Smartphone Comparison: Samsung Galaxy S21 5G vs. Huawei nova Y70 Plus
1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 5G | Huawei nova Y70 Plus | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Launch Date | 2021-01-29 | 2022-05-01 | The Huawei nova Y70 Plus is a newer model by over a year. |
| Size | 151.7 × 71.2 × 7.9 mm | 168.3 × 77.7 × 9 mm | S21 is significantly more compact and pocketable. The Y70 Plus is larger and may be less comfortable for one-handed use. |
| Weight | 169g | 199g | S21 is noticeably lighter, which improves comfort for extended use. The Y70 Plus will feel heavier in hand and pocket. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.2" | 6.75" | Y70 Plus offers more screen real estate for media consumption and browsing, but the S21 is more compact. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 720x1600 | S21's higher resolution makes text and images much sharper, while Y70 Plus's display will appear less detailed. |
| PPI | 421 | 260 | S21 offers a significantly sharper and more detailed viewing experience. The Y70 Plus's display will appear less crisp. |
| Technology | AMOLED | IPS LCD | S21's AMOLED display offers superior contrast, deeper blacks, and more vibrant colours, resulting in a much better viewing experience. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 60Hz | S21's 120Hz refresh rate makes scrolling and animations much smoother, enhancing the overall user experience. |
| Brightness | 1300 nits | 0 nits | The S21 has much better screen visibility in bright sunlight, while the Y70 Plus brightness information is missing making outdoor visibility a concern. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Exynos 2100 (5 nm) | Kirin 710A (14 nm) | S21's chipset offers significantly higher performance for all tasks including gaming, while Y70 Plus's chip is much slower. |
| AnTuTu Score | 749,100 | 103,500 | S21 is drastically more powerful, resulting in faster app launches, smoother multitasking, and better gaming performance. |
| GPU | Mali-G78 MP14 | Mali-G51 MP4 | S21’s GPU delivers vastly superior graphics capabilities, especially important for gaming and graphics intensive applications. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 4000mAh | 6000mAh | Y70 Plus has a significantly larger battery, potentially leading to longer battery life. However real world usage may vary. |
| Charging | 25W fast charging | 22.5W fast charging | S21 offers slightly faster charging, though the difference is not substantial. |
| Features | Reverse, Wireless charging | Non-removable | S21 supports more advanced charging options. The S21 doesn't come with a charger in-box. |
| Camera | |||
| Standard Camera | 12MP, f/1.8 | 48MP, f/1.8 | Y70 Plus has a higher resolution main sensor, but the S21's sensor generally offers better image quality due to superior processing and components. |
| Telephoto/Portrait | 64MP, f/2.0 | Not Available | S21 has a dedicated telephoto lens for zooming and portrait shots. |
| Selfie Camera | 10MP, f/2.2 | 8MP, f/2.0 | S21 has slightly higher resolution, while Y70 Plus has a wider aperture for better low-light selfies. |
| Wide Angle lens | Not Available | 5MP, f/2.2 | Y70 Plus has a wide angle camera, allowing for more versatile photos. |
| Portrait mode (depth) | Not Available | 2MP, f/2.4 | Y70 Plus has a dedicated depth camera to support portrait mode. |
| Wide Angle + Macro | 12.2MP, f/2.2 | Not Available | S21 has a wide angle lens with macro capabilities, allowing for more versatile photos. |
| Video | Up to 8K@24fps | Up to 1080p@30fps | S21 records much higher-quality video with more frame rates, making it better for video enthusiasts. |
| DxOMark | Mobile: 111, Selfie: 132 | Not Tested | S21 has been tested for camera performance and rated higher than other phones, while Y70 Plus has no testing results. |
| Camera Features | Multiple advanced features | Basic camera features | S21 includes more advanced features such as OIS, RAW capture, and Night Mode for higher quality photos in a variety of scenarios. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11, upgradable to 15 | Not available | S21 runs a full featured Android OS with confirmed updates. The Huawei Y70 Plus OS information is incomplete, making future updates uncertain. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6 | Wi-Fi 4 | S21 supports faster and more reliable Wi-Fi, while Y70 Plus's Wi-Fi capabilities are limited. |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.0 | Bluetooth 5.1 | Y70 Plus uses a newer Bluetooth standard. Both support common audio codecs with Samsung having more. |
| GPS | Dual-band GPS | Standard GPS | S21 offers more accurate location tracking. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 128/256GB | 64/128GB | S21 offers higher storage options. |
| RAM | 8GB | 4GB | S21's 8GB of RAM allows for smoother multitasking and overall better performance. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither phone supports expandable storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Dolby Atmos, Stereo speakers | Basic audio | S21 provides superior audio quality with enhanced spatial audio and clearer calls. |
| Security | |||
| Features | Under-screen fingerprint | Side-mounted fingerprint | Y70 Plus's fingerprint sensor is generally faster and more reliable than the under screen one. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Gorilla Glass Victus | Unknown | S21 has superior screen protection against scratches and impacts, while Y70 Plus screen protection is unknown, making it more prone to damage. |
| Sensors | |||
| Features | Comprehensive sensor suite | Basic sensor suite | S21 includes more sensors that allow for features like barometer readings and enhanced motion tracking, important for advanced apps and features, including VR. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy S21 5G Advantages:
- Superior Display: AMOLED panel with much higher resolution, pixel density, refresh rate and brightness provides a vastly better viewing experience than the Huawei Y70 Plus.
- Significantly Higher Performance: Exynos 2100 chipset offers a massive performance advantage, making the S21 much faster for all tasks.
- Advanced Camera System: Features a more versatile camera setup with telephoto lens, better video recording capabilities, and better overall image quality as reflected in the DXOMark testing.
- Faster Wi-Fi: Supports Wi-Fi 6, providing faster and more reliable wireless connectivity.
- Premium Audio: Boasts Dolby Atmos and stereo speakers, offering much better audio quality.
- Advanced Features: Includes wireless charging, reverse wireless charging, and has a more comprehensive sensor suite.
- Screen Protection: Uses Corning Gorilla Glass Victus for better scratch and impact resistance.
Huawei nova Y70 Plus Advantages:
- Larger Battery: Significantly larger battery capacity which will translate to longer battery life.
- Newer Bluetooth Version: The Huawei Y70 Plus has a newer Bluetooth version, which might offer some benefits for audio devices.
- Wide Angle lens: The device offers additional camera lenses such as the ultrawide angle lens.
- Lower Price: The device will have a lower cost compared to the older S21 model.
- Side Mounted Fingerprint Scanner: This is a more reliable biometric sensor when compared to the under-display fingerprint on the S21.
Trade-offs:
- Samsung Galaxy S21 5G: Smaller battery and does not come with a wall charger, potentially requiring more frequent charging and additional purchases.
- Huawei nova Y70 Plus: Significantly weaker performance, lower quality display, and a less capable camera system that is not as future proof.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy S21 5G Ideal User:
- Tech Enthusiasts: Users who value high performance, a superior display, and advanced camera capabilities.
- Gamers: Those who need a phone capable of running demanding games smoothly.
- Content Creators: Users who need high-quality video recording, advanced camera features, and editing on the go.
- Media Consumers: Those who appreciate excellent display quality and immersive audio for watching videos.
- Users who want a compact smartphone with a premium feel.
Huawei nova Y70 Plus Ideal User:
- Budget-Conscious Users: Those looking for an affordable phone with a large screen and long battery life.
- Casual Users: People who primarily use their phones for browsing, social media, and basic communication.
- Users who prioritize a large screen and long battery life over performance and camera quality.
- Users who value a fingerprint scanner located on the side.
Use Cases:
- Samsung Galaxy S21 5G: Mobile gaming, high-resolution video recording, detailed photo editing, immersive media consumption, and advanced app usage.
- Huawei nova Y70 Plus: Browsing, social media, casual gaming, and extended usage without needing to charge often.
Price-to-Value Ratio:
- Samsung Galaxy S21 5G: Though an older model, it delivers premium features and performance that justifies the price tag if purchased at the right value.
- Huawei nova Y70 Plus: Offers good value for the money for users looking for a basic phone with a large display and battery.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- Performance Requirements: How important is smooth, fast performance for gaming, app loading, and multitasking?
- Display Quality: How critical is a vibrant, sharp, high-resolution display for content consumption?
- Battery Life vs. Features: Is long battery life more important than premium features like a high quality camera, advanced display or enhanced performance?
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Power User: If you are a heavy user who values performance and premium features, and needs a top quality camera and display, the Samsung Galaxy S21 5G is the clear choice, so long as you can find it at the right value.
- Scenario 2: Budget-Conscious User: If you are on a tight budget, mainly use your phone for basic tasks, and prioritize battery life, the Huawei nova Y70 Plus is a reasonable choice.
- Scenario 3: Media Enthusiast: If you watch a lot of videos, then the Samsung Galaxy S21 5G's vibrant display and strong audio will provide a better experience.
- Scenario 4: Outdoors User: If you are constantly outdoors in bright sunlight, the much brighter display on the Samsung Galaxy S21 5G makes it much better suited for you.
What I Would Choose
Given the information, I would choose the Samsung Galaxy S21 5G. While it is an older phone, its superior display, significantly better performance, advanced camera system, and more polished software experience make it the better choice for me. My priorities are a smooth experience for daily use, high quality media consumption and a top quality camera system for creating high quality images and videos. While the Huawei nova Y70 Plus offers a larger battery, this is not a priority for me when considering its vastly inferior display and weaker performance. The Samsung Galaxy S21 5G is still a very relevant phone for daily use and a big step up from the Huawei Y70 Plus.
