Smartphone Comparison: OnePlus 9 Pro vs. Oppo A55
1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | OnePlus 9 Pro | Oppo A55 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 163.2 × 73.6 × 8.7 mm | 163.6 × 75.7 × 8.4 mm | OnePlus 9 Pro is slightly narrower and thicker. A55 is wider, which can affect one-handed use. |
| Weight | 197g | 193g | Both have similar weight, so difference is negligible. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.7" | 6.51" | OnePlus 9 Pro has a slightly larger screen, better for media consumption and multitasking. |
| Resolution | 1440x3216 | 720x1600 | OnePlus 9 Pro's higher resolution results in a much sharper image, better for reading and viewing detailed content. |
| Pixel Density (PPI) | 525 | 270 | OnePlus 9 Pro display appears significantly crisper, less pixelation. |
| Technology | Unspecified | IPS LCD | Oppo A55 has superior display technology (IPS LCD vs ) offering. The exact technology of OnePlus is unknown, limiting comparison. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 60Hz | OnePlus 9 Pro offers smoother scrolling and animations, making the UI feel more fluid and responsive. |
| Brightness | 1300 nits | 0 nits | OnePlus 9 Pro is dramatically brighter and easier to use outdoors under sunlight. Oppo A55 brightness is unknown. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 5G (5 nm) | Mediatek Helio G35 (12 nm) | OnePlus 9 Pro offers significantly faster processing and better power efficiency. A55 is slower for demanding tasks. |
| AnTuTu Score | 877,600 | 379,800 | OnePlus 9 Pro offers drastically better performance for gaming, multitasking and app loading. |
| GPU | Adreno 660 | PowerVR GE8320 | OnePlus 9 Pro has superior graphics processing capabilities for gaming and graphic-intensive tasks. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 4500mAh | 5000mAh | Oppo A55 has a larger battery capacity, likely providing longer battery life per charge. |
| Charging | 65W Fast Charging | 10W Fast Charging | OnePlus 9 Pro charges much faster, reducing downtime. |
| Features | Wireless, Reverse Wireless charging | Non-removable | OnePlus 9 Pro offers more versatile charging options, while Oppo A55 only has basic charging features. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 48MP, f/1.8, 1/1.43", Sony IMX789 | 13MP, f/2.2, Unspecified sensor | OnePlus 9 Pro takes much higher resolution images with a wider aperture, likely leading to better low-light performance. |
| Selfie Camera | 16MP, f/2.4, 1/3.13", Sony IMX471 | 8MP, f/2.0, Unspecified sensor | OnePlus 9 Pro captures more detailed selfies, while Oppo A55 has a slightly wider aperture which is good for low-light. |
| Telephoto Lens | 8MP, f/2.4, 1/4.4", Omnivision OV08A10 | None | OnePlus 9 Pro has a dedicated telephoto lens for zoomed photos. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 50MP, f/2.2, 1/1.56", Sony IMX766 | None | OnePlus 9 Pro has an ultrawide lens for expansive shots. |
| Portrait Mode | None | 2MP, f/2.4, Unspecified sensor | Oppo A55 has a dedicated depth sensor for portrait mode. |
| Macro Lens | None | 2MP, f/2.4, Unspecified sensor | Oppo A55 has a dedicated macro lens for close-up photos. |
| Black & White | 2MP, f/2.4, Unspecified sensor | None | OnePlus 9 Pro has a black and white sensor for artistic photos. |
| Video Recording | Up to 8K, various HDR/EIS modes | Up to 1080p, basic stabilization | OnePlus 9 Pro has higher video capabilities, with 8k capture, image stabilization, and better slow-motion options. |
| DxoMark (Mobile) | 122 Overall, 124 Photo, 118 Video | Not Tested | OnePlus 9 Pro has been tested by DxoMark, providing scores for camera quality. |
| Software | |||
| Operating System | Android 11, upgradable to 14 | Android 11, Unspecified Upgrade | OnePlus 9 Pro offers updates to Android 14, while future updates for Oppo A55 are unknown |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6, MIMO | Wi-Fi 5 | OnePlus 9 Pro supports faster, more efficient Wi-Fi. |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.2, AAC | Bluetooth 5.1, No AAC | OnePlus 9 Pro has newer Bluetooth and the AAC codec. |
| GPS | Advanced GPS Support | Standard GPS Support | OnePlus 9 Pro offers more accurate location tracking and better GPS in urban environments. |
| SIM | Dual SIM (Nano) | Dual SIM (Nano) | Both phones allow for dual SIM usage. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal Storage | 128GB or 256GB | 128GB | OnePlus 9 Pro offers more storage or the option of a higher storage configuration. |
| RAM | 8GB or 12GB | 6GB or 8GB | OnePlus 9 Pro has more RAM, leading to better multitasking, app loading, and faster switching. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone supports microSD cards. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Dolby Atmos, Stereo Speakers, 3 Mics | Basic Audio | OnePlus 9 Pro provides better audio quality for multimedia and calls, with noise cancellation. |
| Security | |||
| Features | Basic Fingerprint Sensor | Side-mounted Fingerprint Sensor | Oppo A55 has a faster and more convenient side-mounted fingerprint scanner. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | Unspecified | OnePlus 9 Pro screen has better scratch and drop resistance. The screen protection of Oppo A55 is unknown. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Compass | Geomagnetic | Both have proximity, accelerometer, and gyroscope. OnePlus 9 Pro has a compass while Oppo A55 has a geomagnetic sensor which can affect its usefulness in some situations. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
OnePlus 9 Pro Advantages:
- Superior Display: Much higher resolution, refresh rate, and brightness for a sharper, smoother, and more usable display in all conditions.
- Significantly Higher Performance: Much faster processor and GPU for smoother multitasking, gaming, and overall responsiveness.
- Advanced Camera System: Far more versatile camera setup with higher resolution sensors, telephoto and wide-angle lenses, 8K video, and better low-light performance.
- Faster Charging: 65W wired charging significantly reduces charging time, and it also offers wireless charging, which is missing in A55.
- Better Connectivity: Newer Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.2 standards offer faster speeds and more efficient connections.
- Premium Features: Stereo speakers, better audio quality, Dolby Atmos, reverse wireless charging, superior display protection.
Oppo A55 Advantages:
- Larger Battery: 5000mAh battery provides potentially longer battery life, reducing frequency of charging.
- Side-Mounted Fingerprint Scanner: More convenient fingerprint scanner location.
- Dedicated Portrait and Macro Sensors: Provides dedicated sensors for close-up photography and portrait modes.
- Potentially More Affordable: Typically cheaper than premium phones like the OnePlus 9 Pro, offering budget-conscious users an entry point into smartphones.
Significant Trade-offs:
- OnePlus 9 Pro: Higher price.
- Oppo A55: Significantly lower performance, display quality, and camera capabilities. Slower charging.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
OnePlus 9 Pro Ideal User:
- Power Users: Individuals who need a fast and responsive phone for demanding apps, gaming, and multitasking.
- Photography Enthusiasts: Users who want a versatile camera system with excellent image quality and advanced video features.
- Media Consumers: People who appreciate a high-quality display for watching videos, browsing, and reading.
- Users valuing fast charging and wireless charging.
- Users requiring great audio quality.
Specific Use Cases for OnePlus 9 Pro:
- Mobile gaming with smooth graphics and frame rates.
- Professional photography and videography.
- Work and productivity tasks requiring fast performance and multitasking.
- Watching HDR movies and content.
Oppo A55 Ideal User:
- Budget-Conscious Users: Individuals who prioritize affordability and basic smartphone functionality over high-end features.
- Casual Users: Users who primarily use their phone for basic tasks like social media, browsing, and messaging.
- Users seeking long battery life.
- Users that value a physical fingerprint reader on the side.
Specific Use Cases for Oppo A55:
- Everyday social media usage, calls and text.
- Basic mobile browsing and simple apps.
- Users who need long battery life and a reliable phone for basic tasks.
- Users who value a side-mounted fingerprint sensor.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions to Consider:
- What is your budget? The OnePlus 9 Pro is in a higher price category than the Oppo A55.
- What do you primarily use your phone for? Do you require high performance, good camera quality, and a great display?
- How important is battery life vs. charging speed? Do you prefer a larger battery with slower charging or a smaller battery with very fast charging?
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- If you prioritize performance, camera quality, and display quality, and have the budget, the OnePlus 9 Pro is the clear choice.
- If you need a phone for basic usage and want a budget-friendly option with a long-lasting battery and a convenient side fingerprint sensor, the Oppo A55 is the better option.
- If you need a balance between performance and price, consider whether the compromises in the Oppo A55 are acceptable given your needs.
What I would Choose and Why
I would choose the OnePlus 9 Pro. While the Oppo A55 has a larger battery, the vast difference in every other aspect of the phone outweighs that advantage. The OnePlus 9 Pro’s superior display (higher resolution, refresh rate, brightness), significantly faster processor, and much better camera system (especially with the inclusion of telephoto and ultrawide lenses) make it a much more versatile and enjoyable phone to use. As someone who frequently uses their phone for content consumption, gaming, and photography, the OnePlus 9 Pro's strengths directly address my primary use cases. Furthermore, the fast charging, which is a huge improvement over the Oppo A55’s slow charging, is a great convenience.
