Oppo announced the launch of two phones in India this week: the F21 Pro is already available this Friday, the F21 Pro 5G will join on Thursday (April 21). The early reception for the duo seems positive, but let’s analyze in more detail.
First, this is not new hardware: the F21 Pro is the Reno7 (4G), the F21 Pro 5G is the Reno7 Z 5G. While a couple of Reno7 phones are available in India, those two weren’t, so they’re a welcome addition to training in the country.
Either way, the Oppo F21 Pro 5G will launch at ₹ 27,000 (15% off the RRP of ₹ 32,000). It offers a 6.43 “(60 Hz) AMOLED display, Snapdragon 695, 128 GB of expandable memory, a 64 MP camera (no tele or ultra wide) and a 4500 mAh battery with 33 W fast charging (100 % in 63 minutes).
Highlights of the Oppo F21 Pro 5G
The Oppo F21 Pro drops to ₹ 23,000 by cutting the 5G-compatible chipset and replacing it with a Snapdragon 680. Its 6.43 “AMOLED display has a 90Hz refresh rate, however, and you a fingerprint reader in -display (instead of side-mounted). Also, while the rear camera is the same, the selfie camera gets a higher resolution 32MP IMX709 sensor (compared to 16MP). The battery is also the same, 4,500mAh with 33W charging. Note that neither phone is capable of 4K video recording, not even 1080p at 60fps.
Highlights of Oppo F21 Pro
Is the 4G model the better deal or would you rather pay extra for the higher performance of the 695 chipset? There’s probably no need to tell you that India doesn’t have an active 5G network yet, but that should change soon (maybe even before the end of the year).
While we wait, let’s take a look at what other phones you can get for your money.
The Xiaomi 11i, for example, has a larger 6.67-inch AMOLED display with 120Hz refresh rate and a Dimensity 920 that should beat the Snapdragon. There’s also a 108MP main camera on the back, as well as an 8MP ultra wide-angle shooter. The larger 5,160mAh battery charges faster at 67W (50% in 13 minutes). This model has an MSRP of ₹ 25,000, but you can get the HyperCharge model with a 4,500mAh battery and a 120W charge (100% in 15 minutes) for ₹ 27,000, the same price as the Oppo F21 Pro 5G.
The Realme GT Master is a smaller option with a 6.43-inch AMOLED at 120Hz and a fast Snapdragon 778G. It has a 64MP and 8MP ultra wide base main camera, a small 4,300mAh battery with 65W charging, and a sleek exterior, all for ₹ 28,000 (for 8/128GB) if you find it in stock .
The Realme 9 Pro + is a bit cheaper at ₹ 27,000 (8/128 GB) and is actually available. Its 6.4 “AMOLED display drops to 90Hz (even better than the F21 Pro 5G’s 60Hz), but you get the Dimensity 920 and a 50MP camera with a large sensor (1 / 1.56”) and OIS, plus an 8 MP ultra wide-angle camera and faster charging for the 4,500mAh battery (50W, 100% in 44 minutes). Note that both F21 Pro models have basic IPX4 splash resistance, while the Realmes do not (the 11i pair have IP53).
The Motorola Edge 20 is another Snapdragon 778G option, this one with an impressive 6.7-inch 144Hz OLED display. Like the Xiaomi, it has a 108MP main camera, but adds an 8MP telephoto lens (magnification). 3x optical) and a 16MP ultra wide angle. As a big drawback here we note the small 4,000 mAh battery (with 30 W charging). An 8/128 GB drive will cost you ₹ 25,000.
Xiaomi 11i • Realme GT Master • Realme 9 Pro + • Motorola Edge 20
The Indian version of the Redmi Note 11 Pro + 5G (not to be confused with the global one) retails for ₹ 21,000 on Mi.com, the same price as the 4G-only F21 Pro. However, it is more of a competitor to the 5G model as it has the same Snapdragon 695 chipset. Like the 11i above, this one has a 6.67 “(120Hz) AMOLED display, a 108MP main camera and an ultra wide camera. 8MP, the battery is 5,000mAh with a 67W charge.
If you don’t care about 5G and want something a little smaller, the Redmi Note 11S (4G) pairs the Oppo with a 6.43 “90 Hz AMOLED display. It works with the older Helio G96 chipset (12 nm slower and less efficient), but has the same 108MP main camera on the back and an ultra wide 8MP camera to boot. The battery is larger, 5,000mAh, but takes the same time to charge at 33W (100% in 58 minutes.) Getting the same memory configuration (8/128 GB) will cost you ₹ 18,500.
The Realme 9 5G Speed upgrades to a 6.6 ” IPS LCD, but boasts a 144Hz refresh rate, which is hard to find at its ₹ 23,000 price point. 48MP less impressive (plus two 2MP helpers) and you lose water resistance. 5,000mAh battery charges at 30W (50% in 25 minutes).
Xiaomi Redmi Note 11 Pro + 5G (India) • Xiaomi Redmi Note 11S • Realme 9 5G Speed
Do you see an Oppo F21 Pro or F21 Pro 5G in your future or do you think there are better alternatives out there?
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