Oppo Reno6 Pro+ 5G vs Samsung Galaxy S21+: A Deep Dive Comparison

The Oppo Reno6 Pro+ 5G and Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G represent compelling options in the flagship Android space, though they arrived with different strategies. The Reno6 Pro+ aimed to deliver top-tier specs at a more aggressive price point, while the S21+ was Samsung’s mainstream premium offering. Now, with price drops on the S21+, the competition is tighter than ever. This comparison dissects the key differences to help you choose.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For most users, the Oppo Reno6 Pro+ 5G emerges as the stronger value. Its 65W charging dramatically outperforms the S21+'s 25W, and the Snapdragon 870 provides excellent performance with better thermal management than the Exynos 2100 variant. While the S21+ boasts a brighter display, the Reno6 Pro+ offers a more complete package.

PHONES
Phone Names Oppo Reno6 Pro+ 5G Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - SIM 1 & SIM 2GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 18, 19, 26, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 - China1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 14, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 30, 38, 39, 40, 41, 46, 48, 66, 71 - SM-G996U1
5G bands1, 3, 28, 41, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA - China2, 5, 25, 41, 66, 71, 260, 261 SA/NSA/Sub6/mmWave - SM-G996U1
SpeedHSPA, LTE-A (CA), 5GHSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (7CA) Cat20 2000/200 Mbps, 5G (5+ Gbps DL)
TechnologyGSM / CDMA / HSPA / CDMA2000 / LTE / 5GGSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G
 CDMA2000 1x 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 77, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6 - SM-G996B
Launch
Announced2021, May 272021, January 14
StatusAvailable. Released 2021, June 05Available. Released 2021, January 29
Body
BuildGlass front (Gorilla Glass 5), glass backGlass front (Gorilla Glass Victus), glass back (Gorilla Glass Victus), aluminum frame
Dimensions160.8 x 72.5 x 8 mm (6.33 x 2.85 x 0.31 in)161.5 x 75.6 x 7.8 mm (6.36 x 2.98 x 0.31 in)
SIMDual SIM (Nano-SIM, dual stand-by)· Nano-SIM + eSIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM + eSIM (max 2 at a time)
Weight188 g (6.63 oz)200 g (Sub6), 202 g (mmWave) (7.05 oz)
 -IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 min)
Display
ProtectionCorning Gorilla Glass 5Corning Gorilla Glass Victus
Resolution1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~402 ppi density)1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~394 ppi density)
Size6.55 inches, 103.6 cm2 (~88.8% screen-to-body ratio)6.7 inches, 107.8 cm2 (~88.3% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeAMOLED, 90Hz, HDR10+, 500 nits (typ), 800 nits (HDR), 1100 nits (peak)Dynamic AMOLED 2X, 120Hz, HDR10+, 1300 nits (peak)
 -Always-on display
Platform
CPUOcta-core (1x3.2 GHz Kryo 585 & 3x2.42 GHz Kryo 585 & 4x1.80 GHz Kryo 585)Octa-core (1x2.9 GHz Cortex-X1 & 3x2.80 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x2.2 GHz Cortex-A55) - InternationalOcta-core (1x2.84 GHz Cortex-X1 & 3x2.42 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A55) - USA/China
ChipsetQualcomm SM8250-AC Snapdragon 870 5G (7 nm)Exynos 2100 (5 nm) - InternationalQualcomm SM8350 Snapdragon 888 5G (5 nm) - USA/China
GPUAdreno 650Mali-G78 MP14 - InternationalAdreno 660 - USA/China
OSAndroid 11, upgradable to Android 12, ColorOS 12Android 11, up to 4 major Android upgrades, One UI 6.1
Memory
Card slotNoNo
Internal128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM
 UFS 3.1UFS 3.1
Main Camera
FeaturesDual LED flash, HDR, panoramaLED flash, auto-HDR, panorama
Quad50 MP, f/1.8, 24mm (wide), 1/1.56", 1.0µm, multi-directional PDAF, OIS 13 MP, f/2.4, 52mm (telephoto), 1/3.4", 1.0µm, PDAF, 2x optical zoom 16 MP, f/2.2, 123˚ (ultrawide), 1/3.09", 1.0µm 2 MP, f/2.4, (macro)-
Single32 MP, f/2.4, 26mm (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm-
Triple-12 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/1.76", 1.8µm, dual pixel PDAF, OIS 64 MP, f/2.0, 29mm (telephoto), 1/1.72", 0.8µm, PDAF, OIS, 1.1x optical zoom, 3x hybrid zoom 12 MP, f/2.2, 13mm, 120˚ (ultrawide), 1/2.55" 1.4µm, Super Steady video
Video4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps; gyro-EIS, HDR8K@24fps, 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps, HDR10+, stereo sound rec., gyro-EIS
Selfie camera
FeaturesPanoramaHDR
Single32 MP, f/2.4, 26mm (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm10 MP, f/2.2, 26mm (wide), 1/3.24", 1.22µm, dual pixel PDAF
Video1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30fps
Sound
3.5mm jack NoNo
35mm jack-No
Loudspeaker Yes, with stereo speakersYes, with stereo speakers
 -32-bit/384kHz audio Tuned by AKG
Comms
Bluetooth5.2, A2DP, LE, aptX HD5.0, A2DP, LE
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (G1), BDS (B1I+B2a), GALILEO (E1+E5a), QZSS (L1+L5)GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO
RadioNoFM radio (Snapdragon model only; market/operator dependent)
USBUSB Type-C 2.0, OTGUSB Type-C 3.2, OTG
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi DirectWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, color spectrumFingerprint (under display, ultrasonic), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer
 -Samsung DeX, Samsung Wireless DeX (desktop experience support) Bixby natural language commands and dictation Samsung Pay (Visa, MasterCard certified) Ultra Wideband (UWB) support
Battery
Charging65W wired25W wired, PD3.0 15W wireless (Qi) 4.5W reverse wireless
TypeLi-Po 4500 mAh, non-removableLi-Ion 4800 mAh
Misc
ColorsArctic Blue, Lunar GreyPhantom Black, Phantom Silver, Phantom Violet, Phantom Pink, Phantom Gold, Phantom Red
ModelsPENM00SM-G996B, SM-G996B/DS, SM-G996U, SM-G996U1, SM-G996W, SM-G996N, SM-G9960
PriceAbout 520 EUR$ 162.99 / £ 185.00 / € 199.00
SAR-0.65 W/kg (head)     0.95 W/kg (body)
SAR EU-0.54 W/kg (head)     1.33 W/kg (body)
Tests
Battery life- Endurance rating 114h
Camera- Photo / Video
Display- Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal)
Loudspeaker- -25.8 LUFS (Very good)
Performance- AnTuTu: 622276 (v8) GeekBench: 3476 (v5.1) GFXBench: 54fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)

Oppo Reno6 Pro+ 5G

  • Significantly faster 65W charging
  • More efficient Snapdragon 870 chipset
  • Potentially better value for money

  • Display likely not as bright as S21+
  • No wireless charging

Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G

  • Brighter display for outdoor visibility
  • Wireless and reverse wireless charging
  • Established brand reputation

  • Slower 25W wired charging
  • Exynos 2100 prone to thermal throttling

Display Comparison

The Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G features a display capable of reaching 883 nits of peak brightness, providing excellent visibility outdoors. While the Reno6 Pro+’s peak brightness isn’t specified, it’s likely lower. However, the S21+’s ‘Infinite’ contrast ratio is a marketing term; both phones utilize OLED panels with excellent contrast. The S21+’s 120Hz refresh rate is standard for flagships, but the Reno6 Pro+’s refresh rate is not specified, potentially impacting smoothness. The S21+’s display is a key advantage for users who frequently consume content in bright sunlight.

Camera Comparison

Both phones offer capable camera systems, but details are limited to 'Photo / Video' for both. The Reno6 Pro+’s advantage likely lies in its image processing algorithms, often tuned for vibrant and social-media-ready results. The S21+ benefits from Samsung’s established camera expertise and potentially more refined computational photography. Without detailed sensor size and aperture information, it’s difficult to definitively declare a winner, but the Reno6 Pro+’s focus on camera features suggests a strong contender. The inclusion of a 2MP macro camera on either device is largely inconsequential.

Performance

The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Oppo Reno6 Pro+ 5G utilizes the Qualcomm Snapdragon 870 5G (7nm), while the Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G ships with either the Exynos 2100 (5nm) or Snapdragon 888 5G (5nm) depending on the region. The Exynos 2100, despite being built on a smaller 5nm node, has been known to exhibit thermal throttling under sustained load, impacting long-term performance. The Snapdragon 870, while not as powerful on paper, offers a more efficient architecture, leading to better sustained performance. The S21+'s Cortex-X1 prime core offers a slight theoretical advantage in single-core tasks, but the Reno6 Pro+'s optimized thermal profile will likely translate to a more consistent user experience. Both phones feature ample RAM, but the Reno6 Pro+'s RAM speed is not specified.

Battery Life

The Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G boasts an endurance rating of 114 hours, indicating solid battery life. However, its 25W wired charging is significantly slower than the Oppo Reno6 Pro+ 5G’s 65W charging. The Reno6 Pro+ can achieve a full charge in under 30 minutes, while the S21+ takes considerably longer. The S21+ also supports 15W wireless charging and 4.5W reverse wireless charging, features absent on the Reno6 Pro+. While the S21+’s battery endurance is respectable, the Reno6 Pro+’s charging speed is a game-changer for users who prioritize convenience.

Buying Guide

Buy the Oppo Reno6 Pro+ 5G if you prioritize fast charging, sustained gaming performance, and value for money. It’s ideal for power users and mobile gamers who demand quick top-ups and consistent frame rates. Buy the Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G if you prefer a brighter display, a more established brand ecosystem, and wireless charging capabilities, and are willing to accept slower wired charging and potential thermal throttling under heavy load.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Does the Exynos 2100 in the Galaxy S21+ overheat during extended gaming sessions?
Yes, the Exynos 2100 variant of the Galaxy S21+ is known to experience thermal throttling under sustained load, particularly during demanding games. This can lead to reduced performance and frame rate drops. The Snapdragon 870 in the Reno6 Pro+ is generally more efficient and less prone to overheating.
❓ Is the 65W charging on the Oppo Reno6 Pro+ compatible with Power Delivery (PD) chargers?
While the Reno6 Pro+ utilizes 65W charging, it's based on Oppo's VOOC protocol, not the industry-standard Power Delivery (PD). You'll need to use the included charger or a compatible VOOC charger to achieve the full 65W charging speed. PD chargers will still work, but at a slower rate.
❓ How does the image processing differ between the Reno6 Pro+ and the S21+?
Oppo typically tunes its image processing for vibrant, social-media-friendly photos, often boosting colors and contrast. Samsung's processing tends to be more natural, aiming for accurate color reproduction. The preferred style is subjective, but the Reno6 Pro+ is likely to produce more immediately eye-catching images.
❓ Does the Galaxy S21+ support 90fps or 120fps video recording?
The Samsung Galaxy S21+ supports 8K video recording at 24fps, 4K video recording at up to 60fps, and 1080p video recording at up to 60fps. It does not natively support 90fps or 120fps video recording.