1. Specifications Comparison
Here's a detailed comparison of the Samsung Galaxy S21 5G and the Honor Magic5 Pro, focusing on their practical implications:
Design
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 5G | Honor Magic5 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 151.7 x 71.2 x 7.9 mm | 162.9 x 76.7 x 8.8 mm | The Honor Magic5 Pro is noticeably larger and may be less comfortable for single-handed use or smaller hands. |
| Weight | 169g | 219g | The Galaxy S21 is significantly lighter, making it more comfortable for extended use. The Honor Magic5 Pro's weight might be tiring for some users. |
| Build | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus (screen) | Unknown (screen) | Galaxy S21 has a known superior screen protection (Corning Gorilla Glass Victus). Honor Magic 5 Pro screen protection is not specified. |
Display
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 5G | Honor Magic5 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Size | 6.2" | 6.81" | The Honor Magic5 Pro offers a larger screen for immersive media consumption, gaming, and productivity. The Galaxy S21 is more compact for easier handling. |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 | 1312 x 2848 | The Honor Magic5 Pro's higher resolution results in sharper and more detailed visuals. |
| Pixel Density | 421 PPI | 460 PPI | The Honor Magic5 Pro has a slightly sharper display with more pixels per inch. |
| Technology | AMOLED | OLED | Both use excellent display technologies offering great contrast and colors |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | Both phones offer a smooth 120Hz refresh rate for fluid scrolling and gaming. |
| Brightness | 1300 nits | 1800 nits | The Honor Magic5 Pro's higher brightness makes it significantly better for outdoor visibility, especially in bright sunlight. |
Performance
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 5G | Honor Magic5 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chipset | Exynos 2100 (5 nm) | Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 (4 nm) | The Honor Magic5 Pro's newer Snapdragon chip is significantly faster and more efficient, offering better performance in games, multitasking, and demanding apps. |
| AnTuTu Score | 749,100 | 1,406,562 | The Honor Magic5 Pro scores nearly double the Galaxy S21, indicating substantially higher overall performance capabilities. |
| GPU | Mali-G78 MP14 | Adreno 740 | The Adreno 740 in the Honor Magic5 Pro provides superior graphics performance for gaming and graphics-intensive applications. |
Battery
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 5G | Honor Magic5 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 4000 mAh | 5100 mAh | The Honor Magic5 Pro has a larger battery, which should translate to longer battery life. |
| Charging | 25W | 66W | The Honor Magic5 Pro charges much faster, reducing downtime. |
| Features | 15W Wireless, 4.5W Reverse Wireless, Reverse Charging | 50W Wireless, 5W Reverse Charging, Silicon-Carbon Battery | Honor Magic5 Pro has faster wireless charging and silicon carbon battery which is supposed to last longer. Both have reverse charging capabilities |
Camera
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 5G | Honor Magic5 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main Camera | 12MP, f/1.8, 1/1.76" | 50MP, f/1.6, 1/1.12" | The Honor Magic5 Pro has a larger sensor and wider aperture for better low-light performance and detail. |
| Telephoto/Portrait Camera | 64MP, f/2.0, 1/1.72" | 50MP, f/3.0, 1/2.51" | The Galaxy S21 has a higher resolution telephoto lens with a wider aperture, but the sensor size is larger on the Samsung Galaxy S21, potentially resulting in better details in portraits and zoomed shots. |
| Wide-Angle/Macro | 12.2MP, f/2.2, 1/2.55" | 50MP, f/2.0, 1/2" | Honor Magic5 Pro has a higher resolution and slightly better aperture, leading to sharper wide shots. |
| Selfie | 10MP, f/2.2, 1/3.2" | 12MP, f/2.4 | The Honor Magic5 Pro has a slightly higher resolution selfie camera, while the Samsung Galaxy S21 5G has a wider aperture. |
| ToF 3D Sensor | No | Yes | Honor Magic5 Pro has better depth sensing and 3D mapping for augmented reality. |
| Video | Up to 8K 24fps | Up to 4K 60fps | The Galaxy S21 supports higher resolution video recording with 8k, and 4k at 60 FPS while Honor Magic5 Pro only supports up to 4k at 60fps. |
| DXOMark (Mobile) | Main: 111 Photo: 118 Video: 90 | Main: 152 Photo: 154 Video: 144 | The Honor Magic5 Pro significantly outperforms the Samsung Galaxy S21 in overall mobile camera performance, particularly in video. |
| DXOMark (Selfie) | Main: 132 Photo: 125 Video: 145 | Main: 123 Photo: 116 Video: 136 | Samsung Galaxy S21 performs slightly better in Selfie camera performance. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy S21 5G Advantages:
- Lighter and More Compact: Easier to handle and carry for extended periods.
- 8K Video Recording: Offers high-resolution video capture for professional-grade video content.
- Slightly Better Selfie Camera: Offers better performance in selfies.
- Slightly Better Audio Capabilities: Offers features like Dolby Atmos, noise cancelling and better audio separation.
Honor Magic5 Pro Advantages:
- Significantly Better Performance: The Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 offers superior speed and efficiency for gaming, multitasking, and overall responsiveness.
- Larger and Brighter Display: Provides a more immersive experience and better outdoor visibility.
- Much Longer Battery Life and Faster Charging: Ensures you stay powered longer and can recharge quickly.
- Superior Main Camera System: Excels in low-light photography, detail, and overall image quality, particularly in its main camera system.
- Better Mobile Video Quality: Better main video quality.
- More advanced WiFi: Supports newer WiFi standards.
- More advanced Bluetooth: Supports newer Bluetooth standards.
- More advanced GPS: Supports more satellite systems for better location accuracy.
- eSIM Support: Offers digital carrier switching options.
- Larger Internal Storage: Offers up to 512GB of storage.
Trade-offs:
- The Honor Magic5 Pro is larger and heavier than the Samsung Galaxy S21, which some users may find uncomfortable.
- Samsung Galaxy S21 has superior selfie performance, and higher video recording, while Honor Magic5 Pro has better main camera system and video performance.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy S21 5G is Ideal For:
- Users who prefer a smaller, lighter phone: Ideal for those with smaller hands or those who value portability.
- Users who need 8K Video: Great for professional and amateur videographers.
- Users who want a good value: This phone is generally more affordable than the newer Honor Magic5 Pro.
- Users who prefer better selfie performance: This is the preferred phone if selfie performance is a priority.
Specific Use Cases for Samsung Galaxy S21 5G:
- Daily usage with a focus on comfort and portability.
- Casual video recording and photography.
- Users who prefer slightly better audio capabilities.
Honor Magic5 Pro is Ideal For:
- Users who want top-tier performance: Excellent for mobile gaming, video editing, and other resource-intensive tasks.
- Users who want the best camera performance: Perfect for photography enthusiasts and those who prioritize image quality, especially in low light.
- Users who need long battery life: Ensures all-day use without needing to recharge frequently.
- Users who consume a lot of media: Great for watching videos, browsing the web, and playing games on a large, vibrant screen.
Specific Use Cases for Honor Magic5 Pro:
- Mobile gaming with demanding graphics.
- Professional or semi-professional photography and video work on the main camera.
- Heavy daily use with lots of app switching and multitasking.
- Outdoor use where screen brightness is essential.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- What is your primary use case? (Casual browsing, gaming, photography, etc.)
- How important is size and weight to you? (Do you prefer compact or large screen?)
- What is your budget? (Are you looking for value or willing to pay for the best features?)
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- If you need a compact, lightweight phone with a good screen and 8K video, and budget is a concern: Choose the Samsung Galaxy S21 5G.
- If you need the best performance, superior camera capabilities, longer battery life, and larger screen, and you do not mind a slightly heavier device: Choose the Honor Magic5 Pro.
- If you need the best selfie performance: Choose the Samsung Galaxy S21 5G.
What I would choose and why!
Personally, I would choose the Honor Magic5 Pro. While the Samsung Galaxy S21 5G offers good value and is more compact, the Honor Magic5 Pro's advantages in performance, display quality, battery life, and main camera performance are simply too significant to ignore. For me, a smooth and responsive user experience, a larger and brighter screen for media consumption and better camera for photography is more important than a compact size or selfie performance. The performance difference between the two phones is night and day, making the Honor Magic5 Pro a much better choice for my daily needs, including heavy multitasking and occasional gaming. Furthermore, the significantly improved battery life and faster charging are essential for my busy lifestyle. The Samsung Galaxy S21 5G is still a good phone, but the Honor Magic5 Pro's combination of features makes it the clear winner for my particular use cases, making it worth the extra cost if I had to choose one.
