Smartphone Comparison: OnePlus 9 vs. Samsung Galaxy A05s
1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | OnePlus 9 | Samsung Galaxy A05s | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 160 × 74.2 × 8.7 mm | 168 × 77.8 × 8.8 mm | A05s is noticeably taller and wider, may feel less comfortable in hand for some users. |
| Weight | 192g | 194g | Negligible weight difference, both feel similar in hand weight. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.55" | 6.7" | A05s has a slightly larger display providing a more immersive viewing experience. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2400 | Identical sharpness, similar level of detail in images and videos. |
| PPI | 402 | 393 | Virtually no difference in pixel density, both displays appear sharp. |
| Technology | AMOLED | PLS LCD | OnePlus 9 offers deeper blacks, better contrast, more vibrant colors and more power-efficient for dark themes. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 90Hz | OnePlus 9 offers smoother scrolling and animations, a more fluid visual experience. |
| Brightness | 1100 nits | 0 nits | OnePlus 9 is significantly better for outdoor visibility in bright sunlight. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM8350 Snapdragon 888 5G (5 nm) | Qualcomm SM6225 Snapdragon 680 4G (6 nm) | OnePlus 9 handles demanding tasks, gaming, and multitasking much more smoothly. |
| AnTuTu Score | 880,900 | 260,000 | OnePlus 9 provides significantly faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and better gaming performance. |
| GPU | Adreno 660 | Adreno 610 | OnePlus 9 offers significantly better graphics processing for gaming and graphics-intensive applications. |
| Camera | |||
| Rear Main Camera | 48MP f/1.79, 1/1.4", Sony IMX689 | 50MP f/1.8 | OnePlus 9 main sensor is larger (1/1.4") and has a wider aperture (f/1.79), which usually results in better low light performance. A05s higher MP but smaller aperture. |
| Front Camera | 16MP f/2.4, 1/3.13", Sony IMX471 | 13MP f/2.0 | A05s has a wider aperture for better low light selfies. OnePlus 9 has a higher resolution sensor. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 50MP f/2.2, 1/1.56", Sony IMX766 | Not Available | OnePlus 9 can capture significantly wider scenes, great for landscapes and group photos. |
| Portrait Mode (depth) | Not Available | 2MP f/2.4 | A05s can take photos with better background blur effect. |
| Macro Lens | Not Available | 2MP f/2.4 | A05s can take close-up photos with more detail. |
| Black & White Camera | 2MP f/2.4 | Not Available | OnePlus 9 can take black and white photos. |
| Video Recording | Up to 8K@30fps, 4K@60fps | Up to 1080p@60fps | OnePlus 9 is capable of recording much higher quality video, more detail and options. |
| Camera Features | 4K, 8K Video, PDAF, CDAF, RAW 12 bits, etc. | Basic Features | OnePlus 9 provides much more control and options for photography and videography, and advanced image processing. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 4500mAh | 5000mAh | A05s has a slightly larger battery offering better battery life, but this may be impacted by chip efficiency. |
| Charging | 65W Fast Charging, 15W Wireless | 25W Fast Charging | OnePlus 9 charges much faster than Samsung A05s. |
| Battery Features | Non-removable, Wireless Charging | Non-removable | OnePlus 9 supports wireless charging, which A05s does not. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11, upgradable to 13 | Android 13 | A05s runs the latest Android version out of the box. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | WiFi 6 (802.11ax) | 802.11ac | OnePlus 9 offers faster speeds, lower latency, and better performance in crowded networks. |
| Bluetooth | 5.2, AptX, LDAC, etc. | 5.1 | OnePlus 9 offers better audio codecs for enhanced wireless audio. |
| GPS | More Satellite Systems | QZSS | OnePlus 9 provides more accurate location services. |
| SIM | Dual SIM | Dual SIM | Both phones support dual SIM functionality. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 128GB or 256GB | 64GB or 128GB | OnePlus 9 provides more storage options, allowing more apps, photos, and videos. |
| RAM | 8GB or 12GB | 4GB or 6GB | OnePlus 9 offers a significant advantage in RAM, enabling smoother multitasking and faster app switching. |
| Expandable Storage | Not available | Not available | Neither phone can expand storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Dolby Atmos, Noise cancellation, Stereo Speakers | Basic Audio | OnePlus 9 offers better quality audio with spatial audio, clearer calls, and immersive listening experience. |
| Security | |||
| Fingerprint Sensor | Basic | Side-mounted | A05s offers a more convenient side-mounted fingerprint sensor. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | Not Specified | OnePlus 9 has superior screen protection. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Gyroscope, Compass, etc. | Basic Sensors | OnePlus 9 has more sensors, useful for gaming and advanced apps. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
OnePlus 9 Advantages:
- Superior Performance: Significantly faster processor and GPU, resulting in smoother multitasking, better gaming, and faster app loading.
- Better Display: AMOLED technology with 120Hz refresh rate offers superior visuals with vibrant colors, deep blacks, and smoother animations. It also has a much brighter display, making it much more usable in daylight.
- Advanced Camera System: Superior primary and ultrawide sensors, capable of higher-resolution video recording (up to 8K), more advanced image processing, PDAF, CDAF, and RAW capture.
- Faster Charging: Significantly faster 65W charging and 15W wireless charging, providing greater convenience.
- Better Audio: Enhanced audio features with Dolby Atmos, stereo speakers, and noise cancellation.
- More Storage/RAM Options: Offers more RAM (up to 12GB) and internal storage (up to 256GB).
- More Connectivity: Has newer WiFi and Bluetooth standards with more advanced GPS features
Samsung Galaxy A05s Advantages:
- Larger Battery: 5000mAh battery offers slightly better battery life (though this may be impacted by chipset efficiency)
- Newer Android Version: Ships with Android 13 out of the box.
- Side-Mounted Fingerprint: Offers a more convenient side-mounted fingerprint sensor.
- Macro and Depth Cameras: Dedicated macro and portrait cameras offer additional flexibility for specific types of photography.
- Slightly Larger Display: Offers a slightly larger 6.7 inch display
Trade-offs:
- OnePlus 9 sacrifices a slightly larger battery and a dedicated macro/depth camera for significantly better performance, display, and camera quality.
- Samsung Galaxy A05s has a more recent version of Android, but is severely limited in processing power, display quality, and camera capability when compared to the OnePlus 9.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
OnePlus 9 Ideal User:
- Performance Enthusiasts: Gamers, power users, and those who prioritize speed and responsiveness.
- Media Consumers: Users who enjoy watching videos, movies, and playing games on their phones due to its superior display quality.
- Photography and Videography Enthusiasts: Those who value high-quality images, videos, and manual camera controls.
- Users needing fast charging and wireless charging.
- Users who need more storage and RAM
- Users who need better connectivity.
Specific Use Cases:
- Mobile gaming (demanding titles)
- High-resolution video editing
- Professional photography and videography
- Demanding multitasking (running multiple apps simultaneously)
- Daylight outdoor use
- Fast charging and wireless charging
- Superior Audio quality
- Need for a comprehensive sensor suite
Samsung Galaxy A05s Ideal User:
- Budget-Conscious Users: Users who prioritize affordability and basic smartphone functionality.
- Casual Users: Those who primarily use their phones for calls, texts, social media browsing, and light media consumption.
- Users who prioritize battery life.
- Users who want a side-mounted fingerprint sensor.
- Users who prefer a slightly larger display.
Specific Use Cases:
- Basic social media browsing
- Casual photography in daylight
- Longer battery life for less intensive tasks
- Basic tasks like web browsing and emails
Price-to-Value:
- OnePlus 9: Offers a much higher value for performance, display, and camera quality, despite being an older phone. Likely will be more expensive when it was new.
- Samsung Galaxy A05s: Provides basic functionality at a very affordable price point.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- How important is performance? If you plan to play games or do a lot of multitasking, you’ll want the OnePlus 9.
- What kind of display quality do I prioritize? If you prefer superior visuals, high brightness and smooth scrolling, the OnePlus 9 is the clear winner.
- What type of camera capabilities do I need? If you take a lot of pictures and need higher quality videos, the OnePlus 9 offers much better results and more options.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1 (Heavy User): You are a power user who games, edits videos, and multitasks heavily. Recommendation: OnePlus 9 is the better choice, because its superior performance and features better serve demanding tasks.
- Scenario 2 (Casual User): You use your phone for basic tasks and want a more affordable option with a larger battery. Recommendation: Samsung Galaxy A05s will serve your needs while also being kinder to your budget.
- Scenario 3 (Photography Enthusiast): You want the best camera quality possible and plan to use your phone for photography and videography. Recommendation: The OnePlus 9 is better for its advanced camera system, features, and superior video recording.
My Choice
If I were choosing between these two phones, I would pick the OnePlus 9. The reason for this is that, as a power user who needs strong performance, a good display, and a versatile camera system. The OnePlus 9 provides a significantly better overall experience in terms of display quality, smoothness, camera performance, and charging speeds. While the Samsung Galaxy A05s has a slightly larger battery, the OnePlus 9 will provide a far better user experience. The OnePlus 9 also offers more premium features like wireless charging, a better audio experience, and a more complete suite of sensors that are important to me.
