Samsung Galaxy S21 FE vs OnePlus 10R: The Samsung Galaxy S21 FE is one of the few phones that has flagship specifications at a budget price. The same can be said of the OnePlus 10R. But, given the choice, between the Galaxy S21 FE and the OnePlus 10R, which should you buy and why?

In this post, I’ll compare the specs of the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE vs OnePlus 10R side-by-side to help you know which is better. At the end of this post, you should know which of these smartphones to buy and why.

See Also: Samsung Galaxy A73 5G vs Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G: which should you buy?

Note: The OnePlus 10R is known as OnePlus Ace in some markets/regions. But, in this article, I’ll be calling it the OnePlus 10R but this comparison also works for the OnePlus Ace vs Samsung Galaxy S21 FE.

Samsung Galaxy S21 FE vs OnePlus 10R Specs

Specs	Galaxy S21 FE	OnePlus 10R
Display	6.4-inch, 120Hz	6.7-inch, 120Hz
RAM	6/8GB	8/12GB
Storage	128/256GB	128/256GB
Back Camera	12 + 8 + 12MP	50 + 8 + 2MP
Front Camera	32MP	16MP
Chipset	Snapdragon 888 5G	Dimensity 8100 Max
Software	Android 12	Android 12
Battery	4,500mAh (25W)	5,000mAh (80W)
IP Rating	IP68	N/A

Display, Build, and Design

The display of both smartphones is similar in some ways. Both the Galaxy S21 FE and OnePlus 10R feature an AMOLED panel, a 120Hz refresh rate, support for HDR10+, and have the same 1080 x 2400 pixels display resolution. But the OnePlus 10R has a bigger 6.7-inches display while the display size of the Galaxy S21 FE is 6.4-inches.

The front design of both phones is the same. Both smartphones have a punch-hole display and has flat screens. However, when it comes to its build quality and durability, the Galaxy S21 FE is far better than the OnePlus 10R.

For example, the Galaxy S21 FE comes protected by the Gorilla Glass Victus while the OnePlus 10R is protected by Gorilla Glass 5 (Glass Victus is stronger than Glass 5). Another difference is that the Galaxy S21 FE is rated IP68 water and dustproof but the OnePlus 10R has no certified water and dustproof rating. So basically, the Galaxy S21 FE is the more durable device here.

See Also: OnePlus 10R vs Samsung Galaxy A73: Which is better

Camera

The OnePlus 10R features a triple rear camera set-up and a single front camera. It has a 50MP main camera with PDAF and OIS features. The main camera is supported by an 8MP ultra-wide lens and a 2MP macro lens. On the front, the phone features a 16MP camera sensor. The rear camera can shoot steady videos in 4k resolution.

The Samsung Galaxy S21 FE also comes with a triple rear camera setup but with different camera sensors. It features a 12MP main camera with Dual Pixel PDAF and OIS features. The main camera is supported by an 8MP telephoto lens with OIS and 3x optical zoom features, and a 12MP ultra-wide lens. On the front, the Galaxy S21 FE has a 32MP selfie camera. Both the back and front cameras of the phone can shoot steady videos in 4k resolution.

The most useful camera inside the OnePlus 10R is the 50MP main camera. But the Galaxy S21 FE has more than one useful camera. The 12MP main camera, the 8MP telephoto, and the 32MP front camera are all useful. With the Galaxy S21 FE, you switch between cameras depending on what you need and get better photographs and videos.

See Also: Samsung Galaxy S22 vs Galaxy S21 FE: Which is better

Performance | Storage | RAM | 5G

Although both phones have support for 5G connectivity, the performance of both phones is very different. This is because both phones feature chipsets from different companies. The Samsung Galaxy S21 FE features the Snapdragon 888 5G chipset from Qualcomm (Exynos 2100 in some markets) while the OnePlus 10R features the Dimensity 8100 Max 5G chipset from MediaTek.

The MediaTek Dimensity 8100 Max chipset inside the OnePlus 10R is very good but still not as powerful as the Snapdragon 888 5G or Exynos 2100 5G chipset inside the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE. The chipsets inside the Galaxy S21 FE have better GPU, better CPU cores, and more power ISP.

See Also: Samsung Galaxy S21 vs Galaxy S21 FE: Which offers better value for money

The RAM inside the Galaxy S21 FE is 6/8GB while the OnePlus 10R comes with 8/12GB RAM. The minimum internal storage capacity on both phones is 128GB. The maximum internal storage capacity on both phones is 256GB. None of these phones have support for storage expansion via a microSD card.

When it comes to performance, the Galaxy S21 FE is the better performing phone here. It has a more powerful chipset, faster CPU cores, and a better GPU. In the areas of gaming and intensive graphics use, the Galaxy S21 FE will do better than the OnePlus 10R.

See Also: Xiaomi 11T Pro vs OnePlus 9RT: Which is Better

Software

The OnePlus 10R boots OxygenOS 12.1 based on Android 12 out of the box. OnePlus is promising three years of major software updates and security patches for this device. The Galaxy S21 FE boots One UI 4.1 based on Android 12 out of the box. Samsung has promised four years of major software updates and five years of monthly security patches for this phone.

Samsung is the best Android phone maker when it comes to software updates. And as far as software updates go, you can be sure to get timely new software updates for the Galaxy S21 FE first.

See Also: OnePlus Nord CE 2 vs Realme GT Neo 3: Which is better

Battery

OnePlus 10R is powered by a 5,000mAh battery with support for an 80W fast charge. While the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE is powered by a 4,500mAh battery support for a 25W fast charge. The Galaxy S21 FE has support for a 15W wireless charge but the OnePlus 10R does not have support for a wireless charge.

Note: There is also a model of the OnePlus 10R that is powered by a 4,500mAh battery and has support for a 150W fast charge.

Samsung Galaxy S21 FE vs OnePlus 10R: Price

The price of the OnePlus 10R with 8 + 128GB storage option is about $459 and the 6 + 128GB storage option of the Galaxy S21 FE is priced at $699. The Samsung Galaxy S21 FE is the more expensive device to buy of these two phones. But does that make it the better device to buy? Check out the verdict below the table.

Buy OnePlus 10R and Galaxy S21 FE

OnePlus 10R	Price	Galaxy S21 FE	Price
Buy on Giztop	$459	Buy Amazon	$599
		Buy Amazon UK	£699

Note: The OnePlus 10R is also known as the OnePlus Ace in some markets.

Samsung Galaxy S21 FE vs OnePlus 10R: Verdict

So, between the OnePlus 10R and the Galaxy S21 FE which should you buy? Buy the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE and here is why.

Although the OnePlus 10R is a very good phone that offers so much value for less, the Galaxy S21 FE offers even better value for the money for its price. Yes, you might be spending the extra money to buy the Galaxy S21 FE, but you’ll also be paying for all the extra features that you’ll only get in a $1,000 smartphone.

You’ll get a flagship camera setup, a more powerful chipset with faster CPU cores, a more powerful GPU for gaming, a water/dustproof feature, wireless charge technology, and longer software updates. The OnePlus 10R is a very good phone but I can only recommend it as an alternative to the Galaxy S21 FE. That is, those who don’t have the extra cash to spend can buy the OnePlus 10R.

So, if I’m to score both smartphones, I’ll score the OnePlus 10R (47%) and the Galaxy S21 FE (53%). The Galaxy S21 FE has a better chipset, better camera setup, better-charging options, and longer software updates.