The Android mid-range market is more competitive than it has been in years. While many options available globally don’t make it to the US, brands like OnePlus and Google continue to deliver solid mid-range smartphones at compelling price points in the States as well.

Google recently launched its latest mid-range phone, the

Pixel 9a
, priced at $500, the same as last year’s Pixel 8a. Meanwhile, OnePlus introduced its latest “flagship killer,” the

OnePlus 13R
, back in January 2025 for $600.

I’ve spent a week using both the Pixel 9a and the OnePlus 13R, and if you’re trying to decide between these two mid-range options, here’s everything you need to know.

Related

How we test and review products at Pocket-lint

We don’t do arm-chair research. We buy and test our own products, and we only publish buyer’s guides with products we’ve actually reviewed.

Related

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

Google’s latest mid-range Android phone, the Pixel 9a, is solid enough to hold its own against the more expensive Pixel 9.

The Google Pixel 9a gets the basics just right

It may not be flashy, but it’s consistent and reliable

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

Pixel 8a
. Google has ditched the iconic camera bar design I’ve grown to love over the years, replacing it with a simpler back panel where the camera now sits almost flush. While the design may feel bland, the Pixel 9a nails the in-hand feel. It’s quite compact, especially compared to the OnePlus 13R, with slightly curved edges that make it a delight to hold.

The OnePlus 13R also features flat edges, but they feel a bit sharper in the hand. Its 6.78-inch display also makes the phone noticeably larger, and the bigger form factor can be a bit uncomfortable to hold compared to the more compact Pixel 9a.

That said, not everything about the Pixel 9a’s design is perfect. The bezels on this phone are among the biggest I’ve seen on any modern Android phone in recent memory. Watching a YouTube video sometimes makes me feel like I’m using a phone from five years ago — that’s how distracting the thick bezels are. Sure, the 6.3-inch pOLED display gets bright enough for outdoor use, but the multimedia experience takes a hit because of those chunky borders.

In contrast, the OnePlus 13R sports slim and uniform bezels around its large AMOLED display. It’s also plenty bright, and both phones handle outdoor visibility without issue. However, when it comes to display quality, the OnePlus 13R is clearly ahead. Its LTPO AMOLED panel delivers punchy colors, deeper contrast, and sharper visuals overall. The Pixel 9a’s display isn’t bad — in fact, it’s quite good — but it can’t match the 13R’s panel in terms of vibrancy and crispness.

But the Pixel 9a does what Google Pixels do best: deliver a simple, smooth, and AI-loaded software experience without any unnecessary flash. It runs stock Android, which I personally prefer over most Android skins, and it comes with a host of Pixel-exclusive AI features like Add Me in the Camera app, Clear Calling, Hold for Me, Call Notes, and Best Take, among others.

I’m not the biggest fan of AI features on smartphones in general. The only ones I use regularly are Circle to Search and Object Eraser, both of which are also available on the OnePlus 13R. But what gives the Pixel 9a the edge is the faster and longer software update support.

While the 13R ships with Android 15, I was already able to install Android 16 on my Pixel 9a this week, thanks to Google’s beta program. And beyond beta access, Pixel devices always get day-one updates, and the 9a will enjoy years of support well beyond what the OnePlus 13R offers.

And then there’s the Pixel 9a’s camera. Google Pixel phones are known for excellent image processing, and the 9a lives up to that reputation. It delivers real, natural-looking photos in all lighting conditions. In comparison, the OnePlus 13R tends to lean toward warmer, more vibrant tones, often producing images with a slight yellowish tint and more saturated colors. Take a look at how both phones compare in camera samples below:

Google Pixel 9a camera samples:

OnePlus 13R camera samples:

Related

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

If you aren’t already a Google Fi subscriber, this is a really good deal.

The OnePlus 13R packs power at a great price

It’s faster, smoother, and feels high-end all around

The OnePlus 13R builds on what its predecessor did best — deliver flagship-level performance at a mid-range price. It’s powered by the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset, the same one found in premium phones like the Galaxy S24 Ultra and Galaxy Z Fold 6. In comparison, the Pixel 9a runs on Google’s in-house Tensor G4, which is a solid chip for everyday use, but it’s not quite in the same league.

To be clear, I had zero issues with day-to-day performance on the Pixel 9a. Tasks like texting, browsing, email, and social media all run perfectly fine. But once you fire up graphics-heavy games, especially for extended periods, the Tensor G4 starts to show its limits. That’s where the OnePlus 13R shines, flying through anything I throw at it, no matter how demanding.

The best part about the OnePlus 13R, though, is its battery performance. Yes, Google stepped things up with the Pixel 9a by boosting both battery size and charging speed. The 9a packs a 5,100 mAh battery, the largest ever in a Pixel phone. But even that can’t match the OnePlus 13R’s 6,000 mAh battery.

Charging is another area in which OnePlus wins easily. Google bumped the Pixel 9a’s charging speed to 23W, up from 18W on the previous generation, and that’s great to see. However, the OnePlus 13R supports much faster 80W fast wired charging, which can fill up the entire 6,000 mAh cell in under an hour.

The battery life on both phones has been solid for me, each lasting more than a day on a full charge with plenty of juice left. But it’s the charging speed that truly makes the difference. There are days when I only have a few minutes to plug in, and in those moments, the 13R’s fast charging is a lifesaver. In contrast, the Pixel 9a takes nearly two hours to charge fully from 0 to 100%.

Related

5 things I appreciate about the OnePlus 13R, the new mid-range runner-up

While not quite as flashy as its higher-end OnePlus 13 sibling, the mid-range 13R still packs a punch in more ways than one.

This comparison was closer than I expected

Each phone shines, but I know which one I’d pick

Both Google and OnePlus have made compromises to bring these phones to their respective price points, but despite the trade-offs, the Pixel 9a and OnePlus 13R both offer great value for what they deliver.

That said, I still prefer the OnePlus 13R over Google’s mid-ranger this year. As much as I respect what Google has done with the Pixel 9a — and as much as I enjoy using it- – the OnePlus 13R just feels like the better fit for me in the long run.

The OnePlus 13R offers all the AI features I actually use, a faster, flagship-grade processor, excellent battery life, and plenty of Android updates. On top of that, it includes nifty extras like an IR blaster that lets me control electronics around the house, and all this comes with just a $100 bump in price over the Pixel 9a. Even if the camera isn’t quite as good, it’s close enough that I don’t feel like I’m missing out.

That said, if you don’t mind the chunky bezels on the Pixel 9a, want day-one Android updates, and care more about Pixel-exclusive AI features while still enjoying dependable battery life and saving a bit of money, the Pixel 9a is still an excellent choice​​​​​​.

• 

  OnePlus 13R
  

  If you want flagship-level power without a flagship price, the OnePlus 13R is a solid choice. It features a bright 6.7-inch AMOLED display, a Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset with plenty of RAM and storage, and a massive 6,000 mAh battery with 80W fast charging support. 

• 

  Google Pixel 9a
  

  Google’s mid-range Pixel 9a offers impressive high-end features like a 48-megapixel main shooter, a 13-megapixel ultrawide camera with macro, its Tensor G4 chip, and 8GB of RAM, all in a cost-effective $500 package.