1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G | OnePlus 9 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 161.5 × 75.6 × 7.8 mm | 163.2 × 73.6 × 8.7 mm | OnePlus 9 Pro is taller and thicker, while the S21+ is wider. OnePlus 9 Pro is slightly less pocketable due to its thickness. |
| Weight | 200g | 197g | Negligible weight difference; both feel similar in hand. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.7" | 6.7" | Identical screen size; provides the same viewing area. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1440x3216 | OnePlus 9 Pro offers a sharper display with more detail, resulting in clearer text and images. |
| Pixel Density (PPI) | 394 | 525 | OnePlus 9 Pro's higher PPI means a visibly sharper image with smoother curves and edges. |
| Technology | AMOLED | Not specified | Samsung's AMOLED display will have richer colors, deeper blacks, better contrast, and more power-efficient dark themes. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | Both provide a smooth user experience with fluid scrolling and animations. |
| Brightness | 1300 nits | 1300 nits | Both are equally bright for outdoor visibility in direct sunlight. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Exynos 2100 (5 nm) | Snapdragon 888 5G (5 nm) | Snapdragon 888 generally offers better performance in gaming and some tasks than Exynos 2100. |
| AnTuTu Score | 749,100 | 877,600 | OnePlus 9 Pro will feel slightly faster in intensive applications and games. |
| GPU | Mali-G78 MP14 | Adreno 660 | Adreno 660 in the OnePlus is usually superior in gaming performance. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 12MP, f/1.8, 1/1.76", 1.80µm | 48MP, f/1.8, 1/1.43", 1.12µm | OnePlus 9 Pro has a higher resolution sensor and larger sensor size, potentially capturing more detail and performing better in low light. |
| Telephoto/Portrait | 64MP, f/2.0, 1/1.72", 0.80µm | Not Specified | Samsung has a dedicated telephoto camera for optical zoom and portrait shots. OnePlus lacks this dedicated lens. |
| Selfie Camera | 10MP, f/2.2, 1/3.2", 1.22µm | 16MP, f/2.4, 1/3.13", 0.70µm | OnePlus 9 Pro has a higher resolution front camera. S21+ has a wider aperture, potentially better for low-light selfies. |
| Telephoto Lens | Not Specified | 8MP, f/2.4, 1/4.4", 1.00µm | OnePlus has a dedicated telephoto camera for optical zoom, while S21+ lacks this lens. |
| Wide Angle Lens | Not Specified | 50MP, f/2.2, 1/1.56", 1.00µm | OnePlus 9 Pro offers a dedicated ultrawide lens, allowing for a greater field of view. Samsung S21+ lacks this dedicated lens. |
| Wide Angle + Macro | 12.2MP, f/2.2, 1/2.55", 1.40µm | Not Specified | Samsung has a wide angle lens that doubles as a macro lens |
| Black & White | Not Specified | 2MP, f/2.4, | OnePlus has a dedicated monochrome lens for artistic shots, while S21+ lacks this. |
| Video Recording | Up to 8K@24fps | Up to 8K@30fps | Both offer high-resolution video recording; S21+ has HDR and EIS at more frame rates than Oneplus 9 Pro. |
| DxOMark Mobile Score | 111 | 122 | OnePlus 9 Pro generally offers superior image quality based on DxoMark results. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 4800mAh | 4500mAh | S21+ should offer slightly longer battery life in real-world usage due to its larger battery capacity. |
| Charging | 25W fast charging | 65W fast charging | OnePlus 9 Pro charges significantly faster, reducing downtime. |
| Wireless Charging | 15W | 50W | OnePlus 9 Pro offers much faster wireless charging |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11, upgradeable to 15 | Android 11, upgradeable to 14 | S21+ has an extra year of official OS support |
| Connectivity | |||
| WiFi | Wi-Fi 6 | Wi-Fi 6 | Both support current standards; OnePlus 9 Pro supports Wi-Fi MiMO. |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 | 5.2 | OnePlus 9 Pro has a newer version, potentially offering better performance and battery efficiency. |
| GPS | L1 + L5, Galileo (E1+E5a) | L1 + L5, GLONASS (L1), BeiDou (B1) Galileo (E1+E5a) | OnePlus 9 Pro supports more satellite systems for better location accuracy. |
| SIM | Dual SIM, Nano SIM, eSIM | Dual SIM, Nano SIM | S21+ offers eSIM support for digital carrier switching. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 128GB or 256GB | 128GB or 256GB | Both offer similar storage configurations. |
| RAM | 8GB | 8GB or 12GB | OnePlus 9 Pro offers an optional 12 GB RAM version for heavy multitasking. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone allows for external storage expansion. |
| Audio | |||
| Audio Features | Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res Audio, Stereo Speakers | Dolby Atmos, Stereo Speakers, 3 microphones | S21+ has Hi-Res Audio support. OnePlus 9 Pro has 3 microphones. |
| Security | |||
| Fingerprint Sensor | Basic in-display | Basic in-display | Both offer basic in-display fingerprint sensors for biometric security. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | S21+ has more durable screen protection. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Proximity, Barometer | Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Proximity | Samsung includes a barometer, and other environmental sensors for enhanced functionality. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G Advantages:
- AMOLED Display: Offers superior contrast, deeper blacks, and more vibrant colors for an enhanced viewing experience.
- Longer OS Support: One extra year of official OS support.
- Dedicated Telephoto Camera: Provides better optical zoom capabilities for detailed zoomed shots.
- Wider Angle + Macro Camera A dedicated wide angle camera that also acts as a macro lens.
- eSIM Support: Offers additional flexibility for managing multiple carrier plans.
- Barometer: Includes a barometer sensor.
- Wireless charging 15W
- Reverse wireless charging 4.5W
- More Bluetooth profiles: Includes more bluetooth profiles.
- More video recording options: S21+ has HDR and EIS at more frame rates than Oneplus 9 Pro.
- Hi-Res audio: Better quality audio capabilities
OnePlus 9 Pro Advantages:
- Higher Resolution Display: Offers a sharper and more detailed viewing experience with a noticeably higher pixel density.
- Better Overall Camera Performance: Scores higher in DxOMark tests. Higher resolution main camera and larger sensor, potentially capturing more detail and performing better in low light.
- Dedicated Wide Angle Lens: Higher resolution wide angle lens
- Significantly Faster Charging: Includes both wired and wireless charging which is faster than Samsung's.
- Potentially Better Gaming Performance: Snapdragon 888 usually outpaces the Exynos in gaming.
- Optional 12 GB of RAM: Better for more demanding users that like to multitask.
- 3 Microphones: Better quality audio for calls and recording.
- More satellite navigation options: Has more satellite navigation options for more accurate locations.
- Newer Bluetooth version: Has a newer version with better performance and efficiency.
- Ultra Stable video: Has an ultra stable recording mode for smoother videos.
Significant Trade-offs:
- Display Technology: S21+ has an AMOLED display (deeper blacks, richer colors) while the technology is not listed for OnePlus.
- Camera Versatility: The Samsung S21+ has a dedicated telephoto/portrait lens, while the OnePlus 9 Pro is more versatile with a dedicated Wide Angle and Telephoto lens.
- Battery Size vs Charging Speed: S21+ has a larger battery capacity, but OnePlus 9 Pro charges significantly faster.
- RAM options: Oneplus 9 Pro has the option to get 12 GB of RAM, Samsung S21+ doesn't have that option.
- Audio Capabilities: S21+ has Hi-Res Audio, Oneplus 9 Pro has 3 microphones.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G:
- Ideal User: Users who prioritize display quality with vibrant colors and contrast, need good optical zoom capabilities, and desire the flexibility of eSIM.
- Use Cases:
- Media consumption: Ideal for watching videos with its AMOLED display.
- Photography: Great for capturing portraits and detailed zoom shots with its telephoto lens.
- International travelers: Benefit from the flexibility of eSIM for easy switching between carriers.
- Price-to-Value: A solid choice for users looking for a premium Samsung experience with a focus on display and camera versatility.
OnePlus 9 Pro:
- Ideal User: Users who prioritize fast charging, need a phone for demanding applications/gaming, and seek the best possible image quality and ultrawide lens options.
- Use Cases:
- Gaming: Better performance due to the Snapdragon chipset and faster refresh rate.
- Photography: Ideal for capturing high-quality photos with its higher resolution main sensor and ultrawide lens options.
- Users who need fast charging: Significantly faster charging speeds reduce downtime.
- Multitasking: Users that want the option to have more RAM.
- Price-to-Value: A good pick for users who want cutting-edge performance, best image quality, and the fastest charging experience.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- How important is fast charging to you? If quick top-ups are critical, the OnePlus 9 Pro is a clear winner.
- Do you prioritize display vibrancy (AMOLED) or pixel density and sharpness? Samsung provides AMOLED while Oneplus has higher resolution and clarity.
- How important are zoom and ultrawide capabilities? The S21+ has a dedicated telephoto camera for zoom shots while the OnePlus has a dedicated wide angle lens and a telephoto lens.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Frequent traveler with lots of pictures: Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G due to eSIM support and better zoom capabilities.
- Heavy gamer who always needs a fast charge: OnePlus 9 Pro due to its faster charging and better performance.
- User that loves vibrant colors with contrast, and zoom: Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G for it's AMOLED and dedicated zoom camera.
- User that needs better quality photos, and ultrawide photos: OnePlus 9 Pro for its better camera scores, ultrawide lens, and higher resolution.
- User that wants more RAM: OnePlus 9 Pro for its 12 GB RAM option.
My Choice
If I were to choose between these two phones, I would personally pick the OnePlus 9 Pro. My priorities lie in the best overall performance, best image quality, and the fastest possible charging. While the Samsung S21+ has an attractive AMOLED display, the sharpness and superior image quality from the OnePlus 9 Pro, along with its significantly faster charging, align better with my daily needs. I often use my phone for gaming, content creation, and travel, and the OnePlus 9 Pro excels in those areas due to its better performance and fast charging. While both phones are great choices, the OnePlus 9 Pro matches my needs best.
