Alright, let's dive deep into the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G and the Honor 90. I've poured over the specs, and I'm ready to break down what these phones offer in real-world scenarios. Buckle up, it's going to be a detailed ride!
1. Specifications Breakdown
Okay, let's get into the nitty-gritty with a detailed comparison table:
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G | Honor 90 | Real-World Implications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Launch Date | 2022-01-07 | 2023-06-07 | Honor 90 is a newer model, potentially benefiting from more recent software updates and design trends. |
| Dimensions | 155.7 x 74.5 x 7.9 mm | 161.9 x 74.1 x 7.8 mm | The Honor 90 is taller but negligibly thinner. Overall, both devices are similar in hand feel and thickness. |
| Weight | 177g | 183g | The S21 FE is slightly lighter, which may be noticeable during extended use. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.4" | 6.7" | The Honor 90 offers a slightly larger screen, better for media consumption and gaming. |
| Resolution | 1080x2340 | 1200x2664 | Honor 90’s higher resolution provides a sharper image, enhancing clarity for detailed visuals. |
| Pixel Density (PPI) | 403 | 435 | The Honor 90 has a slightly sharper display due to higher pixel density, potentially more comfortable viewing experience with crisper text. |
| Technology | AMOLED | AMOLED | Both have vibrant AMOLED displays with excellent contrast and colors. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | Both offer smooth scrolling and animations. |
| Brightness | 1300 nits | 1600 nits | The Honor 90’s display is significantly brighter, providing better visibility in sunny conditions. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Snapdragon 888 (5nm) | Snapdragon 7 Gen 1 (4nm) | The S21 FE's Snapdragon 888 generally offers a higher performance ceiling, while Honor 90 is more power-efficient. The real world will show some performance differences. |
| AnTuTu Score | 923,836 | 701,227 | S21 FE has a noticeably higher benchmark score, suggesting snappier app loading and operation under heavy load. |
| GPU | Adreno 660 | Adreno 644 | The Adreno 660 in the S21 FE generally provides more graphical processing power for intensive tasks. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 4500mAh | 5000mAh | Honor 90 has a larger battery, likely providing longer battery life. |
| Charging | 25W fast charging | 66W fast charging | Honor 90's charging speed is significantly faster, allowing for much quicker recharges. |
| Battery Features | Wireless, Reverse | None | S21 FE provides greater flexibility with charging options. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 12MP (f/1.8) | 200MP (f/1.9) | Honor 90's main sensor is much higher resolution, allowing for more detail in photos, while S21 FE has larger pixels in it's sensor. |
| Telephoto | 8MP | None | S21 FE includes a dedicated telephoto lens for optical zoom. |
| Selfie Camera | 32MP (f/2.2) | 50MP (f/2.4) | Honor 90 offers a higher-resolution front camera, but S21 FE has a wider aperture for better low-light selfies. |
| Depth Camera | None | 2MP | Honor 90 has a dedicated depth camera, for better portrait shots. |
| Wide-Angle Camera | 13MP (f/2.2) | 12MP (f/2.2) | Both offer similar wide-angle capabilities. |
| Video Recording | 4K@60fps w/ HDR, EIS | 4K@30fps w/ EIS | S21 FE can record at 4K 60FPS with HDR, while the Honor 90 maxes out at 4K 30FPS. |
| DxOMark Mobile | 117 Mobile, 127 Selfie | 122 Mobile | Honor 90 slightly better camera overall for photos and video, while S21 FE has higher selfie camera scores. |
| Camera Features | OIS, Optical Zoom | Front Flash | S21 FE has optical image stabilization and optical zoom, while Honor 90 has a front flash for selfies. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 12 (up to 16) | Android 13 | Honor 90 ships with a more recent version of Android, with potential for more updates in the future. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | WiFi 6 | WiFi 6 | Both offer the latest Wi-Fi standards. |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 LE | 5.2 LE | Honor 90 has a newer Bluetooth version, providing slight performance and efficiency gains. |
| GPS | Multiple Systems | Multiple Systems | Honor 90 has additional BeiDou B1 support for better GPS accuracy. |
| SIM Support | Dual SIM | Dual SIM | Both support dual SIM functionality. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 128/256GB | 256/512GB | Honor 90 offers higher internal storage capacity at its max configuration. |
| RAM | 6/8GB | 8/12/16GB | Honor 90 has more RAM available, especially at the higher tiers. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither device supports expandable storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Dolby Atmos, Stereo | Noise Canceling Microphone | The S21 FE has better audio quality with stereo speakers and Dolby Atmos, while the Honor 90 focuses on clear calls with noise cancellation. |
| Security | |||
| Features | Basic Fingerprint Sensor | Basic Fingerprint Sensor | Both feature basic fingerprint sensor security. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Gorilla Glass Victus | Unknown | S21 FE has better screen protection against scratches. |
| Sensors | |||
| Features | Proximity, Accel, Gyro, Barometer | Proximity, Accel, Comp, RGB | S21 FE has additional environmental sensors including a barometer and gyroscope, while Honor 90 features an RGB sensor. |
2. Key Insights
Okay, let's break down what these specs mean for the average user:
Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G Strengths:
- Stronger Performance: The Snapdragon 888 provides a higher level of raw power, excellent for gaming and multitasking.
- Versatile Camera System: It features a telephoto lens for zoom capabilities and includes OIS, offering greater flexibility for different shooting scenarios.
- Better Audio Quality: With stereo speakers and Dolby Atmos support, it’s better for media consumption and listening to music.
- Comprehensive Sensor Suite: Boasting sensors like a barometer and gyroscope, it caters to advanced use cases and gaming.
- Wireless Charging and Reverse Charging: This allows for greater flexibility in battery management.
Honor 90 Strengths:
- Stunning Display: The combination of a higher resolution, slightly larger size, and higher brightness makes it excellent for media consumption and outdoor use.
- Exceptional Main Camera: The 200MP sensor captures incredibly detailed photos.
- Faster Charging: The 66W fast charging means quicker recharges, a huge convenience for many users.
- Larger Battery: The 5000mAh battery offers extended battery life, ideal for users on the go.
- Higher RAM and Storage: Options for up to 16GB RAM and 512GB storage provide smooth multitasking and more space.
- More modern operating system: It ships with a more modern operating system with the potential for further updates
Significant Trade-offs:
- S21 FE: Older Android version, lack of a depth sensor, and slightly bulkier, non-expandable storage.
- Honor 90: Lacks wireless charging, has a lower-performing main chipset, no optical zoom and no OIS.
3. User Profiles and Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G is ideal for:
- Gamers: The powerful Snapdragon 888 and Adreno 660 offer a smooth and high-performing gaming experience.
- Multimedia Lovers: The stereo speakers, Dolby Atmos, and bright display enhance the overall media experience.
- Photography Enthusiasts: The telephoto lens, OIS, and diverse camera features offer versatility in photography.
- Users that want more flexibility: The wireless charging, reverse wireless charging, and reverse charging capabilities give users more flexibility on the go.
Honor 90 is perfect for:
- Casual Photographers: The high-resolution main camera and selfie camera are excellent for everyday photography.
- Media Consumers: The large, high-resolution, and bright display makes it perfect for watching videos and movies on the go.
- Heavy Smartphone Users: The larger battery and 66W fast charging provide all-day battery life and quick recharges.
- Multitaskers: The high RAM options ensure smooth operation when running multiple apps.
4. Buying Decision Framework
Here are three practical questions to help you decide:
- Prioritize Performance or Battery? If you need maximum processing power and gaming performance, the S21 FE is a better choice. If you value a long-lasting battery and fast charging, the Honor 90 is more suitable.
- Camera Versatility or High Resolution? The S21 FE's telephoto lens, OIS and a wide range of features make it more versatile for varied shooting scenarios, while the Honor 90 is better at taking high-resolution photos.
- Essential Features? Do you rely on wireless charging, reverse charging, or better audio quality? S21 FE has more extras, including more sensors, while the Honor 90 provides a front flash.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Frequent Traveler: The Honor 90 with its larger battery and faster charging will serve you well.
- Social Media Enthusiast: The Honor 90's high-resolution cameras and front flash make it perfect for photos and videos, while the S21 FE has a better selfie camera.
- Mobile Gamer: The S21 FE provides the higher-performing CPU and GPU for a smoother experience.
- General user: The Honor 90 is a more rounded device and the better all round choice for most people.
Conclusion
Choosing between the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G and the Honor 90 depends on your priorities. The S21 FE is a robust performer with good versatility, whereas the Honor 90 prioritizes a superior display, a high-resolution camera, and a larger battery.
My Choice
If I had to choose, I'd personally lean towards the Honor 90. While the S21 FE has a more powerful chipset and more extras in sensors and charging capabilities, the Honor 90’s display is simply exceptional. The larger battery and substantially faster charging are also significant benefits for my day-to-day use. While the camera versatility on the S21 FE is better, the higher resolution sensor and the better front facing camera on the Honor 90 provide a more well rounded photography experience. In my day to day use, the screen on the Honor 90, the larger battery, and the faster charging would be the standout feature for me.
