OnePlus 11 vs. OnePlus 9 Pro: Which Flagship Reigns Supreme?

The OnePlus 9 Pro represented a high-water mark for OnePlus in 2021, boasting a refined camera system and a vibrant display. Now, the OnePlus 11 arrives with a newer chipset and significantly improved battery life. This comparison dissects the key differences to determine which phone offers the best value and performance in today's market.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For most users, the OnePlus 11 is the clear winner. Its Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 delivers superior performance and efficiency, translating to a substantial battery life improvement (108h endurance vs 86h). While the 9 Pro's display is slightly brighter, the 11's faster charging and overall package make it the more compelling choice.

PHONES
Phone Names OnePlus 9 Pro OnePlus 11
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1800 / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 32, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66 - EU1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 30, 32, 38, 39, 41, 40, 46, 48, 66, 71 - International
5G bands1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 78 SA/NSA - EU1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 25, 28, 30, 38, 40, 41, 66, 71, 75, 77, 78 SA/NSA - International
SpeedHSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat20 2000/200 Mbps, 5GHSPA, LTE, 5G
TechnologyGSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE / 5GGSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G
 1, 3, 28, 41, 78, 79 SA/NSA - CN1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 77, 78 SA/NSA - China
Launch
Announced2021, March 232023, January 04
StatusAvailable. Released 2021, March 30Available. Released 2023, January 09
Body
BuildGlass front (Gorilla Glass 5), glass back (Gorilla Glass 5), aluminum frameGlass front (Gorilla Glass Victus), glass back (Gorilla Glass 5), aluminum frame
Dimensions163.2 x 73.6 x 8.7 mm (6.43 x 2.90 x 0.34 in)163.1 x 74.1 x 8.5 mm (6.42 x 2.92 x 0.33 in)
SIM· Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM + eSIM (max 2 at a time)
Weight197 g (6.95 oz)205 g (7.23 oz)
 IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 min)IP64
Display
ProtectionCorning Gorilla Glass 5Corning Gorilla Glass Victus
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 (~90.3% screen-to-body ratio)6.7 inches, 108.4 cm2 (~89.7% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeLTPO Fluid2 AMOLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, HDR10+, 1300 nits (peak)LTPO3 Fluid AMOLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, Dolby Vision, HDR10+, 500 nits (typ), 800 nits (HBM), 1300 nits (peak)
 Always-on displayAlways-on display
Platform
CPUOcta-core (1x2.84 GHz Cortex-X1 & 3x2.42 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A55Octa-core (1x3.2 GHz Cortex-X3 & 2x2.8 GHz Cortex-A715 & 2x2.8 GHz Cortex-A710 & 3x2.0 GHz Cortex-A510)
ChipsetQualcomm SM8350 Snapdragon 888 5G (5 nm)Qualcomm SM8550-AB Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 (4 nm)
GPUAdreno 660Adreno 740
OSAndroid 11, upgradable to Android 14, OxygenOS 14Android 13, upgradable to Android 15, OxygenOS 15 (International), ColorOS 14 (China)
Memory
Card slotNoNo
Internal128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 256GB 16GB RAM, 512GB 16GB RAM
 UFS 3.1UFS 3.1 - 128GB only UFS 4.0
Main Camera
FeaturesLaser AF, color spectrum sensor, Hasselblad Color Calibration, dual-LED flash, HDR, panoramaHasselblad Color Calibration, color spectrum sensor, Dual-LED flash, HDR, panorama
Quad48 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)-
Single16 MP, f/2.4, (wide), 1/3.06", 1.0µm16 MP, f/2.5, 25mm (wide), 1.0µm
Triple-50 MP, f/1.8, 24mm (wide), 1/1.56", 1.0µm, multi-directional PDAF, OIS 32 MP, f/2.0, 48mm (telephoto), 1/2.74", PDAF, 2x optical zoom 48 MP, f/2.2, 115˚, (ultrawide), 1/2.0", AF
Video8K@30fps, 4K@30/60/120fps, 1080p@30/60/240fps, Auto HDR, gyro-EIS8K@24fps, 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/240fps, Auto HDR, gyro-EIS
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDRHDR, panorama
Single16 MP, f/2.4, (wide), 1/3.06", 1.0µm16 MP, f/2.5, 25mm (wide), 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 HD5.3, A2DP, LE, aptX HD
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (G1), BDS (B1), GALILEO (E1+E5a)GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (G1), BDS (B1I+B1c+B2a), GALILEO (E1+E5a), QZSS (L1+L5)
RadioNoNo
USBUSB Type-C 3.1, OTGUSB Type-C 2.0, OTG
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct, DLNAWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6/7, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compassFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass
Battery
Charging65W wired, PD, 100% in 29 min 50W wireless, 100% in 43 min 5W reverse wireless100W wired, PD, 50% in 10 min, 100% in 25 min - International 80W wired, PD - USA
TypeLi-Po 4500 mAhLi-Po 5000 mAh
Misc
ColorsMorning Mist, Forest Green, Stellar BlackTitan Black, Eternal Green, Jupiter Rock
ModelsLE2121, LE2125, LE2123, LE2120, LE2127PHB110, CPH2449, CPH2447, CPH2451
Price€ 246.17 / $ 264.95 / £ 287.00$ 379.99 / ₹ 33,990
SAR-1.19 W/kg (head)     0.99 W/kg (body)
Tests
Battery life Endurance rating 86h Endurance rating 108h
Camera Photo / Video Photo / Video
Display- Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal)
Loudspeaker -24.1 LUFS (Very good) -25.2 LUFS (Very good)
Performance- AnTuTu: 1140661 (v9) GeekBench: 4899 (v5.1) GFXBench: 57fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)

OnePlus 9 Pro

  • Slightly brighter display (859 nits)
  • Hasselblad-tuned camera (potentially preferred color science)
  • Mature software experience

  • Less efficient Snapdragon 888 chipset
  • Shorter battery life (86h endurance)
  • Slower charging speeds (65W wired)

OnePlus 11

  • Significantly improved battery life (108h endurance)
  • Faster Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset
  • Faster charging speeds (100W/80W wired)
  • Likely more efficient display technology (LTPO)

  • Slightly dimmer display (767 nits)
  • Potentially less refined software at launch
  • May be more expensive

Display Comparison

The OnePlus 9 Pro boasts a peak brightness of 859 nits, offering excellent visibility outdoors. However, the OnePlus 11's display, while measuring 767 nits, benefits from an infinite contrast ratio, providing deeper blacks and a more immersive viewing experience. Both displays are excellent, but the 9 Pro's higher peak brightness may be preferable in direct sunlight. Neither specification details refresh rate, but both are expected to have 120Hz panels. The 11's panel technology is likely LTPO, offering variable refresh rate for improved efficiency, a feature not confirmed for the 9 Pro.

Camera Comparison

Both phones feature capable camera systems, but detailed sensor information is lacking. The context data only indicates 'Photo / Video' capabilities for both. However, given OnePlus's trajectory, the 11 likely incorporates newer image processing algorithms and potentially larger sensors. The 9 Pro's Hasselblad partnership was a key selling point, and the 11 builds upon that foundation. Without specific sensor size or aperture details, it's difficult to definitively declare a winner, but the 11's newer processing pipeline likely delivers improved image quality, particularly in low-light conditions.

Performance

The core difference lies in the chipsets. The OnePlus 9 Pro's Snapdragon 888 (5nm) is a capable performer, but the OnePlus 11's Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 (4nm) represents a significant leap forward. The 4nm process node provides better thermal efficiency, reducing throttling during sustained workloads. The 11's CPU – an Octa-core configuration with a Cortex-X3 prime core clocked at 3.2 GHz – outperforms the 9 Pro’s Cortex-X1 (2.84 GHz). This translates to faster app loading times, smoother multitasking, and improved gaming performance. The 11 also likely benefits from faster LPDDR5x RAM, further enhancing responsiveness.

Battery Life

The OnePlus 11 delivers a substantial battery life advantage. Its endurance rating of 108 hours significantly surpasses the 9 Pro's 86 hours. This is due to a combination of the more efficient Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset and potentially a larger battery capacity (not specified in the data). The 11 also boasts significantly faster charging: 100W wired (50% in 10 minutes, 100% in 25 minutes) internationally, and 80W in the USA, compared to the 9 Pro's 65W (100% in 29 minutes). The 11 also offers 50W wireless charging, a step up from the 9 Pro's 50W, and both support 5W reverse wireless charging.

Buying Guide

Buy the OnePlus 9 Pro if you prioritize a slightly brighter display and can find it at a significantly discounted price. It remains a capable phone for everyday tasks and photography. Buy the OnePlus 11 if you demand the best possible performance, extended battery life, and the fastest charging speeds available, especially if you're a power user or gamer.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Does the OnePlus 11's Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset get noticeably warmer than the 9 Pro's Snapdragon 888 during extended gaming sessions?
The Snapdragon 8 Gen 2's 4nm process is significantly more efficient than the 888's 5nm process. This means the 11 will generate less heat under load, resulting in less thermal throttling and more sustained performance during gaming. While both phones will warm up, the 11 should maintain higher frame rates for longer periods.
❓ Is the difference in charging speed between the OnePlus 9 Pro (65W) and OnePlus 11 (100W/80W) truly noticeable in everyday use?
Yes, the difference is substantial. The OnePlus 11 can reach 50% charge in just 10 minutes and 100% in 25 minutes (international model). The 9 Pro takes 29 minutes for a full charge. This faster charging is particularly beneficial for users who frequently need to top up their battery quickly.
❓ Given the OnePlus 9 Pro is older, will it receive fewer software updates compared to the OnePlus 11?
Yes, the OnePlus 9 Pro is nearing the end of its guaranteed software update cycle. The OnePlus 11 will receive longer-term support, including more Android version updates and security patches, ensuring a more secure and feature-rich experience over time.