1. Specifications Comparison
Design
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G | Oppo Reno6 5G | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 161.5 x 75.6 x 7.8 mm | 156.8 x 72.1 x 7.6 mm | S21+ is larger and may feel less comfortable in hand for some users; Reno6 is more compact and pocketable. |
| Weight | 200g | 182g | Reno6 is noticeably lighter, making it more comfortable for extended one-handed use. |
| Build Material | Gorilla Glass Victus (screen), Glass Back | Gorilla Glass 5 (screen), Glass Back | S21+ offers potentially better scratch and shatter resistance with Victus, Reno6 has slightly older Gorilla Glass 5 |
Display
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G | Oppo Reno6 5G | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Size | 6.7" | 6.43" | S21+ has a larger screen for more immersive media consumption and multitasking. Reno6 is slightly easier to handle. |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 | 1080 x 2400 | Both offer sharp visuals, no noticeable difference in everyday use. |
| PPI | 394 | 409 | Negligible difference in pixel density; both displays are sharp. |
| Technology | AMOLED | AMOLED | Both offer vibrant colors, deep blacks, and excellent contrast. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 90Hz | S21+ offers smoother scrolling and animations, which is noticeable in fast-paced games and navigating the UI. |
| Brightness | 1300 nits | 1100 nits | S21+ offers slightly better outdoor visibility in bright sunlight. |
Performance
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G | Oppo Reno6 5G | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chipset | Exynos 2100 (5nm) | Mediatek Dimensity 900 (6nm) | Both offer good performance but benchmarks suggest that Reno6 is marginally faster, while the real-world performance difference is small in most cases. |
| AnTuTu Score | 749,100 | 815,200 | Reno6 has a slightly higher score, indicating marginally better performance, especially in gaming. |
| GPU | Mali-G78 MP14 | Mali-G68 MC4 | Both offer good graphics performance for gaming and video playback. |
Camera
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G | Oppo Reno6 5G | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main Camera | 12MP, f/1.8, 1/1.76", 1.8µm | 50MP, f/1.8, 1/1.56", 1µm | Reno6's main sensor has higher resolution and larger sensor, potentially better low-light performance and more detailed images. |
| Telephoto Camera | 64MP, f/2.0, 1/1.72", 0.8µm | 13MP, f/2.4, 1/3.4", 1µm | S21+ includes a dedicated telephoto for zooming and a portrait lens. Reno6 includes a telephoto lens, but with a different sensor. |
| Ultrawide Camera | 12.2MP, f/2.2, 1/2.55", 1.4µm | 16MP, f/2.2, 1/3.09", 1µm | S21+ has a dedicated wide+macro, while Reno6 has a dedicated ultrawide |
| Macro Lens | Not available | 2MP, f/2.4 | Reno6 offers a dedicated macro lens for close-up photography, but the 2MP resolution is quite low. |
| Selfie Camera | 10MP, f/2.2, 1/3.2", 1.22µm | 32MP, f/2.4, 1/2.74", 0.8µm | Reno6 has a higher resolution selfie camera, while S21+ has a wider aperture. |
| Video Recording | Up to 8K@24fps | Up to 4K@30fps | S21+ offers higher resolution video recording capabilities and more frame rate options, Reno6 is limited to 4k30fps. |
| DXOMark Score | 111 (Mobile), 118 (Photo), 89 (Video) | Not Available | S21+ has been evaluated and offers good camera capabilities, but there is no information for the Reno6. |
Battery
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G | Oppo Reno6 5G | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 4800 mAh | 4500 mAh | S21+ has a slightly larger battery, which might offer slightly longer battery life. |
| Charging Speed | 25W | 65W | Reno6 offers significantly faster charging, which can be a big time saver. |
| Features | 15W wireless charging, 4.5W reverse wireless charging | None | S21+ has wireless charging and reverse charging, which offers additional convenience |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G Advantages:
- Larger, Smoother Display: 6.7" 120Hz AMOLED display provides a more immersive experience and smoother animations.
- More Powerful Video Recording: Supports 8K video recording, offering higher quality video content creation.
- Better Wireless Charging: Includes both 15W wireless charging and reverse wireless charging features, offering more convenience.
- More comprehensive sensor suite: Includes additional sensors like Compass, Barometer, and Hall sensors.
- Higher Screen Protection: Comes with Gorilla Glass Victus for better scratch and shatter resistance
Oppo Reno6 5G Advantages:
- More Compact and Lightweight: Easier to handle, more comfortable for extended use and better pocketability.
- Faster Charging: 65W fast charging replenishes the battery much faster than the S21+.
- Higher Benchmark Scores: Marginally faster performance in benchmarks.
- Better main camera: Better low-light performance, more detailed images and improved selfie performance.
- More GPS systems: Offers more accurate positioning.
- Newer Bluetooth: Includes Bluetooth 5.2
- More RAM: 12GB variant provides additional headroom for multitasking.
Trade-offs:
- The S21+ sacrifices some compactness and charging speed for a larger display and additional camera features.
- The Reno6 sacrifices some display smoothness and wireless charging for faster charging and better compactness.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G is ideal for:
- Media Consumers: Users who prioritize a large, high-quality display for watching videos and browsing.
- Video Creators: Users who need high-resolution video recording capabilities and a good camera system with versatile options.
- Power Users: Users who need wireless charging and reverse charging for maximum convenience.
- Gamers: Users that want smoother animations, even with some trade offs on peak performance
Specific Use Cases for S21+:
- Watching movies and TV shows on the go.
- Recording professional-grade video content.
- Heavy multitasking with a large screen.
- Wireless charging ecosystem.
Oppo Reno6 5G is ideal for:
- Everyday Users: Users who need a compact, lightweight device for comfortable daily use.
- Fast Chargers: Users who value fast charging and want to spend less time tethered to a charger.
- Photography Enthusiasts: Users who want a versatile camera with good low-light performance
- Gamers Users who need maximum raw performance for mobile gaming.
Specific Use Cases for Reno6:
- Taking photos and videos in a variety of settings.
- Quickly charging the phone before leaving the house.
- Comfortable one-handed use for extended periods.
- Playing demanding games and multitasking.
Price-to-Value:
- The S21+ offers a premium display and wireless charging, but may be more expensive.
- The Reno6 offers slightly better value for users who prioritize performance and charging speed.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- Do you prefer a larger screen or a more compact, lightweight phone?
- Is fast charging or wireless charging more important to you?
- Do you prioritize video quality and features over camera versatility?
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: "I watch a lot of videos on my phone and want a smooth experience."
- Recommendation: Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G with its larger 120Hz display is the better choice.
- Scenario 2: "I often find my phone battery low and need a quick charge."
- Recommendation: Oppo Reno6 5G due to its significantly faster 65W charging.
- Scenario 3: "I take a lot of photos and need a versatile camera system."
- Recommendation: Oppo Reno6 5G for its higher resolution main camera, ultrawide, telephoto, and macro lenses.
- Scenario 4: "I want a premium phone with wireless charging and a good display."
- Recommendation: Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G for its better overall premium experience and additional features.
My Choice
I would choose the Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G.
Reasoning:
While the Oppo Reno6 5G offers a compelling package with its faster charging and slightly higher benchmark scores, the Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G better aligns with my priorities. I value the larger, smoother 120Hz display for an immersive viewing experience and the better video recording capabilities for content creation. The inclusion of wireless charging, which I use regularly, is a significant convenience. While the Reno6 is more compact, the added screen real estate and premium features of the S21+ are worth the trade-off for me. The slight performance advantage of the Reno6 isn't a major factor for my typical use case, where the S21+ performs exceptionally well too. I also prioritize video quality and features and the S21+ is superior in this respect. Ultimately, for me, the S21+ offers a more comprehensive and premium smartphone experience despite being slightly bulkier and having slower charging.
