The OnePlus 10 Pro has been official since January 11th – at least for China. It goes without saying that the device will also find its way into the wide world, even if we don’t yet know the price or date. OnePlus only announces the new flagship for spring. In this article, as we compare the two models – the newcomer and last year’s OnePlus 9 Pro – we’ll focus on what we already know: the design and the specs.
| OnePlus flagship 2021 | OnePlus flagship 2022 | |
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| product | ||
| Illustration |  | |
| Technical specifications | 6.7-inch, Fluid AMOLED with LTPO 3216×1440 pixels, 120Hz Snapdragon 888 128/256GB ROM 8 / 12GB RAM quad camera Main camera: 48 MP Ultra wide angle: 50 MP Telephoto camera: 8 MP Monochrome: 2MP Front camera: 16 MP Android 11 with OxygenOS 4500mAh with 65W Quick Charging IP68 certified | 6.7 inch Fluid AMOLED with LTPO 2.0 3216×1440 pixels, 120Hz Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 128 / 256GB 8 / 12GB RAM triple camera Main camera: 48 MP Ultra wide angle: 50 MP Telephoto camera: 8 MP Front camera: 32 MP Android 12 with OxygenOS 5000mAh with 80W Quick Charging IP68 certified |
| benefits |
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| disadvantage |
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| evaluation | To the test report | |
| To offer* |
Even if you can already see some differences in the specs, there is currently still a certain imbalance in the facts. We tested the OnePlus 9 Pro, but we can only look at the technical data of the OnePlus 10 Pro. As soon as we have the test device, we will also update this comparison here.
Contents:
models and prices
There are many parallels between last year’s and upcoming OnePlus flagships. We see one of these parallels in memory configurations. Both models start with 8 GB RAM and end at 12 GB, the flash memory then has 128 GB or 256 GB. When the OnePlus 9 Pro was presented in March 2021, the company was asking 899 euros for the 8/128 GB version. For a hundred more, there were 12GB and 256GB.
We don’t know the German prices for the OnePlus 10 Pro, so we can only use the Chinese prices as a guide here and still have to wait for final RRPs. And don’t forget: We have only converted the following prices into euros, the German prices will definitely be significantly higher. Expects MSRP to be around par with last year. A small glimmer of hope: The cheapest OnePlus 9 Pro cost 4999 yuan at the market launch in China.
- 8 + 128GB: ¥4699 (approx. €650)
- 8+256GB: ¥4999 (€695)
- 12+256GB: ¥5299 (€735)
In the following price comparison widget you will find that you can currently get the “small” model of the OnePlus 9 Pro for less than 800 euros, for around 850 euros you can get the large model with 12 GB RAM and 256 GB storage.
design and displays
Let’s get to the design: If the front consists only of a display and a punch-hole notch in the top left, there isn’t much potential for change. Unfortunately, this also affects the bottom edge, which is still thicker than the other three sides. The view of the back is more exciting, because the camera section has been completely revised there. Previously, two sensors were arranged one below the other, including the two additional cams next to each other.
The new camera unit looks really good – and of course the Hasselblad logo should not be missing. / © NextPit
This year there are only three instead of four camera sensors – and OnePlus has arranged them squarely together with the ring-shaped LED flash. The design is a little reminiscent of Samsung’s Galaxy S21 models from last year, because the raised camera also merges into the edge of the housing. What else has changed? The colors! Last year there was Pine Green, Stellar Black and Morning Mist, with the OnePlus 10 Pro there are the two colors Volcanic Black (matt) and Emerald Forest.
Much of the display also seems to have stayed the same: there is again a 6.7-inch “Fluid AMOLED” display, again with 120 Hertz, again with 3216 x 1440 pixels. Subtle difference: With the “LTPO 2.0” technology, the panel varies the frequency of image repetition between 1 and 120 Hertz. Doesn’t make a difference visually, but the battery is happy.
hardware and performance
In the new model, OnePlus replaces the Snapdragon 888 with the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 – i.e. Qualcomm flagship SoC against Qualcomm flagship SoC. We’ll have to wait and see how the new SoC fares in the test. We can hope that the already great performance of the Snapdragon 888 will be topped again – at best without overheating.
Read more on the topic:
cameras
The most obvious first: Instead of four camera sensors, there are only three in the new model. We can actually refrain from saying “only” because the 2 MP monochrome shooter is definitely not a shame. As in the previous year, the main cam with 48 MP, the ultra-wide-angle module with 50 MP and the telephoto camera with 8 MP have remained.
This is what the camera setup of the OnePlus 9 Pro looks like. / © NextPit
Is everything the same as before? Yes, because while the sensor of the main cam is identical to that in the OnePlus 9 Pro, OnePlus has replaced the Sony sensor for the ultra-wide angle with a Samsung chip, which is questionable as to whether it is on par in terms of quality. However, this offers a field of view of 150 degrees and allows photos in “fish-eye” optics. Let’s be fair and wait for the test before we criticize OnePlus’ decision too quickly.
Hasselblad is now on board as a partner for the second year, but again this has only affected the software so far. OnePlus would like to score with the improved “Hasselblad Pro” mode, which ensures that all cameras support 12-bit RAW mode. There was also an update at the front: a 32 MP snap is now hidden in the punch hole at the top left of the display, where previously 16 MP had to suffice.
Battery and quick charging
Let’s get to the battery and thus to a part of the smartphone that could be significantly better in the OnePlus 10 Pro – at least if we go by the hard facts. They look like the capacity increases from 4,500 mAh to 5,000 mAh with the same display size. Keep in mind that the variable refresh rates save energy and that the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 should also work more efficiently.
Quick charging is also improved: With the OnePlus 9 Pro, it was really fast thanks to Warp Charge with 65 watts. Now you not only change the wording towards Oppo and talk about SuperVOOC, but also increase the pace: 80 watts are possible with the 10, which means that you can completely bludgeon a completely empty OnePlus 10 Pro within 32 minutes. You can also charge wirelessly with 50 watts, and both models are also capable of reverse charging.
Software and security updates
Since we already had the Oppo topic: When it comes to the software, many OnePlus fans or OxygenOS fans are concerned that too much could be left behind when the two overlays are merged. But here, too, we can only take a look at it when our test device arrives. Because for China, OnePlus has again opted for ColorOS, on the global version the pre-installed Android 12 will be found again with OxygenOS.
Green or black – which color catches you more? / © OnePlus
As far as security updates are concerned, we are still at the same level as OnePlus happily announced last summer: OnePlus spoke of four years of support for security updates and three major Android updates.
Conclusion
Phew, difficult to draw a conclusion here. There were a few sensible improvements from the OnePlus 9 Pro to the OnePlus 10 Pro – just with the battery. The SoC should also be an asset and – of course this is only a personal impression – I also think the design of the new cell phone is nicer than that of the OnePlus 9 Pro.
However, OnePlus has improved other points incrementally at best, and when it comes to the camera, I’m not even sure whether the innovations aren’t rather improvements that make things worse. However, I believe that OnePlus has at least not allowed itself any major blunders and is thus delivering a sensible upgrade to its 2021 model – not necessarily exciting, but reasonable.
Leaning cautiously out of the window, I would say that someone who is happy with the OnePlus 9 Pro does not have to reach for the successor if it is available. Basically, the OnePlus 10 Pro is a decent 2022 flagship that will definitely find many friends.
What are you saying? Did you expect more innovation from the new OnePlus 10 Pro? Are you afraid of too much influence from Oppo on the OnePlus devices? Write it to us in the comments.