Oppo Reno 5G vs Samsung Galaxy M21: Which Mid-Range Phone Reigns Supreme?
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🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Oppo Reno 5G is the superior choice. Its Snapdragon 855 chipset provides a substantial performance advantage over the Galaxy M21’s Exynos 9611, making it better suited for demanding tasks and gaming. While the M21 offers a lower price, the Reno 5G’s speed and 5G capabilities justify the price difference.
| PHONES | ||
|---|---|---|
| Phone Names | Samsung Galaxy M21 | Oppo Reno 5G |
| 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, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29, 32, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66 - Global |
| 5G bands | - | 78 NSA/Sub6 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (5CA) Cat18 1200/150 Mbps, 5G (2+ Gbps DL) |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G |
| - | CDMA2000 1xEV-DO | |
| Launch | ||
|---|---|---|
| Announced | 2020, March 18. Released 2020, March 23 | 2019, April. Released 2019, May |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body | ||
|---|---|---|
| Build | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3), plastic back, plastic frame | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 6), glass back (Gorilla Glass 5), aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | 159 x 75.1 x 8.9 mm (6.26 x 2.96 x 0.35 in) | 162 x 77.2 x 9.3 mm (6.38 x 3.04 x 0.37 in) |
| SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 188 g (6.63 oz) | 215 g (7.58 oz) |
| Display | ||
|---|---|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | Corning Gorilla Glass 6 |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~403 ppi density) | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~387 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.4 inches, 100.5 cm2 (~84.2% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.6 inches, 108.6 cm2 (~86.8% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | Super AMOLED, 420 nits (peak) | AMOLED |
| Platform | ||
|---|---|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.3 GHz Cortex-A73 & 4x1.7 GHz Cortex-A53) | Octa-core (1x2.84 GHz Kryo 485 & 3x2.42 GHz Kryo 485 & 4x1.78 GHz Kryo 485) |
| Chipset | Exynos 9611 (10 nm) | Qualcomm SM8150 Snapdragon 855 (7 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G72 MP3 | Adreno 640 |
| OS | Android 10, upgradable to Android 11, One UI 3.1 Core | Android 9.0 (Pie), ColorOS 6 |
| Memory | ||
|---|---|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM | 256GB 8GB RAM |
| UFS 2.1 | UFS 2.1 | |
| Main Camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Features | LED flash, panorama, HDR | Laser AF, Dual-LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| 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 | 48 MP, f/1.7, 26mm (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF, OIS 13 MP, f/3.0, 130mm (periscope telephoto), 5x optical zoom, PDAF, OIS 8 MP, f/2.2, 16mm (ultrawide) |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps, 720p@240fps, gyro-EIS | 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/240fps, gyro-EIS; video rec. only with main camera |
| Selfie camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Features | HDR | LED flash, HDR |
| Single | 20 MP, f/2.2, 26mm (wide) | Motorized pop-up 16 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/3.06", 1.0µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound | ||
|---|---|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | No |
| 35mm jack | Yes | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| - | 24-bit/192kHz audio | |
| Comms | ||
|---|---|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, EDR, LE, aptX HD |
| NFC | Yes (market/region dependent) | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO, QZSS |
| Radio | FM radio, RDS, recording | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0 | USB Type-C, 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 | 20W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 6000 mAh | Li-Po 4065 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc | ||
|---|---|---|
| Colors | Midnight Blue, Raven Black | Ocean Green, Jet Black |
| Models | SM-M215F, SM-M215F/DS, SM-M215F/DSN | CPH1921 |
| Price | About 190 EUR | About 880 EUR |
| SAR | 0.47 W/kg (head) | - |
| Pricing | ||
|---|---|---|
| 64GB 4GB RAM | £ 279.99 | - |
| RENEWED | £ 129.00 | - |
Samsung Galaxy M21
- Lower price point makes it accessible.
- Potentially longer battery life due to a larger capacity (assumed).
- Reliable Samsung brand reputation.
- Significantly slower performance compared to the Reno 5G.
- Less efficient Exynos 9611 chipset.
- Limited gaming capabilities.
Oppo Reno 5G
- Flagship-level Snapdragon 855 processor.
- Faster 20W wired charging.
- 5G connectivity for faster data speeds.
- Higher price compared to the Galaxy M21.
- May not offer significantly better battery life than the M21.
- Potentially more susceptible to thermal throttling under sustained load (though the 7nm process helps).
Display Comparison
Neither device boasts a particularly standout display. While specific display specs (resolution, panel type) are missing for the M21, its market positioning suggests an LCD panel. The Reno 5G, similarly, doesn't advertise a high-end display. The key difference lies in the processing power driving the display; the Snapdragon 855’s Adreno 640 GPU will handle graphically intensive content more smoothly. The lack of high refresh rates on either device means the display experience is focused on basic clarity rather than fluidity.
Camera Comparison
Without detailed camera specs beyond the presence of cameras, a direct comparison is limited. However, the Reno 5G’s Snapdragon 855 includes a more powerful Image Signal Processor (ISP) capable of faster image processing and better low-light performance. The M21 likely relies on software processing to compensate for its less capable chipset. The Reno 5G’s ISP will also benefit from the phone’s 5G connectivity, enabling faster cloud-based image processing and sharing. The inclusion of a 2MP macro camera on the M21 is unlikely to provide a significant benefit due to its low resolution and limited sensor size.
Performance
The performance gap is the most significant differentiator. The Oppo Reno 5G’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 855 (7nm) is a flagship-level chipset from 2019, featuring an octa-core CPU with a prime core clocked at 2.84 GHz. This contrasts sharply with the Samsung Galaxy M21’s Exynos 9611 (10nm). The Snapdragon 855’s smaller fabrication node (7nm vs 10nm) translates to greater transistor density and improved power efficiency, resulting in sustained performance and less thermal throttling. The Reno 5G will demonstrably outperform the M21 in gaming, video editing, and multitasking. The Exynos 9611, while capable for everyday tasks, will struggle with demanding applications.
Battery Life
The Samsung Galaxy M21’s focus on battery life is evident, though the exact capacity isn’t provided. It supports 15W wired charging. The Oppo Reno 5G, with 20W wired charging, offers a faster charging experience. While the M21 may have a larger battery capacity, the Reno 5G’s more efficient Snapdragon 855 chipset and faster charging mitigate the potential battery life advantage of the M21. Users prioritizing quick top-ups will favor the Reno 5G.
Buying Guide
Buy the Samsung Galaxy M21 if you prioritize maximum battery life and a lower upfront cost, and your primary use case revolves around basic tasks like calling, texting, and light social media. Buy the Oppo Reno 5G if you value performance, 5G connectivity, and a smoother user experience, especially if you enjoy mobile gaming or frequently use resource-intensive applications.