Smartphone Comparison: Samsung Galaxy S21 5G vs. Honor 50 Lite
1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 5G | Honor 50 Lite | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Launch Date | 2021-01-29 | 2021-11-17 | Honor 50 Lite is approximately 9 months newer, potentially having newer software features. |
| Dimensions | 151.7 x 71.2 x 7.9 mm | 161.8 x 74.7 x 8.5 mm | S21 5G is more compact, fitting better in smaller hands and pockets; Honor 50 Lite is larger, potentially offering a better viewing experience for media. |
| Weight | 169g | 192g | S21 5G is noticeably lighter, more comfortable for extended holding periods. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.2" | 6.67" | Honor 50 Lite offers a larger screen, better for media consumption and multitasking. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2376 | Both have similar sharpness; difference is negligible in daily use. |
| Pixel Density | 421 PPI | 391 PPI | S21 5G has a slightly sharper display, though the difference is subtle. |
| Technology | AMOLED | IPS LCD | S21 5G offers superior contrast, deeper blacks, more vibrant colors, and better power efficiency for dark mode. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 60Hz | S21 5G has smoother scrolling, animations and gaming experience. |
| Brightness | 1300 nits | 0 nits | S21 5G screen is significantly brighter, much better visibility in direct sunlight; The Honor 50 Lite's brightness specification is missing. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Exynos 2100 (5 nm) | 8 (Qualcomm Adreno 610) | S21 5G offers significantly faster performance for demanding tasks, gaming and future-proofing, it has a much faster processor. |
| AnTuTu Score | 749,100 | 201,000 | S21 5G has vastly higher performance, translates to smoother multitasking, snappier app loading and better gaming. |
| GPU | Mali-G78 MP14 | Adreno 610 | S21 5G has a more powerful GPU resulting in better gaming performance and smoother graphics rendering. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 4000mAh | 4300mAh | Honor 50 Lite has a slightly larger battery which might provide marginally longer battery life, all else being equal. |
| Charging | 25W fast charging | 66W fast charging | Honor 50 Lite charges much faster, enabling quicker top-ups throughout the day. |
| Features | Reverse charging, Wireless charging 15W, Reverse wireless charging 4.5W, No charger in-box | Non-removable | S21 5G offers wireless charging convenience and reverse charging to power other devices; Honor 50 Lite does not offer this. |
| Camera | |||
| Standard Camera | 12MP, f/1.8, 1/1.76" Sony IMX555 | 64MP, f/1.9, 1/1.7" Sony IMX682 | Honor 50 Lite has higher megapixel count, potentially sharper images in good light; S21 5G has wider aperture for better low-light performance. |
| Telephoto/Portrait | 64MP, f/2.0, 1/1.72" Samsung Bright S5KGW2 | Not Available | S21 5G offers a dedicated telephoto for optical zoom capabilities and better portraits. |
| Selfie Camera | 10MP, f/2.2, 1/3.2" Sony IMX374 | 16MP, f/2.0 | Honor 50 Lite has higher megapixel count for selfies and wider aperture for better low-light. |
| Wide Angle Lens | Not Available | 8MP, f/2.4 | Honor 50 Lite has a dedicated wide-angle lens for capturing more in the scene. |
| Portrait Mode Lens | Not Available | 2MP, f/2.4 | Honor 50 Lite has a dedicated depth sensor for better portrait mode effects. |
| Macro Lens | Not Available | 2MP, f/2.4 | Honor 50 Lite has a macro lens for close-up photography. |
| Wide Angle + Macro | 12.2MP, f/2.2, 1/2.55" Sony IMX563 | Not Available | S21 5G has a wide-angle with macro capabilities. |
| Video | Up to 8K@24fps, 4K@60fps with HDR, EIS, Stereo Sound | 1080p@30fps | S21 5G offers superior video recording quality (higher resolution, frame rates, HDR), better for video content creation; Video stabilization is superior on the S21. |
| DxOMark Score (Mobile) | 111 | Not Available | S21 5G has better tested camera performance. |
| DxOMark Score (Selfie) | 132 | Not Available | S21 5G has better tested selfie camera performance. |
| Camera Features | 4K/8K video, Optical Zoom, OIS, RAW, Night Mode | Quadruple Camera | S21 5G offers more advanced photography and videography features like OIS, optical zoom and RAW support. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11, upgradable to 15 | Android 11, no max version specified | S21 5G offers guaranteed software updates up to Android 15, which is better for long term use; The maximum update for the Honor 50 Lite is unknown. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6, Dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 5, Wi-Fi Display | S21 5G has faster Wi-Fi with a wider range, and additionally supports Wi-Fi Direct. |
| Bluetooth | 5.0, various profiles including ANT+, APT-x, SBC | 5.0, A2DP, LE, APT-x, LDAC, AAC | S21 5G has more comprehensive Bluetooth features; Honor 50 Lite additionally supports LDAC and AAC. |
| GPS | GPS (L1+L5), Galileo (E1+E5a), A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou | S21 5G has dual-band GPS with better accuracy in dense urban areas, additional supported satellite systems. |
| SIM | Dual SIM Dual Standby (Nano SIM + Nano SIM) | Dual SIM Dual Standby (Nano SIM + Nano SIM) | Both support dual SIM and dual standby. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 128GB/256GB | 128GB | S21 5G offers a 256GB option, double the storage capacity of the Honor 50 Lite. |
| RAM | 8GB | 6GB/8GB | Both offer 8 GB options; the S21 5G only comes with 8GB |
| Expandable Storage | Not Available | Not Available | Neither phone has expandable storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Dolby Atmos, Stereo Speakers, Noise cancellation microphone | Noise cancellation microphone, 2 microphones | S21 5G has stereo speakers for better audio playback; Honor 50 Lite has a dual microphone system. |
| Security | |||
| Features | Basic fingerprint sensor | Side-mounted fingerprint sensor | Honor 50 Lite has a more convenient side-mounted fingerprint sensor. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus | Unknown | S21 5G has superior screen protection, making it more durable against scratches and drops. |
| Sensors | |||
| Features | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Barometer, Hall, Geomagnetic | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Gravity | S21 5G includes an additional barometer sensor, suitable for more precise environmental readings. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy S21 5G Advantages:
- Superior Performance: The Exynos 2100 chipset offers significantly faster processing speeds, making it ideal for gaming, demanding apps, and overall smoother user experience, and is much more future proof.
- Higher Quality Display: AMOLED display with 120Hz refresh rate offers vibrant colors, deep blacks, smoother animations, better visibility in direct sunlight, and better power efficiency for dark themes.
- Advanced Camera Features: Telephoto lens for optical zoom, better low-light performance on the primary lens, 8K video recording, and features like OIS and RAW capture. Higher video recording qualities.
- Wireless Charging & Reverse Charging: Added convenience of wireless charging and the ability to charge other devices wirelessly.
- Better Software Support: Guaranteed software upgrades to Android 15 for long-term use.
- Better Build Quality: Gorilla Glass Victus provides superior screen protection.
- More Powerful WiFi: Supports WiFi 6, a newer, faster and more stable standard.
- More Accurate GPS: Dual-band GPS support.
- Better Audio Features: Dolby Atmos and Stereo speakers
Honor 50 Lite Advantages:
- Larger Display: Offers a larger screen for better media consumption and multitasking.
- Faster Charging: 66W fast charging allows for much quicker battery top-ups.
- More Versatile Camera System: Offers a wide-angle, macro, and depth sensors, providing greater creative options.
- Side-mounted Fingerprint Sensor: More convenient than a basic sensor.
- Lower cost: likely comes at a lower price point.
Trade-offs:
- S21 5G: Higher cost, smaller screen, slower charging speed.
- Honor 50 Lite: Significantly lower performance, inferior display, basic camera and missing advanced features like wireless charging and OIS.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy S21 5G:
- Ideal User: Power users who prioritize performance, display quality, and camera capabilities. Gamers, content creators, and users who value a smooth, future-proof device.
- Use Cases:
- Playing graphically intensive games.
- Capturing high-quality photos and videos, especially in low-light conditions.
- Media consumption with excellent visual fidelity.
- Professional use cases requiring a powerful and versatile smartphone.
Honor 50 Lite:
- Ideal User: Budget-conscious users who prioritize a large screen, fast charging, and a versatile camera system for everyday photography. Users who watch a lot of media.
- Use Cases:
- Casual social media usage and browsing.
- Viewing a lot of content on a large display.
- Basic photography with good flexibility through wide, macro and depth cameras.
- Users who prioritize rapid battery charging.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- What is my budget? The S21 5G is likely to be significantly more expensive.
- How important is performance to me? If gaming or heavy multitasking is a priority, the S21 5G is a much better choice.
- What is my typical usage scenario? If it's primarily media consumption and casual photography, the Honor 50 Lite will be adequate and might be more affordable.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1 (Performance Focused): If gaming or running demanding apps are primary use cases, the Samsung Galaxy S21 5G is the clear choice due to its superior chipset, GPU, and high refresh rate display.
- Scenario 2 (Budget Conscious): If you want a large screen, fast charging, and decent everyday performance at a lower price point, the Honor 50 Lite is a good option.
- Scenario 3 (Camera Enthusiast): If image quality and advanced features (OIS, RAW, optical zoom) are essential, the Samsung Galaxy S21 5G offers significantly better overall performance and flexibility.
- Scenario 4 (General Use): For general use, social media, media consumption the Honor 50 Lite is acceptable but the display quality, performance and longevity of software support will be better with the Samsung device.
My Choice
I would choose the Samsung Galaxy S21 5G.
Reasoning:
While the Honor 50 Lite offers a larger screen and faster charging, the S21 5G is far superior in areas that are most important for overall user experience and future proofing, including performance, display quality, and camera capabilities. The significant difference in performance and display tech makes the S21 5G a more compelling choice for a premium smartphone experience. Its better software support, wireless charging, and build quality also contribute to a more well-rounded, and durable user experience, despite the higher cost. Although the Honor 50 Lite would be perfectly fine for a basic daily driver, the better quality in most areas on the S21 makes it worth the additional cost.
