Huawei P40 Pro vs OnePlus 9 Pro: A Detailed Comparison of Flagship Powerhouses
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🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the OnePlus 9 Pro emerges as the better choice. Its Snapdragon 888 5G chipset offers a performance edge, and the 65W charging is a game-changer. While the P40 Pro’s camera is excellent, the 9 Pro’s overall package and software experience are more compelling in 2024.
| PHONES | ||
|---|---|---|
| Phone Names | Huawei P40 Pro | OnePlus 9 Pro |
| Network | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1800 / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 32, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 - ELS-NX9 | 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 | 1, 3, 28, 38, 41, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA - ELS-NX9 | 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 | 2020, March 26 | 2021, March 23 |
| Status | Available. Released 2020, April 07 | Available. Released 2021, March 30 |
| Body | ||
|---|---|---|
| Build | Glass front, glass back, aluminum frame | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), glass back (Gorilla Glass 5), aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | 158.2 x 72.6 x 9 mm (6.23 x 2.86 x 0.35 in) | 163.2 x 73.6 x 8.7 mm (6.43 x 2.90 x 0.34 in) |
| SIM | · Nano-SIM + eSIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 209 g (7.37 oz) | 197 g (6.95 oz) |
| - | IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 min) | |
| Display | ||
|---|---|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 |
| Resolution | 1200 x 2640 pixels (~441 ppi density) | 1440 x 3216 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~525 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.58 inches, 105.2 cm2 (~91.6% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.7 inches, 108.4 cm2 (~90.3% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | OLED, 90Hz, HDR10 | LTPO Fluid2 AMOLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, HDR10+, 1300 nits (peak) |
| - | Always-on display | |
| Platform | ||
|---|---|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.86 GHz Cortex-A76 & 2x2.36 GHz Cortex-A76 & 4x1.95 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (1x2.84 GHz Cortex-X1 & 3x2.42 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A55 |
| Chipset | Kirin 990 5G (7 nm+) | Qualcomm SM8350 Snapdragon 888 5G (5 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G76 MP16 | Adreno 660 |
| OS | Android 10, EMUI 12, no Google Play Services | Android 11, upgradable to Android 14, OxygenOS 14 |
| Memory | ||
|---|---|---|
| Card slot | Nano Memory (uses shared SIM slot) | No |
| Internal | 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 512GB 8GB RAM | 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM |
| - | UFS 3.1 | |
| Main Camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Features | Leica optics, color spectrum sensor, 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, 23mm (wide), 1/1.28", 1.22µm, dual pixel PDAF, OIS 12 MP, f/3.4, 125mm (periscope telephoto), PDAF, OIS, 5x optical zoom 40 MP, f/1.8, 18mm (ultrawide), 1/1.54", PDAF TOF 3D, (depth) | - |
| Video | 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60fps, 720@7680fps, 1080p@960fps, HDR; gyro-EIS | 8K@30fps, 4K@30/60/120fps, 1080p@30/60/240fps, Auto HDR, gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Features | HDR | HDR |
| Single | 32 MP, f/2.2, 26mm (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm, AF IR TOF 3D, (depth/biometrics sensor) | 16 MP, f/2.4, (wide), 1/3.06", 1.0µm |
| Video | 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60fps | 1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS |
| Sound | ||
|---|---|---|
| 3.5mm jack | No | No |
| 35mm jack | No | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | 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 (L1), BDS (B1I+B1c+B2a), GALILEO (E1+E5a), QZSS (L1+L5), NavIC | GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (G1), BDS (B1), GALILEO (E1+E5a) |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 3.1, 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 | Infrared Face ID, fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery | ||
|---|---|---|
| Charging | 40W wired 27W wireless 27W reverse wireless | 65W wired, PD, 100% in 29 min 50W wireless, 100% in 43 min 5W reverse wireless |
| Type | Li-Po 4200 mAh | Li-Po 4500 mAh |
| Misc | ||
|---|---|---|
| Colors | Silver Frost, Blush Gold, Deep Sea Blue, Ice White, Black | Morning Mist, Forest Green, Stellar Black |
| Models | ELS-NX9, ELS-N04, ELS-AN00, ELS-TN00 | LE2121, LE2125, LE2123, LE2120, LE2127 |
| Price | € 360.00 / £ 335.00 | € 246.17 / $ 264.95 / £ 287.00 |
| Pricing | ||
|---|---|---|
| 256GB 8GB RAM | $ 714.88 | - |
| RENEWED | $ 680.00 | - |
| Tests | ||
|---|---|---|
| Battery life | Endurance rating 94h | Endurance rating 86h |
| Camera | Photo / Video | Photo / Video |
| Display | Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) | - |
| Loudspeaker | -27.5 LUFS (Good) | -24.1 LUFS (Very good) |
| Performance | AnTuTu: 496356 (v8) GeekBench: 12848 (v4.4), 3197 (v5.1) GFXBench: 31fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) | - |
Huawei P40 Pro
- Exceptional camera versatility
- Long battery endurance (94h)
- Faster reverse wireless charging (27W)
- Older chipset (Kirin 990 5G)
- Slower charging speeds
- Huawei ecosystem limitations
OnePlus 9 Pro
- Faster Snapdragon 888 5G chipset
- Significantly faster charging (65W wired, 50W wireless)
- Brighter display (859 nits)
- Slightly lower battery endurance (86h)
- Slower reverse wireless charging (5W)
- Hasselblad color science may not appeal to all
Display Comparison
The OnePlus 9 Pro boasts a significantly brighter display, peaking at 859 nits measured, compared to the P40 Pro’s ‘Infinite’ (nominal) contrast ratio which doesn’t translate to real-world brightness. While both offer excellent viewing experiences, the 9 Pro’s higher brightness is crucial for outdoor visibility. The P40 Pro’s display technology isn’t specified beyond contrast, suggesting it lacks the advanced features like LTPO found in some contemporary displays, potentially impacting variable refresh rate efficiency. The OnePlus 9 Pro’s display is demonstrably superior for users who frequently consume content outdoors or in brightly lit environments.
Camera Comparison
Both phones excel in camera capabilities, but approach it differently. The P40 Pro is renowned for its versatile camera system, though specific sensor details are missing. The OnePlus 9 Pro, while also offering a strong camera experience, benefits from Hasselblad’s color calibration. The P40 Pro’s strength lies in its image processing, known for vibrant colors and strong dynamic range. The OnePlus 9 Pro’s advantage is its faster processing and potentially better low-light performance due to the newer chipset. Without detailed sensor specs for the P40 Pro, it’s difficult to definitively declare a winner, but the 9 Pro’s partnership with Hasselblad and modern image processing pipeline give it an edge.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets: the Huawei P40 Pro utilizes the Kirin 990 5G (7nm+), while the OnePlus 9 Pro features the Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 5G (5nm). The Snapdragon 888’s 5nm process offers superior transistor density and thermal efficiency compared to the Kirin 990’s 7nm+ node. This translates to better sustained performance under heavy loads and less throttling during extended gaming sessions. The Snapdragon 888’s Cortex-X1 prime core also provides a noticeable performance boost over the P40 Pro’s Cortex-A76 cores. While both phones have 8GB of RAM, the Snapdragon 888’s architecture is more efficient, benefiting multitasking and app launch speeds.
Battery Life
The Huawei P40 Pro achieves an endurance rating of 94 hours, while the OnePlus 9 Pro scores 86 hours. However, this doesn’t tell the whole story. The OnePlus 9 Pro compensates for the slightly lower endurance rating with its dramatically faster charging capabilities: 65W wired (0-100% in 29 minutes) and 50W wireless (0-100% in 43 minutes) versus the P40 Pro’s 40W wired and 27W wireless. This means the 9 Pro can quickly top up its battery, minimizing downtime. The P40 Pro also offers 27W reverse wireless charging, a feature the 9 Pro only provides at 5W, making it more useful for charging accessories.
Buying Guide
Buy the Huawei P40 Pro if you prioritize camera versatility and long-term battery endurance above all else, and are comfortable with the limitations of the Huawei ecosystem. Buy the OnePlus 9 Pro if you value raw performance, incredibly fast charging, a brighter display, and a more streamlined Android experience with guaranteed updates.