Smartphone Comparison: Samsung Galaxy S21 5G vs. OnePlus 12R
1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 5G | OnePlus 12R | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Launch Date | 2021-01-29 | 2024-02-06 | OnePlus 12R is significantly newer, likely with updated features & better long-term software support. |
| Dimensions | 151.7 × 71.2 × 7.9 mm | 163.3 × 75.3 × 8.8 mm | OnePlus 12R is larger and bulkier, less pocketable for some users, S21 5G more compact and ergonomic. |
| Weight | 169g | 207g | S21 5G is noticeably lighter, easier to handle for extended periods, more comfortable in hand. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.2" | 6.78" | OnePlus 12R offers a more immersive experience, better for media consumption and gaming, S21 5G more compact and portable. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1264x2780 | OnePlus 12R has a sharper and more detailed display, better for reading small text and viewing high-resolution content. |
| PPI | 421 | 450 | OnePlus 12R's display is slightly sharper. |
| Technology | AMOLED | Unspecified | S21 5G has AMOLED, known for vibrant colors, deep blacks, and excellent contrast. OnePlus 12R's technology isn't specified, making the comparison challenging. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | Both offer smooth scrolling and animations, enhancing the user experience. |
| Brightness | 1300 nits | 4500 nits | OnePlus 12R provides dramatically better outdoor visibility under bright sunlight, very helpful in outdoor environments. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Exynos 2100 (5 nm) - International | Qualcomm SM8550-AB Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 (4 nm) | OnePlus 12R’s Snapdragon Gen 2 is a newer, more powerful chipset, resulting in significantly faster performance and better efficiency. |
| AnTuTu Score | 749,100 | 1,743,901 | OnePlus 12R delivers much better performance in demanding tasks like gaming, multitasking, and heavy apps. |
| GPU | Mali-G78 MP14 - International | Adreno 740 | OnePlus 12R has a significantly more powerful GPU, offering smoother and better graphic rendering for demanding applications. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 4000mAh | 5500mAh | OnePlus 12R has a significantly larger battery, potentially offering much longer usage between charges. |
| Charging | 25W Fast Charging | 100W Fast Charging | OnePlus 12R charges much faster, reducing downtime considerably. |
| Features | Wireless Charging, Reverse Wireless Charging | Reverse Charging | S21 5G offers wireless charging and reverse wireless charging capabilities, but no charger in the box |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 12MP, f/1.8, 1/1.76" | 50MP, f/1.8, 1/1.56" | OnePlus 12R has a higher resolution main sensor and larger sensor, generally better image quality and detail, especially in low light. |
| Telephoto + Portrait | 64MP, f/2.0, 1/1.72" | None | S21 5G offers a dedicated telephoto lens, offering better zoom capabilities, and portrait shots. OnePlus 12R lacks a telephoto lens. |
| Selfie Camera | 10MP, f/2.2, 1/3.2" | 16MP, f/2.4, 1/3.1" | OnePlus 12R has higher resolution and slightly larger sensor for selfies. |
| Wide Angle Lens | None | 8MP, f/2.2, 1/2.8" | OnePlus 12R includes a dedicated wide-angle lens for capturing expansive scenes. |
| Macro Lens | None | 2MP, f/2.4, 1/5" | OnePlus 12R features a macro lens for close-up shots. |
| Wide Angle + Macro Lens | 12.2MP, f/2.2, 1/2.55" | None | S21 5G includes this feature for wide shots. |
| Video | Up to 8K@24fps | Up to 4K@60fps | S21 5G can record in 8K, providing higher resolution footage, but OnePlus 12R is capped at 4K. |
| DXOMark (Mobile) | 111 | Not Available | S21 5G's camera performance is rated by DXOMark. OnePlus 12R's performance is unknown. |
| DXOMark (Selfie) | 132 | Not Available | S21 5G's selfie camera performance is rated by DXOMark. OnePlus 12R's performance is unknown. |
| Camera Features | Optical Zoom, 8K Video | Flicker Sensor, Ultra stable video, Gimbal | S21 5G offers optical zoom and 8K, while the 12R prioritizes stability and includes a flicker sensor. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 (upgradable to 15) | Android 14 (upgradable to 17) | OnePlus 12R ships with a newer version of Android and is expected to have longer software update support. |
| Connectivity | |||
| WiFi | WiFi 6 | WiFi 7 | OnePlus 12R supports a newer WiFi standard for potentially faster and more reliable connections. |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.0 | Bluetooth 5.3 | OnePlus 12R has a newer Bluetooth version with potentially better efficiency and range. |
| GPS | L1+L5 | L1+L5, QZSS, GLONASS (L1), BeiDou (B1), BeiDou (B2) | OnePlus 12R supports more satellite systems offering better location accuracy. |
| SIM | Dual SIM, Dual Standby | Dual SIM, Dual Standby | Both support dual SIM functionality. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 128/256 GB | 128/256 GB | Both come in the same storage capacity. |
| RAM | 8 GB | 8/16 GB | OnePlus 12R offers an option for more RAM for better multitasking performance. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither phone supports expandable storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Dolby Atmos, Noise Cancelling Mic, Stereo Speakers | Stereo Speakers | S21 5G offers more advanced audio features, including Dolby Atmos and noise cancellation. |
| Security | |||
| Features | Basic Fingerprint | Basic Fingerprint | Both include a basic fingerprint sensor for security. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2 | Both offer screen protection. Victus 2 may be slightly more durable. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Barometer | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Gyroscope, Gravity, RGB, Pedometer | S21 5G has Barometer and Compass, while OnePlus has Gravity, RGB and Pedometer for additional functionality. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy S21 5G Advantages:
- More Compact Design: Lighter and smaller, making it more comfortable for one-handed use and portability.
- AMOLED Display: Offers richer colors, deeper blacks, and better contrast, providing a more visually pleasing experience.
- Telephoto Lens: Dedicated telephoto lens enhances zoom capabilities and portrait photography.
- Wireless Charging: Includes convenient wireless charging and reverse wireless charging features.
- Dolby Atmos and Noise Cancelling Microphones: Offers enhanced spatial audio and clearer calls.
- 8K video: Records video in higher resolution for professional-grade content.
- DXOMark Rating: Has a benchmarked camera rating providing a reference for its photo and video quality, though not necessarily superior.
OnePlus 12R Advantages:
- Newer & More Powerful Chipset: The Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 offers significantly better performance, faster app loading, and smoother multitasking.
- Significantly Larger Battery: Provides longer battery life, reducing the need for frequent charging.
- Much Faster Charging: 100W charging dramatically reduces charging time.
- Larger & Brighter Display: Offers a more immersive experience, better for media consumption, with higher resolution and brightness.
- Wide-Angle and Macro Lens: More versatile camera system for different shooting scenarios.
- Newer Software: Ships with a newer version of Android, ensuring better software support and latest features.
- WiFi 7: Supports more current WiFi standard for better connectivity.
Significant Trade-offs:
- Samsung S21 5G: Lacks the raw processing power, larger battery, and faster charging speeds of the OnePlus 12R. The lack of a wide angle and macro lens limits camera versatility.
- OnePlus 12R: Larger and heavier, missing wireless charging, telephoto lens for optical zoom and doesn't include an AMOLED display. Its camera lacks DXOMark benchmark data.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy S21 5G is ideal for:
- Users who prioritize a compact and lightweight phone.
- Those who value a vibrant AMOLED display with excellent colors and contrast.
- Users who want wireless charging capabilities.
- Users who prioritize sound quality and 8K video content creation.
- Users who often use zoom capabilities.
Use Cases:
- Casual daily use, browsing, social media.
- Users who prefer a smaller phone for one-handed operation.
- Users who enjoy creating and consuming high-quality photo and video content.
- Travelers who want a compact and convenient device with good camera capabilities
OnePlus 12R is ideal for:
- Users who prioritize performance and speed.
- Gamers and power users who demand high-end processing and RAM.
- Those who need excellent battery life and fast charging.
- Users who need a bright screen for use in outdoor environments.
- Users who need versatility in camera features (wide, macro lenses).
Use Cases:
- Gaming, multitasking, and demanding applications.
- Long periods of use away from a power source.
- Users who want a large, vibrant display for media consumption and gaming.
- Frequent outdoor users who need a bright screen.
- Users who prefer the latest Android version and long-term software support.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- What is your priority: size and comfort, or performance and battery life? (S21 5G is smaller, OnePlus 12R has much better performance and battery)
- How important is camera versatility and specific features like zoom, wireless charging, or video resolution? (S21 5G has telephoto lens, wireless charging, and 8K video, 12R has wide and macro lenses).
- What is your typical daily usage pattern? (S21 5G may suffice for basic use, while 12R is better for power users and gamers).
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Casual User - If your usage is mostly basic tasks, browsing, and social media and you value portability, the Samsung Galaxy S21 5G is sufficient.
- Scenario 2: Power User/Gamer - If you need top performance, battery life, and fast charging, the OnePlus 12R is the clear choice.
- Scenario 3: Photography Enthusiast - If you value zoom, portrait mode, wireless charging and sound quality, the Samsung Galaxy S21 5G might be preferred, while if wide and macro are more important, the OnePlus 12R is better.
My Choice and Explanation:
If I were choosing between these two phones, I would personally select the OnePlus 12R. Here's why:
- Future-Proof Performance: The Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset is a massive leap in performance over the Exynos 2100. As apps and games become more demanding, the OnePlus 12R will remain more capable and smoother in the long run.
- Battery Life and Charging: The significantly larger battery and much faster charging speed of the OnePlus 12R are huge advantages for me. I tend to use my phone heavily throughout the day, and these aspects of the OnePlus 12R offer significantly more convenience.
- Display Size and Brightness: I appreciate a large and vibrant display, and the higher resolution of the OnePlus 12R is a step up. The dramatically brighter display is also crucial for use in bright sunlight.
- Software Support: With the OnePlus 12R shipping with Android 14 and having future support for a longer time, it means I have a phone with the latest features for longer.
- Versatile Camera System: While the S21 5G has a dedicated telephoto lens, I personally find the wide-angle and macro lens options on the 12R more useful in daily scenarios, making the camera experience more versatile overall.
While I appreciate the compact form factor and the more vibrant AMOLED display of the Samsung Galaxy S21 5G, I feel the raw performance, battery life, charging speeds and more versatile camera system offered by the OnePlus 12R make it a better choice for my usage needs. The overall value and future-proofing aspect of the OnePlus 12R outweigh the benefits of the Samsung S21 5G for me.
