Oppo Reno 12 Pro vs Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra
The Verdict
Oppo's Reno 12 Pro delivers exceptional value at $449, featuring a vibrant 1200-nit AMOLED display, capable 50MP main camera with OIS, and snappy MediaTek Dimensity 7300 performance paired with 12GB RAM. Its 5000mAh battery with 80W charging ensures all-day usage. Samsung's Galaxy S21 Ultra commands premium pricing at $1199 with superior specs: higher 1440p resolution on its Dynamic AMOLED display, powerhouse Snapdragon 888 processor, more versatile camera system including 10x periscope zoom and 8K video, plus wireless charging. However, the S21 Ultra uses older Android 11 software and slower 25W charging. For daily users prioritizing value and modern software (Android 14), the Reno 12 Pro excels. The S21 Ultra justifies its cost only for professional photography enthusiasts and those needing maximum zoom capabilities. Budget-conscious buyers should choose the Reno 12 Pro.
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 Ultra if…
- →100x Space Zoom with 10x optical telephoto
- →108 MP main sensor with excellent detail
- →S Pen support (first S-series to do so)
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 Ultra
Pros
- 100x Space Zoom with 10x optical telephoto
- 108 MP main sensor with excellent detail
- S Pen support (first S-series to do so)
- 1440p 120Hz LTPO adaptive display
- 5000 mAh battery with all-day endurance
Cons
- Heavy at 227 g
- Snapdragon 888 can overheat under load
- S Pen sold separately, no silo slot
- Slow 25W charging for the class
- No charger or earbuds in the box
Full Specifications
| Spec | Oppo Reno 12 Pro | Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra |
|---|---|---|
| Software | Android 14 (ColorOS 14) | Android 11, One UI 3.1 |
| Body | ||
| Weight | 180 g | 227 g |
| Material | Aluminum frame, Gorilla Glass 7i | Aluminum frame, Gorilla Glass Victus |
| IP rating | IP65 | IP68 |
| Dimensions | 161.3 x 74.8 x 7.4 mm | 165.1 x 75.6 x 8.9 mm |
| Camera | ||
| Main camera | 50 MP, f/1.8, OIS | 108 MP, f/1.8, OIS |
| Front camera | 50 MP, f/2.0 | 40 MP, f/2.2 |
| Video | 4K@30fps | 8K@24fps, 4K@60fps |
| Telephoto | 50 MP, f/2.0, 2x telephoto | 10 MP, f/2.4, 3x optical zoom |
| Ultrawide | 8 MP, f/2.2 | 12 MP, f/2.2 |
| Periscope | — | 10 MP, f/4.9, 10x optical zoom |
| Memory | ||
| RAM | 12 GB | 12 GB |
| Storage options | 256 GB, 512 GB | 128 GB, 256 GB, 512 GB |
| Battery | ||
| Capacity | 5000 mAh | 5000 mAh |
| Charging | 80W wired | 25W wired |
| Wireless charging | — | 15W wireless |
| Display | ||
| Size | 6.7 inches | 6.8 inches |
| Type | AMOLED | Dynamic AMOLED 2X, LTPO |
| Resolution | 2412 x 1080 | 3200 x 1440 |
| Refresh rate | 120Hz | 120Hz |
| Brightness (nits) | 1200 | 1500 |
| 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 | 5.2 |
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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