Smartphone Comparison: Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G vs. OnePlus Nord 2T
1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G | OnePlus Nord 2T | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Launch Date | 2021-01-29 | 2022-05-21 | OnePlus Nord 2T is newer, potentially offering more up-to-date software features. |
| Dimensions | 165.1 × 75.6 × 8.9 mm | 159.1 × 73.2 × 8.2 mm | S21 Ultra is larger and bulkier, less pocketable. Nord 2T is more compact and easier to handle with one hand. |
| Weight | 227g | 190g | Nord 2T is significantly lighter, better for extended use and comfortable to hold. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.8" | 6.43" | S21 Ultra offers more screen real estate for immersive media consumption and multitasking. Nord 2T is better for one-handed use. |
| Resolution | 1440x3200 | 1080x2400 | S21 Ultra has a much sharper display with higher detail, ideal for high-resolution content. |
| Pixel Density | 515 ppi | 409 ppi | S21 Ultra's display appears significantly crisper and clearer, with less visible pixelation. |
| Technology | AMOLED | AMOLED | Both offer vibrant colors, deep blacks and high contrast. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 90Hz | S21 Ultra has smoother animations and transitions, feels more responsive in daily use, especially for gaming. |
| Brightness | 1500 nits | 0 nits | S21 Ultra is significantly brighter, much better for viewing content under direct sunlight. The 0 nits for Nord 2T is likely a data error. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Exynos 2100 (5 nm) | Mediatek Dimensity 1300 (6 nm) | S21 Ultra has a slight performance edge for demanding tasks, but both handle daily use well. |
| AnTuTu Score | 749,000 | 699,576 | S21 Ultra demonstrates slightly better overall performance in benchmark tests. |
| GPU | Mali-G78 MP14 | Mali-G77 MC9 | S21 Ultra has a more powerful GPU for graphics-intensive tasks like gaming. |
| Camera | |||
| Standard Rear Camera | 108MP, f/1.8, 1/1.33", 0.80µm | 50MP, f/1.8, 1/1.56", 1.00µm | S21 Ultra captures higher resolution images with a larger sensor, resulting in better detail and low-light performance. Nord 2T has larger pixel size. |
| Telephoto + portrait Camera | 10.8MP, f/2.4, 1/2.65", 1.22µm | None | S21 Ultra offers dedicated telephoto zoom for portraits, the Nord 2T doesn't. |
| Selfie Camera | 44MP, f/2.2, 1/2.65", 0.70µm | 32MP, f/2.4, 1/2.74", 0.80µm | S21 Ultra captures higher resolution selfies with wider aperture and slightly larger sensor. |
| Telephoto Lens | 10.8MP, f/4.9, 1/2.65", 1.22µm | None | S21 Ultra has a dedicated telephoto zoom. |
| Wide Angle Lens | None | 8MP, f/2.2 | Nord 2T has a wide-angle camera, allowing more to fit into the frame, useful for group photos and landscapes. |
| Wide Angle + Macro | 12.2MP, f/2.2, 1/2.55", 1.40µm | None | S21 Ultra offers wide angle and macro capabilities. |
| Black & White | None | 2MP, f/2.2 | Nord 2T has a dedicated black & white camera for artistic purposes. |
| Video Recording | Up to 8K@24fps | Up to 4K@30fps | S21 Ultra records at a much higher resolution, offering more flexibility for professional video creation. |
| DxOMark Mobile Score | 115 | 114 | Very similar overall score. S21 Ultra performs better for photos. Nord 2T has a better score for video. |
| DxOMark Selfie Score | 135 | Not Available | S21 Ultra selfie camera scores significantly higher. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 5000 mAh | 4500 mAh | S21 Ultra is likely to have longer battery life thanks to a larger battery capacity. |
| Charging | 25W | 80W | Nord 2T charges significantly faster, minimizing downtime. |
| Features | Wireless charging, Reverse charging | None | S21 Ultra can be wirelessly charged, and can also charge other devices wirelessly. |
| Software | |||
| Operating System | Android 11 (upgradable to 15) | Android 12 (upgradable to 14) | Nord 2T ships with a newer OS out of the box but the S21 Ultra can upgrade to a newer one. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal Storage | 128/256/512 GB | 128/256 GB | S21 Ultra offers larger maximum storage for media hoarders. |
| RAM | 12/16 GB | 8/12 GB | S21 Ultra comes with more RAM for more efficient multitasking. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone allows memory expansion via microSD cards. |
| Audio | |||
| Audio Quality | Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res Audio | Stereo Speakers | S21 Ultra offers more advanced audio features, leading to better immersive sound and fidelity. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G Advantages:
- Superior Display: Larger, sharper, and brighter screen with a 120Hz refresh rate makes for a more immersive and responsive viewing experience.
- Advanced Camera System: Multiple telephoto lenses, wide-angle lens, higher-resolution primary sensor and superior selfie camera gives greater versatility for different photography needs. It also records 8K videos.
- Larger Battery: 500mAh larger battery is likely to result in longer usage time.
- Wireless and Reverse Charging: Offers both wireless charging and the ability to wirelessly charge other devices.
- More RAM/Storage: Options for up to 16 GB RAM and 512 GB of storage for intensive usage and large media libraries.
- Better build quality S21 Ultra has a superior screen protection glass (Corning Gorilla Glass Victus).
- Better Audio quality Comes with Dolby Atmos and Hi-Res Audio features.
- Better Sensor suite Additional environmental sensors.
OnePlus Nord 2T Advantages:
- More Compact & Lightweight: Easier to handle and more pocketable, ideal for users with smaller hands.
- Faster Charging: 80W fast charging significantly reduces charging time.
- Wide-Angle lens: Offers a dedicated wide-angle camera, useful for landscapes and group shots.
- Black and White lens: Offers a dedicated black and white lens, which can help with artistic shots.
- Newer OS out of the Box: Shipped with a newer version of Android, although the S21 Ultra can be updated to an even newer version.
- Better Video score: According to DxOMark, it has a better video score, 23 points higher than the S21 Ultra
Significant Trade-offs:
- The S21 Ultra prioritizes a premium display, versatile camera system, and longer battery life, but is bulkier, heavier, and slower to charge than the Nord 2T.
- The Nord 2T prioritizes fast charging, a more compact design, wide-angle capabilities at the expense of display quality, advanced camera features, battery capacity and wireless charging.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G is Ideal For:
- Photography Enthusiasts: Users who value versatility and image quality, and need different focal lengths, from telephoto to ultrawide, will appreciate the S21 Ultra's camera system.
- Power Users & Gamers: Those who multitask frequently or engage in demanding games need the superior processing power, large RAM, and immersive display.
- Media Consumers: Users who prioritize the best possible viewing experience for movies and videos will benefit from the S21 Ultra's larger, higher-resolution, and brighter display.
- Users that need to record professional quality videos: The S21 Ultra can record 8K videos, which is an advantage for people who need professional quality video recording.
- Users who rely on their phone for navigation and location services: With a complete set of navigation systems, including GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo, GPS (L1+L5), and Galileo (E1+E5a), the S21 Ultra excels in accurately pinpointing your location.
OnePlus Nord 2T is Ideal For:
- Everyday Users: People who need a reliable, well-rounded phone for daily tasks, social media, and casual use.
- Users who prioritize charging speed: The 80W fast charging will keep the phone always on.
- Users who prefer a more compact, lightweight design: If hand comfort is a priority, the Nord 2T's size and weight make it more comfortable to handle.
- Users who need an ultra wide camera the OnePlus Nord 2T has a wide angle camera, for group shots.
Price-to-Value Considerations: The S21 Ultra is a premium device with a higher price tag. The Nord 2T will be more budget-friendly. If price is not a limitation, the S21 Ultra offers more features for the user.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
What is your priority for camera capabilities? If you require versatility and the best photo quality with different focal lengths, the S21 Ultra's advanced system will be better. For most common scenarios, the Nord 2T is adequate and offers a good ultrawide camera.
Do you prioritize fast charging and compact design? If a lightweight design and the ability to get your phone charged extremely fast are essential, the Nord 2T is the better pick. If you can tolerate a slightly heavier and bulkier phone, the S21 Ultra will be better in all other aspects.
What is your budget, and how much value do you place on display quality, audio, and additional features? If you are willing to pay a premium for a superior display, more versatile camera capabilities, wireless charging, and advanced audio, the S21 Ultra is worth the investment. If budget is a concern, the Nord 2T offers a balanced set of features at a more affordable price.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- For the Media Creator: The S21 Ultra, with its higher quality video and more versatile camera system, will allow for better control and quality for content creation.
- For the Frequent Traveler: The S21 Ultra with its larger battery, great camera, and better GPS is an ideal companion for traveling and exploring. The Nord 2T is more compact, making it easier to carry.
- For the On-the-Go User: The OnePlus Nord 2T provides the quickest charging time, reducing the time you need to be tethered to a power source, and it is more comfortable in hand.
- For the budget conscious: The OnePlus Nord 2T is a cheaper option with a balanced set of features.
What I Would Choose and Why
If I had to choose between these two phones, I would pick the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G. While the OnePlus Nord 2T offers compelling features like faster charging and a more compact design, the S21 Ultra wins in critical aspects that align with my preferences and use cases.
Here's why:
- Superior Display: As someone who consumes a lot of media, the S21 Ultra's larger, higher-resolution, and brighter display with a 120Hz refresh rate provides a much better viewing experience. The clarity and fluidity make a noticeable difference for everyday use and gaming.
- Camera Versatility: I like to have options when taking photos, and the S21 Ultra offers a complete suite of focal lengths including telephoto, and it has the better selfie camera. This is also extremely useful if I need to record high quality videos.
- Battery Life and Features: While the charging on the S21 Ultra is slower, the combination of a larger battery, wireless charging, and reverse wireless charging are very useful.
- Premium experience: The premium build quality, better display, audio and a more feature rich sensor system make the S21 Ultra a better choice.
While the Nord 2T is an excellent phone, the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G provides a richer, more versatile experience that aligns better with my needs, and provides a more feature rich set of options. The slight increase in weight is a reasonable trade-off for all the additional features provided by the S21 Ultra.
