Smartphone Comparison: Samsung Galaxy S21 5G vs. Huawei Pura 70 Pro
1. Specifications Comparison
Design
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 5G | Huawei Pura 70 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Dimensions | 151.7 × 71.2 × 7.9 mm | 162.6 × 75.1 × 8.4 mm | Pura 70 Pro is larger and bulkier, making it less pocketable and potentially harder to use one-handed; S21 5G is more compact and easier to handle. |
| Weight | 169g | 220g | S21 5G is significantly lighter, making it more comfortable for extended use; Pura 70 Pro is noticeably heavier, which could be fatiguing. |
Display
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 5G | Huawei Pura 70 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Size | 6.2" | 6.8" | Pura 70 Pro offers a significantly larger viewing area, better for media consumption, gaming, and multitasking; S21 5G is more compact and better for those who prefer smaller phones. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1260x2844 | Pura 70 Pro has higher resolution, resulting in sharper text and images and a more detailed visual experience. |
| PPI | 421 | 460 | Pura 70 Pro offers slightly higher pixel density, potentially resulting in slightly sharper images on the display. |
| Technology | AMOLED | OLED | Both offer excellent color reproduction and deep blacks; Differences are minimal in real-world usage. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | Both offer smooth scrolling and animations. |
| Brightness | 1300 nits | 2500 nits | Pura 70 Pro offers significantly better outdoor visibility in bright sunlight due to its much higher peak brightness. |
Performance
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 5G | Huawei Pura 70 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Chipset | Exynos 2100 (5 nm) | Kirin 9010 (7 nm) | Pura 70 Pro has a newer and slightly higher performing chip (according to the benchmarks), which may provide faster app launches and smoother multitasking. |
| Antutu Score | 749,100 | 869,707 | Pura 70 Pro is likely to offer slightly better overall performance, particularly in demanding apps and games. |
| GPU | Mali-G78 MP14 | Maleoon 910 | Different GPUs, making a direct performance comparison difficult without real-world testing; Pura 70 Pro may have a slight edge. |
Camera
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 5G | Huawei Pura 70 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Standard Camera | 12MP, f/1.8, 1/1.76", 1.8µm | 50MP, f/1.4, 1/1.3", 1.2µm | Pura 70 Pro's standard camera has a higher resolution, wider aperture, and larger sensor, likely resulting in better low-light performance and more detailed photos. |
| Telephoto Camera | 64MP, f/2.0, 1/1.72", 0.8µm | 48MP, f/2.1 | S21 5G offers a telephoto camera and Pura 70 Pro has a telephoto lens. Practical implication is both offer optical zoom capabilities which can lead to clearer zoomed images. |
| Wide Angle Camera | 12.2MP f/2.2, 1/2.55" 1.4µm | 12.5MP, f/2.2 | S21 5G has a dedicated wide angle, while Pura 70 Pro also has a dedicated wide angle. Practical implications are both offer ultrawide capture for landscape and group photos. |
| Selfie Camera | 10MP, f/2.2, 1/3.2", 1.22µm | 13MP, f/2.4 | Pura 70 Pro has slightly higher resolution, while the S21 5G has a slightly wider aperture, both offering good quality selfies. |
| Video | Up to 8K@24fps | Up to 4K | S21 5G offers 8K video, which can be a differentiating feature for videographers, while both record 4K videos at different frame rates, and offers video stabilization. |
| DxoMark | Main: 111, Selfie: 132 | Not Available | S21 5G has a known benchmark score, while the Pura 70 Pro has not been tested. |
| Features | Many | Many | Both feature various camera modes, but the Pura 70 Pro has advanced features such as Ultra Stable Video and Laser Autofocus, while S21 5G has 8K Video capability. |
Battery
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 5G | Huawei Pura 70 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Capacity | 4000mAh | 5050mAh | Pura 70 Pro has a significantly larger battery, likely providing much longer battery life, especially for heavy users; S21 5G may need more frequent charging. |
| Charging | 25W wired, 15W wireless | 100W wired, 80W wireless | Pura 70 Pro charges much faster, reducing downtime significantly; S21 5G takes longer to fully charge. |
| Features | Reverse, Wireless 15W, Reverse Wireless 4.5W | Reverse, 80W Wireless, 20W Reverse Wireless | Pura 70 Pro has faster Wireless charging speeds and faster Reverse wireless charging. |
Other
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 5G | Huawei Pura 70 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|
| OS | Android 11 (Upgradable to 15) | Android Based OS | S21 5G runs on Android OS and upgrades, Pura 70 Pro's OS is unknown. |
| Storage | 128/256GB | 256/512/1024GB | Pura 70 Pro offers more storage options, beneficial for users with extensive media libraries, and the base model of Pura 70 Pro starts at 256 GB. |
| RAM | 8 GB | 12 GB | Pura 70 Pro has more RAM, which makes multitasking smoother and faster for gaming, editing, and other intensive tasks. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither offers expandable storage, meaning the user is limited to the internal storage. |
| Build Quality | Gorilla Glass Victus Screen | Unknown | S21 5G has a known screen protection with Corning Gorilla Glass Victus, and the Pura 70 Pro screen protection is unknown. |
| Connectivity | Wi-Fi 6, BT 5.0, Various GPS | Wi-Fi 6, BT 5.2, various GPS | Pura 70 Pro has newer Bluetooth, and improved GPS satellite system. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy S21 5G Advantages:
- Lighter and More Compact: Easier to handle and carry for extended periods.
- Known Build Quality: Corning Gorilla Glass Victus offers excellent screen protection.
- Established Software Ecosystem: Android OS with known update cycle.
- 8K Video Recording: A potential edge for videographers requiring ultra-high resolution.
- DXoMark Scores: Can be used for comparison against other devices.
Huawei Pura 70 Pro Advantages:
- Larger, Brighter Display: Better for media consumption and outdoor visibility.
- Significantly Larger Battery & Faster Charging: Longer usage times and reduced downtime.
- Higher Performance: Marginally better for gaming and demanding applications.
- Superior Main Camera: Better low-light performance and more detail in images.
- More RAM and Storage Options: Better multitasking and storage for media.
- Enhanced Connectivity: Newer Bluetooth and GPS technology.
Trade-offs:
- Samsung Galaxy S21 5G: Loses out on battery life, screen size, and main camera quality compared to the Pura 70 Pro.
- Huawei Pura 70 Pro: Is heavier and bulkier, potentially harder to use one-handed; lacks known screen protection and has an unknown OS.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy S21 5G Ideal User:
- Users Prioritizing Portability: Those who prefer a lighter, more compact phone that fits easily in pockets.
- Users Familiar with Android: Users who prefer the Android ecosystem, and its updates.
- Users with moderate Media consumption: Those who want good camera quality and video resolution, without need for maximum screen brightness.
Value-Conscious Buyers: Likely to be available at a lower price point due to its age.
Specific Use Cases: Everyday use, social media browsing, casual photography, and users who prioritize single hand use.
Huawei Pura 70 Pro Ideal User:
- Heavy Media Consumers: Those who want a large screen for movies, games, and browsing.
- Power Users: Individuals who multitask heavily and need a phone that can handle demanding applications.
- Photography Enthusiasts: Users who prioritize camera quality, especially in low-light conditions, and those who want more storage.
Users Needing Long Battery Life: Those who need to use their phones extensively without frequent charging.
Specific Use Cases: Mobile gaming, professional photography, extended outdoor use, and users who require maximum battery performance.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- What is your primary use case? (e.g., media consumption, photography, portability, gaming, general use)
- How important is battery life and fast charging?
- What is your preferred size and weight for a phone?
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- For users prioritizing portability and value: The Samsung Galaxy S21 5G is the better option.
- For users prioritizing battery life, screen size, camera quality, and performance: The Huawei Pura 70 Pro is the superior choice, despite its larger size and weight.
- For users seeking maximum outdoor visibility: The Huawei Pura 70 Pro is the clear winner due to its much higher screen brightness.
Personal Choice
If I were choosing between these two phones, I would pick the Huawei Pura 70 Pro. While I appreciate the compact size and known screen protection of the Samsung S21 5G, the Pura 70 Pro's significantly larger and brighter display, far superior battery life, and faster charging capabilities are more important for my needs. As someone who heavily uses their phone for media consumption and photography, the Pura 70 Pro's higher-resolution main camera, ample storage, and RAM, and better GPS performance, would have a greater positive impact on my daily experience. The bigger screen, while making it less pocketable, enhances the media experience. Although the weight difference is significant, the improved user experience across various use cases would outweigh this one drawback. The lack of information regarding the Huawei OS is a downside, but given the other advantages, it is a risk I would be willing to take.
