Oppo Reno 12 Pro vs Samsung Galaxy S21
The Verdict
Oppo Reno 12 Pro delivers exceptional value at $449, featuring a larger 6.7" AMOLED display with superior 1200-nit brightness, faster 80W charging, and a versatile camera setup with 50MP main sensor and 2x telephoto. Samsung Galaxy S21, despite premium pricing at $799, offers a more compact 6.2" screen, superior Snapdragon 888 processor for sustained performance, and 8K video recording capability. Camera strengths differ notably: Reno 12 Pro excels in megapixel count and raw specs, while S21's 12MP system leverages computational photography for real-world results. Battery capacity heavily favors the Reno (5000 vs 4000 mAh), though S21 includes wireless charging absent on Oppo. For budget-conscious consumers seeking modern specs and larger display real estate, Reno 12 Pro represents superior value. S21 remains competitive for those prioritizing flagship processing power and proven Samsung reliability, but at a significant premium. Reno 12 Pro is the stronger choice for most buyers.
Who Should Buy
Buy the Oppo Reno 12 Pro if…
- →Exceptionally thin at 7.4 mm and light at 180 g
- →50MP telephoto adds genuine zoom versatility at this price
- →80W fast charging is among the fastest in the mid-range
Buy the Samsung Galaxy S21 if…
- →$200 price cut from S20 launched at $799
- →Lightweight and compact at 169 g
- →120Hz AMOLED with adaptive refresh
Category Scores
Pros & Cons
Oppo Reno 12 Pro
Pros
- Exceptionally thin at 7.4 mm and light at 180 g
- 50MP telephoto adds genuine zoom versatility at this price
- 80W fast charging is among the fastest in the mid-range
- 50MP front camera is excellent for selfies and video calls
- AI-powered photo editing features included
Cons
- Dimensity 7300 is modest for the price
- 8MP ultrawide is noticeably weak
- IP65 — resistant to water jets but not submersion
- ColorOS has pre-installed bloatware
Samsung Galaxy S21
Pros
- $200 price cut from S20 launched at $799
- Lightweight and compact at 169 g
- 120Hz AMOLED with adaptive refresh
- Snapdragon 888 performance
- Eye-catching Contour Cut camera design
Cons
- Plastic (Glasstic) back panel
- FHD+ only, no QHD option
- No microSD card slot
- Slow 25W charging
- No charger included in the box
Full Specifications
| Spec | Oppo Reno 12 Pro | Samsung Galaxy S21 |
|---|---|---|
| Software | Android 14 (ColorOS 14) | Android 11, One UI 3.1 |
| Body | ||
| Weight | 180 g | 169 g |
| Material | Aluminum frame, Gorilla Glass 7i | Aluminum frame, Glasstic back |
| IP rating | IP65 | IP68 |
| Dimensions | 161.3 x 74.8 x 7.4 mm | 151.7 x 71.2 x 7.9 mm |
| Camera | ||
| Main camera | 50 MP, f/1.8, OIS | 12 MP, f/1.8, OIS |
| Front camera | 50 MP, f/2.0 | 10 MP, f/2.2 |
| Video | 4K@30fps | 8K@24fps, 4K@60fps |
| Telephoto | 50 MP, f/2.0, 2x telephoto | 64 MP, f/2.0, 3x hybrid zoom |
| Ultrawide | 8 MP, f/2.2 | 12 MP, f/2.2 |
| Memory | ||
| RAM | 12 GB | 8 GB |
| Storage options | 256 GB, 512 GB | 128 GB, 256 GB |
| Battery | ||
| Capacity | 5000 mAh | 4000 mAh |
| Charging | 80W wired | 25W wired |
| Wireless charging | — | 15W wireless |
| Display | ||
| Size | 6.7 inches | 6.2 inches |
| Type | AMOLED | Dynamic AMOLED 2X |
| Resolution | 2412 x 1080 | 2400 x 1080 |
| Refresh rate | 120Hz | 120Hz |
| Brightness (nits) | 1200 | 1300 |
| Processor | ||
| CPU | Octa-core | Octa-core (1x2.84 GHz + 3x2.42 GHz + 4x1.8 GHz) |
| GPU | Mali-G615 | Adreno 660 |
| Chipset | MediaTek Dimensity 7300 Energy | Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 |
| Connectivity | ||
| 5G | ||
| NFC | ||
| USB | USB-C 2.0 | USB-C 3.2 |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6 | Wi-Fi 6 |
| Bluetooth | 5.3 | 5.0 |
Related Comparisons
This comparison is based on verified manufacturer specifications covering display, performance, camera, battery, and build quality. Scores are generated by analyzing specs across weighted categories on a 10-point scale. Learn more about our methodology.
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