OnePlus 9 vs. Samsung S21 vs. iPhone 13 Overview

OnePlus 9 

The The OnePlus 9 is a very good phone that holds its own against other (often more expensive) flagships. It has all the things that truly matter: a great screen, excellent performance, good battery life, and a capable camera. But for better or worse, it still doesn’t feel quite like a device that’s well-suited for the mainstream. It misses a couple of features present on the competition like a stabilized main camera and broad 5G support.

The OnePlus 9 packs the new Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 chipset, and while the 8GB / 128GB or 12GB / 256GB RAM and storage options are the same as for its predecessor, they're on a par with other flagship phones in its price range (most notably, the Samsung S21). 

What the OnePlus 9 does better is recharge its 4,500mAh battery extremely quickly – from empty to 100% in around half an hour with its Warp Charge 65T charger.

Ultimately, the OnePlus 9 provides great performance and battery life for its price, while shoring up its camera offering, and it all makes for a serious-value package. Sure, the phone inherits a lot from the OnePlus 8T, but with its greatest weakness addressed, the newest affordable flagship makes a strong case to be the best phone at its price tier.

OnePlus 9 Key Specs

Operating System	Android 11
CPU	Qualcomm Snapdragon 888
Dimensions	6.3 by 2.9 by .34 inches
Screen Size	6.55 inches
Screen Resolution	2,400 by 1,080
Camera Resolution (Rear; Front-Facing)	48MP, 50MP, 2MP; 16MP
Battery Life (As Tested)	11 hours 36 minutes

Reviews:

Where to buy OnePlus 9?

• OnePlus: $599 (up to 3% cashback)

• Best Buy:$599.99 (up to 0.5% cashback)

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Should you buy the OnePlus 9?

Buy it if…

• You want top specs at the most affordable price

The OnePlus 9 packs the best Android specs you can get in its price range right now, and it's a great-value phone.

• You want a great photography experience for the price

If you’re hunting for the best Android camera phone at this price, and one that doesn’t skimp on specs (sorry, Google Pixel 5), the OnePlus 9 is worth considering.

• You want a phone that charges in super-quick time 

The OnePlus 9’s battery fully charges in under 30 minutes over a cable, and in 45 minutes using wireless charging. If you hate waiting for hours to charge your phone, you'll love the OnePlus 9.

Don’t buy it if…

• You want high-quality zoom photography

The OnePlus 9 takes great photos with its main and ultra-wide cameras, but its zoom photography is limited to digital. If you want a phone with good telephoto capabilities for a similar price (in the US at least), pick up the Samsung Galaxy S21.

• You want more storage

The OnePlus 9’s specs are great, but without expandable storage, its 128GB or 256GB internal memory is the limit. If you want more, pick up a phone with a microSD slot.

• You want even more battery

Yes, there are phones with even bigger batteries than the OnePlus 9’s 4,500mAh capacity. If you want longer battery life, and can afford the extra outlay, pick up the Samsung S21 Ultra with its 5,000mAh battery, or Asus ROG 5 with its 6,000mAh capacity.

Samsung Galaxy S21

The Galaxy S21 isn’t the star of Samsung’s S series in 2021, like we’ve been used to for most of the past decade, but it’s a solid smartphone choice with an impressive camera, powerful internals and great battery life.

Even the specs comparison on Samsung’s own website has a hard time convincing you to pay more than is necessary, since the Galaxy S21 really isn’t a lot different to the other two phones in the range. The back is made of plastic instead of metal – although this isn’t immediately noticeable in the flesh – it lacks the 108MP camera of the S21 Ultra and it also doesn’t support Samsung’s S Pen stylus, which is a separate purchase anyway.

Looking at the specs list, the Galaxy S21 has everything you could possibly need from a flagship phone in 2021: it has a mostly bezel-free 6.2in 120Hz display, a triple rear camera array and runs Android 11 from the get-go. It’s also the first phone to use Samsung’s Exynos 2100 processor, which promises faster speeds and improved efficiency over the previous flagship chip.

Galaxy S21 Key Specs

Reviews:

Where to buy Samsung Galaxy S21 ?

• Samsung:From $699.99  (up to 4% cashback)

• Verizon: From $799.99  (up to 10% cashback)

Should you buy the Samsung Galaxy S21?

Buy it if…

• You want a smaller Samsung phone

The Samsung Galaxy S21 isn’t the smallest premium phone on the market – that honor likely goes to the iPhone 12 mini – but it’s a good choice for anyone who doesn’t want a fantastically large smartphone in their pocket. 

• You need one of the most powerful Android phones

The Galaxy S21 offers some phenomenally good performance, and if you need a smartphone that can handle multiple tasks at once in split-screen view or when gaming this will likely be it.

• If you’ve got a much older phone

If you have the Galaxy S20 then the S21 isn’t an essential upgrade, as it doesn’t represent a clear improvement in terms of specs and features, but if you have the S10 or below you’re more likely to find the S21 a worthwhile upgrade. 

Don’t buy it if…

• You own a Samsung Galaxy S20

As we say above, if you already own the Galaxy S20, there’s little reason to upgrade to this handset, as it doesn’t represent a clear improvement in terms of specs and features. 

• You need lots of storage

The Samsung Galaxy S21 is hamstrung by its relatively meagre built-in storage and lack of microSD support for expanding on that.

• You want the best of the best

The Samsung Galaxy S21 isn’t the star of the Galaxy S21 family – if you’re after the very best from the company in 2021 you’ll want to look at the Galaxy S21 Ultra – if your budget can stretch to its considerable price tag.

Apple iPhone 13 

The iPhone 13 isn’t a game changer for Apple’s series of smartphones, but it’s an important iteration that offers better battery life, a better processor and an upgraded camera setup than iPhones that have gone before it. If you’re looking for a fast and capable smartphone, and don’t need the extra features of the pricier Pro model, this is a top choice.

iPhone 13 is the most advanced dual-camera system ever on iPhone. Lightning-fast A15 Bionic chip. A big leap in battery life. Durable design. Superfast 5G. And a brighter Super Retina XDR display.
The all-new iPhone 13 Series unleashes the power of T-Mobile’s 5G network, tapping into Extended Range 5G for broad coverage and Ultra Capacity 5G for super-fast speeds in more places. Thanks to the new Ultra Capacity 5G icon, shown for the first time on the iPhone 13, you'll be able to see when you're located in an area with 5GUC coverage. All data plans include access to 5G with T-Mobile. Explore iPhone 13 specifications, reviews, and shop the available colors and storage sizes today.

iPhone 13 Key Specs

Reviews:

Where to buy iPhone 13 ?

• Apple: From $799 (No Cashback)

• AT&T Mobility:From $799.99  (up to 6% cashback)

Should you buy the iPhone 13?

Buy it if…

• You own an older iPhone

If you own an iPhone 12, the iPhone 13 likely isn’t for you, as there’s not enough that’s new here to merit the upgrade – but if you own an older iPhone, such as an iPhone 8 or iPhone XR, there’s plenty to be excited about.

• You need good battery life

The battery life on the iPhone 13 is a big step up over what we’ve seen from previous iPhone models. If you need a smartphone that’s capable of lasting a full day on a full charge, opt for this iPhone over older and cheaper models.

• You wants lots of power

The iPhone 13 is a powerful smartphone, and it’s one of the most capable handsets we’ve ever used. If you need lots of power you’ll get that here, without having to step up to the iPhone 13 Pro.

Don’t buy it if…

• You own an iPhone 12

If you already own an iPhone 12, it’s unlikely that you’ll need the upgrades that come with the latest model. If you’re desperate for the latest handset then by all means go for it, but the changes here are few and far between. 

• You want a small-screen phone

The iPhone 13 mini has a very similar set of specs to the iPhone 13, and it’s likely to be the better choice if you have smaller hands, or just prefer a smaller device.

• You want an affordable phone

The iPhone 13 may be one of the most affordable members of this year’s range, but it isn't that cheap in the grand scheme of things. There are many more affordable Android phones out there – or you could look at the iPhone SE if you want to stay in Apple’s stable.

OnePlus 9 vs Samsung S21 vs iPhone 13: Comparison Side by Side

1.Release Date and Price

OnePlus 9 

• The OnePlus 9 release date was March 23,2021

• The OnePlus 9  price starts at $729 / £629 / AU$940 for 8GB of RAM / 128GB; $829 / £729 / AU$1,070 for 12GB of RAM / 256GB

Samsung S21

• Samsung S21 release date was January 27, 2021

• Samsung S21 price starts at $799 / £769 / AU$1,249

• Want higher specs? You'll pay $849 / £819 / AU$1,349

iPhone 13 

•  The iPhone 13 release date was September 14, 2021

•  The iPhone 13 price starts at $799/£779 /AU$1,349 with 128GB of storage,  $899/£879/ AU$1,519) for 256GB or  $1,099/£1,079/AU$1,869) for 512GB.

General Comparison 

2.Design

OnePlus 9 

• Gorilla Glass 5 (front and back), fiberglass-reinforced polymer (frame)

• Stereo speakers

• T-Mobile exclusive IP68 rating

Samsung S21

• New Contour Cut camera design stands out

• 'Glasstic' rear with a matte finish

• Feels premium, but not as high-end as S21 Ultra

iPhone 13

• Beautiful design

• Great colour options (including new green)

• Top-notch water resistance

3.Display

OnePlus 9 

• 6.55-inch AMOLED display with punch-hole

• 2, ,400 x 1,080 resolution

• 402 PPI

• 20:9 aspect ratio, 120Hz refresh rate

Samsung S21

• Samsung has dropped the resolution to Full HD+ for this phone

• 120Hz refresh rate is great, as is brightness

• Tough to notice switch from QHD, but some will be disappointed

iPhone 13

• Superb colours and contrast

• 60Hz lags behind the competition

• Smaller notch doesn't really add anything

4.Camera

OnePlus 9 

• Sensor: Sony IMX689
  

• Sensor Size: 1/1.43"

• Megapixels: 48

• Pixel Size: 1.12µm

• Lens Quantity: 7P

Samsung S21

• Same camera tech as seen on the Galaxy S20

• Improved software with new modes for Single Take and more

• 10MP front camera doesn't stun us, but still works well

iPhone 13

• Superb selfies

• No telephoto camera

• Cinematic Mode is hit-and-miss at capture

• Outstanding dynamic range but Smart HDR can trip up

5.Specs and Performance

OnePlus 9 

• Qualcomm Snapdragon 888
  

• Adreno 680

• 8GB/12GB LPDDR5 RAM

• 128GB/256GB storage

Samsung S21

• Uses Snapdragon 888 in the US, Exynos 2100 elsewhere

• Exynos is a big step up for Samsung's chipsets

• No microSD, only options are 128GB or 256GB

iPhone 13

• Outperforms even the most powerful Android flagships

• A15 Bionic should deliver great performance long-term

• Great for gaming and other demanding apps

6.Battery life

OnePlus 9 

• 4,500 mAh (2S1P 2,250 mAh, non-removable)

• Warp Charge 65T (10V/6.5A)

• 15W Wireless Charging  in the box

Samsung S21

• A 4,000mAh battery inside that lasts the whole day

• 120Hz has a detrimental effect on battery life

• Doesn't come with a charger in the box

iPhone 13

•  3,240mAh battery inside that lasts the whole day
  

• 60Hz has a detrimental effect on battery life

• No charger in box

OnePlus 9 vs Samsung S21 vs iPhone 13:Verdict

While the iPhone 13 certainly is the better camera phone option, the improvements in the OnePlus 9 keep that phone's cameras in the conversation.Instead, the iPhone 13 exerts its dominance in other areas - namely design and performance. The fact that 5G support is more substantive on the iPhone doesn't hurt either.

The OnePlus' strong battery life and faster charging are certainly valuable features, and you'll get a fast-refreshing display with the OnePlus 9 — something you have to pay up for with Apple's phones. Overall, though, the iPhone 13 is a more complete device.

The Galaxy S21 still noses ahead of the OnePlus 9, because the Galaxy S21 has a zoom camera with a 3x lens rather than OnePlus's 2x digital trickery. That's a real advantage. If you prefer OnePlus's fast-and-smooth software experience to Samsung's reputation for manufacturer and carrier bloatware, though, the OnePlus 9 is a very fine phone for the price.

OnePlus 9 vs Samsung S21 vs  iPhone 13: Which should you buy?

Reasons to consider the OnePlus 9:

• The rear camera has a 3.3x optical zoom

• Higher display refresh rate – 120 Hz

• Has a 0.6 inch larger screen size

• Comes with 1273 mAh larger battery capacity: 4500 vs 3227 mAh

• Newer Bluetooth version (v5.2)

• Fingerprint scanner

• Uses a faster type of memory: LPDDR5 2750 MHz

• Delivers 9% higher maximum brightness (874 against 802 nits)

• 14% higher pixel density (525 vs 460 PPI)

Reasons to consider the Samsung Galaxy S21:

• Office at your fingertips

•  Phone and PC beautifully in sync

•  Productivity gets the big-screen treatment

• Innovation comes fast

• All-day battery — and then some

• Director’s View

• ltra-wideband file sharing

• Note-taking gets a major upgrade

• Defense-grade Knox security

Reasons to consider the Apple iPhone 13:

• Apple releases software updates and supports their phones a few years longer than OnePlus

• 53% faster in single-core GeekBench 5 test: 1740 and 1134 points

• The phone is 6-months newer

• The front-facing camera can record video at 4K
  

• Ready for eSIM technology

These phones are plenty different from each other, and they each share their own strengths and weaknesses. 

The OnePlus 9 turns in a faster performance, lasts longer on a charge, and recharges in the blink of an eye. While the OnePlus handset also features a fast-refreshing display, the Galaxy S21 outdoes it with a dynamically adjusting refresh rate. Then again, the OnePlus 9 also offers all those features at a lower price than Samsung charges for its phone.

The Galaxy S21 offers a much nicer screen and fancier specs, while the iPhone has better performance and a more reliable camera system.

At the end of the day, it’s hard to pinpoint which one is truly better than the other. We’re inclined to say the iPhone 13 takes the cake, thanks to its performance and cameras, but those who might value faster charging and a nicer screen will enjoy the Galaxy S21.

It comes down to your own personal preferences if you’re debating whether to buy the OnePlus 9 ，iPhone or the S21. Three are terrific devices, and you’ll be pleased with either of them. Just keep in mind what you value in a smartphone when making your decision.

Read More:

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