Smartphone Comparison: Samsung Galaxy S21 5G vs. OnePlus Nord 4
1. Specifications Comparison
Here's a detailed comparison of the key specifications of the Samsung Galaxy S21 5G and the OnePlus Nord 4, focusing on their real-world implications:
Design
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 5G | OnePlus Nord 4 | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Dimensions | 151.7 × 71.2 × 7.9 mm | 162.6 × 75 × 8 mm | The OnePlus Nord 4 is noticeably taller and wider, making the S21 5G more pocketable and easier to handle one-handed. |
| Weight | 169g | 199.5g | The S21 5G is significantly lighter, which leads to more comfortable prolonged use, especially for smaller hands. |
Display
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 5G | OnePlus Nord 4 | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Size | 6.2" | 6.74" | The Nord 4 has a larger screen, offering more immersive viewing, better for media consumption and gaming, while the S21 5G's smaller size is better for portability. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1240x2772 | The Nord 4 has a sharper display, making text and images clearer with higher pixel density. |
| PPI | 421 | 450 | Slightly sharper visuals on the Nord 4 due to higher pixel density, which leads to better viewing experience especially for text and details. |
| Technology | AMOLED | AMOLED | Both offer vibrant colors and deep blacks, typical of AMOLED displays. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | Both provide smooth scrolling and animations; no practical difference here. |
| Brightness | 1300 nits | 2200 nits | The Nord 4 has significantly better screen visibility in bright sunlight, making it much easier to view under direct sun. |
Performance
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 5G | OnePlus Nord 4 | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Chipset | Exynos 2100 (5 nm) | Qualcomm SM7675 Snapdragon 7+ Gen 3 (4 nm) | The Snapdragon 7+ Gen 3 in the Nord 4 is more powerful and energy-efficient, providing smoother performance and better battery life. |
| AnTuTu Score | 749,100 | 1,366,982 | The Nord 4 offers much better performance, with faster app loading, multitasking and gaming performance. |
| GPU | Mali-G78 MP14 | Adreno 732 | The Nord 4 has a more powerful GPU that provides better gaming performance. |
Camera
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 5G | OnePlus Nord 4 | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Standard Camera | 12MP, 1/1.76", f/1.8 | 50MP, 1/2", f/1.8 | The Nord 4 has a significantly higher resolution sensor; while the S21 5G has a slightly larger sensor size; higher resolution leads to more detailed photos, particularly in good lighting conditions. |
| Telephoto/Portrait | 64MP, 1/1.72", f/2.0 | N/A | The S21 5G offers a dedicated telephoto lens for optical zoom, improving flexibility in photography, especially for portraits and zoomed-in shots. |
| Selfie Camera | 10MP, 1/3.2", f/2.2 | 16MP, 1/3.13", f/2.4 | The Nord 4 has a higher resolution front camera, leading to more detailed selfies. The wider aperture in S21 5G can be better in low light, but the difference may not be drastic. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 12.2MP, 1/2.55", f/2.2 | 8MP, 1/2.8", f/2.2 | The S21 5G has a dedicated Wide Angle + Macro camera compared to Nord 4 which has just wide angle lens. |
| Video | Up to 8K@24fps | Up to 4K@60fps | The S21 5G can record videos at 8K, better for professional-grade video, though the Nord 4's 4K is sufficient for most users. |
| DxOMark | Mobile: 111, Selfie: 132 | N/A | The S21 5G's tested camera performance gives a reference for image and video quality, while the Nord 4 lacks this benchmark. |
Battery
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 5G | OnePlus Nord 4 | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Capacity | 4000mAh | 5500mAh | The Nord 4 has a significantly larger battery, offering much better battery life. Expect the Nord 4 to comfortably last a full day, or even more for lighter users. |
| Charging | 25W fast charging | 100W fast charging | The Nord 4 charges much faster, which is very convenient for quick top-ups. |
| Features | 15W Wireless, 4.5W Reverse Wireless | Non-removable | The S21 5G supports wireless and reverse wireless charging, adding convenience for those with compatible accessories. Nord 4 does not have this feature. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy S21 5G Advantages:
- More Compact and Lighter: Easier to handle and carry in pockets.
- Dedicated Telephoto Camera: Offers better optical zoom capabilities and portrait mode.
- Wireless Charging & Reverse Wireless Charging: Provides convenient charging options.
- 8K Video Recording: Superior video resolution for professional video creation.
- More comprehensive camera feature set: Includes Night Mode, RAW capture, Continuous and manual focus.
- Corning Gorilla Glass Victus: Superior screen protection from scratches and drops.
OnePlus Nord 4 Advantages:
- Significantly Better Performance: More powerful chipset for smoother multitasking and gaming.
- Larger and Sharper Display: More immersive viewing experience, better visibility in bright light.
- Much Larger Battery & Faster Charging: Offers longer usage time and quick charging.
- Newer Android Version: Out of the box with Android 14, provides access to the latest features and extended software support.
- Improved Bluetooth and GPS: Bluetooth 5.4 for better device connectivity and more satellite systems for better location accuracy.
- Larger Storage Options: Up to 512 GB of storage for media and files.
Trade-offs
- Samsung S21 5G: sacrifices battery life and performance for smaller form factor, better cameras, and wireless charging. It is also an older phone.
- OnePlus Nord 4: larger and heavier, lacks telephoto camera, but provides better battery, display, performance and charging speed.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
- Samsung Galaxy S21 5G:
- Ideal User: Users who prioritize portability and photography features, including telephoto zoom, wireless charging, and 8K video recording. Also, users who value premium audio features like Dolby Atmos.
- Use Cases: Professional photography, video recording, users wanting a pocketable device with premium features.
- OnePlus Nord 4:
- Ideal User: Users who prioritize performance, battery life, and a large display with excellent outdoor visibility. Those who need a phone for gaming, media consumption, and multitasking.
- Use Cases: Mobile gaming, streaming, daily productivity, long days without access to a charger.
4. Decision Framework
Here are three key questions to guide your decision:
- What is more important to you: Performance and battery or pocketability and advanced photography features? If you prioritize performance, better display, battery life and charging speed, the Nord 4 is better. If you value a compact design, versatile cameras including telephoto lens, wireless charging, and 8K video, the S21 5G is better for you.
- Do you need wireless charging and 8K video capability? If so, the S21 5G is the only choice.
- What kind of phone usage you expect, like gaming or just basic use? If gaming and media consumption are a priority, the OnePlus Nord 4 is the superior choice with its better performance, display and battery life. For general and basic usage the S21 5G might be enough.
Scenario-based Recommendations:
- Mobile Gamer: OnePlus Nord 4 due to its superior performance, large display, and long battery life.
- Frequent Traveler: The OnePlus Nord 4 is better for the long battery life and fast charging. The Samsung S21 5G is lighter but the battery won't be enough for long trips.
- Photography Enthusiast: Samsung Galaxy S21 5G is better due to its dedicated telephoto lens, 8K video capabilities, and greater versatility.
- Daily User: If you prioritize a compact design, the Samsung S21 5G is better, but if you want a phone that handles all your daily tasks smoothly and last longer with much better battery, the OnePlus Nord 4 is better.
My Choice
If I were choosing between these two phones, I would personally pick the OnePlus Nord 4. Although the Samsung Galaxy S21 5G has some compelling features like wireless charging, a dedicated telephoto lens and compact form, the OnePlus Nord 4's vastly superior performance, significantly longer battery life, much faster charging, bigger and brighter display, and overall more up-to-date software experience are much more important to me. I value a phone that can keep up with my daily tasks, gaming, and media consumption needs without compromising on battery and performance. The larger display is also a huge benefit for immersive viewing. While I appreciate the Samsung S21 5G camera's features, the performance advantages of the Nord 4 are more crucial for my typical usage scenarios. Also, the availability of more RAM and storage with the OnePlus Nord 4 is also a considerable plus.
