1. Specifications Comparison
Design
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 5G | Honor Magic V2 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Form Factor | Standard | Foldable | Honor Magic V2 offers a larger screen that folds for portability, while the S21 is a standard, more compact phone. |
| Dimensions | 151.7 × 71.2 × 7.9 mm | 156.7 × 145.4 × 4.7 mm | S21 is significantly more compact and pocketable when folded, while Honor Magic V2 is very wide when unfolded. Honor Magic V2 is significantly thinner. |
| Weight | 169g | 231g | S21 is much lighter and more comfortable for long use, while Honor Magic V2 is heavier, but that is expected for a foldable device. |
| Build Quality | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus | Unknown | S21 has a more durable screen, making it more resistant to scratches and cracks, while Honor Magic V2 screen's protection is unknown. |
Display
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 5G | Honor Magic V2 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Size | 6.2" | 7.92" | Honor Magic V2 offers a significantly larger screen for immersive media consumption and multitasking; S21 is more compact. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 2156x2344 | Honor Magic V2 displays sharper images and text due to its higher resolution. |
| PPI | 421 | 402 | Both phones have very similar pixel density, resulting in similar perceived sharpness. |
| Technology | AMOLED | S21 has an AMOLED display offering better contrast, color reproduction, and energy efficiency, especially with dark themes. | |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | Both offer smooth scrolling and animations due to the 120Hz refresh rate. |
| Brightness | 1300 nits | 2500 nits | Honor Magic V2 is significantly brighter, providing excellent outdoor visibility in bright sunlight. |
Performance
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 5G | Honor Magic V2 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chipset | Exynos 2100 (5 nm) - International | Qualcomm SM8550-AB Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 (4 nm) | Honor Magic V2 has a significantly newer and more powerful processor, offering better performance in demanding tasks and gaming. |
| AnTuTu Score | 749,100 | 1,361,789 | Honor Magic V2 has much better performance in benchmarks, indicating smoother app loading and better multitasking capabilities. |
| GPU | Mali-G78 MP14 - International | Adreno 740 | Honor Magic V2 has a more powerful GPU, which improves gaming performance and graphic-intensive tasks. |
Camera
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 5G | Honor Magic V2 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard Camera | 12MP, f/1.8, 1/1.76", Sony IMX555, 1.80µm | 50MP, f/1.9, Unknown, Unknown | Honor Magic V2's main camera has a much higher resolution for more detailed photos, though S21 has a wider aperture. |
| Telephoto + Portrait | 64MP, f/2.0, 1/1.72", Samsung Bright S5KGW2, 0.80µm | None | S21 offers a dedicated telephoto lens for zoom and portrait shots; Honor Magic V2 lacks this. |
| Selfie Camera | 10MP, f/2.2, 1/3.2", Sony IMX374, 1.22µm | 16MP, f/2.2, Unknown, Unknown | Honor Magic V2 offers a higher resolution front-facing camera for selfies. |
| Telephoto Lens | None | 20MP, f/2.4, Unknown, Unknown | Honor Magic V2 offers a telephoto camera for zooming; S21 does not. |
| Wide Angle + Macro | 12.2MP, f/2.2, 1/2.55", Sony IMX563, 1.40µm | 50MP, f/2.0, Unknown, Unknown | Honor Magic V2 has a significantly higher resolution and a wider aperture on its wide-angle lens, allowing for more detailed shots. |
| Video Recording | 8K@24fps, 4K@60fps, HDR, EIS, Stereo Sound | 4K@60fps, HDR, OIS, EIS | S21 can record higher-resolution 8K video, while the Honor Magic V2's videos benefit from optical image stabilization. |
| DxOMark Mobile Main Score | 111 | 117 | Honor Magic V2 has a slightly better main camera score. |
| DxOMark Photo Main Score | 118 | 109 | S21 slightly better performance in photo tests with the main camera. |
| DxOMark Video Main Score | 90 | 120 | Honor Magic V2 has a much better video recording performance with the main camera. |
| DxOMark Selfie Main Score | 132 | Not Tested | S21 has the selfie camera tested by DxOMark. |
| Camera Features | 8K Video, Manual focus, Night Mode | Flicker sensor, Ultra stable video, Laser autofocus (LAF), Main camera for Selfies | S21 offers features for advanced manual photo/video control, while Honor Magic V2 has better video, and has faster autofocus. |
Battery
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 5G | Honor Magic V2 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 4000mAh | 5000mAh | Honor Magic V2 has a larger battery, potentially leading to longer battery life, however real use may vary. |
| Charging | 25W Fast Charging | 66W Fast Charging | Honor Magic V2 charges much faster, significantly reducing charging times. |
| Features | Reverse, Wireless, Reverse Wireless | None | S21 offers wireless and reverse wireless charging options, adding extra convenience, while Honor Magic V2 doesn't. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy S21 5G Advantages:
- More Compact and Lighter: Easier to handle and carry around, fitting comfortably in pockets, making it great for people with smaller hands or who value portability.
- Better Display Technology: AMOLED offers superior image quality with deep blacks, vibrant colors, and good power efficiency in dark modes, potentially saving battery.
- Wireless Charging and Reverse Wireless Charging: Convenience of wireless charging and ability to charge other devices wirelessly, a useful and practical feature.
- Detailed Camera Specifications More details on the sensor used.
- 8K video recording: Allows for professional level video content creation.
- Selfie Camera DxOMark: Has a DxOMark score for the selfie camera.
- Better screen protection: The screen has superior protection.
- Additional sensors: Features a barometer for environmental data.
- Telephoto + portrait camera: Offers a dedicated telephoto lens.
Honor Magic V2 Advantages:
- Larger Foldable Display: Offers an immersive viewing experience for multimedia and enhanced multitasking capabilities, ideal for people who want more screen real estate.
- Significantly Higher Performance: The Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 offers significantly improved processing power and GPU performance, ideal for heavy tasks and gaming.
- Much Faster Charging: 66W charging significantly reduces downtime, quickly topping up the large battery.
- Better outdoor visibility: It's much brighter, making it significantly better for outdoor use.
- Higher Camera Resolution: Higher resolution sensors capture more details, especially in well-lit conditions.
- Better video performance: Scored higher in DxOMark video tests.
- Advanced Wi-Fi: It has newer Wi-Fi version.
- More Storage and RAM Options: Offers much larger storage and more RAM for smoother multitasking and more app storage.
- Telephoto Lens: Offers a telephoto lens for zooming.
- More Satellite Systems for GPS: Supports additional location satellites, providing more accurate GPS in various situations.
- Newer Bluetooth: Has a newer bluetooth version.
- Newer operating System: Has a newer Android operating system.
- Ultra stable video, Laser autofocus: Has features for better video and autofocus.
Significant Trade-offs:
- Samsung S21 5G: Has a smaller battery, slower charging, and less powerful processor compared to the Honor Magic V2.
- Honor Magic V2: Is heavier, larger when unfolded, has less camera details, and lacks wireless charging support, and screen protection information.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Ideal User for Samsung Galaxy S21 5G:
- Users who value portability and single-handed use.
- Users who appreciate superior display technology like AMOLED.
- Users who require wireless charging and reverse wireless charging capabilities.
- Users who want a versatile camera system with optical zoom.
- Users who want to create professional 8K video content.
- Users with a focus on quality photos, especially on selfies.
- Users who would benefit from a barometer for environment related data.
Use Cases: Everyday smartphone usage, general content consumption, wireless charging convenience, professional quality photo and video recording on a regular basis, single hand use.
Ideal User for Honor Magic V2:
- Users who want a large, immersive screen for media consumption and multitasking.
- Power users who require high performance for gaming and demanding applications.
- Users who prioritize faster charging speeds and longer battery life.
- Users who want better outdoor visibility under bright sunlight.
- Users who would benefit from extra storage space and RAM.
- Users who want newer technologies such as Wi-Fi 7.
- Users who want more accurate GPS positioning.
Use Cases: Multitasking, heavy mobile gaming, content creation, viewing media on a larger screen, need for an all-day phone, people working outdoors.
Price-to-Value Ratio:
- The Samsung Galaxy S21 5G is likely to offer a better value for users who are looking for a compact phone with a premium display and wireless charging.
- The Honor Magic V2 may be worth the higher price if you require a foldable large screen, significantly more performance, and faster charging speeds, but expect to pay a premium for the large screen and the foldable capabilities.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- How important is portability vs. screen size? Are you okay with carrying around a heavier and larger phone for a big screen, or do you prefer a more compact device?
- How important is top-tier performance vs. better battery life? Do you value the highest level of performance for gaming and demanding tasks, or do you prioritize battery life?
- How important is wireless charging and reverse wireless charging? Do you often use wireless charging, and do you need the ability to charge other devices wirelessly on the go?
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Everyday user: If you are looking for an everyday phone with excellent display quality, consider the Samsung Galaxy S21 5G. It is compact and easier to handle with a good set of features.
- Scenario 2: Power User: If you are a gamer, a content creator, or require fast performance for daily tasks and don't mind the larger size of the phone, the Honor Magic V2 would be a better option, offering much better performance, faster charging, and a larger screen.
- Scenario 3: Content creator: If you are a content creator who wants professional quality video the Samsung Galaxy S21 5G with 8K video and more camera options would be a better option. If you want more stabilized videos, the Honor Magic V2 is a better option.
My Choice
Personally, I would choose the Honor Magic V2. Although the Samsung Galaxy S21 5G is a very capable phone, the Honor Magic V2's advantages are more compelling for my use case. The significantly larger display for multimedia consumption and multitasking, the much higher performance for gaming and demanding tasks, and the faster charging are important to me. The trade-off in terms of portability is acceptable because I value a larger screen for viewing content. Also, the improved camera video recording capabilities and much better outdoor visibility are beneficial.
