1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | OnePlus 9 | Samsung Galaxy S22 5G | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 160 × 74.2 × 8.7 mm | 146 × 70.6 × 7.6 mm | OnePlus 9 is larger and may be less comfortable for one-handed use; S22 5G is more compact and pocketable. |
| Weight | 192g | 167g | S22 5G is noticeably lighter, making it more comfortable for extended use and carrying around. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.55" | 6.1" | OnePlus 9 has a larger screen, better for media consumption and gaming; S22 5G is more compact and easier to handle, but smaller for media. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2340 | Both offer similar sharpness; difference is negligible in real-world use. |
| PPI | 402 | 425 | S22 5G is slightly sharper but the difference is hard to discern with the naked eye. |
| Technology | AMOLED | AMOLED | Both phones have excellent contrast and vibrant colors. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | Both offer smooth scrolling and animations. |
| Brightness | 1100 nits | 1300 nits | S22 5G offers better visibility in bright sunlight, making it easier to use outdoors. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM8350 Snapdragon 888 5G (5 nm) | Exynos 2200 (4 nm) - Europe | S22 5G offers marginally better performance on paper; both are capable of handling demanding tasks, though the S22's Exynos is known to have different performance characteristics vs Snapdragon variants in other regions. |
| AnTuTu Score | 880,900 | 1,022,200 | S22 5G is slightly faster in benchmarks, suggesting slightly better performance in heavy tasks. |
| GPU | Adreno 660 (Adreno 660) | Xclipse 920 - Europe (AMD Xclipse 920) | Both phones offer high-end graphics performance; The S22's Xclipse GPU has different strengths and weaknesses, but both can handle demanding games. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 4500mAh | 3700mAh | OnePlus 9 has a larger battery, likely providing longer battery life. |
| Charging | 65W fast charging | 25W fast charging | OnePlus 9 charges significantly faster, reducing downtime. |
| Features | Non-removable, 15W Wireless Charging | Bypass Charging, Non-removable, 15W Wireless Charging, 4.5W Reverse Wireless Charging | S22 5G can reverse wireless charge other devices and has bypass charging for gaming, but the OnePlus has no bypass charging. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 48MP, f/1.79, 1/1.4", Sony IMX689 | 50MP, f/1.8, 1/1.57", Samsung GN5 | OnePlus 9 has a larger sensor, potentially better low-light performance; S22 has higher resolution. The real-world differences will depend on the software processing. |
| Selfie Camera | 16MP, f/2.4, 1/3.13", Sony IMX471 | 10MP, f/2.2, Unknown Sensor | OnePlus 9 has higher resolution, but S22 has wider aperture for better low-light selfies. |
| Telephoto Lens | None | 12MP, f/2.4, Sony IMX772 | S22 5G has a dedicated telephoto lens for optical zoom, a huge advantage in image composition. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 50MP, f/2.2, 1/1.56", Sony IMX766 | 12MP, f/2.2, Sony IMX713 | OnePlus 9 has a significantly higher resolution wide-angle lens, potentially capturing more detail; but S22 5G wide lens has larger pixels. |
| Black & White | 2MP, f/2.4, Unknown Sensor | None | OnePlus 9 has an additional sensor for black and white photography for more artistic freedom. |
| Video | Up to 8K@30fps, HDR, EIS | Up to 8K@24fps, HDR, EIS, Stereo Sound | Both offer high-resolution video recording; S22 5G has better audio recording with stereo sound and stabilization. |
| Features | 4K/8K Video, Digital zoom, Triple camera, Digital image stabilization, Manual Focus, CDAF, Night Mode, RAW 12 bits | 4K/8K Video, Digital/Optical zoom, Triple camera, OIS, RAW | OnePlus 9 includes Manual Focus, Contrast Detection Autofocus, a dedicated night mode, and RAW 12-bit capture. S22 5G provides optical zoom, and OIS. |
| DXOMark Score | Not Available | 120 (Mobile), 119 (Photo), 116 (Video) | S22 5G has a very good camera performance according to DXOMark testing. No information available for OnePlus 9. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11, upgradable to 13 | Android 12, upgradable to 16 | S22 5G has newer OS and more future updates. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6 | Wi-Fi 6 | Both offer the latest Wi-Fi standards. |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.2 LE | Bluetooth 5.2 LE | S22 5G has more Bluetooth profiles for better audio/device compatibility. |
| GPS | More satellite systems | Less satellite systems | OnePlus 9 may have more accurate location services. |
| SIM | Dual Nano SIM | Dual Nano SIM + eSIM | S22 5G offers more flexible SIM configurations using eSIM for digital carrier switching. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 128GB or 256GB | 128GB or 256GB | Both offer similar storage options. |
| RAM | 8GB or 12GB | 8GB | OnePlus 9 offers the potential for more RAM, making it better for heavy multitasking. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither phone has expandable storage, users need to choose carefully. |
| Audio | Dolby Atmos, Noise cancellation mic, Stereo Speakers, 3 mics | Dolby Digital Plus, Stereo Speakers | OnePlus 9 is better for audio experience, having a dedicated noise cancelling microphone; S22 5G only has stereo speakers. |
| Security | |||
| Features | basic fingerprint sensor | basic fingerprint sensor | Both phones offer basic biometric security. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus+ | S22 5G has better scratch and drop resistance. |
| Sensors | Biometric, Proximity, Motion | Biometric, Proximity, Motion, Environmental | S22 5G includes additional environmental sensors, suitable for advanced features and gaming. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
OnePlus 9 Advantages:
- Larger Display: The 6.55" display is better for media consumption, gaming, and multitasking.
- Larger Battery & Faster Charging: The 4500mAh battery and 65W charging offer significantly longer battery life and quicker recharge times.
- Higher Resolution Wide-Angle Camera: The 50MP wide-angle camera can capture more detailed shots.
- More RAM Option: 12GB RAM option provides better performance in demanding applications.
- Dolby Atmos and Dedicated Noise Cancellation Microphone: Offers a slight edge in audio features
- Black & White Sensor: Provides more artistic camera options.
- Manual focus and CDAF: Gives the user more control over focus in photos and videos
Samsung Galaxy S22 5G Advantages:
- More Compact & Lighter: Easier to handle and more pocketable.
- Brighter Display: 1300 nits display is better for outdoor visibility.
- Slightly Better Performance: Slightly better benchmark scores with its Exynos 2200.
- Telephoto Lens: Dedicated telephoto lens provides optical zoom capabilities.
- Better screen protection: Gorilla Glass Victus+ provides superior scratch and drop resistance.
- Reverse Wireless Charging: Ability to wirelessly charge other devices.
- Bypass Charging: Allows for playing games while plugged in without damaging the battery
- Stereo Sound in Video recording: Better audio for video content creation
- More software updates: S22 5G has more OS updates
- More Bluetooth profiles Greater device compatibility and features
- Additional environmental sensors For advanced features and gaming
- Optical Image Stabilization Better stability for sharper photos and smoother videos.
- DXOMark Camera Score: Higher quality main camera.
Trade-offs:
- OnePlus 9 prioritizes a larger display, battery life, and fast charging, while Samsung S22 5G focuses on a premium compact design, better display brightness, and camera versatility with a telephoto lens.
- The OnePlus 9 has a bigger battery, better charging, and a more powerful ultra-wide camera, but lacks the optical zoom and overall camera quality of the S22.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Ideal Users for OnePlus 9:
- Media Consumers: Enjoy watching videos, movies, or playing games on a large screen.
- Heavy Users: Need long battery life and fast charging to stay powered throughout the day.
- Multitaskers: Benefit from the 12GB RAM option.
- Photography Enthusiasts: Enjoy wide-angle photography and artistic black and white shots.
- Audio Enthusiasts: Will benefit from Dolby Atmos and better audio separation
Ideal Users for Samsung Galaxy S22 5G:
- Users who Prefer Compact Phones: Value portability and one-handed use.
- Outdoor Users: Need a bright display for better visibility in sunlight.
- Photography Enthusiasts: Value zoom capabilities and better overall camera quality.
- Content Creators: Will make use of better quality video recording.
- Gamers: Will benefit from a more powerful GPU and bypass charging.
Specific Use Cases:
- OnePlus 9: Ideal for long trips where battery life is a priority, mobile gamers who want a larger screen and more RAM, and users who enjoy a wide-angle lens for landscape photography.
- Samsung Galaxy S22 5G: Suited for users who take lots of pictures in various scenarios, need to charge their accessories wirelessly, need a brighter screen for outdoor use, and prefer a premium, compact phone.
Price-to-Value Ratio:
- The price of the two phones depends on region and availability. At a similar price, the OnePlus 9 offers better battery life and faster charging, while the S22 5G has better cameras and a more premium build. However, these can be subjective to personal preference.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- Do you prioritize a larger display and battery life, or a more compact design and brighter screen?
- Do you need a telephoto lens for optical zoom, or a high-resolution wide-angle lens?
- Is fast charging and a longer battery more important, or wireless reverse charging and better video recording?
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Long trips and media consumption. Choose the OnePlus 9 for its larger screen, larger battery, and significantly faster charging.
- Scenario 2: Photography on the go. Choose the Samsung Galaxy S22 5G for its versatile camera system with telephoto lens, OIS, and more advanced processing, along with the higher quality audio.
- Scenario 3: Everyday Use and Portability. Choose the Samsung Galaxy S22 5G for its compact size, brighter display, better protection and more versatile features.
- Scenario 4: Gamers. Choose the Samsung Galaxy S22 5G for its faster performance and advanced environmental sensors.
My Choice
I would choose the Samsung Galaxy S22 5G.
While the OnePlus 9 has its merits with a larger screen, longer battery, and faster charging, the Samsung Galaxy S22 5G provides a more well-rounded package for my daily needs and preferences. The S22 5G's premium compact design is easier to handle, and the brighter display is essential for frequent outdoor use. Its camera system, with the dedicated telephoto lens and better audio, makes it a more versatile option for capturing everyday moments, and it offers a better overall experience for content creators. The improved screen protection and overall faster performance is also a big plus. Although the battery is smaller than the OnePlus 9, the advanced features and better camera quality tip the scales in favor of the S22 5G for my personal use case. Ultimately, the S22 5G has more features that appeal to me.
