vivo V21 5G vs Oppo Reno12 Pro - Detailed Phone Comparison

Detailed Comparison

Specification

General

Launch Date May 6, 2021 June 18, 2024
Release Year 2021 2024

Physical

Volume 86.15 cm³ 89.39 cm³
Screen Size to Weight Ratio 3.66 "/g 3.72 "/g
Weight 176 g 180 g
Height 159.7 mm 161.5 mm
Width 73.9 mm 74.8 mm
Thickness 7.3 mm 7.4 mm
Foldable Design No No
Available Colors
  • Arctic White
  • Dusk Blue
  • Sunset Dazzle
  • Space Brown
  • Sunset Gold
  • Nebula Silver
  • Manish Malhotra

Display

Screen Size 6.44 " 6.7 "
Resolution 1080 x 2400 1080 x 2412
Aspect Ratio 20:9 20:9
Screen-to-Body Ratio 84.8 % 89.4 %
Pixel Density 409 PPI 394 PPI
Refresh Rate 90 Hz 120 Hz
Typical Brightness 500 nits N/A
HBM Brightness N/A N/A
Peak Brightness N/A 1200 nits

Hardware

Battery Capacity per Screen Area 96.45 mAh/in² 111.38 mAh/in²
Battery Density 46.43 mAh/cm³ 55.93 mAh/cm³
Battery Capacity 4000 mAh 5000 mAh
NFC Support Yes Yes
Chipset Mediatek Dimensity 800U (7 nm) Mediatek Dimensity 7300 Energy (4 nm)
CPU Octa-core (2x2.4 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) Octa-core (4x2.5 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55)
GPU Mali-G57 MC3 Mali-G615 MC2

Connectivity

USB Version 2.0 2.0
OTG Support 1 1
DisplayPort
DisplayPort Version N/A N/A
USB Features USB Type-C 2.0, OTG USB Type-C 2.0, OTG

Software

Operating System Android Android
Initial OS Version 11 14
Maximum OS Version 17

Comparison Summary

1. Specifications Comparison

Featurevivo V21 5GOppo Reno12 ProPractical Impact
Design
Launch Date2021-05-062024-06-18Oppo Reno12 Pro is significantly newer (3+ years), benefiting from newer tech and software.
Dimensions159.7 × 73.9 × 7.3 mm161.5 × 74.8 × 7.4 mmReno12 Pro is slightly taller and wider, negligibly thicker; minimal difference in hand feel.
Weight176g180gBoth are lightweight; negligible difference in portability.
Display
Size6.44"6.7"Reno12 Pro has a slightly larger screen, better for media consumption and gaming.
Resolution1080x24001080x2412Both offer a crisp Full HD+ experience; negligible difference in sharpness.
PPI409394Both offer similar pixel densities, leading to comparable visual clarity.
TechnologyAMOLEDAMOLEDBoth have vibrant colors and deep blacks; identical quality.
Refresh Rate90Hz120HzReno12 Pro offers smoother scrolling and animations, enhancing visual experience for gaming and everyday use.
Brightness0 nits1400 nitsReno12 Pro is much brighter, ensuring excellent outdoor visibility and clear screen readability even in direct sunlight.
Performance
ChipsetMediatek Dimensity 800U (7 nm)Mediatek Dimensity 7300 Energy (4 nm)Reno12 Pro's newer 4nm chip is significantly faster and more power-efficient, handling demanding tasks with ease.
AnTuTu Score343,150702,140Reno12 Pro offers significantly better performance for gaming and multitasking, faster app loading and smoother UI.
GPUMali-G57 MC3Mali-G615 MC2Reno12 Pro's GPU provides better graphical performance for gaming and resource-intensive applications.
Battery
Capacity4000mAh5000mAhReno12 Pro has a larger battery, likely offering longer battery life per charge, suitable for all-day use.
Charging33W fast charging80W fast chargingReno12 Pro charges much faster, significantly reducing downtime and quicker top ups.
Camera
Standard Camera64MP f/1.7950MP f/1.8 (1/2" Sony LYT-600)vivo has higher resolution, but Oppo's larger sensor with newer technology may result in better low-light and overall image quality.
Selfie Camera44MP f/2.0 (1/2.65" Samsung S5KGH1)50MP f/2.0 (1/2.76" Samsung S5KJN5)Oppo has slightly higher resolution, but vivo has larger sensor. Image quality is comparable.
Telephoto LensNone50MP f/2.0 (1/2.76" Samsung S5KJN5)Oppo has a dedicated telephoto lens for better zoom capabilities, enabling versatile photography options.
Wide Angle Lens8MP f/2.28MP f/2.2 (1/2.8" Sony IMX355)Both offer similar wide angle capture, but Oppo's may have better quality due to the better sensor.
Macro Lens2MP f/2.4Nonevivo has a dedicated macro lens for close-up shots.
Video4K@30fps (OIS), 1080p@60fps (OIS)4K@30fps (HDR, OIS, EIS), 1080p@120fps (HDR, OIS, EIS), 1080p@480fps (HDR, OIS, EIS)Oppo Reno12 Pro offers better video quality, with added HDR, EIS and higher frame rates for slow-motion.
Software & Connectivity
OSAndroid 11Android 14Reno12 Pro ships with a newer version of Android, offering better security, features, and app compatibility; also guaranteed to have more years of updates.
Wi-FiWi-Fi 5Wi-Fi 6Oppo has faster Wi-Fi speeds and improved performance in congested networks; also has MIMO.
Bluetooth5.15.4Oppo has a newer, more efficient Bluetooth version, with better stability and audio quality.
GPSGPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, GalileoGPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, GalileoOppo has more accurate location tracking due to the additional QZSS support.
Storage
Internal Storage128 GB or 256 GB256 GB or 512 GBOppo Reno12 Pro provides more storage options, suitable for users with larger media libraries.
RAM8 GB12 GB or 16 GBOppo offers more RAM, for smoother multitasking and better performance in resource intensive tasks
Expandable StorageNoNoNeither phone supports microSD cards.
Other
Build Quality (Screen)UnknownCorning Gorilla Glass Victus 2Reno12 Pro's screen has a much higher level of scratch and drop resistance.
SensorsAccelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Proximity, FingerprintAccelerometer, Gyroscope, Gravity, Geomagnetic, Proximity, Fingerprintvivo has a compass, Oppo has gravity sensor and geomagnetic sensor. Both have all standard sensors

2. Key Differences Analysis

Advantages of Oppo Reno12 Pro:

  • Significantly Superior Performance: The newer Dimensity 7300 Energy chipset and higher RAM options result in a much faster and smoother user experience for all tasks, from gaming to everyday use.
  • Larger and Better Display: The larger 120Hz display with higher peak brightness improves visual clarity, especially under direct sunlight, and provides a more fluid scrolling and gaming experience.
  • Much Improved Battery Life and Charging: The larger battery and much faster charging speed allow for longer usage and reduced downtime.
  • More Versatile Camera System: The addition of a telephoto lens and improved video recording features offer more flexibility in photography and videography.
  • Newer Software and Connectivity: Android 14, Wi-Fi 6, and Bluetooth 5.4 provide a more future-proof device with the latest features and performance.
  • Superior Screen Protection: Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2 offers greater protection against scratches and drops, enhancing long term durability.
  • Larger Storage Options: The 512GB variant offers ample space for users with large media libraries.

Advantages of vivo V21 5G:

  • Dedicated Macro Lens: It has a dedicated macro lens for close-up photography, a feature missing in Oppo.
  • Slightly Larger Selfie Camera Sensor: The slightly larger sensor on the selfie camera could result in better low light performance in this area.
  • Compass Sensor: Has a compass sensor included, which may be helpful for some navigation scenarios.

Trade-offs:

  • vivo V21 5G sacrifices performance, battery life, display quality, and camera versatility for a slightly more compact form and the presence of a macro lens and compass.
  • Oppo Reno12 Pro has less zoom capability with its main camera and no macro lens.

3. User Profiles & Recommendations

Ideal Users for vivo V21 5G:

  • Users on a budget: If the vivo V21 5G is available at a significantly lower price, it may appeal to those who need a functional device and do not require top-end specs.
  • Macro photography enthusiasts: If close-up shots are a high priority, the dedicated macro lens may be beneficial.
  • Users needing a basic device: For users who need a standard phone for calls, texts, and basic social media use and don't need the latest features, this phone could be enough.

Specific Use Cases for vivo V21 5G:

  • Basic social media browsing and communication.
  • Occasional photo taking, with a focus on macro shots.
  • Light gaming or media consumption.
  • Users who need a smaller phone for better grip.

Ideal Users for Oppo Reno12 Pro:

  • Performance-oriented users: Gamers, heavy multitaskers, and users who need smooth performance will benefit from the powerful processor and ample RAM.
  • Photography and videography enthusiasts: The versatile camera system with a telephoto lens and advanced video features will appeal to those who enjoy creative capture.
  • Users who value display quality: The brighter 120Hz screen is ideal for media consumption and outdoor use.
  • Users who need long battery life and fast charging: The larger battery and 80W fast charging make it suitable for all-day use without battery anxiety.
  • Users who want the latest tech: Android 14, Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.4 make this phone more future proof.

Specific Use Cases for Oppo Reno12 Pro:

  • High-end mobile gaming with demanding graphics.
  • Capturing high quality photos and videos in various conditions.
  • Extensive media consumption, including streaming and video playback.
  • Work-related multitasking and productivity.
  • Travel and location-based navigation due to better GPS.

4. Decision Framework

Key Questions for Buyers:

  1. What is my budget? If the vivo is considerably cheaper, it may be suitable for those with very tight budgets. Otherwise, the Oppo is better value
  2. How important is performance, battery, and display quality? If you need a smooth, fast, all-day device, the Oppo is a far better choice.
  3. What is my main use case for the camera? If macro shots are key, the vivo is preferable. For all other camera scenarios, the Oppo is much better.

Scenario-Based Recommendations:

  • Scenario 1: "I need a basic phone for calls, texts, and occasional social media."
    • Recommendation: vivo V21 5G (if budget is very tight), but the Oppo is a much better value choice
  • Scenario 2: "I want to play demanding games, take high-quality photos, and watch videos, and need a battery that can last all day."
    • Recommendation: Oppo Reno12 Pro is the clear choice for its better performance, display, camera and battery.
  • Scenario 3: "I mostly use my camera for close-up shots and I need the most compact device possible"
    • Recommendation: vivo V21 5G.

My Choice

I would choose the Oppo Reno12 Pro. While the vivo V21 5G is a functional phone and may be appealing to some with a macro lens, the Oppo Reno12 Pro offers a much more complete and modern smartphone experience with significant advantages in performance, display quality, battery life, camera capabilities, software and build. It is far superior in almost every key area and better value as a result. The slight size increase is a small price to pay for such a superior experience.

Emily Harper
Emily Harper

Technology Insights Specialist

Dedicated technology writer specializing in mobile device analysis and technology communication. Expert at translating complex smartphone features into clear, actionable insights for diverse audiences.

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Bridging technical complexity with engaging, accessible narratives.