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What we think
The PerfectRec phone team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
The OnePlus 9 Pro stands out with its slightly larger and curved screen, higher screen resolution, and potentially better screen quality due to more pixels per inch. Its camera system also features a telephoto lens and offers good photo and video quality, comparable to the Galaxy S21 FE. Although the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE has a high-quality camera system, OnePlus offers a similar overall camera experience at a budget price, making it the better value if camera quality is a priority for you and you're looking to save money. On the other hand, the OnePlus 9 Pro's battery life is slightly shorter than that of the S21 FE, and the S21 FE has wireless charging capability with a higher speed. Both phones have the same processor and 5G capability, but the OnePlus 9 Pro has more memory, which could benefit multitasking and performance. If cost is less of an issue and you value features like a slightly lighter build, the newer model year of the Galaxy S21 FE, and faster wireless charging, then the S21 FE might be the better choice. Both run on Android, so no need to worry about different 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 Pro
- Good for taking photos
- Fair for recording videos
- Best in class display quality
Advantages of the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE
- The Samsung Galaxy S21 FE has no clear advantages over the OnePlus 9 Pro.
Key differences
Screen Size
The OnePlus 9 Pro has a screen size of 6.7 inches and the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE is 6.4 inches.
Cost
$499
$770
$200
$400
$600
$800
$1,000
$1,200
The OnePlus 9 Pro has a price of $499 and the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE costs $770.
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Key similarities
Overall Camera Quality
7.2
7.0
The OnePlus 9 Pro and Samsung Galaxy S21 FE both have good overall cameras quality.
The OnePlus 9 Pro has a very high selfie quality, supported by good photo software experience, offering high resolution and versatile shooting options; however, its video capabilities, though the best in terms of stabilization, are less prominent. In contrast, the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE provides a very good photo software experience as well, but with good selfie camera performance that does not match the OnePlus in that respect, it balances with equally strong video software and stabilization features.
Photo Quality
7.0
6.9
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers OnePlus 9 Pro to have good photos, while the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE takes only fair photos.
The OnePlus 9 Pro is commended for its diverse camera capabilities and a smooth photo software experience, along with a high-quality selfie camera, while the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE is notable for providing a very good photo software experience and substantial selfie camera resolution.
Video Quality
6.0
5.9
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers OnePlus 9 Pro to have only fair videos, while the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE takes poor videos.
The OnePlus 9 Pro offers best-in-class video stabilization which contributes to smooth and steady footage, and it also has a very good video software experience which can make recording videos more intuitive and feature-rich. On the other hand, the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE delivers a very good video software experience as well, with good stabilization and dynamic range, which helps maintain detail in various lighting conditions and during movement.
Battery
6.9 Hours
6.7 Hours
The OnePlus 9 Pro 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 Pro and the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE compare to other phones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| OnePlus 9 Pro | Samsung Galaxy S21 FE |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$499 | $770 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | OnePlus | Samsung | |
Operating System | |||
Operating System | Android | Android | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | March 30, 2021 | January 29, 2022 | |
SCREEN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Screen Size | |||
Screen Size | 6.7" | 6.4" | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 3216 x 1440 | 2400 x 1080 | |
Variable refresh rate | |||
Variable refresh rate | Yes | No | |
Pixels Per Inch | |||
Pixels Per Inch | 525 | 401 | |
Display Type | |||
Display Type | OLED | OLED | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | SD888 | SD888 | |
Internal Storage | |||
Internal Storage | 128 GB | 128 GB | |
RAM | |||
RAM | 12 GB | 6 GB | |
CAMERA | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Overall Camera Quality Score | |||
Overall Camera Quality Score | 7.2/10 | 7.1/10 | |
Photos Score | |||
Photos Score | 7.1/10 | 6.9/10 | |
Videos Score | |||
Videos Score | 6.1/10 | 5.9/10 | |
Rear Cameras | |||
Rear Cameras | Main, Ultrawide, Telephoto | Main, Ultrawide, Telephoto | |
Main Camera | |||
Main Camera | 48 megapixels + OIS | 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 | 50 W | 15 W | |
Reverse wireless charging | |||
Reverse wireless charging | Yes (4.5 watts) | Yes (4.5 watts) | |
PHYSICAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Size | |||
Size | 6.43" x 2.9" | 6.13" x 2.93" | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 6.95 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/mmWave)1, 2, 3, 7, 25, 28, 41, 66, 71, 78, 258, 260, 261 (SA/NSA/Sub6)41, 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 | Stellar Black, Forest Green, Morning Mist | Graphite, Lavender, Olive, White, Navy Blue | |
Stock Android | |||
Stock Android | No | No | |
SD Card | |||
SD Card | No | No | |
Shopping
OnePlus 9 Pro
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Dig into reviews and images
TechRadar
James Peckham | April 2021
"The OnePlus 9 Pro offers phenomenal performance, a vastly superior camera to the brand’s previous smartphones, and a variety of top-end features that make this a serious contender for anyone who’s in the market for a premium Android handset.The 6.7-inch 120Hz QHD display is among the best we’ve seen on a smartphone, with plenty of detail, strong brightness, and a variety of other tweaks. If you like to watch a lot of video on your phone in particular, this is a great option."
Samsung Galaxy S21 FE
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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 Pro 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
176,700
Recommendations made
100,130
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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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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