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

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

Google lately launched its newest mid-range cellphone, 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 in case you’re attempting to resolve between these two mid-range choices, here is the whole lot you want to know.

Associated

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

Google’s newest mid-range Android cellphone, the Pixel 9a, is stable sufficient to carry its personal in opposition to the dearer Pixel 9.

The Google Pixel 9a will get the fundamentals good

It is probably not flashy, nevertheless it’s constant and dependable

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

Pixel 8a
. Google has ditched the enduring digicam bar design I’ve grown to like over time, changing it with a less complicated again panel the place the digicam now sits nearly 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 cellphone noticeably bigger, and the larger kind issue could be a bit uncomfortable to carry in comparison with the extra compact Pixel 9a.

That stated, not the whole lot in regards to the Pixel 9a’s design is ideal. The bezels on this cellphone are among the many greatest I’ve seen on any fashionable Android cellphone in latest reminiscence. Watching a YouTube video generally makes me really feel like I am utilizing a cellphone from 5 years in the past — that is how distracting the thick bezels are. Positive, the 6.3-inch pOLED show will get shiny 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 a lot shiny, and each telephones deal with out of doors visibility with out subject. Nonetheless, in terms of show high quality, the OnePlus 13R is clearly forward. Its LTPO AMOLED panel delivers punchy colours, deeper distinction, and sharper visuals total. The Pixel 9a’s show is not unhealthy — in truth, it is fairly good — however it may’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 favor over most Android skins, and it comes with a number of Pixel-exclusive AI options like Add Me within the Digicam app, Clear Calling, Maintain for Me, Name Notes, and Finest Take, amongst others.

I am not the largest fan of AI options on smartphones typically. The one ones I exploit repeatedly are Circle to Search and Object Eraser, each of that are additionally accessible on the OnePlus 13R. However what offers 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, because of 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 digicam. Google Pixel telephones are identified for wonderful picture processing, and the 9a lives as much as that popularity. 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 photos with a slight yellowish tint and extra saturated colours. Check out how each telephones examine in digicam samples beneath:

Google Pixel 9a digicam samples:

OnePlus 13R digicam samples:

Associated

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

In the event you aren’t already a Google Fi subscriber, this can be a actually whole lot.

The OnePlus 13R packs energy at an ideal value

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 value. 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, nevertheless 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, looking, e-mail, and social media all run completely wonderful. However when you fireplace up graphics-heavy video games, particularly for prolonged durations, the Tensor G4 begins to indicate its limits. That is the place the OnePlus 13R shines, flying by means of something I throw at it, regardless 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 velocity. The 9a packs a 5,100 mAh battery, the biggest ever in a Pixel cellphone. 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 velocity to 23W, up from 18W on the earlier era, and that is nice to see. Nonetheless, the OnePlus 13R helps a lot quicker 80W quick wired charging, which may replenish the complete 6,000 mAh cell in underneath 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. Nevertheless it’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 cellphone shines, however I do know which one I would decide

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

That stated, I nonetheless favor the OnePlus 13R over Google’s mid-ranger this 12 months. As a lot as I respect what Google has performed 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 really use, a quicker, flagship-grade processor, wonderful battery life, and loads of Android updates. On prime 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 value over the Pixel 9a. Even when the digicam is not fairly pretty much as good, it is shut sufficient that I do not really feel like I am lacking out.

That stated, in case 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
  

  If you’d like flagship-level energy with no flagship value, the OnePlus 13R is a stable alternative. It encompasses a shiny 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 primary shooter, a 13-megapixel ultrawide digicam with macro, its Tensor G4 chip, and 8GB of RAM, all in a cheap $500 bundle.