oneplus 9 pro vs Samsung Galaxy s21 ultra 2023: Which phone is best ?
Two of the best Android phones right now are the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra and the OnePlus 9 Pro. But, at the end, which one is superior? Are there enough variances between them to make them stand out? Let’s find out in this hands-on comparison from Android Authority. In the world of photography, one continues to reign supreme, while the other relies on raw performance and software to get the job done.
Let’s see oneplus 9 pro vs Samsung Galaxy s21 ultra Which phone is the best
OnePlus 9 Pro vs. Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra
| OnePlus 9 Pro | Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra | |
| price | $969 | $1,199 |
| Screen size | 6.7-inch AMOLED (3168 x 1440) | 6.8 inches AMOLED (3200 x 1400) |
| Refresh rate | 1Hz to 120Hz | 10Hz to 120Hz |
| CPU | Snapdragon 888 | Snapdragon 888 |
| RAM | 8GB, 12GB | 12GB, 16GB |
| Storage | 128GB, 256GB | 128GB, 256GB, 512GB |
| microSD? | No | No |
| Rear cameras | The camera configuration consists of a 48MP wide lens (f/1.8), 50MP ultrawide lens (f/2.2), 8MP telephoto lens (3x zoom, f/2.4), and a monochrome lens. | The camera features a 108MP wide lens (f/1.8), 12MP ultrawide lens (f/2.2), 10MP telephoto lens (3x zoom, f/2.4), 10MP telephoto lens (10x zoom, f/4.9), and a laser AF sensor. |
| Front cameras | 16MP (f/2.4) | 40MP (f/2.2) |
| Battery size | 4,500 mAh | 5,000 mAh |
| Battery life (Hrs: Mins) | 10:38 (60Hz); 10:40 (adaptive) | 11:25 (60Hz), 10:07 (adaptive) |
| Size | 6.4 x 2.9 x 0.34 inches | 6.5 x 2.97 x 0.35 inches |
| Weight | 6.9 ounces | 8.08 ounces |
Design: OnePlus 9 Pro vs. Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra
The Oneplus 9 Pro and the OnePlus 8 Pro both have softly curved displays, but the Oneplus 9 Pro’s curve is significantly less striking than the OnePlus 8 Pro’s from last year. Both handsets have rectangular camera arrays in the upper left corner of the screen and measure 6.5 x 2.97 x 0.35 inches. Morning Mist and Pine Green are the colors available on Oneplus, while Phantom Black and Phantom Silver are available on Samsung.
You also have the best Galaxy S21 Ultra cases to choose from if you want a unique design with enhanced protection and functionality. The OnePlus 9 Pro is a well-made piece of equipment, but it isn’t as exciting as the Galaxy S21 Ultra.
The camera module has been tinkered with, making it stick out less before being squared off and repositioned in the left-hand corner. The Phantom Black finish, which reduces fingerprints and smudges, has a lot to recommend it.
The Morning Mist finish on the OnePlus 9 Pro is hyper-reflective and quickly picks up greasy prints. Both phones have an IP68 rating, which means they can withstand water and dust. The OnePlus’ iconic tactile alert switch, which rests on the right edge, is another design victory for the company. The Galaxy S21 Ultra weighs in at 228 grams, while the OnePlus 9 Pro weighs in at 197 grams.
Display:
The 6.8-inch AMOLED screen on the Galaxy S21 Ultra includes LTPO technology, which adapts the refresh rate according to what you’re doing. Activities that benefit from a faster refresh rate, such as scrolling, might cause the display to scale up to the maximum 120Hz speed, whereas static activities reduce the refresh rate to 10Hz. The OnePlus 9 Pro features a 6.7-inch display with a larger refresh range and the ability to scale down to 1Hz. It also boasts a larger DCI-P3 color gamut and is far more accurate in color rendering.
Both feature AMOLED panels with variable refresh rates and run at 120Hz and QHD resolution at the same time. The Samsung, on the other hand, shines a touch brighter, with a peak brightness of 1500 nits, much above the OnePlus’s 1300 nits. The difference between these two phones boils down to the type of in-display fingerprint sensor they use: the Galaxy employs an ultrasonic or optical technique, and the Pro uses a more classic optical one.
Software and Special Features:
The Galaxy S21 Ultra is the first phone to enable Samsung’s S Pen stylus outside of the Galaxy Note series. The OnePlus approach appears to be cleaner and more akin to a pure Android experience. Despite this, Samsung has a distinct advantage over OnePlus that is unrelated to software.
Camera:
The OnePlus 9 Pro vs. Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra is the newest installment in the two firms’ long-running rivalry. The phones’ cameras are pitted against each other this time, with OnePlus collaborating with Hasselblad to improve them. Samsung’s phone has four back cameras: a 108-megapixel primary sensor, a 12-megapixel ultrawide-angle lens, and two 10-megapixel telephoto lenses.
There’s also a monochrome camera on the phone, but it doesn’t add much to the picture. OnePlus employed a freeform lens for the OnePlus 9 Pro’s ultrawide angle shooter, which is believed to minimize some of the distortions presented around the edges of wide-angle shots.
Thanks to the Zoom Lock feature, which can stabilize your shot from a distance, the Galaxy S21 Ultra handles colors better and everything is a little more in focus. Overall, I believe the Galaxy 21 Ultra wins this camera battle, albeit it is a lot closer than the prior OnePlus vs.
Samsung battles. The 9 Pro sports a 48MP primary camera. The Galaxy S21’s detail is comparable to the 9 Pro’s, but the software processing oversoftens the image, giving the impression of a more detailed photo. The Galaxy S21 Ultra features a little superior camera.
Specs and Performance: OnePlus vs. Samsung
How do the OnePlus 9 Pro and Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra compare in terms of performance? The Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 chipset is used in both phones, however, the Samsung has higher RAM and storage options. The S Pen from Samsung is one of the best at what it does, with strong software that can bring your sketches and handwritten notes to life
Storage options are one thing the Galaxy S21 Ultra provides you more of. You can get one with 128GB, 256GB, or 512GB of storage, however, the OnePlus 9 Pro only has 128GB or 256GB of storage. There is no microSD card slot on any phone.
Battery and Charging:
That’s excellent enough to make our list of the best phone batteries, but it’s not quite as impressive as the OnePlus 9 Pro’s 10 hours and 40 minutes with the dynamic display function turned on. The Galaxy S21 Ultra has a battery life of 11 hours and 25 minutes, making it one of our best phone battery life picks.
Conclusion:
The Galaxy S21 Ultra is the best Android phone you can buy, beating out the OnePlus 9 Pro. The Samsung phone features somewhat better cameras and a larger display, and it connects to 5G networks more easily. It also comes with a year of Android support, which is perfect if you want to keep your phone for a longer time.
