1. Specifications Comparison
Design
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G | OnePlus 9R | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 161.5 × 75.6 × 7.8 mm | 161 × 74.1 × 8.4 mm | The S21+ is slightly wider (1.5mm) and thinner (0.6mm), the 9R is more compact and slightly thicker but has slightly larger volume overall. The weight difference of 11g will be noticeable in prolonged use. |
| Weight | 200g | 189g | The OnePlus 9R is lighter, making it slightly more comfortable to hold for extended periods. |
| Build | Gorilla Glass Victus Screen | Unknown | The S21+ offers superior scratch and shatter resistance for the screen. The 9R's screen protection is unknown, potentially less durable. |
Display
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G | OnePlus 9R | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Size | 6.7" | 6.55" | The S21+ offers a slightly larger viewing area, which can enhance media consumption and gaming experience but is very slight. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2400 | Both phones have the same level of sharpness and clarity. |
| PPI | 394 | 402 | The pixel density is negligibly different, so visual clarity is effectively identical between the two phones. |
| Technology | AMOLED | AMOLED | Both offer vibrant colors and deep blacks. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | Both provide smooth scrolling and animations, enhancing the overall user experience. |
| Brightness | 1300 nits | 0 nits | The S21+ is significantly brighter in direct sunlight, making it much more usable outdoors. The 9R's brightness is unknown, potentially difficult to see outdoors. |
Performance
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G | OnePlus 9R | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chipset | Exynos 2100 (5 nm) - International | Snapdragon 870 5G (7 nm) | The Snapdragon 870 typically offers slightly better sustained performance and better power efficiency than the Exynos 2100, especially in gaming and heavy multitasking. |
| Antutu Score | 749,100 | 821,600 | The OnePlus 9R demonstrates marginally better raw performance, which will be most noticeable in demanding applications and games. |
| GPU | Mali-G78 MP14 - International (ARM Mali-G78 MC14) | Adreno 650 | The Adreno 650 GPU in the 9R is generally considered superior for gaming, providing better frame rates and more stable performance than the Mali GPU in the S21+ in demanding game titles. |
Camera
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G | OnePlus 9R | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard Camera | 12MP, f/1.8, 1/1.76" sensor, 1.80µm pixel size | 48MP, f/1.7, 1/2" sensor, 0.80µm pixel size | The S21+ has a larger sensor, meaning it will perform better in low light and the 9R has a higher resolution, allowing for more detail in well-lit scenarios. |
| Telephoto + Portrait | 64MP, f/2.0, 1/1.72" sensor, 0.80µm pixel size | None | The S21+ has dedicated telephoto zoom and portrait capabilities, offering more versatility in photography, while the 9R does not have a telephoto lens. |
| Selfie Camera | 10MP, f/2.2, 1/3.2" sensor, 1.22µm pixel size | 16MP, f/2.4, 1/3.13" sensor, 1.00µm pixel size | The OnePlus 9R offers higher resolution selfies, but the S21+ has a wider aperture for better low light performance in selfies. |
| Wide Angle Lens | None | 16MP, f/2.2, 1/3.09" sensor, 1.00µm pixel size | The 9R has a dedicated wide angle lens for landscape and group shots, a feature lacking in the S21+. |
| Portrait (Depth) Lens | None | 2MP, f/2.4 | The 9R has a dedicated depth sensor for more accurate portrait mode, while the S21+ relies on software for portrait effects. |
| Macro Lens | None | 5MP, f/2.4 | The 9R has a dedicated macro lens for close-up photography, which the S21+ lacks. |
| Wide Angle + Macro | 12.2MP, f/2.2, 1/2.55" sensor, 1.40 µm pixel size | None | S21+ has dedicated wide angle + macro, which the 9R lacks. |
| Video | 8K@24fps, 4K@60fps, various 1080p options with HDR, EIS, stereo sound | 4K@60fps, various 1080p options with HDR, EIS | The S21+ supports higher resolution 8K video recording, whereas the 9R is capped at 4K, making it suitable for more professional use, but both offer excellent video quality and stabilization. |
| DxoMark | Mobile: 111 Photo: 118 Video: 89 | Not tested | The Samsung has DxoMark data, while the 9R doesn't, showcasing the superior photo and video of the S21+. |
| Camera Features | 8K Video, Optical Zoom, Triple Camera, Continuous autofocus, Night mode | Quadruple Camera | S21+ offers more advanced camera features like Optical Zoom, Night Mode, and Continuous Autofocus, while the 9R has a Quadruple Camera setup. |
Battery
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G | OnePlus 9R | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 4800mAh | 4500mAh | The S21+ has a slightly larger battery which could result in slightly longer battery life, especially for heavy users. |
| Charging | 25W fast charging | 65W fast charging | The 9R charges much faster, reducing the time spent tethered to a charger. |
| Features | Wireless charging, reverse charging | Non-removable | The S21+ has more charging features like wireless charging and reverse wireless charging, which can be useful in a variety of situations. The 9R lacks these features. |
Software
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G | OnePlus 9R | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| OS | Android 11, max v15 | Android 10, max v13 | The S21+ has a more recent starting OS and will receive longer software support. S21+ is more likely to have access to latest Android features. |
Connectivity
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G | OnePlus 9R | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6, Dual Band, Hotspot, Direct, Display | Wi-Fi 6, Dual Band, Hotspot, Direct, Display, MIMO | Both phones have very similar wifi functionalities. The 9R additionally has Wi-Fi MIMO. |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.0, various protocols | Bluetooth 5.1, various protocols | The 9R has a newer Bluetooth version, and supports LDAC and AAC codecs, while the S21+ supports a wider range of protocols, potentially better compatibility with older devices. |
| GPS | GPS (L1+L5), Galileo (E1+E5a), GLONASS, Beidou | GPS (L1+L5), Galileo (E1+E5a), GLONASS, Beidou(B1) | Both have very similar GPS functionalities. The 9R has more precise location through a more complete set of satellite support. |
| SIM | Dual SIM, Nano SIM, eSIM, Dual Standby | Dual SIM, Nano SIM, Dual Standby | The S21+ allows for more flexibility with eSIM support, while both support dual physical SIM cards. |
Storage
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G | OnePlus 9R | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Internal | 128 GB or 256 GB | 128 GB or 256 GB | Both phones offer similar storage options. |
| RAM | 8 GB | 8 GB or 12 GB | The 9R offers a 12 GB RAM option for better multitasking. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither device offers expandable storage, relying on their internal storage. |
Audio
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G | OnePlus 9R | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Quality | Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res Audio, Stereo Speakers, Noise cancellation microphone | Dolby Atmos, Stereo Speakers, Noise cancellation microphone | Both have great audio, but the S21+ provides a more immersive audio experience with Hi-Res Audio and better speaker quality. |
Security
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G | OnePlus 9R | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Security | Fingerprint | Fingerprint | Both phones have similar biometric security methods using fingerprint sensors. |
Sensors
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G | OnePlus 9R | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Barometer, Hall, Geomagnetic | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope | The S21+ has more sensors, enhancing functionality such as navigation, weather, and gaming experiences. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G Advantages:
- Superior Display Brightness: Significantly better outdoor visibility due to its higher brightness at 1300 nits.
- More Versatile Camera: Dedicated telephoto zoom and portrait lens, 8K video recording, optical zoom, and a wide angle + macro lens.
- Wireless and Reverse Charging: Offers convenient wireless charging and reverse wireless charging for added utility.
- Hi-Res Audio: superior audio experience and enhanced immersive listening with Hi-Res Audio
- Superior Screen Protection: Corning Gorilla Glass Victus provides greater screen durability.
- More comprehensive sensors: additional sensors such as Barometer, Hall, and Geomagnetic
- Longer Software Support: Launched with Android 11 and max version of 15, ensuring longer software support compared to the 9R.
OnePlus 9R Advantages:
- Faster Charging: 65W fast charging significantly reduces charging time.
- Better Performance: Slightly higher benchmark scores and a more efficient Snapdragon processor, especially for gaming.
- More RAM option: The option of 12 GB of RAM will be appreciated by those who multitask heavily or play games frequently.
- Wider Aperture Main Camera: The main camera has a slightly wider aperture, allowing more light to reach the sensor, potentially resulting in slightly better low-light performance
- Wide Angle and Macro Lenses: Offers dedicated lenses for wide-angle and macro photography.
- More Complete GPS Support: Additional BeiDou (B1) for potentially better GPS accuracy.
- Newer Bluetooth version: Bluetooth 5.1 with LDAC and AAC codecs.
- Lighter and smaller volume: It is slightly lighter and thinner than the S21+ making it more comfortable to hold.
Significant Trade-offs:
- S21+: Loses out on some raw performance, faster charging, and dedicated wide-angle and macro lenses, but gains better display visibility, camera versatility, and wireless charging.
- 9R: Loses out on wireless charging, superior screen protection, a dedicated telephoto lens, but gains better performance, faster charging, a wider range of shooting options, and additional satellite location support.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G Ideal User:
- Content Creators: Those who prioritize high-quality video recording (including 8K), and versatile camera capabilities like zoom and multiple lenses.
- Outdoor Users: People who often use their phone in bright sunlight and need good screen visibility.
- Tech Enthusiasts: Users who value premium features like wireless charging, reverse charging, and advanced audio.
- Users who value longevity: With a later starting OS and a max version of Android 15, these users are ensured to receive a longer period of software support.
OnePlus 9R Ideal User:
- Gamers: Users who prioritize smooth performance, and fast charging for continuous gaming sessions.
- Photographers: Users who prefer wide angle, macro and portrait photography.
- Speed-Oriented Users: Users who value fast charging and overall responsiveness.
- Budget Conscious: Those looking for excellent performance and features at a slightly lower price point.
Specific Use Cases:
- S21+: Recording high-quality videos at concerts or events, taking photos in very bright sunlight, wireless charging on the go, superior audio experience for media consumption.
- 9R: Playing demanding games, capturing wide-angle landscape shots, quickly recharging for work, and close-up macro shots.
Price-to-Value Ratio:
While both phones were released in a similar timeframe, the OnePlus 9R may offer a more cost-effective option with its stronger performance and charging capabilities while the S21+ offers a more well-rounded camera and superior screen technology and greater longevity with its software support.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions:
- Do you prioritize display visibility, camera versatility and software longevity, or raw performance, faster charging, and more shooting options?
- Is the convenience of wireless charging and a comprehensive set of sensors important to you?
- Does the added cost of the S21+ offset its additional benefits compared to the cost-effective 9R?
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: High-Quality Video Capture & Outdoor Use: Choose the Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G for its 8K video, telephoto lens, optical zoom and superior screen brightness.
- Scenario 2: Gaming & Fast Charging: Choose the OnePlus 9R for its better performance, faster charging, and more ram.
- Scenario 3: Well-Rounded Camera with Wireless Charging: Choose the Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G for the most versatile camera, superior screen tech, wireless charging and reverse wireless charging.
- Scenario 4: Cost-Effective, Fast Charging and More RAM: Choose the OnePlus 9R for its lower price point without giving up key features and fast charging speeds.
My Choice
If I had to choose, I would opt for the Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G.
Reasons:
- Versatile Camera: As someone who takes a lot of photos and videos, the dedicated telephoto lens and higher quality recording modes are extremely appealing to me. The addition of optical zoom as well as the wide angle + macro lens offer an extremely versatile camera system.
- Superior Display: The high brightness is very important for readability under direct sunlight, something that I regularly experience.
- Premium Features: The inclusion of wireless charging, reverse wireless charging and Hi-Res Audio give the S21+ more premium features that are very helpful in my everyday life.
- Longer Software Support: As a person who uses their phone for years at a time, the longer software support is extremely important, and makes it a more cost-effective option over time.
While the OnePlus 9R has its strengths in raw performance, faster charging, wider aperture camera, and additional sensors, for my specific usage, the overall package offered by the S21+ with its superior display, versatile camera, premium features and longer software support make it the better choice. The only factor that makes the choice difficult is the inclusion of a macro and wide angle lens on the 9R. However, I prefer the greater zoom options of the S21+, so the trade-off is acceptable.
