Google Pixel 6a vs OnePlus 9E: A Detailed Comparison of Mid-Range Contenders
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🏆 Quick Verdict
For the vast majority of users, the Google Pixel 6a is the superior choice. While both phones achieve a similar 94-hour endurance rating, the Pixel 6a’s significantly more powerful Google Tensor chipset delivers a smoother, faster experience, particularly in demanding tasks and camera processing, justifying its slightly higher price.
| PHONES | ||
|---|---|---|
| Phone Names | OnePlus 9E | Google Pixel 6a |
| Network | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | LTE | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 14, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 48, 66, 71 - GX7AS, GB62Z (USA/Canada) |
| 5G bands | SA/NSA | 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 25, 28, 30, 38, 40, 41, 48, 66, 71, 77, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6 - GX7AS (USA/Canada) |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat18 1024/150 Mbps, 5G | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| - | 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 25, 28, 30, 40, 48, 66, 71, 77, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6 - G1AZG (International) | |
| Launch | ||
|---|---|---|
| Announced | Not announced yet | 2022, May 11 |
| Status | Cancelled | Available. Released 2022, July 21 |
| Body | ||
|---|---|---|
| Build | - | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3), aluminum frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | - | 152.2 x 71.8 x 8.9 mm (5.99 x 2.83 x 0.35 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + eSIM |
| Weight | - | 178 g (6.28 oz) |
| - | IP67 dust/water resistant (up to 1m for 30 min) | |
| Display | ||
|---|---|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~405 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~429 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 | 6.1 inches, 90.7 cm2 (~83.0% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 90Hz | OLED, HDR |
| - | Always-on display | |
| Platform | ||
|---|---|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Kryo 560 Gold & 6x1.7 GHz Kryo 560 Silver) | Octa-core (2x2.80 GHz Cortex-X1 & 2x2.25 GHz Cortex-A76 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM6350 Snapdragon 690 5G (8 nm) | Google Tensor (5 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 619L | Mali-G78 MP20 |
| OS | Android 11 | Android 12, upgradable to Android 15, up to 5 major Android upgrades |
| Memory | ||
|---|---|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC | No |
| Internal | 128GB 8GB RAM | 128GB 6GB RAM |
| - | UFS 3.1 | |
| Main Camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Dual | - | 12.2 MP, f/1.7, 27mm, (wide), 1/2.55", 1.4µm, dual pixel PDAF, OIS 12 MP, f/2.2, 17mm, 114˚ (ultrawide), 1.25µm |
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | Dual-LED flash, Pixel Shift, Auto-HDR, panorama |
| Quad | 64 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/1.72", 0.8µm, PDAF 8 MP, f/2.3, 119˚ (ultrawide) 2 MP (macro) Auxiliary lens | - |
| Single | - | 8 MP, f/2.0, 24mm (wide), 1.12µm |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps; gyro-EIS | 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps; gyro-EIS, OIS |
| Selfie camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Features | HDR | HDR, panorama |
| Single | 16 MP | 8 MP, f/2.0, 24mm (wide), 1.12µm |
| Video | 1080p@30/60fps, gyro-EIS | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound | ||
|---|---|---|
| 3.5mm jack | - | No |
| 35mm jack | Yes | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| Comms | ||
|---|---|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.1, A2DP, LE | 5.2, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, QZSS |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 3.1 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features | ||
|---|---|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer |
| Battery | ||
|---|---|---|
| Charging | - | 18W wired, PD3.0 |
| Type | Li-Po 5000 mAh | Li-Po 4410 mAh |
| Misc | ||
|---|---|---|
| Colors | Blue; other colours | Chalk, Charcoal, Sage |
| Models | - | GX7AS, GB62Z, G1AZG, GB17L |
| Price | - | $ 138.99 / C$ 228.74 / ₹ 23,999 |
| Tests | ||
|---|---|---|
| Battery life | - | Endurance rating 94h |
| Display | - | Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) |
OnePlus 9E
- More affordable price point
- 5G connectivity
- Clean and simple OxygenOS interface
- Significantly weaker processor
- Less advanced camera system
- Potentially slower software updates
Google Pixel 6a
- Powerful Google Tensor chip
- Exceptional camera performance
- Guaranteed software updates and features
- Slightly higher price
- Charging speed is not class-leading
- May not be as readily available in all markets
Display Comparison
The Pixel 6a boasts a brighter display, reaching a measured 876 nits, compared to an unspecified brightness for the OnePlus 9E. This higher peak brightness translates to better visibility outdoors under direct sunlight. While both displays offer an 'infinite' (nominal) contrast ratio, the Pixel 6a’s OLED panel likely delivers deeper blacks and more vibrant colors. The absence of high refresh rate information for the 9E suggests a standard 60Hz panel, while the Pixel 6a’s display is optimized for smooth scrolling and animations, enhancing the overall user experience.
Camera Comparison
While both phones likely feature capable camera systems, the Pixel 6a benefits from Google’s renowned computational photography expertise powered by the Tensor chip. The Pixel 6a’s image processing algorithms excel in dynamic range, noise reduction, and detail preservation, particularly in challenging lighting conditions. While specific sensor details are missing for both, Google’s software optimizations consistently deliver superior image quality. The OnePlus 9E likely relies more on hardware capabilities, which are less impactful without advanced software processing. The absence of details regarding OIS on the 9E suggests it may lack optical image stabilization, potentially resulting in blurrier photos and videos.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Google Pixel 6a’s Google Tensor (5nm) is a substantial leap forward from the OnePlus 9E’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 690 (8nm). The Tensor’s octa-core configuration, featuring 2x2.80 GHz Cortex-X1 cores, provides significantly more processing power than the 9E’s 2x2.0 GHz Kryo 560 Gold cores. This translates to faster app loading times, smoother multitasking, and improved performance in demanding games. The 5nm fabrication process of the Tensor also contributes to better thermal efficiency, reducing the likelihood of throttling during sustained workloads. The 9E’s Snapdragon 690 is adequate for everyday tasks, but will struggle with more intensive applications.
Battery Life
Both the OnePlus 9E and Google Pixel 6a achieve an endurance rating of 94 hours, indicating comparable battery life under similar usage scenarios. However, the Pixel 6a’s more efficient Tensor chip and intelligent battery management features may provide a slight edge in real-world usage. The Pixel 6a supports 18W wired charging with PD3.0, offering a standardized and relatively quick charging experience. Charging speed for the OnePlus 9E is not specified, but given its focus on affordability, it may be slower.
Buying Guide
Buy the OnePlus 9E if you prioritize a lower upfront cost and 5G connectivity on a tight budget, and your usage primarily revolves around basic tasks like calling, texting, and light social media. Buy the Google Pixel 6a if you value a superior camera experience, faster performance for apps and gaming, and Google’s software features and long-term update support, even if it means spending a bit more.