Galaxy S21 FE 5G Vs Oppo Find X5 Pro

Galaxy S21 FE 5G
Galaxy S21 FE 5G
Starting at

Refurbished price:£122.00

Versus £759.00 new

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Oppo Find X5 Pro
Oppo Find X5 Pro
Starting at

Refurbished price:£513.00

Versus £1,336.26 new

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Ratings

The Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G, released in January 2022, and the Oppo Find X5 Pro, launched in February/March 2022, are both Android smartphones that offer distinct approaches to a premium mobile experience. While both devices run on the Android operating system, they differentiate themselves through their design philosophies, display technologies, and camera system priorities. The Galaxy S21 FE 5G aims to deliver a balanced set of features, whereas the Oppo Find X5 Pro emphasizes a high-end aesthetic and advanced imaging capabilities.

Scores

Durability

When considering the long-term usability of these devices, several factors contribute to their expected lifespan, including software support and physical resilience.

  • Release Timeline and OS Support: The Galaxy S21 FE 5G was released in January 2022, while the Oppo Find X5 Pro followed shortly after in February/March 2022. Samsung typically provides several years of Android operating system updates and security patches for its flagship devices, often extending to four major OS upgrades and five years of security updates. Oppo generally offers three major Android updates and four years of security updates for its Find X series. This suggests the Galaxy S21 FE 5G may receive software support for a slightly longer duration.
  • Physical Durability: Both smartphones feature an IP68 rating, indicating resistance to dust and water immersion, providing a similar level of protection against environmental elements. The Galaxy S21 FE 5G incorporates Corning Gorilla Glass Victus for screen protection and features a plastic back with an aluminum frame. The Oppo Find X5 Pro also uses Corning Gorilla Glass Victus for its display and stands out with a ceramic body, which users have noted for its unique feel and scratch resistance.
  • Practical Lifespan: Given their release dates and typical software support cycles, both devices are expected to remain functional and receive important updates for several years. The choice between them in terms of longevity might come down to the slightly longer software commitment from Samsung or the perceived material durability of the Oppo Find X5 Pro's ceramic build.

Year of Release

2022

2022

Compatible with latest Update

Yes

Yes

OS

Android

Android

Foldable

No

No

Performance

The performance of a smartphone is crucial for daily tasks, from navigating apps to engaging in demanding activities like gaming and video editing.

  • Processing Power: The Galaxy S21 FE 5G is equipped with a powerful processor that handles everyday applications and multitasking smoothly, providing a responsive user experience. It is capable of running graphically intensive games and demanding apps without significant slowdowns. The Oppo Find X5 Pro features a more advanced processor, delivering very fluid performance for the most intensive applications and high-fidelity gaming, often noted for its speed and efficiency.
  • Memory and Storage: The Galaxy S21 FE 5G is available with 6GB or 8GB of RAM and storage options of 128GB or 256GB. The Oppo Find X5 Pro typically offers 8GB or 12GB of RAM, with 256GB of internal storage being a common configuration, though some regions may see other options. Neither device offers expandable storage via a microSD card.
  • Battery Behavior: The Galaxy S21 FE 5G houses a 4500mAh battery, designed to provide all-day power under typical usage conditions. The Oppo Find X5 Pro comes with a larger 5000mAh battery, which users generally report as offering good endurance, often lasting a full day even for heavy users. Both devices support fast wired and wireless charging.

Memory (GB)

8 GB

12 GB

Screen quality

The display is a primary interface for smartphone interaction, and both devices offer high-quality viewing experiences with distinct characteristics.

  • Display Technology and Resolution: The Galaxy S21 FE 5G features a 6.4-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display with a Full HD+ resolution (2340 x 1080 pixels), providing vibrant colors and clear visuals. The Oppo Find X5 Pro boasts a larger 6.7-inch LTPO2 AMOLED display with a Quad HD+ resolution (3216 x 1440 pixels), offering a sharper and more detailed image. The Oppo's display also supports 10-bit color, allowing for a wider range of colors.
  • Refresh Rate and Brightness: Both phones feature a 120Hz refresh rate for smooth scrolling and responsive interactions. The Oppo Find X5 Pro's display is adaptive, scaling its refresh rate down to 1Hz for static content, which can contribute to battery efficiency. The Oppo also offers a higher peak brightness of 1300 nits, which can improve visibility in bright outdoor conditions.
  • Viewing Experience: The Galaxy S21 FE 5G provides a bright and vibrant display suitable for media consumption and daily use. The Oppo Find X5 Pro, with its higher resolution, adaptive refresh rate, and superior brightness, delivers a more immersive and detailed viewing experience, particularly beneficial for high-resolution content and outdoor use.

Resolution

1080 x 2340

1440 x 3216

Screen type

Dynamic AMOLED 2X

LTPO2 AMOLED

Audiovisual

Both smartphones offer capable camera systems, but they approach photography and videography with different strengths and features.

  • Rear Camera Systems: The Galaxy S21 FE 5G features a triple-camera setup with a 12MP wide lens, a 12MP ultrawide lens with a 123-degree field of view, and an 8MP telephoto lens capable of 3x optical zoom. The Oppo Find X5 Pro also has a triple-camera system, including a 50MP wide lens with optical image stabilization, a 50MP ultrawide lens with a 110-degree field of view, and a 13MP telephoto lens offering 2x optical zoom. The Oppo's main and ultrawide cameras are often praised for their quality.
  • Photography Features: The Galaxy S21 FE 5G includes features like Director's View, which allows switching between lenses during video recording, and an enhanced Night Mode that also extends to the front camera. The Oppo Find X5 Pro benefits from a dedicated imaging neural processing unit (NPU) called MariSilicon X, designed to enhance low-light photography and video, and a collaboration with Hasselblad for color science. However, some users have noted the Oppo's telephoto lens to be less impressive compared to its main and ultrawide cameras.
  • Video Recording: Both devices support 4K video recording at 30 or 60 frames per second. The Galaxy S21 FE 5G offers Super Steady stabilization for 1080p video. The Oppo Find X5 Pro's MariSilicon X NPU also contributes to improved 4K Night Video capabilities.

Main camera

12 megapixels

50 megapixels

Front camera

32 megapixels

32 megapixels

Miscellaneous

Beyond core performance and display, several practical elements contribute to the overall user experience of these smartphones.

  • Connectivity and Ports: Both the Galaxy S21 FE 5G and the Oppo Find X5 Pro support 5G connectivity, enabling faster mobile data speeds. They both feature Wi-Fi 6 for high-speed wireless internet and a USB-C port for charging and data transfer. The Oppo Find X5 Pro includes Bluetooth 5.2, a slight upgrade from the Galaxy S21 FE 5G's Bluetooth 5.0.
  • Biometric Security: For secure unlocking, both devices incorporate an in-display fingerprint sensor. They also offer face recognition for convenient access.
  • Design and Handling: The Galaxy S21 FE 5G measures 155.7 x 74.5 x 7.9 mm and weighs 177g, making it a relatively lightweight and compact device. It features a plastic back and an aluminum frame. The Oppo Find X5 Pro is slightly larger and heavier at 163.7 x 73.9 x 8.5 mm and 218g, with a premium ceramic body that provides a distinct feel.

Weight

177 g

218 g

Screen size (in)

6.4

6,7

Mobile network

5G

5G

SIM card

Physical SIM

Physical SIM

Carrier compatibility

Unlocked

Unlocked

The Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G and the Oppo Find X5 Pro both present compelling options in the Android smartphone market, each catering to slightly different user priorities. User feedback for the Galaxy S21 FE 5G often highlights its balanced feature set, vibrant display, and reliable performance as key strengths. It is generally seen as a well-rounded device that delivers a consistent experience across various functions.

The Oppo Find X5 Pro, on the other hand, receives praise for its distinctive ceramic design, exceptional display quality, and the strong performance of its main and ultrawide cameras. Its very fast charging capabilities are also frequently mentioned as a significant advantage. However, some users have expressed concerns regarding the performance of its telephoto camera, noting it can be less capable than those on some competing devices. Additionally, some reports mention occasional software bugs following updates.

Users prioritizing a lightweight device with a consistently good camera system and a slightly longer software support window may find the Galaxy S21 FE 5G well-suited to their needs. Conversely, those who value a premium build, a top-tier display for media consumption, and advanced main camera capabilities, along with rapid charging, might lean towards the Oppo Find X5 Pro. Both devices offer a quality-assured refurbished option, providing an eco-friendly alternative for consumers seeking to make informed and sustainable choices.

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