Smartphone Comparison: Samsung Galaxy S21 5G vs. Honor 70
1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 5G | Honor 70 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 151.7 × 71.2 × 7.9 mm | 161.4 × 73.3 × 7.9 mm | Honor 70 is noticeably larger, may be less comfortable for one-handed use. S21 is more compact and pocketable. |
| Weight | 169g | 178g | S21 is slightly lighter, better for long usage without fatigue. The 9g difference might be noticeable. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.2" | 6.67" | Honor 70 has a larger screen for more immersive media consumption and multitasking. S21 is more manageable in one hand. |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 | 1080 x 2400 | Both have the same resolution; sharpness should be similar for general use. |
| PPI | 421 | 395 | S21 has slightly sharper text and images due to higher pixel density; difference may not be noticeable for most users. |
| Technology | AMOLED | OLED | Both offer vibrant colors, deep blacks, and good contrast; generally similar quality. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | Both provide smooth scrolling and animations; equally suitable for gaming and social media. |
| Brightness | 1300 nits | 0 nits | S21 is significantly brighter for better outdoor visibility in direct sunlight. The 0 nits for the Honor 70 is likely an error, we will consider it lower than the S21. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Exynos 2100 (5nm) | Snapdragon 778G+ 5G (6nm) | S21's Exynos 2100 generally offers higher processing power for demanding tasks and gaming. The difference can be noticeable during heavy loads. |
| AnTuTu Score | 749,100 | 600,525 | S21 performs significantly better in benchmarks, indicating smoother and faster performance in most scenarios. |
| GPU | Mali-G78 MP14 | Adreno 642L | S21 has a more powerful GPU suitable for high-end graphics and demanding gaming; better gaming performance for S21. |
| Camera | |||
| Standard Lens | 12MP f/1.8, 1/1.76", 1.8µm | 54MP f/1.9, 1/1.49", 1.0µm | Honor 70's higher resolution captures more detail; larger sensor provides better low-light performance. Samsung S21 has a wider aperture (f/1.8) for more light intake but smaller sensor. |
| Telephoto | 64MP, f/2.0, 1/1.72", 0.8µm | Not Available | S21 has a dedicated telephoto lens for optical zoom; Honor 70 uses digital zoom; S21 has an advantage in long range shooting. |
| Wide Angle | 12.2MP f/2.2 | 50MP f/2.2 | Honor 70 has a dedicated wide angle lens; S21 uses wide angle + macro. Both provide wide angle photos, but with different capabilities; Samsung has macro capabilities. |
| Selfie Camera | 10MP f/2.2, 1/3.2", 1.22µm | 32MP f/2.4, 1/3.2", 0.7µm | Honor 70 has a higher resolution selfie camera. The S21 provides better light intake with wider aperture. |
| Macro Lens | Not Available | 2MP f/2.4 | Honor 70 has a dedicated macro lens for close-up photos, where S21 lacks a dedicated one. |
| Video | Up to 8K@24fps | Up to 4K@30fps | S21 supports higher resolution video recording, ideal for professionals. Both have EIS and slow-motion. |
| DxOMark (Mobile) | 111 (Photo:118, Video: 90) | 115 (Photo: 115, Video: 129) | Honor 70 has slightly better overall mobile score, with better video performance. S21 has better still photo performance. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 4000mAh | 4800mAh | Honor 70's larger battery provides significantly longer battery life. S21 battery will likely require more charges. |
| Charging | 25W | 66W | Honor 70 charges much faster; convenient for quick top-ups; S21 charges much slower. |
| Features | 15W wireless, 4.5W reverse wireless | Reverse charging only | S21 offers both wireless and reverse wireless charging for more convenience. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 (Upgradable to 15) | Android 12 (No max version provided) | Honor 70 is newer software base; S21 confirmed to be upgradable to Android 15. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Bluetooth | 5.0 | 5.2 | Honor 70 has a newer version for better efficiency. |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6 | Wi-Fi 6, MIMO | Both support Wi-Fi 6, Honor 70 has additional MIMO. |
| GPS | GPS (L1+L5), Galileo (E1+E5a) | GPS, Galileo | S21 has more satellite systems for better location accuracy; better for navigation. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 128GB/256GB | 128GB/256GB/512GB | Honor 70 has an option for larger internal storage capacity, useful for storing more files. |
| RAM | 8GB | 6GB/8GB/12GB | Honor 70 has an option for more RAM, better for multitasking and demanding apps. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither has expandable storage; users limited to available storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Audio Quality | Dolby Atmos, Noise cancellation microphone | Hi-Res Audio | S21 has Dolby Atmos and noise cancellation; Honor has Hi-Res Audio; both offer enhanced audio quality. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy S21 5G Advantages:
- Superior Performance: The Exynos 2100 chipset provides significantly better performance in benchmarks, meaning smoother multitasking, faster app loading, and better gaming experiences.
- Brighter Display: The 1300 nits brightness offers dramatically better outdoor visibility, particularly in direct sunlight.
- Advanced Camera Features: Offers 8K video recording, optical zoom, OIS, and additional sensors for more diverse shooting capabilities. It also has more features for photography like Manual Focus and Phase Detection Autofocus.
- Wireless Charging & Reverse Wireless Charging: Provides more convenience for charging with its wireless charging, including reverse wireless charging.
- More Accurate GPS: Has additional satellite systems (L1+L5) for higher accuracy.
Honor 70 Advantages:
- Larger Display: The 6.67" screen is more immersive for media consumption, and provides more visual space.
- Larger Battery & Faster Charging: The 4800mAh battery offers significantly longer battery life, coupled with much faster 66W charging. This will reduce the need for frequent charging and provide quick recharges.
- Higher Resolution Standard & Selfie Camera: More detail and better quality photos for both standard and selfie cameras.
- Dedicated Macro & Wide Angle Lens: Has dedicated lenses for macro and wide angle photography offering more versatile shooting capabilities.
- Newer Bluetooth Version: Newer Bluetooth offers better power efficiency
- Potential for more storage and RAM: Larger RAM and storage capacities in some configurations.
- Better Video Score: According to DxOMark, Honor 70 offers better video quality than the Samsung Galaxy S21.
Trade-offs:
- The S21 sacrifices battery life and charging speeds for a brighter display, better performance, and advanced camera features.
- The Honor 70 provides better battery life and charging speed while having a more modern camera system, at the cost of processing power, display brightness, and more professional video capabilities.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy S21 5G Ideal User:
- Power Users & Gamers: Users who prioritize top-tier performance for demanding apps, multitasking, and high-end gaming.
- Outdoor Photographers: Users who frequently take photos and videos outdoors and need a bright display that's easy to view under sunlight.
- Video Professionals: Users who need high-resolution video for professional projects and who will benefit from 8k recording.
- Users that value top tier GPS: Users that frequently rely on GPS and want the most accurate navigation.
Honor 70 Ideal User:
- Multimedia Consumers: Users who prioritize long battery life and a large display for watching videos, browsing the web, and social media.
- Casual Photographers: Users who want a versatile camera system with high resolution for social media.
- On-the-Go Users: Users who require long battery life and fast charging for extended use without frequent charging opportunities.
- Users that value video quality: Users that prioritize video quality over still photos for social media and casual recording.
Use Cases:
- Samsung Galaxy S21 5G: Mobile gaming with high graphic requirements, video editing, professional photography/videography, outdoor navigation.
- Honor 70: Daily media consumption, long commutes, social media, general photography, travel and light gaming.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions:
- Do you prioritize performance or battery life?
- If performance is key (gaming, multitasking), the S21 is better. If battery life is paramount, choose the Honor 70.
- Do you need a bright display for outdoor use?
- If yes, the S21 with its superior brightness is the better option. If you use your phone primarily indoors, both are sufficient.
- How important is video recording quality and versatility?
- If you want 8K recording and advanced stabilization, the S21 is better. If you prioritize better video quality and don't need 8K, Honor 70 is superior.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Power user who games a lot: Choose the Samsung Galaxy S21 5G due to its superior processor and GPU.
- Scenario 2: User who watches a lot of videos and travels: Choose the Honor 70 because of its longer battery life and larger display.
- Scenario 3: Casual photographer who wants a great everyday phone: If you value still photos, the Samsung Galaxy S21 5G may be better. If video is more important, the Honor 70 is superior.
My Choice
Given my personal preferences, I would choose the Samsung Galaxy S21 5G. While the Honor 70 boasts a larger battery and newer design, the S21's superior processing power, brighter screen, more professional camera features (especially the 8k recording and optical zoom), and more accurate GPS would better suit my typical use case. I am often using demanding apps, taking pictures outdoors, and sometimes using it for video editing and recording, so the S21 would provide a much smoother experience.
