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InnoReviews

OnePlus Nord 5 vs Samsung Galaxy S21

WINNER
OnePlus Nord 5
58.9Inno Score
VS
Samsung Galaxy S21
43.6Inno Score
43.1Performance34.4
66.8Display49.1
49.8Camera40.8
78Battery36.9
70.7Features78.7
11 spec wins — OnePlus Nord 55 spec wins — Samsung Galaxy S21

InnoReviews verdict

OnePlus Nord 5 wins this phone face-off, 58.9 to 43.6, pulling ahead mainly in battery (+41) and display (+18). Samsung Galaxy S21 still makes sense if its price or standout specs fit your needs better.

Which would you pick?

Key differences

Reasons to pick the OnePlus Nord 5

  • Stronger performance score: 43 vs 34
  • Stronger display score: 67 vs 49
  • Stronger camera score: 50 vs 41
  • Stronger battery score: 78 vs 37
  • 400% higher Front camera: 50 MP vs 10 MP

Reasons to pick the Samsung Galaxy S21

  • Stronger features score: 79 vs 71
  • 50% higher ultra-wide: 12 MP vs 8 MP
  • 19% lower weight: 171 g vs 211 g
  • Has eSIM — the other doesn't

Display

Display comparison: OnePlus Nord 5 versus Samsung Galaxy S21
SpecOnePlus Nord 5Samsung Galaxy S21
Screen size6.83 ″+10%6.2 ″
Panel typeAMOLEDAMOLED
Resolution1272x28002400x1080
Pixel density450 ppi+7%421 ppi
Refresh rate144 Hz+20%120 Hz
Peak brightness1,800 nits+38%1,300 nits
Screen-to-body93.6 %—

Performance

Performance comparison: OnePlus Nord 5 versus Samsung Galaxy S21
SpecOnePlus Nord 5Samsung Galaxy S21
ChipsetSnapdragon 8s Gen 3Samsung Exynos 2100
AnTuTu—746,547Bottom 18%
AnTuTu 11 (CPU)—252,025Bottom 14%
AnTuTu 11 (GPU)—127,819Bottom 35%
AnTuTu 11 (Memory)—144,909Bottom 16%
AnTuTu 11 (UX)—221,794Bottom 18%
Geekbench 6 (single)2,025+42%Top 34%1,430Top 46%
Geekbench 6 (multi)5,221+47%Top 35%3,550Bottom 50%
RAM (max)12 GB+50%8 GB
Storage options256/512GB128GB / 256GB
Storage typeUFS 3.1UFS 3.1

Camera

Camera comparison: OnePlus Nord 5 versus Samsung Galaxy S21
SpecOnePlus Nord 5Samsung Galaxy S21
Main camera50 MP+317%12 MP
Main aperturef/1.8f/1.8
Ultra-wide8 MP12 MP+50%
Telephoto—64 MP
Optical zoom1 x—
Max video4K@60fps8K@24fps
Front camera50 MP+400%10 MP
OISYesYes

Battery

Battery comparison: OnePlus Nord 5 versus Samsung Galaxy S21
SpecOnePlus Nord 5Samsung Galaxy S21
Capacity6,800 mAh+70%4,000 mAh
Wired charging80 W+220%25 W
Wireless charging0 W15 W

Design

Design comparison: OnePlus Nord 5 versus Samsung Galaxy S21
SpecOnePlus Nord 5Samsung Galaxy S21
Weight211 g171 g+19%
Thickness8.1 mm7.9 mm+2%
IP ratingIP65IP68
Frame materialPlasticAluminum

Connectivity

Connectivity comparison: OnePlus Nord 5 versus Samsung Galaxy S21
SpecOnePlus Nord 5Samsung Galaxy S21
5GYesYes
Wi-FiWi-Fi 6Wi-Fi 6
Bluetooth5.45.0
NFCYesYes
USBUSB-C 2.0USB-C 3.2
eSIMNoYes

Software

Software comparison: OnePlus Nord 5 versus Samsung Galaxy S21
SpecOnePlus Nord 5Samsung Galaxy S21
OS at launchAndroid 15 (OxygenOS 15)Android 11 (One UI 3.1)
OS update pledge4 years4 years

Audio

Audio comparison: OnePlus Nord 5 versus Samsung Galaxy S21
SpecOnePlus Nord 5Samsung Galaxy S21
Stereo speakersYesYes
3.5mm jackNoNo

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