1. Specifications Comparison
Design
Feature | OnePlus 9 | Samsung Galaxy A05 | Practical Impact |
Dimensions | 160 × 74.2 × 8.7 mm | 168.8 × 78.2 × 8.8 mm | A05 is noticeably taller and wider, making it less pocketable and harder to use one-handed. Both have similar thickness. |
Weight | 192g | 195g | Negligible difference in weight; both feel relatively similar in hand. |
Display
Feature | OnePlus 9 | Samsung Galaxy A05 | Practical Impact |
Size | 6.55" | 6.7" | A05 has slightly more screen real estate for media consumption and gaming, but not dramatically larger. |
Resolution | 1080x2400 | 720x1600 | OnePlus 9 has a significantly sharper display; text and images appear clearer; A05 looks less crisp, especially for reading and detailed graphics. |
Pixel Density | 402 PPI | 262 PPI | OnePlus 9 offers much crisper visuals. A05's lower pixel density will be noticeable as fuzzier text and images. |
Technology | AMOLED | PLS LCD | OnePlus 9's AMOLED offers superior contrast (deeper blacks and brighter whites), more vibrant colors, and better power efficiency for dark interfaces and Always-on Displays. A05 will look duller and less impactful in comparison. |
Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 60Hz | OnePlus 9 provides much smoother scrolling and animations, offering a more fluid user experience; A05 looks less responsive and more jittery. |
Brightness | 1100 nits | 0 nits | OnePlus 9 is significantly brighter and more visible under direct sunlight. A05's screen brightness is not provided and might struggle under sunlight.. |
Performance
Feature | OnePlus 9 | Samsung Galaxy A05 | Practical Impact |
Chipset | Qualcomm SM8350 Snapdragon 888 5G (5 nm) | Mediatek Helio G85 (12 nm) | OnePlus 9's chipset is much more powerful, offering significantly faster processing, smoother multitasking, and more responsive gaming; A05 will struggle with demanding tasks. |
AnTuTu Score | 880,900 | 225,154 | OnePlus 9 is much faster overall: apps launch much quicker, multitasking is vastly smoother, and it can handle demanding games and applications effortlessly. A05 will be significantly slower in all aspects of performance. |
GPU | Adreno 660 | Mali-G52 MC2 | OnePlus 9's GPU offers much better graphics performance for gaming and other graphically intense tasks; A05's GPU struggles to run modern games smoothly even at low settings. |
Camera
Feature | OnePlus 9 | Samsung Galaxy A05 | Practical Impact |
Main Camera | 48MP, f/1.79, 1/1.4" sensor, Sony IMX689, 1.12 µm pixel size | 50MP, f/1.8, Unknown sensor | Both take detailed photos, but OnePlus 9's larger sensor and wider aperture potentially result in better low-light performance and dynamic range. Sensor information for the A05 is not provided. |
Selfie Camera | 16MP, f/2.4, 1/3.13" sensor, Sony IMX471 Exmor RS, 1.00 µm pixel size | 8MP, f/2.0, Unknown sensor | OnePlus 9 takes higher-resolution selfies. A05 has a wider aperture which helps in low light. Sensor information for the A05 is not provided. |
Wide Angle Lens | 50MP, f/2.2, 1/1.56" sensor, Sony IMX766, 1.00 µm pixel size | N/A | OnePlus 9 has a dedicated wide-angle camera for capturing more expansive scenes; A05 doesn't have this flexibility. |
Portrait Lens | N/A | 2MP, f/2.4, Unknown sensor | A05 has a dedicated depth sensor for better portrait mode effects; OnePlus 9 lacks this dedicated lens. Sensor information for the A05 is not provided. |
Black & White Camera | 2MP, f/2.4, Unknown sensor | N/A | OnePlus 9 has a dedicated black and white sensor which can add unique character to photos. |
Video | Up to 8K@30fps with HDR, EIS. 4K@60fps with HDR, EIS; Slow-motion: 480 fps | Up to 1080p@60fps; Slow-motion: No | OnePlus 9 has vastly superior video capabilities with higher resolutions, better stabilization, and more advanced slow-motion capabilities, offering more creative options; A05 lacks these video capabilities. |
Camera Features | Extensive features: 4K/8K video, PDAF, CDAF, Night Mode, RAW 12 bits, etc. | Basic features: Autofocus, Panorama, HDR, Face detection | OnePlus 9 has significantly more advanced camera features, providing greater control and better image quality. A05 has a more basic feature set.. |
Battery
Feature | OnePlus 9 | Samsung Galaxy A05 | Practical Impact |
Capacity | 4500 mAh | 5000 mAh | A05 has a larger battery that may translate to better battery life, though real-world performance depends on usage patterns. |
Charging | 65W Fast Charging, Li-Polymer | 25W Fast Charging, Li-Ion | OnePlus 9 charges much faster due to its 65W charging, minimizing downtime. Samsung A05's charging is slow in comparison. |
Features | 15W Wireless Charging | Non-removable | OnePlus 9 offers convenient wireless charging; A05 lacks this option. Both phones have non-removable batteries.. |
Software
Feature | OnePlus 9 | Samsung Galaxy A05 | Practical Impact |
OS | Android 11 | Android 13 | A05 has a more recent version of Android out of the box. |
Max OS Update | Android 13 | Unknown | OnePlus 9 has a limited lifespan for future Android updates, as max update is Android 13. A05 is unknown. |
Connectivity
Feature | OnePlus 9 | Samsung Galaxy A05 | Practical Impact |
Wi-Fi | 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax, Dual-band, Hotspot, Direct, Display, MiMO | 802.11a/b/g/n/ac, Dual-band, Hotspot, Direct, Display | OnePlus 9 offers faster Wi-Fi with Wi-Fi 6 support and MiMO, for better performance on supported networks, while A05 offers a more basic feature set |
Bluetooth | 5.2 LE, A2DP, APT-x, LDAC, SBC, AAC | 5.3 LE, A2DP | A05 uses newer Bluetooth 5.3, while OnePlus 9 supports higher quality audio codecs. Both support low energy bluetooth. |
GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo, GPS (L1+L5), BeiDou (B1), Galileo (E1+E5a), BeiDou (B2) | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | OnePlus 9 offers better accuracy with support for additional satellite systems compared to the A05. |
SIM | Dual SIM (Nano) | Dual SIM (Nano) | Both phones feature dual SIM capabilities. |
Storage
Feature | OnePlus 9 | Samsung Galaxy A05 | Practical Impact |
Internal | 128 GB or 256 GB | 64 GB or 128 GB | OnePlus 9 provides larger storage capacity, especially in the 256 GB configuration. |
RAM | 8 GB or 12 GB | 4 GB or 6 GB | OnePlus 9 provides more RAM for smoother multitasking and running demanding applications. |
Expandable | No | No | Neither phone supports expandable storage, users are limited to internal storage only. |
Audio
Feature | OnePlus 9 | Samsung Galaxy A05 | Practical Impact |
Quality | Dolby Atmos, Stereo Speakers, 3 microphones, Noise cancellation microphone | Basic Audio Features | OnePlus 9 offers superior sound quality due to its advanced audio processing and stereo speakers; better suited for media consumption and communication; the A05 has basic audio features. |
Security
Feature | OnePlus 9 | Samsung Galaxy A05 | Practical Impact |
Features | Fingerprint Sensor | Basic Features | OnePlus 9 has fingerprint for quick access and security. A05 does not have a fingerprint sensor. |
Build Quality
Feature | OnePlus 9 | Samsung Galaxy A05 | Practical Impact |
Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | Unknown | OnePlus 9 screen is more scratch resistant than A05 due to Gorilla Glass protection. The A05's screen protection is unknown. |
Sensors
Feature | OnePlus 9 | Samsung Galaxy A05 | Practical Impact |
Sensors | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope | Proximity, Accelerometer | OnePlus 9 has a more comprehensive sensor suite, enabling more features like advanced gaming and accurate directionality. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
OnePlus 9 Advantages:
- Superior Display: Much higher resolution, AMOLED technology, 120Hz refresh rate, and significantly brighter, providing a vastly superior visual experience.
- Far Superior Performance: The Snapdragon 888 chipset offers significantly faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and more responsive gaming.
- Advanced Camera System: More versatile camera setup with a dedicated wide-angle lens, better video recording (up to 8K), and more advanced features like PDAF and RAW capture.
- Faster Charging: 65W fast charging and wireless charging support for quicker power replenishment.
- Enhanced Audio: Features Dolby Atmos, stereo speakers, and 3 noise cancellation microphones, offering superior audio quality.
- Better Connectivity: Supports Wi-Fi 6 and more GPS satellite systems, leading to faster speeds and more accurate location.
- More Security: Fingerprint sensor for added security.
- Better Build Quality: Has Corning Gorilla Glass 5 for better screen protection.
- Comprehensive Sensors: Gyroscope and compass for advanced navigation and gaming.
Samsung Galaxy A05 Advantages:
- Potentially Better Battery Life: Larger battery capacity, although real-world performance depends on usage.
- Newer Bluetooth: Supports Bluetooth 5.3, potentially offering better connectivity performance.
- Lower cost: Probably comes with a significantly lower price tag.
- Newer OS: Comes with a newer Android OS (Android 13) out of the box
Significant Trade-offs:
- OnePlus 9: Higher cost and outdated OS.
- Samsung Galaxy A05: Significantly inferior display, performance, camera, charging speed, and overall features compared to the OnePlus 9. Lacks a fingerprint sensor.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
OnePlus 9 Ideal User:
- Power Users: Those who need fast performance for multitasking, gaming, and demanding apps.
- Media Enthusiasts: Individuals who value high-quality display for streaming videos, browsing photos, and enjoying content.
- Photography/Videography Fans: Users who require a versatile camera system with advanced features for capturing high-quality photos and videos.
- Users who value convenience: Those who want wireless charging and a fast charging experience for minimal downtime.
Specific Use Cases:
* Playing graphically intensive games at high refresh rates.
* Editing photos and videos on the go.
* Consuming high-resolution media content.
* Using multiple apps simultaneously without lag.
Samsung Galaxy A05 Ideal User:
- Budget-Conscious Users: Those who prioritize affordability and are willing to sacrifice performance and features.
- Basic Smartphone Users: Individuals who primarily use their phones for calls, texts, basic web browsing, and social media.
- Users who value battery life Those looking for a phone that can go a day or two without charging.
Specific Use Cases:
* Making calls and sending text messages.
* Browsing social media and the web.
* Light gaming or less demanding applications.
* Basic photography in well-lit conditions.
Price-to-Value Ratio:
- OnePlus 9: Offers a higher price but justifies it with a substantial upgrade in overall performance and features.
- Samsung Galaxy A05: Offers a lower price but comes with significantly lower performance and features.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- What is my budget? If you're on a tight budget, the A05 may be the better option.
- How important is performance and display quality? If you need a fast, smooth experience with a vibrant display, the OnePlus 9 is the clear winner.
- What is my typical usage scenario? For basic use, the A05 might be sufficient, but for power users, the OnePlus 9 is necessary.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: High Performance & Media Consumption: If you value high performance, gaming, and a top-notch media experience, the OnePlus 9 is the superior choice despite its older operating system.
- Scenario 2: Budget-Conscious Basic Use: If you have a tight budget and only need basic phone functionality, the Samsung Galaxy A05 is a more practical option, accepting its inferior display and performance.
- Scenario 3: Balanced Performance & Battery Life: Neither excels at both but OnePlus 9 balances performance better. For a balance of performance and battery, consider other models.
- Scenario 4: Camera Quality is important: The OnePlus 9 is the obvious choice, offering much more versatile and capable camera system.
My Choice
I would choose the OnePlus 9. While it's an older device and may not receive the latest Android updates, its superior display (AMOLED 120Hz), much better performance (Snapdragon 888), vastly more capable camera system, and faster charging are simply too compelling to ignore. The Samsung Galaxy A05's only advantages are its larger battery and slightly newer OS out of the box, neither of which can make up for its significantly weaker performance and inferior display experience. For my needs as a power user, media enthusiast, and photography hobbyist, the OnePlus 9 is the only viable choice. The significantly better experience justifies the potentially higher price and the trade off in OS updates.