OnePlus and Google currently have two of the better value flagships available in 2021 with the OnePlus 9 and Pixel 5. Both devices promise to deliver top-of-the-line smartphone experiences for around $700, and while that's a lot of money to spend, it's considerably cheaper than the $1000+ flagships that are still very prevalent in the mobile tech space.

As a company, OnePlus used to be iconic for crafting Android devices that drastically undercut the competition. It all started with the OnePlus One back in 2014, which offered flagship specifications for just $299. As time has gone on and OnePlus has matured, however, prices have gone up substantially — as evident by the $729 OnePlus 9. Google went in the exact opposite direction with the Pixel 5, with the phone costing just $699 — significantly less than the Pixel 4 and Pixel 3 that came out before it. This has resulted in the companies' two latest phones meeting in the middle at about the same price, making it an interesting comparison of OnePlus Vs. Google.

Related: Every OnePlus 9 Phone Color & Which You Should Buy

Starting with the OnePlus 9, this is a phone that values impressive specs above everything else. Per OnePlus, it's powered by the latest Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 processor, has up to 12GB of RAM, and features a 120Hz refresh rate for its 6.55-inch AMOLED display. Not only are those flashy numbers on paper, but they also result in unmatched smoothness/responsiveness in day-to-day use. The OnePlus 9 also manages to offer a larger 4,500 mAh battery, and while battery life is pretty similar to that of the Pixel 5, the 65W charging speeds push the OnePlus 9 over the edge. Plug the OnePlus 9 into the included charging brick, and within 29 minutes, the battery will go from 0-100 just like that. The same grandiose approach is seen with the camera package, as the OnePlus 9 touts a 48MP primary camera, 50MP ultra-wide camera, and 2MP depth sensor. This is very much a phone that tries to have the biggest and best specs possible, and for certain shoppers, that's exactly the type of phone they're after.

Where The Google Pixel 5 Comes Out Ahead

Renders of the OnePlus 9 and Google Pixel 5

By comparison, Google's spec sheet for the Pixel 5 can look a bit underwhelming when placed side-by-side with the OnePlus 9. Its Snapdragon 765 processor doesn't provide nearly as much horsepower as the 888 does, and combined with a slower 90Hz refresh rate for the display, the Pixel 5 is just a slower smartphone all-around. It also maxes out at 8GB of RAM, has wired charging speeds of 18W, and only comes with two rear cameras.

Specs only tell half of the story, however, because the Pixel 5 immediately shows its strengths the second someone starts using it. While the 12.2MP primary camera and 16MP ultra-wide camera may not sound like anything special, they consistently take better images than what the OnePlus 9 is able to churn out. Colors are better, images are more consistent, and low-light performance is substantially better on the Pixel 5 thanks to its use of optical image stabilization — something the OnePlus 9 mysteriously lacks. The Pixel 5 is easily one of the best smartphone cameras available in 2021, and for anyone that values having a quality camera system in their pocket, that alone makes the Pixel 5 the better buy.

There are also all of the smaller details the Pixel 5 gets right. It has much longer guaranteed software support than the OnePlus 9, supports 5G connectivity on all U.S. carriers, and comes with an IP68 rating regardless of where it's purchased. These are all things the OnePlus 9 messes up to some degree, and for some shoppers, any one of those could be a deal-breaker. Furthermore, while the Pixel 5 may not be as technically impressive as the OnePlus 9, it's still a darn good phone in almost every manner. It's fast enough for most users, has a high-quality display, and has reliable battery life with perfectly adequate charge speeds.

In short, this is a comparison that can really go either way. For someone that wants a phone with the most powerful performance, the smoothest display, and the fastest charging speeds, the OnePlus 9 is an easy recommendation. For someone that would rather have an amazing camera and long-term software support, the Pixel 5 still has a leg to stand on. There's no wrong answer to which phone someone should buy, and that's a testament to just how good both the OnePlus 9 and Pixel 5 really are.

Next: Pixel 6 Predictions: 5 Things To Look For In Google's Next Flagship

Source: OnePlus, Google