The Samsung Galaxy M21 has long been a staple in the budget smartphone space, offering a compelling feature set at an aggressive price point. However, the OnePlus Nord CE 5G enters the fray with a newer chipset and faster charging, aiming to disrupt the established order. This comparison dives deep into the specifications and real-world implications of each device to determine which offers the best value for your money.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the OnePlus Nord CE 5G is the superior choice. Its Snapdragon 750G chipset delivers noticeably better performance, and the 30W charging significantly reduces downtime. While the M21 offers a lower entry price, the Nord CE 5G’s 5G connectivity and faster operation justify the price difference.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 38, 40, 41 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 39, 40, 41, 66 - Europe |
| 5G bands | - | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA - Europe |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat18 1200/150 Mbps, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| | - | 78 SA/NSA - India |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2020, March 18. Released 2020, March 23 | 2021, June 10 |
| Status | Discontinued | Available. Released 2021, June 11 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3), plastic back, plastic frame | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 159 x 75.1 x 8.9 mm (6.26 x 2.96 x 0.35 in) | 159.2 x 73.5 x 7.9 mm (6.27 x 2.89 x 0.31 in) |
| SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 188 g (6.63 oz) | 170 g (6.00 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | - |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~403 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~410 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.4 inches, 100.5 cm2 (~84.2% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.43 inches, 99.3 cm2 (~84.9% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | Super AMOLED, 420 nits (peak) | Fluid AMOLED, 90Hz |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.3 GHz Cortex-A73 & 4x1.7 GHz Cortex-A53) | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Kryo 570 & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 570) |
| Chipset | Exynos 9611 (10 nm) | Qualcomm SM7225 Snapdragon 750G 5G (8 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G72 MP3 | Adreno 619 |
| OS | Android 10, upgradable to Android 11, One UI 3.1 Core | Android 11, upgradable to Android 13, OxygenOS 13 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | No |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM | 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM |
| | UFS 2.1 | UFS 2.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, panorama, HDR | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | - | 16 MP, f/2.5, (wide), 1/3.0", 1.0µm |
| Triple | 48 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.2, 12mm (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
Auxiliary lens | 64 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 0.7µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.3, 119˚ (ultrawide)
Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps, 720p@240fps, gyro-EIS | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps, gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | HDR |
| Single | 20 MP, f/2.2, 26mm (wide) | 16 MP, f/2.5, (wide), 1/3.0", 1.0µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30/60fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.1, A2DP, LE, aptX HD |
| NFC | Yes (market/region dependent) | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, NavIC |
| Radio | FM radio, RDS, recording | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0 | 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 (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 15W wired | 30W wired, 70% in 30 min |
| Type | Li-Po 6000 mAh | Li-Po 4500 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Midnight Blue, Raven Black | Blue Void, Charkoal Ink, Silver Ray |
| Models | SM-M215F, SM-M215F/DS, SM-M215F/DSN | EB2101, EB2103 |
| Price | About 190 EUR | About 250 EUR |
| SAR | 0.47 W/kg (head) | - |
| Pricing |
|---|
| 64GB 4GB RAM | £ 279.99 | - |
| RENEWED | £ 129.00 | - |
| Tests |
|---|
| Battery life | - |
Endurance rating 117h
|
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker | - |
-29.9 LUFS (Average)
|
| Performance | - |
AnTuTu: 318672 (v8) | 391770 (v9)
GeekBench: 1812 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 17fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
Samsung Galaxy M21
- Lower initial purchase price
- Potentially longer battery life (depending on battery capacity)
- Established Samsung brand reputation
- Slower processor and less efficient chipset
- Significantly slower charging speed
- Lacks 5G connectivity
OnePlus Nord CE 5G
- Faster and more efficient Snapdragon 750G chipset
- 30W fast charging for quick top-ups
- 5G connectivity for future-proofing
- Higher initial purchase price
- May not have significantly longer battery life than the M21
- OnePlus's software update policy can be inconsistent
Display Comparison
The OnePlus Nord CE 5G boasts a brighter display, reaching a measured 607 nits, compared to an unspecified brightness for the Galaxy M21. This higher peak brightness translates to better visibility outdoors under direct sunlight. Both displays feature an 'infinite' contrast ratio, a common marketing term for OLED/AMOLED panels, but without further details on color accuracy or panel type (likely IPS LCD for the M21), the Nord CE 5G likely offers a more vibrant and visually appealing experience. The lack of high refresh rate on either device is a notable omission in this price bracket.
Camera Comparison
Both devices offer photo and video capabilities, but detailed camera specs are limited. Without knowing sensor sizes or aperture values, it’s difficult to make a definitive judgment. However, the Snapdragon 750G’s image signal processor (ISP) is generally more advanced than the Exynos 9611’s, potentially leading to better image processing, especially in low-light conditions. The presence of a dedicated ISP in the Snapdragon 750G allows for faster image capture and more sophisticated computational photography features. We can assume the M21 likely includes a 2MP macro lens, a common but often underwhelming addition to budget phones.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Samsung Galaxy M21 utilizes the Exynos 9611, built on a 10nm process, while the OnePlus Nord CE 5G features the Qualcomm Snapdragon 750G 5G, fabricated on a more efficient 8nm node. This process difference, coupled with the Snapdragon’s newer architecture (Kryo 570 cores vs Cortex-A73/A53), results in superior performance and thermal efficiency. The Snapdragon 750G’s octa-core configuration (2x2.2 GHz Kryo 570 & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 570) is optimized for sustained performance, while the Exynos 9611 (4x2.3 GHz Cortex-A73 & 4x1.7 GHz Cortex-A53) may exhibit more throttling under heavy load. Both phones have 4GB of RAM in the base configuration, but the Snapdragon’s superior processing power will make a more noticeable difference in multitasking and app loading times.
Battery Life
Both the Samsung Galaxy M21 and OnePlus Nord CE 5G achieve an endurance rating of 117 hours, suggesting comparable overall battery life. However, the charging speeds are drastically different. The M21 is limited to 15W wired charging, while the Nord CE 5G supports 30W wired charging, capable of reaching 70% charge in just 30 minutes. This faster charging is a significant advantage for users who prioritize convenience and minimal downtime. While the M21 might offer slightly longer screen-on time due to its potentially larger battery (spec not provided), the Nord CE 5G’s rapid charging mitigates any potential battery life disadvantage.
Buying Guide
Buy the Samsung Galaxy M21 if your absolute priority is minimizing upfront cost and you primarily use your phone for basic tasks like calls, messaging, and light social media. Buy the OnePlus Nord CE 5G if you value faster performance, 5G connectivity for future-proofing, and significantly quicker charging times, even if it means spending a bit more.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Exynos 9611 in the Galaxy M21 overheat during prolonged gaming sessions?
The Exynos 9611 is known to throttle under sustained load, meaning performance will decrease over time during gaming to manage heat. While it won't necessarily 'overheat' to a dangerous level, expect frame rate drops in demanding titles after 20-30 minutes of gameplay.
❓ Is the 30W charging on the OnePlus Nord CE 5G compatible with Power Delivery (PD) chargers?
The OnePlus Nord CE 5G utilizes Warp Charge 30T, which is based on the USB Power Delivery standard but isn't fully compliant. While it *may* work with some PD chargers, it's best to use the included charger for optimal charging speeds and safety.
❓ How does the 5G connectivity on the Nord CE 5G impact real-world battery life?
Actively using 5G will consume more battery than 4G LTE. However, the Snapdragon 750G is relatively efficient, and the faster data speeds can reduce the time spent searching for a signal, potentially offsetting some of the battery drain. The impact will vary depending on network conditions and usage patterns.
❓ Is the camera on the Galaxy M21 sufficient for casual social media photography?
The Galaxy M21's camera is adequate for basic social media sharing in good lighting conditions. However, the image processing isn't as refined as the Nord CE 5G, and low-light performance will likely be noticeably worse. Don't expect professional-quality results.
