1. Specifications Comparison
Here's a detailed comparison of the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G and the OnePlus 12, focusing on real-world implications:
Design & Build
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G | OnePlus 12 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 165.1 x 75.6 x 8.9 mm | 164.3 x 75.8 x 9.2 mm | Very similar sizes, OnePlus 12 is slightly thicker, may not be noticeable in daily use. |
| Weight | 227g | 220g | OnePlus 12 is slightly lighter, which might be preferred for extended handling. |
Display
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G | OnePlus 12 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Size | 6.8" | 6.82" | Virtually identical screen sizes; negligible difference. |
| Resolution | 1440 x 3200 | 1440 x 3168 | Extremely similar resolutions; both provide sharp and detailed visuals. |
| PPI | 515 | 510 | Nearly identical pixel density; both are very sharp. |
| Technology | AMOLED | AMOLED | Both offer vibrant colors, deep blacks, and excellent contrast. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | Both offer smooth scrolling and animations. |
| Brightness | 1500 nits | 4500 nits | OnePlus 12's screen is significantly brighter, offering much better visibility in direct sunlight. |
Performance
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G | OnePlus 12 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chipset | Exynos 2100 (5 nm) | Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 (4 nm) | OnePlus 12 has a much more powerful and efficient chipset, translating to faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and better gaming. |
| AnTuTu Score | 749,000 | 2,110,808 | OnePlus 12 offers drastically better performance in demanding tasks. |
| GPU | Mali-G78 MP14 | Adreno 750 | OnePlus 12 has a much more powerful GPU for enhanced gaming experiences. |
Camera
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G | OnePlus 12 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main Camera Resolution | 108MP (f/1.8, 1/1.33") | 50MP (f/1.6, 1/1.43") | S21 Ultra has a higher resolution, while OnePlus 12 has a wider aperture, potentially impacting low light performance. |
| Telephoto + Portrait Camera | 10.8MP (f/2.4, 1/2.65") | 64MP (f/2.6, 1/2") | OnePlus 12 has a much higher resolution for zoomed shots, but a slightly smaller aperture. |
| Selfie Camera | 44MP (f/2.2, 1/2.65") | 32MP (f/2.4, 1/2.74") | S21 Ultra has a higher resolution and wider aperture, which can lead to slightly better selfie quality. |
| Telephoto Lens | 10.8MP | None | S21 Ultra has a dedicated telephoto lens; OnePlus 12 lacks a dedicated telephoto lens. |
| Wide Angle + Macro | 12.2MP (f/2.2, 1/2.55") | 48MP (f/2.2, 1/2") | OnePlus 12 has much higher resolution for wide and macro photography. |
| Video | Up to 8K@24fps | Up to 8K@24fps | Similar video recording capabilities. Both support stabilization. |
| DxOMark (Mobile) | Main: 115, Photo: 121, Video: 100 | Not Available | S21 Ultra has a known DxOMark score, however the OnePlus 12 has not been tested. |
| DxOMark (Selfie) | Main: 135, Photo: 133, Video: 140 | Not Available | S21 Ultra has a known DxOMark score, however the OnePlus 12 has not been tested. |
| Camera Features | Quadruple Camera, Laser AF, RAW, OIS, etc. | Triple Camera, Flicker sensor, Noise reduction, Ultra stable video, OIS, etc | S21 Ultra has features like Laser AF, RAW support. OnePlus 12 has features like flicker sensor and ultra stable video. |
Battery
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G | OnePlus 12 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 5400mAh | OnePlus 12 has a slightly larger battery, potentially leading to slightly longer battery life. |
| Charging | 25W | 100W | OnePlus 12 has significantly faster charging, reducing charging times. |
| Charging Features | 15W Wireless, 9W Reverse Wireless | 50W Wireless, Reverse Charging | OnePlus 12 has faster wireless charging. The S21 Ultra has slightly slower wireless and reverse wireless charging. The S21 Ultra does not come with a charger in the box, while the OnePlus 12 likely does. |
Software, Connectivity, & Storage
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G | OnePlus 12 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| OS | Android 11 (upgradable to 15) | Android 14 (upgradable to 18) | OnePlus 12 offers the latest Android version and has better long term software support. |
| WiFi | Wi-Fi 6 | Wi-Fi 7 | OnePlus 12 supports faster and more efficient Wi-Fi. |
| Bluetooth | 5.2 | 5.4 | OnePlus 12 has the latest Bluetooth version for improved performance. |
| GPS | Multiple systems | Multiple systems + NavIC | OnePlus 12 offers more comprehensive satellite support, potentially leading to better location accuracy, especially in challenging environments. |
| SIM | Dual Nano SIM | Dual Nano SIM / eSIM | OnePlus 12 supports eSIM, which offers greater flexibility in carrier selection. |
| Internal Storage | 128/256/512 GB | 256/512/1024 GB | OnePlus 12 offers higher storage options, important for users with large media libraries. |
| RAM | 12/16 GB | 12/16/24 GB | OnePlus 12 can have up to 24GB of RAM, which provides a noticeable advantage in multitasking. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Both lack expandable storage, limiting storage options. |
Audio, Security & Build
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G | OnePlus 12 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Audio | Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res, Stereo Speakers, Noise cancellation mic | Dolby Atmos, Stereo Speakers, Noise cancellation mic | S21 Ultra has "Hi-Res Audio" which can improve the quality of the audio, OnePlus 12 doesn't explicitly have this feature. Both have stereo speakers and noise canceling microphones |
| Security | Fingerprint Sensor | Fingerprint Sensor | Both have a basic fingerprint sensor. |
| Screen Protection | Gorilla Glass Victus | Gorilla Glass Victus 2 | Both screens are well protected, with a small upgrade to the newer standard of glass for the OnePlus 12 |
Sensors
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G | OnePlus 12 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Barometer | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Gyroscope, Gravity, RGB | S21 Ultra includes additional sensors like a Barometer and Compass. OnePlus 12 includes Gravity and RGB sensors. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G Advantages:
- Dedicated Telephoto Lens: Offers a dedicated telephoto lens, providing better optical zoom capabilities compared to the OnePlus 12.
- Hi-Res Audio: Offers Hi-Res audio, offering improved audio quality, better call clarity, and a more immersive sound experience.
- Slightly higher quality selfie camera.
- Slightly more environmental sensors: Includes additional environmental sensors such as the Compass and Barometer.
OnePlus 12 Advantages:
- Superior Performance: The Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset provides significantly faster performance compared to the Exynos 2100.
- Significantly Brighter Display: 4500 nits vs 1500 nits on the Samsung, making it much better for outdoor visibility.
- Faster Charging: 100W wired and 50W wireless charging vs 25W wired and 15W wireless charging on the Samsung, much faster charge times.
- Larger Battery: Larger 5400mAh capacity over the 5000mAh battery in the S21 Ultra.
- More internal storage capacity: Offers up to 1TB of storage vs 512GB on the S21 Ultra
- More RAM: Up to 24GB RAM option, vs up to 16GB on the Samsung
- Newer Software & Longer Support: Ships with Android 14 and has a longer software support lifespan.
- More accurate GPS: Supports additional satellite systems which make for more accurate GPS locations.
Trade-offs:
- Samsung S21 Ultra: The S21 Ultra provides a better telephoto lens and higher quality audio, but comes with a cost of lower performance and an older software.
- OnePlus 12: The OnePlus 12 lacks a dedicated telephoto lens and Hi-Res audio capabilities, but excels in performance, screen brightness, charging speeds, and storage capacity.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Ideal User for Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G:
- Photography Enthusiasts: Users who value a versatile zoom system and higher quality selfie camera, and don't mind slightly lower performance.
- Audio Lovers: Users who want high-fidelity audio playback and value features such as Hi-Res Audio for an improved experience.
- Users who like a more mature and established software ecosystem: The Samsung ecosystem is very mature and has been around for a long time.
Ideal User for OnePlus 12:
- Power Users: Gamers, multitaskers, and anyone who needs top-tier performance.
- Outdoor Users: Anyone who needs a screen that is easily visible in direct sunlight.
- Heavy Phone Users: Users who prioritize fast charging, long battery life, and the latest software.
- Users who like the latest tech: The OnePlus 12 comes with all the latest technologies available.
Use Cases:
- Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G: Ideal for travel photography, videography, listening to music with wired headphones, or using the phone for mapping and navigation with more accurate sensors.
- OnePlus 12: Ideal for graphic-intensive gaming, content creation, extended use without frequent charging, or using the latest software.
Price-to-Value:
- The OnePlus 12 will have a better price-to-value ratio as it offers newer and better technologies at similar price points.
- The Samsung S21 Ultra is an older device, and is more often found on the used marketplace for a cheaper price. However, due to its age, it will not be able to compete with the OnePlus 12, despite its more mature ecosystem.
4. Decision Framework
Here are three key questions for buyers to consider:
- What is my primary use case? Is it photography, gaming, or general productivity?
- How important is screen brightness for outdoor use?
- Do I prioritize the latest and most powerful performance, fast charging, or the zoom functionality?
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Photography is Top Priority
- Recommendation: Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G for its versatile zoom system and higher quality selfie camera.
- Scenario 2: Gaming and Performance are Essential
- Recommendation: OnePlus 12 for its superior processing power and fast charging.
- Scenario 3: Daily Use with a Bright Display, fast charging, and long software support is Key
- Recommendation: OnePlus 12 due to the incredible screen brightness and overall better specs.
My Choice:
I would choose the OnePlus 12. While the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G has a capable camera system and Hi-Res audio, the OnePlus 12 offers a more well-rounded package for my needs. The significantly faster processor, brighter display, much faster charging, and longer software support make it a more future-proof option. For my daily use, the performance boost, and the better battery life would be much more beneficial than the slightly better camera zoom. While the lack of Hi-Res audio is a consideration, I value a seamless and fluid user experience much more. Additionally, since the OnePlus 12 has the newest software, the security will be better overall.
