OnePlus 11R vs Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G: A Detailed Showdown

The OnePlus 11R and Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G are both compelling mid-range contenders, offering a blend of performance and features. But which one reigns supreme? This comprehensive comparison dives deep into their specs, performance, and overall value to help you make the right choice.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

The OnePlus 11R offers significantly faster charging and a more powerful chipset for smoother performance. However, the Galaxy S21 FE boasts a more refined software experience and potentially better camera consistency. Ultimately, the 11R wins on raw power and value, while the S21 FE excels in Samsung's ecosystem.

PHONES
Phone Names OnePlus 11R Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 2100HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 3, 4, 5, 8, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 411, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 20, 26, 28, 32, 38, 40, 41, 66 - International
5G bands1, 3, 5, 8, 28, 40, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA1, 3, 5, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6 - International
SpeedHSPA, LTE (3CA), 5GHSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (5CA) Cat19 1600/200 Mbps, 5G
TechnologyGSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE / 5GGSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G
 CDMA 800 41, 66, 71, 260, 261 SA/NSA/Sub6/mmWave - USA
Launch
Announced2023, February 072022, January 04
StatusAvailable. Released 2023, February 21Available. Released 2022, January 07
Body
BuildGlass front, glass back (Gorilla Glass 5), plastic frameGlass front (Gorilla Glass Victus), plastic back, aluminum frame
Dimensions163.4 x 74.3 x 8.7 mm (6.43 x 2.93 x 0.34 in)155.7 x 74.5 x 7.9 mm (6.13 x 2.93 x 0.31 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight204 g (7.20 oz)177 g (6.24 oz)
 -IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 min)
Display
Protection-Corning Gorilla Glass Victus
Resolution1240 x 2772 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~451 ppi density)1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~403 ppi density)
Size6.74 inches, 109.2 cm2 (~90.0% screen-to-body ratio)6.4 inches, 100.5 cm2 (~86.7% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeFluid AMOLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, HDR10+, 1450 nits (peak)Dynamic AMOLED 2X, 120Hz, HDR10+
 -Always-on display
Platform
CPUOcta-core (1x3.0 GHz Cortex-X2 & 3x2.5 GHz Cortex-A710 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A510)Octa-core (1x2.84 GHz Cortex-X1 & 3x2.42 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A55) - Version 1Octa-core (1x2.9 GHz Cortex-X1 & 3x2.80 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x2.2 GHz Cortex-A55) - Version 2
ChipsetQualcomm SM8475 Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 (4 nm)Qualcomm SM8350 Snapdragon 888 5G (5 nm) - Version 1Exynos 2100 (5 nm) - Version 2
GPUAdreno 730Adreno 660 - Version 1Mali-G78 MP14 - Version 2
OSAndroid 13, upgradable to Android 15, OxygenOS 15Android 12, up to 4 major Android upgrades, One UI 8
Memory
Card slotNoNo
Internal128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 16GB RAM, 512GB 18GB RAM128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM
 UFS 3.1-
Main Camera
FeaturesColor spectrum sensor, LED flash, HDR, panoramaLED flash, auto-HDR, panorama
Single16 MP, f/2.4, 24mm (wide), 1/3.09", 1.0µm32 MP, f/2.2, 26mm (wide), 1/2.74", 0.8µm
Triple50 MP, f/1.8, 24mm (wide), 1/1.56", 1.0µm, multi-directional PDAF, OIS 8 MP, f/2.2, 120˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm 2 MP (macro)12 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/1.76", 1.8µm, dual pixel PDAF, OIS 8 MP, f/2.4, 76mm (telephoto), 1/4.5", 1.0µm, PDAF, OIS, 3x optical zoom 12 MP, f/2.2, 13mm, 123˚ (ultrawide), 1/3.0", 1.12µm
Video4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/240fps, gyro-EIS4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps, HDR10+, gyro-EIS
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDRHDR
Single16 MP, f/2.4, 24mm (wide), 1/3.09", 1.0µm32 MP, f/2.2, 26mm (wide), 1/2.74", 0.8µm
Video1080p@30fps4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60fps, gyro-EIS
Sound
3.5mm jack NoNo
35mm jackNoNo
Loudspeaker Yes, with stereo speakersYes, with stereo speakers
 24-bit/192kHz audio32-bit/384kHz audio
Comms
Bluetooth5.3, A2DP, LE, aptX HD5.0, A2DP, LE
Infrared portYes-
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (G1), BDS (B1I+B1c+B2a), GALILEO (E1+E5a), QZSS (L1+L5)GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO
RadioNoUnspecified
USBUSB Type-C 2.0USB Type-C, OTG
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-bandWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compassFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass
 -Bixby natural language commands and dictation Samsung Pay (Visa, MasterCard certified) Samsung DeX (desktop experience support)
Battery
Charging100W wired25W wired, PD3.0, 50% in 30 min 15W wireless Reverse wireless
TypeLi-Po 5000 mAhLi-Ion 4500 mAh
Misc
ColorsGalactic Silver, Sonic Black, Solar RedWhite, Graphite, Lavender, Olive
ModelsCPH2487SM-G990B, SM-G990B/DS, SM-G990U, SM-G990U1, SM-G990W, SM-G990E, SM-G9900, SM-G990B2, SM-G990U2, SM-G990W2, SM-G990U3
PriceAbout 600 EUR€ 199.00 / $ 143.95 / £ 154.99 / ₹ 29,990
SAR1.16 W/kg (head)     0.61 W/kg (body)0.77 W/kg (head)     0.90 W/kg (body)
SAR EU-0.95 W/kg (head)     1.48 W/kg (body)
Tests
Battery life- Endurance rating 92h
Camera- Photo / Video
Display- Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal)
Loudspeaker- -26.9 LUFS (Good)
Performance- AnTuTu: 566529 (v8), 719696 (v9) GeekBench: 3049 (v5.1) GFXBench: 56fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)

OnePlus 11R

  • Significantly faster charging (100W)
  • More powerful Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 chipset
  • Excellent value for money
  • Smooth display (likely AMOLED)

  • Image processing can be inconsistent
  • Software updates may be less frequent than Samsung

Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G

  • Refined Samsung software experience
  • Potentially more consistent camera performance
  • Wireless charging and reverse wireless charging
  • Established brand reputation

  • Slower charging (25W)
  • Older chipset (Snapdragon 888 or Exynos 2100)
  • Higher price compared to OnePlus 11R

Display Comparison

The OnePlus 11R likely features a vibrant AMOLED display, though specific brightness figures are needed for a precise comparison. The Galaxy S21 FE boasts a measured 792 nits max brightness, offering excellent outdoor visibility. Both offer smooth refresh rates, but Samsung's display calibration is often considered more accurate.

Camera Comparison

Both phones offer versatile camera systems. The Galaxy S21 FE benefits from Samsung's image processing, often delivering pleasing results. The OnePlus 11R's camera hardware is competitive, but its image processing can be more inconsistent. Low-light performance is a key area to watch.

Performance

The OnePlus 11R's Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 is a clear performance leader over the Galaxy S21 FE's Snapdragon 888 or Exynos 2100 (depending on the region). Expect noticeably faster app loading times, smoother multitasking, and better gaming performance on the 11R. The S21 FE is still capable, but the 11R has a distinct edge.

Battery Life

The Galaxy S21 FE claims an impressive endurance rating of 92h, suggesting excellent battery optimization. The OnePlus 11R, while having a potentially smaller battery, compensates with its blazing-fast 100W charging, allowing for a full charge in under 30 minutes. This is a significant advantage.

Buying Guide

The OnePlus 11R is ideal for gamers and power users who prioritize performance and fast charging. The Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G is a great choice for those deeply invested in the Samsung ecosystem and who value a polished software experience and a more established brand.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Is the OnePlus 11R good for gaming?
Yes, the OnePlus 11R's Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 chipset makes it an excellent choice for gaming, offering smooth frame rates and responsive performance.
❓ Does the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE have a good camera?
The Galaxy S21 FE has a capable camera system, particularly for everyday photography. Samsung's image processing generally produces pleasing results, although it may not be the absolute best in its class.