OnePlus 9 Pro is the latest premium flagship declared on 23 March by OnePlus and the standard OnePlus 9 model. While the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra is the leading handset of Samsung released this year. We have collected all the major specs of both handsets to provide you with what specs differ in both. Samsung’s S21 series comprises standard S21, S21 Plus, and S21 Ultra models. In comparison, the OnePlus 9 series contains standard OnePlus 9 and OnePlus 9 Pro models. Samsung S21 and the OnePlus 9 lineup are considering at the top of the premium handsets list of 2021 as both series offer top-end features with premium design and enactment. Both lineups are costly too.
Specs Differences
Specifications | OnePlus 9 | OnePlus 9 Pro | Samsung S21 | Samsung S21 Plus | Samsung S21 Ultra |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Design | Dimensions: 160 x 74.2 x 8.7mm, weight:192g | Dimensions: 163.2 x 73.6 x 8.7mm, weight: 197g | Dimensions:151.7 x 71.2 x 7.9mm, weight:172g | Dimensions: 161.5 x 75.6 x 7.8mm, weight: 202g | Dimensions: 165.1 x 75.6 x 8.9mm, weight: 228g |
Display | display size: 6.55-inches, Resolution: 2400 x 1080, refresh rate:120Hz | size: 6.7-inches, Resolution: 3216 x 1440, refresh rate:1Hz-120Hz | size: 6.2-inches,Resolution: 2400 x 1080 pixels, refresh rate: 48-120Hz | size: 6.7-inches, Resolution: 2400 x 1080 pixels, refresh rate: 48-120Hz | size: 6.8-inches, Resolution: 3200 x 1440 pixels, refresh rate: 10-120Hz, S Pen |
Storage and chipset | 128GB/256GB, Snapdragon 888 | Storage: 128GB/256GB, snapdragon 888 | Exynos 2100 or Snapdragon 888, 128/256GB | Exynos 2100 or Snapdragon 888, 128/256GB | Exynos 2100 or Snapdragon 888, 128/256GB/512GB |
RAM | 8Gb/12GB | 8GB/12GB | 8GB | 8GB | 12GB/16GB |
Camera | Rear Triple snapper (48MP + 50MP + 2MP), 16MP selfie camera | rear tetra snapper(48MP + 50MP + 2MP + 8MP), 16MP selfie camera | Back Triple camera (12MP + 12MP + 64MP), 10MP Selfie camera | Back Triple camera (12MP + 12MP + 64MP), 10MP Selfie camera | Back triple camera(108MP + 12MP + 10MP + 10MP), 40MP Selfie camera |
Battery | 4500mAh | 4500mAh | 4000mAh | 4800mAh | 5000mAh |
Further down, you will see all the major spec-wise differences between these two line-ups. Have a look!
Samsung S21 and OnePlus 9 Design Differences
- OnePlus 9 Dimensions: 160 x 74.2 x 8.7mm, weight:192g
- OnePlus 9 Pro Dimensions: 163.2 x 73.6 x 8.7mm, weight: 197g
- Samsung Galaxy S21 Dimensions:151.7 x 71.2 x 7.9mm, weight:172g
- Galaxy S21+ Dimensions: 161.5 x 75.6 x 7.8mm,weight: 202g
- S21 Ultra Dimensions: 165.1 x 75.6 x 8.9mm, weight: 228g
The OnePlus 9 Pro and OnePlus 9 both come with a blow-hole on the display’s upper left side. But they differ to some extent. The OnePlus 9 comes with an even display and a plastic edge. Whereas the 9 Pro has a little warped display and a metallic frame. Both handsets have a noticeable rectangular snapper sitting in the upper-left edge of their glassy back. The OnePlus 9 lands with an additional one trivial lens on the rear bumper. While the OnePlus 9 Pro has two extra trivial lenses. Both handsets have Hassel-blad camera marking.

The Samsung Galaxy S21 lineup has a central blow-hole camera at the top of its screen. However, the Samsung S21 and S21+ offer flat screen and plastic backs. At the same time, Samsung S21 Ultra comes with a warped display and glass rear. But all of these Samsung phones come with metallic frames. On the rear of the S21 lineup, there is a rectangular snapper cover that molds into the edge. This makes them different to some extent. All Samsung S21 range carries three rear camera lenses, but the premium S21 Ultra has an extra 4th trivial lens.
The whole Galaxy S21 lineup comes with an IP68 rating for water and dust resistance. But in the case of the OnePlus 9 range, just premium OnePlus 9 Pro has this feature. In terms of size, the Samsung Galaxy S21 is smaller than S21 Plus and S21 Ultra. Similarly, the standard OnePlus 9 is quite smaller than the 9 Pro. While comparing both series, the OnePlus 9 and S21 Ultra are the biggest handsets remaining in the series.
S21 Lineup Display Differs from OnePlus 9 Series
- OnePlus 9 display size: 6.55-inches, Resolution: 2400 x 1080, refresh rate:120Hz
- OnePlus 9 Pro size: 6.7-inches, Resolution: 3216 x 1440, refresh rate:1Hz-120Hz
- S21 size: 6.2-inches,Resolution: 2400 x 1080 pixels, refresh rate: 48-120Hz
- Galaxy S21+ size: 6.7-inches, Resolution: 2400 x 1080 pixels, refresh rate: 48-120Hz
- S21 Ultra size: 6.8-inches, Resolution: 3200 x 1440 pixels, refresh rate: 10-120Hz, S Pen

The OnePlus 9 lands with a 6.55-inches AMOLED screen having a Full HD+ resolution. It comes with a massive 120Hz display refresh rate. However, the display refresh rate is not shift-able. Meanwhile, the OnePlus 9 Pro possesses a quite larger 6.7-inches AMOLED screen. It lands with a QHD+ resolution with a variable refresh rate of 1Hz and 120Hz. On the other side, Samsung Galaxy S21 comes with a 6.2-inches Super AMOLED screen. Similar to the OnePlus 9, it also keeps a Full HD+ screen. It keeps an adjustable refresh rate from 48Hz to 120Hz.
However, the Galaxy S21+ possesses a 6.7-inches Super AMOLED screen as OnePlus 9 Pro. But its display comes with an FHD+ resolution rather than a QHD+ resolution like the OnePlus 9 Pro. It also offers an adjustable refresh rate from 48Hz to 120Hz. Thus, it doesn’t fall quite as less as the 9 Pro. Meanwhile, the S21 Ultra keeps a 6.8-inches Super AMOLED screen with a QHD+ resolution and adaptive 10Hz to 120Hz refresh rate. However, it comes with an additional Samsung S Pen.
Specs and Performance Differences
- OnePlus 9 chipset: Snapdragon 888, RAM:8GB/12GB, storage:128GB/256GB, Battery:4500mAh
- OnePlus 9 Pro chipset: Snapdragon 888, RAM:8GB/12GB, storage: 128GB/256GB, Battery:4500mAh
- S21 processor: Exynos 2100 or Snapdragon 888, RAM: 8GB, Storage:128/256GB, Battery:4000mAh
- Samsung S21+ chipset: Exynos 2100 or Snapdragon 888, RAM: 8GB, storage:128/256GB, Battery:4800mAh
- Galaxy S21 Ultra chipset: Exynos 2100 or Snapdragon 888, RAM: 12/16GB, storage: 128/256/512GB, Battery: 5000mAh
Though the Oneplus 9, the range comes with the same Snapdragon 888 processor, 8GB/12GB RAM, 128GB/256GB storage. None of these two offers a MicroSD slot for more storage. Both OnePlus 9 handsets offer a 4500mAh battery with 65T quick charging. Though the OnePlus 9 also comes with wireless charging of 15W in North America and Europe. While top-end OnePlus 9 Pro offers wireless charging of 50W.

Now coming to the Samsung Galaxy S21 handsets. All S21 handsets keep the Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 or Exynos 2100 chipset. It varies with the region you belong to. The S21+ and S21 are obtainable with 8GB RAM and 128GB/256GB storage. While S21 Ultra is obtainable with 12GB/16GB RAM and 128GB/256GB/512GB storage variants. Similar to OnePlus, these Samsung handsets lack a microSD slot to extend storage externally. All of these 5 handsets have in-screen fingerprint scanners and also offer 5G connectivity too.
Camera Differences
- OnePlus 9 Rear Triple snapper (48MP + 50MP + 2MP), 16MP selfie camera
- OnePlus 9 Pro rear tetra snapper(48MP + 50MP + 2MP + 8MP), 16MP selfie camera
- S21: Back Triple camera (12MP + 12MP + 64MP), 10MP Selfie camera
- Samsung S21+: Back Triple camera (12MP + 12MP + 64MP), 10MP Selfie camera
- S21 Ultra: Back triple camera(108MP + 12MP + 10MP + 10MP), 40MP Selfie camera
OnePlus 9 offers three back cameras that comprise a 48MP main, a 50MP ultra-wide camera, and a 2MP monochrome snapper. While the OnePlus 9 Pro lands with a tetra quad rear snapper. Though the first three lenses are the same, the 4th one is an 8MP telephoto lens. While the front snappers on both OnePlus 9 are 16MP with Hasselblad partnership.

Meanwhile, the Galaxy S21 and S21+ offer three back snappers with 12MP main, 12MP ultra-wide, and 64MP telephoto lens. At the same time, both possess 10MP selfie snapper. However, the leading Galaxy S21 Ultra keeps 108MP primary, 12MP ultra-wide, two 10MP telephoto lenses. Though one telephoto lens has 3x optical zoom, the other has 10x optical zoom. In contrast, it offers a massive 40MP front selfie camera. All five handsets offer 4K video recording.
Conclusion
All of these five handsets offer top-end specs that will definitely appeal to the users. Eventually, the choice between these handsets will pass down to money and which features you prefer or want. Though you need the premium camera at that time, the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra is possibly your perfect bet. However, if you need noticeable specs for a decent budget, in that case, the OnePlus range is the best choice.