Smartphone Comparison: OnePlus 9 vs. Samsung Galaxy S22+ 5G
1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | OnePlus 9 | Samsung Galaxy S22+ 5G | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 160 × 74.2 × 8.7 mm | 157.4 × 75.8 × 7.6 mm | OnePlus 9 is taller and thicker, while S22+ is wider and thinner. OnePlus 9 has a slightly larger overall volume and might feel less comfortable in smaller hands. |
| Weight | 192g | 195g | Both phones are virtually the same weight, not a noticeable difference in hand. |
| Build Material | Not specified | Not specified | Impacts durability and premium feel, but details are not available. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.55" | 6.6" | Very similar screen sizes, a minor 0.05" difference won't be noticeable. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2340 | Almost identical resolution. A 2.6% difference is negligible in daily use. |
| PPI | 402 | 393 | Very similar pixel density, resulting in equally sharp images. |
| Technology | AMOLED | AMOLED | Both offer vibrant colors and deep blacks. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | Smooth scrolling and animations on both phones. |
| Brightness | 1100 nits | 1750 nits | S22+ has much better outdoor visibility, significantly better for bright sunlight use. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM8350 Snapdragon 888 5G (5 nm) | Exynos 2200 (4 nm) - Europe | S22+ has a newer architecture and fabrication process, it may offer more power efficiency, although real-world performance is very similar. |
| AnTuTu Score | 880,900 | 890,774 | Both scores are very close, indicating similar overall performance. |
| GPU | Adreno 660 | Xclipse 920 (AMD) - Europe | Different GPUs, but both are powerful enough for gaming. Xclipse 920 has potential for better graphics and features in future games. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 48MP, f/1.79, 1/1.4" sensor | 50MP, f/1.8, 1/1.57" sensor | S22+ has slightly higher resolution, but OnePlus 9 has a larger sensor and wider aperture, likely providing better low-light performance. |
| Selfie Camera | 16MP, f/2.4 | 10MP, f/2.2 | OnePlus 9 has higher resolution, while S22+ has a wider aperture that may perform better in low light. |
| Telephoto Lens | None | 10MP, f/2.4 | S22+ offers optical zoom capabilities, which is absent on the OnePlus 9. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 50MP, f/2.2 | 12MP, f/2.2 | OnePlus 9 has a higher resolution wide angle lens, potentially capturing more detail. |
| Black & White Lens | 2MP, f/2.4 | None | OnePlus 9 offers a dedicated black and white sensor for enhanced monochrome photography. |
| Video | Up to 8K@30fps, HDR, EIS | Up to 8K@24fps, HDR, EIS, Stereo Sound | S22+ offers stereo sound recording, and 960fps slow motion capabilities, whilst OnePlus has a better FPS at 8K. |
| Optical Image Stabilization (OIS) | No | Yes | Samsung provides a better video stabilization for less shaky videos. |
| DxoMark Score | Not available | 125 | Samsung is a much better camera phone according to the DxoMark test. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 4500mAh | 4500mAh | Similar battery capacity suggesting similar battery life. |
| Charging | 65W fast charging | 45W fast charging | OnePlus 9 charges significantly faster. |
| Wireless Charging | 15W | 15W + 4.5W Reverse Wireless | Both offer wireless charging, S22+ also supports reverse wireless charging to charge other devices. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 (Upgradable to 13) | Android 12 (Upgradable to 16) | S22+ has a newer version of Android, offering more software features and longer support. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6 | Wi-Fi 6 | Both support the latest Wi-Fi standards. |
| Bluetooth | 5.2 with LE, AptX, LDAC, AAC, SBC | 5.2 with LE, AptX, LDAC, AAC, SBC, AVRCP, DIP, HFP, HID, HSP, MAP, PAN, OPP, PBAP/PAB | S22+ has more Bluetooth profiles, potentially better compatibility with various devices. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo, GPS (L1+L5), BeiDou (B1), Galileo (E1+E5a), BeiDou (B2) | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo, GLONASS (L1), BeiDou (B1), Galileo (E1+E5a) | OnePlus 9 offers more satellite systems for more accurate positioning in difficult areas. |
| SIM | Dual Nano SIM | Dual Nano SIM + eSIM | S22+ offers more flexibility with eSIM. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 128GB/256GB | 128GB/256GB | Same storage options available. |
| RAM | 8GB/12GB | 8GB | OnePlus 9 can be configured with more RAM for better multitasking performance. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | No expandable storage on either device. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Dolby Atmos, Stereo Speakers, Noise Cancellation Microphone, 3 Microphones | Stereo Speakers | OnePlus 9 provides a better audio experience with Dolby Atmos, noise cancellation for better voice clarity, and more mics for better sound capturing. |
| Security | |||
| Biometric | Fingerprint sensor | Fingerprint sensor | Both offer basic fingerprint sensor security. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus+ | S22+ has a much more durable screen. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Biometric: Fingerprint; Proximity: Proximity; Motion: Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope | Biometric: Fingerprint; Proximity: Proximity; Motion: Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope; Environmental: Barometer | S22+ has more sensors which may be useful in specific scenarios and applications. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
OnePlus 9 Advantages:
- Faster Charging: The 65W charging is significantly faster than the S22+'s 45W, meaning less time plugged in.
- Potentially Better Low-Light Main Camera: Larger sensor and wider aperture on the main camera could lead to better low-light photos.
- Higher Resolution Wide Angle Lens: Captures more detail in wide-angle shots.
- Dolby Atmos Audio and Noise Cancellation: Offers a more immersive audio experience and clearer calls.
- More Ram: Configurable with up to 12GB of RAM.
- More GPS Systems: Better positioning accuracy due to more GPS satellite systems.
Samsung Galaxy S22+ 5G Advantages:
- Newer OS & Longer Software Support: Comes with Android 12 and will get updates for longer than the OnePlus 9.
- Significantly Brighter Display: Much better outdoor visibility in bright sunlight.
- Optical Zoom: The telephoto lens offers optical zoom capabilities for more versatile photography.
- Optical Image Stabilization (OIS): Produces smoother and more stable videos.
- Reverse Wireless Charging: Can wirelessly charge other devices.
- eSIM Support: Offers more flexibility with carrier switching.
- More Bluetooth Profiles: Potentially better compatibility with audio and other Bluetooth devices.
- More Durable Screen: Corning Gorilla Glass Victus+ provides better scratch and drop resistance.
- Additional Sensors: Has a barometer, which can be helpful for specific applications.
- Better Camera According to DxoMark: Overall a better camera system according to DxoMark with a score of 125.
Trade-offs:
- OnePlus 9 sacrifices the telephoto lens for faster charging and a larger main sensor.
- S22+ sacrifices a slightly larger main camera sensor for a telephoto lens and better screen protection.
- OnePlus 9 has a lower software support, whereas the Samsung has great software support.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Ideal User for OnePlus 9:
- Users who prioritize fast charging: Those who are often on the go and need to charge quickly.
- Multimedia Consumers: Benefit from Dolby Atmos and enhanced audio quality.
- Photography enthusiasts focusing on wide-angle and low-light: Users who want a high quality primary camera and value a high resolution wide angle.
- Users who prefer lower cost devices.
Ideal User for Samsung Galaxy S22+ 5G:
- Users who want a better video and photography experience: Those who prioritize video recording and optical zoom.
- Outdoor users: Those who need a screen that's highly visible in sunlight.
- Users who value software updates: Those who want a device that stays up to date.
- Tech enthusiasts: Users who want the latest technologies, like the e-sim functionality and reverse wireless charging capabilities.
- Users who need a more durable smartphone: Those who are more prone to dropping their phones and require better screen protection.
- Users who need the best camera experience.
Use Cases:
- OnePlus 9: Ideal for power users who need fast charging and multimedia consumption on the go.
- Samsung Galaxy S22+ 5G: Suited for travel, photography and videography, and those who need to use their phone under bright conditions.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- How important is fast charging versus battery life?
- How crucial is a brighter screen for outdoor use?
- Is the optical zoom lens a requirement, or is a high-quality main and wide angle camera enough?
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Frequent traveler needing all-day power and fast charging: The OnePlus 9's faster charging makes it a better choice.
- Scenario 2: Outdoor photographer who uses the phone in bright sunlight: The S22+'s brighter screen is a crucial advantage.
- Scenario 3: Average user that needs a well-rounded experience with a good camera: The S22+ has an advantage due to its better software, camera, and screen protection.
Personal Choice and Explanation
My Choice: Samsung Galaxy S22+ 5G
Despite the OnePlus 9's faster charging and slightly superior main camera on paper, the Samsung Galaxy S22+ 5G is the superior choice for me for a few key reasons:
- Brighter Display: I frequently use my phone outdoors in bright sunlight, so the significantly brighter display of the S22+ is a major benefit, making the screen much more visible and enjoyable to use.
- Telephoto Lens & Optical Zoom: As someone who likes to take photos on the go, the optical zoom capability of the S22+ provides much more flexibility and image quality. The lack of this feature on the OnePlus 9 would be a constant disadvantage.
- Software Support and Future-Proofing: The longer software update support on the S22+ ensures the phone remains secure and has access to the latest features for longer, giving it a longer life-span.
- Better camera: The DxoMark scores show that the S22+ has a significantly better camera than the OnePlus 9.
- Better Build Quality and Durability: The Corning Gorilla Glass Victus+ screen is far more resistant to scratches and drops, providing better protection.
While the faster charging on the OnePlus 9 is appealing, the overall improvements in display technology, camera versatility, and software support on the Samsung Galaxy S22+ 5G are more valuable to me for everyday usage, thus making it a better investment. The added benefits of the eSIM, reverse wireless charging and additional sensors also add a layer of flexibility that I value.
