Meizu 18 Pro vs OnePlus 9 Pro: A Deep Dive into Flagship Android Choices

The Meizu 18 Pro and OnePlus 9 Pro represent distinct approaches to the flagship Android experience. The Meizu, often lauded for its compact form factor and refined software, faces off against the OnePlus 9 Pro, known for its Hasselblad-tuned camera and blazing-fast charging. This comparison dissects their similarities and differences to determine which device best suits your needs.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For most users, the OnePlus 9 Pro emerges as the stronger all-rounder. Its significantly faster wired and wireless charging, coupled with a comparable endurance rating, provides a more convenient daily experience. While the Meizu 18 Pro offers a compelling package, the OnePlus 9 Pro’s charging advantage is decisive.

PHONES
Phone Names Meizu 18 Pro OnePlus 9 Pro
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1800 / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 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, 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 / HSPA / LTE / 5GGSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE / 5G
 -1, 3, 28, 41, 78, 79 SA/NSA - CN
Launch
Announced2021, March 03. Released 2021, March 082021, March 23
StatusDiscontinuedAvailable. Released 2021, March 30
Body
Build-Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), glass back (Gorilla Glass 5), aluminum frame
Dimensions162.5 x 73 x 8.1 mm (6.40 x 2.87 x 0.32 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
Weight189 g (6.67 oz)197 g (6.95 oz)
 WaterproofIP68 dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 min)
Display
ProtectionCorning Gorilla Glass 6Corning Gorilla Glass 5
Resolution1440 x 3200 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~526 ppi density)1440 x 3216 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~525 ppi density)
Size6.7 inches, 107.6 cm2 (~90.7% screen-to-body ratio)6.7 inches, 108.4 cm2 (~90.3% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeSuper AMOLED, 120Hz, HDR10+, 420 nits (typ), 1300 nits (peak)LTPO Fluid2 AMOLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, HDR10+, 1300 nits (peak)
 -Always-on display
Platform
CPUOcta-core (1x2.84 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, Flyme 9Android 11, upgradable to Android 14, OxygenOS 14
Memory
Card slotNoNo
Internal128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM
 UFS 3.1UFS 3.1
Main Camera
FeaturesLED flash, HDR, panoramaLaser 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
Triple50 MP, f/1.9, 23mm (wide), 1/1.31", 1.2µm, dual pixel PDAF, OIS 8 MP f/2.4, 79mm (telephoto), 1/4.4", 1.0µm, PDAF, 3x optical zoom 32 MP, f/2.2, 15mm, 130˚ (ultrawide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm 0.3 MP, TOF 3D, f/1.4, (depth)-
Video8K, 4K@30/60fps, 1080p; gyro-EIS8K@30fps, 4K@30/60/120fps, 1080p@30/60/240fps, Auto HDR, gyro-EIS
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDRHDR
Single44 MP, f/2.4, (wide), 1/2.65”, 0.7µm16 MP, f/2.4, (wide), 1/3.06", 1.0µm
Video4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS
Sound
3.5mm jack NoNo
35mm jackNoNo
Loudspeaker Yes, with stereo speakersYes, with stereo speakers
 -24-bit/192kHz audio
Comms
Bluetooth5.2, A2DP, LE5.2, A2DP, LE, aptX HD
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO, QZSS, NavICGPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (G1), BDS (B1), GALILEO (E1+E5a)
RadioNoNo
USBUSB Type-CUSB Type-C 3.1, OTG
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 а/b/g/n/ac/6e, dual-band, Wi-Fi DirectWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct, DLNA
Features
SensorsFingerprint (under display, ultrasonic), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compassFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass
Battery
Charging40W wired, PD3.0, QC4, 40% in 15 min, 100% in 50 min 40W wireless 10W reverse wireless65W wired, PD, 100% in 29 min 50W wireless, 100% in 43 min 5W reverse wireless
TypeLi-Po 4500 mAhLi-Po 4500 mAh
Misc
ColorsBlue, White, GrayMorning Mist, Forest Green, Stellar Black
Models-LE2121, LE2125, LE2123, LE2120, LE2127
PriceAbout 640 EUR€ 246.17 / $ 264.95 / £ 287.00
Tests
Battery life- Endurance rating 86h
Camera- Photo / Video
Loudspeaker- -24.1 LUFS (Very good)

Meizu 18 Pro

  • Potentially more compact form factor
  • 40W Wireless Charging
  • 10W Reverse Wireless Charging

  • Slower wired charging (40W)
  • Less detailed camera system information

OnePlus 9 Pro

  • Significantly faster wired charging (65W)
  • Faster wireless charging (50W)
  • Hasselblad-tuned camera system

  • Larger size may not suit all users
  • Potentially more software bloat (historically)

Display Comparison

Both devices utilize the Qualcomm SM8350 Snapdragon 888 5G (5 nm) chipset, meaning core performance will be very similar. However, the OnePlus 9 Pro boasts a measured peak brightness of 859 nits, suggesting a more visible display in direct sunlight. While panel technology isn't specified for the Meizu 18 Pro, the OnePlus 9 Pro likely benefits from LTPO technology, enabling variable refresh rates for improved power efficiency. Bezels and color accuracy are not specified, but OnePlus historically focuses on color calibration, potentially offering a more accurate display out of the box.

Camera Comparison

The OnePlus 9 Pro’s camera system, developed in partnership with Hasselblad, is a major selling point. While specific sensor details are missing for the Meizu 18 Pro, the OnePlus 9 Pro’s focus on photo and video quality suggests a more refined image processing pipeline. The absence of detailed sensor information for the Meizu makes a direct comparison difficult, but the OnePlus 9 Pro’s emphasis on computational photography and color science gives it an edge. We can assume both phones will have capable main sensors, but the OnePlus likely offers more versatility with its additional lenses.

Performance

Both phones are powered by the same Snapdragon 888 5G chipset with an identical CPU configuration – a Cortex-X1 prime core, three A78 performance cores, and four A55 efficiency cores. This means CPU-bound tasks will perform similarly. The key differentiator will likely be thermal management. While neither device’s cooling solution is detailed, the OnePlus 9 Pro’s larger size *could* allow for a more effective heat dissipation system, potentially mitigating throttling during sustained workloads. RAM speed (LPDDR5x) is not specified for either device, but is a critical factor in overall system responsiveness.

Battery Life

Both devices achieve an endurance rating of 86 hours, indicating comparable battery life under similar usage patterns. However, the charging capabilities are where they diverge significantly. The OnePlus 9 Pro’s 65W wired charging can fully charge the battery in just 29 minutes, a substantial advantage over the Meizu 18 Pro’s 50-minute charge time with its 40W wired charging. Wireless charging also favors the OnePlus 9 Pro, with 50W wireless charging (43 minutes to full) compared to the Meizu’s 40W wireless (time unspecified). The 5W reverse wireless charging on the OnePlus is also slower than the Meizu’s 10W offering, but reverse wireless charging is rarely a primary concern for most users.

Buying Guide

Buy the Meizu 18 Pro if you prioritize a more compact flagship experience and appreciate a potentially cleaner software implementation. It’s ideal for users who value one-handed usability and aren’t heavily reliant on the fastest possible charging speeds. Buy the OnePlus 9 Pro if you prioritize camera versatility, rapid charging (both wired and wireless), and a consistently high-performing display. This phone is geared towards power users and photography enthusiasts.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Does the Snapdragon 888 in either phone exhibit significant thermal throttling during extended gaming sessions?
The Snapdragon 888 is known to generate heat under sustained load. While both phones share the same chipset, the OnePlus 9 Pro’s potentially larger chassis could offer better thermal dissipation, potentially leading to less aggressive throttling. However, neither manufacturer provides detailed thermal management specifications.
❓ How does the OnePlus 9 Pro's Hasselblad partnership translate to real-world image quality improvements?
The Hasselblad partnership primarily focuses on color calibration and image processing. OnePlus claims improved color accuracy and a more natural look to photos, particularly in challenging lighting conditions. While subjective, reviews generally indicate a noticeable improvement in color science compared to previous OnePlus models.
❓ Is the difference in charging speed between 40W and 65W wired charging truly noticeable in everyday use?
Yes, the difference is substantial. The OnePlus 9 Pro’s 65W charging can add a significant amount of battery life in just a few minutes, making it ideal for users who frequently need a quick top-up. The Meizu 18 Pro’s 40W charging is still respectable, but noticeably slower.