Smartphone Comparison: Samsung Galaxy S21 5G vs. OnePlus 9RT 5G
1. Specifications Comparison
Here's a detailed comparison of the Samsung Galaxy S21 5G and OnePlus 9RT 5G, focusing on practical implications:
Design
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 5G | OnePlus 9RT 5G | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 151.7 × 71.2 × 7.9 mm | 162.2 × 74.6 × 8.3 mm | OnePlus 9RT is larger and may be less comfortable for single-hand use. S21 is more pocketable. |
| Weight | 169g | 198.5g | S21 is significantly lighter, making it more comfortable for extended holding. 9RT feels more substantial. |
| Build | Gorilla Glass Victus (screen) | Screen: Unknown | S21 offers superior screen protection against scratches and drops. 9RT's screen durability is unclear. |
Display
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 5G | OnePlus 9RT 5G | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Size | 6.2" | 6.62" | 9RT's larger screen provides a more immersive experience for media consumption and gaming. S21 is more compact. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2400 | Both offer sharp, detailed visuals. No noticeable difference in clarity. |
| Pixel Density | 421 PPI | 397 PPI | S21 offers a slightly sharper display. Minimal difference in visual quality for most users. |
| Technology | AMOLED | AMOLED | Both offer vibrant colors, deep blacks, and good contrast. Identical visual quality. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | Both provide a smooth scrolling experience and fluid animations. No difference in screen responsiveness. |
| Brightness | 1300 nits | 0 nits | S21 offers significantly better outdoor visibility in direct sunlight. 9RT's brightness data is missing. |
Performance
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 5G | OnePlus 9RT 5G | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chipset | Exynos 2100 (5 nm) | Snapdragon 888 5G (5 nm) | Snapdragon 888 offers slightly better raw performance and more efficient power management. The 9RT will perform better in demanding games and multitasking. |
| AnTuTu Score | 749,100 | 881,700 | 9RT demonstrates better overall performance in benchmarks. Will translate to snappier operation. |
| GPU | Mali-G78 MP14 | Adreno 660 | Adreno 660 tends to perform slightly better in gaming and graphics intensive applications. The 9RT will generally have better gaming performance. |
Camera
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 5G | OnePlus 9RT 5G | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main Camera | 12MP, f/1.8, 1/1.76" | 50MP, f/1.8, 1/1.56" | 9RT captures more detail and has a larger sensor for better low-light performance. |
| Telephoto/Portrait | 64MP, f/2.0, 1/1.72" | None | S21 provides optical zoom capabilities and better portrait shots. 9RT lacks this versatility. |
| Selfie Camera | 10MP, f/2.2, 1/3.2" | 16MP, f/2.4, 1/3.13" | 9RT offers higher resolution selfies. S21 has a slightly wider aperture for better low light. |
| Wide Angle Lens | None | 16MP, f/2.2, 1/3.09" | 9RT captures wider scenes and provides greater photographic versatility. S21 is missing this feature. |
| Macro Lens | None | 2MP, f/2.4 | 9RT has the ability to take close-up macro shots. S21 is missing this feature. |
| Wide Angle + Macro | 12.2MP, f/2.2, 1/2.55" | None | S21 has a wide angle macro lens, which is not as versatile as dedicated wide angle and macro lenses. |
| Video | Up to 8K@24fps | Up to 4K@60fps | S21 offers higher video resolution for professional-grade video recording. Both offer good stabilization. |
| DxOMark (Mobile) | 111 | Not Tested | S21 has a higher rated camera performance than the 9RT. |
| DxOMark (Selfie) | 132 | Not Tested | S21 takes a higher quality selfie according to DxOMark. |
Battery
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 5G | OnePlus 9RT 5G | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 4000mAh | 4500mAh | 9RT's larger battery offers potentially longer usage between charges. |
| Charging | 25W Fast Charging | 65W Fast Charging | 9RT recharges significantly faster, reducing downtime. S21 is much slower. |
| Features | Wireless charging 15W, Reverse charging, Reverse wireless charging | Double battery cells | S21 offers wireless charging and reverse wireless charging. 9RT has a dual-cell battery for faster charging and potentially improved heat management. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy S21 5G Advantages:
- Compact and Lightweight: More comfortable for single-handed use and portability.
- Superior Display Brightness: Easier to view under direct sunlight.
- Better Selfie Camera Higher DxOMark score and better low-light performance.
- Wireless Charging and Reverse Charging: Adds versatility for charging other devices.
- 8K Video Recording: Enables high-resolution video creation.
- Telephoto Camera: Provides better zoom and portrait capabilities.
- Screen Protection: Has a better scratch and drop resistance.
Practical Implications: The S21 is better suited for users who prioritize a compact design, a brighter screen for outdoor use, wireless charging, a better front-facing camera, and more versatile camera options.
OnePlus 9RT 5G Advantages:
- Larger Display: More immersive for media consumption and gaming.
- Faster Performance: The Snapdragon 888 offers better raw performance and more efficient power management.
- Better Main Camera: Larger sensor and higher resolution for capturing more details and low-light performance.
- Wide Angle and Macro Cameras - More versatile camera lens array with dedicated wide and macro lenses.
- Faster Charging: Significantly quicker charging time.
- Larger Battery: Likely longer battery life for extended usage.
- Bluetooth 5.2 - Faster and more efficient bluetooth connection.
Practical Implications: The 9RT is better for users who prioritize performance, a larger screen, a longer battery life, faster charging, and a more versatile camera, especially for general photography with macro and wide angle lenses.
Trade-offs:
- The S21 trades a larger battery and display for a more compact design and wireless charging.
- The 9RT trades wireless charging, higher selfie camera rating, and 8k video for a larger screen and battery, faster performance, better main camera, and faster charging.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy S21 5G:
- Ideal User:
- Users who prefer a smaller, lightweight phone that is easy to handle.
- Users who frequently use their phone outdoors in bright sunlight.
- Users who prioritize wireless charging and reverse charging.
- Users who need better selfie and video quality.
- Specific Use Cases:
- Daily commuting and on-the-go use.
- Outdoor photography and videography in bright light.
- Users who want a high quality front facing camera.
- Charging other devices on the go.
OnePlus 9RT 5G:
- Ideal User:
- Users who prioritize gaming, media consumption, and multitasking on a larger screen.
- Users who want the best performance, longer battery life, and faster charging.
- Users who prioritize versatile photography capabilities.
- Specific Use Cases:
- Gaming on the go with maximum performance.
- Heavy multitasking, running many apps simultaneously.
- All-day usage without frequent charging.
- General photography with diverse lenses.
Price-to-Value:
- The S21 may offer better value for users looking for a high-quality, compact phone with wireless charging and reverse wireless charging.
- The 9RT provides better value for users who want the best performance, a larger screen, and faster charging, with more versatile photography, but may be less ideal if compactness, wireless charging or a high quality selfie camera is a priority.
4. Decision Framework
Here are 3 key questions to guide buyers:
- Size and Portability: Do you prioritize a compact and lightweight phone that is easy to handle, or do you prefer a larger screen for a more immersive experience?
- Performance and Battery: Do you prioritize raw performance and a longer battery life with fast charging, or are wireless charging and reverse wireless charging more important?
- Camera Needs: Do you need a versatile telephoto lens and high-quality selfies, or is a more versatile set of lens with a better main camera, wide angle, and macro lens more important?
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: On-the-go user: If you are often on the go, needing a phone that is comfortable to carry and use one-handed, the Samsung Galaxy S21 5G is the better choice. Its compact design and superior brightness are more practical for daily use.
- Scenario 2: Power User: If you are a gamer or media consumer needing maximum performance, longer battery life, and faster charging, the OnePlus 9RT 5G is superior. The larger screen also provides a better experience for gaming.
- Scenario 3: Camera Enthusiast: If you prioritize versatile photography options including wide angle and macro, with faster charging and larger battery, the OnePlus 9RT 5G is better. If you need better quality selfies and telephoto lens, along with 8k video recording, the Samsung Galaxy S21 5G will be superior.
My Choice
Based on my personal preferences and how I use a phone, I would choose the OnePlus 9RT 5G. While I appreciate the compact design and superior brightness of the Samsung Galaxy S21, the 9RT's larger display, faster performance, superior main camera, versatile lenses, and significantly faster charging are more important to my usage patterns. I tend to use my phone for gaming and consuming media, and appreciate a larger battery, all of which is provided by the OnePlus 9RT. Additionally, the general versatility of the camera with more lenses outweighs the advantage of wireless charging and superior selfie performance.
