Can a 2022 mid-tier Android beat a 2021 flagship Android?

Available on the market for a robust Android cellphone with an immersive display screen however don’t need to pay 2022 flagship costs? Shopping for a one-generation outdated flagship or a present mid-tier gadget is an choice to avoid wasting cash whereas nonetheless getting a very good cellphone. Immediately, we’re having a look at Samsung’s 2022 mid-tier Galaxy A53 5G and see the way it compares to the OnePlus 9, a 2021 flagship that’s nonetheless fairly succesful at present.

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Samsung Galaxy A53 5G vs Apple iPhone 11: Specs

Samsung Galaxy A53 5G vs OnePlus 9: Design and {Hardware}

Each the OnePlus 9 and Galaxy A53 5G supply 120Hz, 2400 x 1080 OLED shows wrapped by minimal bezels, interrupted by solely a hole-punch for a selfie digital camera. As for again design, each telephones use plastic backs, however the Galaxy A53 has a singular coating that makes it really feel grippy and matte, versus the marginally sticky plasticky really feel of the OnePlus 9. Nonetheless, you could need to put a case on the Galaxy A53 and OnePlus 9 only for safety anyway.

Each telephones share comparable dimensions and weight, however the Galaxy A53 has a boxier really feel due to a flatter chassis, with out the refined curvature of the again plate seen within the OnePlus 9.

The screens look equally good on each units, and with stereo audio system on each telephones, they make for excellent media consumption machines.

Processor

The Galaxy A53 5G is powered by Samsung’s 5nm Exynos 1280, whereas the OnePlus 9 makes use of the Snapdragon 888. The previous is a 2022 mid-tier chip whereas the latter is a 2021 flagship chip, and regardless of being a yr outdated, the Snapdragon 888 remains to be a greater performer. It scores increased in benchmarks, however extra importantly, the OnePlus 9 simply feels quicker in real-world utilization situations. The Galaxy A53 5G will not be sluggish, however it doesn’t zip round the best way a OnePlus 9 does. Opening the digital camera app, for instance, is prompt on the OnePlus 9 whereas on the Galaxy A53 there’s a little bit of a wait. If we’ve got to decide on, we’d undoubtedly favor the Snapdragon 888 over the Exynos 1280.

Cameras

Each telephones deliver excellent important cameras but in addition felt the necessity to pad the full variety of cameras with pointless sensors. The Galaxy A53’s important 64MP digital camera has a quick aperture and makes use of pixel-binning expertise to additional increase picture constancy. The OnePlus 9 in the meantime has a 48MP digital camera that has a bigger 1/1.43-inch picture sensor (whereas additionally utilizing pixel binning expertise). The outcomes are good photographs from each cameras, however the OnePlus 9 is a bit higher in actually low-light conditions.

Shifting to the ultra-wide shooter, the Galaxy A53 makes use of a 12MP f/2.2 sensor with a sweeping 123-degree field-of-view, in comparison with the OnePlus 9’s 48MP ultra-wide. It’s a transparent win for OnePlus right here, because the Galaxy A53’s ultra-wide may be very mushy on particulars and struggles at night time.

Lastly, the Galaxy A53 has a pair of 5MP sensors for macro and depth and neither does a lot. OnePlus doesn’t fare significantly better, as its third digital camera can also be a principally ineffective monochrome sensor.

Battery and different elements

Regardless of its 8.1mm in thickness, the Galaxy A53 5G manages to cram a 5,000 mAh battery inside, which is lots giant sufficient for a tool of this sort. The OnePlus 9’s 4,500 mAh battery is sort of a bit smaller by comparability, and we will undoubtedly see the distinction in battery life. Whereas each telephones are high-quality for gentle utilization days, on weekends, the Galaxy A53 can nonetheless final a full 12 hours out whereas the OnePlus 9 gained’t be capable of make it to the end line.

However the OnePlus 9 will be charged very quick at 65W speeds (0-100% in 29 minutes), and the charging brick is included. The Galaxy A53 doesn’t embrace a charger in any respect, and it additionally maxes out at simply 25W quick charging, which takes over an hour to refill the cellphone.

Each units have stereo audio system; the Galaxy A53 has IP67 water and mud resistance, whereas the OnePlus 9 has IP68 water and mud resistance. The distinction in quantity solely means the OnePlus 9 will be submerged in water a bit longer.

Samsung Galaxy A53 5G vs OnePlus 9: Software program and Efficiency

The Galaxy A53 5G runs Android 12 with Samsung’s OneUI pores and skin on prime. The OnePlus 9, as a result of it got here out a yr earlier than, runs Android 11 out of the field, with the OnePlus’ OxygenOS overlay. Nonetheless, the cellphone has gotten the replace to Android 12 in lots of areas, together with the T-Cellular variant, however there aren’t any ensures when you’re shopping for the cellphone unlocked. Additional, the Android 12 replace for OnePlus units has greater than its justifiable share of points, and for a lot of customers, the expertise has degraded with the replace. So preserve that in thoughts too when evaluating the 2 telephones.

As I already talked about within the processor part, the OnePlus 9 is a noticeably “quicker” cellphone than the Galaxy A53. This speediness is each actual and tangible (The OnePlus 9 can change digital camera lenses and modes quicker) and phantasm (OxygenOS has quicker animations that seem to zip round quicker than OneUI’s principally refined animations). The Galaxy A53 can also be vulnerable to the occasional animation stutter — it’s not a serious difficulty, however it’s clear this was by no means supposed to be a flagship-level cellphone, whereas the OnePlus 9 was a flagship cellphone nearly 12 months in the past.

The Snapdragon 888 is a greater silicon than the Exynos 1280. This gained’t be a difficulty for primary smartphone utilization like scrolling Instagram or sending a tweet. However when you attempt to edit movies, even one thing so simple as trimming size immediately within the cellphone’s digital camera app, the OnePlus 9 will get the job completed quicker.

It’s additionally price noting that the Galaxy A53 can’t run Samsung DeX, which is a function present in Samsung’s higher-end telephones such because the Galaxy S22 or Galaxy Z Flip 3. Total, Samsung’s mid-tier cellphone is a wonderfully high-quality mid-tier cellphone, however the OnePlus 9 is only a bit higher. However there’s one main caveat that we haven’t touched upon but…

Samsung Galaxy A53 5G vs OnePlus 9: Which one is for you?

And that caveat is the value! The Galaxy A53 5G will be had for about $450 proper now (with free Galaxy Buds Reside, and a few Galaxy A53 offers can go even decrease), whereas the OnePlus 9 hovers round $530. This makes it relatively tough to decide on between the 2 telephones as each are excellent telephones in their very own methods. You probably have a tough price range and need to get a pair of earphones too inside that price range, then the Galaxy A53 is definitely worth the price ticket. You additionally get the reliability and software program help of Samsung, making it a really effectively balanced choice.

On the flip, the OnePlus 9 for $530 can also be fairly good, particularly when you intend to sport in your smartphone. The Android replace state of affairs is a bit questionable on the OnePlus, however outdoors of that, it stays the higher cellphone total, and you need to pay a slight premium over the Galaxy A53 5G for that.