OnePlus 9 vs Xiaomi Redmi A2+ - Detailed Phone Comparison

Detailed Comparison

Specification
OnePlus 9
OnePlus 9
Oneplus

General

Launch Date March 26, 2021 March 24, 2023
Release Year 2021 2023

Physical

Volume 103.29 cm³ 115.25 cm³
Screen Size to Weight Ratio 3.41 "/g 3.4 "/g
Weight 192 g 192 g
Height 160 mm 164.9 mm
Width 74.2 mm 76.8 mm
Thickness 8.7 mm 9.1 mm
Foldable Design No No
Available Colors
  • Winter Mist
  • Arctic Sky
  • Astral Black
  • Aqua Blue
  • Classic Black
  • Sea Green

Display

Screen Size 6.55 " 6.52 "
Resolution 1080 x 2400 720 x 1600
Aspect Ratio 20:9 20:9
Screen-to-Body Ratio 87.2 % 81 %
Pixel Density 402 PPI 269 PPI
Refresh Rate 120 Hz N/A
Typical Brightness N/A 400 nits
HBM Brightness N/A N/A
Peak Brightness 1100 nits N/A

Hardware

Battery Capacity per Screen Area 104.89 mAh/in² 117.62 mAh/in²
Battery Density 43.57 mAh/cm³ 43.39 mAh/cm³
Battery Capacity 4500 mAh 5000 mAh
NFC Support Yes No
Chipset Qualcomm SM8350 Snapdragon 888 5G (5 nm) Mediatek Helio G36 (12 nm)
CPU Octa-core (1x2.84 GHz Cortex-X1 & 3x2.42 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A55) Octa-core (4x2.2 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.7 GHz Cortex-A53)
GPU Adreno 660 PowerVR GE8320

Connectivity

USB Version 3.1 2.0
OTG Support 1
DisplayPort
DisplayPort Version N/A N/A
USB Features USB Type-C 3.1, OTG microUSB 2.0

Software

Operating System Android Android
Initial OS Version 11 12
Maximum OS Version 13

Comparison Summary

1. Specifications Comparison

FeatureOnePlus 9Xiaomi Redmi A2+Practical Impact
Design
Dimensions160 × 74.2 × 8.7 mm164.9 × 76.8 × 9.1 mmXiaomi Redmi A2+ is larger and slightly thicker, may feel less ergonomic.
Weight192g192gIdentical weight; both feel similar in hand regarding heft.
Display
Size6.55"6.52"Negligible difference in screen size; both feel similar in terms of usable area.
Resolution1080x2400720x1600OnePlus 9 offers significantly sharper text and images; better for detailed content.
PPI402269OnePlus 9 has a noticeably crisper display, crucial for viewing high-resolution content.
TechnologyAMOLEDIPS LCDOnePlus 9 offers better contrast, deeper blacks, and more vibrant colors, enhancing the viewing experience.
Refresh Rate120Hz60HzOnePlus 9 offers smoother scrolling and animations, making the interface feel more responsive.
Brightness1100 nits0 nitsOnePlus 9 has much better outdoor visibility in bright sunlight. Redmi A2+ brightness is not specified but likely much lower, making outdoor use difficult.
Performance
ChipsetQualcomm SM8350 Snapdragon 888 5G (5 nm)Mediatek Helio G36 (12 nm)OnePlus 9 offers vastly superior performance for demanding tasks, gaming, and future-proofing.
AnTuTu Score880,900127,000OnePlus 9 is significantly faster and smoother in all tasks; offers a far superior user experience in performance and responsiveness.
GPUAdreno 660PowerVR GE8320OnePlus 9 has a much more capable GPU, crucial for smoother graphics in gaming and demanding applications.
Camera
Rear Standard Camera48MP, f/1.79, 1/1.4", Sony IMX689, 1.12 µm pixel8MP, f/2.0OnePlus 9 captures much more detail, performs better in low light, and produces higher quality images.
Rear Wide Angle Camera50MP, f/2.2, 1/1.56", Sony IMX766, 1.00 µm pixelNot availableOnePlus 9 offers the option for wide-angle photography with a dedicated lens.
Rear Black & White Camera2MP, f/2.4Not availableOnePlus 9 has a dedicated monochrome sensor which can be used for black-and-white photography.
Front Camera16MP, f/2.4, 1/3.13", Sony IMX471, 1.00 µm pixel5MP, f/2.2OnePlus 9 takes sharper selfies with better detail.
Video RecordingUp to 8K@30fpsUp to 1080p@30fpsOnePlus 9 offers professional-grade video capabilities with higher resolution and more features, great for video enthusiasts.
Features4K Video, 8K Video, Digital zoom, Triple camera, Digital image stabilization, Ultra stable video, Autofocus, Touch focus, Manual focus, Phase detection autofocus (PDAF), Contrast detection autofocus (CDAF), Continuous shooting, Geotagging, Panorama, HDR, Face detection, White balance settings, ISO settings, Exposure compensation, Scene mode, Self-timer, Night Mode, RAW 12 bitsDigital zoom, Dual camera, Autofocus, Touch focus, Manual focus, Continuous shooting, Geotagging, Panorama, HDR, Face detection, White balance settings, ISO settings, Exposure compensation, Scene mode, Self-timerOnePlus 9 has a far superior set of camera features, including advanced focusing, night mode and higher resolution video capture.
Battery
Capacity4500mAh5000mAhXiaomi Redmi A2+ may offer slightly longer battery life due to the higher capacity, but it is hard to know for sure without testing due to the significantly different chipsets and display technologies.
Charging65W fast charging, 15W Wireless Charging10W fast chargingOnePlus 9 charges much faster and offers wireless charging for greater convenience.
Software
OSAndroid 11, upgradable to 13Android 12, no max. version mentionedOnePlus 9 has a newer version of Android available, while the max version of the A2+ is not specified which is a concern.
Connectivity
Wi-FiWi-Fi 6, Dual band, MiMOWi-Fi 4, Single bandOnePlus 9 has a superior Wi-Fi with better performance in all scenarios.
Bluetooth5.2, APT-x, LDAC, SBC, AAC5.0, EDROnePlus 9 offers newer standards with better performance and greater audio quality support.
GPSGPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo, GPS (L1+L5), BeiDou (B1), Galileo (E1+E5a), BeiDou (B2)GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, BeidouOnePlus 9 has a superior set of GPS systems for much greater location accuracy.
Storage
Internal Storage128 GB or 256 GBNot specifiedOnePlus 9 comes with considerably larger storage options which is essential for storing photos, videos and other files.
RAM8 GB or 12 GBNot specifiedOnePlus 9 has a much larger ram capacity which is key for multitasking and performance.
Expandable StorageNoNoNeither device allows external storage expansion, limiting storage.
Audio
QualityDolby Atmos, Noise cancellation microphone, Stereo Speakers, 3 microphonesBasic audio featuresOnePlus 9 has a superior audio system, enhancing music, videos, and call quality.
Security
Fingerprint SensorBasicRear-mountedBoth phones have fingerprint sensors for biometric security.
Build Quality
Screen ProtectionCorning Gorilla Glass 5Not specifiedOnePlus 9 has better scratch and impact resistance.
Sensors
SensorsFingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, GyroscopeFingerprint, Accelerometer, Ultrasonic proximity virtual, GravityOnePlus 9 has additional sensors suitable for a better user experience.

2. Key Differences Analysis

OnePlus 9 Advantages:

  • Superior Display: AMOLED screen with higher resolution, refresh rate, and brightness, offering a significantly better viewing experience.
  • Much Faster Performance: Flagship-level Snapdragon 888 chipset provides exceptional speed, ideal for gaming, multitasking, and demanding apps.
  • Professional-Grade Camera: Higher resolution sensors, wide-angle lens, advanced features, and 8K video capabilities for higher quality and versatility.
  • Fast Charging: 65W fast charging and 15W wireless charging ensure rapid power replenishment and convenience.
  • Enhanced Audio: Dolby Atmos, stereo speakers, and noise-canceling microphone provide a superior audio experience.
  • More Advanced Connectivity: Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.2 offer faster and more stable wireless connections.
  • More Sensors: Additional sensors such as compass, gyroscope, and better GPS systems enhance functionality.
  • Better Build Quality: Includes Corning Gorilla Glass 5 for better protection against damage.

Xiaomi Redmi A2+ Advantages:

  • Potentially Longer Battery Life: Larger battery capacity may offer longer usage between charges (although the battery life depends on the processor usage).
  • Lower Price: Likely to be more affordable than the OnePlus 9.

Trade-offs:

  • OnePlus 9: Higher price point.
  • Xiaomi Redmi A2+: Significantly lower performance, poorer display quality, inferior cameras, and a slower charging speed compared to OnePlus 9.

3. User Profiles & Recommendations

OnePlus 9 is Ideal For:

  • Power Users: Users who demand fast performance, smooth multitasking, and excellent gaming capabilities.
  • Photography Enthusiasts: Users who value high-quality photos and videos, with versatile features like wide-angle and 8K recording.
  • Multimedia Consumers: Users who want the best possible viewing experience with vibrant colors, high refresh rates, and great brightness.
  • Users who value fast charging and wireless charging convenience.
  • Users who value superior connectivity and faster Wi-Fi.

Use Cases:

*   Playing graphically intensive games.
*   Editing photos and videos on the go.
*   Watching high-resolution videos and movies.
*   Using the phone for productivity and business tasks, which require speed and responsiveness.

Xiaomi Redmi A2+ is Ideal For:

  • Budget-Conscious Users: Users who need a basic smartphone for everyday tasks at a low price.
  • Casual Users: Users who primarily use their phone for calls, texts, social media browsing, and light app usage.
  • Users who prioritize battery life above performance: Due to the larger battery capacity, although this is not guaranteed.

Use Cases:

*   Basic web browsing and social media.
*   Making calls and sending texts.
*   Simple, non-demanding applications.
*   Users who don't need high-resolution and high-brightness displays.

Price-to-Value Ratio:

  • OnePlus 9: Offers a premium experience at a higher price. Delivers excellent performance and quality for the price.
  • Xiaomi Redmi A2+: Offers basic functionality at a lower cost. It may be a good budget-friendly option for basic tasks if performance isn't a priority.

4. Decision Framework

Key Questions to Consider:

  1. What is your budget? The OnePlus 9 is a premium device, while the Redmi A2+ is a budget option.
  2. What do you prioritize in a phone? Performance and camera quality or basic functionality and battery life?
  3. What are your main use cases? Gaming and video editing or basic browsing and calls?

Scenario-Based Recommendations:

  • Scenario 1: Performance and Camera are Crucial: If you need top-tier performance, a high-quality camera, and a great display, the OnePlus 9 is the clear choice.
  • Scenario 2: Budget is the Primary Concern: If cost is the primary factor and you only need basic functionality, the Xiaomi Redmi A2+ may suffice.
  • Scenario 3: Balanced Needs: If you need a phone that does everything well, including good performance, the OnePlus 9 is better value despite its higher price. The Redmi A2+ has too many compromises.

My Choice

I would choose the OnePlus 9. The Redmi A2+ is simply too basic and makes too many compromises. While the OnePlus 9 is older, it still has a premium chipset, vastly superior camera features, a much better screen, faster charging, and far more functionality overall. The difference in user experience is massive, and for me, the increased cost is justified by the performance and quality advantages it provides. The OnePlus 9 delivers a more well-rounded and future-proof experience, especially considering that it is capable of running newer versions of Android. The Redmi A2+, on the other hand, is too compromised in areas I value to be considered worth buying.

Emily Harper
Emily Harper

Technology Insights Specialist

Dedicated technology writer specializing in mobile device analysis and technology communication. Expert at translating complex smartphone features into clear, actionable insights for diverse audiences.

Key Strengths:

  • Mobile technology analysis
  • Digital media communication
  • Technical storytelling
  • User-centric technology insights

Bridging technical complexity with engaging, accessible narratives.