1. Specifications Comparison
Design
| Feature | OnePlus 9 | Samsung Galaxy A55 | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Dimensions | 160 × 74.2 × 8.7 mm | 161.1 × 77.4 × 8.2 mm | A55 is slightly taller and wider, OnePlus 9 is slightly thicker. A55 might feel larger in hand, OnePlus 9 slightly more compact. |
| Weight | 192g | 213g | OnePlus 9 is noticeably lighter, making it more comfortable for prolonged use and one-handed operation. |
Display
| Feature | OnePlus 9 | Samsung Galaxy A55 | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Size | 6.55" | 6.6" | Negligible difference. Both offer similar viewing experience. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2340 | Very similar sharpness and clarity; most users won't perceive a difference. |
| PPI | 402 | 390 | Practically identical sharpness, both offer a great viewing experience. |
| Technology | AMOLED | AMOLED | Both offer vibrant colors, deep blacks, and excellent contrast. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | Both provide smooth scrolling and animations, enhancing gaming and general user experience. |
| Brightness | 1100 nits | 0 nits | OnePlus 9 is significantly brighter, offering much better visibility in direct sunlight. The A55's brightness is not specified, making it a potential weak point. |
Performance
| Feature | OnePlus 9 | Samsung Galaxy A55 | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 5G (5 nm) | Exynos 1480 (4 nm) | OnePlus 9 has a flagship-level chipset from 2021, while A55 uses a mid-range chipset from 2024. OnePlus 9 generally faster in demanding tasks. |
| AnTuTu Score | 880,900 | 713,393 | OnePlus 9 demonstrates superior performance in synthetic benchmarks, implying faster app loading and smoother multitasking. |
| GPU | Adreno 660 | Xclipse 530 | OnePlus 9 likely provides superior gaming performance, particularly in graphically intensive titles due to the Adreno 660. The Xclipse 530's performance is not as well established. |
Camera
| Feature | OnePlus 9 | Samsung Galaxy A55 | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Main Camera | 48MP, f/1.79, 1/1.4", Sony IMX689, 1.12µm | 50MP, f/1.8, 1/1.56", Sony IMX906, 1.00µm | OnePlus 9 has a slightly larger sensor and wider aperture, which should perform better in low light, despite the lower resolution. Samsung offers higher resolution. |
| Selfie Camera | 16MP, f/2.4, 1/3.13", Sony IMX471, 1.00µm | 32MP, f/2.2, 1/2.8", Sony IMX616, 0.80µm | Samsung A55 has a much higher resolution and wider aperture for better selfies, especially in low light. |
| Wide Angle | 50MP, f/2.2, 1/1.56", Sony IMX766, 1.00µm | 13MP, f/2.2, 1/3.06", Sony IMX258, 1.12µm | OnePlus 9's wide-angle lens is far superior due to its higher resolution and larger sensor, resulting in higher quality wide-angle shots. |
| Macro Lens | None | 5MP, f/2.4, 1.12µm | A55 offers a dedicated macro lens for close-up photography, which the OnePlus 9 lacks. |
| Black & White Lens | 2MP, f/2.4, Unknown sensor/pixel size | None | OnePlus 9 includes a dedicated black and white sensor, adding more depth to b/w photos. |
| Video | Up to 8K@30fps, 4K@60fps with HDR, EIS | 4K@30fps with EIS | OnePlus 9 offers higher resolution video (8K) at 30 fps for professional-grade content, but both offer good stabilization for normal use. |
Battery
| Feature | OnePlus 9 | Samsung Galaxy A55 | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Capacity | 4500mAh | 5000mAh | Samsung A55 has a larger battery, which should provide better battery life and less need to charge during the day. |
| Charging | 65W Fast Charging | 25W Fast Charging | OnePlus 9 charges much faster; significantly reduces charging times, increasing the convenience of the user. |
| Features | 15W Wireless Charging | None | OnePlus 9 can be charged wirelessly, making it convenient for users with wireless charging pads. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
OnePlus 9 Advantages
- Superior Performance: The Snapdragon 888 chipset offers much faster processing and gaming performance.
- Brighter Display: 1100 nits brightness provides excellent visibility in bright outdoor conditions.
- Faster Charging: 65W fast charging is significantly faster than the A55's 25W.
- Wireless Charging: Supports 15W wireless charging, adding flexibility for charging.
- Better Main & Wide Camera: Larger sensors on the main and wide-angle lens will capture better images, especially in low light.
- 8K Video Recording: For advanced users, 8K video capture capability.
Samsung Galaxy A55 Advantages
- Newer Device: Launched almost a year later, which means it likely has better software support for longer and the latest version of Android.
- Larger Battery: 5000mAh battery provides better battery life compared to OnePlus 9.
- Better Selfie Camera: Higher resolution and wider aperture for better quality selfies.
- Macro Lens: Offers dedicated macro lens for close-up photography.
- eSIM Support: Offers eSIM capability for digital carrier switching.
- Newer Bluetooth: Offers newer Bluetooth version 5.3 for better connectivity and performance.
Trade-offs
- OnePlus 9: Although offering better performance, its battery is smaller and it may be nearing the end of its software updates.
- Samsung Galaxy A55: While having a larger battery and newer technology, it is slower and the display brightness is unknown.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
OnePlus 9
- Ideal User: Power users, gamers, and photography enthusiasts who prioritize performance, fast charging, and display quality.
- Use Cases:
- Playing demanding mobile games.
- Editing photos and videos on the go.
- Heavy multitasking and app usage.
- Taking photos and videos in various lighting conditions.
- Price-to-Value: Might be available at a lower price point due to its age, making it an appealing option for users seeking high performance at a good price.
Samsung Galaxy A55
- Ideal User: Everyday users, social media enthusiasts, and those who prioritize battery life and camera versatility.
- Use Cases:
- All-day use without needing to charge.
- Capturing detailed selfies and social media content.
- Taking a variety of photos, including macro shots.
- General browsing, social media, and casual gaming.
- Price-to-Value: Offers a more modern experience with a focus on longevity, but possibly at a premium price point compared to the OnePlus 9.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers
- Performance vs. Battery: Do you prioritize raw processing power and speed, or do you prefer longer battery life that lasts through the day?
- Camera Needs: Are you looking for excellent low-light photos, a versatile set of lenses, or a great selfie experience?
- Longevity & Software: Do you need a phone with the latest software version and maximum support for future updates, or is an older phone with high performance acceptable?
Scenario-Based Recommendations
- Scenario 1 (Power User): If you are a gamer or heavy multitasker and don't mind charging your phone more often, the OnePlus 9 will provide a significantly smoother experience.
- Scenario 2 (Battery Life Focused): If all-day battery life and consistent performance for general use are crucial, the Samsung Galaxy A55 is the better pick, also providing up-to-date software and features.
- Scenario 3 (Photography Enthusiast): If your main focus is photo quality, the OnePlus 9 offers much better main and wide angle cameras. However if you are interested in selfie quality, macro and video, you should opt for the A55.
My Choice
If I were choosing between these two phones, I would personally lean towards the OnePlus 9. The primary reason is the significantly superior performance offered by the Snapdragon 888. My usage involves frequent multitasking, some gaming, and occasional photo editing. The faster charging is also very convenient. While the A55 has its advantages in battery life and selfie quality, the overall responsiveness and speed of the OnePlus 9 would make the day-to-day experience much more enjoyable for me. I am also not worried about a lower battery, since I usually have a charger near me. While the A55 has newer software, I prefer the OnePlus 9 in performance.
