I used the Pixel 9a and OnePlus 13R for every week, and the winner is clear

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 strong 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 yr’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 attempting to resolve between these two mid-range choices, here is all the things it’s essential 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 strong sufficient to carry its personal towards the dearer Pixel 9.

The Google Pixel 9a will get the fundamentals excellent

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

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

Pixel 8a
. Google has ditched the enduring digital camera bar design I’ve grown to like through the years, changing it with a less complicated again panel the place the digital camera 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 cellphone noticeably bigger, and the larger type issue is usually a bit uncomfortable to carry in comparison with the extra compact Pixel 9a.

That mentioned, not all the things concerning the Pixel 9a’s design is ideal. The bezels on this cellphone are among the many largest I’ve seen on any fashionable Android cellphone in latest reminiscence. Watching a YouTube video typically 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 vivid sufficient for outside 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 giant AMOLED show. It is also lots vivid, and each telephones deal with outside visibility with out concern. Nevertheless, with regards to 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 could actually’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, clean, and AI-loaded software program expertise with none pointless flash. It runs inventory Android, which I personally choose 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 largest fan of AI options on smartphones usually. The one ones I exploit frequently are Circle to Search and Object Eraser, each of that are additionally obtainable 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 capable of 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 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 glorious picture processing, and the 9a lives as much as that status. It delivers actual, natural-looking images in all lighting circumstances. 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 examine in digital camera samples beneath:

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

In case you aren’t already a Google Fi subscriber, it is a actually whole lot.

The OnePlus 13R packs energy at an important 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 strong 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, electronic mail, and social media all run completely wonderful. However when you fireplace up graphics-heavy video games, particularly for prolonged intervals, 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 most effective half concerning 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 technology, and that is nice to see. Nevertheless, the OnePlus 13R helps a lot quicker 80W quick wired charging, which might refill all the 6,000 mAh cell in below 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. However it’s the charging velocity 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 almost 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 cellphone shines, however I do know which one I would choose

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 provide nice worth for what they ship.

That mentioned, I nonetheless choose the OnePlus 13R over Google’s mid-ranger this yr. As a lot as I respect what Google has completed with the Pixel 9a — and as a lot as I take pleasure in utilizing it- – the OnePlus 13R simply seems 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 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 value over the Pixel 9a. Even when the digital camera is not fairly pretty much 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 selection​​​​​​.

• 

  OnePlus 13R
  

  If you need flagship-level energy with out a flagship value, the OnePlus 13R is a strong selection. 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 assist. 

• 

  Google Pixel 9a
  

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