Smartphone Comparison: OnePlus 9 Pro vs. Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G
1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | OnePlus 9 Pro | Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 163.2 x 73.6 x 8.7 mm | 155.7 x 74.5 x 7.9 mm | OnePlus 9 Pro is taller and slightly thicker, potentially feeling bulkier in hand; S21 FE is more compact and pocketable. |
| Weight | 197g | 177g | S21 FE is lighter, making it more comfortable for prolonged use. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.7" | 6.4" | OnePlus 9 Pro has a slightly larger screen, better for media consumption. |
| Resolution | 1440x3216 | 1080x2340 | OnePlus 9 Pro offers significantly sharper visuals, with finer details. |
| Pixel Density | 525 ppi | 403 ppi | OnePlus 9 Pro's display will appear noticeably crisper than the S21 FE. |
| Technology | Not specified | AMOLED | S21 FE has AMOLED which provides better contrast, deeper blacks and more vivid colors. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | Both offer smooth scrolling and animations. |
| Brightness | 1300 nits | 1300 nits | Both will be easily visible in bright outdoor conditions. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Snapdragon 888 (5 nm) | Snapdragon 888 (5 nm) Version 1 | Both offer flagship-level performance for gaming and demanding apps. Slight performance variation due to chipset version. |
| AnTuTu Score | 877,600 | 923,836 | S21 FE has a slightly higher benchmark score, potentially smoother in intensive tasks. |
| GPU | Adreno 660 | Adreno 660 Version 1 | Both use Adreno 660, but performance variation can be seen due to version. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 48MP, f/1.8, 1/1.43" Sensor | 12MP, f/1.8, 1/1.76" Sensor | OnePlus 9 Pro has higher resolution and a larger sensor, potentially capturing more detailed photos, especially in low light. |
| Telephoto Camera | 8MP, f/2.4, 1/4.4" Sensor | 8MP, f/2.0 | S21 FE has a telephoto lens for zoomed photos; OnePlus 9 Pro includes an extra telephoto lens |
| Wide Angle Lens | 50MP, f/2.2, 1/1.56" Sensor | 13MP, f/2.2 1/3.06" Sensor (Wide + Macro) | OnePlus 9 Pro has a higher resolution ultrawide lens, more suitable for landscape photography. S21 FE combines macro with wide lens.. |
| Selfie Camera | 16MP, f/2.4, 1/3.13" Sensor | 32MP, f/2.2, 1/2.8" Sensor | S21 FE has higher resolution and larger sensor selfie camera. |
| Black & White Camera | 2MP, f/2.4 | None | Oneplus 9 Pro has a dedicated black and white sensor for artistic monochrome shots. |
| Video Recording | 8K@30fps, 4K@120fps | 4K@60fps | OnePlus 9 Pro supports higher resolution videos. |
| DXOMark Camera | Main: 122 / Photo: 124 / Video: 118 | Main: 117 / Photo: 119 / Video: 107; Selfie: 127 / Photo: 126 / Video: 130 | OnePlus 9 Pro has slightly better main camera performance. S21 FE has superior Selfie camera performance; The main camera score is better on the 9 Pro whereas the selfie scores are significantly better on the S21 FE |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 4500mAh | 4500mAh | Both offer similar battery life. |
| Charging | 65W Fast Charging | 25W Fast Charging | OnePlus 9 Pro charges significantly faster, reducing downtime. |
| Wireless Charging | 50W | 15W | OnePlus 9 Pro offers significantly faster wireless charging. |
| Reverse Wireless Charging | Yes | 4.5W | OnePlus 9 Pro has faster wireless reverse charging |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 (upgradable to 14) | Android 12 (upgradable to 16) | S21 FE ships with a newer OS version and promises more future OS upgrades. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal Storage | 128GB or 256GB | 128GB or 256GB | Both offer the same maximum storage options. |
| RAM | 8GB or 12GB | 6GB or 8GB | OnePlus 9 Pro offers more RAM, potentially resulting in smoother multitasking. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone allows for storage expansion. |
| Other | |||
| Bluetooth | 5.2 | 5.0 | OnePlus 9 Pro has a newer bluetooth version, leading to faster speeds and stability. |
| GPS | More systems supported | Less systems supported | OnePlus 9 Pro has better GPS accuracy |
| Screen Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus | Samsung S21 FE offers superior screen protection. |
| Audio | Dolby Atmos, Stereo Speakers, 3 microphones, Noise cancellation | Dolby Atmos, Stereo Speakers, Noise cancellation | OnePlus 9 Pro has a slight edge in audio features (by a small margin). |
| Sensors | Fingerprint, Accelerometer, Gyroscope, Compass, Proximity | Fingerprint, Accelerometer, Gyroscope, Compass, Proximity, Barometer, Geomagnetic, Hall | S21 FE has more environmental sensors |
| ## 2. Key Differences Analysis |
OnePlus 9 Pro Advantages:
- Higher Resolution Display: Significantly sharper display, ideal for users who consume a lot of media.
- Faster Charging: 65W wired and 50W wireless charging significantly reduce charging times.
- Better Main Camera: Larger sensor, better low-light performance.
- More RAM: 12GB RAM option for smoother multitasking and demanding applications.
- 8K video recording: Offers higher resolution video recording for more details.
- More Microphones: Three microphones for better audio quality.
Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G Advantages:
- Lighter and More Compact: Easier to handle and more pocketable.
- Newer OS & Longer Updates: Comes with Android 12 and is expected to receive updates for a longer period.
- Better Selfie Camera: Higher resolution and sensor size for better selfies.
- Better screen protection: Corning Gorilla Glass Victus, offers better scratch protection
- More Sensors: More sensors, allowing for more features and better app experience.
- Better DXOMark Selfie Score: Achieves a significantly better rating for its selfie camera than the main camera of the OnePlus 9 Pro.
Trade-offs:
- OnePlus 9 Pro: Larger, bulkier and may be less comfortable for some, especially with smaller hands. Slower selfie camera.
- Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G: Slower wired and wireless charging speeds. Lower resolution display, lower performing main camera sensor.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
OnePlus 9 Pro:
- Ideal User: Power users who value performance, high-resolution display, and fast charging. People who need a better main camera.
- Use Cases:
- Gaming: The powerful processor, ample RAM, and high refresh rate screen provide a fluid gaming experience.
- Media Consumption: The larger, high-resolution display is great for watching videos and browsing content.
- Photography enthusiasts who want the best main camera experience.
- Heavy users who benefit from the faster charging.
Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G:
- Ideal User: Users who prefer a more compact and comfortable phone with a good selfie camera.
- Use Cases:
- Everyday use: Its compact size makes it easy to handle on the go.
- Social media: The excellent selfie camera and features make it ideal for capturing and sharing content.
- Users who want the latest OS and longer software updates
- Users who like more robust screen protection
- Users who value a better environmental sensor package
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions:
- Do you prioritize display sharpness and media consumption? If yes, the OnePlus 9 Pro might be a better fit.
- Is a compact, lighter form factor more important for your daily use? If so, the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G is a better choice.
- Do you prefer better main camera performance and fast charging, or do you need a better selfie camera and longer software support? This will help prioritize one phone over the other.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Heavy Media Consumer & Gamer: Choose the OnePlus 9 Pro for its superior display and performance.
- Scenario 2: Social Media Creator & Everyday User: Choose the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G for its more comfortable size, better selfie camera, and longer software support.
- Scenario 3: Battery focused & frequent charging user: Choose the OnePlus 9 Pro for its ultra fast charging.
- Scenario 4: User who wants to future proof their phone: Choose the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G for it's longer software support.
My Choice
Personally, I would choose the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G. While the OnePlus 9 Pro offers a sharper display and faster charging, the S21 FE provides a more balanced package for my daily needs. I value the compact form factor, the better selfie camera, the better screen protection and more robust environmental sensor package, as well as longer software support. The faster charging speed on the OnePlus 9 Pro is tempting, but it's not a critical factor for my usage. Ultimately, the S21 FE is a better overall fit for my use case.
