Smartphone Comparison: OnePlus 9 vs. Samsung Galaxy S23 FE
1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | OnePlus 9 | Samsung Galaxy S23 FE | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Launch Date | 2021-03-26 | 2023-10-05 | S23 FE is significantly newer, likely offering longer software support. |
| Dimensions | 160 x 74.2 x 8.7 mm | 158 x 76.5 x 8.2 mm | OnePlus 9 is slightly taller and thicker, S23 FE is wider. May affect one-handed use. |
| Weight | 192g | 209g | OnePlus 9 is lighter, potentially more comfortable for extended use. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.55" | 6.4" | OnePlus 9 offers a slightly larger display, which some users may find more immersive for media consumption. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2340 | Both offer sharp visuals; the minor difference is unlikely to be noticeable to the human eye. |
| PPI | 402 | 403 | Both provide very similar pixel density, resulting in similar sharpness. |
| Technology | AMOLED | AMOLED | Both offer vibrant colors and deep blacks common with AMOLED technology. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | Both offer smooth scrolling and animations. |
| Brightness | 1100 nits | 0 nits | OnePlus 9 has significantly higher brightness, making it much more usable in direct sunlight. The value for Samsung Galaxy S23 FE is missing, and is a data entry error. Assuming the display is bright, the oneplus 9 would be visibly better in direct sunlight. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Snapdragon 888 (5 nm) | Exynos 2200 (4 nm) - International | Different chipsets: S23 FE's Exynos 2200 offers higher benchmark scores but real-world performance differences depend on optimization. |
| AnTuTu Score | 880,900 | 1,188,176 | S23 FE demonstrates higher performance in benchmarks. |
| GPU | Adreno 660 | Xclipse 920 - International | Different GPUs, performance varies by the application. S23 FE might offer slightly improved gaming performance based on benchmark scores. |
| Camera | |||
| Standard | 48MP, f/1.79, 1/1.4", IMX689 | 50MP, f/1.8, 1/1.57", Samsung GN3 | OnePlus 9's larger sensor (1/1.4") may perform slightly better in low light. S23 FE's higher resolution may offer slightly more detail. |
| Telephoto | None | 8MP, f/2.0, Hynix HI-847 | S23 FE offers dedicated telephoto zoom capabilities for better zoomed-in shots. |
| Selfie | 16MP, f/2.4, 1/3.13", IMX471 | 10.8MP, f/2.4, 1/2.65", S5K3J1 | OnePlus 9 has higher resolution, but the S23 FE has larger pixel size, which may result in better low-light selfies. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 50MP, f/2.2, 1/1.56", IMX766 | None | OnePlus 9 offers a dedicated wide-angle lens for capturing more in a scene. |
| Wide Angle+Macro | None | 13MP, f/2.2, 1/3.1", S5K3L6 | S23 FE has a combined wide angle and macro lens, allowing for detailed close-ups. |
| Black & White | 2MP, f/2.4 | None | OnePlus 9 offers a dedicated black and white sensor. |
| Video | Up to 8K@30fps with HDR, EIS | Up to 8K@24fps with OIS | Both offer 8K video; S23 FE has OIS (Optical Image Stabilization) while OnePlus 9 has EIS (Electronic Image Stabilization), which may translate to smoother videos in the S23 FE. |
| DXOMark Score | N/A | 127 (Mobile), 124 (Photo), 131 (Video) | S23 FE's camera performance has been measured by DXOMark, offering concrete performance metrics. No data available for OnePlus 9. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 4500mAh | 4500mAh | Both offer similar battery capacities, but real-world endurance will depend on software and usage. |
| Charging | 65W fast, Li-Polymer | 25W fast, Li-Ion | OnePlus 9 offers significantly faster charging speeds, quickly topping up the battery. |
| Features | 15W Wireless Charging | 15W Wireless, Reverse Wireless, No charger in-box | Both support wireless charging, S23 FE supports reverse wireless charging and doesn't include a charger. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11, max 13 | Android 13, max 17 | S23 FE ships with a newer version of Android, ensuring longer support and features from Samsung. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6 | Wi-Fi 6 | Both offer similar modern Wi-Fi standards. |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.2 | Bluetooth 5.3 | S23 FE has a newer Bluetooth version which should offer improved connection stability and lower power consumption. |
| GPS | GPS (L1+L5), Beidou (B1, B2), Galileo (E1+E5a) | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | OnePlus 9 has a wider range of GPS standards which could offer more accurate location. |
| SIM | Dual Nano-SIM | Dual Nano-SIM | Both support dual SIM functionality. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 128/256GB | 128/256GB | Both offer similar storage options. |
| RAM | 8/12GB | 8GB | OnePlus 9 offers a 12GB RAM option for users that need more multitasking capabilities. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither supports expandable storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Dolby Atmos, Stereo Speakers, 3 mics | Dolby Atmos, Stereo Speakers | Both offer stereo speakers and Dolby Atmos. OnePlus 9 offers 3 microphones, which can improve call quality and audio capture. |
| Security | |||
| Features | Fingerprint | Fingerprint | Both use a fingerprint sensor for biometric security. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Protection | Gorilla Glass 5 | Gorilla Glass 5 | Both offer similar screen protection. |
| Sensors | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Geomagnetic | S23 FE includes Geomagnetic which could be useful for navigation and AR applications. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
OnePlus 9 Advantages:
- Brighter Display: Significantly higher peak brightness (1100 nits vs. 0 nits, which likely a data issue) provides better visibility in outdoor sunlight, although the value for S23 FE is most likely a data entry error.
- Faster Charging: 65W charging is much faster than the S23 FE's 25W charging, a massive improvement in user convenience.
- More RAM Option: 12GB RAM is available, providing better multitasking and future-proofing, this comes at an additional price.
- Wider range of GPS Standards: Better accuracy when locating your position.
- More Microphones: Improves call quality and clarity.
- Wider Angle Lens: Provides a dedicated ultrawide lens for better photography.
Practical Implications for OnePlus 9 Advantages:
* Quicker battery refills for people who are always on the go.
* Better performance for people who use demanding apps or play heavy games.
* More flexibility when capturing landscape photos.
Samsung Galaxy S23 FE Advantages:
- Newer Chipset: The Exynos 2200 offers better benchmark performance than the Snapdragon 888, which could lead to a smoother experience.
- Telephoto Lens: Offers dedicated optical zoom capabilities, which the OnePlus 9 lacks.
- Optical Image Stabilization (OIS): Offers superior video stabilization compared to OnePlus 9's EIS.
- Wide Angle + Macro Lens: A versatile lens to get both wide and close up shots.
- Newer OS: Ships with a more recent version of Android (13 vs 11), offering a longer lifecycle and more up-to-date features.
- Reverse Wireless Charging: Can charge other devices wirelessly.
- DXOMark Camera Score: Shows measured camera performance, and offers metrics of its capabilities.
Practical Implications for Samsung Galaxy S23 FE Advantages:
- Smoother app performance, especially in demanding tasks, although both are performant enough for daily use.
- Flexibility for different kinds of photos and videos with additional lenses.
- Longer software support that will be key in the future.
- Can charge other devices or accessories on the go.
Significant Trade-Offs:
- OnePlus 9: Sacrifices zoom capabilities for a wider lens and an older chipset for faster charging.
- Samsung Galaxy S23 FE: Slower charging and lacks the flexibility in wide angle photography.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Ideal User for OnePlus 9:
- Speed-focused users: Those who prioritize charging speed and RAM capacity over zoom capabilities.
- Multimedia Consumers: Users who want a brighter display with a wider perspective, ideal for social media.
- Users on a budget: May be available at a lower price point due to being an older model.
Specific Use Cases for OnePlus 9:
- Long commutes/travel: Faster charging is essential for staying powered on the go.
- Outdoor use: Brighter display ensures readability in bright sunlight.
- Multi-tasking: 12 GB RAM is useful for handling multiple apps simultaneously.
Ideal User for Samsung Galaxy S23 FE:
- Photography enthusiasts: Users who value a versatile camera system with telephoto and OIS for better zoom.
- Future-proofers: Those who want the latest software and longer software support.
- Samsung ecosystem users: Integrates seamlessly with Samsung devices and services.
Specific Use Cases for Samsung Galaxy S23 FE:
- Travel and vacation photography: Telephoto and OIS are very useful for this.
- General photography: Users who want great all around camera quality
- Everyday video capture: OIS ensures smoother videos for vlogging and casual recording.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- What is your most important usage scenario for your phone? (e.g., speed/charging, photography, gaming, software updates)
- Are you ok with having slower charging speeds for better camera zoom capabilities?
- Is software support and future-proofing important to you?
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
Scenario 1: Charging & Speed is a Priority: If you value extremely fast charging and don't mind missing out on a telephoto lens, the OnePlus 9 is the better choice.
Scenario 2: Camera Versatility: If camera versatility, optical zoom, and overall image quality is paramount, and you are okay with slower charging, the Samsung Galaxy S23 FE is preferred.
Scenario 3: Future-Proofing If having the latest software is important, and having the longest software support, the Samsung Galaxy S23 FE is the better option.
Final Decision
If I were choosing, I would lean towards the Samsung Galaxy S23 FE. Here's why:
- Longer Software Support: The newer Android version is a significant advantage. I prefer longer support and the newer features offered by Samsung.
- Camera Versatility: The inclusion of a telephoto lens, wide angle + macro and OIS makes the camera setup of the S23 FE more appealing to me.
- Future Proofing: Newer chipset allows for better performance in more demanding scenarios as well as a more modern phone.
- Reverse Wireless Charging: A nice to have feature that I appreciate.
While the OnePlus 9's faster charging is tempting, the longer-term benefits of the Samsung's software and camera capabilities outweigh the speed benefits. The S23 FE offers a more well-rounded package.
