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What we think
The PerfectRec phone team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
The Google Pixel 8, is pricier but offers better photo and video quality, longer battery life, and the latest processor from its manufacturer, which may mean smoother performance and longer software support. The OnePlus 9, while more affordable, has slightly lower photo and video quality and a shorter battery life. Both run on Android and have similar screen sizes, with the Pixel 8 having a slightly smaller but higher brightness screen. If price is a significant factor and moderate camera performance is sufficient, the OnePlus 9 could serve well, but if you value camera quality and performance more, the Pixel 8 is the better option. Give Feedback
this description is based on the product variant with some specs and product variant with some specs. At the time of writing, the variant with some specs cost some dollars and the variant with some specs cost some dollars.
Advantages of the Google Pixel 8
- Very good for taking photos
- Good for recording videos
- Good battery life
Advantages of the OnePlus 9
- The OnePlus 9 has no clear advantages over the Google Pixel 8.
Key differences
Overall Camera Quality
8.4
7.0
The Google Pixel 8 has very good overall camera quality, while the OnePlus 9 has good overall camera quality.
The Google Pixel 8's camera system is rated very good overall, with standout features like Ultra HDR and the Pixel-exclusive Magic Eraser enhancing the photo experience significantly more than the OnePlus 9, which has an overall good camera system but less advanced features like Auto HDR and no proprietary enhancements like the Pixel's. Additionally, the Pixel 8 has a higher rated selfie camera, which is very important, whereas the OnePlus 9's selfie camera is rated fair, reflecting a sizeable gap in front-facing camera quality.
Photo Quality
8.5
6.7
The Google Pixel 8 takes very good photos, while the OnePlus 9 takes only fair photos.
The Google Pixel 8 takes excellent photos due in part to its very good selfie capabilities, complemented by the best photo software experience that enhances overall image quality, offers very good dynamic range, and excels in low-light conditions. In comparison, the OnePlus 9 takes fair photos with good selfie capabilities but falls short as it only provides a good photo software experience, fair dynamic range, and fair performance in low-light conditions, ultimately limiting its camera versatility.
Video Quality
7.6
5.9
The Google Pixel 8 takes good videos, while the OnePlus 9 takes poor videos.
The Google Pixel 8 produces very good videos due to its excellent video resolution, video software experience, stabilization, dynamic range, low light performance, and mic quality. In contrast, the OnePlus 9 offers fair video quality, which is reflected in its lower performance in video stabilization, dynamic range, low light capabilities, and significantly poorer mic quality.
Screen Size
The Google Pixel 8 has a screen size of 6.2 inches and the OnePlus 9 is 6.55 inches.
Cost
$639
$399
$200
$400
$600
$800
$1,000
The Google Pixel 8 has a price of $639 and the OnePlus 9 costs $399.
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Key similarities
Battery
7.3 Hours
6.9 Hours
The Google Pixel 8 has 7.3 hours of battery life. The OnePlus 9 has 6.9 hours of battery life.
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How the Google Pixel 8 and the OnePlus 9 compare to other phones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Google Pixel 8 | OnePlus 9 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$639 | $399 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | OnePlus | ||
Operating System | |||
Operating System | Android | Android | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | October 12, 2023 | March 26, 2021 | |
SCREEN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Screen Size | |||
Screen Size | 6.2" | 6.55" | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 2400 x 1080 | 2400 x 1080 | |
Variable refresh rate | |||
Variable refresh rate | Yes | No | |
Pixels Per Inch | |||
Pixels Per Inch | 428 | 402 | |
Display Type | |||
Display Type | OLED | OLED | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | TensorG3 | SD888 | |
Internal Storage | |||
Internal Storage | 128 GB | 128 GB | |
RAM | |||
RAM | 8 GB | 8 GB | |
CAMERA | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Overall Camera Quality Score | |||
Overall Camera Quality Score | 8.4/10 | 7/10 | |
Photos Score | |||
Photos Score | 8.5/10 | 6.8/10 | |
Videos Score | |||
Videos Score | 7.7/10 | 5.9/10 | |
Rear Cameras | |||
Rear Cameras | Main, Ultrawide | Main, Ultrawide | |
Main Camera | |||
Main Camera | 50 megapixels + OIS | 48 megapixels | |
BATTERY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery Life | |||
Battery Life | 7.3 Hours | 6.9 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 4575 mAh | 4500 mAh | |
Wireless Charging | |||
Wireless Charging | Yes | Yes | |
Wireless charging Speed | |||
Wireless charging Speed | 18 W | 15 W | |
Reverse wireless charging | |||
Reverse wireless charging | Yes (5 watts) | No | |
PHYSICAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Size | |||
Size | 5.93" x 2.79" | 6.29" x 2.92" | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 6.60 oz | 6.77 oz | |
Back Material | |||
Back Material | Glass | Glass | |
Stereo Speakers | |||
Stereo Speakers | No | No | |
CONNECTIVITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Dual SIM | |||
Dual SIM | Yes | No | |
Bluetooth Version | |||
Bluetooth Version | 5.3 | 5.2 | |
A2DP | |||
A2DP | Yes | Yes | |
WiFi Version | |||
WiFi Version | 7 | 6 | |
NFC | |||
NFC | Yes | Yes | |
US 5G Bands | |||
US 5G Bands | (SA/NSA/Sub6/mmWave) 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 14, 20, 25, 28, 30, 38, 40, 41, 48, 66, 71, 77, 78, 257, 258, 260, 261 (SA/NSA/Sub6) 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 14, 20, 25, 28, 30, 38, 40, 41, 48, 66, 71, 77, 78 | (SA/NSA/Sub6)1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 25, 28, 38, 40, 41, 48, 66, 71, 77, 78 | |
OTHER FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Biometric unlock | |||
Biometric unlock | Face unlock, Fingerprint sensor: Under Display | Face unlock, Fingerprint sensor: Under Display | |
Unlockable Bootloader | |||
Unlockable Bootloader | Yes (Except Verizon Models) | Yes | |
Color | |||
Color | Rose, Hazel, Obsidian | Astral Black, Arctic Sky, Winter Mist | |
Stock Android | |||
Stock Android | Yes | No | |
SD Card | |||
SD Card | No | No | |
Shopping
Google Pixel 8
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Dig into reviews and images
The Guardian
Samuel Gibbs | October 2023
"The fit, finish and feel is top notch. The phone is responsive and smooth. The battery life is decent. The main camera is excellent but the lack of an extended optical zoom is slightly disappointing, even if it has been a similar formula for Google for several years.
The 6.2in screen moves the Pixel 8 closer to the underserved market of smaller but top-end phones, of which there are only a handful to choose from. Google’s generative AI features are certainly novel, but it is the extended seven-year software support that truly sets it apart."
OnePlus 9
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Dig into reviews and images
TechRadar
David Lumb | April 2021
"If you’re hunting for the best Android camera phone at this price, and one that doesn’t skimp on specs the OnePlus 9 is worth considering. Courtesy of a partnership with Hasselblad, the cameras offer better color correction, and both regular and ultra-wide photos look great. The OnePlus 9’s battery fully charges in under 30 minutes over a cable, and in 45 minutes using wireless charging. If you hate waiting for hours to charge your phone, you'll love the OnePlus 9."
Get a great deal on the Google Pixel 8 or the OnePlus 9
About Google
Google can be considered a relatively new player in the smartphone industry, joining as late as 2016 with their phone, the Google Pixel. Since then, the Pixel lineup has undergone many changes, but it has always been characterized by a focus on photography and clean software, by providing a pure Android experience. By virtue of Google being the creator of the Android operating system, Pixels are known for receiving timely software updates and for being supported with updates for a long time. Additionally, over the past few generations of devices, Google started designing their own processors. This allowed for the implementation of unique software features that are not present in any other phone, such as automatic call screening and unique voice transcribing capabilities.
About OnePlus
OnePlus, established in 2013, is a smartphone brand that first became known for providing flagship-like devices, at a fraction of the cost compared to more expensive Android competitors. OnePlus focuses on creating smartphones with powerful hardware at reasonable prices. They also bring hardware features normally not seen in other Android phones sold in the US, such as their ultra-fast “Warp Charge” and the beloved “Alert Slider”.
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Why trust us
This information was produced and vetted by the PerfectRec phones team. We are a product research and recommendation organization that meticulously reviews and evaluates the latest phone information and makes it digestible for you.
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About the phone team
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Joe is an entrepreneur and lifelong electronics enthusiast with a Ph.D in Economics from the University of Michigan.
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Efthimis is a Greece-based product expert focusing on smartphones. He has been recommending phones for 4 years and his recommendations on Reddit have earned him over 35k karma.
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