In the last years, innovation is not just a thing limited to flagship phones, but it also started regarding midrange smartphones. Recently, Samsung started testing a lot of its innovative features on midrange devices first: just look at the Galaxy A8s which was the first company’s device with a punch-hole display. Recently, the company even launched the Galaxy A80, its first smartphone with a rotating camera. A few weeks after, Google came up with its Pixel 3a series including the Pixel 3a and the Pixel 3a XL: the first midrange Pixels. Even Oppo launched a brand new line-up which includes Reno and Reno 10x zoom, and the former is an upper-midrange handset. Here, we will compare the three upper mid-rangers Galaxy A80, Oppo Reno and Google Pixel 3a XL as we loved their specs and performances, and we think they are among the best choices in the upper-midrange segment. But which one is the best? Let’s discover it together.
Samsung Galaxy A80 vs Oppo Reno vs Google Pixel 3a XL
| Samsung Galaxy A80 | Oppo Reno | Google Pixel 3a XL | |
|---|---|---|---|
| DIMENSIONS AND WEIGHT | 165.2 x 76.5 x 9.3 mm | 156.6 x 74.3 x 9 mm, 185 grams | 160.1 x 76.1 x 8.2 mm, 167 grams |
| DISPLAY | 6.7 inches, 1080 x 2400p (Full HD+), 393 ppi, Super AMOLED | 6.4 inches, 1080 x 2340p (Full HD+), 402 ppi, AMOLED | 6 inches, 1080 x 2160 pixels, 402 ppi, 18:9 ratio, OLED |
| PROCESSOR | Qualcomm Snapdragon 730, octa-core 2.2 GHz | Qualcomm Snapdragon 710, octa-core 2.2 GHz | Qualcomm Snapdragon 670, octa-core 2 GHz |
| MEMORY | 8 GB RAM, 128 GB | 6 GB RAM, 128 GB – 6 GB RAM, 256 GB – 8 GB RAM, 256 GB | 4 GB RAM, 64 GB |
| SOFTWARE | Android 9 Pie, One UI | Android 9 Pie, Color OS | Android 9 Pie |
| CONNECTIVITY | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, Bluetooth 5.0, GPS | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, Bluetooth 5.0, GPS | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, Bluetooth 5.0, GPS |
| CAMERA | Triple 48 + 8 MP + TOF f/2.0 and f/2.2 and | Dual 48 + 5 MP f/1.7 and f/2.4 16 MP f/2.0 front camera |
12.2 MP f/1.8 8 MP f/2.0 front camera |
| BATTERY | 3700 mAh, fast charging 25W | 3765 mAh, fast charging with VOOC 3.0 | 3700 mAh, Fast Charging 18W |
| ADDITIONAL FEATURES | Dual SIM slot | Dual SIM slot | Dual SIM with eSIM |
Design
Both the Samsung Galaxy A80 and the Oppo Reno offer stunning and futuristic design. They feature a notch-less display with a very high screen-to-body ratio thanks to their pop-up and rotating cameras. My favorite one is the Oppo Reno because I like its glass back more. On the other hand, Samsung Galaxy A80 seems to have a better build quality. In my opinion, Google Pixel 3a comes with a design which is far from being impressive due to its thick bezels around the display and a full plastic body. It even lacks an IP certification, unlike its older siblings from the Pixel 3 line-up.
Display
All of these phones feature very nice OLED displays with vivid colors and deep blacks. I liked very much the color accuracy of the Oppo Reno, but there is also to mention that Samsung Galaxy A80 has a bigger display size due to its taller 20:9 aspect ratio. As a multimedia lover, I would choose the Google Pixel 3a not only for the display but also because it is equipped with louder stereo speakers.
Specs & Software
If you are looking for the highest performances, then Samsung Galaxy A80 is the right choice for you. It comes with the most powerful midrange processor by Qualcomm: the octa-core Snapdragon 730 running at a max frequency of 2.2 GHz. And it only has a configuration with whopping 8 GB of RAM and 128 GB of internal storage. But you can not expand the storage. On the other hand, Google Pixel 3a XL has a stock operating system which will get updated faster and it will also be safer as it will get security patches more quickly. But in terms of performances, even the Oppo Reno is better due to its Snapdragon 710 chipset and up to 8 GB of RAM and 256 GB of internal storage.
Camera
The most stunning camera belongs to the Google Pixel 3a XL, even though it is just a single rear camera. It is the same sensor as the vanilla Pixel 3 and it even works with the same algorithm. Its performances in low light conditions are amazing and it can shoot flagship class photos. At the second place, there is the Samsung Galaxy A80 which even includes an ultrawide sensor, as well as a 3D TOF camera. It is a rotating camera setup, so you can also use it for selfies.
Battery
Oppo Reno has a slightly bigger battery, but just slightly. Samsung Galaxy A80 and Pixel 3a XL have the same battery capacity. So we do not expect big differences in battery life. We still did not test it, but given the usual software optimization, Google Pixel 3a XL might last more on a single charge.
Price
Google Pixel 3a XL debuted with a €480/$540 price, Oppo Reno carries a €500/$562 price tag and Samsung Galaxy A80 costs €650/$730. Overall, I personally prefer the Galaxy A80 due to its better chipset and its amazing build quality, but the price would let me go for the Pixel 3a XL and its astonishing camera performances.
Samsung Galaxy A80 vs Oppo Reno vs Google Pixel 3a XL: PROs and CONS
Google Pixel 3a XL
PROs
- Amazing cameras
- Stereo speakers
- Updated OS
- Stock Android
CONS
- No micro SD
- Bezels and plastic body
Samsung Galaxy A80
PROs
- Innovative design
- Great cameras
- Nice display
- Better hardware
- Faster charging technology
- Under-display fingerprint reader
CONS
- Higher price
Oppo Reno
PROs
- Innovative design
- Nice cameras
- Affordable price
- Big battery
- Under-display fingerprint reader
CONS
- Nothing particular
