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What we think
The PerfectRec phone team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
If camera quality is a priority and you're willing to pay more, the OnePlus 11 has better photo and video performance than the Samsung Galaxy S21. However, if you want to save money and still get a good phone with capable camera features, the Galaxy S21 is a more cost-effective option. The OnePlus 11 also offers a slightly longer battery life and a larger, higher resolution screen, which might be beneficial if you consume a lot of media. Both phones have OLED displays with high refresh rates, so either will provide a smooth visual experience. Keep in mind though, the Galaxy S21 has a plastic back which may affect its durability compared to the glass back of the OnePlus 11. Both run Android, but the Galaxy S21 is an older model, so the OnePlus 11 will likely have longer support for updates. Give Feedback
this description is based on the product variant with some specs and product variant with some specs. At the time of writing, the variant with some specs cost some dollars and the variant with some specs cost some dollars.
Advantages of the OnePlus 11
- Very good battery life
- Best in class display quality
- Excellent performance
Advantages of the Samsung Galaxy S21
- The Samsung Galaxy S21 has no clear advantages over the OnePlus 11.
Key differences
Photo Quality
7.6
7.0
The OnePlus 11 and Samsung Galaxy S21 both have good photos, though the OnePlus 11 takes somewhat better photos.
The OnePlus 11 captures very good photos, particularly excelling in selfie quality which is of utmost importance to many users, while its overall camera functionality is complemented by its software that facilitates a satisfying photography experience. The Samsung Galaxy S21 also takes good photos with competent low light performance and dynamic range but falls slightly behind in selfie quality, which is a key differentiator for photo enthusiasts who prioritize front-facing camera performance.
Battery
8.2 Hours
6.7 Hours
The OnePlus 11 has 8.2 hours of battery life. The Samsung Galaxy S21 has 6.7 hours of battery life.
Screen Size
The OnePlus 11 has a screen size of 6.7 inches and the Samsung Galaxy S21 is 6.2 inches.
Cost
$699
$145
$0
$200
$400
$600
$800
$1,000
$1,200
The OnePlus 11 has a price of $699 and the Samsung Galaxy S21 costs $145.
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Key similarities
Overall Camera Quality
7.7
7.2
The OnePlus 11 and Samsung Galaxy S21 both have good overall cameras quality.
The OnePlus 11 features a selfie camera that offers top-tier quality, along with a highly versatile main camera setup, and its photography software provides an excellent user experience. In contrast, while the Samsung Galaxy S21 also provides a very good selfie camera and photography software experience, it trails slightly in terms of dynamic range and low light performance in both photos and videos.
Video Quality
7.0
6.6
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers OnePlus 11 to have good videos, while the Samsung Galaxy S21 takes only fair videos.
The OnePlus 11 is superior in taking videos due to its best video resolution and framerate capabilities coupled with a very good video software experience, which include enhanced stabilization, dynamic range and low light performance. In contrast, the Samsung Galaxy S21 also offers a solid video capturing experience but is rated as good for both video resolution/framerate and video software experience, indicating that while capable, it doesn't quite match the OnePlus 11's video prowess.
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How the OnePlus 11 and the Samsung Galaxy S21 compare to other phones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| OnePlus 11 | Samsung Galaxy S21 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$699 | $145 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | OnePlus | Samsung | |
Operating System | |||
Operating System | Android | Android | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | February 16, 2023 | January 29, 2021 | |
SCREEN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Screen Size | |||
Screen Size | 6.7" | 6.2" | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 3216 x 1440 | 2400 x 1080 | |
Variable refresh rate | |||
Variable refresh rate | Yes | No | |
Pixels Per Inch | |||
Pixels Per Inch | 525 | 421 | |
Display Type | |||
Display Type | OLED | OLED | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | SD8G2 | SD888 | |
Internal Storage | |||
Internal Storage | 128 GB | 128 GB | |
RAM | |||
RAM | 8 GB | 8 GB | |
CAMERA | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Overall Camera Quality Score | |||
Overall Camera Quality Score | 7.7/10 | 7.2/10 | |
Photos Score | |||
Photos Score | 7.6/10 | 7/10 | |
Videos Score | |||
Videos Score | 7/10 | 6.6/10 | |
Rear Cameras | |||
Rear Cameras | Main, Ultrawide, Telephoto | Main, Ultrawide, Telephoto | |
Main Camera | |||
Main Camera | 50 megapixels + OIS | 12 megapixels + OIS | |
BATTERY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery Life | |||
Battery Life | 8.2 Hours | 6.7 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 5000 mAh | 4000 mAh | |
Wireless Charging | |||
Wireless Charging | No | Yes | |
Wireless charging Speed | |||
Wireless charging Speed | 0 W | 15 W | |
Reverse wireless charging | |||
Reverse wireless charging | No | Yes (4.5 watts) | |
PHYSICAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Size | |||
Size | 6.42" x 2.92" | 5.97" x 2.8" | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 7.23 oz | 5.96 oz | |
Back Material | |||
Back Material | Glass | Plastic | |
Stereo Speakers | |||
Stereo Speakers | No | No | |
CONNECTIVITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Dual SIM | |||
Dual SIM | Yes | Yes | |
Bluetooth Version | |||
Bluetooth Version | 5.3 | 5.0 | |
A2DP | |||
A2DP | Yes | Yes | |
WiFi Version | |||
WiFi Version | 7 | 6 | |
NFC | |||
NFC | Yes | Yes | |
US 5G Bands | |||
US 5G Bands | (SA/NSA/Sub6)1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 25, 28, 30, 38, 40, 41, 66, 71, 75, 77, 78 | (SA/NSA/Sub6/mmWave)2, 5, 25, 41, 66, 71, 260, 261 (SA/NSA/Sub6)1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 77, 78 | |
OTHER FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Biometric unlock | |||
Biometric unlock | Face unlock, Fingerprint sensor: Under Display | Face unlock, Fingerprint sensor: Under Display | |
Unlockable Bootloader | |||
Unlockable Bootloader | Yes | No | |
Color | |||
Color | Titan Black, Eternal Green | Phantom Gray, Phantom White, Phantom Violet, Phantom Pink | |
Stock Android | |||
Stock Android | No | No | |
SD Card | |||
SD Card | No | No | |
Shopping
OnePlus 11
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Dig into reviews and images
Android Police
Will Sattelberg | April 2023
"The OnePlus 11 isn’t a perfect device, but it’s another big step in the right direction for the company. A great display, incredible performance, and some of the best battery life I've ever seen on a phone helps make this one of the best OnePlus devices in recent years."
Samsung Galaxy S21
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Dig into reviews and images
Android Central
Huseman Joe | February 2022
"The Galaxy S21 delivers the flagship Samsung experience in a phone that's much more pocketable (and affordable) than the top-end S21 Ultra.The triple-camera system is incredibly capable, Samsung's One UI 3.1 software is chock-full of features and settings to mess with, and I've not once missed having expandable storage."
Get a great deal on the OnePlus 11 or the Samsung Galaxy S21
About OnePlus
OnePlus, established in 2013, is a smartphone brand that first became known for providing flagship-like devices, at a fraction of the cost compared to more expensive Android competitors. OnePlus focuses on creating smartphones with powerful hardware at reasonable prices. They also bring hardware features normally not seen in other Android phones sold in the US, such as their ultra-fast “Warp Charge” and the beloved “Alert Slider”.
About Samsung
Samsung is one of the most recognizable names in the smartphone industry, standing as the undisputed best-selling brand of Android smartphones in the United States for many years now. Samsung is known for offering a variety of smartphones in all available price points, as well as for implementing cutting-edge technology and innovative features in their flagship devices, ones that often shape the market going forward. The company offers its own unique spin on Android, called One UI, which focuses on offering a multitude of features and is heavily customizable, according to user preference.
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Why trust us
This information was produced and vetted by the PerfectRec phones team. We are a product research and recommendation organization that meticulously reviews and evaluates the latest phone information and makes it digestible for you.
By the numbers
68
Phones evaluated
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Phones stats compiled
8
Proprietary Phones ratings developed
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Recommendations made
86,190
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About the phone team
Joe Golden, Ph.D
CEO and Phones Editor
Joe is an entrepreneur and lifelong electronics enthusiast with a Ph.D in Economics from the University of Michigan.
Jason Lew
Staff Expert & Software Engineer
Jason is a staff expert and software engineer that has been making laptop recommendations for 7 years and moderates one of the largest laptop subreddits.
Chandradeep Chowdhury
Staff Expert & Software Engineer
Chandradeep is a staff expert and software engineer and expert in televisions and monitors. He’s been making monitor recommendations for ten years.
Seth Peoples
Phones Expert
Seth is a US-based product expert focusing on smartphones and he is a moderator of one of the largest smartphone subreddits. His tailored recommendations have helped him earn over 87k comment karma, putting him in the top 1% of Redditors.
Efthimis Kotanidis
Phones Expert
Efthimis is a Greece-based product expert focusing on smartphones. He has been recommending phones for 4 years and his recommendations on Reddit have earned him over 35k karma.
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