OnePlus 9 vs Samsung Galaxy A05 - Detailed Phone Comparison

Detailed Comparison

Specification
OnePlus 9
OnePlus 9
Oneplus

General

Launch Date March 26, 2021 October 15, 2023
Release Year 2021 2023

Physical

Volume 103.29 cm³ 116.16 cm³
Screen Size to Weight Ratio 3.41 "/g 3.44 "/g
Weight 192 g 195 g
Height 160 mm 168.8 mm
Width 74.2 mm 78.2 mm
Thickness 8.7 mm 8.8 mm
Foldable Design No No
Available Colors
  • Winter Mist
  • Arctic Sky
  • Astral Black
  • Silver
  • Black
  • Light Green

Display

Screen Size 6.55 " 6.7 "
Resolution 1080 x 2400 720 x 1600
Aspect Ratio 20:9 20:9
Screen-to-Body Ratio 87.2 % 82.1 %
Pixel Density 402 PPI 262 PPI
Refresh Rate 120 Hz N/A
Typical Brightness N/A N/A
HBM Brightness N/A N/A
Peak Brightness 1100 nits N/A

Hardware

Battery Capacity per Screen Area 104.89 mAh/in² 111.38 mAh/in²
Battery Density 43.57 mAh/cm³ 43.04 mAh/cm³
Battery Capacity 4500 mAh 5000 mAh
NFC Support Yes No
Chipset Qualcomm SM8350 Snapdragon 888 5G (5 nm) Mediatek Helio G85 (12 nm)
CPU Octa-core (1x2.84 GHz Cortex-X1 & 3x2.42 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A55) Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55)
GPU Adreno 660 Mali-G52 MC2

Connectivity

USB Version 3.1 2.0
OTG Support 1
DisplayPort
DisplayPort Version N/A N/A
USB Features USB Type-C 3.1, OTG USB Type-C 2.0

Software

Operating System Android Android
Initial OS Version 11 13
Maximum OS Version 13

Comparison Summary

1. Specifications Comparison

Design

FeatureOnePlus 9Samsung Galaxy A05Practical Impact
Dimensions160 × 74.2 × 8.7 mm168.8 × 78.2 × 8.8 mmA05 is noticeably taller and wider, making it less pocketable and harder to use one-handed. Both have similar thickness.
Weight192g195gNegligible difference in weight; both feel relatively similar in hand.

Display

FeatureOnePlus 9Samsung Galaxy A05Practical Impact
Size6.55"6.7"A05 has slightly more screen real estate for media consumption and gaming, but not dramatically larger.
Resolution1080x2400720x1600OnePlus 9 has a significantly sharper display; text and images appear clearer; A05 looks less crisp, especially for reading and detailed graphics.
Pixel Density402 PPI262 PPIOnePlus 9 offers much crisper visuals. A05's lower pixel density will be noticeable as fuzzier text and images.
TechnologyAMOLEDPLS LCDOnePlus 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 Rate120Hz60HzOnePlus 9 provides much smoother scrolling and animations, offering a more fluid user experience; A05 looks less responsive and more jittery.
Brightness1100 nits0 nitsOnePlus 9 is significantly brighter and more visible under direct sunlight. A05's screen brightness is not provided and might struggle under sunlight..

Performance

FeatureOnePlus 9Samsung Galaxy A05Practical Impact
ChipsetQualcomm 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 Score880,900225,154OnePlus 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.
GPUAdreno 660Mali-G52 MC2OnePlus 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

FeatureOnePlus 9Samsung Galaxy A05Practical Impact
Main Camera48MP, f/1.79, 1/1.4" sensor, Sony IMX689, 1.12 µm pixel size50MP, f/1.8, Unknown sensorBoth 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 Camera16MP, f/2.4, 1/3.13" sensor, Sony IMX471 Exmor RS, 1.00 µm pixel size8MP, f/2.0, Unknown sensorOnePlus 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 Lens50MP, f/2.2, 1/1.56" sensor, Sony IMX766, 1.00 µm pixel sizeN/AOnePlus 9 has a dedicated wide-angle camera for capturing more expansive scenes; A05 doesn't have this flexibility.
Portrait LensN/A2MP, f/2.4, Unknown sensorA05 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 Camera2MP, f/2.4, Unknown sensorN/AOnePlus 9 has a dedicated black and white sensor which can add unique character to photos.
VideoUp to 8K@30fps with HDR, EIS. 4K@60fps with HDR, EIS; Slow-motion: 480 fpsUp to 1080p@60fps; Slow-motion: NoOnePlus 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 FeaturesExtensive features: 4K/8K video, PDAF, CDAF, Night Mode, RAW 12 bits, etc.Basic features: Autofocus, Panorama, HDR, Face detectionOnePlus 9 has significantly more advanced camera features, providing greater control and better image quality. A05 has a more basic feature set..

Battery

FeatureOnePlus 9Samsung Galaxy A05Practical Impact
Capacity4500 mAh5000 mAhA05 has a larger battery that may translate to better battery life, though real-world performance depends on usage patterns.
Charging65W Fast Charging, Li-Polymer25W Fast Charging, Li-IonOnePlus 9 charges much faster due to its 65W charging, minimizing downtime. Samsung A05's charging is slow in comparison.
Features15W Wireless ChargingNon-removableOnePlus 9 offers convenient wireless charging; A05 lacks this option. Both phones have non-removable batteries..

Software

FeatureOnePlus 9Samsung Galaxy A05Practical Impact
OSAndroid 11Android 13A05 has a more recent version of Android out of the box.
Max OS UpdateAndroid 13UnknownOnePlus 9 has a limited lifespan for future Android updates, as max update is Android 13. A05 is unknown.

Connectivity

FeatureOnePlus 9Samsung Galaxy A05Practical Impact
Wi-Fi802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax, Dual-band, Hotspot, Direct, Display, MiMO802.11a/b/g/n/ac, Dual-band, Hotspot, Direct, DisplayOnePlus 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
Bluetooth5.2 LE, A2DP, APT-x, LDAC, SBC, AAC5.3 LE, A2DPA05 uses newer Bluetooth 5.3, while OnePlus 9 supports higher quality audio codecs. Both support low energy bluetooth.
GPSGPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo, GPS (L1+L5), BeiDou (B1), Galileo (E1+E5a), BeiDou (B2)GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, GalileoOnePlus 9 offers better accuracy with support for additional satellite systems compared to the A05.
SIMDual SIM (Nano)Dual SIM (Nano)Both phones feature dual SIM capabilities.

Storage

FeatureOnePlus 9Samsung Galaxy A05Practical Impact
Internal128 GB or 256 GB64 GB or 128 GBOnePlus 9 provides larger storage capacity, especially in the 256 GB configuration.
RAM8 GB or 12 GB4 GB or 6 GBOnePlus 9 provides more RAM for smoother multitasking and running demanding applications.
ExpandableNoNoNeither phone supports expandable storage, users are limited to internal storage only.

Audio

FeatureOnePlus 9Samsung Galaxy A05Practical Impact
QualityDolby Atmos, Stereo Speakers, 3 microphones, Noise cancellation microphoneBasic Audio FeaturesOnePlus 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

FeatureOnePlus 9Samsung Galaxy A05Practical Impact
FeaturesFingerprint SensorBasic FeaturesOnePlus 9 has fingerprint for quick access and security. A05 does not have a fingerprint sensor.

Build Quality

FeatureOnePlus 9Samsung Galaxy A05Practical Impact
ProtectionCorning Gorilla Glass 5UnknownOnePlus 9 screen is more scratch resistant than A05 due to Gorilla Glass protection. The A05's screen protection is unknown.

Sensors

FeatureOnePlus 9Samsung Galaxy A05Practical Impact
SensorsFingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, GyroscopeProximity, AccelerometerOnePlus 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:

  1. What is my budget? If you're on a tight budget, the A05 may be the better option.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.

Emily Harper
Emily Harper

Technology Insights Specialist

Dedicated technology writer specializing in mobile device analysis and technology communication. Expert at translating complex smartphone features into clear, actionable insights for diverse audiences.

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  • Mobile technology analysis
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Bridging technical complexity with engaging, accessible narratives.