OnePlus 7 Pro vs Xiaomi Mi 9T Pro: A Deep Dive into Flagship Value

Released within months of each other, the OnePlus 7 Pro and Xiaomi Mi 9T Pro represent a fascinating inflection point in the flagship smartphone market. Both devices leverage the Qualcomm Snapdragon 855, but diverge significantly in their approach to battery life, display technology, and overall user experience. This comparison dissects these differences to determine which phone delivers the most compelling package, especially considering their current price points.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For the average user prioritizing longevity, the Xiaomi Mi 9T Pro emerges as the winner. Its significantly superior endurance rating of 103 hours, compared to the OnePlus 7 Pro’s 85 hours, provides a tangible benefit. While the OnePlus 7 Pro boasts a brighter display, the Mi 9T Pro’s battery advantage and competitive pricing make it the more practical choice.

PHONES
Phone Names OnePlus 7 Pro Xiaomi Mi 9T Pro
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1800 / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29, 32, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66 - Global1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40
SpeedHSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (5CA) Cat18 1200/150 MbpsHSPA, LTE
TechnologyGSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTEGSM / HSPA / LTE
 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29, 32, 34, 38, 39, 41, 46, 48, 66, 71 - North America-
Launch
Announced2019, May 14. Released 2019, May 162019, August 21. Released 2019, August 21
StatusDiscontinuedDiscontinued
Body
BuildGlass front (Gorilla Glass 5), glass back (Gorilla Glass 5), aluminum frameGlass front (Gorilla Glass 5), glass back (Gorilla Glass 5), aluminum frame
Dimensions162.6 x 75.9 x 8.8 mm (6.40 x 2.99 x 0.35 in)156.7 x 74.3 x 8.8 mm (6.17 x 2.93 x 0.35 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight206 g (7.27 oz)191 g (6.74 oz)
Display
ProtectionCorning Gorilla Glass 5Corning Gorilla Glass 5
Resolution1440 x 3120 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~516 ppi density)1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~403 ppi density)
Size6.67 inches, 108.8 cm2 (~88.1% screen-to-body ratio)6.39 inches, 100.2 cm2 (~86.1% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeFluid AMOLED, 90Hz, HDR10+Super AMOLED, HDR
Platform
CPUOcta-core (1x2.84 GHz Kryo 485 & 3x2.42 GHz Kryo 485 & 4x1.78 GHz Kryo 485)Octa-core (1x2.84 GHz Kryo 485 & 3x2.42 GHz Kryo 485 & 4x1.78 GHz Kryo 485)
ChipsetQualcomm SM8150 Snapdragon 855 (7 nm)Qualcomm SM8150 Snapdragon 855 (7 nm)
GPUAdreno 640Adreno 640
OSAndroid 9.0 (Pie), upgradable to Android 12, OxygenOS 12.1Android 9.0 (Pie), upgradable to Android 11, MIUI 12.5
Memory
Card slotNoNo
Internal128GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM64GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM
 UFS 3.0UFS 2.1
Main Camera
FeaturesLaser AF, Dual-LED flash, panorama, HDRLaser AF, Dual-LED flash, HDR, panorama
Triple48 MP, f/1.6, (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF, OIS 8 MP, f/2.4, 78mm (telephoto), 3x optical zoom, PDAF, OIS 16 MP, f/2.2, 17mm (ultrawide), AF48 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF 8 MP, f/2.4, 53mm (telephoto), 1/4.0", 1.12µm, PDAF, 2x optical zoom 13 MP, f/2.4, 12mm (ultrawide), 1/3.1", 1.12µm
Video4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/240fps, 720p@480fps, Auto HDR, gyro-EIS, no video rec. with ultrawide camera4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/120/240fps, 1080p@960fps
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDRHDR
SingleMotorized pop-up 16 MP, f/2.0, 25mm (wide), 1/3.06", 1.0µmMotorized pop-up 20 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1/3.4", 0.8µm
Video1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS1080p@30fps
Sound
3.5mm jack NoYes
35mm jackNoYes
Loudspeaker Yes, with stereo speakersYes
 -24-bit/192kHz audio
Comms
Bluetooth5.0, A2DP, LE, aptX HD5.0, 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)
RadioNoYes
USBUSB Type-C 3.1, OTGUSB Type-C 2.0, OTG
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct, DLNAWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, compassFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass
 Virtual proximity sensing-
Battery
Charging30W wired27W wired, QC4
TypeLi-Po 4000 mAh, non-removableLi-Po 4000 mAh, non-removable
Misc
ColorsMirror Grey, Almond, Nebula BlueCarbon black, Red flame, Glacier blue
ModelsGM1911, GM1913, GM1917, GM1910, GM1915M1903F11G
PriceAbout 590 EURAbout 150 EUR
SAR-1.03 W/kg (head)     0.72 W/kg (body)
SAR EU-1.30 W/kg (head)     1.51 W/kg (body)
Tests
Audio quality Noise -93.0dB / Crosstalk -89.6dB Noise -93.9dB / Crosstalk -94.2dB
Battery life Endurance rating 85h Endurance rating 103h
Camera Photo / Video-
Display- Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal)
Loudspeaker -23.9 LUFS (Very good) -26.9 LUFS (Good)
Performance AnTuTu: 364025 (v7) GeekBench: 10943 (v4.4), 2721 (v5.1) GFXBench: 19fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) AnTuTu: 368846 (v7), 437823 (v8) GeekBench: 10684 (v4.4), 2732 (v5.1) GFXBench: 36fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)

OnePlus 7 Pro

  • Brighter display for outdoor visibility
  • 90Hz refresh rate for smoother scrolling
  • Potentially more refined software experience (based on brand reputation)

  • Significantly shorter battery life
  • Higher price point (typically)
  • Faster charging doesn't fully compensate for smaller battery

Xiaomi Mi 9T Pro

  • Exceptional battery life (103h endurance)
  • Competitive price point
  • Fast charging with Quick Charge 4 support

  • Display may not be as bright as the OnePlus 7 Pro
  • Software experience may be less polished (based on brand reputation)
  • Lacks 90Hz refresh rate

Display Comparison

The OnePlus 7 Pro features a 6.67-inch Fluid AMOLED display capable of reaching 616 nits of peak brightness, ensuring excellent visibility even outdoors. The Xiaomi Mi 9T Pro, while lacking a specific brightness measurement in our data, boasts an 'Infinite' contrast ratio, suggesting deep blacks and vibrant colors. The OnePlus 7 Pro’s 90Hz refresh rate, absent in the Mi 9T Pro’s specifications, contributes to a smoother scrolling experience. However, the practical impact of this difference is lessened by the Mi 9T Pro’s superior battery life, allowing for more sustained usage. The OnePlus 7 Pro’s higher brightness is beneficial for direct sunlight viewing, while the Mi 9T Pro’s contrast ratio enhances media consumption in darker environments.

Camera Comparison

Both phones feature capable camera systems, but detailed sensor information is limited. Both are described as having Photo/Video capabilities. The absence of specific details necessitates a focus on the overall system. The OnePlus 7 Pro’s camera system, historically, has leaned towards a more natural color profile, while Xiaomi often employs more aggressive image processing. Without detailed sensor size or aperture data, it’s difficult to definitively declare a winner. The inclusion of OIS (Optical Image Stabilization) on either device is unknown, but would be a significant advantage for video recording and low-light photography.

Performance

Both the OnePlus 7 Pro and Xiaomi Mi 9T Pro are powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 855 (7nm) chipset, featuring an identical octa-core CPU configuration. This means raw processing power is virtually identical. However, the Mi 9T Pro’s larger battery capacity could potentially allow for sustained peak performance for longer periods, mitigating thermal throttling. While neither device’s specifications detail RAM speed, both likely utilize LPDDR4X, common for the Snapdragon 855 generation. Real-world performance differences will likely be minimal, with software optimization playing a larger role than hardware in day-to-day usage.

Battery Life

The most significant difference lies in battery endurance. The Xiaomi Mi 9T Pro boasts an impressive 103-hour endurance rating, substantially exceeding the OnePlus 7 Pro’s 85 hours. This translates to a noticeable advantage in real-world usage, allowing the Mi 9T Pro to comfortably last a full day even with heavy use. While the OnePlus 7 Pro supports faster 30W wired charging, the Mi 9T Pro’s 27W charging with Quick Charge 4 (QC4) is still respectable. The larger battery capacity of the Mi 9T Pro effectively offsets the slightly slower charging speed, providing a more reliable and long-lasting power solution.

Buying Guide

Buy the OnePlus 7 Pro if you prioritize a brighter, more vibrant display for media consumption and are willing to trade some battery life for that visual experience. Buy the Xiaomi Mi 9T Pro if you value all-day battery life and fast charging, and are looking for a flagship-level experience without the premium price tag. The Mi 9T Pro is ideal for power users and travelers who need a phone that can reliably last through a full day of heavy use.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Does the Xiaomi Mi 9T Pro’s 27W charging significantly impact the charging speed compared to the OnePlus 7 Pro’s 30W?
While the OnePlus 7 Pro supports 30W charging, the Mi 9T Pro’s 27W charging with Quick Charge 4 is still very fast. The larger battery capacity of the Mi 9T Pro means it will take slightly longer to fully charge, but the difference in practical terms is unlikely to be substantial, and the extended battery life offsets this minor inconvenience.
❓ Is the difference in display refresh rate (90Hz on OnePlus 7 Pro vs. standard on Mi 9T Pro) noticeable in everyday use?
The 90Hz refresh rate on the OnePlus 7 Pro does provide a smoother scrolling experience, particularly noticeable when navigating the UI or playing compatible games. However, the impact is subtle and may not be apparent to all users. The Mi 9T Pro’s excellent battery life allows for more sustained usage, potentially mitigating the benefit of the 90Hz display.
❓ Given both phones use the Snapdragon 855, will I see a performance difference in demanding games?
The Snapdragon 855 in both phones delivers similar raw performance. However, the Mi 9T Pro’s larger battery capacity could allow it to sustain peak performance for longer periods without significant thermal throttling, potentially leading to slightly more consistent frame rates during extended gaming sessions.