Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G Vs Oppo Find X5

Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G
Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G
Starting at

Refurbished price:£186.00

Versus £1,800.00 new

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Oppo Find X5
Oppo Find X5
Starting at

Refurbished price:£298.00

Versus £816.65 new

See options

Ratings

The Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G, released in January 2021, and the Oppo Find X5, launched in March 2022, are both Android smartphones that offered premium experiences in their respective release years. While both devices provide robust performance and capable camera systems, they differentiate themselves through display characteristics, camera versatility, and charging capabilities.

The Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G stands out with its expansive, high-resolution display and advanced zoom camera system, alongside S Pen compatibility. In contrast, the Oppo Find X5 offers a more compact design, exceptionally fast charging, and a camera system co-developed with Hasselblad.

Scores

Durability

When considering the long-term usability of these devices, their release timelines and software support are key factors.

  • Release Timeline: The Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G was introduced in January 2021, making it an earlier model compared to the Oppo Find X5, which launched in March 2022. This difference in release date impacts their respective software support cycles.
  • Software Longevity: The Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G typically receives four major Android operating system updates and five years of security updates from its release, meaning its major OS update cycle is nearing its conclusion, with security updates expected to continue until early 2026. The Oppo Find X5, being a newer device, is expected to receive three major Android updates and four years of security updates from its launch, providing a slightly longer runway for major OS upgrades into the future.
  • Physical Durability: The Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G features an IP68 rating, indicating a high level of resistance to dust and water immersion. The Oppo Find X5 carries an IP54 rating, offering protection against dust and splashes but not full water immersion. Both devices utilize Gorilla Glass Victus for screen protection, contributing to their resistance against scratches and drops.

Year of Release

2021

2022

Compatible with latest Update

Yes

Yes

OS

Android

Android

Foldable

No

No

Performance

Both smartphones deliver strong performance for everyday tasks and demanding applications, though they approach it with different hardware configurations.

  • Processing Power: The Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G and the Oppo Find X5 are equipped with powerful processors from their respective generations, enabling smooth navigation, efficient multitasking, and responsive handling of graphically intensive games. Users can expect a fluid experience across various applications.
  • Memory and Storage: The Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G offers configurations with 12GB or 16GB of RAM and storage options ranging from 128GB to 512GB. The Oppo Find X5 comes with 8GB or 12GB of RAM and 128GB or 256GB of internal storage. Neither device supports expandable storage.
  • Battery Experience: The Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G houses a 5000 mAh battery, generally providing ample power for a full day of moderate to heavy use. The Oppo Find X5 features a 4800 mAh battery, with user experiences regarding its longevity being varied; some report it lasting a full day, while others find it requires more frequent charging. However, the Find X5 compensates with significantly faster wired charging capabilities, allowing for rapid power replenishment. [18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24]

Memory (GB)

12 GB

8 GB

Screen quality

The visual experience on both devices is vibrant and clear, though they differ in size and resolution.

  • Display Technology and Size: The Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G features a larger 6.8-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display, while the Oppo Find X5 has a 6.55-inch AMOLED screen. Both displays offer rich colors and deep blacks characteristic of AMOLED technology.
  • Resolution and Clarity: The Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G provides a higher resolution of 1440 x 3200 pixels, resulting in a sharper image with greater detail, particularly noticeable when viewing high-resolution content. The Oppo Find X5 offers a 1080 x 2400 pixel resolution, which still delivers clear and crisp visuals for most users. [1, 2, 5, 6, 7, 8, 12, 14, 17, 20, 21, 32, 35, 36]
  • Brightness and Smoothness: Both phones feature adaptive 120Hz refresh rates, ensuring smooth scrolling and responsive interactions. The Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G is known for its very high peak brightness, making it highly visible even in bright outdoor conditions. The Oppo Find X5 also offers good brightness levels, suitable for various lighting environments. [1, 6, 12, 17, 18, 20, 27, 32, 36]

Resolution

1440 x 3200

1080 x 2400

Screen type

Dynamic AMOLED 2X

AMOLED

Audiovisual

Both smartphones offer advanced camera systems designed to capture high-quality images and videos, each with its own strengths.

  • Rear Camera Systems: The Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G boasts a versatile quad-camera setup, including a 108-megapixel main sensor, a 12-megapixel ultrawide lens, a 10-megapixel telephoto lens with 3x optical zoom, and a 10-megapixel periscope telephoto lens offering 10x optical zoom. [10, 16, 17, 37] This configuration provides extensive zooming capabilities. The Oppo Find X5 features a triple-camera system with a 50-megapixel main sensor, a 50-megapixel ultrawide sensor, and a 13-megapixel telephoto lens with 2x optical zoom. [1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 14]
  • Photography Performance: The Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G is recognized for its detailed photos across various lighting conditions and its impressive zoom performance. The Oppo Find X5, with its Hasselblad color calibration, is noted for producing images with natural color rendition and strong performance from its main and ultrawide sensors, particularly in low-light scenarios. [1, 9, 10, 21, 24, 27, 29]
  • Video Recording and Front Camera: The Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G supports video recording up to 8K resolution, offering high detail for video content. [10, 17] It also includes a 40-megapixel front camera for detailed selfies and video calls. [17, 37] The Oppo Find X5 records video up to 4K resolution and features a 32-megapixel front camera. [1, 2, 4, 6]

Main camera

108 megapixels

50 megapixels

Front camera

40 megapixels

32 megapixels

Miscellaneous

Beyond core features, several practical elements contribute to the overall user experience of these devices.

  • Connectivity and Ports: Both phones support 5G connectivity for fast mobile data. The Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G includes Wi-Fi 6E, offering enhanced wireless performance, while the Oppo Find X5 supports Wi-Fi 6. [8, 17, 32] Both devices feature a USB-C port for charging and data transfer, but neither includes a traditional 3.5mm headphone jack. [5, 17]
  • Biometrics and Handling: The Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G incorporates an ultrasonic in-display fingerprint sensor and supports facial recognition. The Oppo Find X5 uses an optical in-display fingerprint sensor and also offers facial recognition. [2, 5] In terms of physical characteristics, the Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G is a larger and heavier device, weighing approximately 227-229 grams. [15, 17, 32, 36] The Oppo Find X5 is lighter at 196 grams and has a more compact form factor, which some users find more comfortable for one-handed use. [1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 14, 18, 29]
  • Unique Features: A notable distinction is the Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G's compatibility with the S Pen, allowing for precise input and creative tasks. [16] The Oppo Find X5, while lacking S Pen support, offers exceptionally fast 80W wired charging, capable of significantly recharging the battery in a short period. [1, 14, 18, 19, 20, 22, 25, 28, 30, 31, 34]

Weight

227 g

196 g

Screen size (in)

6.8

6.55

Mobile network

5G

5G

SIM card

Dual Physical SIM + eSIM

Physical SIM + eSIM

Carrier compatibility

Unlocked

Unlocked

Connector

USB-C

USB-C

User feedback for the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G often highlights its exceptional camera system, particularly the versatility offered by its multiple telephoto lenses and high-resolution main sensor. Many appreciate its large, vibrant display and the added functionality of S Pen support. Common criticisms sometimes revolve around its substantial size and weight, which can make one-handed use challenging for some, and its battery performance, which while generally good, may not always meet the demands of the heaviest users without a mid-day top-up.

The Oppo Find X5 receives praise for its incredibly fast charging capabilities, which users find to be a significant convenience. Its main and ultrawide cameras are generally well-regarded for their image quality and natural color reproduction, partly due to the Hasselblad collaboration. [21, 24, 27] However, some users have noted mixed experiences with battery life, with opinions varying from satisfactory to requiring frequent charging. [23, 24] The phone's IP54 rating, while offering splash resistance, is less robust than the full water immersion protection found on some competitors. [14, 19]

Users prioritizing a highly versatile camera system with extensive zoom capabilities, a large, high-resolution display, and S Pen functionality may find the Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G well-suited to their needs. Conversely, individuals who value rapid charging, a slightly more compact and lighter design, and a strong main and ultrawide camera performance might lean towards the Oppo Find X5. Both devices represent solid choices for those seeking a quality-assured refurbished option, offering advanced features for various user preferences.

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