If you value a lower-cost device with a larger screen and a decent camera setup, the OnePlus 9 could be a good pick for you, but keep in mind that it's an older model with lower overall camera quality compared to the Samsung Galaxy S23. However, the Samsung Galaxy S23, while more expensive, offers improved camera performance, better longevity in battery life, and has a brighter and higher-quality display, which may provide a more satisfying user experience overall. Both phones run Android and have similar processor performance, but the S23 is a more recent release, potentially offering longer software support. 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 OnePlus 9
The OnePlus 9 has no clear advantages over the Samsung Galaxy S23.
Advantages of the Samsung Galaxy S23
Very good for taking photos
Good for recording videos
Very good battery life
Very good display quality
Excellent performance
Key differences
Overall Camera Quality
7.0/10
8.3/10
The Samsung Galaxy S23 has very good overall camera quality, while the OnePlus 9 has good overall camera quality.
The Samsung Galaxy S23 has a higher rated camera experience across the board, with notable advantages in software, dynamic range, low light performance, and overall versatility. The OnePlus 9, while offering a fair camera experience, doesn't match the S23's ratings, including the selfie camera rating which is considered very important, making the Galaxy S23 the better choice for camera-centric users.
Photo Quality
6.7/10
8.3/10
The Samsung Galaxy S23 takes very good photos, while the OnePlus 9 takes only fair photos.
The OnePlus 9 provides a good overall experience with fair performance in dynamic range, low light conditions, and a good selfie camera, which is important for capturing quality self-portraits. In contrast, the Samsung Galaxy S23 excels, offering very good results in software experience, dynamic range, low light photography, and a very good selfie camera, making it stand out for both general photography and particularly for self-portraits.
Video Quality
5.9/10
7.8/10
The Samsung Galaxy S23 takes good videos, while the OnePlus 9 takes poor videos.
The Samsung Galaxy S23 provides a superior video experience because it offers excellent video stabilization, dynamic range, and low light performance, alongside high-quality microphone audio. In contrast, the OnePlus 9, while still capable, falls short with fair video stabilization and dynamic range, and a poor rating in video low light performance and microphone quality.
Battery
6.9 Hours
8.0 Hours
The OnePlus 9 has 6.9 hours of battery life. The Samsung Galaxy S23 has 8 hours of battery life.
Screen Size
The OnePlus 9 has a screen size of 6.55 inches and the Samsung Galaxy S23 is 6.1 inches.
Cost
$399
$700
$200
$400
$600
$800
$1,000
$1,200
The OnePlus 9 has a price of $399 and the Samsung Galaxy S23 costs $700.
"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."
"The 6.1-inch S23 is the best reasonably sized Android phone on the market in the US, partly because almost every other Android phone sold here is gigantic. But it’s also a really good device, with a battery that gets through a full day more comfortably than its predecessor. The Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset responsible for some of that battery performance improvement is slightly different — and slightly faster — than the 8 Gen 2 in other Android flagships."
Get a great deal on the OnePlus 9 or the Samsung Galaxy S23
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”.
About Samsung
Samsung is one of the most recognizable names in the smartphone industry, standing as the undisputed best-selling brand of Android smartphones in the United States for many years now. Samsung is known for offering a variety of smartphones in all available price points, as well as for implementing cutting-edge technology and innovative features in their flagship devices, ones that often shape the market going forward. The company offers its own unique spin on Android, called One UI, which focuses on offering a multitude of features and is heavily customizable, according to user preference.
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.
By the numbers
68
Phones evaluated
7,820
Phones stats compiled
8
Proprietary Phones ratings developed
140,400
Recommendations made
79,560
Consumer hours saved
About the phone team
Joe Golden, Ph.D
CEO and Phones Editor
Joe is an entrepreneur and lifelong electronics enthusiast with a Ph.D in Economics from the University of Michigan.
Jason Lew
Staff Expert & Software Engineer
Jason is a staff expert and software engineer that has been making laptop recommendations for 7 years and moderates one of the largest laptop subreddits.
Chandradeep Chowdhury
Staff Expert & Software Engineer
Chandradeep is a staff expert and software engineer and expert in televisions and monitors. He’s been making monitor recommendations for ten years.
Seth Peoples
Phones Expert
Seth is a US-based product expert focusing on smartphones and he is a moderator of one of the largest smartphone subreddits. His tailored recommendations have helped him earn over 87k comment karma, putting him in the top 1% of Redditors.
Efthimis Kotanidis
Phones Expert
Efthimis is a Greece-based product expert focusing on smartphones. He has been recommending phones for 4 years and his recommendations on Reddit have earned him over 35k karma.