1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G | Oppo Find X3 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 165.1 × 75.6 × 8.9 mm | 163.6 × 74 × 8.3 mm | S21 Ultra is slightly larger and thicker; may feel less comfortable in smaller hands or pockets. |
| Weight | 227g | 193g | Find X3 Pro is significantly lighter, more comfortable for prolonged use. S21 Ultra may feel heavy after long periods. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.8" | 6.7" | Negligible difference; both offer immersive experiences. |
| Resolution | 1440x3200 | 1440x3216 | Essentially identical sharpness; both offer very crisp image quality. |
| PPI | 515 | 525 | Effectively the same pixel density; both offer excellent clarity. |
| Technology | AMOLED | AMOLED | Both provide vibrant colors and deep blacks; similar viewing experience. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | Both provide smooth scrolling and animations. |
| Brightness | 1500 nits | 1300 nits | S21 Ultra is noticeably brighter in outdoor conditions, improving readability in direct sunlight. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Exynos 2100 (5 nm) - International | Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 (5 nm) | Snapdragon 888 generally offers slightly better performance and efficiency, while Exynos offers similar, albeit a tad lower in some benchmarks |
| AnTuTu Score | 749,000 | 876,500 | Find X3 Pro has a noticeable performance advantage, particularly in demanding applications and games. |
| GPU | Mali-G78 MP14 | Adreno 660 | Adreno 660 generally performs better in games. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 4500mAh | S21 Ultra should offer longer battery life for a typical day of use. |
| Charging | 25W fast charging | 65W fast charging | Find X3 Pro charges significantly faster, reducing downtime. |
| Wireless Charging | 15W | 30W | Find X3 Pro charges wirelessly faster. |
| Battery Features | Reverse, 15W Wireless, 9W Reverse | Reverse, 30W Wireless | Both include reverse charging functionality. Find X3 Pro has faster wireless charging. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 108MP, f/1.8, 1/1.33" | 50MP, f/1.8, 1/1.56" | S21 Ultra has higher resolution, but Find X3 Pro has larger pixels. Both take great photos, with different strengths. |
| Telephoto | 10.8MP, f/2.4, 1/2.65" (1), 10.8MP f/4.9, 1/2.65" (2) | 13MP f/2.4, 1/3.4" | S21 Ultra has two telephoto lenses for different zoom ranges. Find X3 Pro has a single telephoto lens. |
| Wide Angle | 12.2MP, f/2.2, 1/2.55" (Wide + Macro) | 50MP, f/2.2, 1/1.56" | Oppo has a better wide angle lense, while Samsung has a Macro option on it's wide angle lens. |
| Selfie Camera | 44MP, f/2.2, 1/2.65" | 32MP, f/2.4, 1/2.74" | S21 Ultra offers higher resolution and wider aperture for better low-light selfies. |
| Video | 8K@24fps, 4K@60fps | 4K@60fps | S21 Ultra records in 8K for professional content creation. Find X3 Pro has a 4k max video recording. |
| DXOMark Mobile | 115 (Mobile), Selfie (135) | 128 | Oppo Find X3 Pro scores higher overall in mobile camera performance; S21 Ultra was not fully tested |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 (up to 15) | Android 11 (up to 14) | Samsung provides 1 year of OS upgrade more. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) | Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) | Both provide latest Wi-Fi standards. |
| Bluetooth | 5.2, various profiles | 5.2, various profiles | Both support advanced Bluetooth profiles; S21 Ultra includes more profiles. |
| GPS | Multi-band, various systems | Multi-band, various systems | Find X3 Pro supports more satellite systems for better location accuracy. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal Storage | 128/256/512 GB | 256/512 GB | Both offer ample storage options, but S21 Ultra has a lower entry option. |
| RAM | 12/16 GB | 12/16 GB | Both have abundant RAM for demanding applications. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone supports microSD cards for expansion. |
| Audio | |||
| Audio Quality | Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res, Noise mic, Stereo | Dolby Atmos, Stereo | S21 Ultra offers slightly better audio features. |
| Security | |||
| Security Features | Fingerprint | Fingerprint | Both offer basic fingerprint security. |
| Build | |||
| Screen Protection | Gorilla Glass Victus | Gorilla Glass 5 | S21 Ultra offers better scratch and shatter resistance. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Variety, incl. Barometer | Variety, excl. Barometer | S21 Ultra has more sensors like a barometer. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G Advantages:
- Brighter Display: 200 nits brighter, significantly better in direct sunlight.
- Larger Battery: 500mAh more, potentially longer battery life.
- 8K Video Recording: Offers higher video resolution, for pro-grade videos.
- More Telephoto Options: Two telephoto lenses provide more flexible zoom capabilities.
- Hi-Res Audio and Noise Canceling Microphone: Enhanced audio playback and call clarity.
- More Sensors: includes Barometer.
- Additional OS Upgrade: One additional year of OS upgrade.
- Higher DXO Selfie Scores: Superior front camera performance.
Oppo Find X3 Pro Advantages:
- Lighter Weight: More comfortable for extended periods and daily use.
- Faster Charging: 65W wired and 30W wireless charging, significantly reducing charging time.
- Higher AnTuTu Score: Better performance in demanding tasks.
- Better main Camera Sensor: Larger pixels for better light capture.
- Better DXOMark Mobile Score: Higher overall score in mobile camera performance.
- More advanced GPS Support: Support for additional satellite systems, potentially improving accuracy.
Trade-offs:
- The S21 Ultra is heavier and bulkier, making it less ergonomic for some users.
- The Find X3 Pro's battery might not last as long as the S21 Ultra's, and it will charge faster.
- The S21 Ultra's camera system has more telephoto flexibility, but the Find X3 Pro might capture better overall picture quality.
- The S21 Ultra is only tested for Selfie Camera DXOMark.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G is ideal for:
- Power users: Those who need the best display, battery life, and performance.
- Photography enthusiasts: Those who want versatile telephoto options and 8K video recording.
- Multimedia consumers: Those who appreciate high-quality audio, bright displays, and longer battery life.
- Professional content creators: Those who need 8k video recording and advanced camera features.
Oppo Find X3 Pro is ideal for:
- Users who prioritize comfort and ergonomics: Lighter design and faster charging are beneficial.
- Mobile gamers: The Snapdragon 888 and Adreno 660 offer a performance edge.
- Photography enthusiasts: Those who prioritize overall camera quality.
- Users with fast-paced lifestyles: Who want quick top-ups with fast charging.
- Users who need very accurate GPS: Support for additional satellite systems.
Price-to-Value Ratio:
- Both phones are flagship models, typically with high prices. The price might vary between regions.
- The S21 Ultra is the more feature-rich device, but the Find X3 Pro might offer better value for users who value comfort and faster charging.
- The Find X3 Pro can also be less expensive on the used phone market as the newer of the two phones.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- How much does ergonomics and comfort matter? (Consider the weight and size difference).
- How important is faster charging vs. longer battery life? (Consider the trade-offs between battery capacity and charging speed).
- What kind of photography and video am I most interested in? (Consider the different strengths of their camera systems).
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- If you need the best display and battery: Choose the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G.
- If you prioritize comfort, fast charging, and slightly better performance: Choose the Oppo Find X3 Pro.
- If you are a professional content creator: The 8k video on the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G is a good option.
- If you are a photography enthusiast: The higher quality overall camera on the Oppo Find X3 Pro might be more appealing.
My Choice and Explanation
If I had to choose between these two phones, I would go for the Oppo Find X3 Pro.
Here's Why:
While the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G boasts impressive specifications like the brighter display, additional sensors, and 8K video, the Find X3 Pro's strengths are more aligned with my daily usage and priorities:
- Ergonomics: The lighter weight is a significant factor for me, as I prefer a phone that's comfortable to hold and carry for extended periods.
- Charging Speed: The 65W fast charging would be invaluable for my on-the-go lifestyle, allowing me to quickly top up my battery without downtime.
- Performance: While both offer top-tier performance, the higher AnTuTu score of the Find X3 Pro, along with the more optimized Adreno 660 GPU, indicates it might offer a smoother experience, especially for games.
- Camera: The better DXOMark Mobile score and larger pixels on the main camera make me more confident in the camera performance.
- Practicality over Features: While I appreciate the S21 Ultra's features, the Find X3 Pro's core strengths (comfort, speed, great camera) better align with my daily requirements.
While I would miss the higher resolution display of the S21 Ultra in very bright conditions, for my typical usage, the Find X3 Pro's advantages in weight, charging, camera, and performance make it the more practical choice.
