Smartphone Comparison: Samsung Galaxy S21 5G vs. Oppo Reno8
1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 5G | Oppo Reno8 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Launch Date | 2021-01-29 | 2022-07-25 | Oppo Reno8 is significantly newer, potentially offering better long-term software support. |
| Dimensions | 151.7x71.2x7.9 mm | 160.6x73.4x7.7 mm | Oppo Reno8 is taller and slightly wider, may feel larger in hand, S21 is slightly thicker but with smaller volume. |
| Weight | 169g | 179g | S21 is slightly lighter, more comfortable for extended use. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.2" | 6.4" | Oppo Reno8 offers a slightly larger screen, better for media consumption. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2400 | Both have the same level of sharpness; similar visual clarity. |
| PPI | 421 | 411 | Virtually identical pixel density; both are equally sharp. |
| Technology | AMOLED | AMOLED | Both offer vibrant colors, deep blacks; identical display tech. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 90Hz | S21 offers a smoother experience in daily use and gaming. |
| Brightness | 1300 nits | 800 nits | S21 is significantly brighter, much better visibility in direct sunlight. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Exynos 2100 (5nm) | Dimensity 1300 (6nm) | S21's Exynos 2100 has marginally better performance, especially in graphics. |
| AnTuTu Score | 749,100 | 699,576 | S21 has a 7% higher score, which translates to slightly snappier performance in resource-intensive tasks. |
| GPU | Mali-G78 MP14 | Mali-G77 MC9 | S21's GPU is slightly more powerful; better gaming and graphic-intensive application performance. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 4000mAh | 4500mAh | Oppo Reno8 has larger capacity, translating to longer battery life. |
| Charging | 25W Fast Charging | 80W Fast Charging | Oppo Reno8 charges much faster, convenient for users needing quick top-ups. |
| Features | Wireless & Reverse | Non-removable | S21 offers wireless charging and reverse wireless charging, great for accessories/devices; both have non-removable batteries. |
| Camera | |||
| Standard Lens Res | 12MP | 50MP | Oppo has higher resolution sensor, resulting in more detailed images. |
| Standard Lens Aperture | f/1.8 | f/1.7 | Oppo has wider aperture, allowing for slightly better low-light performance. |
| Standard Lens Sensor Size | 1/1.76" | 1/1.56" | Oppo has larger sensor, typically leading to better light sensitivity and lower noise in images. |
| Telephoto + Portrait Lens | 64MP | None | S21 offers a dedicated telephoto lens for better zoom and portrait shots. |
| Selfie Lens Res | 10MP | 32MP | Oppo has much higher resolution selfie camera, resulting in sharper and more detailed selfies. |
| Selfie Lens Aperture | f/2.2 | f/2.4 | S21 has wider aperture, better low light selfie |
| Selfie Lens Sensor Size | 1/3.2" | 1/2.74" | Oppo has larger selfie sensor, resulting in better low light performance |
| Wide Angle Lens | 12.2MP | 8MP | Oppo has a dedicated wide-angle lens, better for group photos and landscape shots |
| Macro Lens | None | 2MP | Oppo has a dedicated macro lens for close-up photography. |
| Wide Angle + Macro Lens | 12.2MP | None | S21 has a dedicated wide-angle and macro lens on the same sensor. |
| Video | 8K@24fps | 4K@30fps | S21 supports higher resolution video, potentially better for professional content creation, with more video options. |
| DXOMARK Mobile | 111/118/90 | 112/121/112 | Oppo has a slight edge in camera quality, especially video. |
| Camera Features | OIS, Optical zoom, RAW | None | S21 offers more advanced photography features, OIS and RAW support |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 (up to 15) | Android 12 (up to 14) | Oppo has newer Android version out of the box, but S21 is likely to receive newer software for longer. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6 | Wi-Fi 6 | Both support the latest Wi-Fi standards. |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 | 5.3 | Oppo Reno8 has a newer version, potentially better power efficiency and features. |
| GPS | GPS L1+L5, Galileo E1+E5a | GPS L1+L5, QZSS | Oppo Reno8 has a wider satellite support, which means more accurate location in challenging conditions. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 128GB/256GB | 128GB/256GB | Both offer the same storage options, with no expandable storage. |
| RAM | 8GB | 8GB/12GB | Oppo Reno8 can have more RAM, providing smoother multitasking for heavy users. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither phone supports expandable storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Dolby Atmos | Stereo Speakers | S21 offers better audio with Dolby Atmos, providing immersive sound. |
| Security | |||
| Fingerprint Sensor | Basic Fingerprint | Basic Fingerprint | Both have basic fingerprint sensors. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Gorilla Glass Victus | Unknown | S21 has better screen protection, much more resistant to scratches and damage. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Barometer | No Barometer | S21 has additional environmental sensors. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy S21 5G Advantages:
- Brighter Display: The 1300 nits display is significantly better for outdoor visibility in bright sunlight.
- Smoother Display: The 120Hz refresh rate offers a smoother user experience, especially in animations and scrolling.
- Better Performance: The Exynos 2100 provides marginally better performance, especially for graphics-intensive tasks and gaming.
- Versatile Camera System: The telephoto lens provides better zoom capabilities, optical image stabilization (OIS), and RAW support for enthusiasts.
- Better video features: Offers higher resolution video capture up to 8K.
- Wireless Charging: Includes 15W wireless charging and reverse wireless charging (4.5W) for added convenience.
- Better audio: Comes with Dolby Atmos for a richer audio experience
- Better Screen Protection: Uses Corning Gorilla Glass Victus.
- Better Sensor Suite: Includes additional environmental sensor
- Software Support: While the Oppo launches with a newer OS, Samsung is known for providing software updates for a longer time.
Oppo Reno8 Advantages:
- Newer Device: Launched much later, potentially offering better long-term software support and improved hardware.
- Larger Display: Slightly larger 6.4" screen for more immersive media consumption.
- Larger Battery: 500mAh larger battery should provide longer usage time per charge.
- Faster Charging: 80W charging is significantly faster, great for quick top-ups.
- Higher Resolution Standard Camera Sensor: The 50MP sensor is superior in detail and performs better in low-light conditions.
- Higher Resolution Selfie Camera: 32MP resolution provides better and clearer selfies.
- Wide Angle and Macro Lenses: Offers dedicated wide-angle and macro lenses for more creative photography.
- Newer Bluetooth: Includes Bluetooth 5.3, potentially offering better power efficiency and features.
- Better Video Performance: Scored much higher in DXOmark video tests, indicating superior video recording quality
- More RAM Can be configured with 12 GB of RAM, which helps with heavy multitasking and gaming.
- More Accurate GPS: Supports QZSS, leading to more accurate positioning.
Trade-offs:
- The Samsung S21 has a smaller battery and slower charging, but offers wireless charging, reverse wireless charging and better display.
- The Oppo has a much bigger battery and faster charging, but the display is less bright and less smooth.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Ideal Users for Samsung Galaxy S21 5G:
- Users who prioritize display quality: Great for users who want a smooth and bright display for multimedia consumption, especially outdoors.
- Photography enthusiasts: Users who want a versatile camera system with telephoto lens, RAW support, and OIS.
- Power users who appreciate performance: Users who require smoother performance for graphic-intensive tasks and gaming.
- Users needing wireless charging: Ideal for those wanting the convenience of wireless charging and reverse wireless charging.
Use Cases for Samsung Galaxy S21 5G:
- Outdoor use: The bright display makes it ideal for use in sunny conditions.
- Mobile photography and video: Capture professional looking photos/videos with versatile telephoto lens, RAW support and OIS.
- Gaming and multimedia: The smooth refresh rate and powerful GPU provide great gaming and multimedia experiences.
- Power users requiring advanced features and connectivity (ANT+ etc.).
Ideal Users for Oppo Reno8:
- Users who prioritize battery life and fast charging: Ideal for users who need their phone to last all day and can't afford long charging times.
- Users who prefer a larger screen: Better for multimedia and browsing, particularly for those who prefer a larger device.
- Casual photographers: Users who want a phone that takes great pictures with minimal effort.
- Users who enjoy taking selfies: The higher resolution front camera will provide better results.
- Users who enjoy wide angle and macro photography
- Users who require good video quality.
Use Cases for Oppo Reno8:
- Heavy daily use: The larger battery and fast charging ensures the phone lasts all day with heavy usage.
- Multimedia consumption: The larger screen makes it ideal for watching videos and browsing.
- General photography: The high-resolution camera provides good photos with minimal fuss.
- Selfie enthusiasts: The 32MP front camera will provide sharp and detailed selfies.
Price-to-Value Ratio:
- The Samsung S21 may offer a better balance of performance and features at its price, especially for power users.
- The Oppo Reno8 provides great value for users seeking longer battery life and fast charging and good cameras.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- How important is screen brightness for outdoor visibility? If you use your phone heavily outdoors, the S21 will be much better due to its brighter screen.
- Do you prioritize battery life and quick charging, or advanced camera features and wireless charging? The Reno8 offers longer battery life and very fast charging, whereas the S21 offers more camera versatility and convenient charging options.
- How important is performance for gaming or graphic-intensive apps? While both phones are perform well, S21 has a slight edge for demanding tasks.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: You need a reliable phone for outdoor use, and want advanced camera features. Recommendation: Samsung Galaxy S21 5G
- Scenario 2: You often forget to charge your phone and need a reliable battery life with fast charging. Recommendation: Oppo Reno8
- Scenario 3: You are a power user, needing good performance, camera versatility and wireless charging. Recommendation: Samsung Galaxy S21 5G
- Scenario 4: You want a newer device with a large screen, solid camera and very fast charging. Recommendation: Oppo Reno8
My Choice
If I had to choose, I would personally lean towards the Samsung Galaxy S21 5G. While the Oppo Reno8 has some compelling advantages like faster charging, a larger battery, and newer tech, the S21's superior display (especially brightness and refresh rate), more versatile camera system with telephoto lens, wireless charging capabilities and marginally better performance make it a better fit for my specific needs. I value the brighter screen for outdoor use, and also enjoy the smoothness of 120hz, I also enjoy using advanced camera features to take better photos and videos, making the S21 a better choice. While I would miss the faster charging, and better battery, I think the other advantages would be more useful to my use case.
