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What we think
The PerfectRec phone team Learn more
Updated February 13, 2024·
If you value a larger screen and significantly longer battery life, the OnePlus 12R might be the better option for you; however, its camera system is generally considered just good, not top-of-the-line. On the other hand, the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE offers a more compact form factor and plastic body, which might be more durable but could also feel less premium than the OnePlus's glass back. The camera system on the Galaxy S21 FE is known to be good overall, with some aspects rated as very good, although it's not the absolute best for videography or low light conditions. The Galaxy S21 FE typically costs a bit more than the OnePlus 12R, so if budget considerations are a priority, the OnePlus 12R could be a more cost-effective choice while still offering robust features. Both phones operate on the Android system, so the software experience will be relatively similar across devices. 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 12R
- Good for taking photos
- Fair for recording videos
- Very good battery life
- Best in class display quality
- Excellent performance
Advantages of the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE
- The Samsung Galaxy S21 FE has no clear advantages over the OnePlus 12R.
Key differences
Photo Quality
7.4
6.9
The OnePlus 12R takes good photos, while the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE takes only fair photos.
The Samsung Galaxy S21 FE takes better selfies than the OnePlus 12R primarily because of its higher selfie quality. While both devices have capable camera software, the superior selfie score of the Galaxy S21 FE indicates that it captures selfies with better quality.
Video Quality
6.6
5.9
The OnePlus 12R takes only fair videos, while the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE takes poor videos.
The OnePlus 12R's video capabilities are not as advanced as the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE's, falling short in several key areas including resolution and frame rate, software experience, stabilization, dynamic range, low light performance, and microphone quality. The Samsung Galaxy S21 FE excels in these aspects, offering a better overall video recording experience.
Battery
8.2 Hours
6.7 Hours
The OnePlus 12R has 8.2 hours of battery life. The Samsung Galaxy S21 FE has 6.7 hours of battery life.
Screen Size
The OnePlus 12R has a screen size of 6.78 inches and the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE is 6.4 inches.
Cost
$500
$600
$200
$300
$400
$500
$600
$700
$800
$900
The OnePlus 12R has a price of $500 and the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE costs $600.
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Key similarities
Overall Camera Quality
7.5
7.0
The OnePlus 12R and Samsung Galaxy S21 FE both have good overall cameras quality.
The OnePlus 12R cameras are considered to have a "good" overall photo software experience and good selfie quality, yet they fall short compared to the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE's "very good" ratings for both photo software experience and selfie quality. These assessments suggest that the OnePlus 12R may struggle in capturing images with the same dynamic range, low light performance, and camera versatility as the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE, factors that are especially important for achieving higher-quality photographic results.
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How the OnePlus 12R and the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE compare to other phones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| OnePlus 12R | Samsung Galaxy S21 FE |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$500 | $600 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | OnePlus | Samsung | |
Operating System | |||
Operating System | Android | Android | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | February 13, 2024 | January 29, 2022 | |
SCREEN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Screen Size | |||
Screen Size | 6.78" | 6.4" | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 2780 x 1264 | 2400 x 1080 | |
Variable refresh rate | |||
Variable refresh rate | Yes | No | |
Pixels Per Inch | |||
Pixels Per Inch | 450 | 401 | |
Display Type | |||
Display Type | OLED | OLED | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | SD8G2 | SD888 | |
Internal Storage | |||
Internal Storage | 128 GB | 128 GB | |
RAM | |||
RAM | 8 GB | 6 GB | |
CAMERA | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Overall Camera Quality Score | |||
Overall Camera Quality Score | 7.5/10 | 7.1/10 | |
Photos Score | |||
Photos Score | 7.5/10 | 6.9/10 | |
Videos Score | |||
Videos Score | 6.6/10 | 5.9/10 | |
Rear Cameras | |||
Rear Cameras | Main, Ultrawide, Macro | 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 | 5500 mAh | 4500 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 | 6.43" x 2.96" | 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 | 5.3 | 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, 12, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 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 | Iron Grey, Cool Blue | Graphite, Lavender, Olive, White, Navy Blue | |
Stock Android | |||
Stock Android | No | No | |
SD Card | |||
SD Card | No | No | |
Shopping
Samsung Galaxy S21 FE
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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 12R 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.
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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
125,100
Recommendations made
70,890
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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