Smartphone Comparison: OnePlus 9 Pro vs. Samsung Galaxy A34
1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | OnePlus 9 Pro | Samsung Galaxy A34 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 163.2 × 73.6 × 8.7 mm | 161.3 × 78.1 × 8.2 mm | OnePlus 9 Pro is taller and thicker, Samsung Galaxy A34 is wider. Consider hand size and pocket fit. |
| Weight | 197g | 199g | Virtually identical weight; negligible difference for daily use. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.7" | 6.6" | OnePlus 9 Pro offers a marginally larger screen; minor difference in viewing area. |
| Resolution | 1440x3216 | 1080x2340 | OnePlus 9 Pro provides much sharper and more detailed visuals; beneficial for reading small text and high-resolution media. |
| Pixel Density (PPI) | 525 | 390 | OnePlus 9 Pro has significantly sharper display; text and images appear clearer. |
| Technology | Not Specified | AMOLED | Samsung Galaxy A34's AMOLED offers richer blacks, better contrast and more vibrant colors. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | Both offer smooth scrolling and animations; similar visual experience in this regard. |
| Brightness | 1300 nits | Not Specified | OnePlus 9 Pro is significantly brighter, providing better visibility in direct sunlight; Samsung A34 brightness is unknown. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 (5 nm) | Mediatek Dimensity 1080 (6 nm) | OnePlus 9 Pro has a much more powerful flagship-level chipset, Samsung Galaxy A34 has a good mid-range chipset. |
| AnTuTu Score | 877,600 | 532,300 | OnePlus 9 Pro has significantly better performance for demanding apps, multitasking, and gaming. |
| GPU | Adreno 660 | Mali-G68 MC4 | OnePlus 9 Pro has a more powerful GPU, delivering superior graphics in games and other graphically intensive applications. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 4500mAh | 5000mAh | Samsung Galaxy A34 has larger battery, likely offering longer battery life for typical use. |
| Charging | 65W fast charging | 25W fast charging | OnePlus 9 Pro charges much faster, reducing downtime. |
| Features | Wireless Charging, Reverse Charging, Non-removable | Non-removable | OnePlus 9 Pro offers more flexibility with its wireless and reverse charging capabilities; Samsung A34 lacks these. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 48MP, f/1.8, 1/1.43" Sony IMX789 | 48MP, f/1.8, 1/2" Sony IMX582 | OnePlus 9 Pro has a larger sensor for potentially better low-light performance and dynamic range. |
| Selfie Camera | 16MP, f/2.4, 1/3.13" Sony IMX471 | 13MP, f/2.2, 1/3.06" Sony IMX258 | OnePlus 9 Pro has a slightly higher resolution sensor, while Samsung Galaxy A34 has a wider aperture and larger pixels for low-light. |
| Telephoto Lens | 8MP, f/2.4, 1/4.4" | Not Available | OnePlus 9 Pro has a telephoto lens for optical zoom; A34 does not, limiting zoom quality. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 50MP, f/2.2, 1/1.56" Sony IMX766 | 5MP, f/2.2, Samsung S5K4HA | OnePlus 9 Pro has a much higher resolution wide-angle lens, capturing significantly more detail. |
| Depth Camera | Not Available | 5MP, f/2.4 | Samsung Galaxy A34 has a dedicated depth sensor for better portrait mode; OnePlus 9 Pro relies on other methods. |
| Black & White Camera | 2MP, f/2.4 | Not Available | OnePlus 9 Pro has a dedicated B&W sensor; adding versatility to monochrome photography. |
| Video Recording | Up to 8K@30fps | Up to 4K@30fps | OnePlus 9 Pro offers higher resolution video recording, enabling more professional video shooting. |
| DXOMark Score | Mobile: 122, Photo: 124, Video: 118 | Mobile: 92, Photo: 99, Video: 78 | OnePlus 9 Pro has superior camera performance overall; significantly better photo and video capabilities. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 (upgradeable to 14) | Android 13 (upgradeable to 17) | Samsung Galaxy A34 ships with a newer OS and a longer software support timeframe. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6 | Wi-Fi 5 | OnePlus 9 Pro uses faster Wi-Fi 6 for higher speeds, lower latency, better performance in congested areas. |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.2 | Bluetooth 5.3 | Samsung Galaxy A34 uses a newer Bluetooth standard for potentially better battery efficiency, range and performance. |
| GPS | Dual-band GPS L1+L5 | Single-band GPS L1 | OnePlus 9 Pro offers more accurate GPS with support for dual-band positioning, suitable for precision navigation. |
| Storage & RAM | |||
| Internal Storage | 128 GB or 256 GB | 128 GB or 256 GB | Both have identical storage options. |
| RAM | 8 GB or 12 GB | 6 GB or 8 GB | OnePlus 9 Pro offers more RAM, suitable for heavy multitasking, better handling of demanding games and applications. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Both do not offer expandable storage; consider storage needs before purchasing. |
| Audio | |||
| Audio Quality | Dolby Atmos, Stereo Speakers, Noise Cancellation Microphone, 3 microphones | Dolby Atmos, Stereo Speakers | OnePlus 9 Pro has a slight edge in audio features offering enhanced spatial audio, clearer calls, better audio separation and immersion, better voice capture. |
| Security | |||
| Fingerprint Sensor | Basic Fingerprint Sensor | Basic Fingerprint Sensor | Similar basic fingerprint sensor technology on both. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | Not Specified | OnePlus 9 Pro has a more durable screen with Gorilla Glass 5; Samsung A34 screen protection is unknown. |
| Sensors | Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope | Accelerometer, Gyroscope, Ultrasonic proximity virtual | OnePlus 9 Pro has a more complete set of sensors, including a compass; Samsung Galaxy A34 features additional sensors like Hall, Geomagnetic, Ultrasonic proximity virtual |
2. Key Differences Analysis
OnePlus 9 Pro Advantages:
- Superior Performance: The Snapdragon 888 chipset provides significantly higher processing power and GPU performance, resulting in faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and better gaming experiences.
- High-Quality Display: Sharper display due to higher resolution and pixel density, and much brighter screen that is more easily visible in sunlight.
- Advanced Camera System: Better main, wide-angle and telephoto lenses, and higher video recording capabilities up to 8K, resulting in better photo and video quality; additional cameras enhance creative flexibility.
- Faster Charging & Wireless Charging: 65W wired charging and 50W wireless charging and reverse wireless charging for more flexibility and convenience; faster charging reduces downtime significantly.
- More RAM: Up to 12GB RAM provides better multitasking capabilities and smoother running of demanding apps.
- More Complete Sensor Suite: Adds a compass for navigation use; provides more detailed sensor data for specialized apps and games.
- Better Audio: Noise cancellation microphone and 3 microphones allow for clearer calls and better audio recording.
- Superior screen protection: Corning Gorilla Glass 5 offers a more durable screen compared to unknown protection of Samsung Galaxy A34.
- Better Wi-Fi: Support for the faster Wi-Fi 6 standard, suitable for high-bandwidth activities.
- Better GPS: Dual-band GPS is more accurate for precise navigation.
Samsung Galaxy A34 Advantages:
- Newer OS and Longer Updates: Ships with a newer Android version (13) and has a longer support timeframe for future OS updates and patches.
- Larger Battery: 5000mAh battery could result in a longer battery life for everyday tasks compared to the OnePlus 9 Pro.
- AMOLED Display Technology: Superior contrast and black levels compared to an unspecified technology in OnePlus 9 Pro
- More Modern Bluetooth: Bluetooth 5.3, while minor, can offer better battery efficiency compared to 5.2.
- Dedicated depth camera: Useful for better portrait mode photography.
- Ultrasonic proximity sensor: Provides enhanced proximity detection capabilities
Trade-offs:
- OnePlus 9 Pro: Significantly higher performance and camera capabilities come at a likely higher price point, older OS, and slightly smaller battery.
- Samsung Galaxy A34: Offers a newer OS and larger battery at a potentially lower price point, but sacrifices performance, camera quality, and other premium features.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
OnePlus 9 Pro:
- Ideal Users: Power users, gamers, photography enthusiasts, and those who prioritize performance and camera quality over battery life and software updates.
- Use Cases:
- High-end mobile gaming with demanding graphics.
- Professional photography and videography in various conditions.
- Multitasking with resource-intensive applications.
- Users who require fast charging and wireless charging flexibility.
- Users who prefer better audio recording capabilities for video calls and recording.
- Value: The OnePlus 9 Pro has flagship performance from 2021, now available at a potentially lower price than when it was released
Samsung Galaxy A34:
- Ideal Users: Budget-conscious consumers, general users, and those who prioritize battery life and software updates over performance and cutting-edge features.
- Use Cases:
- Everyday social media browsing and communication.
- Casual gaming and basic multimedia consumption.
- Users who want a phone that will receive long-term software support.
- Users who need good battery endurance for extended use away from a power source.
- Value: The Samsung Galaxy A34 provides a good balance of features and is a well rounded mid-range option with a newer OS
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions:
- What is your budget? If you want to prioritize value for money, the Samsung Galaxy A34 may be more cost-effective, while the OnePlus 9 Pro has flagship level features for a potentially high price.
- How important is performance and camera quality? If gaming, demanding apps, and professional photography are important, the OnePlus 9 Pro is better. If you prioritize the basics and general usability, the Samsung Galaxy A34 is suitable.
- How important is software updates and battery life? The Samsung Galaxy A34 offers a more recent OS with longer software support, and has a larger battery.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: High-Performance Gaming & Photography - Choose the OnePlus 9 Pro for better processing power, better graphics, more camera options and superior video recording.
- Scenario 2: Everyday Use & Long Battery Life - The Samsung Galaxy A34 is a balanced choice with sufficient power for daily use and a bigger battery; focus on longer software support.
- Scenario 3: Best Value with Flagship Features - The OnePlus 9 Pro is a strong contender for the best value given the flagship-level features at a reduced price point; it may be better if your budget can accommodate the price
- Scenario 4: Long-Term Software Support and Updates - The Samsung Galaxy A34 is ideal due to the longer software update support.
My Choice:
If I had to choose, I would pick the OnePlus 9 Pro. Although it's an older device, the performance benefits of the Snapdragon 888, the superior camera capabilities, and the higher resolution screen would be more beneficial for my usage. While I would benefit from the better battery life and newer software of the Samsung Galaxy A34, the user experience and performance benefits of the OnePlus 9 Pro are much more compelling. I also value the faster charging speeds that the OnePlus offers, reducing down time to charge my phone. The fact that the OnePlus 9 Pro is older means it may also be available for a lower price.
