Oppo consistently delivers stylish and feature-packed smartphones at competitive prices. The F21 Pro 5G and A96 are two popular contenders, but which one reigns supreme? This comprehensive comparison will break down their strengths and weaknesses to help you make the right choice.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Oppo F21 Pro 5G takes the crown thanks to its 5G connectivity and more powerful Snapdragon 695 chipset. While the A96 offers slightly faster charging, the F21 Pro's future-proofed connectivity and improved performance make it the better overall value for most users.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 34, 38, 40, 41 |
| 5G bands | 1, 8, 28, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA | - |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | - | IP5X (dust), IPX4 (water) resistance |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2022, April 12 | 2022, March 16 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, April 21 | Available. Released 2022, March 16 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 159.9 x 73.2 x 7.5 mm (6.30 x 2.88 x 0.30 in) | 164.4 x 75.7 x 8.4 mm (6.47 x 2.98 x 0.33 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 173 g (6.10 oz) | 191 g (6.74 oz) |
| | IPX4, dust and water resistant
RGB ring lights around the cameras (notifications, charging progress) | - |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Schott Xensation glass | - |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~409 ppi density) | 1080 x 2412 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~401 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.43 inches, 99.8 cm2 (~85.3% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.59 inches, 104.5 cm2 (~84.0% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | AMOLED, 430 nits (typ), 600 nits (HBM) | IPS LCD, 90Hz, 480 nits (typ), 600 nits (HBM) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Kryo 660 Gold & 6x1.7 GHz Kryo 660 Silver) | Octa-core (4x2.4 GHz Kryo 265 Gold & 4x1.9 GHz Kryo 265 Silver) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM6375 Snapdragon 695 5G (6 nm) | Qualcomm SM6225 Snapdragon 680 4G (6 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 619 | Adreno 610 |
| OS | Android 12, upgradable to Android 14, ColorOS 14 | Android 11, ColorOS 11.1 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 8GB RAM | 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM |
| | UFS 2.2 | UFS 2.2 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | - | 50 MP, f/1.8, 27mm (wide), PDAF
Auxiliary lens |
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.4, 27mm (wide), 1.0µm | 16 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide) |
| Triple | 64 MP, f/1.7, 26mm (wide), PDAF
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR, panorama | - |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.4, 27mm (wide), 1.0µm | 16 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide) |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.1, A2DP, LE, aptX HD | 5.0, A2DP, LE, aptX HD |
| NFC | Yes | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO, QZSS | GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO, QZSS |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, proximity, gyro, compass | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 33W wired, PD, 31% in 15 min, 100% in 63 min
Reverse wired | 33W wired, PD, 50% in 26 min
Reverse wired |
| Type | Li-Po 4500 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Rainbow Spectrum, Cosmic Black, Dawnlight Gold, Starlight Black | Starry Black, Sunset Blue |
| Models | CPH2341, CPH2455 | CPH2333 |
| Price | About 330 EUR | About 560 EUR |
Oppo F21 Pro 5G
- 5G Connectivity
- Faster Processor (Snapdragon 695)
- Potentially Better Camera Performance
- Reverse Wired Charging
- Slightly Slower Charging Speed
- Potentially Higher Price
Oppo A96
- Faster Charging Speed
- More Budget-Friendly
- Stylish Design
- Reverse Wired Charging
- No 5G Connectivity
- Slower Processor (Snapdragon 680)
- Potentially Lower Camera Quality
Display Comparison
Both phones feature a 6.43-inch AMOLED display with a 60Hz refresh rate and a Full HD+ resolution. While the quality is similar, the F21 Pro 5G might offer slightly better color accuracy due to its more modern chipset's image processing capabilities. The A96's display is perfectly adequate, but the F21 Pro has a slight edge.
Camera Comparison
The F21 Pro 5G typically features a 64MP main camera, while the A96 also has a 64MP main camera. However, the F21 Pro 5G's newer chipset and potentially improved image processing algorithms often result in better image quality, especially in low-light conditions. Both offer decent selfie cameras, but the F21 Pro 5G's front camera often has more features.
Performance
The F21 Pro 5G's Snapdragon 695 5G chipset is significantly faster than the A96's Snapdragon 680 4G. This translates to smoother app loading, better multitasking, and improved gaming performance. The F21 Pro 5G handles demanding tasks with greater ease.
Battery Life
Both phones have a 4500mAh battery. The A96 charges slightly faster (50% in 26 minutes) compared to the F21 Pro 5G (31% in 15 minutes), but the F21 Pro 5G's more efficient chipset can offset this difference in real-world usage. Battery life is generally comparable between the two.
Buying Guide
The Oppo F21 Pro 5G is ideal for users who want 5G connectivity, smoother performance for gaming and multitasking, and a slightly more modern chipset. The Oppo A96 is a good option for those prioritizing faster charging speeds and a more budget-friendly price point, and who don't need 5G.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Oppo F21 Pro 5G worth the extra money?
If 5G connectivity and smoother performance are important to you, then yes, the F21 Pro 5G is worth the investment. The improved chipset makes a noticeable difference in everyday use.
❓ Which phone has better battery life?
Both phones offer comparable battery life. While the A96 charges faster, the F21 Pro 5G's more efficient chipset can compensate for the slower charging speed.
