1. Specifications Comparison
Design
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 5G | Oppo Find N3 Flip | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Form Factor | Standard | Foldable | The Oppo Find N3 Flip offers a unique foldable design, allowing a more compact form when closed and a larger screen when open. The Samsung Galaxy S21 5G is a traditional slab phone. |
| Dimensions | 151.7 × 71.2 × 7.9 mm | 166.4 × 75.8 × 7.8 mm | The Oppo Find N3 Flip is taller and wider, but both are very similar in terms of thickness. This means that the Find N3 Flip will take up more pocket space than the S21. |
| Weight | 169g | 198g | The Samsung Galaxy S21 5G is noticeably lighter, making it more comfortable to hold for longer periods. The Oppo Find N3 Flip is heavier, which might make it less comfortable for extended one-handed use. |
Display
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 5G | Oppo Find N3 Flip | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Size | 6.2" | 6.8" | The Oppo Find N3 Flip offers a larger display, ideal for media consumption, gaming, and multitasking. The S21's smaller screen is more pocketable and easier to handle with one hand. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2520 | The Oppo Find N3 Flip has slightly more pixels, but both have very similar levels of sharpness. This is not a significant real-world difference for most users. |
| PPI | 421 | 403 | Both phones offer very similar pixel density resulting in comparable sharpness. |
| Technology | AMOLED | The Samsung Galaxy S21 5G has a superior AMOLED panel, which typically provides better contrast, deeper blacks, and more vibrant colors. The display technology of the Oppo Find N3 Flip is not specified. | |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | Both phones offer a smooth 120Hz refresh rate, resulting in smoother scrolling and animations. |
| Brightness | 1300 nits | 1600 nits | The Oppo Find N3 Flip has a brighter screen, making it easier to see in direct sunlight. |
Performance
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 5G | Oppo Find N3 Flip | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chipset | Exynos 2100 (5 nm) | Mediatek Dimensity 9200 (4 nm) | The Oppo Find N3 Flip's newer, more efficient chip (4nm vs 5nm) offers higher performance and better power efficiency. |
| AnTuTu Score | 749,100 | 1,475,000 | The Oppo Find N3 Flip has a significantly higher benchmark score, meaning it will provide much smoother app performance and faster overall responsiveness. |
| GPU | Mali-G78 MP14 | Immortalis-G715 MC11 | The Oppo Find N3 Flip's newer GPU offers better gaming performance and graphics rendering. |
Camera
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 5G | Oppo Find N3 Flip | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard | 12MP (f/1.8, 1/1.76", 1.8µm) | 50MP (f/1.8, 1/1.56", 1.0µm) | The Oppo Find N3 Flip has a higher-resolution main sensor, which may capture more detail. However, its smaller pixel size means it will probably have lower low-light sensitivity. |
| Telephoto + Portrait | 64MP (f/2.0, 1/1.72", 0.8µm) | Not Available | The S21 has a dedicated telephoto lens for zoom and portrait shots; The Find N3 Flip doesn't have a dedicated telephoto sensor. |
| Selfie | 10MP (f/2.2, 1/3.2", 1.22µm) | 32MP (f/2.4, 1/2.74", 0.8µm) | The Oppo Find N3 Flip has a higher-resolution selfie camera, potentially capturing more detail. The S21 has slightly wider aperture, which may be better for low light. |
| Telephoto Lens | Not Available | 32MP (f/2.0, 1/2.74", 0.8µm) | The Oppo Find N3 Flip has a dedicated telephoto lens for zoom capabilities; The S21 doesn't have a dedicated telephoto sensor. |
| Wide Angle + Macro | 12.2MP (f/2.2, 1/2.55", 1.4µm) | 48MP (f/2.2, 1/2", 0.8µm) | The Oppo Find N3 Flip has a higher-resolution ultrawide lens that should also capture more details, though with potentially lower low-light performance, compared to the S21. |
| Video | Up to 8K@24fps, HDR, EIS | Up to 4K@30fps, EIS | The Samsung Galaxy S21 5G can record 8K video, while the Find N3 Flip is limited to 4K, indicating better future proofing and better video recording capabilities for the S21. |
| Video Stabilization | Yes | No | The S21 uses a system to stabilize video, while the Find N3 Flip lacks this feature. |
| Slow Motion | Up to 960 fps | Up to 480 fps | The S21 allows capturing smoother slow motion videos than the Find N3 Flip. |
| DxOMark Mobile Camera | 111 (Overall), 118 (Photo), 90 (Video) | Not Available | The S21 has a good DxOMark score. The Oppo Find N3 Flip lacks DxOMark Score data, so it's difficult to quantify its performance. |
| DxOMark Selfie Camera | 132 (Overall), 125 (Photo), 145 (Video) | Not Available | The S21 has a good DxOMark selfie score. The Oppo Find N3 Flip lacks DxOMark Score data, so it's difficult to quantify its performance. |
Battery
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 5G | Oppo Find N3 Flip | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 4000mAh | 4300mAh | The Oppo Find N3 Flip has a slightly larger battery, which should translate to marginally better battery life. |
| Charging | 25W Fast Charging | 44W Fast Charging | The Oppo Find N3 Flip charges faster, reducing time spent plugged in. |
| Features | Wireless charging 15W, Reverse wireless charging 4.5W | No Wireless charging | Samsung S21 5G can wirelessly charge and also charge other devices wirelessly, while the Find N3 Flip can't. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy S21 5G Advantages
- Lighter and more compact: Easier to handle and pocket, particularly for one-handed use.
- AMOLED Display: Superior color reproduction, contrast, and black levels, resulting in a more immersive viewing experience.
- 8K Video Recording: Ability to capture highly detailed video.
- Wireless Charging: Allows convenient wireless charging, and reverse wireless charging capabilities.
- Established Camera Performance: Known and benchmarked camera system with good DxOMark scores.
Oppo Find N3 Flip Advantages
- Foldable Design: Unique, compact form factor when closed; larger screen when open.
- More Powerful Processor: The Dimensity 9200 chipset will result in significantly better performance for demanding apps and games.
- Larger Screen: More immersive experience for media consumption and multitasking.
- Brighter Display: Better visibility in direct sunlight.
- Faster Charging: Shorter charging times.
- More RAM: Better for multitasking.
- Newer WiFi Standard: Support for WiFi 7, for faster speeds and lower latency.
- Dedicated Telephoto Lens: Enhanced zoom capabilities.
- Larger Battery: Slightly better battery life.
- Newer Bluetooth Standard: Allows for improved audio quality with compatible devices.
- Newer Android Version: Comes with a more recent version of android out of the box.
Significant Trade-offs
- Samsung S21 5G: Lacks the processing power and modern features that come with the N3 Flip, and a dated design. The battery is smaller and it doesn't have as fast charging speeds.
- Oppo Find N3 Flip: Heavier and bulkier than S21 when open. No wireless charging option. No DxOMark scores. Unspecified display technology. Not as feature-rich audio or video capabilities.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy S21 5G Ideal User
- Users seeking a compact, lightweight, and familiar form factor: Those who prefer traditional phone designs and easy one-handed use.
- Users who value a good display quality: Benefit from the vibrant colors and deep blacks of the AMOLED screen.
- Users who record a lot of video: Benefit from the 8k video recording capabilities, and also like to use wireless charging.
Use Cases:
- Everyday phone use, especially comfortable for one-handed use.
- Consuming media where display quality is paramount.
- Recording high-resolution video.
Oppo Find N3 Flip Ideal User
- Users who want a unique, foldable form factor: Those who appreciate the space saving when closed and larger screen when open.
- Power users: Those who want peak performance for demanding tasks, gaming, or heavy multitasking.
- Users who want long battery life and fast charging: Those who don't want to worry about battery depletion and need to charge quickly.
- Users who want the latest connectivity options: Those who benefit from the newest WiFi and Bluetooth standards.
- Users who need a bright display: Those who often use their phone outdoors.
Use Cases:
- Heavy multitasking, switching between apps and managing multiple windows.
- Gaming and other resource intensive tasks.
- Users who are on the go and need fast charging.
- Outdoor use where the bright display is beneficial.
Price-to-Value
- Samsung Galaxy S21 5G: Older device; price is likely lower now. Good value for users who value display, video, and a familiar design.
- Oppo Find N3 Flip: Newer device with a premium design; higher price point. Offers better overall performance and features but is a more significant investment.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers
- Do you value a compact, lightweight design over a larger screen and enhanced performance?
- How important is cutting-edge processing power, fast charging, and the latest wireless technologies to you?
- Do you prefer a more established camera system with good video or are you looking for a more versatile camera with a telephoto zoom?
Scenario-Based Recommendations
- Scenario 1: Casual user focused on daily tasks: The Samsung Galaxy S21 5G is suitable for users who prioritize a light and comfortable device for everyday tasks.
- Scenario 2: Performance-oriented user who does heavy gaming: The Oppo Find N3 Flip is perfect if you want a high performance device with the latest tech for an unmatched gaming experience.
- Scenario 3: User who values a unique form factor and cutting-edge features: The Oppo Find N3 Flip is the right choice for those who want the most advanced and premium device.
My Choice
I would choose the Oppo Find N3 Flip.
Here's why:
While the Samsung Galaxy S21 5G is a solid phone that excels in display quality and video capabilities, the Oppo Find N3 Flip offers a significantly more compelling package for my needs. I value the flexibility of the foldable design, which provides a larger screen when needed while remaining compact when not. More importantly, the newer processor, larger RAM, and faster charging capabilities of the N3 Flip mean that it will perform much better and for longer, with minimal time spent plugged into a wall. The additional benefit of the newer WiFi and Bluetooth standard is also very welcome. Despite the unknown panel type, the higher brightness is a very beneficial feature that would impact my everyday use. The N3 Flip also has a dedicated telephoto camera, something that the S21 lacks, that I'm sure I would find myself using often.
While the lack of wireless charging and a DxOMark rating for the cameras are something to be considered, the other benefits of the N3 Flip are too significant to overlook. The higher price is justified by the superior performance and cutting-edge features. In the end, the better performance and forward-looking features outweigh the missing features of the Find N3 Flip for my use cases.
