1. Specifications Comparison
Design
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 5G | Huawei nova 11 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Physical Size | 151.7 × 71.2 × 7.9 mm | 161.3 × 75 × 6.9 mm | Nova 11 is taller and wider, S21 5G is thicker. Nova 11 feels larger in hand. |
| Weight | 169g | 168g | Virtually identical; both feel lightweight. |
| Foldable | Standard | Standard | Both are standard slab-style phones. |
Display
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 5G | Huawei nova 11 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Size | 6.2" | 6.7" | Nova 11 offers more screen real estate for media consumption, gaming, and multitasking. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1084x2412 | Both are very similar, negligible difference in sharpness. |
| PPI | 421 | 391 | S21 5G has slightly sharper text and images due to higher pixel density, though not dramatically noticeable. |
| Technology | AMOLED | OLED | Both offer excellent color reproduction, deep blacks, and wide viewing angles. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | Both offer smooth scrolling and animations for a responsive user experience. |
| Brightness | 1300 nits | 950 nits | S21 5G is significantly brighter, providing better outdoor visibility in direct sunlight. |
Performance
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 5G | Huawei nova 11 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chipset | Exynos 2100 (5 nm) - International | Qualcomm SM7325 Snapdragon 778G 4G (6 nm) | S21 5G is expected to have slightly better overall performance, especially in demanding tasks, due to its more powerful chipset. |
| Antutu Score | 749,100 | 587,561 | S21 5G is expected to have faster app loading times and smoother performance in gaming and heavy multitasking scenarios. |
| GPU | Mali-G78 MP14 - International | Adreno 642L | S21 5G's GPU is generally more powerful, leading to better graphics performance in games and other GPU-intensive applications. |
Battery
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 5G | Huawei nova 11 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 4000mAh | 4500mAh | Nova 11 likely offers longer battery life between charges, which is useful for heavy users. |
| Charging | 25W fast charging | 66W fast charging | Nova 11 charges significantly faster, reducing downtime. |
| Features | Wireless charging, Reverse wireless charging | Reverse charging | S21 5G offers more wireless charging convenience; both can charge other devices via reverse charging. |
Camera
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 5G | Huawei nova 11 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard Camera | 12MP, f/1.8, 1/1.76", 1.80µm, Sony IMX555 | 50MP, f/1.9 | Nova 11 has higher resolution, potentially more detailed images in good light. S21 5G has a slightly wider aperture for better low-light performance. |
| Telephoto + Portrait | 64MP, f/2.0, 1/1.72", 0.80µm, Samsung Bright S5KGW2 | Not available | S21 5G provides optical zoom and improved portrait shots. |
| Selfie Camera | 10MP, f/2.2, 1/3.2", 1.22µm, Sony IMX374 | 60MP, f/2.4, 1/2.8", 0.61µm, Omnivision OV60A | Nova 11 has a significantly higher resolution for more detailed selfies; S21 5G has a wider aperture for better low light selfies and better pixel size. |
| Wide Angle + Macro | 12.2MP, f/2.2, 1/2.55", 1.40µm, Sony IMX563 | 8MP, f/2.2 | S21 5G offers better wide-angle shots due to higher resolution. |
| Video | 8K@24fps, 4K@60fps, various HDR modes | 720p@960fps with EIS | S21 5G offers higher video resolution (8K) and more video capabilities. Nova 11 focuses on slow motion. |
| DXOMark Mobile | Main: 111, Photo: 118, Video: 90 | Not Available | S21 5G has a tested overall good camera performance. |
| DXOMark Selfie | Main: 132, Photo: 125, Video: 145 | Not Available | S21 5G has a tested overall excellent selfie camera performance. |
| Features | 4K/8K Video, Optical zoom, OIS, RAW, Night Mode | 4K Video, RAW | S21 5G has more advanced features for photography and videography like OIS and Night Mode. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy S21 5G Advantages:
- Superior Display Brightness: Significantly better outdoor visibility with 1300 nits compared to 950 nits.
- Stronger Performance: Higher Antutu score and more powerful chipset resulting in smoother operation, faster app loading, and better gaming performance.
- Advanced Camera System: Dedicated telephoto lens, 8K video recording, Optical Image Stabilization (OIS), and better low-light performance.
- Better tested camera: The S21 5G has a tested and verified good main camera and an excellent selfie camera, whereas the Huawei nova 11's camera performance is untested
- Wireless Charging: Includes both wireless and reverse wireless charging features.
- Screen Protection: Corning Gorilla Glass Victus provides superior scratch and shatter resistance.
- Audio Quality: Dolby Atmos and a noise cancellation microphone offer better quality and clearer calls
- More Sensors: Includes a barometer and hall sensor for enhanced functionality
- Software: Known updates up to Android 15.
Practical Implications for S21 5G:
- Better for users who take many photos in different conditions and are videographers
- The screen will be better in bright daylight conditions
- Users who need top performance for gaming or heavy usage will find it better
- More convenience for wireless charging users
- More detailed information about its camera quality
Huawei nova 11 Advantages:
- Larger Display: 6.7" screen offers a more immersive experience.
- Larger Battery: 4500mAh capacity provides better battery life.
- Faster Charging: 66W fast charging significantly reduces charging times.
- Higher Resolution Selfie Camera: 60MP front camera captures detailed selfies.
- More Storage Options: Comes with a 512 GB option
- Newer Bluetooth: 5.2, offers better connection performance
- More RAM options: Up to 12 GB for better multitasking and gaming performance
Practical Implications for Huawei nova 11:
- Better for users who consume a lot of media on their phone
- Better for heavy users who want long battery life and fast charging
- Better for users who take a lot of selfies.
- More storage space available for large apps or media files.
- Better multitasking capabilities with more RAM.
Significant Trade-offs:
- S21 5G trades battery capacity and charging speed for superior performance, camera capabilities, screen brightness, and wireless charging.
- Nova 11 trades some performance, camera versatility, and screen brightness for a larger screen, longer battery life, and faster charging.
- S21 5G has a verified and tested camera, whereas nova 11 camera scores are not tested
- S21 5G screen is protected by Corning Gorilla Glass Victus and the screen protection for Nova 11 is unknown.
- S21 5G has a known upgrade path for software, the Nova 11 does not
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy S21 5G is Ideal For:
- Photography Enthusiasts: Users who prioritize camera quality, especially with the telephoto lens, OIS, 8K recording, and more advanced features.
- Power Users: Users who need the best possible performance for gaming, video editing, and other demanding tasks.
- Outdoor Users: Individuals who need a bright screen for use in direct sunlight.
- Users with wireless charging: users who prefer wireless or reverse wireless charging.
- Users who want to know their camera quality: Users who prefer known tested qualities and capabilities
- Users who want a good update path: Users who want an idea of how long their phone will receive software updates
- Users who are concerned about screen protection: User who want better screen protection
Use Cases:
- High-quality photography in various conditions, professional videography, mobile gaming with high graphical requirements, outdoor use during bright sunny days.
Huawei nova 11 is Ideal For:
- Media Consumers: Users who primarily use their phones for watching videos, browsing, and social media.
- Heavy Daily Users: Those who need long battery life and fast charging for extended usage.
- Selfie Lovers: Users who frequently take selfies and want a high-resolution front camera.
- Users with large media libraries: Users who need large internal storage space for their files.
- Users who like to multitask: Users who need the extra RAM
Use Cases:
- Daily social media and video streaming, all day battery life, capturing high detailed selfies, storing large files on the phone, heavy multitasking
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions to Consider:
- How important is camera quality and versatility? (S21 5G is better for advanced photography; Nova 11 has a higher resolution selfie camera.)
- Do you prioritize battery life and fast charging, or top-tier performance? (Nova 11 offers better battery/charging; S21 5G offers better performance)
- How important is screen brightness for outdoor use? (S21 5G is brighter, better for outdoor visibility)
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Professional Photography & Videography: Choose the Samsung Galaxy S21 5G for its advanced camera features, OIS, 8K video, verified main and selfie camera performance.
- Scenario 2: All-Day Battery & Media Consumption: Choose the Huawei nova 11 for its larger battery, faster charging, and larger screen.
- Scenario 3: Balanced Use with a Focus on Performance: Choose the Samsung Galaxy S21 5G for its smoother performance, brighter screen, and versatile camera system.
My Choice
If I were choosing between these two phones, I would choose the Samsung Galaxy S21 5G. While the Huawei nova 11 has a larger display and better battery life, the S21 5G's superior performance, brighter display, and the more versatile camera system with optical zoom and OIS, combined with its better-tested camera and more robust screen protection make it the more compelling choice for my needs. I take a lot of pictures and videos in different conditions and enjoy high performance for gaming and other heavy applications. Moreover, the wireless charging features and the known update path are valuable additions for my daily usage. The slightly smaller screen and a little less battery is a trade-off that I am happy to make.
