Okay, let's dive into a detailed comparison of the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G and the Honor Magic5 Pro. Buckle up, because we're going deep into the tech specs and what they mean for you, the user.
1. Specifications Breakdown
Here’s a comprehensive breakdown of the specs, focusing on how they translate to real-world use:
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G | Honor Magic5 Pro | Real-World Implications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Launch Date | 2022-01-07 | 2023-03-31 | Honor is significantly newer, benefiting from advancements in hardware and software. |
| Form Factor | Standard | Standard | Both are traditional slab-style phones. |
| Dimensions | 155.7 x 74.5 x 7.9 mm | 162.9 x 76.7 x 8.8 mm | The Magic5 Pro is larger, potentially less pocketable, and may be less comfortable for small hands. |
| Weight | 177g | 219g | S21 FE is significantly lighter, more comfortable for prolonged use. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.4" | 6.81" | The Magic5 Pro’s larger screen provides a more immersive viewing and gaming experience. |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2340 | 1312 x 2848 | Magic5 Pro has a sharper, more detailed display due to higher pixel density. |
| Pixel Density (PPI) | 403 | 460 | The Magic5 Pro has a noticeably crisper image quality. |
| Technology | AMOLED | OLED | Both use excellent display technologies; the differences are subtle. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | Smooth scrolling and animations on both, very similar viewing experience. |
| Brightness | 1300 nits | 1800 nits | Magic5 Pro is much better for outdoor visibility in bright sunlight. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Snapdragon 888 5G (5nm) | Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 (4nm) | Magic5 Pro has a faster, more efficient chip, offering improved overall performance. |
| AnTuTu Score | 923,836 | 1,406,562 | Magic5 Pro is substantially faster, offering a noticeably snappier experience. |
| GPU | Adreno 660 | Adreno 740 | Magic5 Pro has a much more powerful GPU for gaming and graphics-intensive tasks. |
| Battery Life | |||
| Capacity | 4500 mAh | 5100 mAh | Magic5 Pro has a larger battery, likely resulting in longer battery life. |
| Charging | 25W | 66W | Magic5 Pro charges significantly faster, getting you back up and running quickly. |
| Charging Features | 15W Wireless, 4.5W Rev Wireless, No charger in box | 50W Wireless, 5W Rev Charging, Silicon Carbon Battery | Magic5 Pro has a faster wireless charging and silicon carbon battery for improved lifespan. S21 FE has full wireless and reverse wireless but no charger |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 12MP, f/1.8, 1/1.76", 1.8µm | 50MP, f/1.6, 1/1.12", 1.4µm | Magic5 Pro has a higher resolution sensor with a larger size and wider aperture, capturing more detail and better low-light performance. |
| Telephoto Camera | 8MP, f/2.0, 1.0µm | 50MP, f/3.0, 0.64µm | Magic5 Pro offers significantly more resolution. S21 FE has a wider aperture, but less resolution and sensor size. |
| Ultrawide Camera | 13MP, f/2.2, 1/3.06", 1.12µm | 50MP, f/2.0, 1/2", 0.7µm | Magic5 Pro has a significantly higher resolution, wider aperture, and larger sensor for better ultra-wide shots. |
| Selfie Camera | 32MP, f/2.2, 1/2.8", 0.8µm | 12MP, f/2.4, 1.22µm | S21 FE has more resolution while the Magic 5 Pro offers larger pixel size for better low light selfies. |
| ToF 3D Sensor | None | Yes | Honor offers depth information for improved bokeh and AR applications. |
| Video | Up to 4K60 HDR, EIS | Up to 4K60 HDR, EIS | Both offer similar high-quality video, but the Magic5 Pro has better camera hardware. |
| DxOMark Mobile | 117 Mobile (119 Photo, 107 Video) | 152 Mobile (154 Photo, 144 Video) | Magic5 Pro significantly outperforms the S21 FE in both photo and video quality. |
| DxOMark Selfie | 127 Selfie (126 Photo, 130 Video) | 123 Selfie (116 Photo, 136 Video) | S21 FE does slightly better with photos but the Magic 5 pro does slightly better video. |
| Camera Features | Triple Camera, OIS, Various modes | Quadruple, OIS, Laser AF, Ultra Stable Video | Magic5 Pro has more advanced camera tech and better stabilization features. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 12 (Upgradable to 16) | Android 13 (Upgradable to 14) | The S21 FE is slated to have a better update path. The Magic5 Pro has a slightly more modern OS out of the box. |
| Connectivity | |||
| WiFi | Wi-Fi 6 | Wi-Fi 7, 6E | Magic5 Pro has access to newer WiFi technologies (6E, 7). Magic5 Pro has faster wifi. |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 | 5.2 | Magic5 Pro supports more modern standards with better performance and power efficiency. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, Beidou, QZSS, Galileo, (L1+L5), GLONASS(L1), (B1), (E1+E5a), (B2), NavIC, QZSS (L1+L5) | Magic5 Pro has a better, more advanced GPS System. |
| SIM | Dual Nano SIM | Dual Nano SIM, eSIM | Magic5 Pro offers the flexibility of an eSIM. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 128/256 GB | 128/256/512 GB | Magic5 Pro offers a greater 512 GB capacity and various storage options. |
| RAM | 6/8 GB | 8/12/16 GB | Magic5 Pro provides much more ram allowing better multitasking. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither has a SD Card slot for expandable storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Dolby Atmos, Noise cancelation Mic, Stereo Speakers | DTS/ DTS X, Stereo Speakers | S21 FE has better audio with Dolby Atmos and a noise-cancelling microphone for calls. |
| Security | |||
| Features | Basic Fingerprint Sensor | Basic Fingerprint Sensor | Both have a basic fingerprint sensor. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus | Unknown | S21 FE has a better more reliable protection. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Biometric: Fingerprint; Proximity: Proximity; Motion: Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope; Environmental: Barometer, Hall, Geomagnetic | Biometric: Fingerprint; Proximity: Proximity; Motion: Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Gravity | S21 FE has a Barometer for weather info. The Magic5 Pro has a gravity sensor. Both have a complete sensor suite. |
2. Key Insights
- Honor Magic5 Pro Dominance: The Magic5 Pro generally outperforms the S21 FE in most areas. The newer chip, larger and sharper display, faster charging, more advanced camera system, and larger battery are significant advantages.
- Samsung Galaxy S21 FE Strengths: The S21 FE is lighter, comes with a confirmed Gorilla Glass Victus screen protector, a more streamlined audio experience with Dolby Atmos, and a more comprehensive update schedule. The lighter build and more basic screen protector may be ideal for some users.
- Camera Advantage: The Magic5 Pro's camera system is superior due to its larger sensors, wider apertures, higher resolutions, and an additional ToF sensor. It has a higher DxOMark score than the S21 FE.
- Performance Gap: The Magic5 Pro's Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chip gives it a considerable performance advantage, making it a better option for gaming and heavy multitasking.
3. User Profiles and Recommendations
- Honor Magic5 Pro: This phone is for users who want top-tier performance, a larger immersive display, and an excellent camera system. It's ideal for mobile gamers, media consumers, and photography enthusiasts who demand the best.
- Samsung Galaxy S21 FE: This phone is suitable for those who prioritize a more streamlined audio experience with Dolby Atmos and a noise-cancelling microphone, lightweight design, are concerned with screen protection, and value a smoother future update pathway.
4. Buying Decision Framework
Here are three practical questions to guide your decision:
- Performance Needs: Are you a heavy user who needs the fastest performance for gaming or demanding applications, or are your needs more moderate?
- Camera Priority: How important is a top-tier camera system to you? Do you often take photos in challenging conditions (e.g., low light)?
- Battery Life & Speed: Do you need all-day battery life and faster charging, or are you okay with average battery life and slightly slower charging speeds?
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: "Power User": You need the best possible performance for gaming, multitasking, and content creation.
- Recommendation: The Honor Magic5 Pro is the clear winner. It offers a much faster processor, better GPU, and more RAM, ensuring a smooth experience even with the most demanding tasks.
- Scenario 2: "Photography Enthusiast": You want a smartphone with a superb camera that excels in various conditions.
- Recommendation: Go with the Honor Magic5 Pro. Its superior camera hardware, larger sensors, and higher DxOMark scores make it the better choice for photography and videography.
- Scenario 3: "Everyday User": You prioritize a comfortable, reliable phone for daily use, light social media browsing, and occasional photography and videos.
- Recommendation: The Samsung Galaxy S21 FE would be a great pick. It provides a solid balance of good performance, good camera features, and good build quality, all in a lighter and more comfortable design.
- Scenario 4: "Battery & Charging Focused": You require great battery life and extremely fast charging for your busy lifestyle.
- Recommendation: The Honor Magic5 Pro is the better option. Its larger battery and much faster charging speeds allow you to stay connected longer and power up your device in no time.
My Choice
If I had to choose, I'd lean towards the Honor Magic5 Pro. The significant jump in performance, superior camera system, larger screen with higher brightness, and considerably faster charging make it the better all-around package, especially for my needs as a tech journalist. While the S21 FE is a very solid phone, the Magic5 Pro's advancements make a tangible difference in the overall user experience, and that’s what matters to me. The improved camera system alone makes it the better phone for capturing the best results for the work that I do, and when the day ends, I can enjoy the best quality gaming and entertainment experience.
