OnePlus 10 Pro vs OnePlus 9 Pro: A Detailed Showdown

OnePlus continues to deliver compelling flagship smartphones, and the 10 Pro and 9 Pro are prime examples. Both offer premium features and performance, but which one truly comes out on top? This comprehensive comparison will delve into every aspect, from display quality to camera capabilities, to help you make an informed decision.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

The OnePlus 10 Pro edges out the 9 Pro thanks to its faster charging, slightly brighter display, and improved CPU. However, the 9 Pro remains a strong contender, especially for those prioritizing value and a slightly more refined camera experience. Ultimately, the 10 Pro offers a more modern and powerful experience.

PHONES
Phone Names OnePlus 10 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, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 30, 32, 38, 39, 40, 41, 46, 48, 66, 71 - International1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 32, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66 - EU
5G bands1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 25, 28, 30, 38, 40, 41, 48, 66, 71, 77, 78 SA/NSA - International1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 78 SA/NSA - EU
SpeedHSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (4CA) Cat18 1200/200 Mbps, 5GHSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat20 2000/200 Mbps, 5G
TechnologyGSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5GGSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE / 5G
 1, 3, 5, 8, 28, 40, 41, 78, 79 SA/NSA - India1, 3, 28, 41, 78, 79 SA/NSA - CN
Launch
Announced2022, January 112021, March 23
StatusAvailable. Released 2022, January 13Available. Released 2021, March 30
Body
BuildGlass front (Gorilla Glass Victus), glass back (Gorilla Glass 5), aluminum frameGlass front (Gorilla Glass 5), glass back (Gorilla Glass 5), aluminum frame
Dimensions163 x 73.9 x 8.6 mm (6.42 x 2.91 x 0.34 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 + Nano-SIM
Weight201 g (7.09 oz)197 g (6.95 oz)
 IP68 dust/water resistant - T-Mobile only (not for use underwater, liquid damage is not covered under warranty)IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 min)
Display
ProtectionCorning Gorilla Glass VictusCorning Gorilla Glass 5
Resolution1440 x 3216 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~525 ppi density)1440 x 3216 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~525 ppi density)
Size6.7 inches, 108.4 cm2 (~90.0% screen-to-body ratio)6.7 inches, 108.4 cm2 (~90.3% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeLTPO2 Fluid AMOLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, HDR10+, 500 nits (typ), 800 nits (HBM), 1300 nits (peak)LTPO Fluid2 AMOLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, HDR10+, 1300 nits (peak)
 Always-on displayAlways-on display
Platform
CPUOcta-core (1x3.00 GHz Cortex-X2 & 3x2.50 GHz Cortex-A710 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A510)Octa-core (1x2.84 GHz Cortex-X1 & 3x2.42 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A55
ChipsetQualcomm SM8450 Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 (4 nm)Qualcomm SM8350 Snapdragon 888 5G (5 nm)
GPUAdreno 730Adreno 660
OSAndroid 12, upgradable to Android 14, OxygenOS 14 (International), ColorOS (China)Android 11, upgradable to Android 14, OxygenOS 14
Memory
Card slotNoNo
Internal128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM
 UFS 3.1UFS 3.1
Main Camera
FeaturesLaser AF, color spectrum sensor, Hasselblad Color Calibration, Dual-LED dual-tone 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)
Single32 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1/2.74", 0.8µm16 MP, f/2.4, (wide), 1/3.06", 1.0µm
Triple48 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, 150˚ (ultrawide), 1/2.76", 0.64µm-
Video8K@24fps, 4K@30/60/120fps, 1080p@30/60/240fps, Auto HDR, gyro-EIS8K@30fps, 4K@30/60/120fps, 1080p@30/60/240fps, Auto HDR, gyro-EIS
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDRHDR
Single32 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1/2.74", 0.8µm16 MP, f/2.4, (wide), 1/3.06", 1.0µm
Video1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS
Sound
3.5mm jack NoNo
35mm jackNoNo
Loudspeaker Yes, with stereo speakersYes, with stereo speakers
 24-bit/192kHz audio24-bit/192kHz audio
Comms
Bluetooth5.2, A2DP, LE, aptX HD5.2, A2DP, LE, aptX HD
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (G1), BDS (B1), GALILEO (E1+E5a)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), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometerFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass
Battery
Charging80W wired, PD, 100% in 32 min (International) 65W wired, PD, 58% in 15 min (North America) 50W wireless Reverse wireless65W wired, PD, 100% in 29 min 50W wireless, 100% in 43 min 5W reverse wireless
TypeLi-Po 5000 mAhLi-Po 4500 mAh
Misc
ColorsVolcanic Black, Emerald Forest, Panda White (Extreme Edition)Morning Mist, Forest Green, Stellar Black
ModelsNE2210, NE2211, NE2213, NE2215, NE2217LE2121, LE2125, LE2123, LE2120, LE2127
Price$ 264.39 / C$ 349.99 / £ 360.00 / € 399.99€ 246.17 / $ 264.95 / £ 287.00
SAR1.16 W/kg (head)     0.70 W/kg (body)-
Tests
Battery life Endurance rating 107h Endurance rating 86h
Camera Photo / Video Photo / Video
Display Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal)-
Loudspeaker -25.2 LUFS (Very good) -24.1 LUFS (Very good)
Performance AnTuTu: 886248 (v9) GeekBench: 3447 (v5.1) GFXBench: 48fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)-

OnePlus 10 Pro

  • Faster Charging (80W)
  • Brighter Display
  • Improved CPU Performance
  • Longer Battery Life
  • Reverse Wireless Charging

  • Initial Color Science Concerns (Camera)
  • Potential Thermal Throttling (8 Gen 1)

OnePlus 9 Pro

  • Refined Camera Color Science (Hasselblad)
  • Slightly More Mature Software
  • Competitive Price (Now)
  • Excellent Display Quality

  • Slower Charging (65W)
  • Shorter Battery Life
  • Older Processor

Display Comparison

The OnePlus 10 Pro boasts a measured peak brightness of 780 nits, slightly surpassing the 9 Pro's 859 nits. While the difference isn't massive, it contributes to better outdoor visibility. Both phones feature excellent color accuracy and smooth 120Hz refresh rates. The 10 Pro's LTPO 2.0 technology allows for more efficient refresh rate scaling, potentially saving battery life. Both offer excellent contrast ratios, though the 'infinite' rating on the 10 Pro is more of a marketing term.

Camera Comparison

Both phones feature impressive camera systems, but with different strengths. The 9 Pro's Hasselblad partnership resulted in a more refined color science and pleasing image processing. The 10 Pro's camera system has been improved, but some users found the color science to be slightly less natural initially. Both offer excellent video recording capabilities. Low-light performance is comparable, though the 10 Pro's larger sensor may offer a slight advantage in certain scenarios.

Performance

The Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 in the 10 Pro represents a significant performance leap over the Snapdragon 888 in the 9 Pro. The 10 Pro's Cortex-X2 core provides a noticeable boost in single-core performance, while the overall architecture improvements result in faster multitasking and smoother gaming. Both phones handle demanding apps and games with ease, but the 10 Pro has a clear edge in sustained performance due to better thermal management (though this was a known issue with the 8 Gen 1 initially).

Battery Life

The OnePlus 10 Pro holds a clear advantage in battery life, boasting an endurance rating of 107 hours compared to the 9 Pro's 86 hours. This translates to significantly longer usage times between charges. The 10 Pro's 80W wired charging is also considerably faster than the 9 Pro's 65W, reaching 100% in just 32 minutes (International). While North American users get 65W, it's still faster than the 9 Pro.

Buying Guide

The OnePlus 10 Pro is ideal for power users who demand the latest technology, fast charging, and a vibrant display. It's a great choice for those who frequently capture photos and videos. The OnePlus 9 Pro is a fantastic option for users seeking a premium experience at a slightly more accessible price point, particularly if camera performance and a more mature software experience are key.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Is the OnePlus 10 Pro worth the upgrade from the 9 Pro?
If you prioritize faster charging, improved performance, and longer battery life, then the 10 Pro is a worthwhile upgrade. However, if you're happy with the 9 Pro's camera and value, the upgrade might not be essential.
❓ Which phone has better software support?
OnePlus has generally provided consistent software updates for both devices. However, the 10 Pro will likely receive updates for a longer period due to being a newer model.