Smartphone Comparison: Samsung Galaxy S21 5G vs. Huawei nova Y90
1. Specifications Comparison
Design
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 5G | Huawei nova Y90 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 151.7 x 71.2 x 7.9 mm | 163.3 x 74.7 x 8.4 mm | The S21 is more compact and easier to handle with one hand; the nova Y90 is noticeably larger and bulkier. |
| Weight | 169g | 195g | The S21 is significantly lighter, making it more comfortable for extended use and carrying around. |
| Build Material | (Not specified) | (Not specified) | (Not specified, assume similar build given the price point) |
Display
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 5G | Huawei nova Y90 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Size | 6.2" | 6.7" | The nova Y90 offers a larger viewing area, better for media consumption; the S21 is more pocketable. |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 | 1080 x 2388 | Both offer similar sharpness; real-world difference is negligible. |
| Pixel Density (PPI) | 421 | 391 | The S21 has slightly sharper text and images. |
| Technology | AMOLED | IPS LCD | The S21 offers superior contrast, deeper blacks, and more vibrant colors, better for HDR content. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 90Hz | The S21 provides smoother animations and scrolling. |
| Brightness | 1300 nits | 0 nits | The S21 is much easier to view under direct sunlight; the Y90's outdoor visibility is unquantified. |
Performance
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 5G | Huawei nova Y90 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chipset | Exynos 2100 (5 nm) | Snapdragon 680 (6 nm) | The S21 offers significantly faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and superior gaming performance. |
| AnTuTu Score | 749,100 | 249,000 | The S21 is substantially faster and more responsive overall; The Y90 is adequate for basic tasks. |
| GPU | Mali-G78 MP14 | Adreno 610 | The S21 has a more powerful GPU, better for graphics-intensive tasks and gaming. |
Camera
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 5G | Huawei nova Y90 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main Camera Resolution | 12MP | 50MP | The nova Y90 captures more detail at native resolution in ideal conditions but likely has lower pixel size. |
| Telephoto/Portrait Camera | 64MP | None | The S21 offers optical zoom capabilities and dedicated portrait mode with depth effect. |
| Wide-Angle/Macro Camera | 12.2MP | None | The S21 has a wide-angle lens for landscape shots and macro for close-ups. |
| Secondary Camera | None | 2MP | The Y90 features an additional secondary camera (likely a depth sensor) for improved bokeh effects. |
| Tertiary Camera | None | 2MP | The Y90 features an additional tertiary camera, (likely a macro sensor), for extreme close-up. |
| Selfie Camera Resolution | 10MP | 8MP | The S21 selfie camera takes more detailed images. |
| Selfie Camera Aperture | f/2.2 | f/2.0 | The Y90 has a slightly wider aperture for better low-light selfies. |
| Video Recording | Up to 8K@24fps | Up to 1080p@30fps | The S21 can capture significantly higher quality videos for professional use. |
| Video Stabilization | Yes | No | S21 offers better stabilization for smoother videos while on the move. |
| Slow-Motion | Yes, 960fps | No, 30 fps | S21 offers higher frame rate, detailed slow-motion recording capabilities. |
| DXOMARK Mobile Score | 111 | Not Tested | S21 has better tested overall photo and video quality compared to Y90. |
| DXOMARK Selfie Score | 132 | Not Tested | S21 has better tested overall photo and video quality compared to Y90. |
Battery
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 5G | Huawei nova Y90 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 4000mAh | 5000mAh | The nova Y90 has a larger battery, potentially offering longer battery life. |
| Charging | 25W Fast Charging | 40W Fast Charging | The nova Y90 charges quicker, reducing downtime. |
| Wireless Charging | 15W | No | The S21 has the convenience of wireless and reverse wireless charging. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy S21 5G Advantages:
- Superior Display: AMOLED panel with higher refresh rate and brightness offers a richer, smoother, and more viewable experience, especially outdoors.
- Significantly Higher Performance: The Exynos 2100 chipset provides vastly better performance for demanding tasks, gaming, and general responsiveness.
- Advanced Camera System: Offers a telephoto camera for optical zoom, a wide-angle camera, 8K video recording, and more advanced features like OIS and RAW support, resulting in better versatility and image quality.
- Wireless Charging: Adds convenience, which can be very useful for some users.
- Better Audio Quality: Includes Dolby Atmos, Noise cancellation microphone, and stereo speakers, leading to better overall sound.
Huawei nova Y90 Advantages:
- Larger Battery: Offers potentially longer battery life, crucial for users who prioritize all-day power.
- Faster Charging: 40W charging allows for quicker top-ups, minimizing downtime.
- Lower Price Point (Likely): Typically, phones with less powerful processors and basic features are cheaper, making this a more budget-friendly option.
- Larger Screen: The bigger display might be a plus for media consumption, although the display is lower quality.
Trade-offs:
- S21: Smaller battery, does not come with a charger in the box, and likely more expensive.
- Y90: Significantly lower performance, inferior display, less versatile camera system, no wireless charging, and basic audio features.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy S21 5G Ideal User:
- Power User: Someone who needs a phone that performs well for gaming, multitasking, and demanding applications.
- Photography Enthusiast: A user who values a versatile and high-quality camera system with zoom capabilities and professional features.
- Media Consumer: A user who wants a great display for watching videos, with vibrant colors and smooth refresh rates.
- Users Requiring Fast Performance: Users who require snappy performance and fast application loading times.
Use Cases:
- Gaming, video editing, mobile photography, watching HDR content, power user.
Huawei nova Y90 Ideal User:
- Budget-Conscious User: Someone looking for a more affordable phone that meets basic daily needs.
- Battery-Focused User: A user who prioritizes long battery life and needs a phone that lasts all day.
- Basic User: Someone who primarily uses their phone for calls, texts, social media, and light browsing.
- Users Not Sensitive to Performance: Those who do not require high-performance for everyday use.
Use Cases:
- Long battery life, basic web browsing, social media, casual photography, budget conscious.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions:
- What is your budget? The S21 is likely much more expensive due to higher-end components.
- How important is performance? Do you need a fast phone for demanding tasks, or is basic performance sufficient?
- What is more important: camera quality, battery life, or display quality? Your priorities will determine which phone best suits your needs.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: High-Performance Gaming/Photography/Professional Use: Choose the Samsung Galaxy S21 5G for its superior processing power, display, and camera.
- Scenario 2: All-Day Battery Life and Budget-Friendly: Choose the Huawei nova Y90 if long battery life and affordability are your primary concerns.
- Scenario 3: Balanced Performance/Price: Neither phone perfectly fits this scenario. Users will need to prioritize either battery life or performance if on a budget.
My Choice
If I were choosing between these two phones, I would pick the Samsung Galaxy S21 5G.
Reasoning:
While the Huawei nova Y90 has a larger battery and faster charging, the superior performance, display quality, and camera system of the Samsung Galaxy S21 5G are more important for my personal use case. I value a smooth and responsive experience, high-quality media consumption, and a versatile camera. The S21's more premium build also appeals to me, even if it means sacrificing some battery life. I am willing to deal with the reduced battery as it still is sufficient to get me through the day and it has the benefit of wireless charging if needed. The massive performance difference and the much better display of the S21 more than outweigh the extra battery and faster charging on the Y90.
