I used the Pixel 9a and OnePlus 13R for per week, and the winner is apparent

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 strong mid-range smartphones at compelling value factors within the States as properly.

Google not too long ago 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 per week utilizing each the Pixel 9a and the OnePlus 13R, and in case you’re attempting to resolve between these two mid-range choices, this is every little thing it’s worthwhile 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 in opposition to the dearer Pixel 9.

The Google Pixel 9a will get the fundamentals good

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

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

Pixel 8a
. Google has ditched the enduring digital camera bar design I’ve grown to like over time, changing it with an easier again panel the place the digital camera 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 type issue generally is a bit uncomfortable to carry in comparison with the extra compact Pixel 9a.

That stated, not every little thing concerning the Pixel 9a’s design is ideal. The bezels on this cellphone are among the many largest I’ve seen on any trendy Android cellphone in current 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 vibrant 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 giant AMOLED show. It is also a lot vibrant, and each telephones deal with out of doors visibility with out concern. Nonetheless, 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 reality, 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 want over most Android skins, and it comes with a number 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 take advantage of frequently are Circle to Search and Object Eraser, each of that are additionally accessible on the OnePlus 13R. However what provides the Pixel 9a the sting is the sooner 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 all the time get day-one updates, and the 9a will get pleasure from years of help properly 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 photographs in all lighting situations. Compared, the OnePlus 13R tends to lean towards hotter, extra vibrant tones, typically producing photos with a slight yellowish tint and extra saturated colours. Check out how each telephones evaluate 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

Should 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 sooner, smoother, and feels high-end throughout

The OnePlus 13R builds on what its predecessor did finest — 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. 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, 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.

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 pace. 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 wherein 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. Nonetheless, the OnePlus 13R helps a lot sooner 80W quick wired charging, which may refill your entire 6,000 mAh cell in underneath 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 pace 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 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 decide

Each Google and OnePlus have made compromises to convey 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 stated, I nonetheless want the OnePlus 13R over Google’s mid-ranger this 12 months. As a lot as I respect what Google has accomplished with the Pixel 9a — and as a lot as I get pleasure from utilizing it- – the OnePlus 13R simply appears like the higher match for me in the long term.

The OnePlus 13R affords all of the AI options I really use, a sooner, 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 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 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 wonderful alternative​​​​​​.

• 

  OnePlus 13R
  

  In order for you flagship-level energy and not using a flagship value, the OnePlus 13R is a strong alternative. It includes a vibrant 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 important shooter, a 13-megapixel ultrawide digital camera with macro, its Tensor G4 chip, and 8GB of RAM, all in a cheap $500 package deal.