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What we think
The PerfectRec phone team Learn more
Updated February 13, 2024·
The OnePlus 12 boasts a larger screen and battery, making it great for media consumption and long usage times, but it is usually pricier. In contrast, the Samsung Galaxy S21 offers a more budget-friendly price with a smaller yet adequate display and battery life. If top-tier camera performance is crucial for you, the OnePlus 12 may be a better fit, having slightly better camera capabilities. However, both phones operate on Android and share additional features like wireless charging and 5G support. Keep in mind that the Galaxy S21 has a plastic back compared to the glass on the OnePlus 12, which might affect durability and aesthetics. 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 12
- Very good battery life
- Best in class display quality
- Best in class performance
Advantages of the Samsung Galaxy S21
- The Samsung Galaxy S21 has no clear advantages over the OnePlus 12.
Key differences
Overall Camera Quality
7.8
7.2
The OnePlus 12 and Samsung Galaxy S21 both have good overall camera quality, though the OnePlus 12 has somewhat better overall camera quality.
The OnePlus 12 has a good selfie camera, but it's outperformed by the Samsung Galaxy S21 which has a superior selfie camera quality deemed very important for many users. The Samsung Galaxy S21 also has a better software experience across both photos and videos as they are also important aspects, enhancing its overall camera performance.
Photo Quality
7.8
7.0
The OnePlus 12 and Samsung Galaxy S21 both have good photos, though the OnePlus 12 takes somewhat better photos.
The OnePlus 12 takes photos that are rated as having good selfie quality, dynamic range, and low light performance, but the Samsung Galaxy S21 has been consistently rated better in these aspects, especially with selfie quality, illustrating that while both devices perform well, the Galaxy S21 may capture better overall images.
Battery
8.2 Hours
6.7 Hours
The OnePlus 12 has 8.2 hours of battery life. The Samsung Galaxy S21 has 6.7 hours of battery life.
Screen Size
The OnePlus 12 has a screen size of 6.82 inches and the Samsung Galaxy S21 is 6.2 inches.
Cost
$800
$145
$0
$200
$400
$600
$800
$1,000
$1,200
The OnePlus 12 has a price of $800 and the Samsung Galaxy S21 costs $145.
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Key similarities
Video Quality
7.0
6.6
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers OnePlus 12 to have good videos, while the Samsung Galaxy S21 takes only fair videos.
The OnePlus 12 underperforms in video quality primarily due to weaker video stabilization, lower dynamic range, and subpar low light performance when compared to the Samsung Galaxy S21, which offers better video resolution and overall superior software experience for video recording.
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How the OnePlus 12 and the Samsung Galaxy S21 compare to other phones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| OnePlus 12 | Samsung Galaxy S21 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$800 | $145 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | OnePlus | Samsung | |
Operating System | |||
Operating System | Android | Android | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | February 6, 2024 | January 29, 2021 | |
SCREEN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Screen Size | |||
Screen Size | 6.82" | 6.2" | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 3168 x 1440 | 2400 x 1080 | |
Variable refresh rate | |||
Variable refresh rate | Yes | No | |
Pixels Per Inch | |||
Pixels Per Inch | 510 | 421 | |
Display Type | |||
Display Type | OLED | OLED | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | SD8G3 | SD888 | |
Internal Storage | |||
Internal Storage | 256 GB | 128 GB | |
RAM | |||
RAM | 12 GB | 8 GB | |
CAMERA | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Overall Camera Quality Score | |||
Overall Camera Quality Score | 7.9/10 | 7.2/10 | |
Photos Score | |||
Photos Score | 7.9/10 | 7/10 | |
Videos Score | |||
Videos Score | 7.1/10 | 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 | 5400 mAh | 4000 mAh | |
Wireless Charging | |||
Wireless Charging | Yes | Yes | |
Wireless charging Speed | |||
Wireless charging Speed | 50 W | 15 W | |
Reverse wireless charging | |||
Reverse wireless charging | Yes (10 watts) | Yes (4.5 watts) | |
PHYSICAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Size | |||
Size | 6.47" x 2.98" | 5.97" x 2.8" | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 7.76 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 | 5.4 | 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, 12, 20, 25, 28, 30, 38, 40, 41, 66, 71, 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 | Silky Black, Flowy Emerald | Phantom Gray, Phantom White, Phantom Violet, Phantom Pink | |
Stock Android | |||
Stock Android | No | No | |
SD Card | |||
SD Card | No | No | |
Shopping
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 12 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
7,820
Phones stats compiled
8
Proprietary Phones ratings developed
152,100
Recommendations made
86,190
Consumer hours saved
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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