Smartphone Comparison: OnePlus 9 Pro vs. Nokia G21
1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | OnePlus 9 Pro | Nokia G21 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 163.2 × 73.6 × 8.7 mm | 164.6 × 75.9 × 8.5 mm | Nokia G21 is slightly taller and wider, might feel less comfortable in hand for some. |
| Weight | 197g | 190g | Nokia G21 is slightly lighter, may feel less tiring during prolonged use. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.7" | 6.5" | OnePlus 9 Pro offers a slightly larger screen for more immersive viewing. |
| Resolution | 1440x3216 | 720x1600 | OnePlus 9 Pro has a much sharper display, resulting in clearer text and images. |
| Pixel Density | 525 ppi | 270 ppi | OnePlus 9 Pro's display is significantly sharper with noticeably more detail. |
| Technology | Missing | IPS LCD | Nokia G21 uses IPS LCD, which is known for its good color accuracy and viewing angles, While we lack information about the OnePlus 9 Pro display technology. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 90Hz | OnePlus 9 Pro has smoother animations and scrolling, creating a more fluid user experience. |
| Brightness | 1300 nits | 0 nits | OnePlus 9 Pro screen is much easier to see in bright sunlight, Nokia G21 brightness is unknown. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Snapdragon 888 5G (5 nm) | Unisoc T606 (12 nm) | OnePlus 9 Pro is much faster, enabling smoother multitasking, quicker app loading, and better gaming. |
| AnTuTu Score | 877,600 | 253,300 | OnePlus 9 Pro provides significantly better performance in all tasks and is more future-proof. |
| GPU | Adreno 660 | Mali-G57 MP1 | OnePlus 9 Pro's GPU offers superior graphics performance, important for gaming and demanding apps. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 4500mAh | 5050mAh | Nokia G21 has a larger battery, likely offering longer battery life between charges. |
| Charging | 65W Fast Charging | 18W Fast Charging | OnePlus 9 Pro charges much faster, reducing downtime. |
| Features | Wireless, Reverse | In-box 10W charger | OnePlus 9 Pro offers more convenient wireless charging options; Nokia G21 comes with a charger in the box. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 48MP, f/1.8, 1/1.43" | 50MP, f/1.8, 1/2.76" | OnePlus 9 Pro has a larger sensor, which captures more light and detail. |
| Selfie Camera | 16MP, f/2.4, 1/3.13" | 8MP, f/2.0 | OnePlus 9 Pro has a higher resolution, resulting in sharper selfies. Nokia G21 has a wider aperture which may perform better in low light. |
| Telephoto Lens | 8MP, f/2.4, 1/4.4" | None | OnePlus 9 Pro has a dedicated zoom lens for better telephoto shots. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 50MP, f/2.2, 1/1.56" | None | OnePlus 9 Pro has a wide-angle lens for landscape and group photos. |
| Portrait Lens | None | 2MP, f/2.4 | Nokia G21 has a dedicated depth sensor for portrait mode with bokeh effect. |
| Macro Lens | None | 2MP, f/2.4 | Nokia G21 has a dedicated macro lens for close-up shots. |
| Black & White | 2MP, f/2.4 | None | OnePlus 9 Pro has a dedicated black and white sensor for artistic images. |
| Video | Up to 8K HDR | Up to 1080p | OnePlus 9 Pro supports much higher video resolutions and advanced video features. |
| DXOMARK Score | 122 | None | OnePlus 9 Pro has a high-rated camera. Nokia G21 camera performance is not tested by DXOMARK. |
| Camera Features | Extensive, incl. RAW, OIS | Basic features | OnePlus 9 Pro offers more control and versatility for photography enthusiasts. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11, Upgradable to 14 | Android 11, Upgradable to 13 | OnePlus 9 Pro will receive updates longer. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | WiFi 6 | Wi-Fi 5 | OnePlus 9 Pro supports faster Wi-Fi standards for improved network performance. |
| Bluetooth | 5.2 | 5.0 | OnePlus 9 Pro has a newer, more efficient Bluetooth connection. |
| GPS | Advanced, dual-band | Basic | OnePlus 9 Pro offers more accurate and reliable location services. |
| SIM | Dual SIM | Dual SIM | Both support dual sim cards, allowing use of two networks. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal Storage | 128/256 GB | 64/128 GB | OnePlus 9 Pro has more storage options, allowing more files and applications. |
| RAM | 8/12 GB | 4/6 GB | OnePlus 9 Pro offers smoother multitasking and better performance with more RAM. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither phone supports expandable storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Dolby Atmos, Stereo | Basic, dual mics | OnePlus 9 Pro has superior audio quality for music, videos, and calls. |
| Security | |||
| Features | Basic fingerprint | Side-mounted | Nokia G21 has more ergonomic placement of its fingerprint sensor for easier access. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Gorilla Glass 5 | Unknown | OnePlus 9 Pro offers more durable display protection. |
| Sensors | |||
| Features | Gyroscope, Compass | Accelerometer | OnePlus 9 Pro has a comprehensive sensor suite that is better for gaming and AR applications. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
OnePlus 9 Pro Advantages:
- Superior Performance: Much faster processor and GPU resulting in smoother multitasking, gaming and overall better app performance.
- High-Quality Display: Significantly sharper, brighter display with a smoother refresh rate which gives a premium viewing experience.
- Advanced Camera System: More versatile camera setup with telephoto, wide-angle lenses and higher quality sensors for better overall image quality, advanced video features such as 8k and optical image stabilization.
- Faster Charging: Significantly faster wired and wireless charging capabilities.
- Premium Audio: Stereo speakers with Dolby Atmos support for a more immersive audio experience.
- More RAM/Storage Options: More RAM for better multi-tasking and more internal storage for storing more data and applications.
- Future Proof: Newer Bluetooth and WiFi technologies and will receive OS updates for longer than the Nokia G21.
Nokia G21 Advantages:
- Longer Battery Life: Larger battery capacity, which can give the phone a much better battery life when compared to the OnePlus 9 Pro.
- Side-Mounted Fingerprint: Side-mounted fingerprint sensor provides a good ergonomics for unlocking the phone.
- Lower Price: Significantly lower price, making it a more budget-friendly option for users.
- Dedicated Macro and Portrait Lenses: Provides some creative camera capabilities not found in the OnePlus 9 Pro
Trade-offs:
- OnePlus 9 Pro: Significantly more expensive. May not have the best battery life despite having a slightly smaller battery than the Nokia G21
- Nokia G21: Much lower performance, less refined display, basic camera system, longer charging times, and very basic audio features.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
OnePlus 9 Pro Ideal Users:
- Power Users: Individuals who demand high performance for gaming, multitasking, and demanding apps.
- Photography Enthusiasts: Users who want a versatile camera system with advanced features for creative photography and video recording.
- Multimedia Consumers: People who value a premium viewing experience with a high-resolution, smooth display and good audio quality.
- Tech Enthusiasts: Early adopters who want the latest technologies and features.
- People willing to pay a premium for a flagship experience: This phone isn't cheap but it provides a lot of value for its cost.
Use Cases for OnePlus 9 Pro:
- Playing graphics-intensive mobile games at high frame rates and resolutions.
- Editing photos and videos with demanding software.
- Enjoying high-quality streaming content with HDR support.
- Capturing professional-grade photos and videos in various lighting conditions.
- Multitasking between apps without lag.
Nokia G21 Ideal Users:
- Budget-Conscious Buyers: People who need a functional smartphone at an affordable price.
- Casual Users: Individuals who primarily use their phone for basic tasks like browsing, social media, and calls.
- Users focused on battery life: People who need a phone that can last all day on a single charge.
- Users looking for a reliable and simple phone: Users who are not interested in gaming or photography and are not looking for a feature rich phone.
- Users who want a dedicated macro and portrait camera: Users who don't want high end results but want the flexibility of having the additional camera features.
Use Cases for Nokia G21:
- Browsing the web and social media.
- Making calls and sending text messages.
- Using basic apps for productivity or entertainment.
- Taking casual snapshots in good lighting conditions.
- Users who value long battery life over everything else
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- What is my budget? The OnePlus 9 Pro is significantly more expensive than the Nokia G21.
- What is my primary use case? Do you prioritize performance, camera, and display quality (OnePlus 9 Pro), or long battery life and affordability (Nokia G21)?
- How important are advanced features? Do you need features like a high-refresh rate display, a professional camera system, or fast charging (OnePlus 9 Pro), or are basic features sufficient (Nokia G21)?
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Gaming & Multimedia: If you plan to play demanding games and consume a lot of multimedia content, the OnePlus 9 Pro is the clear choice due to its superior performance, display, and audio quality.
- Scenario 2: Budget-Conscious User: If you are on a tight budget and need a reliable phone for basic tasks with long battery life, the Nokia G21 is a more suitable option.
- Scenario 3: Photography & Video: If you prioritize camera versatility and quality for creative photography and video recording, the OnePlus 9 Pro is superior. The Nokia G21 will be good for basic everyday shots.
- Scenario 4: Long Battery Life & Everyday Usage: If having good battery life is more important than performance, the Nokia G21 will be the more suitable choice.
My Choice
If I were choosing a phone between these two, I would choose the OnePlus 9 Pro. While it is significantly more expensive, the improvements in nearly all aspects of the phone make it a better overall experience. The superior performance, display quality, camera system, and fast charging, along with the added premium features like the improved wifi and bluetooth technologies, make it worth the added cost for my use case. I value the fluidity, responsiveness, and overall premium feel that the OnePlus 9 Pro provides, which the Nokia G21 simply can not offer, and the camera, with its OIS and 8k recording would be a very valuable addition to my needs. While the battery life is not as good as the Nokia G21, I am happy to sacrifice some battery life for a much more premium experience.
