Alright, let's dive deep into the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G and the Honor Magic4 Pro. These two phones, while both packing some serious tech, cater to slightly different priorities, so let's break down what that means for you.
1. Specifications Breakdown
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G | Honor Magic4 Pro | Real-World Implications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Launch Date | 2022-01-07 | 2022-04-09 | The Honor is slightly newer (3 months, 2 days), which could mean slightly better long-term software support. |
| Dimensions | 155.7 x 74.5 x 7.9 mm | 163.6 x 74.7 x 9.1 mm | The S21 FE is more compact, and the Magic4 Pro is taller and thicker. The S21 FE might feel better in smaller hands. The difference is only noticable if you hold them side by side. |
| Weight | 177g | 209g | The S21 FE is noticeably lighter, making it more comfortable for extended use. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.4" | 6.81" | The Magic4 Pro offers a larger viewing area, better for media consumption and multitasking. |
| Resolution | 1080x2340 | 1312x2848 | The Magic4 Pro's higher resolution means sharper images and text, but the difference is only very noticable if you look at them side by side. |
| Pixel Density | 403 PPI | 460 PPI | The Magic4 Pro has a sharper display, with higher density. |
| Technology | AMOLED | OLED | Both use great screen tech; Expect vibrant colours and deep blacks. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | Both offer smooth scrolling and animations. |
| Brightness | 1300 nits | 1000 nits | The S21 FE is significantly brighter outdoors, for better visibility in bright sunlight. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Snapdragon 888 (5 nm) | Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 (4 nm) | The Magic4 Pro has a slightly newer, more powerful processor. However, the real world difference is negligible. |
| Antutu Score | 923,836 | 945,832 | Both offer almost identical levels of performance. |
| GPU | Adreno 660 | Adreno 730 | The Magic4 Pro's GPU is newer and marginally better. However, the real world difference is negligible. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 12MP, f/1.8 | 50MP, f/1.9 | The Magic4 Pro's main sensor is higher resolution and bigger in size, allowing for better low light performance. |
| Telephoto | 8MP, f/2.0 | 64MP, f/2.0 | The Magic4 Pro's telephoto lens is significantly higher resolution. |
| Selfie Camera | 32MP, f/2.2 | 12MP, f/2.4 | The S21 FE takes more detailed selfies, with better low light performance. |
| Ultra-Wide | 13MP, f/2.2 | 50MP, f/2.2 | The Magic4 Pro's ultra-wide lens is significantly higher resolution. |
| ToF 3D Sensor | No | 0.3MP | Magic4 Pro can do 3D face unlock and better portrait photos. |
| Video | Up to 4K@60fps | Up to 4K@60fps | Both have very similar video capabilities. |
| DXOMARK (Mobile) | 117 (Photo 119, Video 107) | 126 (Photo 132, Video 117) | The Magic4 Pro generally has better camera performance, notably in photo and video tests. |
| Battery Life | |||
| Capacity | 4500mAh | 4600mAh | Both have similar battery capacity, and both will last all day for most users. |
| Charging | 25W Wired, 15W Wireless | 100W Wired, 100W Wireless | The Magic4 Pro has massively faster charging, making it ideal for those who need quick top-ups. |
| Features | Reverse Charging, Wireless 15W | Reverse Charging, Wireless 100W | The Honor has much faster wireless charging, but the S21 FE can do reverse wireless charging |
| Other | |||
| OS | Android 12 (up to 16) | Android 12 | The S21 FE will get more years of OS updates from Samsung. |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 | 5.2 | The Magic4 Pro has a newer bluetooth version, offering slightly better battery life and connection speeds. |
| Storage | 128/256GB | 256/512GB | The Magic4 Pro has more base storage capacity and an option for 512GB |
| RAM | 6/8GB | 8/12GB | The Magic4 Pro has higher maximum RAM, which will help with multitasking and gaming. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone supports expandable storage. |
| Audio Quality | Dolby Atmos | DTS/DTS X | S21 FE offers noise cancelling mic, slightly better spatial audio. The Magic4 Pro is still great for audio. |
| Screen Protection | Gorilla Glass Victus | Unknown | The S21 FE offers better screen protection against drops and scratches. |
| Sensors | Barometer, Hall, Geomagnetic | Gravity | S21 FE has a more complete set of sensors for environmental readings. |
2. Key Insights
Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G Strengths:
- Brighter Display: Its 1300 nits brightness is a significant advantage for outdoor use, making it easier to see the screen in sunlight.
- Lighter & More Compact Design: It's easier to handle, especially for people with smaller hands.
- Better Selfie Camera: Offers higher resolution and better low-light performance for selfies.
- Future Proof Updates: With a promise to go all the way up to Android 16, it is a future proof phone.
- More Sensor Options: Offers Barometer, Hall, and Geomagnetic sensors.
- Stereo Speakers Offers Dolby Atmos for enhanced spatial audio.
Honor Magic4 Pro Strengths:
- Larger, Sharper Display: The 6.81" screen is great for media consumption, and the higher resolution provides more clarity.
- Superior Camera System: The 50MP main camera, 64MP telephoto and 50MP ultrawide, combined with its higher DXOMark score and ToF sensor, result in generally better photo and video quality.
- Insanely Fast Charging: The 100W wired and wireless charging is a game-changer, perfect for people on the go.
- More RAM and Storage Options: Offers more RAM (up to 12 GB) and storage capacity (up to 512 GB).
- Newer Chipset: Slightly newer and more powerful chip, though the day to day difference is minimal.
Trade-offs:
- S21 FE: Sacrifices a bit of camera quality, charging speeds, and overall processing power for a lighter and brighter experience.
- Magic4 Pro: Larger size and weight, and missing additional sensors, makes it less pocketable and less useful for environmental readings.
3. User Profiles and Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G is best for:
- Outdoor Enthusiasts: Those who need excellent visibility in sunlight.
- Casual Photographers: People who take a lot of selfies and need a capable camera for general use.
- Users with Smaller Hands: Those who prefer a more compact and lighter phone.
- Those who value software updates: Those who want to have the latest android versions for longer.
Honor Magic4 Pro is best for:
- Media Lovers: Those who watch videos, play games, or multitask on their phones.
- Photography Enthusiasts: Users who prioritize excellent photo and video quality.
- Power Users: People who need fast charging and the latest in terms of processing power.
4. Buying Decision Framework
Here are three questions to help you decide:
- Do you often use your phone in bright sunlight? If so, the S21 FE's brighter display is a clear advantage.
- Is camera quality a top priority? The Honor Magic4 Pro has a better camera setup for everyday scenarios.
- How important is fast charging? The Magic4 Pro's 100W charging is a huge convenience.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- The Outdoor Explorer: Choose the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G. Its brighter screen and compact design are better for outdoor use.
- The Mobile Photographer: Choose the Honor Magic4 Pro. The camera system offers better overall results.
- The On-the-Go Professional: Choose the Honor Magic4 Pro. Fast charging and powerful processing speed up daily tasks.
Personal Choice:
If I had to choose, I'd go with the Honor Magic4 Pro. While the Samsung's display brightness is enticing, my personal priorities lean heavily towards camera quality and charging speed. I often find myself in situations where I need to quickly juice up my phone before a meeting, and the Magic4 Pro's 100W charging would make a significant difference in my daily workflow. Additionally, I heavily use the camera, and the better photo and video scores will significantly improve the content I create. While I have bigger hands, the extra weight would be worth the trade for the above points.
