I used the Pixel 9a and OnePlus 13R for per week, ...

The Android mid-range market is extra aggressive than it has been in years. Whereas many choices obtainable globally do not make it to the US, manufacturers like OnePlus and Google proceed to ship stable mid-range smartphones at compelling worth factors within the States as nicely.

Google just lately launched its newest mid-range telephone, the

Pixel 9a
, priced at $500, the identical as final 12 months’s Pixel 8a. In the meantime, OnePlus launched its newest “flagship killer,” the

OnePlus 13R
, again in January 2025 for $600.

I’ve spent per week utilizing each the Pixel 9a and the OnePlus 13R, and should you’re attempting to determine between these two mid-range choices, this is all the things it’s good to know.

Associated

5 reasons why I recommend the Pixel 9a over the Pixel 9 to most people

Google’s newest mid-range Android telephone, the Pixel 9a, is stable sufficient to carry its personal towards the costlier Pixel 9.

The Google Pixel 9a will get the fundamentals good

It might not be flashy, but it surely’s constant and dependable

The Google Pixel 9a marks a giant shift from its predecessor, the

Pixel 8a
. Google has ditched the long-lasting digital camera bar design I’ve grown to like over time, changing it with a less complicated again panel the place the digital camera now sits virtually flush. Whereas the design could really feel bland, the Pixel 9a nails the in-hand really feel. It is fairly compact, particularly in comparison with the OnePlus 13R, with barely curved edges that make it a delight to carry.

The OnePlus 13R additionally options flat edges, however they really feel a bit sharper within the hand. Its 6.78-inch show additionally makes the telephone noticeably bigger, and the larger kind issue is usually a bit uncomfortable to carry in comparison with the extra compact Pixel 9a.

That mentioned, not all the things in regards to the Pixel 9a’s design is ideal. The bezels on this telephone are among the many greatest I’ve seen on any trendy Android telephone in latest reminiscence. Watching a YouTube video generally makes me really feel like I am utilizing a telephone from 5 years in the past — that is how distracting the thick bezels are. Certain, the 6.3-inch pOLED show will get vivid sufficient for out of doors use, however the multimedia expertise takes a success due to these chunky borders.

In distinction, the OnePlus 13R sports activities slim and uniform bezels round its massive AMOLED show. It is also a lot vivid, and each telephones deal with out of doors visibility with out problem. Nevertheless, in terms of show high quality, the OnePlus 13R is clearly forward. Its LTPO AMOLED panel delivers punchy colours, deeper distinction, and sharper visuals general. The Pixel 9a’s show is not dangerous — in reality, it is fairly good — however it may possibly’t match the 13R’s panel when it comes to vibrancy and crispness.

However the Pixel 9a does what Google Pixels do greatest: ship a easy, easy, and AI-loaded software program expertise with none pointless flash. It runs inventory Android, which I personally want over most Android skins, and it comes with a bunch of Pixel-exclusive AI options like Add Me within the Digital camera app, Clear Calling, Maintain for Me, Name Notes, and Finest Take, amongst others.

I am not the most important fan of AI options on smartphones typically. The one ones I take advantage of recurrently are Circle to Search and Object Eraser, each of that are additionally obtainable on the OnePlus 13R. However what provides the Pixel 9a the sting is the quicker and longer software program replace assist.

Whereas the 13R ships with Android 15, I used to be already in a position to set up Android 16 on my Pixel 9a this week, due to Google’s beta program. And past beta entry, Pixel gadgets all the time get day-one updates, and the 9a will take pleasure in years of assist nicely past what the OnePlus 13R affords.

After which there’s the Pixel 9a’s digital camera. Google Pixel telephones are recognized for wonderful picture processing, and the 9a lives as much as that fame. It delivers actual, natural-looking images in all lighting situations. As compared, the OnePlus 13R tends to lean towards hotter, extra vibrant tones, usually producing pictures with a slight yellowish tint and extra saturated colours. Check out how each telephones examine in digital camera samples under:

Google Pixel 9a digital camera samples:

OnePlus 13R digital camera samples:

Associated

New Google Fi subscribers can get the Pixel 9a for free right now

If you happen to aren’t already a Google Fi subscriber, it is a actually whole lot.

The OnePlus 13R packs energy at an amazing worth

It is quicker, smoother, and feels high-end throughout

The OnePlus 13R builds on what its predecessor did greatest — ship flagship-level efficiency at a mid-range worth. It is powered by the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset, the identical one present in premium telephones just like the Galaxy S24 Ultra and Galaxy Z Fold 6. As compared, the Pixel 9a runs on Google’s in-house Tensor G4, which is a stable chip for on a regular basis use, but it surely’s not fairly in the identical league.

To be clear, I had zero points with day-to-day efficiency on the Pixel 9a. Duties like texting, shopping, e mail, and social media all run completely high quality. However when you hearth up graphics-heavy video games, particularly for prolonged durations, the Tensor G4 begins to point out its limits. That is the place the OnePlus 13R shines, flying by something I throw at it, irrespective of how demanding.

One of the best half in regards to the OnePlus 13R, although, is its battery efficiency. Sure, Google stepped issues up with the Pixel 9a by boosting each battery dimension and charging pace. The 9a packs a 5,100 mAh battery, the biggest ever in a Pixel telephone. However even that may’t match the OnePlus 13R’s 6,000 mAh battery.

Charging is one other space through which OnePlus wins simply. Google bumped the Pixel 9a’s charging pace to 23W, up from 18W on the earlier era, and that is nice to see. Nevertheless, the OnePlus 13R helps a lot quicker 80W quick wired charging, which may replenish your complete 6,000 mAh cell in beneath an hour.

The battery life on each telephones has been stable for me, every lasting greater than a day on a full cost with loads of juice left. But it surely’s the charging pace that actually makes the distinction. There are days once I solely have a couple of minutes to plug in, and in these moments, the 13R’s quick charging is a lifesaver. In distinction, the Pixel 9a takes practically two hours to cost totally from 0 to 100%.

Associated

5 things I appreciate about the OnePlus 13R, the new mid-range runner-up

Whereas not fairly as flashy as its higher-end OnePlus 13 sibling, the mid-range 13R nonetheless packs a punch in additional methods than one.

This comparability was nearer than I anticipated

Every telephone shines, however I do know which one I might choose

Each Google and OnePlus have made compromises to carry these telephones to their respective worth factors, however regardless of the trade-offs, the Pixel 9a and OnePlus 13R each supply nice worth for what they ship.

That mentioned, I nonetheless want the OnePlus 13R over Google’s mid-ranger this 12 months. As a lot as I respect what Google has executed with the Pixel 9a — and as a lot as I take pleasure in utilizing it- – the OnePlus 13R simply looks like the higher match for me in the long term.

The OnePlus 13R affords all of the AI options I truly use, a quicker, flagship-grade processor, wonderful battery life, and loads of Android updates. On high of that, it contains nifty extras like an IR blaster that lets me management electronics round the home, and all this comes with only a $100 bump in worth over the Pixel 9a. Even when the digital camera is not fairly nearly as good, it is shut sufficient that I do not really feel like I am lacking out.

That mentioned, should you do not thoughts the chunky bezels on the Pixel 9a, need day-one Android updates, and care extra about Pixel-exclusive AI options whereas nonetheless having fun with reliable battery life and saving a bit of cash, the Pixel 9a continues to be a wonderful alternative​​​​​​.

• 

  OnePlus 13R
  

  In order for you flagship-level energy with out a flagship worth, the OnePlus 13R is a stable alternative. It encompasses a vivid 6.7-inch AMOLED show, a Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset with loads of RAM and storage, and an enormous 6,000 mAh battery with 80W quick charging assist. 

• 

  Google Pixel 9a
  

  Google’s mid-range Pixel 9a affords spectacular high-end options like a 48-megapixel principal shooter, a 13-megapixel ultrawide digital camera with macro, its Tensor G4 chip, and 8GB of RAM, all in a cheap $500 package deal.