1. Specifications Comparison
Here's a detailed comparison of the Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G and the Oppo Find N2 Flip, focusing on practical implications:
Design
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G | Oppo Find N2 Flip | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Form Factor | Standard | Foldable | Oppo offers compact pocketability when folded, while Samsung has a traditional slab design. |
| Dimensions | 161.5 x 75.6 x 7.8 mm | 166.2 x 75.2 x 7.5 mm | Oppo is slightly taller and thinner, while both have nearly the same width. |
| Weight | 200g | 191g | Oppo is slightly lighter, which might be noticeable over extended use. |
Display
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G | Oppo Find N2 Flip | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Size | 6.7" | 6.8" | Both have similarly sized displays, a difference of 0.1 inches is not noticeable. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2520 | Oppo offers slightly sharper images due to the higher pixel count, though barely noticeable. |
| PPI | 394 | 403 | Very similar pixel density, sharpness is virtually identical. |
| Technology | AMOLED | Not Specified | Samsung has an AMOLED display, which offers vibrant colors, deep blacks, and superior power efficiency. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | Both offer smooth scrolling and animations. |
| Brightness | 1300 nits | 1600 nits | Oppo has better outdoor visibility in bright sunlight due to its much higher peak brightness. |
Performance
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G | Oppo Find N2 Flip | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Chipset | Exynos 2100 (5 nm) - International | Mediatek Dimensity 9000+ (4 nm) | Oppo chipset is newer and more efficient with better performance for gaming and demanding tasks. |
| Antutu Score | 749,100 | 1,160,000 | Oppo offers significantly faster overall performance, loading apps quicker, with smoother multitasking. |
| GPU | Mali-G78 MP14 - International | Mali-G710 MC10 | Oppo has a more powerful GPU, which means better performance in games and graphics-intensive apps. |
Camera
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G | Oppo Find N2 Flip | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Standard Camera | 12MP, f/1.8, 1/1.76" sensor, 1.80µm pixels | 50MP, f/1.8, 1/1.56" sensor, 1.00µm pixels | Oppo has higher resolution and a slightly larger sensor for better low-light performance, detail. |
| Telephoto/Portrait Camera | 64MP, f/2.0, 1/1.72" sensor, 0.80µm pixels | Not Available | Samsung offers optical zoom capabilities for better zoomed photos. |
| Selfie Camera | 10MP, f/2.2, 1/3.2" sensor, 1.22µm pixels | 32MP, f/2.4, 1/3.2" sensor, 0.70µm pixels | Oppo offers higher resolution for more detailed selfies. |
| Wide Angle Lens | Not Available | 8MP, f/2.2, 1/2.8" sensor, 1.14µm pixels | Oppo offers the option for ultrawide photos |
| Wide Angle + Macro Lens | 12.2MP, f/2.2, 1/2.55" sensor, 1.40µm pixels | Not Available | Samsung offers macro photography, for very close-up shots. |
| Video Recording | Up to 8K@24fps with HDR, EIS | Up to 4K@30fps | Samsung has higher video resolution options, but Oppo may have better image stabilization (unspecified). |
| Camera Features | OIS, PDAF, 8K Video, Optical Zoom | Time-Lapse, Ultra Stable Video | Samsung offers optical image stabilization and zoom, Oppo focuses on stable video, time-lapse features |
| DxoMark | 111 (Mobile), 118 (Photo), 89 (Video) | Not Tested | Samsung's camera performance is verified with a reputable camera testing site while Oppo's is not |
Battery
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G | Oppo Find N2 Flip | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Capacity | 4800mAh | 4300mAh | Samsung offers longer battery life due to its larger capacity. |
| Charging | 25W Fast Charging | 44W Fast Charging | Oppo charges significantly faster, reducing downtime. |
| Battery Features | Wireless, Reverse wireless | Reverse Charging | Samsung allows wireless and reverse wireless charging, while Oppo lacks the wireless charging feature |
Software & Connectivity
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G | Oppo Find N2 Flip | Practical Impact |
|---|
| OS | Android 11 (upgradable to 15) | Android 13 (upgradable to 17) | Oppo provides a more modern OS out of the box, with longer software support. |
| WiFi | WiFi 6, Dual band, Hotspot, Direct, Display | WiFi 6, Dual band, Hotspot, Direct, Display, MIMO | Oppo has extra MIMO functionality which could provide more stable connections in congested environments |
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, AVRCP, DIP, HFP, HID, HSP, LE, MAP, PAN, OPP, PBAP/PAB, ANT+, APT-x, SBC | 5.3, A2DP, LE, APT-x, LDAC, SBC, AAC | Oppo has newer Bluetooth with wider support for audio codecs. Samsung has older, more expansive Bluetooth. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo, GPS (L1+L5), Galileo (E1+E5a) | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, Galileo, GPS (L1+L5), BeiDou (B1), Galileo (E1+E5a), BeiDou (B2), QZSS (L1 + L5) | Oppo offers better location accuracy with more supported satellite systems. |
| SIM | Dual SIM (Nano + Nano/eSIM) | Dual SIM (Nano + Nano) | Samsung supports eSIM which allows for more flexibility in switching carriers. |
Storage & Other
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G | Oppo Find N2 Flip | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Internal Storage | 128 GB or 256 GB | 256 GB or 512 GB | Oppo has a larger base storage and a higher maximum capacity for users with more media. |
| RAM | 8 GB | 8 GB / 12 GB / 16 GB | Oppo has up to double the RAM which is excellent for heavy multitasking and gaming. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Both phones lack expandable storage. |
| Audio | Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res Audio, Noise cancellation microphone, Stereo Speakers | Dolby Atmos, Stereo Speakers | Samsung has a slight edge offering noise cancellation and higher fidelity audio output. |
| Security | Basic fingerprint sensor | Side-mounted fingerprint sensor | Oppo offers more convenient and faster fingerprint scanning with its side mounted sensor. |
| Screen Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus | Not Specified | Samsung provides superior screen protection from scratches and drops. |
| Sensors | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Barometer | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, RGB | Samsung is suitable for users needing environmental data for gaming or other features, Oppo for users needing light data |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G Advantages:
- Established Ecosystem: Part of a well-established ecosystem with strong brand support.
- Wireless Charging: Offers both wireless and reverse wireless charging capabilities.
- Optical Zoom: Telephoto lens provides superior zoom capabilities compared to the Oppo.
- eSIM Support: Offers an eSIM for added flexibility in managing carrier services.
- Screen Protection: Corning Gorilla Glass Victus provides better protection against damage.
- Audio Quality: Hi-Res audio and noise cancellation microphone offers enhanced audio experience.
- DxoMark Tested: Camera performance has been independently tested and verified.
Oppo Find N2 Flip Advantages:
- Foldable Design: Offers pocket-friendly portability when folded, with unique design.
- Faster Charging: 44W fast charging significantly reduces charging time.
- Newer Chipset: Mediatek Dimensity 9000+ chipset provides faster performance and improved efficiency.
- Higher Resolution Main Camera: Higher resolution main sensor for detailed shots.
- Higher Resolution Selfie Camera: Better detail for selfie images.
- Larger RAM: Up to 16GB of RAM allows for heavy multitasking and gaming performance.
- Newer Software: Comes with a newer Android version out of the box, with a longer software update lifespan.
- Wider Satellite Support: Better location accuracy due to additional GPS support.
- Ultrawide Camera: Provides an ultrawide camera for versatile photography.
- Higher Brightness: Better visibility in direct sunlight with brighter display
Trade-offs:
- Samsung:
- Older chipset and lower benchmark scores, possibly resulting in slower performance compared to Oppo.
- Lacks the foldable form factor which can be a downside for those wanting a compact phone.
- No ultrawide camera, reducing versatility in photography.
- Oppo:
- Lacks telephoto camera, optical zoom, macro lens and eSIM.
- Smaller battery capacity compared to Samsung.
- No wireless or reverse wireless charging options
- Unspecified screen protection and no DxoMark results
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Ideal User for Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G:
- Users invested in the Samsung ecosystem: Users with existing Samsung devices or services.
- Photography enthusiasts needing optical zoom: Those needing optical zoom for capturing detailed zoomed photos.
- Those needing wireless charging: Those who prefer the convenience of wireless charging.
- Users prioritising screen protection: Users who are rough with their phones, seeking added durability.
- Those seeking environmental data: Those who may use the device for gaming or features that utilize barometer or geomagnetic sensor data.
- Users who prioritize a tested camera: Those who want the performance of the camera to be verified by a reputable site
Ideal User for Oppo Find N2 Flip:
- Users desiring a foldable design: Those who want a compact, pocketable phone.
- Power users: Users needing the fastest performance for demanding tasks and games.
- Users that prioritize faster charging: Those who value the ability to quickly charge their phone.
- Users that prioritize the latest software: Those wanting to stay up to date with the latest Android features.
- Selfie lovers: Those who want high resolution for detailed selfies.
- Photography enthusiasts needing an ultrawide camera: Those who want to take versatile photos with ultrawide camera.
- Users needing better location accuracy: Users that will benefit from more satellite support.
- Users who prioritize brightness: Those who are outdoors a lot and need better outdoor visibility.
Use Cases:
- Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G:
- Professional photography with optical zoom
- Long days requiring reliable battery life.
- Integration with other Samsung devices.
- Users needing reliable environmental sensors for specific gaming or features.
- Oppo Find N2 Flip:
- Easy portability due to the foldable design.
- Gaming and resource-intensive tasks.
- Fast charging for busy individuals.
- Casual photography with the latest tech
- Frequent navigation users due to enhanced location services.
Price-to-Value Ratio
The Oppo Find N2 Flip is generally more expensive due to its innovative foldable design and newer features. The Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G offers a more established experience at a lower price point, but is older. The value proposition depends on whether a user prioritizes innovation and higher performance or budget and ecosystem integration.
4. Decision Framework
Here are 3 key questions for buyers:
- Foldable vs Standard: Do you value a compact, pocketable foldable phone (Oppo) or a standard, established design (Samsung)?
- Performance and Charging vs Ecosystem and Camera: Do you prioritize the fastest performance and fastest charging (Oppo) or optical zoom, wireless charging and a larger ecosystem (Samsung)?
- Software and longevity vs established ecosystem: Do you want the latest Android version with more software update support (Oppo) or are you invested in an established ecosystem (Samsung)?
Scenario-Based Recommendations
- Scenario 1: You are a power user/gamer who wants the best performance and fast charging: Go for the Oppo Find N2 Flip. It has a newer chipset, faster performance, more RAM and faster charging, even with a smaller battery.
- Scenario 2: You prefer a reliable phone with good camera and are in Samsung's ecosystem: Choose the Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G. It has a good camera system, wireless charging and a tested camera system.
- Scenario 3: You want a unique phone with the latest technology: The Oppo Find N2 Flip is the better option for its foldable design and modern features.
- Scenario 4: You are on a tight budget and need to pick between the two: The Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G will likely be the more affordable option.
What I Would Choose and Why
Personally, I would choose the Oppo Find N2 Flip. My primary reasons are:
- Innovation and Portability: The foldable design is a significant advantage for me. It offers a unique user experience and greater portability when folded, fitting comfortably into smaller pockets.
- Performance Boost: The newer chipset and higher RAM offer a noticeable increase in speed and efficiency which will enhance the overall smoothness of the operating system, multitasking, and gaming performance.
- Modern Software & Fast Charging: The newer Android version, with a longer software lifespan ensures that the device remains relevant for longer. Additionally, I value the much faster charging capabilities.
- Ultrawide Lens: I enjoy the versatility of having an ultrawide camera option when taking photos.
- Brighter Display: I appreciate having the brighter screen which makes visibility in bright sunlight more reliable.
While the Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G has its strengths with wireless charging and a more mature ecosystem, the appeal of the foldable design, coupled with the significantly better performance of the Oppo Find N2 Flip, make it the better choice for my specific needs and preferences. However, I also acknowledge that the Samsung provides a more complete, if slightly less cutting-edge, experience. Ultimately, the best choice will depend on the user's personal requirements and priorities.
