The Android smartphones from OnePlus, and with both phones having a lot in common with one another, deciding which one to buy can prove to be quite the challenge. OnePlus is no stranger to launching multiple phones at once, with the 9 Series following in the footsteps of last year's OnePlus 8 and OnePlus 8 Pro. Similar to what Apple, Samsung, and other manufacturers do with their competing smartphone lineups, OnePlus has realized that people like having more than one option to choose from.
Lots of consumer choice is always a good thing, but when it comes time to actually spend the money and pick one phone over the other, making that final decision isn't always easy. This is especially true in the case of the OnePlus 9 and 9 Pro, where many of the same specs/features are shared across both devices. That adds a lot of value to the cheaper OnePlus 9, but for folks with a bit more cash to spend, the OnePlus 9 Pro does come with a few exclusive offerings to justify its $240 price increase.
Starting with everything that's the same, there's the processor. Both the RAM and storage configurations, with OnePlus offering 8GB RAM/128GB and 12GB RAM/256GB options for the 9 and 9 Pro. When it comes to battery and charging, the OnePlus 9 and OnePlus 9 Pro share the same 4,500 mAh battery capacity (split between two 2,250 mAh cells) and Warp Charge 65T — OnePlus's new wired charging system that delivers a 0-100% charge in just 29 minutes. Rounding out the similarities are dual stereo speakers, Dolby Atmos , an in-screen fingerprint sensor, and OxygenOS 11 available right out of the box.
What Features Does The OnePlus 9 Pro Have That The OnePlus 9 Doesn't?
While the OnePlus 9 and 9 Pro are very similar devices, that's not to say they're completely identical. One of the main differences having a completely flat screen while the OnePlus 9 Pro has slightly curved edges.
Another notable difference with the OnePlus 9 Pro is its camera system. The OnePlus 9 Pro has a total of four rear cameras, including a 48MP Sony IMX789 primary camera, 50MP ultra-wide camera, 8MP telephoto camera, and 2MP monochrome camera. The regular OnePlus 9 shares the same ultra-wide and monochrome cameras, but it loses the telephoto one and swaps out the primary camera for a 48MP Sony IMX689 sensor. The IMX789 and IMX689 have a lot of the same specs, though the IMX789 should offer generally better performance given that it's the successor to the IMX689. Rounding out the differences are charging speeds, dimensions/weight, and does have an IP68 rating but the unlocked model doesn't. The OnePlus 9 Pro has the IP68 rating regardless of it being a carrier or unlocked variant.
All of this begs the ultimate question — is the OnePlus 9 Pro worth the extra $240 over the regular OnePlus 9? Depending on who's asking, yes and no. The OnePlus 9 is a pretty fantastic value considering everything it brings to the table, especially when compared against devices like the Galaxy S21 and iPhone 12. For people that want a flagship experience without breaking the bank, the standard OnePlus 9 is an excellent option to consider. However, for shoppers that want the ultimate smartphone experience from OnePlus, splurging for the 9 Pro is probably worth it. It has a more capable display, more & better cameras, faster wireless charging, and the IP68 rating is standard for all models. Those are a lot of notable upgrades, and with a starting price of $969, the OnePlus 9 Pro is cheaper than the competition from Samsung and Apple. In the end, both are extremely capable smartphones in their own right.
Source: OnePlus