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What we think
The PerfectRec phone team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
If a high-quality camera is important to you, the Google Pixel 6a offers better photo and video quality than the OnePlus 9. The Pixel 6a also provides longer battery life which means less frequent charging throughout the day, but comes with a lower screen refresh rate, which means less smooth scrolling and animation compared to the OnePlus 9's higher refresh rate. The OnePlus 9 has a slightly larger screen and a glass back, which might feel more premium than the plastic back of the Pixel 6a, while also offering better performance for more demanding apps and games. If budget is your main concern, and you prefer a more premium feel with a slightly larger screen and smoother performance, the OnePlus 9 could be the right choice for you. However, if you're willing to pay a bit more for improved camera quality and longer battery life, the Google Pixel 6a may be the better option. Both phones run on the Android operating system. Give Feedback
this description is based on the product variant with some specs and product variant with some specs. At the time of writing, the variant with some specs cost some dollars and the variant with some specs cost some dollars.
Advantages of the Google Pixel 6a
- Good for taking photos
- Good for recording videos
- Good battery life
Advantages of the OnePlus 9
- The OnePlus 9 has no clear advantages over the Google Pixel 6a.
Key differences
Overall Camera Quality
7.6
7.0
The Google Pixel 6a and OnePlus 9 both have good overall camera quality, though the Google Pixel 6a has somewhat better overall camera quality.
The Google Pixel 6a offers a superior photo-taking experience with better image processing software and dynamic range, especially noticeable in low light conditions and for selfie photos, while the OnePlus 9 provides fair camera performance with somewhat lower capabilities in these areas. While both phones handle video reasonably well, the Pixel 6a stands out due to better video software experience and dynamic range, although the OnePlus 9 maintains comparable mic quality for audio recording.
Photo Quality
7.4
6.7
The Google Pixel 6a takes good photos, while the OnePlus 9 takes only fair photos.
The Google Pixel 6a delivers very good selfies due to its superior software experience and respectable dynamic range, which together enhance the overall image quality and consistency. In contrast, the OnePlus 9 takes fair photos, where it lags notably behind in selfie quality, which might be attributed to less effective photo processing and dynamic range capabilities.
Video Quality
7.2
5.9
The Google Pixel 6a takes good videos, while the OnePlus 9 takes poor videos.
The Google Pixel 6a offers a better video software experience, stabilization, dynamic range, and low-light performance, contributing to its good video capabilities, along with decent microphone quality. The OnePlus 9, while having similar microphone quality, provides only fair video functionality due to its lesser video stabilization and dynamic range, with lower performance in low-light scenarios.
Battery
7.6 Hours
6.9 Hours
The Google Pixel 6a has 7.6 hours of battery life. The OnePlus 9 has 6.9 hours of battery life.
Screen Size
The Google Pixel 6a has a screen size of 6.1 inches and the OnePlus 9 is 6.55 inches.
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Key similarities
Cost
$400
$399
$200
$300
$400
$500
$600
The Google Pixel 6a has a price of $400 and the OnePlus 9 costs $399.
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How the Google Pixel 6a and the OnePlus 9 compare to other phones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Google Pixel 6a | OnePlus 9 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$400 | $399 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | OnePlus | ||
Operating System | |||
Operating System | Android | Android | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | July 21, 2022 | March 26, 2021 | |
SCREEN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Screen Size | |||
Screen Size | 6.1" | 6.55" | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 2400 x 1080 | 2400 x 1080 | |
Variable refresh rate | |||
Variable refresh rate | No | No | |
Pixels Per Inch | |||
Pixels Per Inch | 429 | 402 | |
Display Type | |||
Display Type | OLED | OLED | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | Tensor | SD888 | |
Internal Storage | |||
Internal Storage | 128 GB | 128 GB | |
RAM | |||
RAM | 6 GB | 8 GB | |
CAMERA | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Overall Camera Quality Score | |||
Overall Camera Quality Score | 7.6/10 | 7/10 | |
Photos Score | |||
Photos Score | 7.5/10 | 6.8/10 | |
Videos Score | |||
Videos Score | 7.3/10 | 5.9/10 | |
Rear Cameras | |||
Rear Cameras | Main, Ultrawide | Main, Ultrawide | |
Main Camera | |||
Main Camera | 12.2 megapixels + OIS | 48 megapixels | |
BATTERY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery Life | |||
Battery Life | 7.6 Hours | 6.9 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 4410 mAh | 4500 mAh | |
Wireless Charging | |||
Wireless Charging | No | Yes | |
Wireless charging Speed | |||
Wireless charging Speed | 0 W | 15 W | |
Reverse wireless charging | |||
Reverse wireless charging | No | No | |
PHYSICAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Size | |||
Size | 5.99" x 2.83" | 6.29" x 2.92" | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 6.28 oz | 6.77 oz | |
Back Material | |||
Back Material | Plastic | Glass | |
Stereo Speakers | |||
Stereo Speakers | No | No | |
CONNECTIVITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Dual SIM | |||
Dual SIM | Yes | No | |
Bluetooth Version | |||
Bluetooth Version | 5.2 | 5.2 | |
A2DP | |||
A2DP | Yes | Yes | |
WiFi Version | |||
WiFi Version | 6e | 6 | |
NFC | |||
NFC | Yes | Yes | |
US 5G Bands | |||
US 5G Bands | (SA/NSA/Sub6/mmWave) 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 14, 20, 25, 28, 30, 38, 40, 41, 48, 66, 71, 77, 78, 257, 258, 260, 261 (SA/NSA/Sub6) 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 14, 20, 25, 28, 30, 38, 40, 41, 48, 66, 71, 77, 78 | (SA/NSA/Sub6)1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 25, 28, 38, 40, 41, 48, 66, 71, 77, 78 | |
OTHER FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Biometric unlock | |||
Biometric unlock | Fingerprint sensor: Under Display | Face unlock, Fingerprint sensor: Under Display | |
Unlockable Bootloader | |||
Unlockable Bootloader | Yes (Except Verizon Models) | Yes | |
Color | |||
Color | Chalk, Sage, Charcoal | Astral Black, Arctic Sky, Winter Mist | |
Stock Android | |||
Stock Android | Yes | No | |
SD Card | |||
SD Card | No | No | |
Shopping
Google Pixel 6a
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Dig into reviews and images
Ars Technica
Ron Amadeo | July 2022
"it's very hard to find fault with the Pixel 6a. It has a processor that, in the US at least, blows away other Android phones in this price range. The design is great, the camera is fine, and the price is right. What's not to like?"
OnePlus 9
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Dig into reviews and images
TechRadar
David Lumb | April 2021
"If you’re hunting for the best Android camera phone at this price, and one that doesn’t skimp on specs the OnePlus 9 is worth considering. Courtesy of a partnership with Hasselblad, the cameras offer better color correction, and both regular and ultra-wide photos look great. The OnePlus 9’s battery fully charges in under 30 minutes over a cable, and in 45 minutes using wireless charging. If you hate waiting for hours to charge your phone, you'll love the OnePlus 9."
Get a great deal on the Google Pixel 6a or the OnePlus 9
About Google
Google can be considered a relatively new player in the smartphone industry, joining as late as 2016 with their phone, the Google Pixel. Since then, the Pixel lineup has undergone many changes, but it has always been characterized by a focus on photography and clean software, by providing a pure Android experience. By virtue of Google being the creator of the Android operating system, Pixels are known for receiving timely software updates and for being supported with updates for a long time. Additionally, over the past few generations of devices, Google started designing their own processors. This allowed for the implementation of unique software features that are not present in any other phone, such as automatic call screening and unique voice transcribing capabilities.
About OnePlus
OnePlus, established in 2013, is a smartphone brand that first became known for providing flagship-like devices, at a fraction of the cost compared to more expensive Android competitors. OnePlus focuses on creating smartphones with powerful hardware at reasonable prices. They also bring hardware features normally not seen in other Android phones sold in the US, such as their ultra-fast “Warp Charge” and the beloved “Alert Slider”.
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This information was produced and vetted by the PerfectRec phones team. We are a product research and recommendation organization that meticulously reviews and evaluates the latest phone information and makes it digestible for you.
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Joe is an entrepreneur and lifelong electronics enthusiast with a Ph.D in Economics from the University of Michigan.
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