Smartphone Comparison: OnePlus 9 Pro vs. Samsung Galaxy M53
1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | OnePlus 9 Pro | Samsung Galaxy M53 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 163.2 × 73.6 × 8.7 mm | 164.7 × 77 × 7.4 mm | OnePlus 9 Pro is slightly shorter and thinner, but overall larger volume, while M53 is taller and wider, M53 is also notably thinner. |
| Weight | 197g | 176g | M53 is significantly lighter (21g), making it more comfortable for one-handed use and extended periods. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.7" | 6.7" | Both have the same screen size. |
| Resolution | 1440x3216 | 1080x2408 | OnePlus 9 Pro's higher resolution will result in significantly sharper text and images. |
| Pixel Density | 525 PPI | 394 PPI | OnePlus 9 Pro has significantly sharper display, meaning clearer text, images, more detailed gaming and media consumption. |
| Technology | Unspecified | AMOLED | Samsung Galaxy M53 has superior display technology offering deeper blacks, better contrast, superior power efficiency for dark themes, more vibrant colors. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | Both offer smooth scrolling and animations. |
| Brightness | 1300 nits | 0 nits | OnePlus 9 Pro is dramatically better for outdoor visibility in bright sunlight. (Note: Brightness for Galaxy M53 is missing) |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Snapdragon 888 5G (5 nm) | Dimensity 900 (6 nm) | OnePlus 9 Pro's Snapdragon 888 is a higher-end chip, providing significantly better overall performance, especially in graphics-intensive tasks. |
| AnTuTu Score | 877,600 | 500,100 | OnePlus 9 Pro is much faster, suitable for demanding games, video editing, and heavy multitasking. M53 is better for day to day. |
| GPU | Adreno 660 | Mali-G68 MC4 | OnePlus 9 Pro's GPU is more powerful for gaming and graphically intensive apps. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 4500mAh | 5000mAh | Samsung Galaxy M53 has a larger battery, likely providing longer battery life. |
| Charging | 65W fast charging | 25W fast charging | OnePlus 9 Pro charges much faster, reducing downtime. |
| Battery Features | Wireless charging, reverse charging | Charger not included | OnePlus 9 Pro offers the convenience of wireless and reverse wireless charging (Note: Charger not included is a negative for Galaxy M53) |
| Camera | |||
| Standard Camera | 48MP (1/1.43") | 108MP (1/1.67") | M53 has higher resolution, but OnePlus 9 Pro has larger sensor which can be better in low light. |
| Selfie Camera | 16MP (1/3.13") | 32MP | M53 has higher resolution with wider aperture for better low-light selfies. |
| Telephoto lens | 8MP | None | OnePlus 9 Pro has a telephoto lens for optical zoom. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 50MP | 8MP | OnePlus 9 Pro has higher resolution wide-angle lens. |
| Portrait (depth) | None | 2MP | M53 has a dedicated depth camera to enhance portrait mode. |
| Macro lens | None | 2MP | M53 has a dedicated macro camera for close-up shots. |
| Black & White | 2MP | None | OnePlus 9 Pro can take dedicated black and white photos. |
| Video | Up to 8K@30fps | Up to 4K@30fps | OnePlus 9 Pro offers higher video resolution and more slow-motion options for professional use. It also has better video stabilization and HDR support. |
| DXOMark | 122 (overall) | Not Tested | OnePlus 9 Pro has a verified camera quality advantage, especially in photography and video. (Note: The Galaxy M53 has no score so a complete comparison isn't possible) |
| Camera Features | More advanced features including OIS, RAW, and more | Basic feature set | OnePlus 9 Pro offers more manual controls and advanced photography features. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 (upgradable to 14) | Android 12 (upgradable to 13) | Samsung Galaxy M53 ships with a slightly newer OS, while OnePlus has a slightly longer upgrade path. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6, Wi-Fi MiMO | Wi-Fi 5 | OnePlus 9 Pro supports a newer Wi-Fi standard, offering potentially faster speeds and better network handling; OnePlus 9 Pro additionally supports: Wi-Fi MiMO |
| Bluetooth | 5.2 + aptX, LDAC, etc | 5.2 + diverse profiles | OnePlus 9 Pro supports high-quality audio codecs; Samsung Galaxy M53 additionally supports: AVRCP, DIP, HFP, HID, HSP, MAP, PAN, OPP, PBAP/PAB, HOGP |
| GPS | Dual-band GPS | Standard GPS | OnePlus 9 Pro has better GPS support and accuracy in location services; OnePlus 9 Pro additionally supports: GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (L1), BeiDou (B1), Galileo (E1+E5a) |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 128/256 GB | 128/256 GB | Both offer the same storage options. |
| RAM | 8/12 GB | 6/8 GB | OnePlus 9 Pro has more RAM, better for heavy multitasking and demanding apps. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither device supports expandable storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Stereo speakers, Dolby Atmos, 3 mics, noise cancellation | Stereo speakers, Dolby Atmos | 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 | In-display | Side-mounted | Samsung Galaxy M53 has a more reliable side-mounted fingerprint sensor; OnePlus 9 Pro has basic biometric fingerprint sensor. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Protection | Gorilla Glass 5 | Unknown | OnePlus 9 Pro has screen protection from Corning Gorilla Glass 5, which offers more scratch resistance than the unprotected or unkown M53. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Compass | Geomagnetic | OnePlus 9 Pro has a compass for navigation while the M53 has Geomagnetic sensors |
2. Key Differences Analysis
OnePlus 9 Pro Advantages:
- Significantly Better Performance: The Snapdragon 888 chipset offers far superior processing power, resulting in smoother multitasking, faster app loading, and better gaming performance.
- Superior Display: Higher resolution and pixel density lead to a noticeably sharper and more detailed screen, which significantly improves the visual experience. The high brightness makes it suitable for viewing in sunny conditions
- More Advanced Camera System: Better sensors, telephoto lens, more video features, and more camera controls lead to much better quality and versatility.
- Faster Charging: The 65W fast charging is significantly faster, minimizing downtime waiting for the battery to charge.
- Wireless Charging: The added convenience of wireless charging, including reverse wireless charging.
- Better Audio: The addition of a noise cancellation microphone, along with 3 microphones offers enhanced audio capabilities for the user.
- Better Wi-Fi and GPS: More robust location tracking and faster connection speeds.
Samsung Galaxy M53 Advantages:
- Lighter Design: The significantly lighter build makes it more comfortable for extended use.
- Larger Battery: Higher battery capacity for potentially longer usage between charges.
- AMOLED Display: Offers more vibrant colors and deeper blacks than the OnePlus 9 Pro due to the AMOLED panel.
- Macro and Depth Cameras: Offers more versatility in photography with macro and portrait cameras
- More Advanced Fingerprint Sensor: Side-mounted sensor is faster and more reliable than in-display.
- Newer Android OS (at launch): Slightly newer Android version out of the box
Significant Trade-offs:
- OnePlus 9 Pro: Sacrifices battery life for a more premium experience in all other categories.
- Samsung Galaxy M53: Sacrifices raw performance and camera quality for a more lightweight design and larger battery.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
OnePlus 9 Pro Ideal Users:
- Performance Enthusiasts: Gamers, power users, and anyone who needs a device capable of handling demanding tasks smoothly.
- Photography/Videography Enthusiasts: Those who value high-quality photos and videos and want more advanced camera controls.
- Users Who Prioritize Screen Quality: Those who appreciate sharp and vibrant displays and want a good screen for outdoor use
- Users who want a premium experience: The higher end build and features, along with the faster charging is better suited for a user who wants a more premium experience.
Specific Use Cases:
- Gaming, Video Editing, Heavy Multitasking
- High-resolution photography and videography
- Watching HDR Content outdoors, video editing
- Demanding software
Samsung Galaxy M53 Ideal Users:
- Casual Users: Those who prioritize a lightweight device with good battery life for everyday tasks.
- Users Focused on Battery Life: People who need to use their phone throughout the day without charging.
- Users with a limited budget: Those looking for an AMOLED display and a larger battery, without wanting to pay for the higher end features.
Specific Use Cases:
- Social Media Browsing, Video Streaming, Casual gaming
- Extended use without frequent charging
- Day to day use
Price-to-Value Ratio:
- The OnePlus 9 Pro is a higher-end device with a higher price, but it delivers a more complete package of features and higher performance.
- The Samsung Galaxy M53 is a more budget-friendly option with a larger battery and AMOLED screen, but with compromises in performance, camera, and build quality.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- How important is performance for your daily usage? (Gaming, heavy multitasking)
- How important is camera quality, features, and versatility? (Do you want high-quality photos and videos? Or, is camera quality not a priority?)
- Do you prioritize battery life or a lighter build? (Will you be spending a lot of time away from a charger?)
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- For Heavy Users: If you're a heavy user who values top performance, camera quality, and fast charging, the OnePlus 9 Pro is the clear choice.
- For Casual Users: If you're a casual user who wants a reliable device with good battery life, the Samsung Galaxy M53 will be a better option, especially if you value a lighter design.
- For Photography Enthusiasts: If photography is important to you, then the OnePlus 9 Pro offers more advanced capabilities for high quality photos and videos
My Choice
If I were choosing between these two phones, I would pick the OnePlus 9 Pro. While the Samsung Galaxy M53 has some appealing qualities, especially the lighter weight and larger battery, my personal needs and preferences align better with what the OnePlus 9 Pro offers.
I highly value performance, and the Snapdragon 888 chipset in the OnePlus 9 Pro is significantly more powerful than the Dimensity 900 in the Galaxy M53. I often use my phone for multitasking, some gaming, and resource-intensive apps, so this is a crucial factor for me. Additionally, I appreciate good camera quality, and based on the specifications and features, the OnePlus 9 Pro seems to offer a more versatile and capable camera system, with higher quality photos, better optical zoom, better video stabilization, and higher recording resolutions. While battery life is important, I prefer the faster 65W charging of the OnePlus 9 Pro, which mitigates this potential issue. The higher quality screen is also a bonus when it comes to viewing content. Finally, the inclusion of wireless charging on the OnePlus 9 Pro is a benefit that I would utilise.
Although the Galaxy M53 is a perfectly adequate device for day-to-day use and excels in battery life and the lighter design, the OnePlus 9 Pro’s premium features are better suited to my needs. Therefore, I would chose the OnePlus 9 Pro as the better phone in this comparison.
