1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G | OnePlus 12R | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Launch Date | 2021-01-29 | 2024-02-06 | OnePlus 12R is significantly newer, likely with better software support. |
| Dimensions | 161.5 x 75.6 x 7.8 mm | 163.3 x 75.3 x 8.8 mm | OnePlus 12R is slightly taller and thicker, may feel less sleek. |
| Weight | 200g | 207g | Samsung is slightly lighter, potentially better for one-handed use. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.7" | 6.78" | Negligible difference in screen size. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1264x2780 | OnePlus 12R offers sharper images and text. |
| PPI | 394 | 450 | OnePlus 12R display will look noticeably clearer, especially for detailed content. |
| Technology | AMOLED | Samsung has the advantage of AMOLED, with richer colours, true blacks. OnePlus 12R display technology is unspecified, this makes it harder to compare properly | |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | Both offer smooth scrolling and animation. |
| Brightness | 1300 nits | 4500 nits | OnePlus 12R is vastly brighter, much better for outdoor visibility. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Exynos 2100 (5 nm) | Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 (4 nm) | OnePlus 12R’s chipset is significantly faster and more efficient. |
| Antutu Score | 749,100 | 1,743,901 | OnePlus 12R offers much faster app loading, smoother UI, and better gaming. |
| GPU | Mali-G78 MP14 | Adreno 740 | OnePlus 12R's GPU offers vastly superior gaming performance. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 4800mAh | 5500mAh | OnePlus 12R has a larger battery, likely better battery life |
| Charging | 25W Fast Charging | 100W Fast Charging | OnePlus 12R charges significantly faster; a full charge in a fraction of the time. |
| Features | Wireless Charging, Reverse Wireless Charging | Reverse Charging | Samsung offers wireless charging; OnePlus 12R does not. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera Res | 12MP | 50MP | OnePlus 12R captures more detailed photos in daylight. |
| Main Camera Sensor | 1/1.76" Sony IMX555 | 1/1.56" Sony IMX890 | OnePlus 12R has a larger sensor which is better in low light, but not by much. |
| Telephoto/Portrait Cam | 64MP | None | Samsung offers optical zoom for better zoomed shots. |
| Selfie Camera Res | 10MP | 16MP | OnePlus 12R captures more detailed selfies |
| Selfie Camera Sensor Size | 1/3.2" | 1/3.1" | OnePlus 12R's selfie sensor is negligibly larger |
| Wide Angle Lens | None | 8MP | OnePlus has an ultrawide lens for greater field of view |
| Macro Lens | None | 2MP | OnePlus has a dedicated Macro lens for close up shots |
| Wide Angle + Macro Cam | 12.2MP | None | Samsung has an ultrawide macro camera. |
| Video | 8K@24fps, 4K@60fps | 4K@60fps | Samsung offers higher resolution video recording. |
| DxOMark | Main: 111 Photo: 118 Video: 89 | Not Available | Samsung has a tested camera quality. |
| Camera Features | Optical Zoom, 8k video | Flicker sensor, Gimbal, Ultra stable video | Samsung offers optical zoom, OnePlus has enhanced video features |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 (up to 15) | Android 14 (up to 17) | OnePlus 12R offers a more recent operating system and longer support. |
| Connectivity | |||
| WiFi | Wi-Fi 6 | Wi-Fi 7 | OnePlus 12R supports faster Wi-Fi for future-proof connectivity. |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 | 5.3 | OnePlus 12R has newer, more efficient Bluetooth. |
| GPS | GPS, L1+L5, Galileo E1+E5a | GPS L1+L5, Galileo (E1+E5a), GLONASS (L1), BeiDou (B1,B2), QZSS (L1, L5) | OnePlus 12R offers better location accuracy with more satellite systems. |
| SIM | Dual SIM (Nano + Nano/eSIM) | Dual SIM (Nano + Nano) | Samsung offers eSIM support for digital SIM switching. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 128GB or 256GB | 128GB or 256GB | Both offer similar storage options. |
| RAM | 8GB | 8GB or 16GB | OnePlus 12R option for more RAM for better multitasking. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither phone supports expandable storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res Audio, Noise cancellation mic, Stereo Speakers | Stereo Speakers | Samsung has more features for better audio quality. |
| Security | |||
| Features | Basic Fingerprint Sensor | Basic Fingerprint Sensor | Both have similar basic fingerprint security. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Gorilla Glass Victus | Gorilla Glass Victus 2 | OnePlus has slightly better screen protection |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Barometer | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Gyroscope, Gravity, RGB, Pedometer | Samsung offers more environmental sensors, OnePlus features some unique sensors like Pedometer |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G Advantages:
- AMOLED Display: Offers superior contrast, deeper blacks, and vibrant colours, good for media consumption.
- Wireless Charging: Offers convenience in charging your phone wirelessly
- eSIM Support: Allows for digital SIM card activation, useful for travelers.
- Telephoto Lens: Offers optical zoom, better for photos at a distance
- Better Audio: Hi-Res audio, dolby atmos, and noise cancelling mic give richer audio.
- Tested Camera Quality: Has verified dxomark scores
OnePlus 12R Advantages:
- Significantly Faster Chipset: Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 is vastly more powerful, providing smoother overall performance and gaming.
- Brighter Display: Much better visibility under direct sunlight.
- Larger Battery: Likely offers better battery life.
- Faster Charging: Significantly quicker to fully charge your device.
- Newer OS: Comes with Android 14, which guarantees longer software support.
- Ultrawide and Macro Lens: More versatile camera options, ideal for creative shots.
- More RAM Option: 16 GB of ram, making for better multitasking
- Newer Connectivity: Faster WiFi and Bluetooth technologies
Trade-offs:
- The Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G's older chip significantly lags behind in performance compared to the OnePlus 12R.
- The Samsung S21+ has an older OS and may not receive as many software updates
- OnePlus 12R's display technology is unspecified, making it hard to compare properly to the S21+'s AMOLED screen
- OnePlus 12R does not have wireless charging, it makes it more reliant on wired charging
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G:
- Ideal User: Users who prioritize display quality, wireless charging, and telephoto lens capabilities
- Use Cases:
- Consuming media (movies, videos) on a vibrant, high-contrast screen.
- Users who value wireless charging for convenient daily power top-ups.
- Casual photographers who want optical zoom and tested quality
- Travelers who need eSIM support.
- Users who value enhanced audio quality with Dolby Atmos and Hi-Res playback.
- Price-to-Value: At this point the Samsung S21+ 5G can be found at a lower price, however this phone is older and may not hold up as well in terms of performance.
OnePlus 12R:
- Ideal User: Power users who demand high performance, long battery life, and fast charging, and a great screen for all situations.
- Use Cases:
- Mobile gamers who need smooth graphics and fast loading times.
- Users who frequently use their phones in bright outdoor conditions.
- People who need all-day battery life and quick recharging capabilities.
- Users who appreciate the latest software and connectivity features.
- Those wanting versatile camera features with wide-angle and macro lenses.
- Price-to-Value: The OnePlus 12R offers cutting-edge tech at a more accessible price, making it a strong value proposition.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- What is your primary use case for your phone? (Gaming, Media, Photography, Productivity)
- How important is battery life and fast charging to you?
- Do you prioritize the latest features and performance, or a tested camera and display experience?
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- For power users: Choose the OnePlus 12R for its superior performance, battery, and charging speed.
- For media enthusiasts: Choose the Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G for its superior colour display and wireless charging
- For those on a budget: The Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G might be a more budget-friendly option if you can find a used or discounted model.
- For mobile photographers: Choose the Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G for the telephoto lens and tested camera quality, or the OnePlus 12R for ultrawide and macro lens versatility.
- For users wanting future-proof tech: The OnePlus 12R would be a more attractive choice due to its newer hardware and software support.
My Choice:
I would choose the OnePlus 12R. While the Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G has its strengths, especially the AMOLED display and telephoto camera, the sheer performance advantage of the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 in the OnePlus 12R is too significant to ignore. For day to day use and heavy gaming, I value a fast and smooth user experience. Additionally, the OnePlus 12R's brighter display, larger battery, significantly faster charging, and newer software make it a more compelling option for modern smartphone users. Although the lack of wireless charging is a downside for me, I'm willing to trade that for all of the benefits the 12R provides. The inclusion of a ultrawide and macro lens also tips the scales further, making it the clear winner for me. The newer technology and better performance make the 12R a much more sensible purchase for long term usage and value.
