OnePlus 9 Pro vs OnePlus 9: Which Flagship Reigns Supreme?
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🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the OnePlus 9 Pro is the superior choice. Its brighter display, more versatile camera system, and faster wireless charging provide a noticeably enhanced experience. However, the OnePlus 9 remains a compelling option for those prioritizing value and a slightly more manageable size.
| PHONES | ||
|---|---|---|
| Phone Names | OnePlus 9 Pro | OnePlus 9 |
| Network | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1800 / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1800 / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 32, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66 - EU | 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, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 78 SA/NSA - EU | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 78 SA/NSA - EU |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat20 2000/200 Mbps, 5G | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat20 2000/200 Mbps, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE / 5G | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| 1, 3, 28, 41, 78, 79 SA/NSA - CN | 1, 3, 28, 41, 78, 79 SA/NSA - CN | |
| Launch | ||
|---|---|---|
| Announced | 2021, March 23 | 2021, March 23 |
| Status | Available. Released 2021, March 30 | Available. Released 2021, March 26 |
| Body | ||
|---|---|---|
| Build | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), glass back (Gorilla Glass 5), aluminum frame | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), glass back (Gorilla Glass 5), plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 163.2 x 73.6 x 8.7 mm (6.43 x 2.90 x 0.34 in) | 160 x 74.2 x 8.7 mm (EU/NA)160 x 73.9 x 8.1 mm (IN/CN) |
| SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 197 g (6.95 oz) | 192 g (EU/NA)183 g (IN/CN) (6.46 oz) |
| IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 min) | IP68 (T-Mobile version only) | |
| Display | ||
|---|---|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 |
| Resolution | 1440 x 3216 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~525 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~402 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.7 inches, 108.4 cm2 (~90.3% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.55 inches, 103.6 cm2 (~87.6% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | LTPO Fluid2 AMOLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, HDR10+, 1300 nits (peak) | Fluid AMOLED, 120Hz, HDR10+, 1100 nits (peak) |
| Always-on display | 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, upgradable to Android 14, OxygenOS 14 | Android 11, upgradable to Android 13, OxygenOS 13 |
| Memory | ||
|---|---|---|
| Card slot | No | No |
| Internal | 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM | 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM |
| UFS 3.1 | UFS 3.1 | |
| Main Camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Features | Laser AF, color spectrum sensor, Hasselblad Color Calibration, dual-LED flash, HDR, panorama | Hasselblad Color Calibration, color spectrum sensor, 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 | 16 MP, f/2.4, (wide), 1/3.06", 1.0µm |
| Triple | - | 48 MP, f/1.8, 23mm (wide), 1/1.43", 1.12µm, multi-directional PDAF 50 MP, f/2.2, 14mm (ultrawide), 1/1.56", 1.0µm, AF 2 MP, f/2.4, (monochrome) |
| Video | 8K@30fps, 4K@30/60/120fps, 1080p@30/60/240fps, Auto HDR, gyro-EIS | 8K@30fps, 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/240fps, Auto HDR, gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Features | HDR | HDR |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.4, (wide), 1/3.06", 1.0µm | 16 MP, f/2.4, (wide), 1/3.06", 1.0µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS | 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 | 24-bit/192kHz audio | |
| Comms | ||
|---|---|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.2, A2DP, LE, aptX HD | 5.2, A2DP, LE, aptX HD |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (G1), BDS (B1), GALILEO (E1+E5a) | GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (G1), BDS (B1), GALILEO (E1+E5a) |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 3.1, OTG | USB Type-C 3.1, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct, DLNA | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct, DLNA |
| Features | ||
|---|---|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery | ||
|---|---|---|
| Charging | 65W wired, PD, 100% in 29 min 50W wireless, 100% in 43 min 5W reverse wireless | 65W wired, PD, 100% in 29 min 15W wireless (EU/NA) |
| Type | Li-Po 4500 mAh | Li-Po 4500 mAh |
| Misc | ||
|---|---|---|
| Colors | Morning Mist, Forest Green, Stellar Black | Winter Mist, Arctic Sky, Astral Black |
| Models | LE2121, LE2125, LE2123, LE2120, LE2127 | LE2113, LE2111, LE2110, LE2117, LE2115 |
| Price | € 246.17 / $ 264.95 / £ 287.00 | $ 145.00 / £ 200.00 / € 249.99 |
| Tests | ||
|---|---|---|
| Battery life | Endurance rating 86h | Endurance rating 87h |
| Camera | Photo / Video | Photo / Video |
| Loudspeaker | -24.1 LUFS (Very good) | -24.5 LUFS (Very good) |
OnePlus 9 Pro
- Brighter, larger display for enhanced viewing.
- More versatile camera system with Hasselblad tuning.
- Faster 50W wireless charging.
- Slightly more premium build quality.
- Higher price point.
- Slightly lower battery endurance rating.
OnePlus 9
- More affordable price.
- Slightly better battery endurance rating.
- More compact and manageable size.
- Still offers excellent performance and camera quality.
- Slower 15W wireless charging.
- Less capable camera system compared to the Pro.
Display Comparison
The OnePlus 9 Pro boasts a brighter display, peaking at 859 nits compared to the 9’s 821 nits. While both utilize Fluid AMOLED technology, the Pro’s higher peak brightness translates to better visibility in direct sunlight. Both share a 120Hz refresh rate, but the Pro’s display is larger and features a slightly higher pixel density. The difference in brightness, while not massive, is noticeable in side-by-side comparisons, making the Pro more enjoyable for outdoor use and HDR content viewing.
Camera Comparison
The camera is where the OnePlus 9 Pro truly differentiates itself. While both phones offer versatile camera systems, the Pro features a larger, more capable main sensor and an additional ultrawide lens with a wider field of view. The Pro’s Hasselblad-tuned color science aims for more natural and accurate image reproduction. Both phones are capable of excellent photo and video capture, but the Pro offers greater flexibility and image quality, particularly in challenging lighting conditions. The 9’s camera is still excellent, but the Pro’s system provides a more premium and versatile experience.
Performance
Both the OnePlus 9 and 9 Pro are powered by the Qualcomm SM8350 Snapdragon 888 5G (5 nm) chipset, featuring the same Octa-core CPU configuration. This means performance in everyday tasks and demanding games will be virtually identical. Thermal management will likely be similar, as both utilize similar cooling solutions. The shared chipset and RAM configuration mean the performance gap is negligible; the user experience will be indistinguishable in terms of raw speed.
Battery Life
Both the OnePlus 9 and 9 Pro achieve impressive endurance ratings, with the 9 edging out the Pro at 87 hours versus 86 hours. However, the Pro offers significantly faster wireless charging at 50W compared to the 9’s 15W (EU/NA). Both support 65W wired charging, achieving a full charge in just 29 minutes. The faster wireless charging on the Pro is a significant convenience factor for users who frequently utilize this charging method, effectively offsetting the slightly lower endurance rating.
Buying Guide
Buy the OnePlus 9 Pro if you demand the best possible camera performance, a brighter and more vibrant display for media consumption, and the convenience of faster wireless charging. Buy the OnePlus 9 if you prioritize value, prefer a slightly more compact form factor, and are willing to compromise on some of the Pro’s premium features to save money.