OnePlus 7T Pro vs Xiaomi Mi 9T Pro: A Detailed Comparison for Budget Flagship Buyers

The OnePlus 7T Pro and Xiaomi Mi 9T Pro represent a fascinating intersection of flagship features and aggressive pricing. Released around the same time, both phones aimed to deliver a premium experience without the premium price tag. Now, with both devices available at significantly reduced costs, the question becomes: which one offers the best value in 2024?
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For most users, the OnePlus 7T Pro edges out the Xiaomi Mi 9T Pro. The slightly faster Snapdragon 855+ chipset, while not a massive leap, provides a marginal performance advantage, particularly in sustained workloads. However, the Mi 9T Pro’s marginally better battery endurance and slightly faster charging make it a strong contender for power users.

PHONES
Phone Names OnePlus 7T 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, 661, 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
 CDMA 800 / 1900 & TD-SCDMA-
Launch
Announced2019, October 102019, August 21. Released 2019, August 21
StatusAvailable. Released 2019, October 12Discontinued
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 (1x2.96 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 640 (700 MHz)Adreno 640
OSAndroid 10, upgradable to Android 12, OxygenOS 12.1Android 9.0 (Pie), upgradable to Android 11, MIUI 12.5
Memory
Card slotNoNo
Internal256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM64GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM
 12GB RAM - McLaren Edition only UFS 3.0UFS 2.1
Main Camera
FeaturesLaser AF, Dual-LED flash, HDR, panoramaLaser 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@960fps, Auto HDR, gyro-EIS4K@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 4085 mAh, non-removableLi-Po 4000 mAh, non-removable
Misc
ColorsHaze Blue, McLaren EditionCarbon black, Red flame, Glacier blue
ModelsHD1911, HD1913, HD1910M1903F11G
PriceAbout 1030 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 -93.7dB / Crosstalk -91.0dB Noise -93.9dB / Crosstalk -94.2dB
Battery life Endurance rating 100h Endurance rating 103h
Camera Photo / Video-
Display Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal)
Loudspeaker Voice 90dB / Noise 75dB / Ring 82dB -26.9 LUFS (Good)
Performance AnTuTu: 395868 (v7), 493901 (v8) GeekBench: 11246 (v4.4), 2803 (v5.1) GFXBench: 24fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) AnTuTu: 368846 (v7), 437823 (v8) GeekBench: 10684 (v4.4), 2732 (v5.1) GFXBench: 36fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)

OnePlus 7T Pro

  • Slightly faster processor (Snapdragon 855+)
  • 90Hz display for smoother visuals
  • Potentially better image processing
  • Faster 30W charging

  • Slightly lower battery endurance rating
  • Proprietary Warp Charge requires specific charger

Xiaomi Mi 9T Pro

  • Slightly better battery endurance rating
  • QC4 support for wider charger compatibility
  • Competitive price point
  • Generally good camera performance

  • Slower processor (Snapdragon 855)
  • Standard 60Hz display

Display Comparison

Both the OnePlus 7T Pro and Xiaomi Mi 9T Pro boast displays with an 'Infinite' (nominal) contrast ratio, indicating excellent black levels typical of AMOLED panels. However, the OnePlus 7T Pro’s 90Hz refresh rate is a key differentiator, providing a noticeably smoother scrolling and gaming experience compared to the Mi 9T Pro’s standard 60Hz panel. While neither manufacturer explicitly details peak brightness, the OnePlus 7T Pro’s display is generally reported to be slightly brighter in real-world usage, improving visibility in direct sunlight. Both displays utilize similar PWM dimming rates, meaning sensitivity to flicker will likely be comparable for users prone to eye strain.

Camera Comparison

Both phones offer capable camera systems, but detailed specifications beyond 'Photo / Video' are lacking. Given the market positioning, it’s reasonable to assume both rely on similar Sony IMX sensors. The OnePlus 7T Pro likely benefits from slightly more refined image processing algorithms, a hallmark of OnePlus’s software optimization. The Mi 9T Pro, however, may offer more versatile shooting modes due to Xiaomi’s tendency to include a wider range of features. Without detailed sensor size or aperture information, a definitive camera winner is difficult to declare, but the OnePlus 7T Pro likely holds a slight edge in overall image quality consistency.

Performance

The core performance difference lies in the chipsets: the OnePlus 7T Pro features the Qualcomm Snapdragon 855+ (7nm), while the Xiaomi Mi 9T Pro uses the standard Snapdragon 855 (7nm). The 855+ boasts a slightly higher clock speed – 2.96 GHz for the prime core versus 2.84 GHz on the 855 – and a more efficient architecture. This translates to a small but measurable performance boost in benchmarks and sustained workloads. Both phones share the same CPU core configuration (Octa-core: 1x2.96/2.84 GHz Kryo 485 & 3x2.42 GHz Kryo 485 & 4x1.78 GHz Kryo 485). The impact of this difference is most noticeable during prolonged gaming sessions, where the 855+ in the 7T Pro is less prone to thermal throttling. Both devices likely utilize LPDDR4X RAM, as LPDDR5 was not widespread at this price point during their release.

Battery Life

The Xiaomi Mi 9T Pro claims a slightly longer endurance rating of 103 hours compared to the OnePlus 7T Pro’s 100 hours. This suggests marginally better battery life in typical usage scenarios. However, the OnePlus 7T Pro compensates with significantly faster 30W wired charging, compared to the Mi 9T Pro’s 27W wired charging with Quick Charge 4 (QC4) support. While the difference in charging speed isn’t dramatic, it translates to a quicker top-up time. The Mi 9T Pro’s QC4 support offers broader compatibility with various chargers, while the OnePlus 7T Pro’s Warp Charge 30T is optimized for OnePlus’s proprietary chargers.

Buying Guide

Buy the OnePlus 7T Pro if you prioritize consistent performance during demanding tasks like gaming or video editing, and appreciate the smoother experience offered by the 90Hz display. Buy the Xiaomi Mi 9T Pro if you value maximizing battery life and quick top-ups, and are less concerned with having the absolute fastest processor in this price bracket. Both phones are excellent choices, but cater to slightly different user needs.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Does the Snapdragon 855 in the Mi 9T Pro struggle with demanding games like Genshin Impact?
While the Snapdragon 855 is a capable chip, it may exhibit some frame drops or thermal throttling during extended Genshin Impact sessions at maximum settings. Lowering the graphics settings will improve performance and stability. The 855+ in the OnePlus 7T Pro handles these games slightly better due to its improved thermal management.
❓ Is the difference between 30W and 27W charging noticeable in everyday use?
The difference is noticeable, but not dramatic. The OnePlus 7T Pro’s 30W charging will typically shave off 15-20 minutes from a full 0-100% charge compared to the Mi 9T Pro’s 27W charging. However, both phones offer relatively fast charging speeds, and the difference is less significant when topping up from 50% to 100%.
❓ Which phone is better for watching videos and streaming content?
The OnePlus 7T Pro is the better choice for video consumption due to its 90Hz display. The smoother refresh rate makes motion appear more fluid and natural, enhancing the viewing experience. Both phones have excellent AMOLED panels with good color accuracy, but the 90Hz display provides a clear advantage.