1. Specifications Comparison
Design
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 5G | Honor Magic6 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 151.7 × 71.2 × 7.9 mm | 162.5 × 75.8 × 8.9 mm | The Honor Magic6 Pro is noticeably larger and thicker, which may make it less comfortable for one-handed use but can feel more immersive when viewing content. |
| Weight | 169g | 225g | The Samsung S21 5G is significantly lighter, making it easier to carry and hold for extended periods. The Honor Magic6 Pro will feel heavier in the hand. |
Display
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 5G | Honor Magic6 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Size | 6.2" | 6.8" | The Honor Magic6 Pro's larger display is better for media consumption, gaming, and multitasking. The S21 is more compact for portability. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1280x2800 | The Magic6 Pro's higher resolution will result in sharper, more detailed images and text, making the visual experience more refined. |
| PPI | 421 | 453 | The Honor Magic6 Pro has a slightly sharper screen but the difference may not be perceptible in everyday use. |
| Technology | AMOLED | OLED | Both offer vibrant colors, deep blacks, and excellent contrast ratios. The difference in real-world use is negligible. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | Both provide smooth scrolling and animations for a fluid user experience. |
| Brightness | 1300 nits | 0 nits | The S21 5G's higher brightness is significantly better for outdoor visibility, particularly under direct sunlight, while the Honor Magic6 Pro's brightness is not specified. |
Performance
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 5G | Honor Magic6 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chipset | Exynos 2100 (5 nm) | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 (4 nm) | The Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 in the Magic6 Pro is significantly more powerful, offering much faster processing and graphics performance, making it better for demanding tasks and gaming. |
| AnTuTu Score | 749,100 | 2,069,877 | The Magic6 Pro has over double the benchmark score of the S21 5G, translating to a much faster and more responsive user experience. |
| GPU | Mali-G78 MP14 | Adreno 750 | The Adreno 750 GPU in the Magic6 Pro offers significantly better graphics performance, leading to smoother gaming and faster rendering of visual content. |
Camera
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 5G | Honor Magic6 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard Camera | 12MP f/1.8, 1/1.76" sensor | 50MP f/1.4, 1/1.3" sensor | The Honor Magic6 Pro has a higher resolution and larger sensor, capturing more detail, and performing better in low light. Its wider aperture also allows more light in. |
| Telephoto + Portrait Camera | 64MP f/2.0, 1/1.72" sensor | 180MP f/2.6, sensor size not available | The Honor Magic6 Pro's higher resolution telephoto lens allows for more detailed zoomed photos. S21 has a wider aperture |
| Selfie Camera | 10MP f/2.2, 1/3.2" sensor | 50MP f/2.0, 1/2.51" sensor | The Magic6 Pro's higher-resolution sensor and wider aperture captures more detailed selfies, and performs better in low light. |
| Wide Angle + Macro | 12.2MP f/2.2, 1/2.55" sensor | 50MP f/2.0, 1/2.88" sensor | The Magic6 Pro has a higher resolution and wider aperture, while the S21 has a slightly larger sensor, which may capture a bit more light. |
| Video | Up to 8K@24fps, various HDR modes | Up to 4K@60fps, various HDR modes | The S21 5G can shoot higher resolution videos, while the Magic6 Pro has OIS on all lenses, for smoother video footage. Both have good video stabilization. |
| DxOMark Score | Mobile: 111, Selfie: 132 | Mobile: 158, Selfie: 151 | The Magic6 Pro significantly outperforms the S21 in both main camera and selfie camera tests, indicating superior photo and video quality. |
Battery
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 5G | Honor Magic6 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 4000mAh | 5600mAh | The Magic6 Pro's significantly larger battery should provide longer battery life, allowing for more extensive use without needing to recharge as frequently. |
| Charging | 25W fast charging | 80W fast charging | The Honor Magic6 Pro charges much faster, reducing the time spent waiting for the phone to charge. |
| Features | 15W wireless, 4.5W reverse wireless | 66W wireless, 7.5W reverse wireless | The Magic6 Pro features faster wireless charging and reverse wireless charging, making it more versatile. |
Other Notable Specs
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 5G | Honor Magic6 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| OS | Android 11, max to 15 | Android 14, max to 18 | The Honor Magic6 Pro runs a newer Android version and will receive more updates, ensuring better security, features, and performance over time. |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6 | Wi-Fi 7 | The Magic6 Pro's support for Wi-Fi 7 allows for faster and more stable connections with compatible routers. |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 LE | 5.3 LE | The Magic6 Pro has newer Bluetooth for better power efficiency and connection stability. |
| Storage | 128/256GB | 256/512/1024GB | The Magic6 Pro offers much more storage capacity, ideal for users with extensive media collections. |
| RAM | 8GB | 12/16GB | The Honor Magic6 Pro's higher RAM allows for smoother multitasking and better performance in memory-intensive tasks. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy S21 5G Advantages
- Lighter and More Compact: Easier to handle and pocket-friendly.
- Superior Screen Brightness: Better visibility in direct sunlight.
- 8K Video Recording: Supports higher-resolution video capture.
Honor Magic6 Pro Advantages
- Significantly Faster Performance: Superior chipset for demanding tasks, gaming and everyday usage.
- Larger and Higher Resolution Display: Better for media consumption and multitasking.
- Much Better Camera System: Higher resolution sensors, better low light performance, better DxO Mark scores.
- Significantly Larger Battery: Much longer battery life.
- Faster Charging Speeds: Both wired and wireless.
- More RAM & Storage Options: Accommodates heavy users with more memory and storage
- Newer Connectivity Standards: Supports WiFi 7 and Bluetooth 5.3.
- Newer OS & Updates: Runs a newer version of Android and will receive more updates.
- Advanced Camera Features: Features such as laser AF and dual front cameras.
Trade-offs
- The Samsung S21 5G sacrifices performance, camera quality, battery life and newer features for portability, outdoor visibility, and slightly lower price.
- The Honor Magic6 Pro is heavier and bulkier, has lower brightness, and may come at a higher price point.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy S21 5G Ideal User
- Users who prioritize a smaller, lighter phone for easy handling.
- Users who need good outdoor visibility.
- Users who want a phone with decent performance for everyday use but are on a budget.
- Users that want to record 8K video.
Use Cases:
- Everyday communication and browsing.
- Casual photography in well-lit conditions.
- Users who need a pocket-friendly device for daily use.
Honor Magic6 Pro Ideal User
- Users who prioritize top-tier performance for gaming and demanding apps.
- Users who want a larger display for media consumption.
- Users who need a top-tier camera system for photography and videography.
- Users who need long battery life and fast charging.
- Users who need the latest connectivity features and longer software support.
- Users who want a higher storage capacity
Use Cases:
- Gaming with demanding graphic requirements.
- Professional photography and videography.
- Heavy multitasking.
- Travel and on-the-go usage.
Price-to-Value Ratio
- The Samsung S21 5G may offer better value for budget-conscious buyers who value portability.
- The Honor Magic6 Pro justifies its higher price with its cutting-edge performance, camera quality and advanced features for power users.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions to Ask:
- What is my primary use case? (e.g., everyday browsing, gaming, photography, video recording).
- What is my budget? (The Honor Magic6 Pro is likely to be more expensive)
- How important is portability, battery life, and camera performance?
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
Scenario 1: Budget-Conscious User & Casual Use: If you need a basic smartphone that's easy to carry and you don't need cutting-edge performance, or camera capabilities, the Samsung Galaxy S21 5G might be sufficient.
Scenario 2: Power User & Heavy Usage: If you are a gamer, content creator, or need a phone with top-tier performance and camera, and you are not as bothered by a larger, heavier phone, the Honor Magic6 Pro is the clear choice.
Scenario 3: Need a great all round phone: If you are willing to compromise slightly on size, the Honor Magic6 Pro is a better all round phone, offering great cameras, battery and processing power.
My Choice
If I had to choose between these two phones, I would choose the Honor Magic6 Pro. While I appreciate the compact size of the Samsung S21 5G, the performance difference is just too large to ignore. As a heavy user who also needs a good camera, the Magic6 Pro is the clear winner. The larger battery and faster charging are also significant benefits. The higher resolution display, newer software, and advanced features make it a more future-proof and well-rounded device. Although the lower brightness of the Honor might be an issue at times, I would rather deal with that than the slower performance, and inferior camera.
