1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Oppo Reno5 5G | Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 159.1 × 73.4 × 7.9 mm | 165.1 × 75.6 × 8.9 mm | S21 Ultra is larger and bulkier, less comfortable for one-handed use. Reno5 5G is more compact, easier to handle. |
| Weight | 172g | 227g | Reno5 5G is significantly lighter, more comfortable for prolonged use. S21 Ultra's weight may feel substantial. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.43" | 6.8" | S21 Ultra has a larger screen, better for media consumption and multitasking. Reno5 5G is more compact. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1440x3200 | S21 Ultra has significantly sharper visuals, especially noticeable with detailed content and text. |
| Pixel Density (PPI) | 409 | 515 | S21 Ultra's higher pixel density results in crisper images. |
| Technology | AMOLED | AMOLED | Both offer vibrant colors and deep blacks. |
| Refresh Rate | 90Hz | 120Hz | S21 Ultra has smoother scrolling and animations, more responsive feel. |
| Brightness | 750 nits | 1500 nits | S21 Ultra is much brighter, drastically better visibility outdoors in sunlight. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Snapdragon 765G | Exynos 2100 | S21 Ultra has a significantly more powerful chip, noticeably faster app loading and responsiveness. |
| AnTuTu Score | 325,000 | 749,000 | S21 Ultra is much faster for demanding games, heavy multitasking, and resource-intensive apps. |
| GPU | Adreno 620 | Mali-G78 MP14 | S21 Ultra has significantly superior graphics capabilities for gaming and other GPU-heavy tasks. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 4300mAh | 5000mAh | S21 Ultra has a larger battery, typically providing longer battery life. |
| Charging | 65W Fast Charging | 25W Fast Charging | Reno5 5G charges significantly faster, minimizing downtime. |
| Features | 2100mAh dual-cell, Reverse Charging | Wireless Charging 15W, Reverse Wireless Charging 9W, No charger in-box, Reverse charging | S21 Ultra offers wireless charging capabilities, Reno5 5G offers faster wired charging and dual-cell battery tech. |
| Camera | |||
| Standard Lens | 64MP, f/1.7 | 108MP, f/1.8 | S21 Ultra has higher resolution, resulting in greater detail. Reno5 5G's wider aperture may perform slightly better in low light. |
| Telephoto Lens | None | 10.8MP (x2) & 10.8MP (x1) | S21 Ultra offers optical zoom capabilities, a significant advantage for distant subjects. |
| Selfie Camera | 32MP, f/2.4 | 44MP, f/2.2 | S21 Ultra captures more detailed selfies and has a wider aperture for better low-light. |
| Macro Lens | 2MP, f/2.4 | None | Reno5 5G offers dedicated close-up macro photography. |
| Wide Angle | 8MP, f/2.2 | 12.2MP, f/2.2 | S21 Ultra captures wider scenes with more detail. |
| Video | Up to 4K@30fps | Up to 8K@24fps | S21 Ultra records higher resolution video, offering more versatility for professional use. |
| Video Features | No stabilizer | OIS | S21 Ultra offers better stabilization, smoother videos. |
| DxOMark | Not Available | Mobile: 115, Selfie: 135 | S21 Ultra demonstrates better overall camera quality based on DxOMark. |
| Features | See detailed breakdown | See detailed breakdown | S21 Ultra offers more advanced features like Optical Zoom, RAW capture, and Laser AF. Reno5 5G offers Ultra Stable Video. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 (Upgradable to 12) | Android 11 (Upgradable to 15) | S21 Ultra is expected to receive more software updates from manufacturer. |
| Connectivity | |||
| WiFi | Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac) | Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) | S21 Ultra offers faster Wi-Fi speeds and lower latency on compatible networks. |
| Bluetooth | 5.1 | 5.2 | S21 Ultra has newer bluetooth version, supporting more advanced features |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo, GPS (L1+L5), Galileo (E1+E5a) | S21 Ultra has more precise GPS capabilities. |
| SIM | Dual Nano SIM | Dual Nano SIM | Both support dual SIM functionality. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 128GB/256GB | 128GB/256GB/512GB | S21 Ultra offers more storage options. |
| RAM | 8GB/12GB | 12GB/16GB | S21 Ultra offers higher RAM capacity. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither phone supports microSD cards. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Dolby Atmos, Stereo Speakers | Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res Audio, Noise cancellation mic, Stereo Speakers | S21 Ultra has a superior audio system with hi-res audio and better noise cancellation for calls. |
| Security | |||
| Features | Fingerprint Sensor | Fingerprint Sensor | Both use a standard fingerprint sensor. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 3+ | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus | S21 Ultra has much better protection against scratches and drops. |
| Sensors | |||
| Features | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Barometer, Hall, Geomagnetic | S21 Ultra has more comprehensive sensors, particularly an environmental Barometer, and enhanced functionality. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Oppo Reno5 5G Advantages:
- Lighter and More Compact: Easier to handle and more comfortable for extended use, especially for users with smaller hands.
- Faster Charging: 65W charging allows for much faster recharge times, which can be convenient for users with a busy schedule.
- Dedicated Macro Lens: Offers a specific camera for close-up photography that the S21 Ultra lacks.
- Cost-Effective: Likely to be more affordable than the S21 Ultra.
Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G Advantages:
- Superior Display: Larger, higher-resolution, and significantly brighter display with a smoother 120Hz refresh rate. Better for media consumption and outdoor use.
- Much Higher Performance: Significantly more powerful chipset, resulting in much faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and better gaming performance.
- Superior Camera System: More versatile camera system with optical zoom lenses, higher resolution main and selfie sensors, and more advanced features.
- Larger Battery: Offers longer battery life.
- Wireless Charging: Provides convenience for wireless charging.
- More Storage and RAM options: Offers 512GB storage and 16GB of RAM.
- Better Video Recording: Capable of recording 8K video and has better video stabilization.
- Improved Audio: High-resolution audio and a noise cancellation microphone provides better sound quality.
- Superior Screen Protection Gorilla Glass Victus is much more durable.
- More software updates: Longer software support lifecycle.
Trade-offs:
- Reno5 5G: Trades performance and camera versatility for a lighter design, faster charging and lower price.
- S21 Ultra: Trades portability and charging speed for a much better display, performance, camera system, and battery capacity.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Ideal User for Oppo Reno5 5G:
- Users who prioritize a lightweight and compact phone that is easy to handle.
- Users who value fast charging and want to minimize downtime.
- Users who have modest performance needs and don't need to play very demanding games or do heavy multitasking.
- Users who enjoy close-up macro photography.
- Users who are on a budget and want a good value for money.
Use Cases for Oppo Reno5 5G:
- Casual social media browsing and content consumption.
- Everyday tasks such as messaging, calling, and web surfing.
- Macro photography for close-up shots of objects and nature.
- Users needing a fast-charging device.
- Users who prefer compact phones for better one-handed usage
Ideal User for Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G:
- Users who demand the best possible display experience and appreciate sharp, vibrant, and bright screens.
- Users who need top-tier performance for gaming, video editing, and heavy multitasking.
- Users who prioritize a high-quality and versatile camera system with optical zoom and advanced features.
- Users who want the longest possible battery life.
- Users who value wireless charging capabilities.
- Users who intend to keep a phone for a long time given the extended OS updates.
Use Cases for Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G:
- Mobile gamers who want the best graphics and smoothest performance.
- Content creators who need high-quality video recording, editing, and viewing.
- Photography enthusiasts who desire a versatile camera system with zoom and RAW capture capabilities.
- Power users who need to multitask with multiple demanding apps.
- Users who consume a lot of video content and want a large, high-quality display.
- Users who require a device that offers long software support life cycles.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions to Consider:
- What is your budget? If you are budget-conscious, the Oppo Reno5 5G is the likely choice.
- How important is display quality and performance? If those are high priorities, the S21 Ultra is the better option.
- What are your photography needs? If you require versatile zoom capabilities and a high-resolution camera, the S21 Ultra excels. If a dedicated macro lens is more important, the Reno5 5G is a better option.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1 (Budget User): If you're primarily concerned about affordability and need a reliable device for everyday tasks, the Oppo Reno5 5G is a good option.
- Scenario 2 (Power User): If you're a gamer, content creator, or heavy multitasker who needs the best possible performance, display, and camera capabilities, the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G is worth the extra investment.
- Scenario 3 (Casual User with Photo Focus): If you're a casual user who values a light phone but enjoys close-up photography, the Oppo Reno5 5G may be suitable. If you would like more all-around camera capabilities then the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G is the option.
- Scenario 4 (Users Needing Longest Software Support): If having a device with the longest software support is important for your device lifetime, the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G is the better option given the additional OS updates provided.
My Choice
If I were choosing between these two phones, I would personally choose the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G. While I appreciate the Oppo Reno5 5G's lighter weight and faster charging, the S21 Ultra's vastly superior display, performance, camera system, and overall user experience are worth the extra cost for my needs.
I value a high-quality display for media consumption, and the S21 Ultra's 120Hz display is a significant advantage. The processing power and the significantly more versatile camera system also better fit my use case, which includes some mobile gaming and more demanding photo editing. Although the larger size and weight are a downside, I'm willing to accept that trade-off for the added benefits. The extended software support also gives me peace of mind knowing the phone will remain up-to-date longer.
