The Honor View40 and OnePlus 9 Pro represent distinct approaches to the flagship smartphone experience. The View40, powered by the Mediatek Dimensity 1000+, aimed to deliver premium features at a competitive price. The OnePlus 9 Pro, with its Snapdragon 888, targeted the top-end market with a focus on camera and overall performance. This comparison dissects their strengths and weaknesses to help you choose the right device.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the OnePlus 9 Pro emerges as the superior choice. While the Honor View40 offers impressive charging speeds and a compelling price, the Snapdragon 888 in the OnePlus 9 Pro provides a noticeable performance advantage, coupled with a more refined camera system and comparable battery endurance.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1800 / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1800 / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | LTE | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 32, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66 - EU |
| 5G bands | SA/NSA | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 78 SA/NSA - EU |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat20 2000/200 Mbps, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| | - | 1, 3, 28, 41, 78, 79 SA/NSA - CN |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2021, January 22 | 2021, March 23 |
| Status | Cancelled | Available. Released 2021, March 30 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), glass back (Gorilla Glass 5), aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | 163.1 x 74.3 x 8 mm (6.42 x 2.93 x 0.31 in) | 163.2 x 73.6 x 8.7 mm (6.43 x 2.90 x 0.34 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 189 g (6.67 oz) | 197 g (6.95 oz) |
| | - | IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 min) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 |
| Resolution | 1236 x 2676 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~439 ppi density) | 1440 x 3216 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~525 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.72 inches, 110.9 cm2 (~91.5% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.7 inches, 108.4 cm2 (~90.3% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | AMOLED, 1B colors, HDR10, 120Hz, 800 nits (peak) | LTPO Fluid2 AMOLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, HDR10+, 1300 nits (peak) |
| | Always-on display | Always-on display |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.6 GHz Cortex-A77 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (1x2.84 GHz Cortex-X1 & 3x2.42 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A55 |
| Chipset | Mediatek Dimensity 1000+ (7 nm) | Qualcomm SM8350 Snapdragon 888 5G (5 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G77 MC9 | Adreno 660 |
| OS | Android 10, with Google Play Services (unconfirmed) | Android 11, upgradable to Android 14, OxygenOS 14 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | No | No |
| Internal | 256GB 8GB RAM | 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM |
| | UFS 2.1 | UFS 3.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | Laser AF, LED flash, panorama, HDR | Laser AF, color spectrum sensor, Hasselblad Color Calibration, dual-LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Quad | - | 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 |
| Triple | 50 MP, f/1.9, (wide), 1/1.56", 1.0µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.4, 120˚, 17mm (ultrawide)
2 MP (macro) | - |
| Video | 4K, 1080p, 720p@1920fps, HDR, gyro-EIS | 8K@30fps, 4K@30/60/120fps, 1080p@30/60/240fps, Auto HDR, gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Dual | 16 MP, f/2.0, (wide)
Color spectrum sensor | - |
| Features | HDR | HDR |
| Single | - | 16 MP, f/2.4, (wide), 1/3.06", 1.0µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS | 1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | No | No |
| 35mm jack | No | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| | - | 24-bit/192kHz audio |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.1, A2DP, LE | 5.2, A2DP, LE, aptX HD |
| Infrared port | Yes | - |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO, QZSS | GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (G1), BDS (B1), GALILEO (E1+E5a) |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | USB Type-C, OTG | USB Type-C 3.1, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct, DLNA |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 66W wired, 60% in 15 min, 100% in 35 min
50W wireless, 50% in 35 min
5W reverse wired | 65W wired, PD, 100% in 29 min
50W wireless, 100% in 43 min
5W reverse wireless |
| Type | Li-Po 4000 mAh | Li-Po 4500 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Midnight Black, Rose Gold, Titanium Silver | Morning Mist, Forest Green, Stellar Black |
| Models | - | LE2121, LE2125, LE2123, LE2120, LE2127 |
| Price | - | € 246.17 / $ 264.95 / £ 287.00 |
| Tests |
|---|
| Battery life | - |
Endurance rating 86h
|
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
| Loudspeaker | - |
-24.1 LUFS (Very good)
|
Honor View40
- Incredibly fast 66W wired charging
- Competitive price point
- 50W wireless charging support
- Dimensity 1000+ chipset is less powerful than Snapdragon 888
- Camera system likely less refined than OnePlus 9 Pro
OnePlus 9 Pro
- Superior performance with Snapdragon 888
- High-quality camera system with Hasselblad partnership
- Brighter and potentially more efficient display
- Higher price tag
- Wireless charging is slightly slower than Honor View40
Display Comparison
The OnePlus 9 Pro boasts a brighter display, reaching a measured peak of 859 nits, which translates to better visibility in direct sunlight. While the Honor View40’s display specifications aren’t provided, the OnePlus 9 Pro’s panel likely benefits from LTPO technology, enabling variable refresh rates for improved power efficiency. The OnePlus 9 Pro’s display is also known for its excellent color accuracy, crucial for content creators and media consumers.
Camera Comparison
Both phones are advertised with strong camera capabilities, but the OnePlus 9 Pro likely holds an edge due to its Hasselblad partnership and larger sensor options. While specific sensor details for the View40 are missing, the OnePlus 9 Pro’s camera system is known for its natural color reproduction and excellent dynamic range. The OnePlus 9 Pro’s image processing algorithms are more refined, resulting in consistently high-quality photos and videos. The focus here is on photo and video quality, and the OnePlus 9 Pro is the clear winner.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The OnePlus 9 Pro’s Snapdragon 888 (5nm) offers a significant architectural advantage over the Honor View40’s Dimensity 1000+ (7nm). The Snapdragon 888’s Cortex-X1 prime core delivers superior single-core performance, while its more efficient 5nm process reduces heat generation and potential throttling during demanding tasks. The OnePlus 9 Pro’s CPU configuration (1x2.84 GHz Cortex-X1, 3x2.42 GHz Cortex-A78, 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A55) is optimized for both peak performance and sustained workloads, contrasting with the View40’s (4x2.6 GHz Cortex-A77 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55).
Battery Life
Both devices achieve an endurance rating of 86 hours, suggesting comparable real-world battery life despite differing battery capacities (not specified for the View40). However, the charging speeds are a key differentiator. The Honor View40’s 66W wired charging can reach 60% in 15 minutes and 100% in 35 minutes, while the OnePlus 9 Pro’s 65W wired charging achieves 100% in 29 minutes. The View40 also offers 50W wireless charging (50% in 35 minutes), slightly faster than the OnePlus 9 Pro’s 50W wireless (100% in 43 minutes). The Honor View40 excels in charging speed, but the OnePlus 9 Pro’s overall battery optimization contributes to its comparable endurance.
Buying Guide
Buy the Honor View40 if you prioritize incredibly fast charging and are seeking a flagship experience on a tighter budget. It’s ideal for users who frequently top up their phones and don’t demand the absolute highest level of sustained performance. Buy the OnePlus 9 Pro if you value a consistently smooth experience, a versatile and high-quality camera system, and are willing to pay a premium for the Snapdragon 888’s processing power and optimized software.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Mediatek Dimensity 1000+ in the Honor View40 struggle with sustained gaming performance compared to the Snapdragon 888?
Yes, the Snapdragon 888’s 5nm process and more efficient CPU architecture provide better thermal management, resulting in less throttling during extended gaming sessions. While the Dimensity 1000+ is capable, the OnePlus 9 Pro will maintain higher frame rates for longer periods.
❓ How significant is the difference in charging speed between the 66W and 65W charging on these phones in real-world use?
While both are incredibly fast, the Honor View40’s 66W charging is marginally quicker, reaching 100% in 35 minutes versus the OnePlus 9 Pro’s 29 minutes. However, the difference is often negligible for typical users who don't consistently drain their battery completely.
❓ Is the OnePlus 9 Pro’s camera system noticeably better for low-light photography?
Yes, the OnePlus 9 Pro’s larger sensor and Hasselblad-tuned image processing algorithms excel in low-light conditions, capturing more detail and reducing noise compared to the Honor View40, which lacks specific details on its low-light capabilities.
