1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | OnePlus 9 Pro | Samsung Galaxy A52s 5G | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 163.2 × 73.6 × 8.7 mm | 159.9 × 75.1 × 8.4 mm | OnePlus 9 Pro is slightly taller and thicker; A52s 5G is slightly wider, affecting pocketability and one-handed use. |
| Weight | 197g | 189g | A52s 5G is lighter; noticeable during extended use, making it slightly more comfortable to hold. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.7" | 6.5" | OnePlus 9 Pro offers a slightly larger screen; better for media consumption and multitasking, but slightly less convenient for single hand use. |
| Resolution | 1440x3216 | 1080x2400 | OnePlus 9 Pro offers a noticeably sharper display; enhanced clarity for text and images. |
| Pixel Density | 525 PPI | 405 PPI | OnePlus 9 Pro's higher pixel density results in a crisper, more detailed viewing experience. |
| Technology | - | AMOLED | A52s 5G offers richer colors, deeper blacks, and better contrast, improving visual appeal and power efficiency with dark mode. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | Both offer smooth scrolling and animations; similar fluidity in gaming and UI. |
| Brightness | 1300 nits | 800 nits | OnePlus 9 Pro offers significantly better outdoor visibility in direct sunlight. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Snapdragon 888 (5 nm) | Snapdragon 778G (6 nm) | OnePlus 9 Pro offers significantly faster processing; better for demanding tasks like gaming and heavy multitasking. |
| AnTuTu Score | 877,600 | 570,752 | OnePlus 9 Pro performs significantly better; faster app loading, smoother UI transitions, and higher game performance. |
| GPU | Adreno 660 | Adreno 642L | OnePlus 9 Pro has a more powerful GPU; superior graphics performance in gaming. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera Res. | 48MP | 64MP | A52s 5G has a higher resolution sensor; potentially more detailed images in good lighting but not necessarily better overall image quality. |
| Main Camera Sensor Size | 1/1.43" | 1/1.7" | OnePlus 9 Pro has a larger sensor; better low-light performance, more light capture, and less noise. |
| Selfie Camera Res. | 16MP | 32MP | A52s 5G captures higher resolution selfies; potentially more detail and flexibility for editing. |
| Selfie Camera Aperture | f/2.4 | f/2.0 | A52s 5G has a wider aperture; better low-light selfies and a shallower depth of field. |
| Telephoto Lens | 8MP | None | OnePlus 9 Pro has a dedicated telephoto camera; allows for optical zoom without losing quality. |
| Wide Angle Lens Res. | 50MP | 12MP | OnePlus 9 Pro captures much higher-resolution ultrawide photos; more detail and versatility in landscape shots. |
| Depth Sensor | None | 5MP | Samsung Galaxy A52s 5G has a depth sensor for portrait mode; improves the quality of blurred backgrounds. |
| Macro Lens | None | 5MP | Samsung Galaxy A52s 5G has a dedicated macro lens; allows close-up shots of small objects. |
| Black & White Lens | 2MP | None | OnePlus 9 Pro has a dedicated B&W camera; captures monochrome photos with more detail. |
| Video Recording | Up to 8K | Up to 4K | OnePlus 9 Pro offers significantly higher video resolution; better video quality for content creation. |
| DXOMark Score | 122 | - | OnePlus 9 Pro's camera has been tested and scored higher for both photos and videos. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 4500 mAh | 4500 mAh | Both have similar battery capacity; expect comparable battery endurance under similar usage. |
| Charging Speed | 65W | 25W | OnePlus 9 Pro has significantly faster charging; much quicker replenishment of battery, reducing downtime. |
| Charging Tech | Li-Polymer | Li-Ion | - |
| Wireless Charging | 50W, Reverse | None | OnePlus 9 Pro has wireless charging; more flexible charging options. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 | Android 11 | Both are up to Android 14 |
| Connectivity | |||
| WiFi | WiFi 6, MIMO | WiFi 6 | Both support latest WiFi standards; OnePlus 9 Pro has enhanced WiFi data rate due to MIMO capability. |
| Bluetooth | 5.2 | 5.0 | OnePlus 9 Pro has a more recent version; more reliable and energy efficient connectivity for wireless devices. |
| GPS | L1+L5 | L1 | OnePlus 9 Pro has better dual-band GPS; more accurate and faster location services, especially in urban canyons. |
| SIM | Dual Nano SIM | Dual Nano SIM | Both offer dual SIM capabilities, useful for work/personal separation. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 128/256GB | 128/256GB | Both phones have the same storage options |
| RAM | 8/12GB | 6/8GB | OnePlus 9 Pro has more RAM; better multitasking and smooth running for resource-heavy tasks. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither supports expandable storage; Users need to decide on storage when purchasing. |
| Audio | |||
| Audio Quality | Dolby Atmos, Stereo Speakers, Noise cancellation microphone | Dolby Atmos | OnePlus 9 Pro offers better sound quality; enhanced spatial audio and better call clarity. |
| Security | |||
| Fingerprint | Basic Fingerprint | Basic Fingerprint | Both phones use similar fingerprint authentication technology. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Gorilla Glass 5 | Gorilla Glass 5 | Both have similar screen scratch protection. |
| Sensors | Biometric: Fingerprint; Proximity, Motion: Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope | Biometric: Fingerprint; Motion: Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Proximity: Ultrasonic proximity virtual | OnePlus 9 Pro provides basic sensors. A52s has a more comprehensive sensors for its features. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
OnePlus 9 Pro Advantages:
- Superior Performance: Significantly faster Snapdragon 888 chipset offers better performance for gaming, multitasking, and heavy apps.
- Higher Resolution Display: Sharper, higher resolution display with 525 PPI provides a more detailed and visually pleasing experience.
- Brighter Screen: Much brighter 1300 nits screen provides excellent visibility, especially in direct sunlight.
- Advanced Camera System: Features a telephoto lens, a higher resolution ultrawide camera, and improved low-light performance on the main camera due to the larger sensor.
- Faster Charging: 65W fast charging and 50W wireless charging enables much faster battery replenishment.
- Enhanced Audio: Stereo speakers and noise cancellation microphone provides an enhanced audio experience and improved call quality.
- Better GPS: Dual-band GPS for more accurate and faster location tracking.
Samsung Galaxy A52s 5G Advantages:
- AMOLED Display: Vibrant, color-accurate AMOLED display with deep blacks; a better visual experience for media consumption.
- More Versatile Camera Features: Dedicated depth and macro lenses offer versatility for various photography styles.
- Higher Resolution Selfie Camera: 32MP selfie camera for potentially more detailed and sharper selfies.
- Slightly Lighter Design: Slightly lighter build, making it more comfortable to hold for extended periods.
- More Sensors: Offers Hall, Geomagnetic, and Ultrasonic sensors which are absent in OnePlus 9 Pro
Trade-offs:
- OnePlus 9 Pro: Lacks dedicated depth and macro lenses, which might be a drawback for users who often take portraits or macro photos.
- Samsung A52s 5G: Significantly slower performance and lower screen resolution compared to OnePlus 9 Pro, which may impact the user experience for heavy use. Does not have a telephoto lens.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
OnePlus 9 Pro Ideal User:
- Power Users: Demanding users who need top-tier performance for gaming, video editing, or multitasking.
- Photography Enthusiasts: Users who prioritize versatile camera capabilities, including ultrawide and telephoto zoom capabilities, and low-light performance, and are not necessarily focused on macro and portrait.
- Media Consumers: Users who want the best screen available and want the best outdoor visibility.
- Users who need very fast charging.
Specific Use Cases:
- Gaming: The Snapdragon 888 and the Adreno 660 GPU offer superior gaming performance.
- Professional Photography/Videography: 8K video recording, versatile cameras, and 12-bit RAW support allows for high-quality photography and videography.
- Outdoor Use: The brighter screen allows better visibility in daylight.
- Heavy Multitasking: 12GB RAM enables seamless multitasking.
Samsung Galaxy A52s 5G Ideal User:
- Casual Users: Everyday users who want a balanced smartphone for regular use and occasional gaming.
- Social Media Enthusiasts: Users who often take selfies or use the portrait feature.
- Photography Lovers: Users who want to shoot macros, portraits and generally enjoy taking a photo here and there.
- Budget Conscious Consumers: Users seeking a feature-rich smartphone without premium prices.
- Users who prefer an AMOLED screen
Specific Use Cases:
- Social Media Photography: The 32MP selfie camera and the dedicated portrait and macro lenses enhance social media content creation.
- Multimedia: The AMOLED screen offers a vibrant viewing experience for movies and videos.
- General Use: Suitable for everyday tasks like browsing, social media, and communication.
Price-to-Value Ratio:
- The OnePlus 9 Pro is the premium phone and is expected to have a higher price tag.
- The Samsung Galaxy A52s 5G is a mid-range phone and is priced lower and offers more value for its target demographic, providing a good balance of features and price.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- Performance Needs: Do you need the best possible performance for demanding tasks like gaming or heavy app use, or is a moderate performance sufficient for everyday tasks?
- Camera Preferences: Do you prioritize a versatile camera with zoom and low light performance, or do you prefer macro and portrait capabilities?
- Display Quality: Do you need the brightest and sharpest screen, or do you prefer an AMOLED display with vibrant colors?
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
Scenario 1: High Performance and Camera Versatility: If you need the best performance and want a versatile camera with ultrawide and telephoto zoom and a large sensor, the OnePlus 9 Pro is the better choice.
Scenario 2: Balanced Performance and User Experience: If you're a casual user who wants a good all-around experience with a vibrant AMOLED screen and dedicated macro/portrait cameras, the Samsung Galaxy A52s 5G is a more budget-friendly option.
Scenario 3: Outdoor Visibility is a priority: If you need to use your phone in direct sunlight, the OnePlus 9 Pro is the better option due to its much higher screen brightness.
What I Would Choose
Personally, I would choose the OnePlus 9 Pro. Here's why:
- Performance is king: As someone who uses their phone for a variety of tasks, including some gaming and occasional video editing, the superior performance of the Snapdragon 888 is a significant advantage. The speed difference will make the device feel more fluid and responsive in daily use.
- Better Main Camera: The larger sensor on the OnePlus 9 Pro and the versatile wide lens gives it an edge, it will also perform better in low light conditions.
- Superior Display: Although both have 120Hz, I will prefer the higher resolution and brightness in the OnePlus 9 Pro.
- Fast Charging: The vastly faster charging speed of the OnePlus 9 Pro is incredibly convenient in my daily routine.
- Long-Term Use: The superior specs of the OnePlus 9 Pro give it a longer lifespan as apps and games become more demanding, allowing it to stay relevant for a longer period of time.
While I do appreciate the AMOLED screen and the extra lenses in the Samsung Galaxy A52s 5G, the overall performance, camera versatility and charging speed advantages of the OnePlus 9 Pro make it the more suitable device for my use case.
