1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G | OnePlus 10 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Launch Date | 2021-01-29 | 2022-01-13 | OnePlus 10 Pro is a newer phone, likely with more up-to-date software and potentially better long-term support. |
| Dimensions | 161.5 x 75.6 x 7.8 mm, 200g | 163 x 73.9 x 8.6 mm, 201g | Both phones are similar in size and weight, but OnePlus 10 Pro is slightly taller and thicker, which might impact grip and pocket comfort slightly. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.7" | 6.7" | Both have the same screen size, offering an immersive viewing experience. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1440x3216 | OnePlus 10 Pro offers a sharper, more detailed display, noticeable when viewing high-res content or reading text. |
| PPI | 394 | 525 | OnePlus 10 Pro's higher pixel density results in finer details and a crisper image. |
| Technology | AMOLED | Missing | Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G's AMOLED offers better contrast, deeper blacks, and more vibrant colors compared to an unknown technology on OnePlus. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | Both provide a smooth user experience, with fluid animations and scrolling. |
| Brightness | 1300 nits | 1300 nits | Both offer excellent outdoor visibility in bright conditions. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Exynos 2100 (5 nm) | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 (4 nm) | OnePlus 10 Pro’s chip offers better performance and efficiency, leading to smoother multitasking and faster app loading. |
| AnTuTu Score | 749,100 | 900,491 | OnePlus 10 Pro offers better benchmark performance, which translates to smoother and snappier operation overall. |
| GPU | Mali-G78 MP14 | Adreno 730 | OnePlus 10 Pro’s Adreno GPU offers better graphics performance for gaming and GPU intensive tasks. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 4800mAh | 5000mAh | OnePlus 10 Pro's slightly larger battery might offer a small improvement in battery life. |
| Charging | 25W fast charging | 80W fast charging | OnePlus 10 Pro’s significantly faster charging means less time plugged in and more time using the phone. |
| Charging Features | 15W Wireless, 4.5W Reverse Wireless | 50W Wireless, Reverse Wireless | OnePlus 10 Pro offers faster wireless charging speeds which is more convenient. |
| Camera | |||
| Standard Camera | 12MP, f/1.8, 1/1.76", 1.80µm, Sony IMX555 | 48MP, f/1.8, 1/1.43", 1.12µm, Sony IMX789 | OnePlus 10 Pro's larger sensor and higher resolution capture more light and detail, resulting in better image quality. |
| Telephoto+Portrait | 64MP, f/2.0, 1/1.72", 0.80µm, Samsung S5KGW2 | None | Samsung has a telephoto camera, providing optical zoom capabilities for closer shots. |
| Selfie Camera | 10MP, f/2.2, 1/3.2", 1.22µm, Sony IMX374 | 32MP, f/2.0, 1/2.74", 0.80µm, Sony IMX615 | OnePlus 10 Pro's selfie camera captures higher resolution and brighter shots. |
| Telephoto Lens | None | 8MP, f/2.4, 1/4.4", 1.00µm, Omnivision OV08A10 | OnePlus 10 Pro has a telephoto lens for zoomed photos. |
| Wide Angle Lens | None | 50MP, f/2.2, 1/2.76", 0.64µm, Samsung S5KJN1 | OnePlus 10 Pro has a wide-angle lens for capturing broader scenes. |
| Wide Angle+Macro | 12.2MP, f/2.2, 1/2.55", 1.40µm, Sony IMX563 | None | S21+ has an ultrawide with macro lens to capture close-up shots. |
| Video | Up to 8K@24fps | Up to 8K@24fps | Both can record high-quality 8K videos, suitable for professional content creators. OnePlus 10 Pro has a higher 4K fps recording. |
| DXOMark Score | 111 Main, 118 Photo, 89 Video | 122 Main, 124 Photo, 119 Video | OnePlus 10 Pro offers significantly better camera performance across the board, especially in video. |
| Camera Features | See Comparison | See Comparison | Both include a suite of camera features, but OnePlus has Ultra Stable video, Laser and Contrast Auto-focus. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 (upgradable to 15) | Android 12 (upgradable to 14) | OnePlus 10 Pro ships with a newer Android version, while the Samsung can be updated to a more recent Android version. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6 | Wi-Fi 7 | OnePlus 10 Pro supports the latest Wi-Fi standard offering better performance, lower latency, and higher speeds. |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.0 LE | Bluetooth 5.2 LE | OnePlus 10 Pro’s newer Bluetooth version provides faster and more reliable wireless connections. |
| GPS | GPS (L1+L5), Galileo (E1+E5a) | GPS (L1+L5), BeiDou (B1,B2), Galileo (E1+E5a) | OnePlus 10 Pro has more precise positioning capabilities with more satellite systems. |
| SIM | Dual SIM, eSIM | Dual SIM | S21+ has eSIM capability. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal Storage | 128GB/256GB | 128GB/256GB/512GB | OnePlus 10 Pro offers higher storage configurations to keep more files and apps on your phone. |
| RAM | 8GB | 8GB/12GB | OnePlus 10 Pro can be configured with more RAM, which is better for heavy multitasking and gaming. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone provides expandable storage, requiring you to rely on the phone's internal memory. |
| Audio | |||
| Audio Quality | Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res, Stereo Speakers | Dolby Atmos, Stereo Speakers | Both offer excellent audio quality and have great stereo speakers. |
| Security | |||
| Fingerprint Sensor | Basic | Basic | Both phones have basic fingerprint security for convenient unlocking. |
| Build | |||
| Screen Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus | Both phones are highly resistant to scratches and drops. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Barometer | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope | Both phones have basic set of sensors, the S21+ includes a barometer, and OnePlus includes a RGB sensor. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G Advantages:
- AMOLED Display: Offers deeper blacks and vibrant colors for an enhanced viewing experience.
- Telephoto + Portrait Camera: Provides a dedicated telephoto lens for better optical zoom capabilities.
- eSIM Support: Provides convenient switching of carriers.
- Wider array of Bluetooth Profiles: Includes additional Bluetooth protocols like DIP, HFP, HID, HSP, MAP, PAN, OPP, PBAP/PAB, ANT+.
- Hi-Res Audio: Offers a richer audio experience for audiophiles.
- Barometer Sensor: Includes a barometer sensor to measure atmospheric pressure.
OnePlus 10 Pro Advantages:
- Higher Resolution Display: Offers sharper details and clarity with a higher pixel density.
- Superior Performance: Has a more powerful Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 chipset for faster processing and gaming.
- Faster Charging: Significantly faster 80W wired charging and 50W wireless charging for added convenience.
- Better Camera Performance: Higher main camera resolution with a larger sensor, telephoto, and wide-angle lens offering more versatile photography. Better selfie camera as well.
- Newer Wi-Fi Standard: Supports Wi-Fi 7, offering faster speeds and better connectivity.
- Bluetooth 5.2: Better battery efficiency and better connection stability.
- More RAM: Offers a 12 GB RAM option for enhanced multitasking.
- More Storage: 512 GB storage option for users with large media libraries and files.
- More GPS Satellites: Improved location accuracy through more satellite system coverage.
- Better DXOMark Scores: The OnePlus 10 Pro shows superior camera performance compared to the S21+ 5G.
- More Audio microphones: Has 3 microphones for recording better audio when filming.
- Ultra Stable Video: Additional image stabalization for videos.
Trade-offs:
- Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G has an older but vibrant AMOLED display, while OnePlus 10 Pro has a higher resolution screen with unknown technology.
- Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G has an additional telephoto camera while OnePlus 10 Pro includes a telephoto and a wide angle lens.
- Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G has an eSIM, a Hi-Res Audio, and additional bluetooth profiles while OnePlus 10 Pro has better performance, and cameras.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G is ideal for:
- Users who prioritize a vibrant AMOLED display: Those who want rich colors and deep blacks for media consumption and browsing.
- Users who need eSIM support: Those who travel frequently and use multiple carrier plans.
- Users who need a dedicated Telephoto + Portrait camera: Those who prioritize optical zoom in their photography.
- Audiophiles: Those who want Hi-Res audio playback.
Specific Use Cases:
- Watching movies and videos on the go with the great display.
- Taking optical zoom photos at events or while traveling.
- Using multiple SIM cards for personal and work.
OnePlus 10 Pro is ideal for:
- Performance enthusiasts and gamers: Those who demand smooth and fast performance for gaming and intensive tasks.
- Photographers: Those who want a versatile, high quality camera for all situations.
- Users who prioritize fast charging: Those who need to quickly top up their phone throughout the day.
- Users who want to have the latest tech: Those who need the latest wifi, bluetooth, and GPS technology.
- Users who want more storage and RAM: Those who need more space for their files and multitask often.
Specific Use Cases:
- Playing graphically intensive games with high FPS.
- Capturing high-quality photos and videos in various lighting conditions.
- Frequent users who need a fast charging phone.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- Do you prioritize a vibrant screen or a sharper, more detailed display? (AMOLED vs higher resolution)
- How important is camera performance and versatility for you? (telephoto+portrait vs wide-angle, telephoto, better sensors).
- Do you need the latest technology and highest performance, or do you want a more established system? (newer chipset, newer bluetooth, newer wifi, newer GPS)
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- For Media Consumption: If a vibrant AMOLED screen is preferred over sharper resolution and detail, choose the Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G.
- For Photography: If camera versatility and performance are a high priority, choose the OnePlus 10 Pro.
- For Performance and Gaming: If raw power and speed are paramount, choose the OnePlus 10 Pro.
- For Frequent Travelers: If you rely on eSIM capabilities, go for Samsung S21+ 5G.
My Choice
I would choose the OnePlus 10 Pro.
Reasoning:
While the AMOLED screen of the Samsung is very appealing, the OnePlus 10 Pro overall provides a more compelling package for my needs. As someone who values performance, I would prioritize the newer Snapdragon chipset, which would translate to a smoother and snappier experience. The OnePlus 10 Pro's faster charging is also a significant advantage, and I find it more practical to not worry about battery life.
The camera system on the OnePlus 10 Pro is also significantly superior to the one on the S21+, as it has a larger sensor, more versatile lenses, and better performance in the DXOMark scores. While I would miss the telephoto camera on the S21+, the addition of a wide-angle and better main camera of the OnePlus outweighs this loss for me. Lastly, the newer wireless standards in the OnePlus provide better performance and are an added bonus.
While the S21+ has a great AMOLED display and eSIM capabilities, the advantages that the OnePlus 10 Pro provides in the areas of performance, battery charging, and camera quality are more valuable to me, making it the better choice.
