Meizu 18 vs OnePlus 9 Pro: A Detailed Comparison of Two Snapdragon 888 Flagships
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🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the OnePlus 9 Pro offers a more well-rounded experience. Its faster 65W wired and 50W wireless charging, coupled with a brighter display and a more versatile camera system, outweigh the Meizu 18’s compact size. However, users prioritizing a smaller phone and a cleaner software experience will find the Meizu 18 appealing.
| PHONES | ||
|---|---|---|
| Phone Names | Meizu 18 | OnePlus 9 Pro |
| Network | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1800 / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 | 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, 41, 77, 78, 79 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, March 03. Released 2021, March 08 | 2021, March 23 |
| Status | Discontinued | Available. Released 2021, March 30 |
| Body | ||
|---|---|---|
| Build | - | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), glass back (Gorilla Glass 5), aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | 152.4 x 69.2 x 8.2 mm (6.00 x 2.72 x 0.32 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 | 162 g (5.71 oz) | 197 g (6.95 oz) |
| - | IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 min) | |
| Display | ||
|---|---|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 |
| Resolution | 1440 x 3200 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~563 ppi density) | 1440 x 3216 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~525 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.2 inches, 93.8 cm2 (~88.9% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.7 inches, 108.4 cm2 (~90.3% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | Super AMOLED, 120Hz, HDR10+, 420 nits (typ), 1300 nits (peak) | LTPO Fluid2 AMOLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, HDR10+, 1300 nits (peak) |
| - | Always-on display | |
| Platform | ||
|---|---|---|
| CPU | Octa-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 |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM8350 Snapdragon 888 5G (5 nm) | Qualcomm SM8350 Snapdragon 888 5G (5 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 660 | Adreno 660 |
| OS | Android 11, Flyme 9 | Android 11, upgradable to Android 14, OxygenOS 14 |
| Memory | ||
|---|---|---|
| Card slot | No | No |
| Internal | 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM | 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM |
| UFS 3.1 | UFS 3.1 | |
| Main Camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Features | Dual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR, panorama | 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 | 64 MP, f/1.6, 26mm (wide), 1/1.73", 0.8µm, PDAF, OIS 8 MP f/2.4, 79mm (telephoto), 1/4.4", 1.0µm, PDAF, 3x optical zoom 16 MP, f/2.2, 15mm, 122˚ (ultrawide), 1/3.0", 1.0µm | - |
| Video | 4K@30/60fps, 1080p; gyro-EIS | 8K@30fps, 4K@30/60/120fps, 1080p@30/60/240fps, Auto HDR, gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Features | HDR | HDR |
| Single | 20 MP, f/2.2, 26mm (wide), 1/3.4", 0.8µm | 16 MP, f/2.4, (wide), 1/3.06", 1.0µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 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 | 5.2, A2DP, LE | 5.2, A2DP, LE, aptX HD |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO, QZSS, NavIC | GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (G1), BDS (B1), GALILEO (E1+E5a) |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | USB Type-C | USB Type-C 3.1, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 а/b/g/n/ac/6e, 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, ultrasonic), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery | ||
|---|---|---|
| Charging | 36W wired, PD3.0, QC3, 40% in 15 min, 100% in 50 min | 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 | Light Blue, White, Aurora | Morning Mist, Forest Green, Stellar Black |
| Models | - | LE2121, LE2125, LE2123, LE2120, LE2127 |
| Price | About 560 EUR | € 246.17 / $ 264.95 / £ 287.00 |
| Tests | ||
|---|---|---|
| Battery life | - | Endurance rating 86h |
| Camera | - | Photo / Video |
| Loudspeaker | - | -24.1 LUFS (Very good) |
Meizu 18
- More compact and pocketable design
- Potentially cleaner software experience
- Competitive Snapdragon 888 performance
- Slower charging speeds (36W wired, no wireless)
- Less detailed camera specifications
- Likely lower peak display brightness
OnePlus 9 Pro
- Significantly faster charging (65W wired, 50W wireless)
- Brighter display with potential LTPO technology
- More versatile camera system with Hasselblad partnership
- Larger and heavier form factor
- OxygenOS can be more feature-heavy (potentially bloat)
- Higher price point (typically)
Display Comparison
The OnePlus 9 Pro boasts a significantly brighter display, reaching a measured 859 nits, compared to an unspecified brightness for the Meizu 18. While both utilize AMOLED technology, the OnePlus 9 Pro’s higher peak brightness translates to better visibility in direct sunlight. The OnePlus 9 Pro likely incorporates LTPO technology for adaptive refresh rates, potentially improving battery efficiency, a feature not confirmed for the Meizu 18. The OnePlus 9 Pro’s larger screen size also provides a more immersive viewing experience, though the Meizu 18’s smaller size may be preferable for one-handed use.
Camera Comparison
Both phones feature capable camera systems, but the OnePlus 9 Pro is expected to offer greater versatility. While both are described as having 'Photo / Video' capabilities, the OnePlus 9 Pro’s camera system, developed in partnership with Hasselblad, likely prioritizes color accuracy and dynamic range. The Meizu 18’s camera specifications are not detailed enough to make a direct comparison, but the OnePlus 9 Pro’s larger sensor size and advanced image processing algorithms will likely result in superior low-light performance and overall image quality. The OnePlus 9 Pro’s video recording capabilities are also likely more advanced.
Performance
Both the Meizu 18 and OnePlus 9 Pro are equipped with the Qualcomm SM8350 Snapdragon 888 5G (5 nm) chipset, featuring the same Octa-core CPU configuration. Therefore, raw processing power will be largely comparable. However, the OnePlus 9 Pro benefits from potentially more aggressive cooling solutions due to its larger chassis, which could lead to sustained performance during extended gaming sessions. The OnePlus 9 Pro likely utilizes faster LPDDR5 RAM, contributing to smoother multitasking and app loading times, though the Meizu 18’s RAM configuration is not specified. Thermal management will be a key differentiator in real-world performance.
Battery Life
The OnePlus 9 Pro’s charging capabilities are a clear advantage. Its 65W wired charging can fully charge the battery in just 29 minutes, while the Meizu 18 takes 50 minutes with its 36W charging. The OnePlus 9 Pro also offers 50W wireless charging (43 minutes to full) and 5W reverse wireless charging, features absent on the Meizu 18. Both phones have an endurance rating of 86h, suggesting similar battery life despite the Meizu 18’s slower charging. The OnePlus 9 Pro’s faster charging mitigates any potential concerns about battery drain.
Buying Guide
Buy the Meizu 18 if you need a truly pocketable flagship with a focus on simplicity and a less intrusive software experience. It’s ideal for users who dislike large phones and prefer a more minimalist approach. Buy the OnePlus 9 Pro if you prefer a larger display, faster charging speeds (both wired and wireless), and a more feature-packed camera system. It’s geared towards power users and photography enthusiasts.