Smartphone Comparison: OnePlus 9 vs. ZTE Blade A75 4G
1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | OnePlus 9 | ZTE Blade A75 4G | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 160 × 74.2 × 8.7 mm | 164.1 × 75.8 × 8.6 mm | OnePlus 9 is slightly more compact; the difference is unlikely to be significant in everyday use. |
| Weight | 192g | 189g | Weight difference is negligible; both phones will feel similar in hand. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.55" | 6.6" | Nearly identical; negligible difference for most users |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 720x1612 | OnePlus 9 will have noticeably sharper text, images, and videos. |
| PPI | 402 | 267 | OnePlus 9 provides a significantly sharper and clearer display with higher pixel density. |
| Technology | AMOLED | IPS LCD | OnePlus 9 offers deeper blacks, higher contrast, and more vibrant colors; better for media consumption. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 90Hz | OnePlus 9 provides smoother scrolling and animations. |
| Brightness | 1100 nits | 0 nits | OnePlus 9 is significantly better for outdoor visibility in bright sunlight. ZTE has no brightness information available, implying very poor performance. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 5G (5 nm) | Unisoc T606 (12 nm) | OnePlus 9 offers vastly superior performance for gaming, multitasking, and app loading. |
| AnTuTu Score | 880,900 | 240,000 | OnePlus 9 is significantly faster and more future-proof than ZTE Blade A75 4G. |
| GPU | Adreno 660 | Mali-G57 MP1 | OnePlus 9 will provide a much smoother and richer experience in graphically intense applications. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 4500mAh | 5000mAh | ZTE Blade A75 4G might offer slightly longer battery life due to larger battery capacity. |
| Charging | 65W Fast Charging | 22.5W Fast Charging | OnePlus 9 charges much faster, reducing downtime. |
| Features | 15W Wireless Charging, Non-removable | Non-removable | OnePlus 9 can be charged wirelessly offering more convenience. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 48MP, f/1.79, 1/1.4" sensor, Sony IMX689 | 50MP, f/1.8, sensor model unknown | OnePlus 9 offers a larger sensor with better low-light performance; ZTE's main camera sensor is unknown. |
| Selfie Camera | 16MP, f/2.4, 1/3.13" sensor, Sony IMX471 Exmor RS | 8MP, sensor model unknown | OnePlus 9 takes significantly higher resolution selfies. ZTE selfie camera sensor is unknown. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 50MP, f/2.2, 1/1.56" sensor, Sony IMX766 | Not present | OnePlus 9 provides an extra camera for wide angle shots. |
| Black & White Lens | 2MP, f/2.4, sensor model unknown | Not present | OnePlus 9 offers an additional specialized lens. |
| Video | Up to 8K@30fps | Up to 1080p@30fps | OnePlus 9 offers superior video recording quality, with higher resolution and frame rates. |
| Camera Features | 4K 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 bits | Digital zoom, Dual camera, Digital image stabilization, Autofocus, Touch focus, Phase detection autofocus (PDAF), Continuous shooting, Geotagging, Panorama, HDR, Face detection, White balance settings, ISO settings, Exposure compensation, Scene mode, Self-timer | OnePlus 9 has more advanced video recording capabilities and manual control for better photography. ZTE lacks features including 4K/8K recording and manual controls. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 (upgradable to 13) | Android 13 | ZTE has a more recent OS out of the box, but may not receive updates. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6, MIMO | Wi-Fi 5 | OnePlus 9 has faster Wi-Fi speeds and better performance in crowded networks. |
| Bluetooth | 5.2, aptX, LDAC, SBC, AAC | 5.0 | OnePlus 9 offers better audio quality and a more reliable connection with supported devices. |
| GPS | GPS (L1+L5), BeiDou (B1), Galileo (E1+E5a), BeiDou (B2) | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | OnePlus 9 provides more accurate location tracking, particularly in urban environments. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 128/256 GB | 128/256 GB | Both offer similar storage options. |
| RAM | 8/12 GB | 4/8 GB | OnePlus 9 offers significantly more RAM for better multitasking and performance. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither phone supports microSD card expansion. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Dolby Atmos, Stereo Speakers | DTS / DTS X | OnePlus 9 provides richer audio quality with stereo speakers, Dolby Atmos and additional microphones. |
| Security | |||
| Features | Basic fingerprint sensor | Side-mounted fingerprint sensor | ZTE Blade A75 4G offers a more convenient and modern side mounted fingerprint sensor. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | Unknown | OnePlus 9 has better protection against scratches and cracks. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Proximity, Fingerprint | Accelerometer, Gyroscope, Proximity, Fingerprint | OnePlus 9 offers a more comprehensive sensor suite |
2. Key Differences Analysis
OnePlus 9 Advantages:
- Superior Display: AMOLED, high resolution, 120Hz refresh rate, and high brightness offer a premium visual experience for media consumption and everyday use.
- Significantly Higher Performance: Snapdragon 888 chipset provides exceptional performance for demanding tasks, multitasking, and gaming, making the phone feel faster and more responsive.
- Advanced Camera System: Triple camera with a large main sensor, wide angle lens and advanced video recording capabilities.
- Faster Charging: Significantly faster 65W charging, combined with 15W wireless charging is very convenient.
- Enhanced Audio: Stereo speakers with Dolby Atmos provide a richer and more immersive sound experience, along with clearer calls.
- More RAM: More RAM for smoother multitasking and running multiple apps simultaneously.
- Better Connectivity: Faster and more reliable Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.2.
- More Sensors: Has a more complete sensor suite including a compass sensor.
- Screen Protection: Corning Gorilla Glass 5 offers superior screen durability.
ZTE Blade A75 4G Advantages:
- Larger Battery: Offers a slightly larger battery, which may provide better battery endurance.
- More Recent Android Version: Ships with Android 13 out of the box, but with no information regarding future updates
- Side-mounted fingerprint sensor: Side mounted fingerprint sensor provides a more modern and convenient unlocking mechanism.
Practical Implications and Trade-offs:
- The OnePlus 9 is a performance-oriented phone with a focus on speed and a high-quality user experience, while the ZTE Blade A75 4G is an entry level phone.
- The ZTE Blade A75 4G may appeal to users looking for a budget friendly phone with decent battery life.
- The OnePlus 9 is better suited for multimedia, gaming, and power users.
- The ZTE Blade A75 4G has a lower-quality display, weaker performance and camera.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
OnePlus 9 Ideal User:
- Power Users: Individuals who demand high performance for gaming, multitasking, and demanding apps.
- Multimedia Enthusiasts: Users who watch a lot of videos, play games, or edit photos and videos.
- Photography Buffs: Those who want a versatile camera system with high-quality image and video capture.
- Tech Savvy Users: People who appreciate advanced features, faster connectivity, and a premium user experience.
OnePlus 9 Use Cases:
- Gaming with high frame rates and graphics
- Video editing and content creation
- Smooth multitasking between multiple apps
- Enjoying high quality movies, TV shows, and other videos
- Capturing high-resolution photos and videos
ZTE Blade A75 4G Ideal User:
- Budget-Conscious Users: Individuals seeking an affordable phone for basic communication and everyday tasks.
- Light Smartphone Users: Those who primarily use their phone for calls, texts, social media and basic apps.
- Users Focused on Battery Life: Individuals who prioritize longer battery life and are not concerned with performance and quality.
- First-Time Smartphone Users: Users looking for a simple, easy to use smartphone.
ZTE Blade A75 4G Use Cases:
- Basic social media and web browsing
- Casual gaming
- Making calls and sending texts
- Using basic apps like navigation or music streaming
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions to Consider:
- Budget: What is your budget, and how much are you willing to spend on a smartphone?
- Performance Needs: How important is performance and speed for your daily usage? Are you a heavy gamer or multimedia user?
- Camera Requirements: How important is photo and video quality? Do you need advanced camera features or just a basic camera?
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Performance and Quality Matter Most: If you need a phone that can handle heavy tasks, provides an excellent display, and takes high-quality photos, the OnePlus 9 is the clear choice.
- Scenario 2: Budget is the Primary Concern: If you're on a tight budget and only need basic functionality, the ZTE Blade A75 4G is the more affordable option. However, be aware that performance, display quality, and camera capabilities are vastly inferior.
- Scenario 3: A Balance of Price and Battery: If you are looking for a decent budget option with decent battery life the ZTE Blade A75 4G is your better option, but will compromise significantly on performance and display quality.
Personal Choice
If I were choosing, I would overwhelmingly choose the OnePlus 9. The performance difference is astronomical, thanks to the Snapdragon 888. This means a much smoother experience in virtually all tasks, from scrolling through social media to playing demanding games. The AMOLED screen is much more enjoyable to use for consuming content and the significantly better main and wide angle cameras mean I would enjoy taking pictures much more. The inclusion of wireless charging and much faster 65W charging are also big factors for convenience. Although the ZTE offers a slightly larger battery, the differences in the overall user experience and performance are massive. The benefits of the OnePlus far outweigh the convenience of a slightly larger battery capacity.
