Smartphone Comparison: OnePlus 9 vs. Samsung Galaxy A22 5G
1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | OnePlus 9 | Samsung Galaxy A22 5G | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 160 x 74.2 x 8.7 mm | 167.2 x 76.4 x 9 mm | A22 5G is noticeably larger and slightly thicker, might feel less comfortable for one-handed use. |
| Weight | 192g | 203g | OnePlus 9 is slightly lighter, which might be more comfortable during extended periods of holding. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.55" | 6.6" | Negligible difference in screen size; both are in a similar range for everyday use. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2400 | Identical sharpness; both offer a Full HD+ viewing experience. |
| PPI | 402 | 399 | Virtually identical pixel density; display clarity is nearly the same on both phones. |
| Technology | AMOLED | TFT LCD | AMOLED on OnePlus 9 provides significantly better contrast, deeper blacks, and more vibrant colors; also more power-efficient for dark themes. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 90Hz | OnePlus 9 has smoother animations, especially noticeable in scrolling and gaming, which makes for a more fluid experience. |
| Brightness | 1100 nits | 0 nits | OnePlus 9 display is significantly brighter, offering much better visibility in direct sunlight and other bright conditions. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Snapdragon 888 5G (5nm) | Mediatek Dimensity 700 (7nm) | Snapdragon 888 is a high-end chip, offering drastically faster processing, app loading, and better gaming performance. The Mediatek is a budget-tier chip. |
| AnTuTu Score | 880,900 | 379,800 | OnePlus 9 offers much higher benchmark performance, leading to a more responsive and snappier user experience. |
| GPU | Adreno 660 | Mali-G57 MC2 | Adreno 660 offers vastly superior graphics performance, making the OnePlus 9 much better for graphically intensive tasks and gaming. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 48MP, f/1.79, 1/1.4", 1.12µm | 48MP, f/1.8, 1/2", 0.8µm | OnePlus 9 has larger sensor with wider aperture and larger pixel size which indicates much better low-light performance and potentially higher image quality. |
| Selfie Camera | 16MP, f/2.4, 1/3.13", 1.0µm | 8MP, f/2.0 | OnePlus 9 captures more detailed selfies with higher resolution, though the A22 has a slightly wider aperture. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 50MP, f/2.2, 1/1.56", 1.0µm | 5MP, f/2.2 | OnePlus 9 offers much higher resolution with the wide-angle lens, capable of capturing significantly more detail in wide shots. |
| Portrait (Depth) | N/A | 5MP, f/2.4 | Samsung has a dedicated portrait sensor; OnePlus uses software, but missing details on performance |
| Black & White | 2MP, f/2.4 | N/A | OnePlus 9 has dedicated black & white sensor, which potentially offers better monochrome photography. |
| Video | Up to 8K@30fps | Up to 1152p@30fps | OnePlus 9 offers superior video recording quality, up to 8K, making it better suited for high-quality video capture. |
| DXOMark | N/A | Main: 48 (Photo: 0, Video: 0) | No official DxOMark Score for the OnePlus 9. A22 5G’s score indicates average to below-average photo/video quality. |
| Camera Features | 8K Video, RAW 12 bit, PDAF, CDAF, etc. | 4K Video, Digital zoom, etc. | OnePlus 9 provides more advanced video options, advanced focusing system and a raw image capture. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 4500mAh | 5000mAh | Samsung Galaxy A22 5G has a larger battery capacity, likely offering longer battery life. |
| Charging | 65W Fast Charging | 15W Fast Charging | OnePlus 9 charges significantly faster, allowing a quick top-up of the battery compared to the A22's slow charging. |
| Features | 15W Wireless Charging | None | OnePlus 9 offers the convenience of wireless charging, which the A22 5G does not provide. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 (up to 13) | Android 11 (up to 13) | Both ship with Android 11, upgradable to 13. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) | Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac) | OnePlus 9 supports Wi-Fi 6, providing faster wireless internet speeds. |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.2 LE | Bluetooth 5.0 LE | OnePlus 9 features a newer Bluetooth version, potentially offering better performance. |
| GPS | L1 + L5, B1, E1+E5a, B2 | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | OnePlus 9 supports dual-band GPS for more accurate positioning. |
| SIM | Dual SIM | Dual SIM | Both support dual SIM, allowing use of two numbers. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal Storage | 128/256 GB | 64/128 GB | OnePlus 9 provides more storage options; particularly, a larger max storage. |
| RAM | 8/12 GB | 4/6/8 GB | OnePlus 9 offers more RAM, making for smoother multitasking and faster performance, better for gaming. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone supports expandable storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Audio Quality | Dolby Atmos, Stereo Speakers | Dolby Atmos, Dolby Digital Plus | OnePlus 9 has stereo speakers for a better audio experience compared to the single speaker on A22 5G. A22 has Dolby Digital Plus. |
| Security | |||
| Security | basic fingerprint sensor | side-mounted fingerprint sensor | Samsung A22 has a more advanced sensor on the side. Both provide biometric security. |
| Build | |||
| Screen Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | Unknown | OnePlus 9 offers improved scratch and drop resistance due to Gorilla Glass. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Proximity, Fingerprint | Accelerometer, Proximity, Fingerprint | OnePlus 9 offers more sensors for gaming and advanced features. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
OnePlus 9 Advantages:
- Superior Display: AMOLED with 120Hz refresh rate and 1100 nits brightness offers a significantly better visual experience, especially in bright conditions and during fast motion.
- Significantly Higher Performance: Snapdragon 888 chipset provides much faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and better gaming performance.
- Superior Camera System: Better main sensor, wide-angle lens and selfie camera quality with 8K video, and more advanced features.
- Faster Charging and Wireless Charging: 65W wired charging and 15W wireless charging offer a much more convenient and faster charging experience.
- Better Audio: Stereo speakers with Dolby Atmos create a more immersive experience.
- Faster Connectivity: Supports Wi-Fi 6 for faster wireless speeds and Bluetooth 5.2 for potentially better performance.
- More RAM and Storage Options: Offers a higher base configuration of storage and RAM.
Samsung Galaxy A22 5G Advantages:
- Larger Battery: 5000mAh capacity provides longer battery life.
- More Advanced Fingerprint Sensor: Side mounted sensor is generally faster than basic under-screen sensor.
- Dedicated Portrait Mode: Offers a dedicated portrait camera for depth effects.
- Lower Price Point: Generally, a budget-friendly option compared to OnePlus 9
- Geomagnetic Sensor: Has a geomagnetic sensor not present on the OnePlus 9
- Dolby Digital Plus: Has Dolby Digital Plus not present on the OnePlus 9
Trade-offs:
- The OnePlus 9 sacrifices battery capacity for a more premium display and performance.
- The Samsung A22 5G has a larger battery, but compromises on display quality, performance, camera quality and charging speeds.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
OnePlus 9 Ideal User:
- Power Users: Individuals who require fast performance, smooth multitasking, and gaming capabilities.
- Multimedia Enthusiasts: Those who prioritize a high-quality display, excellent audio and video recording capabilities.
- Photography Lovers: Users looking for a versatile and high quality camera system with better low-light performance
- Tech Enthusiasts: Users who appreciate premium features, latest technology and fast charging, and wireless charging.
Use Cases:
- Gaming at high settings.
- Video editing or graphic intensive tasks.
- Watching high-resolution videos in direct sunlight.
- Professional grade photography and video.
- Running multiple apps simultaneously.
Samsung Galaxy A22 5G Ideal User:
- Budget-Conscious Users: Individuals seeking a 5G capable device without breaking the bank.
- Everyday Users: Those needing a reliable phone for basic tasks, social media, browsing, and light gaming.
- Users Prioritizing Battery Life: Users wanting extended battery life that can go multiple days without requiring a charge.
- Users wanting dedicated depth camera: Users looking for a dedicated portrait camera sensor.
Use Cases:
- Basic everyday use such as browsing, social media and messaging.
- Streaming videos and music.
- Casual photography and video recording.
- Light gaming and entertainment.
- Users needing extended battery life.
Price-to-Value Ratio: The OnePlus 9 has a significantly higher price but offers significantly more features and raw performance. The A22 5G is a more budget friendly option that is suitable for basic everyday use.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- What is your budget? The A22 5G is a budget-friendly device, whereas the OnePlus 9 is a premium device.
- Do you prioritize performance and display quality or battery life? The OnePlus 9 excels in performance and display, while the A22 5G offers a longer battery life.
- What are your primary use cases for the phone? If you do a lot of video editing, gaming or require a high quality camera, the OnePlus 9 is the best option. If you primarily use your phone for basic tasks, the A22 5G is adequate.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- High-Performance User: If you need a phone for gaming, heavy multitasking, or video/photo editing, and you can afford it, the OnePlus 9 is the clear choice.
- Budget-Conscious User: If you are looking for a reliable 5G phone for everyday tasks and value battery life more than performance or camera quality, the Samsung Galaxy A22 5G is a better fit.
- Balanced User: If you want a good balance of performance, camera, and display at a reasonable price, the OnePlus 9 (if you can find it at a reasonable price) is the better choice, though you will sacrifice some battery.
My Choice
If I were choosing between these two phones, I would choose the OnePlus 9. While the Samsung Galaxy A22 5G offers a larger battery, the OnePlus 9's advantages in display technology (AMOLED, 120Hz, 1100 nits), processing power (Snapdragon 888), camera quality, and faster charging make it the better overall device for my needs. I frequently use my phone for tasks that benefit from a higher refresh rate screen and faster processing. I also regularly capture pictures and videos and the significantly better camera setup of the OnePlus 9 is better suited for my use case. Even though the battery life will be slightly worse, the much faster charging speeds mitigate this issue. I consider the better performance, display, camera, and charging capabilities of the OnePlus 9 to be more valuable than the extended battery life of the A22 5G. While the A22 is a good budget option, the OnePlus 9 is better if you want a smoother and snappier experience with better media capabilities.
