1. Specifications Comparison
Design
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G | Oppo Reno12 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 161.5 × 75.6 × 7.8 mm | 161.5 × 74.8 × 7.4 mm | The Oppo is slightly thinner and narrower, which might make it feel a bit more comfortable in hand, especially for users with smaller hands. However the difference is minimal. |
| Weight | 200g | 180g | The Oppo Reno12 Pro is 20g lighter, making it noticeably more comfortable to hold for extended periods and easier to pocket. |
Display
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G | Oppo Reno12 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Size | 6.7" | 6.7" | Both phones have the same screen size, offering a large viewing area for media consumption and productivity. |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 | 1080 x 2412 | The difference in resolution is negligible and not noticeable during regular use. Both screens will appear sharp and clear. |
| PPI | 394 | 394 | Identical pixel density means both displays will have similar levels of sharpness and detail. |
| Technology | AMOLED | AMOLED | Both phones offer vibrant colors, deep blacks, and excellent contrast thanks to AMOLED technology. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | Both provide smooth scrolling and fluid animations, enhancing the user experience, especially in gaming and fast-paced content. |
| Brightness | 1300 nits | 1400 nits | The Oppo Reno12 Pro is slightly brighter, offering better visibility in direct sunlight, making it easier to view the display outdoors. |
Performance
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G | Oppo Reno12 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chipset | Exynos 2100 (5 nm) | Mediatek Dimensity 7300 Energy (4 nm) | The Exynos 2100 is marginally faster, potentially providing a slightly better experience in demanding tasks like gaming. However, the Mediatek chip is more energy-efficient due to its 4nm architecture. |
| AnTuTu Score | 749,100 | 702,140 | The Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G shows marginally better benchmark performance, suggesting it may handle very demanding tasks slightly better. |
| GPU | Mali-G78 MP14 | Mali-G615 MC2 | The Mali-G78 MP14 in the S21+ should have a slight edge in graphics-intensive tasks and high-fidelity gaming, but this difference may not be noticeable in many daily tasks. |
Camera
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G | Oppo Reno12 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main Camera | 12MP (f/1.8, 1/1.76") | 50MP (f/1.8, 1/2") | Oppo Reno12 Pro captures higher detail due to higher resolution. The larger sensor on the S21+ allows for potentially better low-light performance, despite the lower megapixel count. |
| Telephoto/Portrait | 64MP (f/2.0, 1/1.72") | None | The S21+ has a dedicated telephoto lens for optical zoom and portrait mode. The Oppo relies on digital zoom. |
| Selfie Camera | 10MP (f/2.2, 1/3.2") | 50MP (f/2.0, 1/2.76") | The Oppo has a significantly higher resolution selfie camera which may result in better detail, especially when cropping photos. The slightly wider aperture might help in low light. |
| Telephoto Lens | None | 50MP (f/2.0, 1/2.76") | Oppo has a dedicated telephoto lens which is great for portrait and zoomed shots without losing much detail |
| Wide Angle Lens | None | 8MP (f/2.2, 1/2.8") | The Oppo has a dedicated wide-angle lens for landscape or group shots. The S21+ lacks this capability. |
| Wide Angle + Macro | 12.2MP (f/2.2, 1/2.55") | None | S21+ has a dedicated ultrawide for landscape shots and can take macro shots. Oppo lacks this. |
| Video | Up to 8K@24fps | Up to 4K@30fps | Samsung offers 8K recording, which is useful for professional use cases and high-resolution viewing. However, both offer stabilized 4K recording. |
| DxOMark Score | 111 (Mobile) | N/A | Only Samsung has been tested by DxOMark |
Battery
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G | Oppo Reno12 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 4800mAh | 5000mAh | The Oppo has a slightly larger battery, which should provide a small improvement in battery life. |
| Charging | 25W Fast Charging | 80W Fast Charging | The Oppo charges significantly faster, reducing downtime and inconvenience. |
| Features | Reverse charging, Wireless charging, Reverse Wireless charging | None | The S21+ offers the convenience of wireless charging and reverse wireless charging, allowing it to charge other devices. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G Advantages:
- Slightly Better Performance: The Exynos 2100 offers marginally higher benchmark performance, which may translate to smoother performance in very demanding applications and gaming.
- 8K Video Recording: Offers 8K video recording, suitable for users who need higher-resolution footage.
- Wireless Charging & Reverse Wireless Charging: Provides the convenience of both wireless charging and reverse wireless charging.
- Telephoto/Portrait Lens : A dedicated telephoto lens offers optical zoom.
- Additional Audio Features Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res Audio, Noise cancellation microphone, Stereo Speakers
- More Sensors: Includes a barometer and compass for better environmental sensing and navigation.
- eSIM Support: Allows for dual SIM usage with an eSIM, offering more flexibility in network options.
Oppo Reno12 Pro Advantages:
- Lighter Build: The phone is lighter, which enhances comfort during extended use.
- Brighter Display: Offers slightly better outdoor visibility with a higher peak brightness.
- Significantly Faster Charging: The 80W fast charging is a major advantage, allowing for quick power top-ups.
- Higher Resolution Cameras: Features higher resolution main and selfie cameras, which can capture finer details.
- Dedicated Wide-Angle and Telephoto Lens: More versatility in photography with a wide angle and telephoto lens.
- Newer Bluetooth: Features a newer Bluetooth version that might offer better connectivity and lower power consumption.
- Newer OS: Ships with Android 14, offering the latest features and security updates.
- More RAM: Comes with more RAM which is excellent for multitasking.
Trade-offs:
- The Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G trades faster charging for a wider range of charging options and features (wireless and reverse).
- The Oppo Reno12 Pro sacrifices some advanced features like 8K video and wireless charging for superior fast charging and newer technology (Bluetooth, OS).
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G Ideal User:
- Power Users/Gamers: Users who prioritize raw performance and are interested in high-end gaming.
- Videographers: Users who require high-resolution video (8K).
- Users who prefer advanced charging: Those who like the convenience of wireless charging and reverse wireless charging.
- Users needing eSIM: Those who want flexibility in carrier switching.
Use Cases:
- Editing 4K or 8K video.
- Playing graphically intense games.
- Charging wireless accessories like earbuds or smartwatches on the go.
Oppo Reno12 Pro Ideal User:
- Everyday Users: Users who prioritize fast charging and a lighter phone.
- Photography Enthusiasts: Those who value high-resolution photos and more versatile camera setup with a dedicated wide-angle and telephoto lenses.
- Users who prioritize OS: Those that want the latest software and potentially longer software support in the future.
- Multitaskers: Those that need more RAM for multitasking.
Use Cases:
- Taking high-resolution photos in everyday situations
- Quickly charging the phone during short breaks
- Capturing wide landscapes and detailed portraits.
Price-to-Value:
- The Oppo Reno12 Pro offers a great price-to-value ratio, providing modern features at a potentially more attractive price point.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- Do you prioritize fast charging, or advanced wireless charging? The Oppo shines with 80W charging while the Samsung offers wireless and reverse wireless.
- How important is high-resolution video (8K) for your needs? The Samsung is the only one that records 8K footage.
- Do you prioritize a newer OS and more RAM or slightly better gaming performance? The Oppo comes with a newer OS and RAM, while the Samsung may offer slightly better gaming performance.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Frequent Traveler. The Oppo Reno12 Pro is better due to its lighter design, brighter display, and significantly faster charging, allowing for quicker top-ups on the go.
- Scenario 2: Content Creator. The Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G is better because of its 8K video recording and potential for better video-related features as well as its audio capabilities.
- Scenario 3: Casual User: The Oppo Reno12 Pro is better for everyday use due to its faster charging, newer software, and higher resolution cameras.
My Choice
If I were to choose between these two phones, I would pick the Oppo Reno12 Pro. Here's why:
Practical Everyday Use: The significantly faster charging (80W) on the Oppo is a game-changer for daily use, ensuring I'm never caught with a low battery. The lighter weight and brighter display also make for a more pleasant experience in my daily usage.
Better Camera Versatility: The inclusion of both a dedicated wide-angle and telephoto lens on the Oppo provides more versatility for capturing different types of shots, catering to various scenarios.
Latest Software and Higher RAM: The Oppo ships with the latest Android 14 and has more RAM available, which means a smoother experience overall and potentially better long-term support.
While the Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G has its strengths, particularly in video recording with 8K support and its wireless charging capabilities, I find the Oppo Reno12 Pro's combination of fast charging, practical camera features, and overall user-friendliness more compelling for my needs. The marginal performance difference doesn't outweigh the practical daily benefits offered by the Oppo.
