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Updated January 10, 2024·
Considering the OnePlus 9 and the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE, if a lower price is a high priority and you can accept a simpler camera setup, the OnePlus 9 would be the more cost-effective option. However, if you value having a slightly newer model with possibly superior camera features, the Galaxy S21 FE's higher cost could be justified, especially if you also appreciate its plastic back which may be more durable than glass. Both phones have comparable battery life, screen size, and screen quality, as well as the same processor, so general performance should be similar. Keep in mind both phones run on Android, so there's no need to factor in a difference in operating systems. 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 9
- The OnePlus 9 has no clear advantages over the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE.
Advantages of the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE
- The Samsung Galaxy S21 FE has no clear advantages over the OnePlus 9.
Key differences
Screen Size
The OnePlus 9 has a screen size of 6.55 inches and the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE is 6.4 inches.
Cost
$399
$600
$200
$300
$400
$500
$600
$700
$800
$900
The OnePlus 9 has a price of $399 and the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE costs $600.
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Key similarities
Overall Camera Quality
7.0
7.0
The Samsung Galaxy S21 FE and OnePlus 9 both have good overall cameras quality.
The OnePlus 9 has a fair selfie score due to its overall adequate but not outstanding performance in key aspects like resolution, dynamic range, and low light performance in photos, whereas the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE has a good selfie score indicating better performance in these areas and further showing strength in software experience and camera versatility which are important for photo quality.
Photo Quality
6.7
6.9
The Samsung Galaxy S21 FE and OnePlus 9 both have only fair photos.
The Samsung Galaxy S21 FE delivers better selfie photos and overall photography experience due to superior photo software and a higher selfie quality score than the OnePlus 9, which has lower ratings in these areas despite both having similar resolution and dynamic range capabilities. This means you'd get higher quality selfies and a more intuitive photography experience with the S21 FE.
Video Quality
5.9
5.9
The OnePlus 9 and Samsung Galaxy S21 FE both have poor videos.
The OnePlus 9 has a higher rating for video resolution and framerate, which means it can capture fairly high-quality videos especially in terms of clarity and smooth motion. However, the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE is superior in terms of video software experience, stabilization, dynamic range, low light performance, and microphone quality, which overall contributes to a good video capturing experience with better sound, more consistent footage, and clearer details in various lighting conditions.
Battery
6.9 Hours
6.7 Hours
The OnePlus 9 has 6.9 hours of battery life. The Samsung Galaxy S21 FE has 6.7 hours of battery life.
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How the OnePlus 9 and the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE compare to other phones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| OnePlus 9 | Samsung Galaxy S21 FE |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$399 | $600 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | OnePlus | Samsung | |
Operating System | |||
Operating System | Android | Android | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | March 26, 2021 | January 29, 2022 | |
SCREEN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Screen Size | |||
Screen Size | 6.55" | 6.4" | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 2400 x 1080 | 2400 x 1080 | |
Variable refresh rate | |||
Variable refresh rate | No | No | |
Pixels Per Inch | |||
Pixels Per Inch | 402 | 401 | |
Display Type | |||
Display Type | OLED | OLED | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | SD888 | SD888 | |
Internal Storage | |||
Internal Storage | 128 GB | 128 GB | |
RAM | |||
RAM | 8 GB | 6 GB | |
CAMERA | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Overall Camera Quality Score | |||
Overall Camera Quality Score | 7/10 | 7.1/10 | |
Photos Score | |||
Photos Score | 6.8/10 | 6.9/10 | |
Videos Score | |||
Videos Score | 5.9/10 | 5.9/10 | |
Rear Cameras | |||
Rear Cameras | Main, Ultrawide | Main, Ultrawide, Telephoto | |
Main Camera | |||
Main Camera | 48 megapixels | 12 megapixels + OIS | |
BATTERY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery Life | |||
Battery Life | 6.9 Hours | 6.7 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 4500 mAh | 4500 mAh | |
Wireless Charging | |||
Wireless Charging | Yes | Yes | |
Wireless charging Speed | |||
Wireless charging Speed | 15 W | 15 W | |
Reverse wireless charging | |||
Reverse wireless charging | No | Yes (4.5 watts) | |
PHYSICAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Size | |||
Size | 6.29" x 2.92" | 6.13" x 2.93" | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 6.77 oz | 6.24 oz | |
Back Material | |||
Back Material | Glass | Plastic | |
Stereo Speakers | |||
Stereo Speakers | No | No | |
CONNECTIVITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Dual SIM | |||
Dual SIM | No | Yes | |
Bluetooth Version | |||
Bluetooth Version | 5.2 | 5.0 | |
A2DP | |||
A2DP | Yes | Yes | |
WiFi Version | |||
WiFi Version | 6 | 6 | |
NFC | |||
NFC | Yes | Yes | |
US 5G Bands | |||
US 5G Bands | (SA/NSA/Sub6)1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 25, 28, 38, 40, 41, 48, 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 | Astral Black, Arctic Sky, Winter Mist | Graphite, Lavender, Olive, White, Navy Blue | |
Stock Android | |||
Stock Android | No | No | |
SD Card | |||
SD Card | No | No | |
Shopping
OnePlus 9
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Dig into reviews and images
TechRadar
David Lumb | April 2021
"If you’re hunting for the best Android camera phone at this price, and one that doesn’t skimp on specs the OnePlus 9 is worth considering. Courtesy of a partnership with Hasselblad, the cameras offer better color correction, and both regular and ultra-wide photos look great. The OnePlus 9’s battery fully charges in under 30 minutes over a cable, and in 45 minutes using wireless charging. If you hate waiting for hours to charge your phone, you'll love the OnePlus 9."
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 9 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.
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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.
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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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