1. Specifications Comparison
Here's a detailed comparison of the Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G and the OnePlus 11, focusing on practical user experience:
Design
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G | OnePlus 11 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 161.5 × 75.6 × 7.8 mm | 163.1 × 74.1 × 8.5 mm | OnePlus 11 is slightly taller and thicker, but narrower. Overall, the OnePlus 11 has a larger volume and might feel more substantial. |
| Weight | 200g | 205g | Slight difference, but both feel similar in the hand; the S21+ may be negligibly more comfortable during long usage. |
| Build | Not Specified | Not Specified | Both likely use premium materials, but details impact perceived quality. |
Display
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G | OnePlus 11 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Size | 6.7" | 6.7" | Identical screen size; both offer a spacious viewing experience. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1440x3216 | OnePlus 11 has a significantly sharper display; text and images appear much clearer. |
| Pixel Density (PPI) | 394 | 525 | Noticeably sharper visuals on the OnePlus 11; finer details are more visible. |
| Technology | AMOLED | AMOLED | Both offer vibrant colors, deep blacks, and excellent contrast. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | Both provide smooth scrolling and animations. |
| Brightness | 1300 nits | 1300 nits | Both are bright enough for comfortable outdoor use. |
Performance
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G | OnePlus 11 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chipset | Exynos 2100 (5 nm) | Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 (4 nm) | OnePlus 11's chipset is newer and more powerful, offering faster performance, better energy efficiency, and more future-proof capabilities. |
| AnTuTu Score | 749,100 | 1,389,474 | OnePlus 11 offers a significant performance boost; noticeably faster app loading, multitasking, and gaming. |
| GPU | Mali-G78 MP14 | Adreno 740 | OnePlus 11's GPU provides significantly better graphics performance for gaming and demanding apps. |
Camera
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G | OnePlus 11 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard Camera | 12MP, f/1.8, 1/1.76", 1.80 µm | 50MP, f/1.8, 1/1.56", 1.00 µm | OnePlus 11 captures more detail and has a larger sensor, leading to better low-light performance and dynamic range. |
| Telephoto/Portrait | 64MP, f/2.0, 1/1.72", 0.80 µm | None | S21+ has a dedicated zoom lens for optical zoom capabilities which the OnePlus 11 lacks. |
| Telephoto Lens | None | 32MP, f/2.0, 1/2.74", 0.80 µm | OnePlus 11 offers a telephoto lens for optical zoom. |
| Selfie Camera | 10MP, f/2.2, 1/3.2", 1.22 µm | 16MP, f/2.4, 1/3.1", 1.00 µm | OnePlus 11 takes sharper selfies with more detail, but the S21+ may perform better in low light. |
| Wide Angle + Macro | 12.2MP, f/2.2, 1/2.55", 1.40 µm | 48MP, f/2.2, 1/2", 0.80 µm | OnePlus 11 captures significantly more detail in wide-angle shots, and the larger sensor results in better low-light performance. |
| Video | Up to 8K@24fps, various frame rates and features | Up to 8K@24fps, various frame rates and features | Both offer a wide array of recording options, but the OnePlus 11's video may be superior due to its sensor and processing. Both have EIS (Electronic Image Stabilization). |
| DxOMark Score | Main: 111 Photo: 118 Video: 89 | Main: 127 Photo: 134 Video: 121 | The OnePlus 11 has significantly better image quality and video recording capabilities. |
| Features | Multiple features | Multiple features, with extra features like flicker sensor, ultra stable video, gimbal | The OnePlus 11 offers a slightly broader range of video features, potentially allowing for more dynamic video. |
Battery
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G | OnePlus 11 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 4800mAh | 5000mAh | OnePlus 11 has a slightly larger battery, offering a bit more usage time. |
| Charging | 25W Fast Charging | 100W Fast Charging | OnePlus 11 charges much faster; a full charge in under 30 minutes, whereas S21+ could take over an hour and a half. |
| Features | Reverse Charging, 15W Wireless, Reverse Wireless 4.5W, No charger in-box | Non-removable battery. | S21+ has more features such as reverse wireless charging |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G Advantages:
- Versatile Camera System: Offers a dedicated telephoto lens for zoom and a robust suite of camera features, including reverse wireless charging making it more versatile for content creation on-the-go.
- Wireless Charging: The ability to charge wirelessly, and reverse charge is a notable advantage for convenience.
OnePlus 11 Advantages:
- Superior Performance: The Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset provides significantly faster performance, offering a smoother user experience for heavy apps and games.
- Sharper Display: Higher resolution and pixel density result in a noticeably clearer and more detailed visual experience.
- Faster Charging: 100W charging drastically reduces the time needed to recharge the device.
- Better Camera Quality: Superior camera sensors and DxOMark scores indicate better photos and videos, especially in low-light conditions.
- Newer Technology: The OnePlus 11 is a much newer phone and comes with a newer Bluetooth and Wifi standard.
Trade-offs
- S21+: Wireless charging, reverse wireless charging, and a dedicated telephoto lens come at the cost of processing power, a lower resolution display, and slower charging speeds.
- OnePlus 11: Lacks the versatility of a telephoto and is missing wireless charging capabilities
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G Ideal User:
- Users who prioritize a versatile camera system with a telephoto lens and wireless charging.
- Users with a slightly tighter budget who are still looking for a capable device.
- Users who prioritize wireless charging.
- Users who do not prioritize gaming or heavy processing.
Use Cases:
- Casual photography and videography.
- Everyday use, social media, browsing, and some mobile gaming.
- Users who need wireless charging capabilities
OnePlus 11 Ideal User:
- Users who prioritize peak performance and fast processing speeds for heavy multitasking and gaming.
- Users who want the best display quality with high resolution and sharpness.
- Users who prioritize fast charging.
- Users who want superior camera quality, especially in low light, and are looking for the most recent technology.
Use Cases:
- Mobile gaming, video editing, and other demanding tasks.
- Heavy social media use with high-resolution content.
- Users who prioritize rapid charging and do not mind giving up wireless charging.
- Users who take photos in lower light conditions.
4. Decision Framework
Here are three key questions for buyers:
Performance vs. Versatility: Do you prioritize raw performance and a superior display (OnePlus 11), or are you willing to trade some of that for wireless charging and a telephoto lens (S21+)?
Camera Priority: Is a dedicated telephoto lens and wireless charging essential for you, or do you prefer overall better sensor quality and low light performance?
Charging Speed: Is quick charging crucial for your daily routine, or do you prefer the convenience of wireless charging, even if it's slower?
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
For Power Users & Gamers: Choose the OnePlus 11. The faster chipset, superior display, and rapid charging make it ideal for intensive tasks and gaming.
For Photography Enthusiasts (with wireless needs): The Samsung S21+ 5G is a more versatile camera system with the telephoto lens. However, remember its low light performance won't match the OnePlus 11.
For Everyday Users (budget conscious): The Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G is a good all-around device at a better price point if your needs are less intense. It provides all day usage and a more robust range of camera features, including the wireless charging which the OnePlus 11 doesn't have.
What I would choose
Given the information provided, I would choose the OnePlus 11.
Here's why:
- Future-Proof Performance: The Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 is a significant upgrade over the Exynos 2100, offering better performance for years to come. This is important to me as I prefer to keep my phone for as long as possible without having it feel slow or outdated.
- Superior Display: The higher resolution and pixel density of the OnePlus 11 are noticeable upgrades and make my viewing experience much better, especially when consuming media and browsing through social media.
- Fast Charging: 100W charging is a significant advantage and reduces downtime. This would be very convenient for my daily use as I don't like having to wait long for my phone to charge.
- Modern Camera: Although the S21+ has a more versatile set of lenses, the OnePlus 11's camera wins on image quality thanks to the newer sensors. I personally value image quality more over the ability to zoom.
- Newer Technology: The OnePlus 11 is a more recently released phone, which includes newer Bluetooth and Wifi technology. This means it will also likely receive longer software support.
While I appreciate the wireless charging and telephoto lens of the S21+, the improvements in processing power, display quality, charging speed, and main camera quality of the OnePlus 11 are more important to me for my use cases. The lack of wireless charging isn't a dealbreaker for me given the speed of the 100W charging. The trade-off of having a dedicated zoom lens isn't as important to me, compared to overall image quality.
