1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | OnePlus 9 | Samsung Galaxy A04 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 160 x 74.2 x 8.7 mm | 164.4 x 76.3 x 9.1 mm | The A04 is slightly taller, wider, and thicker, making it a bit bulkier in hand. |
| Weight | 192g | 192g | Both phones are equally weighted |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.55" | 6.5" | Virtually identical screen size, minor difference |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 | 720 x 1600 | OnePlus 9 has a noticeably sharper display with finer details. |
| Pixel Density | 402 PPI | 270 PPI | OnePlus 9 provides crisper text and images, better for reading and detailed content. |
| Technology | AMOLED | PLS LCD | OnePlus 9 has superior contrast, deeper blacks, and more vibrant colors. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 60Hz | OnePlus 9 offers much smoother scrolling and animations, making the experience feel more fluid. |
| Brightness | 1100 nits | 0 nits | OnePlus 9 offers significantly better visibility in bright sunlight. (Samsung A04 brightness spec missing) |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 5G (5 nm) | Mediatek Helio P35 (12 nm) | OnePlus 9 handles demanding tasks, multitasking, and gaming much better, feeling much faster. |
| AnTuTu Score | 880,900 | 124,000 | OnePlus 9 provides significantly higher performance for apps, games, and overall speed. |
| GPU | Adreno 660 | PowerVR GE8320 | OnePlus 9 offers a superior graphics experience for gaming and GPU-intensive tasks. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 4500mAh | 5000mAh | Samsung A04 has a slightly larger battery, potentially offering slightly longer battery life. |
| Charging | 65W Fast Charging | Li-Ion, (No fast charging listed) | OnePlus 9 can charge much faster, reducing downtime considerably. |
| Features | 15W Wireless Charging | Non-removable | OnePlus 9 provides the convenience of wireless charging. |
| Camera | |||
| Standard Camera | 48MP, f/1.79, 1/1.4", 1.12µm | 50MP, f/1.8, 0.80µm | OnePlus 9's larger sensor and wider aperture potentially capture more light, resulting in better low-light performance, while A04 captures more detail due to higher resolution |
| Selfie Camera | 16MP, f/2.4, 1/3.13", 1.00µm | 5MP, f/2.2 | OnePlus 9 offers higher resolution selfies with more detail, and a slightly more narrow aperture. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 50MP, f/2.2, 1/1.56", 1.00µm | None | OnePlus 9 allows capturing wider scenes in a single photo. |
| Portrait Mode | None | 2MP, f/2.4 | Samsung A04 has a dedicated depth sensor for portrait mode. |
| Black & White Lens | 2MP, f/2.4 | None | OnePlus 9 has a dedicated black & white camera for specific photography styles |
| Video Recording | 8K@30fps, 4K@60fps, 1080p@240fps | 1080p@30fps | OnePlus 9 has much higher video recording capabilities for professional quality videos. |
| DxOMark Score | Not Available | Not Available | Cannot compare camera performance using DxOMark scores. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 (Upgradable to 13) | Android 12 (Upgradable to 13) | Samsung A04 has a slightly newer base OS, but both are upgradable to Android 13. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6 | 802.11ac | OnePlus 9 has a newer, faster Wi-Fi standard (Wi-Fi 6). |
| Bluetooth | 5.2 | 5.0 | OnePlus 9 has newer Bluetooth version with better energy efficiency and audio features. |
| GPS | Dual-band GPS | GPS | OnePlus 9 offers better GPS accuracy due to dual-band support. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 128GB/256GB | 32GB/64GB/128GB | OnePlus 9 comes in larger storage options (up to 256GB). |
| RAM | 8GB/12GB | 3GB/4GB/6GB | OnePlus 9 has more RAM for better multitasking and running demanding apps. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone supports expandable storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Dolby Atmos, Stereo Speakers | Basic | OnePlus 9 offers better sound quality with stereo speakers and Dolby Atmos support. |
| Security | |||
| Features | Fingerprint Sensor | Basic | OnePlus 9 offers biometric security via a fingerprint sensor. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Protection | Gorilla Glass 5 | Unknown | OnePlus 9's screen is protected with Gorilla Glass 5, offering improved scratch resistance. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Fingerprint, Accelerometer, Gyroscope, Compass, Proximity | Accelerometer, Proximity | OnePlus 9 has more sensors for more advanced capabilities |
2. Key Differences Analysis
OnePlus 9 Advantages:
- Superior Performance: The Snapdragon 888 chipset offers significantly faster processing and graphics performance, making it ideal for demanding tasks like gaming and multitasking.
- High-Quality Display: The AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate provides a sharper, more vibrant, and smoother visual experience.
- Advanced Camera System: The OnePlus 9 has a more versatile camera setup with a wide-angle lens, better low-light performance, and significantly higher video recording capabilities.
- Fast Charging and Wireless Charging: 65W fast charging drastically reduces charging times, and the inclusion of wireless charging provides added convenience.
- Enhanced Audio: Dolby Atmos and stereo speakers provide a more immersive audio experience.
- Better connectivity: Newer WiFi and Bluetooth standards for faster speeds.
- Advanced sensors: Fingerprint, compass and gyroscope
- Screen protection: Gorilla Glass 5 for better protection against scratches.
Samsung Galaxy A04 Advantages:
- Potentially Longer Battery Life: The larger battery capacity might offer slightly longer battery life, although this would need to be verified.
- Lower Price: Typically, A-series phones are positioned at a more budget-friendly price point.
- Depth sensor: Dedicated 2MP depth sensor for improved portrait photography
Trade-offs:
- The OnePlus 9's superior performance, display, and camera come at a cost, as it's likely much more expensive than the Samsung Galaxy A04.
- The Samsung Galaxy A04 prioritizes affordability and potentially longer battery life over high-end features and performance.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
OnePlus 9 Ideal Users:
- Power Users: Those who need a fast and responsive phone for multitasking, gaming, and demanding apps.
- Photography Enthusiasts: Users who want a versatile camera system with excellent image quality and advanced video recording capabilities.
- Media Consumers: Users who prioritize a high-quality display for watching videos, browsing, and reading.
- Tech Enthusiasts: Users who want the latest technology and features.
Specific Use Cases for OnePlus 9:
- Playing graphically intensive games at high frame rates
- Editing photos and videos on the go
- Enjoying high-resolution media with immersive audio
- Using multiple apps simultaneously without slowdown
- Recording high-quality video for vlogging or content creation
Samsung Galaxy A04 Ideal Users:
- Budget-Conscious Users: Those who need a functional smartphone for basic tasks like calls, messaging, and browsing without spending much money.
- Casual Users: Those who don't need high-end performance and are content with basic features.
- Users Prioritizing Battery Life: Users who value long-lasting battery over other high-end specs.
Specific Use Cases for Samsung Galaxy A04:
- Basic social media browsing
- Making and receiving phone calls
- Sending and receiving text messages
- Casual web browsing
- Basic photography with a standard camera
Price-to-Value Ratio:
- The OnePlus 9 provides much more value for users who demand high performance and features, but it comes at a much higher price.
- The Samsung Galaxy A04 offers a more basic smartphone experience at a lower price point and is not aimed for demanding users.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions to Consider:
- What is my budget? The OnePlus 9 is likely to be significantly more expensive than the Samsung Galaxy A04.
- What are my primary use cases? Do you need high performance for gaming and demanding tasks, or do you mostly use your phone for basic tasks?
- How important is display and camera quality to me? Do you value a smoother, more vibrant display and a more versatile camera system?
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- If you need top-tier performance, advanced camera features, and a premium display: The OnePlus 9 is the clear choice, if budget is not a major constraint.
- If you need a functional smartphone for basic tasks, prioritize battery life, and are on a tight budget: The Samsung Galaxy A04 is a more suitable option.
- If you are a photography enthusiast and do not need demanding gaming performance: The OnePlus 9 offers a superior camera system and a good performance for other uses.
- If you need a long-lasting phone for basic use and value simplicity over advanced features: the Samsung Galaxy A04 would be better suited.
Personal Choice
If I were choosing between these two phones, I would choose the OnePlus 9. Here's why:
Despite the Samsung A04 having a larger battery, the overall user experience with the OnePlus 9 would be significantly better. The superior performance of the Snapdragon 888 chipset is a major draw for me, as it ensures the phone runs smoothly and quickly. The higher quality display, with its AMOLED panel and 120Hz refresh rate, provides a much more enjoyable viewing experience. I also value the improved camera system and additional features such as the wide angle lens. The OnePlus 9 with it's advanced camera system, allows it to take higher quality photos and videos, and the fast charging significantly reduces downtime. All of these factors make the OnePlus 9 worth the price difference for me.
