OnePlus 9, 9 Pro, S21+, or S21 Ultra? Help me decide

[ledvedder]

Last week, I switched from a OnePlus 7 Pro to the Galaxy S21. I'm definitely taking my standard S21 back today because I think it's just too small for what I like. Plus, it randomly gets very hot for no reason. This occurs in safe mode as well, so I know it's not any of the apps I'm using. I'm having a hard time deciding whether to go with the 9, 9 Pro, S21+, or S21 Ultra. Of course, the Ultra is top of the line, but it's so big and heavy. I love the size and form factor of the OnePlus 9, but I don't like that it's not QHD. Plus, I've read and watched a lot of reviews that said the Hasselblad partnership seems to be mostly hype, and didn't really make the cameras that much better. That's the only issue I've had with all of my OnePlus devices since the 6. I'm not a crazy camera user, but I do like to get a great photo now and again. A friend of mine said he tried the S21 Ultra, but it didn't really fit well in his front pocket, especially when sitting down. I worry that that would drive me insane.

 

[bkdodger2]

I think feel in hand then probably OP 9 Pro would be best... I'd still go Ultra if I had to choose especially if I could find a deal

 

[bxrider117]

I have the small s21 and s21 plus. I'm sending the plus back to Best buy. I prefer the smaller s21. However I would get the ultra out of these phones and the one plus. Best buy has the ultra 256gb unlocked for $950.

 

[farhanmohd]

Last week, I switched from a OnePlus 7 Pro to the Galaxy S21. I'm definitely taking my standard S21 back today because I think it's just too small for what I like. Plus, it randomly gets very hot for no reason. This occurs in safe mode as well, so I know it's not any of the apps I'm using. I'm having a hard time deciding whether to go with the 9, 9 Pro, S21+, or S21 Ultra. Of course, the Ultra is top of the line, but it's so big and heavy. I love the size and form factor of the OnePlus 9, but I don't like that it's not QHD. Plus, I've read and watched a lot of reviews that said the Hasselblad partnership seems to be mostly hype, and didn't really make the cameras that much better. That's the only issue I've had with all of my OnePlus devices since the 6. I'm not a crazy camera user, but I do like to get a great photo now and again. A friend of mine said he tried the S21 Ultra, but it didn't really fit well in his front pocket, especially when sitting down. I worry that that would drive me insane.

Give some more time to S21. It's an awesome phone. S21U is an excellent device but big and heavy. I am using both. Rest for day to day usage S21 will do the job well unless you need extra zoom power everyday!

 

[farhanmohd]

Last week, I switched from a OnePlus 7 Pro to the Galaxy S21. I'm definitely taking my standard S21 back today because I think it's just too small for what I like. Plus, it randomly gets very hot for no reason. This occurs in safe mode as well, so I know it's not any of the apps I'm using. I'm having a hard time deciding whether to go with the 9, 9 Pro, S21+, or S21 Ultra. Of course, the Ultra is top of the line, but it's so big and heavy. I love the size and form factor of the OnePlus 9, but I don't like that it's not QHD. Plus, I've read and watched a lot of reviews that said the Hasselblad partnership seems to be mostly hype, and didn't really make the cameras that much better. That's the only issue I've had with all of my OnePlus devices since the 6. I'm not a crazy camera user, but I do like to get a great photo now and again. A friend of mine said he tried the S21 Ultra, but it didn't really fit well in his front pocket, especially when sitting down. I worry that that would drive me insane.

Regarding the heating problem it will settle down in a couple of weeks. The phone is just learning your usage patterns. Recently, the April software update fixed heating issues on my S21U.

 

[Joshua Luther2]

I have the small s21 and s21 plus. I'm sending the plus back to Best buy. I prefer the smaller s21. However I would get the ultra out of these phones and the one plus. Best buy has the ultra 256gb unlocked for $950.

I was going to buy my Ultra 256 from Best Buy and when I went to check out it was out of stock and no locations nearby had them. So I bit the bullet and got one from Verizon. Maybe I’m foolish for not waiting but oh well. Hopefully you can find one in stock if that’s the route you go. I definitely would have loved to save $300 on it. But I’m impatient. I ended up financing it for 30 months. I was really considering the OnePlus 9 pro but I haven’t heard great things about it. The Ultra really is the best phone out there right now if you can swing it. Of course I don’t have mine yet so I’m just going on the reviews I’ve watched and listened to. There’s so many things I miss on iOS and I can’t wait to get back to Android. The biggest is Android auto and Google assistant. As well as all of the customizations available on Samsung phones. Of all the phones I’ve owned, I’ve always enjoyed using Samsung phones the most. I had the Nexus, S3, Note 5 for three days and the S9. The S9 battery was not very good and it would often overheat when I was playing games on it. But it was enjoyable to use. Samsung has come a long way, even since the S9.

I’ve never taken a chance on OnePlus. But I feel like it’s more of a risk buying one as it’s not as easy to find support or accessories for it. Plus their cameras have always been a step behind everything else. That’s just the facts. It will still take good pictures but when I look back at some of the pictures I’ve take of my kids and see bad lighting or blurry pictures, it makes me regret compromising on the phone camera’s quality.

 

[ledvedder]

I went with the S21 Ultra.

 

[Joshua Luther2]

I went with the S21 Ultra.

Good choice. I did as well. Mine is coming on Monday.

 

[bkdodger2]

Congratulations! Great to hear it.... I'm looking forward to hearing your thoughts

 

[ledvedder]

I'm liking it so far. Now I need a case because it's so slippery! I've ordered a few slim cases from Amazon to try.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08LK73YT...ag=hawk-future-20&ascsubtag=UUacUvbUpU6935029

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08MV9SWZ...ag=hawk-future-20&ascsubtag=UUacUvbUpU6935029

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08VWH9L2...ag=hawk-future-20&ascsubtag=UUacUvbUpU6935029

 

[bxrider117]

I think the best case is the Ringke Onyx. It has lip protection for the screen. It's thin. Had textured she's and the back is textured like sand paper.

 

[bkdodger2]

You have a nice variety of cases

 

[Joshua Luther2]

I ordered the Ringke Fusion clear with the matte back from Amazon.

Ringke Fusion Compatible with Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra Case Frost Satin Textured Back - Matte Clear https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08RZB4DR...ag=hawk-future-20&ascsubtag=UUacUvbUpU6935054

 

[bhatech]

I went with the S21 Ultra.

Smart choice, the more I use OnePlus 9 Pro every day the lesser I like. S21 Ultra just feels overall well polished and actually feels like a $1000 premium device (hard to explain lol).

If someone is in the US especially, you absolutely have to love oxygen OS and 65W charging to get the OP9 Pro over S21 Ultra. Otherwise doesn't make sense to get it since you can get the S21 ultra way less that OP9 Pro.

I don't think competing with Apple and Samsung at premium pricing is going to work for OnePlus in the long run. Especially Samsung, since Samsung has so many different incentives that the overall price is always less compared to OP9 Pro. I'm not even talking about carrier models, just straight up unlocked models.

 

[thacounty]

I'm liking it so far. Now I need a case because it's so slippery! I've ordered a few slim cases from Amazon to try.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08LK73YT...ag=hawk-future-20&ascsubtag=UUacUvbUpU6935881

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08MV9SWZ...ag=hawk-future-20&ascsubtag=UUacUvbUpU6935881

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08VWH9L2...ag=hawk-future-20&ascsubtag=UUacUvbUpU6935881

I went with the Pitaka MagCase. The grip and slim fit are exactly what I wanted.