Clash Of The Budget Beasts: Samsung Galaxy S21 Fe 5g Vs Oneplus Nord Ce 3: Which One Will Steal Your Heart?
What To Know
- The OnePlus Nord CE 3, on the other hand, sports a more playful and vibrant design with a plastic back and a metal frame.
- The Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G has a triple-lens rear camera system consisting of a 12MP main sensor, a 12MP ultrawide sensor, and an 8MP telephoto sensor.
- The OnePlus Nord CE 3 also has a triple-lens rear camera system, but it consists of a 64MP main sensor, an 8MP ultrawide sensor, and a 2MP macro sensor.
The mid-range smartphone segment has become increasingly competitive in recent years, with manufacturers like Samsung and OnePlus pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in terms of performance and features. Two of the latest contenders in this space are the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G and the OnePlus Nord CE 3. Both devices offer a compelling combination of specs and features at an affordable price, but which one is the better choice? In this comprehensive comparison, we’ll put the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G and the OnePlus Nord CE 3 head-to-head to determine which one comes out on top.
Design and Build Quality
The Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G and OnePlus Nord CE 3 adopt distinct design philosophies. The Galaxy S21 FE 5G features a sleek and minimalist design with a glass back and a metal frame. It’s available in a variety of eye-catching colors, including olive, lavender, white, and graphite. The OnePlus Nord CE 3, on the other hand, sports a more playful and vibrant design with a plastic back and a metal frame. It comes in two striking color options: Aqua Green and Charcoal Black.
In terms of build quality, both devices feel solid and well-constructed. The Galaxy S21 FE 5G has a slightly more premium feel due to its glass back, but the Nord CE 3 is no slouch either. Both devices are protected by Corning Gorilla Glass 5 on the front, which provides good scratch resistance.
Display
The Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G boasts a 6.4-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display with a resolution of 2340 x 1080 pixels and a refresh rate of 120Hz. The OnePlus Nord CE 3, on the other hand, features a slightly larger 6.7-inch AMOLED display with a resolution of 2412 x 1080 pixels and a refresh rate of 120Hz.
Both displays offer excellent viewing experiences, with vibrant colors, deep blacks, and wide viewing angles. The Galaxy S21 FE 5G’s display is slightly brighter and has better color accuracy, but the Nord CE 3’s display is still very good for the price.
Performance
The Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 processor, which is one of the most powerful mobile processors on the market. The OnePlus Nord CE 3, on the other hand, is powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 8100 processor, which is a mid-range chipset that offers solid performance.
In terms of real-world performance, the Galaxy S21 FE 5G is the clear winner. It handles demanding tasks and games with ease, thanks to its more powerful processor and faster RAM. The Nord CE 3 is no slouch either, but it may struggle with some of the most demanding games and apps.
Camera
The Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G has a triple-lens rear camera system consisting of a 12MP main sensor, a 12MP ultrawide sensor, and an 8MP telephoto sensor. The OnePlus Nord CE 3 also has a triple-lens rear camera system, but it consists of a 64MP main sensor, an 8MP ultrawide sensor, and a 2MP macro sensor.
In terms of image quality, the Galaxy S21 FE 5G takes better photos and videos overall. Its main sensor captures more detail and has better dynamic range, and its ultrawide and telephoto sensors also perform well. The Nord CE 3’s main sensor takes decent photos in good lighting conditions, but it struggles in low light and doesn’t have a telephoto sensor.
Battery Life
The Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G has a 4,500mAh battery, while the OnePlus Nord CE 3 has a slightly larger 5,000mAh battery. In terms of battery life, the Nord CE 3 has a slight edge over the Galaxy S21 FE 5G. It can easily last a full day on a single charge, even with heavy use. The Galaxy S21 FE 5G also has good battery life, but it may need to be charged before the end of the day if you’re a heavy user.
Both devices support fast charging, with the Galaxy S21 FE 5G supporting 25W fast charging and the Nord CE 3 supporting 67W fast charging. This means that the Nord CE 3 can be charged from 0 to 100% in about 30 minutes, while the Galaxy S21 FE 5G takes about an hour to fully charge.
Software
The Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G runs Android 12 with Samsung’s One UI 4.1 skin on top. One UI is a feature-rich and customizable skin that offers a wide range of features and options. The OnePlus Nord CE 3 runs Android 12 with OnePlus’ OxygenOS 12 skin on top. OxygenOS is a clean and lightweight skin that is known for its fast performance and minimal bloatware.
Both skins offer a good user experience, but they have different strengths and weaknesses. One UI is more feature-rich and customizable, while OxygenOS is faster and has less bloatware. Ultimately, the best skin for you will depend on your personal preferences.
Which One Should You Buy?
The Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G and the OnePlus Nord CE 3 are both excellent mid-range smartphones that offer a lot of value for the money. However, there are some key differences between the two devices that may make one a better choice for you than the other.
If you’re looking for the best possible performance, camera quality, and display, then the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G is the better choice. It has a more powerful processor, a better camera system, and a brighter and more color-accurate display. However, it’s also more expensive than the Nord CE 3.
If you’re on a tighter budget and you’re looking for a phone with good performance, battery life, and software, then the OnePlus Nord CE 3 is a great option. It has a solid processor, a long-lasting battery, and a clean and fast software experience.
Verdict: Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G vs OnePlus Nord CE 3
The Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G is the better phone overall, but it’s also more expensive. The OnePlus Nord CE 3 is a great budget option that offers good performance, battery life, and software. Ultimately, the best phone for you will depend on your budget and your priorities.
Answers to Your Most Common Questions
Q: Which phone has a better processor?
A: The Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G has a more powerful processor than the OnePlus Nord CE 3.
Q: Which phone has a better camera?
A: The Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G has a better camera system than the OnePlus Nord CE 3.
Q: Which phone has a better display?
A: The Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G has a brighter and more color-accurate display than the OnePlus Nord CE 3.
Q: Which phone has better battery life?
A: The OnePlus Nord CE 3 has slightly better battery life than the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G.
Q: Which phone has faster charging?
A: The OnePlus Nord CE 3 has faster charging than the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G.
Q: Which phone has a better software experience?
A: Both phones offer a good software experience, but they have different strengths and weaknesses. One UI is more feature-rich and customizable, while OxygenOS is faster and has less bloatware.