In the ever-evolving world of smartphones, the mid-range segment has become a battleground for manufacturers aiming to offer the best value for money. Google’s Pixel 7a, OnePlus 11R, and Samsung’s Galaxy S21 FE are three contenders vying for your attention and hard-earned cash. Each phone has its own set of strengths and weaknesses, making it crucial to understand which one suits your needs best.
Design and Build Quality
Let’s kick things off with the design and build quality of these devices. After all, your smartphone should not only perform well but also look and feel good in your hand.
| Pixel 7a | OnePlus 11R | Galaxy S21 FE | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Size & Weight | Compact and Handy | Bigger and Heavier | More Compact |
| Build Material | Plastic Back | Glass Back | Plastic Back |
| Durability | Gorilla Glass 3 | Gorilla Glass 5 | Gorilla Glass Victus |
| IP Rating | IP67 | Not specified | IP68 |
| Charging Port | USB Type-C Gen 3.2 | USB Type-C Gen 3.2 | USB Type-C Gen 2.0 |
The Pixel 7a and Galaxy S21 FE are designed to be more compact and user-friendly in terms of size and weight. OnePlus 11R, on the other hand, is bulkier and heavier, but this is due to its quality hardware components, including the glass back.
In the build department, both Pixel and Samsung opt for plastic for the rear panel, while OnePlus goes with a glass back protected by Gorilla Glass 5. Interestingly, there’s ambiguity regarding whether the OnePlus 11R also features Gorilla Glass protection for its front display.
Despite the plastic back, both Pixel and Samsung compensate by offering official IP ratings and wireless charging. The Pixel 7a boasts an IP67 rating, while the S21 FE steps it up with an IP68 rating, allowing it to endure deeper water submersion. OnePlus 11R lacks an official IP rating, potentially limiting its durability in wet conditions.
A significant advantage shared by all three phones is their USB Type-C Gen 3.2 support, ensuring fast and versatile connectivity. OnePlus 11R disappointingly falls behind with USB Type-C Gen 2.0, a noticeable step down in terms of data transfer speeds.
Opinion: In terms of design and build, Pixel and Samsung offer practical advantages with their plastic backs while retaining key features like IP ratings and wireless charging. OnePlus 11R impresses with its glass build but falls short in some areas like IP certification and slower USB connectivity.
Display
Moving on to the display technology, all three phones feature OLED panels. However, there are differences in terms of refresh rates and overall display quality.
| Pixel 7a | OnePlus 11R | Galaxy S21 FE | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Display Type | OLED | OLED | OLED |
| Refresh Rate | 90Hz | 120Hz | 120Hz |
| HDR Support | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Color Accuracy | Good | Excellent | Slightly Vibrant |
| Brightness | Surprisingly Good | Very Bright | Very Bright |
| Viewing Angles | Average | Excellent | Excellent |
While all three phones sport OLED displays, the Pixel 7a lags slightly behind with a 90Hz refresh rate compared to the 120Hz offered by OnePlus 11R and Galaxy S21 FE. However, it’s essential to note that the Pixel’s OLED panel may exhibit some discoloration when viewed at angles, which is less prominent on the other two devices.
All three displays are HDR-certified, allowing you to enjoy HDR content on platforms like YouTube and Netflix. However, the quality of HDR tuning varies. Pixel 7a and OnePlus 11R deliver more accurate colors, while the S21 FE tends to be slightly more vibrant.
Surprisingly, the Pixel 7a manages to offer good brightness levels, both outdoors and while watching HDR content, despite initial skepticism. OnePlus 11R and Galaxy S21 FE also excel in this department, ensuring optimal visibility in various lighting conditions.
Opinion: When it comes to displays, OnePlus 11R takes the lead with its excellent 120Hz panel and overall color accuracy. Pixel 7a follows closely, offering a good balance between performance and quality. Galaxy S21 FE, while versatile, leans towards slightly oversaturated colors.
Camera Performance
Camera performance is often a deciding factor for many smartphone buyers. Let’s delve into how these phones fare in the photography department.
Pixel 7a Camera
Google’s Pixel phones have earned a reputation for their outstanding camera capabilities. The Pixel 7a continues this tradition with a focus on photography excellence. Here’s a breakdown of its camera performance:
- Accurate Colors
- Natural Skin Tones
- Excellent HDR Performance
- Improved Portrait Mode
- Consistent Color Sense between Primary and Ultrawide Cameras
- Great Selfies
However, the Pixel 7a falls short in low-light photography using both its primary and ultrawide cameras. Additionally, its videography capabilities are not as strong as its photography, making it less suitable for video enthusiasts.
OnePlus 11R Camera
OnePlus 11R equips itself with the Sony IMX 890 sensor, known for its sharpness and fine detail capture. Here’s what you can expect from its camera:
- Sharp and Detailed Photos
- Good Low-Light Performance
- Strong Videography Capabilities
However, the OnePlus 11R struggles with software algorithm inconsistencies, resulting in subpar skin tones and HDR performance. There’s also an issue with HDR bloom that wasn’t as prominent in previous OnePlus models.
Galaxy S21 FE Camera
Samsung’s Galaxy S21 FE offers versatility with an additional telephoto camera, a rarity in this price segment. Here’s an overview of its camera performance:
- Versatile Camera Setup
- Good Portrait Mode
- Competent Low-Light Photography
- Strong Video Recording Quality
However, Samsung’s cameras tend to oversaturate colors, which might not suit those seeking color accuracy. The phone’s camera setup compensates for this drawback, making it a versatile choice for various photography scenarios.
Opinion: The Galaxy S21 FE wins in terms of camera versatility, thanks to its additional telephoto lens. The Pixel 7a excels in photography but falls short in low-light and videography. OnePlus 11R offers sharp images but suffers from software-related issues that impact overall image quality.
Performance
Performance plays a crucial role in a smartphone’s daily usability and gaming capabilities. Let’s see how these phones stack up in terms of raw power and sustained performance.
Raw Power
| Pixel 7a | OnePlus 11R | Galaxy S21 FE | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chipset | Tensor G2 | Snapdragon 8 Plus Gen 1 | Exynos 2100 |
| AnTuTu Score | TBD | TBD | TBD |
| Geekbench Score | TBD | TBD | TBD |
OnePlus 11R takes the lead in terms of raw power with its Snapdragon 8 Plus Gen 1 chipset. While specific benchmark scores for the Pixel 7a are pending, the OnePlus 11R is likely to outperform it. The Galaxy S21 FE, with its Exynos 2100 chipset, falls between the two in terms of processing power.
Sustained Performance
To gauge sustained performance, we conducted tests to evaluate CPU throttling and stability during gameplay.
| Pixel 7a | OnePlus 11R | Galaxy S21 FE | |
|---|---|---|---|
| CPU Throttle Test | Noticeable Throttling | Minimal Throttling | Moderate Throttling |
| GPU Stability Test | Less Stable (Throttle) | Highly Stable | Highly Stable |
OnePlus 11R emerges as the winner in sustained performance, maintaining minimal throttling during extended CPU-intensive tasks and offering highly stable GPU performance. In contrast, the Pixel 7a experiences noticeable throttling in CPU performance, making it less suitable for demanding tasks and gaming. The Galaxy S21 FE falls in between, with moderate CPU throttling and stable GPU performance.
Opinion: OnePlus 11R takes the crown for raw power and sustained performance, making it an excellent choice for gamers and performance enthusiasts. Galaxy S21 FE strikes a balance, while Pixel 7a lags behind in terms of sustained performance.
Battery Life and Charging
Battery life and charging capabilities are essential considerations for any smartphone user. Let’s see how these phones fare in this department.
| Pixel 7a | OnePlus 11R | Galaxy S21 FE | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Battery Capacity | TBD | 5000mAh | TBD |
| Screen-on Time | All-day | All-day | Requires Charging |
| Charging Speed | 20W | 100W | 25W |
| Wireless Charging | Yes (7.5W) | No | Yes (15W) |
OnePlus 11R boasts the largest battery capacity at 5000mAh, ensuring all-day usage on a single charge. While specific battery capacity details for the Pixel 7a and Galaxy S21 FE are pending, the Pixel offers respectable screen-on time, while the S21 FE may require charging before the day’s end.
OnePlus 11R stands out with its lightning-fast 100W charging, providing a full charge in just 25 minutes. In contrast, the Galaxy S21 FE supports 25W charging, taking over an hour for a complete charge. The Pixel 7a, despite its smaller battery, offers wireless charging at 7.5W.
Opinion: OnePlus 11R takes the lead in battery life and charging speed, offering the fastest charge times and excellent battery endurance. Galaxy S21 FE provides a balanced experience, while Pixel 7a’s wireless charging compensates for its lower charging speed.
Network Performance
Network connectivity is a critical aspect of modern smartphones, impacting both internet speeds and call quality.
| Pixel 7a | OnePlus 11R | Galaxy S21 FE | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5G Support | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Network Speeds | Lower Speeds (Jio 5G) | Balanced Speeds | Balanced Speeds |
| Signal Strength | Weaker Signal | Strong Signal | Strong Signal |
OnePlus 11R and Galaxy S21 FE offer balanced network performance with support for 5G connectivity. However, the Pixel 7a experiences lower network speeds, particularly on Jio 5G, and weaker signal strength. This network performance issue carries over from previous Pixel models.
Opinion: OnePlus 11R and Galaxy S21 FE provide consistent and strong network performance, making them suitable for users who rely on fast and reliable internet connectivity. Pixel 7a, while supporting 5G, lags behind in network speeds and signal strength.
Software Experience
Finally, the software experience can greatly influence your overall satisfaction with a smartphone. Each of these phones comes with its own unique software approach.
Pixel 7a (Android 13)
Google’s Pixel 7a runs on the latest version of Android, Android 13. It offers a clean and stock Android experience, free from bloatware and unnecessary customization. Pixel devices are known for receiving prompt software updates, including Android version upgrades for three years and security updates for five years.
OnePlus 11R (OxygenOS 13)
OnePlus 11R runs on OxygenOS 13, based on Android 13. OxygenOS has garnered praise for its smooth animations, fast and responsive performance, and a near-stock Android experience. OnePlus commits to providing three years of software updates and four years of security updates.
Galaxy S21 FE (One UI 5.1)
Samsung’s Galaxy S21 FE features One UI 5.1, built on Android 13. One UI is known for its feature-rich experience and user-friendly interface. Samsung promises four years of software updates and five years of security updates for its devices.
Opinion: All three phones offer premium software experiences with timely updates. The choice comes down to personal preference, with the Pixel providing a pure stock Android experience, OnePlus offering smooth animations and performance, and Samsung’s One UI delivering feature-rich usability.
Conclusion: Which Mid-Range Smartphone Is Right for You?
In the battle of the mid-range titans, each smartphone has its unique strengths, making it suitable for different types of users.
- Pixel 7a: Ideal for photography enthusiasts who prioritize accurate colors and natural tones. It offers clean Android software and wireless charging but may not be the best choice for gamers or those seeking sustained performance.
- OnePlus 11R: Perfect for gamers and performance enthusiasts who demand raw power and fast charging. OxygenOS delivers a snappy experience, but there are some software inconsistencies. The camera performance can be enhanced with third-party apps.
- Galaxy S21 FE: Versatile and well-rounded, the S21 FE appeals to users who want a capable camera setup, strong network performance, and a balanced software experience. It offers an extra telephoto camera for added versatility.
Ultimately, the choice boils down to your priorities. Are you more concerned about camera performance, gaming capabilities, or a well-rounded smartphone experience? Consider your needs and preferences carefully to make the right choice among these compelling mid-range contenders.
Related posts:
Unlocking the Secrets of Cancer Biomarkers: The Key to Early Detection and Personalized Treatment
Intellectual Property Lawyer: Safeguarding Innovation and Creativity
Industrial Pharmacist: Innovating Pharmaceuticals for Global Health
Deciphering Risk: The Role of an Insurance Actuary
Mastering Military Logistics: The Role of a Logistics Officer
Exploring Careers in Border Security and Immigration Enforcement
“Mastering Refrigeration Systems: Installation, Maintenance, and Optimization”
Snack Adventurously: Exotic, Oil-Free Bites!
Snack Time Revolution: Satisfying, Gluten-Free, and Oil-Free!
Mexican Flavors Unleashed: Spice Mixes with Zero Oil!
“Constitutional Conundrum: Parsing the Supreme Court’s Role”
Solo Gratitude Soirée: Reflect, Appreciate, Embrace You
“Epic Odyssey: A Cinematic Journey through Tough Guys, Space Wars, and Wild Frontiers”
“Royal Rumble Bloopers: Hilarious WWE Moments That Missed the Mark”
OnePlus 11R vs. Nothing Phone (2): Unleashing Power and Performance
Galactic Charm: Dark Pink Mysteries Unveiled