A comparison of specs, key information, reviews, and best pricing from top retailers
Last updated -- hours ago | Report incorrect information
Company ProductName Specs
Company ProductName Specs
What we think
The PerfectRec phone team Learn more
Updated February 13, 2024·
If you prioritize a better camera and battery life and are willing to invest more, the OnePlus 12 with its superior camera performance and larger battery is a sensible choice, despite being more expensive. It also has a bigger screen, which might be preferable if you enjoy larger displays for multimedia consumption. However, if you're looking to save money and are fine with a phone that has a plastic back, smaller battery, and slightly lower camera quality, the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE is the more budget-friendly option. Both phones run on Android, but remember that the Galaxy S21 FE is a bit older. 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
- Good for taking photos
- Good for recording videos
- Very good battery life
- Best in class display quality
- Best in class performance
Advantages of the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE
- The Samsung Galaxy S21 FE has no clear advantages over the OnePlus 12.
Key differences
Overall Camera Quality
7.8
7.0
The OnePlus 12 and Samsung Galaxy S21 FE both have good overall camera quality, though the OnePlus 12 has somewhat better overall camera quality.
The OnePlus 12's camera has better software, dynamic range, and low light performance, making it versatile with high selfie quality, while the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE falls short in dynamic range and low light performance, particularly visible in video, affecting overall camera quality.
Photo Quality
7.8
6.9
The OnePlus 12 takes good photos, while the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE takes only fair photos.
The OnePlus 12 takes poor photos compared to the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE because its overall photo-taking capabilities are rated lower, particularly noticeable in its selfie quality, which is good on the OnePlus 12 but rated as the best on the Galaxy S21 FE.
Video Quality
7.0
5.9
The OnePlus 12 takes good videos, while the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE takes poor videos.
The Samsung Galaxy S21 FE outperforms the OnePlus 12 in video capabilities due to its superior video stabilization, dynamic range, and low-light performance, as well as better microphone quality for audio capture. While the OnePlus 12 offers the best video resolution and framerate, its video software experience, stabilization, dynamic range, and mic quality do not match the performance of the Galaxy S21 FE.
Battery
8.2 Hours
6.7 Hours
The OnePlus 12 has 8.2 hours of battery life. The Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 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 FE is 6.4 inches.
Let Us Help Find Your Perfect Phone
Find your new phone
Key similarities
Cost
$800
$770
$400
$600
$800
$1,000
$1,200
The OnePlus 12 has a price of $800 and the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE costs $770.
Give feedback
We’re constantly working to improve.
How the OnePlus 12 and the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE compare to other phones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| OnePlus 12 | Samsung Galaxy S21 FE |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$800 | $770 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | OnePlus | Samsung | |
Operating System | |||
Operating System | Android | Android | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | February 6, 2024 | January 29, 2022 | |
SCREEN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Screen Size | |||
Screen Size | 6.82" | 6.4" | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 3168 x 1440 | 2400 x 1080 | |
Variable refresh rate | |||
Variable refresh rate | Yes | No | |
Pixels Per Inch | |||
Pixels Per Inch | 510 | 401 | |
Display Type | |||
Display Type | OLED | OLED | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | SD8G3 | SD888 | |
Internal Storage | |||
Internal Storage | 256 GB | 128 GB | |
RAM | |||
RAM | 12 GB | 6 GB | |
CAMERA | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Overall Camera Quality Score | |||
Overall Camera Quality Score | 7.9/10 | 7.1/10 | |
Photos Score | |||
Photos Score | 7.9/10 | 6.9/10 | |
Videos Score | |||
Videos Score | 7.1/10 | 5.9/10 | |
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 | 4500 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" | 6.13" x 2.93" | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 7.76 oz | 6.24 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)41, 66, 71, 260, 261 | |
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 | Graphite, Lavender, Olive, White, Navy Blue | |
Stock Android | |||
Stock Android | No | No | |
SD Card | |||
SD Card | No | No | |
Shopping
Samsung Galaxy S21 FE
See more
Dig into reviews and images
Tom's Guide
Philip Michaels | March 2022
"The Galaxy S21 FE is a fine addition to Samsung's S21 lineup, retaining the very best features of those flagship phones for a more modest price. This is a solid phone, matching the performance of the top Android flagships from a year ago and delivering photos that hold their own against some of the best camera phones we've tested."
Get a great deal on the OnePlus 12 or the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE
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.
Give feedback
We're constantly perfecting our model
Phone guides you might be interested in
More comparisons for you
Compare OnePlus 12 vs. Motorola Motorola Edge+ (2023)
VS
Compare OnePlus 12 vs. Samsung Galaxy S24
VS
Compare OnePlus 12 vs. Google Pixel 8
VS
Compare Samsung Galaxy S21 FE vs. Apple iPhone 14 Plus
VS
Compare Samsung Galaxy S21 FE vs. Apple iPhone 15
VS
Compare Samsung Galaxy S21 FE vs. Apple iPhone 15 Plus
VS
FAQs
FAQs about phones
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
151,800
Recommendations made
86,020
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.
Featured in
