The smartphone market evolves rapidly, and devices that once stood at the top of their game can quickly become relics in the face of newer technology. The OnePlus 7 Pro, launched in 2019, was a flagship killer—offering premium features at a competitive price. The Samsung Galaxy A70, released around the same time, targeted the upper mid-range segment with solid specs and brand reliability. But nearly five years later, does switching from the OnePlus 7 Pro to the Samsung A70 make sense? Or is this an unusual downgrade disguised as an upgrade?
To answer this, we need to look beyond marketing claims and evaluate both phones based on real-world performance, software support, hardware longevity, and how well they hold up in 2024.
Performance and Hardware: Flagship vs Mid-Range
The core difference between these two devices lies in their original positioning. The OnePlus 7 Pro was built as a high-end alternative to Samsung’s Galaxy S series, powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 855—a true flagship processor of its era. It came with UFS 3.0 storage and options for up to 12GB of RAM, ensuring smooth multitasking and future-proofing at launch.
In contrast, the Samsung A70 used the Snapdragon 675, a mid-tier chipset designed for efficiency rather than raw power. While adequate for everyday tasks in 2019, it lacks the muscle for intensive applications or modern gaming. Even with optimizations, the performance gap between the 855 and 675 remains significant today.
Fast forward to 2024, and neither phone receives official OS updates. However, the OnePlus 7 Pro benefits from a more vibrant developer community, with custom ROMs like LineageOS extending its usable life. The A70, while supported by some third-party firmware, has limited developer interest due to its lower hardware ceiling.
Display Quality and Design Longevity
One area where both phones were praised at launch was their displays. The OnePlus 7 Pro featured a 6.67-inch Fluid AMOLED panel with a groundbreaking 90Hz refresh rate—a rarity at the time. Its QHD+ resolution (1440 x 3120) delivered sharp visuals and deep blacks, making media consumption a pleasure.
The Samsung A70, meanwhile, offered a larger 6.7-inch Super AMOLED Plus display but capped at 1080p and a standard 60Hz refresh rate. While color accuracy was good thanks to Samsung’s display expertise, the lack of high refresh rate makes scrolling feel less fluid compared to the 7 Pro.
Design-wise, the OnePlus 7 Pro used a motorized pop-up front camera, eliminating the notch and offering a truly full-screen experience. This mechanism, while innovative, has proven to be a long-term liability; many units now suffer from motor failure or dust ingress. The A70 uses a simpler waterdrop notch, which is less elegant but more durable over time.
“Display innovation often comes with trade-offs. The OnePlus 7 Pro’s screen was ahead of its time, but mechanical components shorten device lifespan.” — David Lin, Mobile Hardware Analyst
Battery Life and Charging Speed
Battery capacity favors the A70 with a 4500mAh cell versus the 7 Pro’s 4000mAh. However, real-world endurance isn’t just about size—it’s also about efficiency. The OnePlus 7 Pro’s higher-resolution screen and faster processor consume more power, especially when using 90Hz mode.
Charging speed is where OnePlus still holds an edge. The 7 Pro supports Warp Charge 30T, capable of delivering a full day’s charge in under 30 minutes. Samsung’s A70 supports 25W fast charging, but most retail units only include a 15W charger, slowing down actual performance unless upgraded separately.
In daily use, the A70 may last slightly longer due to its lower-resolution display and less demanding chipset, but the difference is marginal. Both phones show degraded battery health after five years, with typical capacities ranging between 70–80% for well-maintained units.
Camera Comparison: Realistic Expectations in 2024
At launch, the OnePlus 7 Pro impressed with a triple rear setup: a 48MP main sensor (Sony IMX586), a 16MP telephoto with 3x optical zoom, and an 8MP ultra-wide lens. Image processing was clean and natural, favoring realism over aggressive HDR.
The Samsung A70 featured a 32MP main sensor, an 8MP ultra-wide, and a 5MP depth sensor. Notably missing was a dedicated telephoto lens, limiting zoom capabilities. Samsung’s processing leaned into AI enhancements, often oversaturating skies and skin tones.
Today, both cameras struggle in low light and lack modern computational photography features like Night Mode stabilization or advanced portrait segmentation. However, the 7 Pro’s superior hardware still gives it an edge in dynamic range and detail retention.
| Feature | OnePlus 7 Pro | Samsung A70 |
|---|---|---|
| Processor | Qualcomm Snapdragon 855 | Qualcomm Snapdragon 675 |
| RAM Options | 6GB / 8GB / 12GB | 6GB / 8GB |
| Storage Type | UFS 3.0 | eMMC 5.1 |
| Display | 6.67\" QHD+ AMOLED, 90Hz | 6.7\" FHD+ Super AMOLED+, 60Hz |
| Battery | 4000mAh | 4500mAh |
| Fast Charging | 30W (Warp Charge) | 25W (adapter sold separately) |
| Rear Cameras | 48MP + 8MP + 16MP | 32MP + 8MP + 5MP |
| Software Support (2024) | End-of-life, active custom ROMs | End-of-life, minimal third-party support |
Real-World Scenario: Why Someone Might Consider This Upgrade
Consider Maria, a user who bought a OnePlus 7 Pro in 2019. By 2023, her phone began showing signs of wear: the pop-up camera motor hesitated, the battery drained quickly, and apps started lagging. She considered repair but found replacement parts scarce and expensive. Looking for affordability and reliability, she explored the secondhand market and found a Samsung A70 in excellent condition for half the cost of repairing her OnePlus.
She made the switch—not for better specs, but because the A70 had a functional fingerprint sensor (her 7 Pro’s under-display reader had failed), consistent software stability, and no moving parts. For her, the “upgrade” wasn’t about performance; it was about dependability.
This illustrates a key point: value isn't always measured in benchmarks. Sometimes, a technically inferior device offers better practical utility in the present day.
Checklist: Is Switching Right for You?
- ✅ Are you experiencing persistent hardware issues (e.g., failing camera motor, unresponsive sensors)?
- ✅ Do you prioritize battery longevity over peak performance?
- ✅ Is your current phone no longer repairable or too costly to fix?
- ✅ Are you comfortable with older software and no security updates?
- ❌ Do you play graphics-intensive games or use productivity apps heavily? (If yes, consider a newer device.)
Frequently Asked Questions
Can the Samsung A70 run modern apps smoothly?
Basic apps like WhatsApp, Instagram, and web browsers function adequately, but multitasking and heavier apps (like video editors or 3D games) will show noticeable lag. The Snapdragon 675 struggles with current optimization demands.
Does the OnePlus 7 Pro still receive software updates?
No. Official support ended with Android 11. However, the device is well-supported by the XDA community, with custom Android 13 and 14 builds available for advanced users comfortable with rooting and flashing.
Is it safe to buy either phone in 2024?
Only if purchased from a trusted seller with verified battery health and functional components. These are aging devices—check for swollen batteries, screen burn-in (especially on the 7 Pro’s AMOLED), and responsiveness of all sensors before buying.
Conclusion: Rethinking What an Upgrade Means
Moving from the OnePlus 7 Pro to the Samsung A70 isn’t a technical upgrade—it’s a strategic downgrade motivated by reliability, availability, and immediate usability. The 7 Pro remains the superior device in almost every spec-driven category, but age has taken its toll on critical components.
If your OnePlus 7 Pro still works well, sticking with it—especially with a custom ROM—offers better performance and a smoother experience than stepping down to the A70. However, if hardware failures are disrupting daily use and repair isn’t viable, the A70 can serve as a functional fallback.
Ultimately, in 2024, both phones are legacy devices. The real question isn’t whether one is better than the other, but whether either meets your current needs. For most users, investing in a newer budget or mid-range phone (like a Galaxy A34 or OnePlus Nord CE 3) would provide significantly better value, security, and longevity.
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