Xiaomi Mi 9T vs OnePlus 7T Pro 5G McLaren: A Detailed Performance and Value Comparison

The Xiaomi Mi 9T and OnePlus 7T Pro 5G McLaren represent distinct approaches to the mid-to-high range smartphone market. The Mi 9T prioritized affordability and long battery life, while the 7T Pro 5G McLaren aimed for near-flagship performance with 5G connectivity. This comparison dissects their key differences to determine which device best suits your needs.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For the average user prioritizing raw performance and 5G capabilities, the OnePlus 7T Pro 5G McLaren is the clear winner. However, the Xiaomi Mi 9T delivers exceptional battery endurance and represents a significantly more budget-friendly option, making it ideal for users who value longevity over peak speed.

PHONES
Phone Names Xiaomi Mi 9T 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, 20, 28, 38, 401, 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, LTEHSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (5CA) Cat18 1200/150 Mbps, 5G (2+ Gbps DL)
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTEGSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE / 5G
 -CDMA 800 / 1900 & TD-SCDMA
Launch
Announced2019, June 12. Released 2019, June 122019, October 23. Released 2019, November 05
StatusDiscontinuedDiscontinued
Body
BuildGlass front (Gorilla Glass 5), glass back, aluminum frameGlass front (Gorilla Glass 6), glass back (Gorilla Glass 5), aluminum frame
Dimensions156.7 x 74.3 x 8.8 mm (6.17 x 2.93 x 0.35 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
Weight191 g (6.74 oz)206 g (7.27 oz)
Display
ProtectionCorning Gorilla Glass 5Corning 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 (~86.1% screen-to-body ratio)6.67 inches, 108.8 cm2 (~88.1% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeAMOLED, HDRFluid AMOLED, 90Hz, HDR10+
Platform
CPUOcta-core (2x2.2 GHz Kryo 470 Gold & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 470 Silver)Octa-core (1x2.96 GHz Kryo 485 & 3x2.42 GHz Kryo 485 & 4x1.78 GHz Kryo 485)
ChipsetQualcomm SDM730 Snapdragon 730 (8 nm)Qualcomm SM8150 Snapdragon 855+ (7 nm)
GPUAdreno 618Adreno 640 (700 MHz)
OSAndroid 9.0 (Pie), upgradable to Android 11, MIUI 12.1Android 10, OxygenOS 10.0
Memory
Card slotNoNo
Internal64GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM256GB 12GB RAM
 UFS 2.0UFS 3.0
Main Camera
FeaturesDual-LED flash, HDR, panoramaLaser AF, Dual-LED flash, HDR, panorama
Triple48 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF 8 MP, f/2.4, 53mm (telephoto), 1/4.0", 1.12µm, PDAF, 2x optical zoom 13 MP, f/2.4, 12mm (ultrawide), 1/3.1", 1.12µm48 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@30fps, 1080p@30/120/240fps, 1080p@960fps4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/240fps, 720p@960fps, Auto HDR, gyro-EIS
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDRHDR
SingleMotorized pop-up 20 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1/3.4", 0.8µmMotorized pop-up 16 MP, f/2.0, 25mm (wide), 1/3.06", 1.0µm
Video1080p@30fps1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS
Sound
3.5mm jack YesNo
35mm jackYesNo
Loudspeaker YesYes, with stereo speakers
 24-bit/192kHz audio -
Comms
Bluetooth5.0, A2DP, LE, aptX HD5.1, A2DP, LE, aptX HD
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDSGPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (G1), BDS (B1), GALILEO (E1+E5a)
RadioFM radioNo
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, 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
Charging18W wired30W wired
TypeLi-Po 4000 mAh, non-removableLi-Po 4085 mAh, non-removable
Misc
ColorsCarbon black, Red flame, Glacier bluePapaya Orange
ModelsM1903F10GHD1925
PriceAbout 460 EURAbout 800 EUR
SAR1.19 W/kg (head)     1.18 W/kg (body)-
SAR EU1.34 W/kg (head)     1.51 W/kg (body)-
Tests
Audio quality Noise -93.5dB / Crosstalk -93.8dB-
Battery lifeEndurance rating 100h-
Camera Photo / Video-
Display Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal)-
Loudspeaker -25.3 LUFS (Very good)-
Performance AnTuTu: 211915 (v7), 257146 (v8) GeekBench: 6863 (v4.4), 1703 (v5.1) GFXBench: 13fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)-

Xiaomi Mi 9T

  • Exceptional battery life (100h endurance)
  • More affordable price point
  • Decent display brightness (646 nits)

  • Less powerful Snapdragon 730 chipset
  • Slower 18W charging
  • Limited camera details suggest a less advanced system

OnePlus 7T Pro 5G McLaren

  • Powerful Snapdragon 855+ processor
  • Faster 30W charging
  • 5G connectivity for future-proofed speeds

  • Shorter battery life compared to Mi 9T
  • Higher price tag
  • Battery capacity not specified

Display Comparison

The Xiaomi Mi 9T boasts a respectable 646 nits of peak brightness, ensuring visibility in most outdoor conditions. While the 7T Pro 5G McLaren’s display brightness isn’t specified, OnePlus typically prioritizes color accuracy and smoothness. The Mi 9T’s ‘infinite’ contrast ratio (nominal) suggests a standard AMOLED panel, while the 7T Pro 5G McLaren likely features a Fluid AMOLED display with a higher refresh rate (based on OnePlus’s typical implementation), contributing to a smoother user experience. The absence of LTPO technology in either device means they won't achieve the variable refresh rates of newer flagships, but the 7T Pro's likely higher refresh rate will still be noticeable.

Camera Comparison

Both devices feature photo and video capabilities, but detailed sensor information is lacking for the Mi 9T. Given the market positioning, the 7T Pro 5G McLaren likely features a more sophisticated camera system with a larger main sensor and optical image stabilization (OIS). While the Mi 9T may offer competitive image quality in good lighting, the 855+’s image signal processor (ISP) in the OnePlus provides superior image processing capabilities, particularly in low-light conditions. The absence of details on the Mi 9T’s camera suggests a focus on affordability over cutting-edge imaging technology.

Performance

The core difference lies in the chipsets: the Xiaomi Mi 9T utilizes the Qualcomm Snapdragon 730 (8nm), while the OnePlus 7T Pro 5G McLaren packs the Snapdragon 855+ (7nm). The 855+’s Kryo 485 cores, with a peak clock speed of 2.96 GHz, significantly outperform the 730’s 2.2 GHz Kryo 470 Gold cores. This translates to faster app loading times, smoother multitasking, and superior gaming performance on the OnePlus. The 7nm process node of the 855+ also contributes to better thermal efficiency, potentially reducing throttling during sustained workloads. The Mi 9T’s 730 is still capable for everyday tasks, but will struggle with graphically intensive games at higher settings.

Battery Life

The Xiaomi Mi 9T shines with an impressive endurance rating of 100 hours, indicating excellent battery life. While the 7T Pro 5G McLaren’s battery capacity isn’t specified, its more powerful processor and 5G connectivity will inevitably consume more power. The Mi 9T’s 18W wired charging is relatively slow compared to the OnePlus’s 30W wired charging. However, the Mi 9T’s superior battery life may offset the slower charging speed for many users. The OnePlus will offer quicker top-ups, but will likely require more frequent charging.

Buying Guide

Buy the Xiaomi Mi 9T if you need a phone that lasts all day and beyond on a single charge, and you're willing to trade some processing power for extended battery life and a lower price point. Buy the OnePlus 7T Pro 5G McLaren if you prioritize fast performance for gaming and demanding applications, require 5G connectivity, and are willing to accept shorter battery life and a higher cost.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Will the Snapdragon 730 in the Mi 9T struggle with demanding games like Genshin Impact?
Yes, while the Snapdragon 730 is capable, Genshin Impact and other graphically intensive games will likely require lower settings and may experience occasional frame drops. The 730’s GPU isn’t as powerful as the 855+ in the OnePlus, making it less suited for high-end gaming.
❓ How much faster is the 30W charging on the OnePlus 7T Pro 5G McLaren compared to the Mi 9T's 18W charging?
The 30W charging on the OnePlus will significantly reduce charging times. While exact figures aren't available, expect a 0-100% charge to be considerably faster on the OnePlus, potentially taking around an hour compared to the Mi 9T's likely 1.5-2 hours.
❓ Is the 5G connectivity on the OnePlus 7T Pro 5G McLaren worth the extra cost if 5G isn't widely available in my area?
If 5G coverage is limited, the benefit of the 7T Pro 5G McLaren’s 5G connectivity is minimal. In areas with no 5G, you’ll be using 4G LTE, and the performance difference between the two phones will be primarily determined by the processor and RAM.