I used the Pixel 9a and OnePlus 13R...

The Android mid-range market is extra aggressive than it has been in years. Whereas many choices out there globally do not make it to the US, manufacturers like OnePlus and Google proceed to ship strong 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 every week utilizing each the Pixel 9a and the OnePlus 13R, and when you’re making an attempt to determine between these two mid-range choices, here is every little thing you should 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 strong sufficient to carry its personal in opposition to the costlier Pixel 9.

The Google Pixel 9a will get the fundamentals excellent

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

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

Pixel 8a
. Google has ditched the long-lasting digicam bar design I’ve grown to like over time, changing it with an easier again panel the place the digicam now sits virtually flush. Whereas the design might 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 type issue could be a bit uncomfortable to carry in comparison with the extra compact Pixel 9a.

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

In distinction, the OnePlus 13R sports activities slim and uniform bezels round its massive AMOLED show. It is also lots vivid, and each telephones deal with out of doors visibility with out challenge. Nonetheless, in the case 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 unhealthy — the truth is, it is fairly good — however it may well’t match the 13R’s panel by way of vibrancy and crispness.

However the Pixel 9a does what Google Pixels do finest: ship a easy, easy, and AI-loaded software program expertise with none pointless flash. It runs inventory Android, which I personally favor 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 Greatest Take, amongst others.

I am not the most important fan of AI options on smartphones generally. The one ones I exploit repeatedly are Circle to Search and Object Eraser, each of that are additionally out there on the OnePlus 13R. However what offers the Pixel 9a the sting is the quicker and longer software program replace help.

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 units at all times get day-one updates, and the 9a will get pleasure from years of help nicely past what the OnePlus 13R affords.

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

Google Pixel 9a digicam samples:

OnePlus 13R digicam 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 a terrific worth

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

The OnePlus 13R builds on what its predecessor did finest — 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 strong chip for on a regular basis use, however it’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, electronic mail, and social media all run completely superb. 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 means of something I throw at it, irrespective of how demanding.

The perfect 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 velocity. 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 wherein OnePlus wins simply. Google bumped the Pixel 9a’s charging velocity to 23W, up from 18W on the earlier technology, and that is nice to see. Nonetheless, the OnePlus 13R helps a lot quicker 80W quick wired charging, which might replenish your complete 6,000 mAh cell in beneath an hour.

The battery life on each telephones has been strong for me, every lasting greater than a day on a full cost with loads of juice left. But it surely’s the charging velocity that really 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 absolutely 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 would 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 provide nice worth for what they ship.

That mentioned, I nonetheless favor the OnePlus 13R over Google’s mid-ranger this 12 months. As a lot as I respect what Google has achieved with the Pixel 9a — and as a lot as I get pleasure from 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 really use, a quicker, flagship-grade processor, glorious battery life, and loads of Android updates. On prime of that, it consists of 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 digicam is not fairly nearly as good, it is shut sufficient that I do not really feel like I am lacking out.

That mentioned, when 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 remains to be a superb alternative​​​​​​.

• 

  OnePlus 13R
  

  In order for you flagship-level energy and not using a flagship worth, the OnePlus 13R is a strong alternative. It contains a vivid 6.7-inch AMOLED show, a Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset with loads of RAM and storage, and a large 6,000 mAh battery with 80W quick charging help. 

• 

  Google Pixel 9a
  

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