1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G | OnePlus 9 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 165.1 × 75.6 × 8.9 mm | 163.2 × 73.6 × 8.7 mm | S21 Ultra is slightly larger and may be less comfortable in smaller hands; 9 Pro is more compact. |
| Weight | 227g | 197g | OnePlus 9 Pro is noticeably lighter, making it more comfortable for prolonged use. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.8" | 6.7" | Negligible difference; both provide large screens for immersive viewing. |
| Resolution | 1440x3200 | 1440x3216 | Both are very sharp; differences are imperceptible to the human eye. |
| PPI | 515 | 525 | Both are very sharp, making text and images crisp. |
| Technology | AMOLED | - | S21 Ultra has superior display technology (AMOLED) for vibrant colors and deep blacks. OnePlus 9 Pro display type is not specified |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | Smooth scrolling and animations on both. |
| Brightness | 1500 nits | 1300 nits | S21 Ultra offers slightly better outdoor visibility in direct sunlight. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Exynos 2100 (5 nm) | Snapdragon 888 (5 nm) | Snapdragon 888 is generally considered to offer better overall performance and GPU for gaming. |
| AnTuTu Score | 749,000 | 877,600 | OnePlus 9 Pro has a higher benchmark score, suggesting slightly smoother performance. |
| GPU | Mali-G78 MP14 | Adreno 660 | Adreno 660 offers higher performance for mobile gaming in the OnePlus 9 Pro. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera Res | 108MP | 48MP | S21 Ultra captures more detail in bright conditions; OnePlus 9 Pro benefits from larger pixel size for low light. |
| Main Camera Sensor Size | 1/1.33" | 1/1.43" | S21 Ultra has a larger sensor, typically resulting in better light capture and dynamic range. |
| Front Camera Res | 44MP | 16MP | S21 Ultra captures more detailed selfies. |
| Front Camera Sensor Size | 1/2.65" | 1/3.13" | S21 Ultra has a larger sensor and wider aperture for better low-light selfies and bokeh effect. |
| Telephoto Lens Res | 10.8MP | 8MP | S21 Ultra has a slightly more detailed Telephoto Lens. |
| Wide Angle + Macro | 12.2MP | - | S21 Ultra has an additional lens for macro photography and wider photos |
| Wide Angle Lens Res | - | 50MP | OnePlus 9 Pro has a dedicated wide angle lens. |
| Telephoto + Portrait Lens | 10.8MP | - | S21 Ultra provides an additional lens for portrait photos. |
| Black & White Lens | - | 2MP | OnePlus 9 Pro has a B&W lens for artistic shots. |
| Video | 8K@24/30/60fps, 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/240fps | 8K@30fps, 4K@30/60/120fps, 1080p@30/60/240fps | Both offer excellent video recording, with slight variations in frame rate options; OnePlus 9 Pro offers 4K@120fps |
| DxOMark Mobile | 115 | 122 | OnePlus 9 Pro slightly better overall camera performance. |
| DxOMark Photo | 121 | 124 | OnePlus 9 Pro offers better still photo performance. |
| DxOMark Video | 100 | 118 | OnePlus 9 Pro has significantly better video recording performance. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 4500mAh | S21 Ultra likely has longer battery life. |
| Charging | 25W | 65W | OnePlus 9 Pro charges significantly faster. |
| Wireless Charging | 15W | 50W | OnePlus 9 Pro has faster wireless charging. |
| Other | |||
| RAM | 12GB or 16GB | 8GB or 12GB | S21 Ultra offers potentially better multitasking with more RAM. |
| Storage | 128/256/512GB | 128/256GB | S21 Ultra has a 512GB option for more storage. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither supports expandable storage |
| Software OS | Android 11 up to 15 | Android 11 up to 14 | S21 Ultra gets one more year of OS updates. |
| Screen Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | S21 Ultra has better screen protection |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo, GPS (L1+L5), Galileo (E1+E5a) | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo, GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (L1), BeiDou (B1), Galileo (E1+E5a) | OnePlus 9 Pro supports more satellite systems for better location accuracy |
| Audio Features | Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res Audio, Noise cancellation microphone, Stereo Speakers | Dolby Atmos, Noise cancellation microphone, Stereo Speakers, 3 microphones | Both have excellent audio features. S21 Ultra has Hi-Res Audio. OnePlus 9 Pro has 3 mics. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G Advantages:
- Larger Battery: 5000mAh vs 4500mAh. This will likely translate to better battery life, especially for heavy users.
- Superior Display Technology: AMOLED offers deeper blacks, better contrast, and improved power efficiency in dark mode.
- Higher Main Camera Resolution: 108MP vs 48MP. This can result in more detailed images, especially in bright daylight.
- More RAM option: Offers up to 16GB of RAM, potentially providing smoother multitasking performance and better long-term use.
- More Storage option: A 512GB storage option is available.
- Additional Cameras: Includes a dedicated Telephoto + portrait lens and Wide Angle + Macro lens, offering more photographic versatility.
- Better Screen Protection: Utilizes Gorilla Glass Victus.
- Hi-Res Audio: Offers Hi-Res audio for higher fidelity audio output.
- One more year of Android OS Updates: Android 15 vs Android 14 for the OnePlus 9 Pro
OnePlus 9 Pro Advantages:
- Faster Charging: 65W wired and 50W wireless charging. This is a significant advantage for those who need to charge their phone quickly.
- Better Performance Benchmarks: Higher AnTuTu score, suggesting a slightly smoother overall experience, especially for gaming.
- Better GPU: Adreno 660 offers better performance for mobile gaming.
- Better Camera Video Performance: Higher DxOMark video score, indicating superior video recording quality.
- Wider Angle Lens: Features a dedicated 50MP wide-angle lens.
- More accurate GPS: Supports more satellite systems.
- Ultra Stable Video Includes 'Ultra Stable Video' function for improved video recording stability.
- 3 Microphones: May improve audio recording quality, especially in noisy environments.
- Lighter Weight: More comfortable for extended use.
Trade-offs:
- The S21 Ultra's larger battery is countered by its slower charging, whereas the OnePlus 9 Pro's fast charging is balanced by a slightly smaller battery capacity.
- The S21 Ultra has more camera options, but the OnePlus 9 Pro has better video recording capabilities and more specialized lenses such as the wide angle.
- S21 Ultra boasts more RAM and storage, but the OnePlus 9 Pro has a better performing chipset.
- S21 Ultra has better screen protection while the OnePlus 9 Pro has a lighter weight.
- OnePlus 9 Pro's more accurate GPS is counter by the Barometer sensor and more in S21 Ultra
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G Ideal User:
- Photography Enthusiasts: Those who want a versatile camera system with the highest resolution photos and multiple lens options including macro.
- Power Users: Individuals who need the absolute most battery life and storage available, as well as the highest RAM for intensive apps.
- Screen Quality Prioritizer: Users who demand the best possible display technology (AMOLED) and need maximum brightness for outdoor use.
Users who want the longest OS update support Users who want to ensure their phone stays up to date for a long time.
Use Cases: Professional photography/videography, heavy multitasking with multiple apps, gaming, outdoor use.
OnePlus 9 Pro Ideal User:
- Speed & Performance Enthusiasts: Users who want the fastest possible experience, especially in gaming and charging times.
- Video Content Creators: Those who prioritize video recording quality and video stabilization.
- Users who need fast charging: Users that need to quickly charge their phone during the day.
- Users who want accurate location: Users that require precise and reliable location services.
- Users who want the latest camera tech: Users who want to utilize the latest technology such as the Ultra Stable Video, RAW 12 bit, and wide angle lens.
Users who prioritize comfort: Users that prefer a lightweight phone for comfortable everyday use.
Use Cases: Mobile gaming, content creation, general use with fast charging needs, navigation
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- How important is battery life vs. fast charging? If you prioritize longer battery life and don't mind slower charging, the S21 Ultra is better. If you need to quickly charge, the 9 Pro is superior.
- How important is the camera system? If a flexible camera system, with multiple focal lengths and highest resolution stills is needed, the S21 Ultra excels. If better video quality and wide angle lens are the main needs, the 9 Pro is more suitable.
- How important is display vs. performance and speed? If AMOLED is preferred the S21 Ultra excels. If pure gaming and benchmark performance are needed then the 9 Pro is the better option.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Travel photographer - Samsung S21 Ultra 5G. The larger zoom range, higher-resolution photos, and versatile lens options make it the better choice.
- Scenario 2: Mobile gamer - OnePlus 9 Pro. Faster performance, better GPU, and fast charging are most advantageous for gamers.
- Scenario 3: Daily commuter with limited charging time - OnePlus 9 Pro. It charges much faster, so short top-ups are more effective.
- Scenario 4: Heavy multitasker with many apps open - Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G. Higher RAM and large storage are advantageous in this scenario.
- Scenario 5: General User that wants the best screen - Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G. Better display technology with deeper blacks and higher brightness makes this the better option.
My Choice
If I were choosing between these two phones, I would lean towards the OnePlus 9 Pro.
Here's why:
- Speed and Performance: My primary focus would be on smooth, fast performance for gaming and general use. The Snapdragon 888 and Adreno 660 GPU on the OnePlus 9 Pro would provide a noticeable performance edge in gaming and overall responsiveness.
- Fast Charging: Having a 65W charger is a significant advantage for my lifestyle. The ability to quickly top off the battery is very practical for me.
- Better Video Recording: I would be more interested in video content creation and video quality. The video advantages with the 9 Pro are a better fit.
- Comfort: I prefer a lighter phone for comfort. The OnePlus 9 Pro's lighter weight would make it much easier to handle for extended use.
- Latest Camera Tech: The OnePlus 9 Pro offers some of the latest and most innovative camera tech, making it a more enjoyable experience.
While the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra has the benefit of extra storage, higher resolution camera, and better screen display technology; the OnePlus 9 Pro would be my choice due to the faster performance, fast charging and focus on video capabilities.
