1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | OnePlus 9R | Samsung Galaxy A35 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 161 × 74.1 × 8.4 mm | 161.7 × 78 × 8.2 mm | OnePlus 9R is slightly narrower and thicker, while A35 is wider and thinner. The difference in hand feel will be minor, depending on personal preference. |
| Weight | 189g | 209g | OnePlus 9R is noticeably lighter, making it more comfortable for extended one-handed use. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.55" | 6.6" | Negligible difference. Both offer similar screen real estate. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2340 | Minor difference, essentially the same level of sharpness for everyday use. |
| Pixel Density | 402 PPI | 390 PPI | Virtually identical sharpness, images will appear crisp on both. |
| Technology | AMOLED | AMOLED | Both offer vibrant colors, deep blacks, and excellent contrast. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | Both provide smooth scrolling and animations. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 0 nits | Unable to determine actual brightness. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Snapdragon 870 (7 nm) | Exynos 1380 (5 nm) | Snapdragon 870 offers significantly better performance for gaming and demanding apps. |
| AnTuTu Score | 821,600 | 578,500 | OnePlus 9R will feel noticeably faster and smoother in daily use and heavy multitasking due to higher benchmark score |
| GPU | Adreno 650 | Mali-G68 MP5 | Adreno 650 offers better gaming performance. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 4500mAh | 5000mAh | Samsung Galaxy A35 will likely have longer battery life, especially under moderate to heavy usage. |
| Charging | 65W Fast Charging | 25W Fast Charging | OnePlus 9R charges much faster, reducing downtime. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 48MP, f/1.7, 1/2" sensor | 50MP, f/1.8, 1/1.96" sensor | Samsung A35 has a slightly higher resolution and larger sensor for potentially better low-light performance, OnePlus has wider aperture |
| Selfie Camera | 16MP, f/2.4, 1/3.13" sensor | 13MP, f/2.2 | OnePlus 9R has higher resolution selfie camera. Samsung has a wider aperture for better low light |
| Wide-Angle | 16MP, f/2.2, 1/3.09" sensor | 8MP, f/2.2 | OnePlus 9R captures more detail in wide-angle shots |
| Portrait (Depth) | 2MP, f/2.4 | Not available | OnePlus 9R has a dedicated depth sensor for better portrait effects. |
| Macro | 5MP, f/2.4 | 5MP, f/2.4 | Similar macro capabilities. |
| Video | 4K@60fps w/ HDR, EIS | 4K@30fps w/ EIS | OnePlus 9R offers more video recording options, including 4k at 60fps, also HDR. |
| DxOMark | N/A | Mobile: 104, Photo: 107, Video: 110 | Samsung A35 has a tested and rated camera. |
| Camera Features | Quad Camera, Manual, PDAF, RAW | Triple Camera, NPU, Ultra Stable Video, RAW 12-bits, DOL HDR | Samsung A35 includes additional features like Ultra Stable Video, AI, and RAW 12-bits |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 10 (Up to 13) | Android 14 (Up to 18) | Samsung A35 has a newer OS with better long-term software support. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6 | Wi-Fi 6 | Both support latest Wi-Fi standards. |
| Bluetooth | 5.1 | 5.3 | Samsung A35 has a newer Bluetooth version and more features. |
| GPS | GPS (L1+L5), BeiDou (B1), Galileo (E1+E5a) | GPS, QZSS | OnePlus 9R offers more precise GPS with dual-frequency GPS. |
| SIM | Dual Nano SIM | Dual Nano SIM | Both offer dual-SIM support. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 128GB or 256GB | 128GB or 256GB | Both offer same storage options. |
| RAM | 8GB or 12GB | 6GB or 8GB | OnePlus 9R offers more RAM for smoother multitasking. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither device supports external storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Dolby Atmos, Noise Cancellation | Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res Audio | Both offer great audio, but the 9R has a noise cancellation microphone while the A35 has Hi-Res Audio capability. |
| Security | |||
| Fingerprint | Basic Fingerprint Sensor | Basic Fingerprint Sensor | Both offer basic biometric security. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Unknown | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus | Samsung A35 offers better screen protection from scratches and drops. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Proximity | Accelerometer, Gyroscope, Hall, Geomagnetic, Ultrasonic Proximity Virtual | OnePlus 9R includes a Compass while A35 has additional sensors like Hall and Geomagnetic |
2. Key Differences Analysis
OnePlus 9R Advantages:
- Superior Performance: The Snapdragon 870 chipset offers significantly higher CPU and GPU performance than the Exynos 1380, leading to faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and better gaming experience.
- Faster Charging: 65W fast charging refills the battery much quicker than the 25W on the A35.
- Better Video Recording: Supports 4k@60fps HDR recording compared to only 4k@30fps for the Samsung A35.
- More RAM Options: 12GB RAM option allows for more intensive multitasking.
- Better Wide Angle Camera: The 16MP wide angle lens offers significantly more detail than the 8MP wide angle camera on the A35
- More Precise GPS: Dual-frequency GPS for better location accuracy.
- Additional Camera Features: Comes with a dedicated depth sensor for portrait shots, as well as Manual Focus and PDAF.
Samsung Galaxy A35 Advantages:
- Newer Software: Comes with Android 14 and a longer upgrade support window, ensuring up-to-date features and security.
- Larger Battery: Offers better battery life for extended usage.
- Better Screen Protection: Gorilla Glass Victus offers superior protection against scratches and drops.
- Tested Camera: Has a DXOMark score of 104, with a photo score of 107 and a video score of 110.
- More Bluetooth Features: Supports a wider range of bluetooth profiles
- Additional Camera Features: Includes features like Ultra Stable Video, AI and RAW 12-bits.
- Hi-Res Audio: Delivers better audio for the discerning listener.
Trade-offs:
- OnePlus 9R sacrifices battery life and may not be as durable as the Samsung Galaxy A35 due to the unknown screen protection, but offers faster charging and better performance.
- Samsung Galaxy A35 offers better battery, screen protection and a tested camera but doesn't have the processing power or the faster charging speeds of the OnePlus 9R
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
OnePlus 9R is Ideal For:
- Gamers: The Snapdragon 870 and Adreno 650 GPU provide a superior gaming experience.
- Power Users: Users who multitask heavily and need quick app loading will appreciate the extra RAM and processing power.
- Users Who Value Fast Charging: Those who need to quickly top up their phone's battery will find 65W charging extremely convenient.
- Video creators: The ability to shoot 4k@60fps makes it good for those who value the quality of the video output.
- Users Who want High Resolution Wide Angle Shots: The 16MP wide angle camera will produce much clearer images than the 8MP camera on the A35.
Samsung Galaxy A35 is Ideal For:
- Users Who Value Battery Life: Those who need their phone to last a full day or more.
- Users Concerned About Durability: Gorilla Glass Victus provides superior screen protection for those prone to dropping their phones.
- Users who want a newer OS: Comes with Android 14, and will receive Android OS upgrades for much longer.
- Users Who Value a Tested Camera: Has a tested and rated camera.
- Users who value a more feature rich camera: Includes features like Ultra Stable Video, AI and RAW 12-bits.
- Audiophiles: The inclusion of Hi-Res Audio will make this phone more appealing for listening to high quality audio.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- Performance vs. Battery Life: Do you prioritize raw processing power and fast charging, or longer battery life and durability?
- Software Support: Do you value the latest software and long term software support over slightly older software with less guaranteed updates?
- Camera Capabilities: Do you value a more reliable and tested camera with more camera feature, or better quality images on some of the lenses?
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
Scenario 1: Mobile Gaming Enthusiast
- Recommendation: OnePlus 9R. The superior chipset, GPU and faster refresh rate will provide a more enjoyable gaming experience.
Scenario 2: Heavy Daily User Needing All-Day Battery
- Recommendation: Samsung Galaxy A35. The larger battery will ensure that the phone will last throughout the day, while the stronger screen will protect it from accidental drops.
Scenario 3: Content Creator Who Uses Their Phone As Their Primary Camera
- Recommendation: Tie. The OnePlus 9R has superior video recording capabilities while the Samsung A35 has a better overall and more feature rich camera.
What I Would Choose and Why
If I were choosing between these two phones, I would personally lean towards the OnePlus 9R.
Here's why:
- Performance: As someone who often uses my phone for gaming and multitasking, the Snapdragon 870's superior performance is a significant advantage.
- Charging Speed: The 65W fast charging would allow me to quickly top up my battery and is a feature I value highly.
- Video Recording: The ability to record 4k video at 60fps is a big bonus for recording family and travel videos.
- More RAM: Having the option of 12GB of ram would be ideal for my daily use.
- Wide Angle Camera: The much better 16MP wide angle camera would be important to me.
While the Samsung Galaxy A35 has some great features like a larger battery, newer software and Hi-Res Audio, the performance difference is too significant for me to ignore. The unknown durability of the screen is a risk, but for my specific needs and use case, the OnePlus 9R is a better fit.
