The OnePlus 9E and 9 Pro represent distinct approaches within OnePlus’s 2021 flagship lineup. The 9E aimed to deliver a compelling experience at a more accessible price point, while the 9 Pro doubled down on premium features and top-tier performance. This comparison dissects the key differences between these two devices, focusing on where each excels and who will benefit most from their respective strengths.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing a smooth daily experience and excellent value, the OnePlus 9 Pro is the superior choice. Its Snapdragon 888 chipset and brighter display justify the price premium, offering a noticeable performance uplift and a more immersive viewing experience. However, the 9E remains a viable option for budget-conscious users.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1800 / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | LTE | 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 | SA/NSA | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 78 SA/NSA - EU |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat18 1024/150 Mbps, 5G | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat20 2000/200 Mbps, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| | - | 1, 3, 28, 41, 78, 79 SA/NSA - CN |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | Not announced yet | 2021, March 23 |
| Status | Cancelled | Available. Released 2021, March 30 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), glass back (Gorilla Glass 5), aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | - | 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 |
| Weight | - | 197 g (6.95 oz) |
| | - | IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 min) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~405 ppi density) | 1440 x 3216 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~525 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 | 6.7 inches, 108.4 cm2 (~90.3% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 90Hz | LTPO Fluid2 AMOLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, HDR10+, 1300 nits (peak) |
| | - | Always-on display |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Kryo 560 Gold & 6x1.7 GHz Kryo 560 Silver) | Octa-core (1x2.84 GHz Cortex-X1 & 3x2.42 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A55 |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM6350 Snapdragon 690 5G (8 nm) | Qualcomm SM8350 Snapdragon 888 5G (5 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 619L | Adreno 660 |
| OS | Android 11 | Android 11, upgradable to Android 14, OxygenOS 14 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC | No |
| Internal | 128GB 8GB RAM | 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM |
| | - | UFS 3.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | Laser AF, color spectrum sensor, Hasselblad Color Calibration, dual-LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Quad | 64 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/1.72", 0.8µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.3, 119˚ (ultrawide)
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens | 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 |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps; gyro-EIS | 8K@30fps, 4K@30/60/120fps, 1080p@30/60/240fps, Auto HDR, gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | HDR |
| Single | 16 MP | 16 MP, f/2.4, (wide), 1/3.06", 1.0µm |
| Video | 1080p@30/60fps, gyro-EIS | 1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | - | No |
| 35mm jack | Yes | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| | - | 24-bit/192kHz audio |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.1, A2DP, LE | 5.2, A2DP, LE, aptX HD |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (G1), BDS (B1), GALILEO (E1+E5a) |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 3.1, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct, DLNA |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), 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 |
| Type | Li-Po 5000 mAh | Li-Po 4500 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Blue; other colours | Morning Mist, Forest Green, Stellar Black |
| Models | - | LE2121, LE2125, LE2123, LE2120, LE2127 |
| Price | - | € 246.17 / $ 264.95 / £ 287.00 |
| Tests |
|---|
| Battery life | - |
Endurance rating 86h
|
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
| Loudspeaker | - |
-24.1 LUFS (Very good)
|
OnePlus 9E
- More affordable price point
- Efficient Snapdragon 690 chipset
- Respectable battery life
- Significantly less powerful than the 9 Pro
- Likely lower-quality display
- Less versatile camera system
OnePlus 9 Pro
- Flagship-level performance with Snapdragon 888
- Brighter and smoother display
- Faster charging speeds (wired and wireless)
- Higher price tag
- Potentially more prone to thermal throttling under extreme load
- Curved display may not appeal to all users
Display Comparison
The OnePlus 9 Pro boasts a significantly brighter display, reaching a measured 859 nits, compared to an unspecified brightness for the 9E. While both likely utilize AMOLED technology, the 9 Pro’s higher peak brightness translates to better visibility in direct sunlight. The 9 Pro’s display is also expected to have a higher refresh rate (120Hz vs 90Hz on the 9E, based on brand trends), resulting in smoother scrolling and animations. The 9E likely uses a flat display, while the 9 Pro features curved edges, impacting perceived immersion and potentially increasing accidental touch inputs.
Camera Comparison
Both devices feature capable camera systems, but the 9 Pro is expected to offer a more versatile and higher-quality experience. While both are listed as having Photo/Video capabilities, the 9 Pro benefits from a more advanced image signal processor (ISP) within the Snapdragon 888. The 9 Pro likely includes features like 8K video recording and more sophisticated computational photography algorithms. The 9E’s camera system, while adequate for everyday snapshots, will likely struggle in low-light conditions compared to the 9 Pro’s larger sensor and advanced processing. The inclusion of Optical Image Stabilization (OIS) is highly probable on the 9 Pro, further enhancing image quality and video stability.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets: the OnePlus 9E utilizes the Qualcomm SM6350 Snapdragon 690 5G (8nm), while the 9 Pro is powered by the Snapdragon 888 5G (5nm). This represents a substantial leap in processing power. The 888’s octa-core configuration, featuring a Cortex-X1 prime core clocked at 2.84 GHz, significantly outperforms the 9E’s Kryo 560 Gold cores at 2.0 GHz. The 5nm fabrication process of the 888 also contributes to improved thermal efficiency, reducing throttling during sustained workloads. Gamers and power users will immediately notice the difference in app loading times, multitasking responsiveness, and overall system fluidity on the 9 Pro.
Battery Life
Both the OnePlus 9E and 9 Pro share an endurance rating of 86h, suggesting similar overall battery life despite the 9 Pro’s more powerful chipset. This is likely achieved through software optimizations and the 5nm efficiency of the Snapdragon 888. However, the 9 Pro offers significantly faster charging capabilities: 65W wired (100% in 29 minutes) and 50W wireless (100% in 43 minutes), compared to unspecified charging speeds for the 9E. The 9 Pro also includes 5W reverse wireless charging, allowing it to wirelessly charge other devices.
Buying Guide
Buy the OnePlus 9E if you need a reliable 5G smartphone for everyday tasks, social media, and light gaming, and prioritize affordability. You’ll appreciate its efficient Snapdragon 690 chipset and respectable battery life. Buy the OnePlus 9 Pro if you demand flagship-level performance for demanding games, intensive multitasking, and professional-quality photography, and are willing to invest in a premium experience with faster charging and a superior display.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Snapdragon 690 in the OnePlus 9E handle demanding games like PUBG or Genshin Impact?
While the Snapdragon 690 is capable of running these games, you'll likely need to lower graphics settings to achieve a smooth frame rate. The 9E is better suited for less graphically intensive titles or casual gaming sessions. The 9 Pro, with its Snapdragon 888, will provide a significantly better gaming experience at higher settings.
❓ Is the difference in charging speed between the 9E and 9 Pro noticeable in everyday use?
Absolutely. The 9 Pro’s 65W wired charging can fully charge the phone in just 29 minutes, while the 9E’s charging speed is unspecified but expected to be considerably slower. This makes a significant difference if you frequently find yourself needing a quick top-up before leaving the house.
❓ How does the 5nm process of the Snapdragon 888 in the 9 Pro impact real-world performance compared to the 8nm process of the 9E’s Snapdragon 690?
The 5nm process allows for a higher transistor density and improved power efficiency. This translates to better sustained performance in the 9 Pro, meaning less throttling during prolonged gaming or video recording. The 9E’s 8nm process is less efficient, leading to more heat generation and potential performance drops under heavy load.
