1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 5G | OnePlus Nord 2 5G | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 151.7 × 71.2 × 7.9 mm | 159.1 × 73.3 × 8.3 mm | S21 is more compact and pocketable; Nord 2 is larger, potentially less comfortable for small hands. |
| Weight | 169g | 189g | S21 is lighter, better for long use; Nord 2 feels more substantial, might be preferable for some. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.2" | 6.43" | Nord 2 has slightly more screen for media; S21 is more comfortable for one-hand use. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2400 | Both are Full HD+, sharp for everyday use. |
| PPI | 421 | 409 | Virtually indistinguishable sharpness; both displays are very crisp. |
| Technology | AMOLED | AMOLED | Both offer vibrant colors and deep blacks; excellent for content consumption. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 90Hz | S21 is smoother when scrolling and gaming, feels more responsive. |
| Brightness | 1300 nits | 0 nits | S21 is far superior for outdoor visibility in bright sunlight. The Nord 2 brightness is unknown. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Exynos 2100 (5 nm) | Mediatek Dimensity 1200 (6 nm) | S21 has a slight performance edge in benchmarks; both capable for most tasks and gaming. |
| Antutu Score | 749,100 | 714,400 | S21 shows better benchmark performance, indicative of slightly smoother overall performance for intensive applications. |
| GPU | Mali-G78 MP14 | Mali-G77 MC9 | S21's GPU is a little more powerful for high-end graphics and gaming. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 4000mAh | 4500mAh | Nord 2 is likely to have longer battery life; S21 might need charging more often. |
| Charging | 25W Fast Charging | 65W Fast Charging | Nord 2 charges much faster, reducing time spent plugged in; S21 is slower. |
| Features | Reverse charging, Wireless charging (15W), Reverse wireless charging (4.5W) | None listed | S21 is more convenient for charging other devices wirelessly; Nord 2 lacks this feature. |
| Camera | |||
| Standard | 12MP, f/1.8, 1/1.76" Sony IMX555 | 50MP, f/1.8, 1/1.56" Sony IMX766 | Nord 2 main camera should perform better in low light due to larger sensor and higher resolution; S21 is still good. |
| Telephoto/Portrait | 64MP, f/2.0, 1/1.72" Samsung S5KGW2 | None | S21 has a dedicated telephoto lens for zoom capabilities, the Nord 2 doesn't. |
| Selfie | 10MP, f/2.2, 1/3.2" Sony IMX374 | 32MP, f/2.45, 1/2.74" Sony IMX615 | Nord 2 selfie camera is better in ideal lighting conditions, but might not be as good in low-light, compared to S21; S21 has a wider aperture. |
| Wide-angle | 12.2MP, f/2.2, 1/2.55" Sony IMX563 | 8MP, f/2.25, 1/2.8" Sony IMX355 | S21 has a dedicated wide-angle lens, while the Nord 2 has a lower-resolution sensor for this purpose. |
| Black & white | None | 2MP, f/2.4, 1/5" GalaxyCore GC02M1 | The Nord 2 has a dedicated black-and-white lens; no real impact on overall image quality for most. |
| Video | Up to 8K@24fps | Up to 4K@30fps | S21 has higher video recording resolution, suitable for more professional usage; both offer stable video recordings |
| DxOMark Mobile | 111 | Not available | S21 has a higher tested overall score; Nord 2 camera performance is not available. |
| DxOMark Selfie | 132 | Not available | S21 has a higher tested overall selfie score; Nord 2 selfie camera performance is not available. |
| Camera Features | 8K Video, Optical zoom, Manual focus, Night Mode | None listed | S21 camera provides additional features; including optical zoom that the Nord 2 lacks. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 (Upgradable to 15) | Android 11 (Upgradable to 13) | S21 receives more major Android updates; longer software support. |
| Connectivity | |||
| WiFi | WiFi 6 | WiFi 6 | Both support the latest WiFi standards. |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 | 5.2 | Nord 2 supports newer Bluetooth technology |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo, GPS (L1+L5), Galileo (E1+E5a) | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, Galileo | Both are reliable for navigation, with minor differences. |
| SIM | Dual SIM, Dual Standby | Dual SIM, Dual Standby | Both support Dual SIM functionality. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 128GB/256GB | 128GB/256GB | Both have same storage options; neither expandable. |
| RAM | 8GB | 6GB/8GB/12GB | Nord 2 offers more RAM for multitasking, especially 12GB version. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone can expand storage with an external SD card. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Dolby Atmos | None listed | S21 offers enhanced audio quality with Dolby Atmos; both have stereo speakers. |
| Security | |||
| Features | Basic Fingerprint | Basic Fingerprint | Both have similar basic fingerprint security. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | S21 screen is more resistant to scratches and impacts. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Biometric, Proximity, Motion, Environmental | Biometric, Proximity, Motion, RGB | S21 has additional environmental sensors; Nord 2 has RGB sensor. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy S21 5G Advantages:
- Superior Display Brightness: Significantly better visibility in bright sunlight (1300 nits), a key advantage for outdoor use.
- Smoother Display: 120Hz refresh rate for a more fluid visual experience during scrolling, animations and gaming.
- Better Camera System: Offers a more versatile camera system, including a telephoto lens for optical zoom, dedicated wide-angle, and 8K video recording. Also has optical image stabilization, and night mode.
- Wireless Charging & Reverse Charging: Convenient options for charging without cables and charging other devices.
- More Comprehensive Sensor Suite: Includes a barometer, useful for altitude tracking and weather-related activities.
- More Software Updates: Expected to receive more major Android updates with its upgrade to Android 15, providing longer software support, and ensuring the latest features and security patches.
- Screen Protection: More durable screen with Corning Gorilla Glass Victus protection.
- Better Tested Camera: Higher DxOMark scores for both the main and selfie camera.
OnePlus Nord 2 5G Advantages:
- Larger Battery Capacity: 4500mAh battery vs 4000mAh, likely offering better battery life for users.
- Faster Charging: 65W fast charging compared to 25W for the S21.
- Potentially Better Main Camera in low light: Larger sensor, and higher resolution could result in improved low-light performance, potentially.
- Potentially Better Selfie Camera in ideal lighting: Higher resolution could result in improved selfie shots in ideal lighting conditions.
- Potentially More RAM: Options up to 12GB, compared to S21's 8GB.
- Newer Bluetooth Version: Offers 5.2 for better power management, range and speed.
Trade-offs:
- S21: Sacrifices battery life and charging speed for a better display, camera system and wireless charging capabilities.
- Nord 2: Sacrifices a top-tier display, camera flexibility, and build quality for a larger battery, fast charging, and potentially more RAM.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Ideal User for Samsung Galaxy S21 5G:
- Outdoor Enthusiasts: Users who frequently use their phone in bright sunlight due to higher brightness.
- Camera Enthusiasts: Users who prioritize versatile cameras, including optical zoom, and better video recording capabilities.
- Multimedia Consumers: Users who value smooth visuals (120Hz), and enhanced audio experience with Dolby Atmos.
- Tech Enthusiasts: Users who like to tinker with settings, and enjoy more advanced camera features.
- Users that prefer longer software support: Expect to receive an upgrade to Android 15.
- Users who want a premium and durable phone: With better screen protection, more advanced camera and more features.
Use Cases for S21 5G:
- Outdoor Photography/Videography: Excellent for capturing moments in various lighting conditions.
- High-Performance Gaming: Smoother visuals and superior GPU handle demanding games with ease.
- Long-Term Usage: Benefits from longer software updates, better screen protection and a more feature-rich system.
- Content Creation: Better for recording higher-resolution video content.
- Charging other devices on the go: Wireless charging and reverse wireless charging make it convenient for charging earbuds, etc.
Ideal User for OnePlus Nord 2 5G:
- Battery Life Prioritizers: Users who need a phone to last all day without frequent charging.
- Fast Charging Advocates: Users who value fast charging over all other features.
- Budget-Conscious Users: Users who are looking for a reliable phone with good performance at a lower price point.
- Casual Photographers: Users who take photos occasionally and value good quality photos and fast performance.
- Multitaskers: Users who need more RAM for running multiple apps simultaneously, with the 12GB version being the best for this.
- Gamers that don't mind the 90hz display: This will still offer a good gaming experience, but it is not the top of the market, as the S21's 120hz display.
Use Cases for Nord 2 5G:
- All-Day Usage: Larger battery easily lasts through the day.
- Quick Charging: Ideal for those with busy lifestyles who need a quick power boost.
- Smooth Performance: Handles everyday tasks and moderate gaming without problems, especially the 12GB RAM version.
- Great value for money: With a good price-to-performance and the added advantage of fast-charging and high RAM options, and a solid daily driver that will last long.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- What's my main priority - display quality/camera versatility or battery life/charging speed? This helps in choosing if you value higher display quality and more camera features, or if you want better battery performance with fast charging.
- Will I use my phone mostly indoors or outdoors? If you're outside often, the S21's higher brightness is essential. If you will be mostly inside or in low lighting, this may not be as important.
- Do I care about software updates and long-term support? If yes, the S21 will receive Android updates to version 15, while the Nord 2 is limited to version 13.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Outdoor photographer who wants a top of the line camera and display Choose Samsung Galaxy S21 5G for its better camera system, superior display brightness and wireless charging, despite lower battery life and slower charging.
- Scenario 2: Frequent traveler who needs all-day battery and fast charging Choose OnePlus Nord 2 5G for its bigger battery and fast charging, despite a potentially worse camera system, and a more basic display.
- Scenario 3: Budget-conscious user who needs a reliable phone with smooth performance Choose OnePlus Nord 2 5G because of its smooth day-to-day performance, fast charging, and value for money.
My Choice
If I had to choose, I would pick the Samsung Galaxy S21 5G.
Why?
While the OnePlus Nord 2 5G is a strong contender, the advantages of the S21 align better with my personal preferences and needs, and the real-world impact of its advantages are more important to me. Specifically:
- Display: The superior brightness of the S21 makes a huge difference in real-world use. I spend a significant amount of time outdoors, and a bright screen is a must. The 120hz also improves the smoothness of daily use, and improves the overall user experience, especially when gaming, which I enjoy.
- Camera: I value the versatility of a good camera system, and the telephoto lens, wide angle lens, night mode, optical zoom, and 8K capabilities of the S21 provide a much more complete experience, allowing me to take better photos and videos.
- Long-term Software Support: I want to keep my phone for a few years and the longer software support offered by the S21 gives me confidence that the phone will receive all of the newest Android features.
- Build Quality and Features: The wireless charging capabilities, higher quality screen protection, and added sensors, give the S21 an edge in convenience, durability and functionality, despite the lower battery life and slower charging.
While the OnePlus Nord 2 5G does offer a larger battery and faster charging, the trade-offs in screen quality, camera versatility, and overall user experience are too significant for me personally. The S21 might require charging a bit more often, but for my specific use case, the advantages in display, camera, and software support far outweigh this downside. It's a more premium experience with more features.
