1. Specifications Comparison
Here's a detailed comparison of the Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G and the Oppo Find X3 Pro, focusing on practical implications:
Design
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G | Oppo Find X3 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 161.5 × 75.6 × 7.8 mm | 163.6 × 74 × 8.3 mm | The Oppo is slightly taller and thicker, while the Samsung is a bit wider. Overall volume difference is marginal, impact on usability is small |
| Weight | 200g | 193g | The Oppo is marginally lighter, which might be noticeable during extended holding. |
| Build | Gorilla Glass Victus front | Gorilla Glass 5 front | Samsung has more scratch and shatter resistant glass. |
| Foldable | Standard | Standard | Both are typical slab-style smartphones. |
Display
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G | Oppo Find X3 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Size | 6.7" | 6.7" | Both offer the same screen real estate. |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 | 1440 x 3216 | The Oppo's higher resolution results in significantly sharper text and images, noticeable to the keen eye. |
| PPI | 394 | 525 | The Oppo has a noticeably crisper display with higher pixel density. |
| Technology | AMOLED | AMOLED | Both offer vibrant colors and deep blacks, typical of AMOLED panels. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | Both offer smooth scrolling and animations. |
| Brightness | 1300 nits | 1300 nits | Both are equally bright and easily visible outdoors, even under direct sunlight. |
Performance
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G | Oppo Find X3 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chipset | Exynos 2100 (5 nm) | Snapdragon 888 5G (5 nm) | The Snapdragon 888 is generally considered to have better performance and efficiency than the Exynos 2100 in real-world usage. |
| Antutu Score | 749,100 | 876,500 | The Oppo scores higher, indicating potentially smoother performance in demanding games and applications, better overall system responsiveness. |
| GPU | Mali-G78 MP14 | Adreno 660 | The Adreno 660 is known for delivering better gaming performance and graphics rendering, leading to smoother game experience on the Oppo. |
| RAM | 8GB | 12/16 GB | The Oppo offers more RAM, leading to better multitasking performance, smoother switching between apps, and improved performance in memory-intensive applications. |
Battery
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G | Oppo Find X3 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 4800 mAh | 4500 mAh | Samsung has a slightly bigger battery, potentially translating into slightly longer battery life, depending on usage patterns. |
| Charging | 25W Fast Charging | 65W Fast Charging | Oppo charges significantly faster, reducing downtime significantly. |
| Wireless Charging | 15W | 30W | Oppo charges much faster wirelessly. |
| Reverse Wireless Charging | 4.5W | Yes | Both offer reverse wireless charging, but the Samsung provides a specified 4.5W of output. Oppo may or may not provide the same output. |
| In-box Charger | No charger included | Charger included | Samsung users have to purchase a charger separately. |
Camera
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G | Oppo Find X3 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main Camera Resolution | 12MP | 50MP | The Oppo captures more detail due to the higher megapixel count. |
| Main Camera Sensor Size | 1/1.76" | 1/1.56" | The Oppo's larger sensor captures more light, potentially leading to better low-light performance. |
| Telephoto + Portrait Camera | 64MP | None | Samsung offers a dedicated telephoto camera for zoomed and portrait photography. |
| Selfie Camera Resolution | 10MP | 32MP | Oppo takes higher resolution selfies with more detail. |
| Selfie Sensor Size | 1/3.2" | 1/2.74" | The Oppo’s larger selfie sensor captures more light and potentially better low-light selfies. |
| Wide Angle + Macro | 12.2MP | None | The Samsung has dedicated wide-angle with macro capabilities. |
| Telephoto lens | None | 13MP | The Oppo offers a dedicated telephoto camera for zoomed photography. |
| Wide Angle Lens | None | 50MP | The Oppo has a dedicated wide angle camera. |
| Video Resolution | 8K@24fps, 4K@30/60fps | 4K@30/60fps | The Samsung records higher resolution videos, suitable for professional videography. |
| DXOMARK Score | Main 111, Photo 118, Video 89 | Main 128, Photo 134, Video 125 | Oppo demonstrates better overall camera capabilities based on this benchmark, indicating better photo and video performance in practice. |
| Camera Features | 8K Video, Triple camera, Night Mode | Quadruple camera, Contrast detection autofocus (CDAF) | Samsung captures 8k video, Oppo has a dedicated wide angle camera. |
Software & Connectivity
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G | Oppo Find X3 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| OS | Android 11 (upgradeable to 15) | Android 11 (upgradeable to 14) | Samsung offers more future OS upgrades. |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6 | Wi-Fi 6, Wi-Fi MiMO | Oppo supports advanced Wi-Fi MiMO offering faster and more stable Wi-Fi in specific conditions. |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 | 5.2 | Oppo offers newer Bluetooth version. |
| GPS | Multiple systems, including L1 + L5 | Multiple systems, including L1 + L5 | Oppo has more satellite systems including QZSS for accurate location. |
| SIM | Dual SIM + eSIM | Dual SIM | Samsung supports eSIM for digital carrier switching. |
Storage & Audio
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G | Oppo Find X3 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Internal Storage | 128 GB / 256 GB | 256 GB / 512 GB | Oppo provides higher base and maximum storage options. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone allows for storage expansion. |
| Audio Quality | Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res Audio, Noise cancellation microphone, Stereo Speakers | Dolby Atmos, Stereo Speakers | Samsung provides more comprehensive audio features with higher quality playback and noise cancellation. |
Security & Sensors
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G | Oppo Find X3 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fingerprint Sensor | Basic | Basic | Both offer similar biometric security for fast unlocking. |
| Sensors | Barometer, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope | Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope | Samsung includes additional sensors such as the barometer for more environmental data collection. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Here's a breakdown of the major advantages of each phone:
Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G Advantages:
- eSIM Support: Allows for more flexibility in managing mobile plans.
- Slightly larger battery: May provide longer battery life.
- Hi-Res Audio: Offers superior audio for audiophiles.
- 8K Video Recording: Offers higher resolution video capture.
- Wide Angle + Macro: Offers both wide-angle and macro capability in a single camera.
- More OS Upgrades: Gets another year of OS upgrades.
- More sensors: Barometer for environmental data.
Oppo Find X3 Pro Advantages:
- Sharper Display: Higher resolution and pixel density provide a better visual experience.
- Superior Performance: Faster chipset, more RAM, and better GPU result in snappier, more responsive usage and improved gaming performance.
- Faster Charging: Significantly faster wired and wireless charging.
- Better Camera System: Superior camera performance based on DXOMARK, larger sensors, dedicated telephoto, and wide angle lenses.
- More Storage: Offers 512GB storage option.
- Newer Bluetooth: Bluetooth 5.2 with more modern codecs.
- Advanced Wifi: Wi-Fi MiMO for faster wifi in some cases.
Trade-offs:
- The Samsung has a slightly larger battery, but the Oppo more than compensates with its much faster charging speeds.
- The Samsung offers 8k video capabilities, but the Oppo has superior image quality overall based on benchmark scores.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G Ideal Users:
- Users who prioritize versatility in camera modes: The dedicated telephoto and ultrawide cameras on the S21+ 5G will appeal to those who want more flexibility in their photography.
- Users who want the longest lasting software support: The additional year of OS updates will be important to those who intend to keep their phones for a longer period of time.
- Users who need very precise altitude and atmospheric pressure data: The additional Barometer on the phone may be useful to hikers, climbers, or other outdoor enthusiasts.
- Users who want Hi-Res Audio: The Hi-Res Audio on the Samsung will please audiophiles.
Oppo Find X3 Pro Ideal Users:
- Power users: The superior chipset, GPU, and RAM make this phone ideal for heavy multitaskers and gamers.
- Users who prioritize display quality: The higher resolution display on the Oppo will please those who want to have the best possible visual experience.
- Photography enthusiasts: The Oppo's superior camera system is ideal for users who are looking for the highest photo and video quality.
- Users who value fast charging: The Oppo's rapid charging makes it ideal for those who are always on the go.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- Do I need the absolute best display quality and processing power for high-end gaming and multitasking?
- Do I need fast charging more than a slightly larger battery, and do I need the best image quality?
- Do I need specific camera features like 8K video, an integrated wide angle and macro camera, and eSIM support?
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- For a gamer, or heavy multitasking: Choose the Oppo Find X3 Pro for its superior performance and higher refresh rate for smoother gaming and app switching.
- For a user focused on photography, but also fast charging: Choose the Oppo Find X3 Pro for its better camera and fast charging capabilities.
- For users needing eSIM, 8k video, or Hi-Res audio, with long term software support: Go for the Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G.
My Choice
If I were to choose, I would pick the Oppo Find X3 Pro. The key reasons are:
- Superior Performance: The combination of the Snapdragon 888 chipset, more RAM, and the Adreno 660 GPU makes it the superior performer for demanding tasks and gaming, and will generally feel smoother and snappier for everyday use.
- Better Camera System: I value the image quality and versatility that the Oppo’s camera system provides, especially based on the DXOMARK scores. I also prefer the dedicated telephoto and wide angle lenses.
- Fast Charging: The significantly faster charging speeds are a huge benefit for my use case.
- Display: I value a high resolution display, and the one on the Oppo is significantly better. While the Samsung S21+ 5G offers some unique advantages, such as eSIM and 8K video, I find the Oppo Find X3 Pro's overall package to be more compelling for my needs.
