vivo X60 Pro vs OnePlus 9 Pro: A Deep Dive into Flagship Performance and Value

The vivo X60 Pro and OnePlus 9 Pro represent distinct approaches to the flagship Android experience. The X60 Pro, with its Snapdragon 870, aimed for a balance of power and efficiency, while the OnePlus 9 Pro leveraged the more potent Snapdragon 888. Now, with price drops on both models, the question isn't just about which was better at launch, but which offers the best value today.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For most users, the OnePlus 9 Pro emerges as the stronger choice. Its Snapdragon 888 provides a performance edge, and the incredibly fast 65W wired and 50W wireless charging are game-changers. However, the vivo X60 Pro’s superior battery endurance and potentially more refined software experience make it a compelling alternative for those prioritizing longevity.

PHONES
Phone Names vivo X60 Pro OnePlus 9 Pro
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1800 / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 32, 38, 39, 40, 41 - International1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 32, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66 - EU
5G bands1, 3, 7, 28, 40, 41, 78 SA/NSA - International1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 78 SA/NSA - EU
SpeedHSPA, LTE, 5GHSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat20 2000/200 Mbps, 5G
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5GGSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE / 5G
 1, 3, 28, 38, 41, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA - China1, 3, 28, 41, 78, 79 SA/NSA - CN
Launch
Announced2021, March 222021, March 23
StatusAvailable. Released 2021, April 02Available. Released 2021, March 30
Body
BuildGlass front (Schott Xensation Up), glass back, aluminum frameGlass front (Gorilla Glass 5), glass back (Gorilla Glass 5), aluminum frame
Dimensions158.6 x 73.2 x 7.6 mm (6.24 x 2.88 x 0.30 in)163.2 x 73.6 x 8.7 mm (6.43 x 2.90 x 0.34 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight179 g (6.31 oz)197 g (6.95 oz)
 -IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 min)
Display
ProtectionSchott Xensation UpCorning Gorilla Glass 5
Resolution1080 x 2376 pixels (~398 ppi density)1440 x 3216 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~525 ppi density)
Size6.56 inches, 104.6 cm2 (~90.1% screen-to-body ratio)6.7 inches, 108.4 cm2 (~90.3% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeAMOLED, 120Hz, HDR10+LTPO Fluid2 AMOLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, HDR10+, 1300 nits (peak)
 -Always-on display
Platform
CPUOcta-core (1x3.2 GHz Kryo 585 & 3x2.42 GHz Kryo 585 & 4x1.80 GHz Kryo 585)Octa-core (1x2.84 GHz Cortex-X1 & 3x2.42 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A55
ChipsetQualcomm SM8250-AC Snapdragon 870 5G (7 nm)Qualcomm SM8350 Snapdragon 888 5G (5 nm)
GPUAdreno 650Adreno 660
OSAndroid 11, Funtouch 11.1Android 11, upgradable to Android 14, OxygenOS 14
Memory
Card slotNoNo
Internal256GB 12GB RAM128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM
 UFS 3.1UFS 3.1
Main Camera
FeaturesZeiss optics, color spectrum sensor, Pixel Shift, LED flash, HDR, panoramaLaser AF, color spectrum sensor, Hasselblad Color Calibration, dual-LED flash, HDR, panorama
Quad48 MP, f/1.5, 26mm (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF, gimbal OIS 13 MP, f/2.5, 50mm (telephoto), 1/2.8", 0.8µm, PDAF, 2x optical zoom 13 MP, f/2.2, 120˚, 16mm (ultrawide)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
Video4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60fps, gyro-EIS8K@30fps, 4K@30/60/120fps, 1080p@30/60/240fps, Auto HDR, gyro-EIS
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDRHDR
Single32 MP, f/2.5, 24mm (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm16 MP, f/2.4, (wide), 1/3.06", 1.0µm
Video1080p@30fps1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS
Sound
3.5mm jack NoNo
35mm jackNoNo
Loudspeaker YesYes, with stereo speakers
 32-bit/192kHz audio24-bit/192kHz audio
Comms
Bluetooth5.1, A2DP, LE, aptX HD5.2, A2DP, LE, aptX HD
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO, QZSS, NavICGPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (G1), BDS (B1), GALILEO (E1+E5a)
RadioNoNo
USBUSB Type-C 2.0, OTGUSB Type-C 3.1, OTG
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi DirectWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct, DLNA
Features
SensorsFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, compassFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass
 Virtual proximity sensing-
Battery
Charging33W wired65W wired, PD, 100% in 29 min 50W wireless, 100% in 43 min 5W reverse wireless
Type4200 mAhLi-Po 4500 mAh
Misc
ColorsMidnight Black, Shimmer BlueMorning Mist, Forest Green, Stellar Black
ModelsV2046LE2121, LE2125, LE2123, LE2120, LE2127
PriceAbout 570 EUR€ 246.17 / $ 264.95 / £ 287.00
SAR0.53 W/kg (head)     0.81 W/kg (body)-
Tests
Battery life Endurance rating 91h Endurance rating 86h
Camera Photo / Video Photo / Video
Display Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal)-
Loudspeaker -27.6 LUFS (Good) -24.1 LUFS (Very good)
Performance AnTuTu: 734811 (v8) GeekBench: 3749 (v5.1) GFXBench: 62fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)-

vivo X60 Pro

  • Exceptional battery endurance (91h rating)
  • Potentially better thermal management with Snapdragon 870
  • Smooth and efficient performance for everyday tasks

  • Slower charging speeds (33W wired)
  • Less powerful chipset compared to Snapdragon 888

OnePlus 9 Pro

  • Faster Snapdragon 888 processor for demanding tasks
  • Blazing-fast 65W wired and 50W wireless charging
  • Hasselblad-tuned camera system

  • Slightly lower battery endurance (86h rating)
  • Potential for thermal throttling under heavy load

Display Comparison

Both phones feature excellent displays, with the OnePlus 9 Pro achieving a slightly higher peak brightness of 859 nits compared to the vivo X60 Pro’s 818 nits. While both offer an 'infinite' (nominal) contrast ratio, the real-world difference in viewing experience is minimal. Neither specification details refresh rate or panel technology (LTPO), but both are expected to be high refresh rate panels. The OnePlus 9 Pro’s slightly brighter display may be more visible in direct sunlight, but the X60 Pro’s panel is still more than adequate for most users.

Camera Comparison

Both phones are equipped with versatile camera systems, but detailed sensor information is limited. Both are described as having Photo/Video capabilities. The OnePlus 9 Pro’s collaboration with Hasselblad suggests a focus on color science and image processing. Without specific sensor size or aperture details, it’s difficult to definitively declare a winner. The absence of information regarding OIS (Optical Image Stabilization) on either device is a significant omission. The lack of detail on the camera systems makes a direct comparison challenging, but the OnePlus 9 Pro’s Hasselblad partnership suggests a potential edge in image quality.

Performance

The core difference lies in the chipsets. The OnePlus 9 Pro boasts the Snapdragon 888 (5nm), while the vivo X60 Pro utilizes the Snapdragon 870 (7nm). The 5nm process of the 888 theoretically offers better power efficiency and higher transistor density, translating to a performance advantage in demanding tasks. The OnePlus 9 Pro’s CPU, with its Cortex-X1 prime core, further enhances this lead. However, the Snapdragon 888 is known to throttle under sustained load, a potential drawback the 870 may avoid due to its lower thermal output. The OnePlus 9 Pro’s LPDDR5 RAM is standard for flagships, while the X60 Pro’s RAM specification is not provided, but is likely similar.

Battery Life

The OnePlus 9 Pro offers a significant advantage in charging speed, with 65W wired charging capable of a full charge in just 29 minutes, alongside 50W wireless charging (43 minutes) and 5W reverse wireless. The vivo X60 Pro’s 33W wired charging is considerably slower. However, the X60 Pro boasts a superior endurance rating of 91 hours compared to the OnePlus 9 Pro’s 86 hours. This suggests that despite a potentially smaller battery capacity (not specified), the more efficient Snapdragon 870 and software optimizations contribute to longer battery life.

Buying Guide

Buy the vivo X60 Pro if you prioritize all-day battery life and a smooth, consistent experience over raw processing power. It’s ideal for users who frequently travel or rely heavily on their phone throughout the day. Buy the OnePlus 9 Pro if you demand the fastest possible performance for gaming and demanding applications, and if rapid charging is a critical feature. This phone caters to power users who want to minimize downtime.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Does the Snapdragon 888 in the OnePlus 9 Pro suffer from significant overheating during prolonged gaming sessions?
The Snapdragon 888 is known to generate more heat than previous generations, potentially leading to thermal throttling during extended gaming. While OnePlus implemented cooling solutions, users may experience some performance reduction after prolonged use. The vivo X60 Pro’s Snapdragon 870 is less prone to overheating, offering more consistent performance over time.
❓ How does the charging speed difference impact daily use? Is 33W charging on the vivo X60 Pro noticeably slow?
The 33W charging on the vivo X60 Pro is significantly slower than the OnePlus 9 Pro’s 65W wired and 50W wireless options. While 33W is still reasonably fast, topping up the battery will take considerably longer. The OnePlus 9 Pro allows for quick top-ups throughout the day, minimizing downtime, while the X60 Pro may require overnight charging to maintain a full battery.
❓ Given the lack of detailed camera specs, what can we infer about the image quality differences between these two phones?
Without sensor size, aperture, and OIS details, it's difficult to make a precise assessment. However, the OnePlus 9 Pro’s collaboration with Hasselblad suggests a focus on natural color reproduction and improved dynamic range. The X60 Pro likely offers a more standard Android camera experience. Ultimately, image quality will depend on individual preferences and software processing.