Xiaomi Mi 9 Pro vs OnePlus 7T Pro 5G McLaren: A Deep Dive into 855+ Flagships

Both the Xiaomi Mi 9 Pro and the OnePlus 7T Pro 5G McLaren represent a peak in Qualcomm Snapdragon 855+ powered flagships. Released in different markets and with varying feature sets, these phones now offer compelling value as prices have dropped. This comparison dissects their strengths and weaknesses, focusing on the nuances that separate these two high-performance devices.
Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

For the average user prioritizing versatile charging options and potentially longer battery life due to wireless charging, the Xiaomi Mi 9 Pro emerges as the winner. While the OnePlus 7T Pro 5G McLaren offers a streamlined experience, the Mi 9 Pro’s 40W wired, 30W wireless, and 10W reverse wireless charging capabilities provide a significant advantage.

PHONES
Phone Names Xiaomi Mi 9 Pro OnePlus 7T Pro 5G McLaren
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 41 - China1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 46, 48, 66, 71
5G bands-71 SA
SpeedHSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (7CA) Cat20 2000/150 MbpsHSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (5CA) Cat18 1200/150 Mbps, 5G (2+ Gbps DL)
TechnologyGSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTEGSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE / 5G
 CDMA 800 & TD-SCDMACDMA 800 / 1900 & TD-SCDMA
Launch
Announced2019, September. Released 2019, September2019, October 23. Released 2019, November 05
StatusDiscontinuedDiscontinued
Body
BuildGlass front (Gorilla Glass 6), glass back (Gorilla Glass 5), aluminum frame (7000 series)Glass front (Gorilla Glass 6), glass back (Gorilla Glass 5), aluminum frame
Dimensions157.2 x 74.6 x 8.5 mm (6.19 x 2.94 x 0.33 in)162.6 x 75.9 x 8.8 mm (6.40 x 2.99 x 0.35 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight196 g (6.91 oz)206 g (7.27 oz)
Display
ProtectionCorning Gorilla Glass 6Corning Gorilla Glass 6
Resolution1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~403 ppi density)1440 x 3120 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~516 ppi density)
Size6.39 inches, 100.2 cm2 (~85.5% screen-to-body ratio)6.67 inches, 108.8 cm2 (~88.1% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeSuper AMOLED, HDR10Fluid AMOLED, 90Hz, HDR10+
Platform
CPUOcta-core (1x2.96 GHz Kryo 485 & 3x2.42 GHz Kryo 485 & 4x1.8 GHz Kryo 485)Octa-core (1x2.96 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 (700 MHz)
OSAndroid 10, MIUI 11Android 10, OxygenOS 10.0
Memory
Card slotNoNo
Internal128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM256GB 12GB RAM
 UFS 2.1UFS 3.0
Main Camera
FeaturesLaser AF, Dual-LED flash, HDR, panoramaLaser AF, Dual-LED flash, HDR, panorama
Triple48 MP, f/1.8, 27mm (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF 12 MP, f/2.2, 54mm (telephoto), 1/3.6", 1.0µm, PDAF, 2x optical zoom 16 MP, f/2.2, 13mm (ultrawide), 1/3.0", 1.0µm, PDAF48 MP, f/1.6, (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF, OIS 8 MP, f/2.4, (telephoto), 1.0µm, PDAF, OIS, 3x optical zoom 16 MP, f/2.2, 13mm (ultrawide), AF
Video4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/120/240fps, 1080p@960fps4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/240fps, 720p@960fps, Auto HDR, gyro-EIS
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDRHDR
Single20 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1/3", 0.9µmMotorized pop-up 16 MP, f/2.0, 25mm (wide), 1/3.06", 1.0µm
Video1080p@30fps1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS
Sound
3.5mm jack NoNo
35mm jackNoNo
Loudspeaker YesYes, with stereo speakers
Comms
Bluetooth5.0, A2DP, LE, aptX HD5.1, A2DP, LE, aptX HD
Infrared portYes-
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (L1), BDS (B1), GALILEO (E1+E5a)GPS (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 Direct, DLNAWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct, DLNA
Features
SensorsFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compassFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, compass
 -Virtual proximity sensing
Battery
Charging40W wired, QC4 30W wireless 10W reverse wireless30W wired
TypeLi-Po 4000 mAh, non-removableLi-Po 4085 mAh, non-removable
Misc
ColorsDream White, Titanium BlackPapaya Orange
Models-HD1925
PriceAbout 500 EURAbout 800 EUR

Xiaomi Mi 9 Pro

  • Superior charging speeds (40W wired)
  • Wireless and reverse wireless charging
  • Potentially larger battery capacity

  • Software experience may be less refined than OnePlus
  • 5G connectivity not standard

OnePlus 7T Pro 5G McLaren

  • 5G connectivity
  • Potentially smoother display (90Hz)
  • Clean and optimized software experience

  • Slower wired charging (30W)
  • No wireless or reverse wireless charging

Display Comparison

Both devices likely feature AMOLED panels, common for flagships of this era. However, specific details like peak brightness and color accuracy are not provided. The OnePlus 7T Pro 5G McLaren’s display was known for its 90Hz refresh rate, a feature not explicitly mentioned for the Mi 9 Pro, suggesting a potential advantage in smoothness for the OnePlus device. Bezels are expected to be minimal on both, reflecting the design trends of 2019.

Camera Comparison

Without detailed sensor specifications, a direct camera comparison is difficult. Both phones likely feature multi-camera setups, but the quality will depend on sensor size, lens aperture, and image processing algorithms. The absence of specific details suggests neither phone boasts a groundbreaking camera system compared to contemporaries. Focusing on the main sensor and OIS (Optical Image Stabilization) would be key differentiators, but this information is unavailable.

Performance

Both phones are powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 855+ (7nm), offering comparable raw processing power. The CPU configuration is nearly identical – an octa-core setup with 1x2.96 GHz Kryo 485, 3x2.42 GHz Kryo 485, and 4x1.8 GHz Kryo 485 cores. The slight difference in the fourth core clock speed (1.8 GHz on the Mi 9 Pro vs 1.78 GHz on the OnePlus) is unlikely to translate to a noticeable real-world performance difference. Thermal management will be crucial; the 7nm process helps, but sustained loads could lead to throttling. The OnePlus 7T Pro 5G McLaren benefits from 5G connectivity, a feature absent in the standard Mi 9 Pro, offering faster data speeds where available.

Battery Life

The Xiaomi Mi 9 Pro’s charging capabilities are its standout feature. 40W wired charging with Quick Charge 4 (QC4) is significantly faster than the OnePlus 7T Pro 5G McLaren’s 30W wired charging. Furthermore, the Mi 9 Pro adds 30W wireless charging and 10W reverse wireless charging, allowing it to charge other devices. While the Mi 9 Pro’s battery capacity isn’t specified, the inclusion of wireless charging suggests a larger battery to accommodate the power draw. The OnePlus 7T Pro 5G McLaren relies solely on wired charging, making the Mi 9 Pro the clear winner for charging versatility.

Buying Guide

Buy the Xiaomi Mi 9 Pro if you need maximum charging flexibility, including wireless and reverse wireless charging, and appreciate a larger battery capacity. Buy the OnePlus 7T Pro 5G McLaren if you prioritize a cleaner software experience and a slightly more refined, focused feature set, and don't heavily rely on wireless charging.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Does the Xiaomi Mi 9 Pro's wireless charging work with all Qi-compatible devices?
Yes, the Mi 9 Pro supports the Qi wireless charging standard, meaning it should work with any device that also supports Qi wireless charging. However, charging speeds may vary depending on the receiver device's capabilities.
❓ How much faster is the 40W charging on the Mi 9 Pro compared to the 30W charging on the OnePlus 7T Pro 5G McLaren?
While exact times depend on battery level and other factors, the Mi 9 Pro's 40W charging is expected to charge significantly faster – potentially reducing charging time by 20-30% compared to the OnePlus 7T Pro 5G McLaren. This translates to less time tethered to a wall outlet.
❓ Will the Snapdragon 855+ in either phone struggle with demanding games in 2024?
While not the latest chipset, the Snapdragon 855+ remains capable of handling most mobile games. However, you may need to adjust graphics settings in more demanding titles to maintain a stable frame rate and avoid excessive throttling, especially during extended gaming sessions.
❓ Is the 5G connectivity on the OnePlus 7T Pro 5G McLaren still relevant today?
Yes, if you live in an area with 5G coverage, the OnePlus 7T Pro 5G McLaren will provide faster data speeds compared to the Mi 9 Pro. However, 5G availability varies greatly by region, so its usefulness depends on your location and carrier.