1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G | OnePlus Nord 2T | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 161.5 × 75.6 × 7.8 mm | 159.1 × 73.2 × 8.2 mm | S21+ is slightly taller and wider, Nord 2T is thicker. S21+ may feel larger in hand. |
| Weight | 200g | 190g | Nord 2T is 10g lighter, potentially more comfortable for prolonged use. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.7" | 6.43" | S21+ offers more screen real estate for media consumption and multitasking. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2400 | Both offer sharp visuals with the same FHD+ resolution. |
| Pixel Density | 394 PPI | 409 PPI | Minimal difference, both displays appear equally sharp. |
| Technology | AMOLED | AMOLED | Both offer vibrant colors, deep blacks, and excellent contrast. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 90Hz | S21+ provides smoother scrolling and animations. |
| Brightness | 1300 nits | 0 nits | S21+ is significantly brighter, offering better outdoor visibility. (Note: OnePlus Nord 2T brightness is missing) |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Exynos 2100 (5 nm) | Mediatek Dimensity 1300 (6 nm) | S21+ has a slightly more powerful chip based on benchmarks. |
| AnTuTu Score | 749,100 | 699,576 | S21+ demonstrates a small performance edge in synthetic benchmarks. |
| GPU | Mali-G78 MP14 | Mali-G77 MC9 | S21+ has a more advanced GPU for potentially better gaming performance. |
| Camera | |||
| Rear Standard | 12MP, f/1.8, 1/1.76" sensor | 50MP, f/1.8, 1/1.56" sensor | Nord 2T has higher resolution and larger sensor, potentially better low-light performance. |
| Rear Telephoto + Portrait | 64MP, f/2.0, 1/1.72" sensor | None | S21+ has a dedicated telephoto lens for zoom and portrait shots. |
| Rear Wide Angle + Macro | 12.2MP, f/2.2, 1/2.55" sensor | None | S21+ has a dedicated ultra-wide and macro lens |
| Rear Wide Angle lens | None | 8MP, f/2.2 | Nord 2T includes a dedicated wide-angle lens. |
| Rear Black & White | None | 2MP, f/2.2 | Nord 2T includes a dedicated black and white sensor for creative shots |
| Front Selfie | 10MP, f/2.2, 1/3.2" sensor | 32MP, f/2.4, 1/2.74" sensor | Nord 2T has higher resolution front camera for sharper selfies. |
| Video | Up to 8K@24fps | Up to 4K@30fps | S21+ can record in higher resolution 8K for professional grade videos. Both offer video stabilization |
| DxOMark Mobile Score | 111 | 114 | Nord 2T scores slightly higher overall in camera tests. |
| DxOMark Photo Score | 118 | 119 | Nord 2T performs marginally better in photo tests |
| DxOMark Video Score | 89 | 123 | Nord 2T offers significantly better video quality in DxOMark tests. |
| Camera Features | 8K Video, Optical zoom, Continuous autofocus, Manual focus, Panorama, RAW | 4K Video, Digital zoom, Optical Stabilization | S21+ offers more camera features, including optical zoom and RAW capture. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 4800mAh | 4500mAh | S21+ has slightly higher battery capacity which may translate to longer runtime |
| Charging | 25W fast charging | 80W fast charging | Nord 2T charges much faster, significantly reducing charging time |
| Battery Features | Wireless charging, Reverse wireless charging | None | S21+ offers wireless and reverse charging |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 (upgradable to 15) | Android 12 (upgradable to 14) | Nord 2T launches with a newer OS, but S21+ has more guaranteed upgrades |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6 | Wi-Fi 6, Wi-Fi MiMO | Both have Wi-Fi 6; Nord 2T additionally has Wi-Fi MiMO. |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 | 5.2 | Nord 2T has a newer Bluetooth version. |
| GPS | GPS (L1+L5), Galileo (E1+E5a) | GPS (L1+L5), NavIC System | Nord 2T supports more satellite systems |
| SIM | Dual SIM + eSIM | Dual SIM | S21+ supports eSIM for digital carrier switching |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 128GB/256GB | 128GB/256GB | Both offer the same storage options. |
| RAM | 8GB | 8GB/12GB | Nord 2T has a 12GB RAM option for better multitasking. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither offers expandable storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res Audio | None | S21+ has superior audio quality features |
| Security | |||
| Features | Basic fingerprint sensor | Basic fingerprint sensor | Both have the same type of basic biometric security |
| Build Quality | |||
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | S21+ has better screen protection. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Barometer | None | S21+ has a Barometer sensor, useful for measuring air pressure. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G Advantages:
- Brighter Display: Significantly higher brightness (1300 nits vs. unknown) for better outdoor visibility.
- Superior Display Features: Smoother 120Hz refresh rate for a more fluid user experience.
- More Powerful Chipset: Exynos 2100 offers better benchmark performance.
- More Camera Features: Dedicated telephoto lens, ultrawide lens, and macro lens offer greater shooting versatility.
- 8K Video: Supports higher video resolution 8K@24fps, for professional-grade content creation.
- Wireless Charging: Includes both wireless charging and reverse wireless charging.
- Enhanced Audio: Offers Dolby Atmos and Hi-Res Audio for superior sound quality.
- eSIM Support: Enables digital carrier switching.
- Better Screen Protection: Corning Gorilla Glass Victus offers better scratch and damage protection.
- More Sensors: Includes a barometer for measuring air pressure.
OnePlus Nord 2T Advantages:
- Faster Charging: 80W fast charging is significantly faster than S21+'s 25W.
- Better Camera Quality: Marginally higher DxOMark mobile and photo scores and a significantly better DxOMark video score, suggesting better image processing.
- Newer Bluetooth Version: Bluetooth 5.2 offers potential connectivity improvements.
- Newer Android OS: Launches with Android 12, offering newer features and security updates.
- 12GB RAM Option: Provides more RAM for demanding users and better multitasking.
- Wider-angle lens: Includes a dedicated wide-angle lens
- Black & White lens: Includes a dedicated black and white lens for more creative shots
- More Satellite Systems: NavIC System for better location accuracy.
- Lighter Build: 10g lighter for more comfortable extended use.
Trade-offs:
- S21+: Sacrifices fast charging and newer software for better performance and a higher quality display.
- Nord 2T: Sacrifices some screen brightness, display fluidity and advanced camera features for faster charging, better video performance and a more modern OS.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G is Ideal For:
- Outdoor Users: The higher brightness display excels in bright sunlight.
- Multimedia Enthusiasts: The larger, smoother 120Hz display and superior audio make it great for video and gaming.
- Photography Buffs: The telephoto lens, macro lens, ultrawide lens, and advanced video features offer more creative freedom.
- Power Users: The more powerful chipset and better sensor suite are better suited for demanding tasks and more comprehensive usage.
- Users who prefer premium build quality and features Benefit from features such as the premium build, wireless charging and reverse charging.
OnePlus Nord 2T is Ideal For:
- Users on the go: The incredibly fast charging gets the phone back in use more rapidly and the lighter design is more convenient to carry.
- Social Media Users: The improved front camera and video quality are better suited for creating content.
- Value-Conscious Buyers: Offers a strong camera system and fast charging without breaking the bank.
- Users who want the latest software: Benefits from the latest software available
- Users who require a diverse set of camera options The Nord 2T has a more diverse array of cameras to chose from and take creative shots.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions:
- How important is display brightness and refresh rate for my usage? If outdoor visibility and smooth scrolling are crucial, the S21+ is better.
- How important is camera versatility and quality? If flexibility is required, the S21+ is the better option however, for pure video quality the Nord 2T is superior.
- How important is charging speed? If fast charging is a must, the Nord 2T is the better choice.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Frequent outdoor use with heavy multimedia consumption, choose Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G.
- Scenario 2: On-the-go user needing quick charging with a high-quality front camera, choose OnePlus Nord 2T.
- Scenario 3: User who wants the latest Android version and doesn't prioritize a telephoto lens or wireless charging, choose the OnePlus Nord 2T
- Scenario 4: User who is willing to trade off slightly faster charging for more camera features and overall better performance, choose the Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G
My Choice
I would choose the Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G.
Reasoning:
While the OnePlus Nord 2T has some strong advantages, particularly its fast charging and improved video quality, the S21+ has a more appealing combination of features for my needs.
- Display is a Priority: The superior brightness of the S21+ is a critical factor for me. I frequently use my phone outdoors and the difference in display visibility would be very noticeable. The smoother refresh rate is also preferred for general usage and gaming.
- Camera Versatility: I prefer the versatility offered by the S21+'s telephoto and ultrawide lenses. While the Nord 2T might have slightly better photo and video scores according to DxOMark, I prefer having more options when shooting.
- Overall Performance: The Exynos 2100, while not the newest, still provides very reliable performance and the added sensors are an added bonus. I also prefer the premium build quality and features of the S21+ such as wireless charging and reverse charging.
- Longer Support: While it launches with an older OS, the fact that Samsung has committed to upgrading the phone to Android 15 means its lifecycle will last longer than the Nord 2T which is slated to be upgraded to Android 14.
Although the Nord 2T's fast charging is tempting, I prefer to prioritize screen quality, versatile camera options, overall performance and the added benefits of a premium build over pure charging speed for my specific usage.
