1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G | Oppo Find N3 Flip | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Form Factor | Standard | Foldable | Oppo Find N3 Flip offers a unique, compact form factor when folded, enhancing portability; Samsung is a standard slab phone. |
| Dimensions | 165.1 × 75.6 × 8.9 mm | 166.4 × 75.8 × 7.8 mm | Oppo Find N3 Flip is slightly taller and thinner, while S21 Ultra is wider and bulkier. S21 Ultra will be more noticeable in a pocket. |
| Weight | 227g | 198g | Oppo Find N3 Flip is significantly lighter, making it more comfortable for prolonged use, especially with the single-handed use the form factor is designed for. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.8" | 6.8" | Identical screen size on both phones. |
| Resolution | 1440x3200 | 1080x2520 | Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G offers much sharper text, more detailed images, and clearer visuals. |
| PPI | 515 | 403 | Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G screen will appear noticeably sharper due to higher pixel density. |
| Technology | AMOLED | Unspecified | Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G offers superior color, contrast, deeper blacks, and better power efficiency in dark mode. The Oppo spec is not specified, making it unknown if its superior to the Samsung display. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | Smooth scrolling and animations on both devices. |
| Brightness | 1500 nits | 1600 nits | Oppo Find N3 Flip is more easily viewable under direct sunlight. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Exynos 2100 (5 nm) | Mediatek Dimensity 9200 (4 nm) | Oppo Find N3 Flip has a newer and more efficient chipset resulting in a significant performance advantage. |
| AnTuTu Score | 749,000 | 1,475,000 | Oppo Find N3 Flip provides substantially faster app loading, multitasking, and smoother gaming. |
| GPU | Mali-G78 MP14 | Immortalis-G715 MC11 | Oppo Find N3 Flip has a newer generation GPU that provides higher performance for graphics intensive applications such as gaming and video editing. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 4300mAh | Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G typically offers longer battery life on a single charge due to higher capacity. |
| Charging | 25W fast charging | 44W fast charging | Oppo Find N3 Flip charges significantly faster, reducing waiting times. |
| Features | Wireless, Reverse Wireless | Reverse Charging | S21 Ultra offers the convenience of wireless and reverse wireless charging. |
| Camera | |||
| Standard Camera | 108MP, f/1.8, 1/1.33", 0.8µm | 50MP, f/1.8, 1/1.56", 1.0µm | Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G has higher resolution. Oppo Find N3 Flip has slightly larger pixel size for better low light photos. |
| Telephoto + Portrait | 10.8MP, f/2.4, 1/2.65", 1.22µm | Not Available | Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G has a dedicated telephoto lens for portrait photography. |
| Selfie Camera | 44MP, f/2.2, 1/2.65", 0.7µm | 32MP, f/2.4, 1/2.74", 0.8µm | Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G offers more detailed selfies with wider aperture, resulting in better low light. |
| Telephoto Lens | 10.8MP, f/4.9, 1/2.65", 1.22µm | 32MP, f/2.0, 1/2.74", 0.8µm | Oppo Find N3 Flip offers better zoomed-in photos with higher resolution and wider aperture in low-light situations. |
| Wide Angle Camera | 12.2MP, f/2.2, 1/2.55", 1.4µm | 48MP, f/2.2, 1/2", 0.8µm | Oppo Find N3 Flip captures higher resolution wide-angle photos with a larger sensor and good low light capabilities. |
| Video | Up to 8K, EIS, Stereo Sound | Up to 4K, EIS | Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G offers higher resolution video and more robust stabilization; better suited for professional and enthusiast video use cases. |
| DXOMark | Mobile: 115, Selfie: 135 | Not Available | Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G has a benchmark in image quality, whereas the Oppo Find N3 Flip does not have a public benchmark. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 (up to 15) | Android 13 (up to 17) | Oppo Find N3 Flip comes with a newer version of Android out of the box, and is projected to have a longer software support lifespan. |
| Connectivity | |||
| WiFi | WiFi 6 | WiFi 7 | Oppo Find N3 Flip supports newer Wi-Fi standard offering better speeds and lower latency. |
| Bluetooth | 5.2 | 5.3 | Oppo Find N3 Flip offers the latest version of Bluetooth technology. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | QZSS, Galileo | Oppo Find N3 Flip provides more robust location tracking. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 128/256/512 GB | 256/512 GB | Both phones have the option of 512 GB of storage; however, the S21 Ultra has the advantage of a smaller 128 GB storage configuration. |
| RAM | 12/16GB | 12GB | Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G can offer better multitasking, especially for heavy usage scenarios. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither phone offers the option of using external storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res, Mic Noise cancellation | Dolby Atmos | Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G offers a slightly better audio experience. |
| Security | |||
| Features | Basic Fingerprint | Side-mounted Fingerprint | Oppo Find N3 Flip offers a faster more convenient sensor. |
| Build | |||
| Screen Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus | Both phones offer the same screen protection. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accel, Compass, Gyro, Barometer | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accel, Gyro, Gravity | Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G is equipped with more sensors for additional functionality. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G Advantages:
- Higher Display Resolution and Sharpness: Offers a significantly sharper and more detailed display.
- More Powerful Camera System: Offers more versatility with its quad-camera setup, including telephoto and portrait lenses, and 8K video.
- Higher Battery Capacity: Provides longer battery life.
- Wireless Charging: Adds the convenience of wireless charging and reverse wireless charging,
- Better Audio Quality: Hi-Res audio and noise cancellation microphone.
- More RAM Options: Offers a 16GB RAM option, beneficial for heavy multitasking.
- Comprehensive Sensor Suite: Includes a Barometer and a Compass
Oppo Find N3 Flip Advantages:
- Foldable Design: Offers portability and a unique user experience.
- Newer, More Powerful Chipset: Provides substantially better performance with faster app loading and smoother gaming.
- Faster Charging: Charges the battery much faster with its 44W fast charging, reducing downtime.
- Newer WiFi & Bluetooth Standards: Supports faster data transfer speeds and enhanced connectivity.
- Improved Telephoto Lens & Wide Angle: Higher resolution with wide aperture on telephoto and larger sensor on wide angle
- Newer Software: Comes with newer Android version out of the box, and will likely get updates for longer.
- Lighter Weight: Easier to carry around with a more comfortable and manageable feel in the hand.
Trade-offs:
- The Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G sacrifices portability for a larger screen and more comprehensive camera system.
- The Oppo Find N3 Flip trades battery capacity and advanced camera features for a newer chipset, a foldable design, and faster charging.
- The Samsung S21 Ultra has more camera features but lower quality on telephoto and wide lens compared to Oppo.
- The Samsung S21 Ultra has a more refined audio quality but lacks modern Bluetooth standards.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G Ideal Users:
- Photography Enthusiasts: Benefit from the versatile camera system with high-resolution sensors, dedicated telephoto, and 8K video.
- Power Users: Need a large display, robust performance, and the option of 16 GB of RAM for heavy multitasking and demanding applications.
- Users Requiring the Latest Wireless Features: Benefit from wireless and reverse wireless charging.
- Users Needing Longer Battery Life: Value the larger battery for extended use without frequent charging.
Use Cases:
- Professional photography and videography.
- Multitasking with numerous apps, and intensive applications.
- Long commutes or travel where battery life is critical.
- Users that use their phone for GPS navigation, and need additional sensors such as a barometer and a compass.
Oppo Find N3 Flip Ideal Users:
- Fashion-conscious users: who prefer the unique form factor of a flip phone that is compact when folded and pocketable.
- Performance Seekers: Value the latest, high-performance chipset for gaming, and fast app loading, and general everyday use.
- Users that value fast charging: Benefit from much faster charging speeds.
- Users Wanting the Latest Connectivity: Benefit from newer WiFi and Bluetooth.
- Users Wanting a More Modern Software Experience: Benefit from having the latest Android version.
- Users that find big phones too bulky: Benefit from the compact lightweight design of the Oppo N3 Flip.
Use Cases:
- Gaming and other demanding tasks that require the latest chipset.
- Quickly charging while on the go.
- People who want a phone that is easily pocketable.
- Users that want the latest software version and modern standards of connectivity.
Price-to-Value Ratio:
- The Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G may represent better value for users seeking a comprehensive camera system and a larger display for productivity, if the phone's used prices are competitive.
- The Oppo Find N3 Flip offers better performance and a unique form factor for those who prefer cutting-edge tech.
- The actual value depends highly on current prices, and if the features that each phone provides are important to the user.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions to Ask:
- Form Factor Preference: Do you prefer a standard slab design, or are you attracted to the unique portability and form factor of a foldable phone?
- Performance vs. Battery: Is raw performance and fast charging your priority, or do you need longer battery life with less frequent charging?
- Camera Needs: Do you need high-resolution photos with lots of versatility, or are you more interested in higher quality zoomed or wide shots?
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Professional Photographer/Videographer: Choose the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G for its more comprehensive camera system, 8K video, and Hi-Res audio.
- Scenario 2: Mobile Gamer/Power User: Choose the Oppo Find N3 Flip for its superior chipset performance, faster charging and modern software.
- Scenario 3: Frequent Traveler: Choose the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G for its longer battery life, wireless charging, and GPS with additional sensors, or the Oppo Find N3 Flip if the focus is a more portable form factor and fast charging.
- Scenario 4: Casual User Seeking Portability: Choose the Oppo Find N3 Flip for its lightweight, pocketable design and modern features.
My Choice
If I had to choose, I would personally go with the Oppo Find N3 Flip. My reasoning is as follows:
While the Samsung S21 Ultra is a powerful phone with a great camera and a larger battery, the Oppo Find N3 Flip simply offers better overall performance and value for my needs, as follows:
Performance and Speed: As someone who uses my phone for gaming and productivity, the significantly newer and more powerful chipset of the Oppo Find N3 Flip is hard to ignore. The benchmark difference is too large to ignore, and real-world testing shows its benefits.
Foldable Design and Portability: The ability to have a full-sized screen in a compact form factor is something that appeals greatly to me. This makes the phone easy to take with me, and provides more convenience in many everyday use cases.
Fast Charging: I often find myself needing to top up my phone quickly when on the go. The 44W charging of the Oppo would make this a far less frequent issue.
Modern Standards: The updated WiFi and Bluetooth standards of the Oppo Find N3 Flip are important to me to maintain the best speeds and battery efficiency on all my devices.
Although the S21 Ultra does have a better main camera, a higher resolution screen and a bigger battery, these are features that would be nice, but not game-changing in my personal experience.
The Oppo provides a better modern experience with performance, faster charging, and a unique form factor, which aligns with my personal needs.
