1. Specifications Comparison
Here's a detailed comparison of the OnePlus 9 and Samsung Galaxy A73 5G, focusing on practical implications:
Design
| Feature | OnePlus 9 | Samsung Galaxy A73 5G | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 160 × 74.2 × 8.7 mm | 163.7 × 76.1 × 7.6 mm | A73 is taller and wider, while the OnePlus is thicker. The A73 might feel slightly less bulky due to its thinner profile. |
| Weight | 192g | 181g | The A73 is lighter, making it more comfortable for extended use. |
| Build | Not specified | Not specified | Build materials and finish quality are unknown, impacting durability and overall feel. |
| Foldable | Standard | Standard | Both phones are standard smartphones. |
Display
| Feature | OnePlus 9 | Samsung Galaxy A73 5G | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Size | 6.55" | 6.7" | A73 offers slightly more screen real estate, potentially better for media consumption. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2400 | Identical resolutions mean sharpness will be similar, though pixel density varies slightly. |
| PPI | 402 | 393 | Both have similar pixel densities, resulting in very comparable sharpness. |
| Technology | AMOLED | AMOLED | Both use AMOLED tech, meaning vibrant colors, deep blacks, and good contrast. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | 120Hz refresh rate ensures smooth scrolling and animations. |
| Brightness | 1100 nits | 0 nits | OnePlus 9 significantly brighter screen will be more visible in direct sunlight. Samsung Galaxy A73 5G brightness is not specified and needs to be further investigated. |
Performance
| Feature | OnePlus 9 | Samsung Galaxy A73 5G | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 (5nm) | Qualcomm Snapdragon 778G (6nm) | Snapdragon 888 in OnePlus 9 is significantly more powerful, offering smoother performance in demanding tasks like gaming and heavy multitasking. |
| Antutu Score | 880,900 | 575,551 | OnePlus 9 scores significantly higher in benchmarks suggesting smoother performance in most demanding tasks, better app loading, and a superior experience for resource-intensive apps and gaming. |
| GPU | Adreno 660 | Adreno 642L | Adreno 660 in OnePlus 9 provides superior graphics performance, beneficial for gamers and users of graphically intensive apps. |
Camera
| Feature | OnePlus 9 | Samsung Galaxy A73 5G | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard Camera | 48MP, f/1.79, 1/1.4" sensor, Sony IMX689, 1.12 µm pixels | 108MP, f/1.8, not specified sensor, not specified pixel size | A73 has a higher resolution but the OnePlus has a wider aperture and larger sensor. This means that the OnePlus 9 could perform better in low-light conditions. |
| Selfie Camera | 16MP, f/2.4, 1/3.13" sensor, Sony IMX471, 1.00 µm pixels | 32MP, f/2.2, not specified sensor, not specified pixel size | A73 has a higher resolution and wider aperture selfie camera. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 50MP, f/2.2, 1/1.56" sensor, Sony IMX766, 1.00 µm pixels | 12MP, f/2.2, not specified sensor, not specified pixel size | OnePlus 9 offers a much higher resolution ultra-wide camera. |
| Portrait Mode (depth) | Not available | 5MP, f/2.4, not specified sensor, not specified pixel size | A73 has a dedicated depth sensor for better portrait mode effects. OnePlus 9 does not have this. |
| Macro Lens | Not available | 5MP, f/2.4, not specified sensor, not specified pixel size | A73 has a dedicated macro lens for detailed close-up shots. OnePlus 9 does not have this. |
| Black & White Lens | 2MP, f/2.4, not specified sensor, not specified pixel size | Not available | OnePlus 9 offers a monochrome lens for artistic black & white photos. A73 does not have this. |
| Video | Up to 8K@30fps, 4K@60fps, EIS, HDR | Up to 4K@30fps, EIS | OnePlus 9 offers higher video resolution with 8K support, which means much higher quality recordings. |
| Video Stabilization | EIS, HDR | EIS, Optical Stabilization (OIS) | OnePlus 9 uses EIS, whereas the A73 uses OIS, generally providing better stabilization. |
Battery
| Feature | OnePlus 9 | Samsung Galaxy A73 5G | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 4500mAh | 5000mAh | A73 has a larger battery, meaning longer battery life between charges. |
| Charging | 65W fast, 15W wireless | 25W fast charging | OnePlus 9 charges much faster and supports wireless charging, allowing a much faster charge time. |
| Features | Non-removable, 15W Wireless Charging | Bypass Charging, Non-removable | OnePlus 9 offers wireless charging, whereas Samsung A73 offers bypass charging which can reduce battery heat while gaming |
Software, Connectivity, Storage, Audio & Security
| Feature | OnePlus 9 | Samsung Galaxy A73 5G | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| OS | Android 11 (Upgradable to 13) | Android 12 (Upgradable to 16) | A73 launches with a newer Android version and has more OS update support meaning a newer system for a longer period. |
| WiFi | 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax, Wi-Fi MiMO | 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax | Both support Wi-Fi 6, meaning high-speed Wi-Fi connections; OnePlus 9 offers more stable connections |
| Bluetooth | 5.2 with LE, APT-x, LDAC, SBC, AAC | 5.0 with A2DP, AVRCP, DIP, HFP, HID, HSP, MAP, PAN, OPP, PBAP/PAB, HOGP | OnePlus 9 has a newer Bluetooth version, potentially offering more efficient connections; A73 supports more profiles, beneficial for connectivity with other devices. |
| GPS | GPS (L1+L5), A-GPS, GLONASS, BeiDou, Galileo, BeiDou (B1+B2), Galileo (E1+E5a) | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, BeiDou, Galileo | OnePlus 9 supports a wider range of GPS systems offering better accuracy and stability. |
| SIM | Dual SIM Dual Standby (Nano SIM + Nano SIM) | Dual SIM Dual Standby (Nano SIM + Nano SIM) | Both phones allow the use of two SIM cards simultaneously. |
| Internal Storage | 128GB or 256GB | 128GB or 256GB | Both have identical storage options. |
| RAM | 8GB or 12GB | 6GB or 8GB | OnePlus 9 offers more RAM, meaning better multitasking performance. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone supports microSD card expansion. |
| Audio | Dolby Atmos, Noise cancellation mic, stereo speakers, 3 microphones | Dolby Atmos, stereo speakers | OnePlus 9 offers superior audio recording and playback with a noise cancellation mic and 3 microphones. |
| Security | Basic Fingerprint | Basic Fingerprint | Both phones offer the same basic fingerprint security. |
| Build Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | Both phones use the same screen protection technology. |
| Sensors | Biometric: Fingerprint; Proximity: Proximity; Motion: Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope | Biometric: Fingerprint; Motion: Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope; Proximity: Ultrasonic proximity virtual, Geomagnetic, RGB | Both phones have a standard set of sensors, OnePlus 9 has proximity sensor while the Samsung has a Geomagnetic sensor, RGB sensor, and an ultrasonic proximity sensor. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
OnePlus 9 Advantages:
- Significantly Higher Performance: The Snapdragon 888 chipset and higher AnTuTu scores translate to a much smoother and faster user experience, especially for gaming and intensive apps.
- Superior Display Brightness: The 1100 nits brightness means much better visibility in bright sunlight.
- Faster Charging: 65W fast charging is significantly quicker, getting the phone back up to full power much faster than the A73's 25W. Additionally, it supports 15W wireless charging.
- Better Main Camera Performance: The OnePlus 9 utilizes a large, high-quality sensor which will generally perform better in low light conditions.
- Higher Video Recording Quality: It supports higher quality 8K video recording and 4K recording at 60 fps which will offer more flexibility when video recording.
- Superior Audio: Better sound capture and noise cancellation features when recording videos.
- More RAM: The OnePlus 9 has more RAM, resulting in better multitasking performance.
- More GPS Systems: This phone supports more GPS systems resulting in better and more stable location accuracy.
Samsung Galaxy A73 5G Advantages:
- Larger Battery: A 500mAh advantage will result in a noticeable difference in battery life.
- Newer OS and Longer Software Support: It ships with a newer Android version and has the prospect of longer updates.
- Higher Resolution Selfie Camera: 32 MP selfie camera means higher quality selfies.
- Dedicated Depth and Macro Lenses: The inclusion of dedicated macro and depth cameras offer more flexibility in photography.
- OIS: Offers optical image stabilization which will result in better video and picture quality.
- Lighter Design: It is slightly lighter and thinner, which might make it easier to handle for some users.
- More Bluetooth Profiles: Better connection with more devices using various profiles.
- Bypass Charging: Battery heat mitigation while gaming with bypass charging
Trade-offs
- OnePlus 9: Loses out on battery life, depth camera, macro lens, optical image stabilization and the latest OS.
- Samsung Galaxy A73 5G: Sacrifices performance and screen brightness in favor of battery life, a newer OS, and camera versatility. It also lacks wireless charging.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
OnePlus 9 Ideal Users:
- Gamers: The powerful processor and GPU make it excellent for mobile gaming.
- Power Users: Those who multitask heavily and demand a fast and fluid experience.
- Photography Enthusiasts: Users interested in low light photography and high-quality video recording and editing.
- Users in bright environments: Users that frequently use their device outdoors.
- Fast Charging Users: Users that need the fastest charging times possible.
Samsung Galaxy A73 5G Ideal Users:
- Casual Users: Users who prioritize battery life and value versatility over sheer performance and brightness.
- Social Media Photography: Users who primarily use their phone for taking selfies and general photos with an emphasis on wide angle or macro photos.
- Users who want the latest OS: Users that want the latest and most up to date version of Android.
- Users who value longer battery: Users that want a phone to last the whole day without charging.
- Users that value OIS: Users that frequently record videos.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- Do I prioritize performance and screen visibility, or battery life and versatility?
- Is fast charging and wireless charging important to me?
- Do I need the absolute best performance, or is a solid overall experience good enough?
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1 (Gaming/Performance): If gaming and heavy multitasking are your primary use cases, the OnePlus 9 is the clear choice.
- Scenario 2 (Battery Life/Casual Use): If you value battery life, a newer OS and versatile photography, the Samsung Galaxy A73 5G is more suitable.
- Scenario 3 (Balanced Approach): If you want the fastest charging and highest brightness screen with good performance and better audio and the latest OS does not matter to you, the OnePlus 9 is the better option.
My Choice
If I had to choose, I would go for the OnePlus 9. While the Samsung A73 has a larger battery and a more modern Android version with more software updates, the OnePlus 9 wins out on the performance front with the Snapdragon 888, higher brightness, faster charging speeds and superior video recording capabilities. These features align more with what I need in a smartphone. I also value the better standard camera performance in low light. The 65W charging and the option for wireless charging also offers a huge advantage over the Samsung. I'd be willing to sacrifice a bit of battery life and the dedicated macro lens for the overall smoother experience and faster charging that the OnePlus 9 provides.
