1. Specifications Comparison
Here's a detailed comparison of the OnePlus 9R and Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G, focusing on their practical implications:
Design
| Feature | OnePlus 9R | Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Physical Size | 161 × 74.1 × 8.4 mm | 155.7 × 74.5 × 7.9 mm | OnePlus 9R is taller and thicker, which may feel bulkier in hand and pocket, while S21 FE is more compact and easier to handle. |
| Weight | 189g | 177g | S21 FE is slightly lighter, which can make a noticeable difference during extended use, especially for one-handed operation. |
Display
| Feature | OnePlus 9R | Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Size | 6.55" | 6.4" | The OnePlus 9R offers slightly more screen real estate for viewing content, while the difference is minimal it can be a plus for media consumption. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2340 | Both offer similar sharpness, differences won't be noticeable in daily use. |
| PPI | 402 | 403 | Both have similar pixel density resulting in sharp and clear image quality. |
| Technology | AMOLED | AMOLED | Both phones offer vibrant colors, deep blacks, and excellent contrast typical of AMOLED displays. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | Both displays offer smooth scrolling and animations, ideal for gaming and media consumption. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 1300 nits | The S21 FE has significantly higher peak brightness making it much more visible outdoors under bright sunlight. OnePlus 9R brightness is unknown, hindering a full analysis here. |
| Screen Protection | Unknown | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus | Samsung Galaxy S21 FE has a significantly superior protection with Corning Gorilla Glass Victus compared to the unknown protection offered by the OnePlus 9R. |
Performance
| Feature | OnePlus 9R | Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chipset | Snapdragon 870 (7 nm) | Snapdragon 888 (5 nm) | S21 FE's chipset is slightly more powerful, leading to smoother performance in demanding applications and games, but the difference isn't big. |
| AnTuTu Score | 821,600 | 923,836 | S21 FE has a higher benchmark score, indicating somewhat better overall performance. |
| GPU | Adreno 650 | Adreno 660 | S21 FE's more powerful GPU can provide better performance in graphics-intensive tasks, such as gaming. |
Camera
| Feature | OnePlus 9R | Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main Camera | 48MP f/1.7, 1/2" sensor | 12MP f/1.8, 1/1.76" sensor | The OnePlus 9R has a higher megapixel count, while the S21 FE has a larger sensor with larger pixel size, generally performs better in low light conditions and provide better dynamic range. |
| Telephoto + Portrait | None | 8MP f/2.0 | S21 FE offers a dedicated telephoto camera for better zoom capabilities and portrait mode. |
| Selfie Camera | 16MP f/2.4, 1/3.13" sensor | 32MP f/2.2, 1/2.8" sensor | The S21 FE has a higher-resolution selfie camera and larger sensor, potentially capturing more detail and better performance in low-light. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 16MP f/2.2, 1/3.09" sensor | None | The OnePlus 9R features a dedicated wide-angle lens, good for capturing expansive scenes and group photos. |
| Portrait Mode (Depth) | 2MP f/2.4 | None | OnePlus 9R has a dedicated depth sensor for better portrait mode. The practicality of a 2MP sensor is limited. |
| Macro Lens | 5MP f/2.4 | None | OnePlus 9R has a macro lens for close-up shots, offering additional creative options. The practicality of a 5MP sensor is limited. |
| Wide Angle + Macro | None | 13MP f/2.2, 1/3.06" sensor | The S21 FE has an ultrawide camera that can take macro photos, potentially providing more versatility. |
| Video | Up to 4K@60fps, 1080p@240fps, EIS, HDR | Up to 4K@60fps, 1080p@240fps, 720p@960fps, EIS, HDR | Both offer similar video quality, but the S21 FE offers higher slow motion capabilities with 720p@960fps. |
| DXOMark | No Data | Mobile: 117; Selfie: 127 | The S21 FE has been tested and scored in both the main and selfie cameras, giving a reference for the quality of its camera system. |
| Camera Features | Quadruple camera. OIS. | Triple camera, Optical zoom, Night mode, Continuous autofocus, OIS. | S21 FE has an optical zoom and night mode for better low light photography. The OnePlus 9R has a quadruple setup but the practicality of the depth and macro sensor is limited. |
Battery
| Feature | OnePlus 9R | Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 4500mAh | 4500mAh | Both phones have similar battery capacities, so expect comparable battery life. |
| Charging | 65W Fast | 25W Fast | OnePlus 9R charges significantly faster, making it more convenient if you need to quickly top up the battery. |
| Battery Features | Non-removable | Reverse charging, Non-removable, Wireless charging 15W, Reverse wireless charging 4.5W | S21 FE has wireless and reverse wireless charging capabilities and reverse charging which can be very useful to charge other devices. S21 FE also does not have a charger in-box. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Here's a breakdown of the major advantages of each phone:
OnePlus 9R Advantages:
- Faster Charging: The 65W fast charging is significantly quicker, allowing for much faster top-ups compared to the S21 FE's 25W.
- Dedicated Wide Angle, Macro and Depth cameras: Offers a wider range of lenses with the addition of wide angle, macro and depth sensors, but the practicality of the 2 and 5 MP sensors are limited.
- Potentially More RAM: Comes in a 12 GB variant, which can provide better multitasking and performance for demanding users.
- More Precise GPS: Supports more satellite systems, which can lead to better location tracking.
- Newer Bluetooth Version: Has Bluetooth 5.1, which offers some marginal improvements in connectivity compared to S21 FE 5.0.
Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G Advantages:
- Brighter Display: With 1300 nits peak brightness, the S21 FE screen is far more legible outdoors.
- Better Performance: The Snapdragon 888 offers a better benchmark scores and better performance in games and graphics intensive apps.
- Superior Main Camera Sensor: The larger sensor size of the main camera on S21 FE often translates to better low-light photography and improved dynamic range.
- Telephoto Lens: The inclusion of a telephoto lens allows for better zoom and portrait photography.
- Wireless Charging and Reverse Charging: Adds convenience with 15W wireless charging and reverse wireless charging features.
- Night Mode: Offers a dedicated night mode for better low-light images, whereas OnePlus 9R lacks it.
- Better Screen Protection: Has Corning Gorilla Glass Victus which protects better from damage.
- Better Selfie Camera: Features a 32MP selfie camera with a larger sensor that might capture more detailed and better low-light selfies.
- Software Updates: Starts with a newer Android version and is expected to receive more software updates in the long run (Android 16 compared to Android 13).
- DXOMark Testing: Has been tested on DXOMark, giving the user a better understanding on how the camera performs.
Trade-offs:
- OnePlus 9R: While it offers faster charging and more versatile camera options, it lacks the brighter display, wireless charging, optical zoom, and more software updates present in the S21 FE.
- Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G: Though it has a brighter display and better performance, it has slower wired charging speed.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
OnePlus 9R Ideal Users:
- Gamers on a budget: Users who need a smooth gaming experience with fast charging and potentially more RAM at a lower price point.
- Users who value fast charging: Individuals who frequently need to top up their phone and prioritize charging speed over other features.
- Users that like a variety of cameras: Offers a wide variety of lenses with depth, macro, and wide-angle cameras.
Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G Ideal Users:
- Users who prioritize a superior display: Individuals who spend a lot of time outdoors or in bright environments will benefit from the higher brightness of the S21 FE's screen.
- Users that take a lot of selfies or value camera performance: Users that care about the quality of their photos, and especially selfie, will benefit from the better selfie camera.
- Users who value wireless charging: Those who have wireless charging pads at home or in the car will appreciate the convenience of wireless charging.
- Users that care about software updates: The phone starts with Android 12 and is expected to receive more software updates.
Specific Use Cases:
- OnePlus 9R: Ideal for mobile gaming, watching videos, and for users who prioritize quick top-ups when on the go.
- Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G: Great for outdoor photography, social media influencers, everyday use, and users who want a feature-rich smartphone that is reliable.
4. Decision Framework
Here are 3 key questions a buyer should consider:
- How important is screen brightness and outdoor visibility to you? If you frequently use your phone outdoors, the S21 FE’s brighter display will be a significant advantage.
- Do you prioritize charging speed, or do you prefer wireless charging? If wired charging speed is essential, the OnePlus 9R is superior. If wireless charging is important, then S21 FE is superior.
- How important is camera quality for you and which camera do you use the most? If you prioritize selfies, low-light photography, and zoom, then the S21 FE is better. If you want more versatility, then the OnePlus 9R is better.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Casual user who wants a reliable all-rounder phone: The Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G is the better choice due to its brighter display, better overall performance, better main camera, wireless charging and better software updates.
- Scenario 2: Mobile gamer who needs fast charging: The OnePlus 9R is the better choice here as it comes with a fast charger that can easily recharge the device quickly.
- Scenario 3: Photography enthusiast who wants versatile camera lenses: OnePlus 9R is the better option because of its versatility through macro, depth and wide-angle lenses, even if they have low megapixel counts. However, if the focus is on main camera, low-light photos and selfies, the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G is better.
- Scenario 4: User who values long-term software updates: Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G is the better option as it ships with a newer version of Android and has more future updates guaranteed.
My Choice
If I were choosing between these two phones, I would choose the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G. Here's why:
- Superior Display: The higher brightness is a significant benefit for me, as I often use my phone outdoors and need good visibility in bright sunlight.
- Better Camera Performance: I value a good camera system, and the S21 FE's larger sensor, telephoto lens, and better selfie camera are a better overall choice, offering better performance in most conditions.
- Wireless Charging: The inclusion of wireless charging and reverse wireless charging makes the phone more versatile and convenient for my usage.
- Better Software Updates: I prefer longer software updates for security and to be on the latest version of Android.
While the faster charging of the OnePlus 9R is tempting, I believe the S21 FE's advantages in display quality, overall performance, camera capabilities, and additional features outweigh this single benefit for my particular needs.
