1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 5G | Honor X8b | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 151.7 x 71.2 x 7.9 mm | 161.1 x 74.6 x 6.8 mm | Honor X8b is taller and wider, while S21 5G is thicker. S21 5G may feel more compact, while X8b offers a larger screen. |
| Weight | 169g | 166g | Both are very similar in weight; unlikely to feel significant difference in hand. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.2" | 6.7" | Honor X8b offers a noticeably larger viewing area, better for media consumption. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2412 | Similar sharpness; negligible real-world difference. |
| PPI | 421 | 394 | S21 5G has slightly sharper display due to higher pixel density, although difference might be unnoticeable to some. |
| Technology | AMOLED | AMOLED | Both offer vibrant colors, deep blacks, and good contrast. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 90Hz | S21 5G provides smoother scrolling and animations. |
| Brightness | 1300 nits | 2000 nits | Honor X8b is much better for outdoor use in direct sunlight. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Exynos 2100 (5nm) | Snapdragon 680 (6nm) | S21 5G offers significantly faster performance, quicker app launches, and better gaming experience. |
| AnTuTu Score | 749,100 | 250,000 | S21 5G provides a vastly superior overall performance, handling demanding tasks more smoothly. |
| GPU | Mali-G78 MP14 | Adreno 610 | S21 5G provides a much stronger graphics processing capability, better for demanding apps and games. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera Res. | 12MP | 108MP | Honor X8b's main camera captures significantly more detail on paper, but not necessarily better image quality. |
| Main Camera Aperture | f/1.8 | f/1.75 | Honor X8b has slightly wider aperture, theoretically better in low light. |
| Telephoto/Portrait Camera | Yes | No | S21 5G provides dedicated telephoto camera for optical zoom and portrait shots. |
| Selfie Camera Res. | 10MP | 50MP | Honor X8b captures much more detail in selfies, but again, higher resolution doesn't mean superior image quality. |
| Selfie Camera Aperture | f/2.2 | f/2.1 | Honor X8b has slightly wider aperture, theoretically better in low light. |
| Wide Angle lens | No | Yes | Honor X8b offers a wide angle lens for capturing more in the frame. |
| Macro Lens | No | Yes | Honor X8b offers a macro lens for close up photography. |
| Wide Angle + Macro Camera | Yes | No | S21 5G offers an additional camera for ultra wide and macro photos, but this is also offered on the Honor X8b separately. |
| Video Recording | Up to 8K@24fps | Up to 1080p@30fps | S21 5G provides much higher video recording capabilities. |
| DxoMark | Mobile: 111, Selfie: 132 | N/A | S21 5G's camera performance is rated by DxOMark, Honor X8b has no official score. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 4000mAh | 4500mAh | Honor X8b is likely to last longer on a single charge. |
| Charging | 25W | 35W | Honor X8b charges slightly faster. |
| Wireless Charging | 15W | No | S21 5G can be charged wirelessly and also can reverse charge. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 (up to 15) | Android 13 | Honor X8b ships with a newer OS out of the box. |
| Connectivity | |||
| WiFi | WiFi 6 (802.11ax) | Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac) | S21 5G supports faster and more efficient Wi-Fi connections. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal Storage | 128/256GB | 128/256/512 GB | Honor X8b offers a higher storage option. |
| RAM | 8GB | 8GB | Similar multitasking capabilities. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither support memory cards. |
| Audio | |||
| Audio Features | Dolby Atmos, Stereo Speakers | Basic Features | S21 5G offers better audio experience with its features. |
| Security | |||
| Fingerprint Sensor | Basic Fingerprint | Side-Mounted Fingerprint | Honor X8b's fingerprint scanner is faster and more convenient. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy S21 5G Advantages:
- Superior Performance: The Exynos 2100 chipset offers a significant performance advantage over the Snapdragon 680, resulting in faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and better gaming capabilities.
- Higher Refresh Rate Display: 120Hz refresh rate provides a smoother visual experience, especially during scrolling and gaming.
- Advanced Camera Features: The S21 5G offers optical zoom, OIS, 8K video recording, and more advanced camera features including a dedicated telephoto lens that the X8b lacks, making it more versatile.
- Better Wireless Capabilities The device supports Wi-Fi 6 and wireless charging (along with reverse wireless charging), providing a more future-proof wireless connectivity.
- Better Audio: Stereo speakers and Dolby Atmos support offer improved audio quality, ideal for media consumption.
- More Comprehensive Sensor Suite: The additional sensors (gyroscope, barometer) are useful for augmented reality, accurate motion tracking, and atmospheric pressure readings.
Honor X8b Advantages:
- Larger Display: The 6.7" display offers more screen real estate for media consumption, gaming, and browsing.
- Significantly Brighter Display: 2000 nits peak brightness makes it easier to see the screen in bright sunlight.
- Larger Battery: The 4500mAh battery should offer longer battery life compared to the S21 5G's 4000mAh battery.
- Higher Resolution Cameras: The 108MP main camera and 50MP selfie camera captures more detail, although higher resolution does not always translate to better image quality. Also features dedicated Macro and Wide Angle lens.
- Faster Charging Speed: 35W fast charging is slightly faster than the 25W on the S21 5G.
- Newer Android Version Ships with Android 13 vs Android 11 on the S21.
- Larger Storage Option: Offers up to 512GB of internal storage.
Trade-offs:
- S21 5G: Sacrifices battery life and screen size for significantly more performance, superior camera capabilities and audio experience. It also is an older phone.
- Honor X8b: Trades performance and some advanced features for a larger, brighter display, and longer battery life, alongside newer software and a slightly newer design.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy S21 5G is ideal for:
- Power Users: Users who prioritize performance for demanding tasks like gaming, video editing, and heavy multitasking.
- Photography Enthusiasts: Individuals who value advanced camera features like optical zoom, 8K video recording, and excellent low-light performance.
- Media Consumers: Those who want a high-quality display, good audio, and comprehensive sensor suite for content consumption.
- Users in need of fast and reliable wireless connectivity: Benefit from Wifi 6 and Wireless charging.
Use Cases:
- Playing graphically intensive games with high frame rates.
- Capturing professional-grade video content on the go.
- Utilizing augmented reality applications that require precise motion tracking.
- Enjoying high-fidelity audio with stereo speakers.
- Using wireless charging conveniently.
Honor X8b is ideal for:
- Casual Users: Individuals who prioritize a large, bright screen for everyday tasks like browsing social media, watching videos, and reading.
- Users Seeking Long Battery Life: Those who need a phone that can last a full day on a single charge with moderate use.
- Selfie Lovers: Users who take a lot of selfies and want high-resolution images.
- Price-Conscious Buyers: Those seeking good value with a larger display and decent cameras.
Use Cases:
- Watching movies or TV shows on the larger display.
- Browsing the web and social media in bright outdoor conditions.
- Taking photos and videos for social media.
- Extending battery life when traveling or away from a charger.
- Casual gaming and day-to-day use.
Price-to-Value:
- The Samsung Galaxy S21 5G, while older, often retains a higher price due to its flagship features and performance, making it more of a premium device and a better choice for those who don't have a budget.
- The Honor X8b provides more value for the budget-conscious user seeking a large display, long battery life, and decent cameras at a lower cost.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions to Consider:
- How important is performance and gaming to you? (S21 5G wins for performance)
- How important is battery life and display size? (Honor X8b wins for battery, display)
- Do you value premium camera features and quality, or is a larger megapixel count more important? (S21 5G for advanced features and testing, X8b for larger MP counts)
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: If you are a mobile gamer or heavy app user, you should prioritize performance and advanced features and choose the Samsung Galaxy S21 5G.
- Scenario 2: If you primarily use your phone for media consumption, social media, and require long battery life and good outdoor visibility, the Honor X8b is the better option.
- Scenario 3: If you are a photography enthusiast and love taking pictures and recording video, the Samsung Galaxy S21 5G offers a greater range of advanced capabilities.
My Choice
If I were to choose between these two phones, I would choose the Samsung Galaxy S21 5G. Although it is older, the dramatic difference in processing power and the superior camera suite makes it more appealing to me. I value the higher refresh rate, better performance, and advanced camera features of the S21 5G, which is better suited to my needs. While the Honor X8b's larger screen and battery are nice, they do not outweigh the performance, camera and audio benefits of the S21 5G. Also, it's comprehensive sensor suite means it is a more versatile device overall.
