1. Specifications Comparison
Here's a detailed comparison of the Samsung Galaxy S21 5G and Huawei nova 8i, focusing on practical implications:
Design
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 5G | Huawei nova 8i | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Physical Size | 151.7 x 71.2 x 7.9 mm | 161.9 x 74.7 x 8.6 mm | S21 5G is more compact, likely better for one-handed use. Nova 8i is larger, feels more substantial but less portable. |
| Weight | 169g | 190g | S21 5G is lighter, making it more comfortable to hold for extended periods. |
Display
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 5G | Huawei nova 8i | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Size | 6.2" | 6.67" | Nova 8i offers more screen real estate for media consumption, gaming, and multitasking. S21 5G is more pocketable. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2376 | Both offer sharp visuals; difference is negligible in daily use. |
| Pixel Density | 421 PPI | 391 PPI | S21 5G has slightly sharper text and images, but most users won't notice the difference. |
| Technology | AMOLED | IPS LCD | S21 5G has better contrast, deeper blacks, more vibrant colors, and better power efficiency when using dark themes. Nova 8i will have less vibrant colors and a more washed out display compared to the S21. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 60Hz | S21 5G offers much smoother scrolling, animations, and gaming experience. The nova 8i is more laggy and less responsive. |
| Brightness | 1300 nits | 0 nits* | S21 5G is significantly brighter, providing superior visibility outdoors, especially in sunlight. The Nova 8i brightness is not specified, but likely to be not as bright as the S21. |
*Note: Huawei nova 8i brightness is not specified, assumed to be significantly lower than the S21.
Performance
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 5G | Huawei nova 8i | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Chipset | Exynos 2100 (5 nm) | Snapdragon 662 (11 nm) | S21 5G's chipset offers significantly better performance for demanding tasks, including gaming and multitasking. Nova 8i will experience more lag, and have a harder time gaming. |
| Antutu Score | 749,100 | 201,000 | S21 5G is substantially faster, offering a smoother, more responsive user experience. Nova 8i is likely to struggle with more demanding tasks. |
| GPU | Mali-G78 MP14 | Adreno 610 | S21 5G's GPU is significantly more powerful, providing better gaming performance and smoother graphics. Nova 8i may experience frame drops in games. |
Camera
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 5G | Huawei nova 8i | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Standard Camera | 12MP, f/1.8, 1/1.76", 1.80 µm, Sony IMX555 | 64MP, f/1.9, 0.80 µm | Nova 8i has higher resolution, but S21 5G has larger pixels and a wider aperture, capturing better low-light photos. The sensor on the S21 is also better. |
| Telephoto + Portrait | 64MP, f/2.0, 1/1.72", 0.80 µm, Samsung Bright S5KGW2 | None | S21 5G offers better zoom capabilities and portrait shots. |
| Selfie Camera | 10MP, f/2.2, 1/3.2", 1.22 µm, Sony IMX374 | 16MP, f/2.0 | Nova 8i has a higher-resolution front camera and a wider aperture, potentially better selfies. |
| Wide Angle Lens | None | 8MP, f/2.2, 1.12 µm | Nova 8i has a wide-angle lens for more expansive shots. |
| Portrait (Depth) | None | 2MP, f/2.4, 1.75 µm | Nova 8i has a dedicated depth sensor for more accurate portrait mode effects. |
| Macro Lens | None | 2MP, f/2.4, 1.75 µm | Nova 8i has a dedicated macro lens for close-up photography. |
| Wide Angle + Macro | 12.2MP, f/2.2, 1/2.55", 1.40 µm, Sony IMX563 | None | S21 5G has a wide angle lens and can do macro shots. |
| Video | Up to 8K@24fps, with HDR, EIS. 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/240 fps. Slow-mo 960fps | 1080p@30fps. Slow-mo 120fps | S21 5G offers significantly higher video quality and slow-motion capabilities. |
| DxOMark Score | Mobile: 111, Selfie: 132 | None | S21 5G camera is rated by DXOMark, indicating better overall camera performance compared to Huawei nova 8i. |
| Features | 4K/8K video, Optical zoom, OIS, RAW, Night Mode | Quadruple camera | S21 5G offers more advanced features like optical zoom, OIS, RAW capture and a dedicated night mode. |
Battery
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 5G | Huawei nova 8i | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Capacity | 4000 mAh | 4300 mAh | Nova 8i has a slightly larger battery, potentially offering slightly longer battery life. |
| Charging | 25W fast charging | 66W fast charging | Nova 8i charges much faster, reducing charging times significantly. |
| Features | Wireless charging, Reverse charging | None | S21 5G offers added convenience with wireless charging and reverse wireless charging for other devices. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy S21 5G Advantages:
- Superior Display: AMOLED with 120Hz refresh rate and much higher brightness. This translates to a significantly better visual experience with vibrant colors, smooth animations, and excellent outdoor visibility.
- Significantly Higher Performance: The Exynos 2100 chipset provides vastly superior processing power. This allows for smoother multitasking, faster app loading, and better gaming performance.
- Advanced Camera System: Offers features like optical zoom, OIS, 8K video recording, and RAW capture. It also has a much better DXOMark score, which indicates a better camera overall.
- Wireless Charging: Provides the convenience of wireless charging and reverse wireless charging, allowing users to charge other devices on the go.
- Better Connectivity: Supports Wi-Fi 6 for faster and more reliable connections. Also, it has more advanced GPS capabilities.
- More RAM: 8GB of RAM enables the device to handle demanding tasks more efficiently.
- Better Build: Gorilla Glass Victus screen protection.
Huawei nova 8i Advantages:
- Larger Display: The bigger 6.67" screen can be advantageous for media consumption and gaming, making it better for watching videos.
- Faster Charging: 66W fast charging significantly reduces charging times, making it more convenient for people with busy lifestyles.
- More Camera Lenses: Features a dedicated wide-angle lens, macro lens, and depth sensor, offering more versatility in photography.
- Slightly Larger Battery: The 4300 mAh battery offers a marginal increase in battery life.
- Side Mounted Fingerprint Sensor: More accurate and convenient than a basic fingerprint sensor.
- Lower Price: The nova 8i is likely much more affordable.
Significant Trade-offs
- Samsung Galaxy S21 5G: Significantly more expensive and lacks the versatile lens setup of the Huawei Nova 8i (lacks dedicated macro, depth sensors). The battery also isn't as big.
- Huawei nova 8i: Noticeably slower processor and significantly worse display. Less premium build and lacking many features like wireless charging and advanced connectivity. Also, missing the DXO mark score for the camera is a point of concern.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy S21 5G:
- Ideal Users: Tech enthusiasts, gamers, photography enthusiasts, users who prioritize a premium display, and power users.
- Use Cases:
- Gaming: The powerful processor and high refresh rate display provide a smooth and immersive gaming experience.
- Professional Photography/Videography: Offers advanced camera features and high-quality video recording for professional use.
- Media Consumption: The AMOLED display with HDR and high brightness provides an exceptional experience for watching movies and videos.
- Productivity: The fast processor ensures a smooth experience with multitasking and demanding apps.
Huawei nova 8i:
- Ideal Users: Budget-conscious users, casual photographers, users who prefer a larger display and faster charging, users who prefer a variety of lenses.
- Use Cases:
- Everyday Use: Good for basic tasks, social media, browsing, and light gaming, especially for users on a budget.
- Casual Photography: The wide-angle, macro, and depth sensors make it versatile for casual photographers.
- Long Battery Life: Suitable for users who need a phone that can last through a full day without needing frequent charging.
- Media Consumption: The larger screen is more enjoyable for watching videos, though the display is not as high quality.
Price-to-Value Ratio
- Samsung Galaxy S21 5G: Offers premium features and a high level of performance, but at a higher price.
- Huawei nova 8i: Provides decent value for the cost-conscious user, with a focus on camera versatility and charging speed, but with significant trade-offs in processing power and display quality.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- What is your budget? If budget is a primary concern, the Huawei nova 8i is the obvious choice.
- How important is display quality and performance? If you want the best possible display, gaming performance, and overall fluidity, the Samsung Galaxy S21 5G is far superior.
- What kind of photography do you value most? If you want the best overall camera with optical zoom and low-light performance, the Samsung S21 is the better choice. If you need a variety of lenses including macro and wide angle, the Nova 8i is better.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: High Performance and Premium Experience: If you are a gamer, heavy multitasker, or media enthusiast, the Samsung Galaxy S21 5G is the clear winner due to its superior processing power, display quality, and additional features like wireless charging.
- Scenario 2: Budget-Conscious User: If you need a budget-friendly device with decent camera capabilities and fast charging, the Huawei nova 8i is a more suitable option, although you'll need to accept the compromises in performance and display quality.
- Scenario 3: Casual Photography: If you prioritize versatility in photography and prefer a wider variety of lenses (wide angle, macro), the Huawei nova 8i may appeal more, despite the lower sensor quality compared to the S21's main and telephoto lenses.
- Scenario 4: Best Overall Phone (No Budget Constraints): If cost isn't an issue, and you want the best overall user experience, the Samsung Galaxy S21 5G is the superior option.
Final Thoughts
I would choose the Samsung Galaxy S21 5G. While the Huawei Nova 8i offers some enticing features like fast charging and more camera lenses, the S21 offers a much better overall experience. The vastly superior display, processing power, camera quality (as indicated by DXOMark), wireless charging and better connectivity are worth the extra cost. The S21 is a much more capable phone in most aspects, while the Nova 8i is more budget-oriented. If price was no concern, the S21 provides a much more premium and satisfying experience.
