellent 86-hour battery endurance
  • Hasselblad-tuned camera for accurate colors
  • Well-established software update track record

  • Slower wireless charging compared to Honor
  • Snapdragon 888 is slightly less powerful than 888+

Display Comparison

The OnePlus 9 Pro boasts a measured peak brightness of 859 nits, providing excellent visibility outdoors. While the Honor Magic3 Pro+ display specifications aren't provided, Honor typically focuses on color accuracy and high refresh rates in their flagship displays. The absence of LTPO information for the Magic3 Pro+ means it may not dynamically adjust refresh rates as efficiently as some competitors, potentially impacting battery life. Both devices likely employ high-quality OLED panels, but the OnePlus 9 Pro’s measured brightness gives it a slight edge in direct sunlight.

Camera Comparison

Both devices are equipped with capable camera systems, but detailed sensor information is limited. The OnePlus 9 Pro’s camera is known for its Hasselblad color calibration, aiming for natural and accurate image reproduction. The Honor Magic3 Pro+ likely employs a similar multi-camera setup, but without specific sensor details, it’s difficult to assess its low-light performance or dynamic range. The absence of information regarding OIS on either device makes it impossible to compare stabilization capabilities. Focusing on photo and video capabilities, the OnePlus 9 Pro's Hasselblad partnership is a key differentiator.

Performance

Both phones utilize the Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 series, but the Honor Magic3 Pro+ features the Snapdragon 888+ 5G. This 'plus' variant boasts a slightly higher peak CPU clock speed (2.99 GHz Cortex-X1 vs 2.84 GHz on the OnePlus 9 Pro), potentially leading to marginally faster performance in CPU-intensive tasks. Both share the same Adreno 660 GPU and memory configuration (likely LPDDR5), meaning gaming performance will be very similar. However, the 888+’s improved thermal design could translate to less throttling during extended gaming sessions, benefiting the Honor Magic3 Pro+.

Battery Life

The OnePlus 9 Pro has an endurance rating of 86 hours, indicating solid battery life. The Honor Magic3 Pro+’s battery capacity is not specified, but its 66W wired and 66W wireless charging capabilities significantly outperform the OnePlus 9 Pro’s 65W wired and 50W wireless charging. The Honor Magic3 Pro+ can achieve a full charge in less time, both wired and wirelessly, offering a substantial convenience advantage. The OnePlus 9 Pro’s 29-minute 0-100% wired charge is competitive, but the Honor’s wireless charging is notably faster.

Buying Guide

Buy the Honor Magic3 Pro+ if you demand the fastest possible charging – both wired and wireless – and appreciate the incremental performance boost from the Snapdragon 888+. This phone is ideal for power users who frequently top up their devices throughout the day. Buy the OnePlus 9 Pro if you value a well-rounded experience with a proven track record of software updates, and prioritize battery endurance alongside fast charging. It’s the better choice for users who prefer a more polished and consistent user interface.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Does the Snapdragon 888+ in the Honor Magic3 Pro+ actually make a noticeable difference in real-world usage compared to the Snapdragon 888 in the OnePlus 9 Pro?
While the 888+ offers a slight clock speed advantage, the difference in everyday tasks will be minimal. The benefit is most apparent during sustained, demanding workloads like prolonged gaming or video editing, where the improved thermal management of the 888+ can prevent throttling and maintain higher performance.
❓ How significant is the difference in charging speeds between 66W and 65W wired charging?
The difference is relatively small, with both phones offering incredibly fast wired charging. The Honor Magic3 Pro+’s 66W charging is marginally faster, but the OnePlus 9 Pro’s 65W still achieves a full charge in under 30 minutes. The more substantial difference lies in wireless charging, where the Honor’s 66W significantly outperforms the OnePlus 9 Pro’s 50W.
❓ Is the lack of detailed camera sensor information for the Honor Magic3 Pro+ a major concern?
Yes, it is. Without knowing the sensor sizes, apertures, and OIS capabilities, it’s difficult to accurately assess the camera’s performance, especially in low-light conditions. The OnePlus 9 Pro’s Hasselblad partnership provides a clearer understanding of its image processing style and color accuracy.