Alright, let's break down the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G and the Huawei Pura 70. Both are compelling phones, but they cater to different needs and preferences. Here's a detailed, user-focused analysis:
1. Specifications Breakdown
Here's a detailed look at how these two smartphones stack up against each other, focusing on what these specifications mean for you:
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G | Huawei Pura 70 | Real-World Implications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Launch Date | 2022-01-07 | 2024-05-06 | The Pura 70 is a much newer phone, potentially offering newer technologies and a longer software support window. |
| Dimensions | 155.7 x 74.5 x 7.9 mm | 157.6 x 74.3 x 8 mm | S21 FE 5G is slightly more compact and a hair thinner; the Pura 70 is a tad taller. |
| Weight | 177g | 207g | The S21 FE 5G is noticeably lighter and thus more comfortable for extended use. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.4" | 6.6" | The Pura 70 offers a slightly larger display, better for media consumption and multitasking. |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2340 | 1256 x 2760 | The Pura 70 has a sharper display with significantly higher pixel density, resulting in clearer text and more detailed images. |
| PPI | 403 | 460 | The Pura 70's higher pixel density means a sharper, more vibrant screen. |
| Technology | AMOLED | OLED | Both use high-quality OLED technology, expect vibrant colors and deep blacks from both. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | Both offer smooth scrolling and animations, making the user interface feel very fluid. |
| Brightness | 1300 nits | 2500 nits | The Pura 70's significantly higher brightness ensures better visibility in direct sunlight. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Snapdragon 888 5G | Kirin 9000S1 | Different processors: Snapdragon 888 (S21 FE 5G) offers good performance, while the Kirin 9000S1 (Pura 70) offers similar performance. |
| AnTuTu Score | 923,836 | 768,000 | The S21 FE 5G benchmarks higher, suggesting slightly smoother performance. |
| GPU | Adreno 660 | Maleoon 910 | Different graphics processors: S21 FE 5G's is known for strong gaming performance. The GPU performance of the Kirin is unclear. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 4500mAh | 4900mAh | The Pura 70 has a slightly larger battery, potentially offering slightly longer battery life. |
| Charging | 25W Fast Charging | 65W Fast Charging | The Pura 70 charges much faster, minimizing downtime. |
| Features | 15W Wireless, 4.5W Reverse | 50W Wireless, 7.5W Reverse | The Pura 70 has significantly faster wireless charging. |
| Camera | |||
| Standard Camera | 12MP f/1.8 Sony IMX555 | 50MP f/1.4 Omnivision OV50H | The Pura 70 boasts higher resolution, a wider aperture, and a larger sensor, likely resulting in better low-light performance and image detail. |
| Telephoto+Portrait | 8MP f/2.0 Hynix HI-847 | None | The S21 FE 5G includes a dedicated telephoto/portrait lens. |
| Telephoto Lens | None | 12MP f/3.4 | The Pura 70 has a dedicated Telephoto lens, allowing for optical zoom capabilities. |
| Wide Angle Lens | None | 13MP f/2.2 | The Pura 70 has a dedicated wide-angle lens, providing a broader field of view for capturing more in each shot. |
| Wide Angle + Macro | 13MP f/2.2 Sony IMX258 | None | The S21 FE 5G offers a dedicated lens for capturing wide-angle and macro shots. |
| Selfie Camera | 32MP f/2.2 Sony IMX616 | 13MP f/2.4 Omnivision | The S21 FE 5G has a higher resolution front camera with a wider aperture, potentially producing better selfies in various conditions. |
| Video Recording | Up to 4K@60fps with HDR, EIS | Yes | The S21 FE 5G supports more video recording resolutions. Both support slow-motion video recording |
| DXOMark Scores | Mobile: 117, Selfie: 127 | None | The S21 FE 5G's camera performance is rated. It is uncertain how the Pura 70's camera performs. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 12, upgradable to 16 | The S21 FE 5G has an older Android OS but is upgradable. The Pura 70 is unlisted. | |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6 | Wi-Fi 6 | Both offer the latest Wi-Fi standards, ensuring fast wireless speeds. |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.0 | Bluetooth 5.2 | The Pura 70 has a newer version of Bluetooth, potentially better efficiency. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, QZSS, GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (L1), BeiDou (B1), BeiDou (B2), NavIC System, QZSS (L1 + L5), Galileo (E1+E5a+E5b) | The Pura 70 has access to more satellite systems, promising more precise location services. |
| SIM | Dual SIM Nano | Dual SIM Nano | Both support dual SIM functionality. |
| Storage & Memory | |||
| Internal Storage | 128GB/256GB | 256GB/512GB/1024GB | The Pura 70 has greater internal storage options, accommodating large libraries of files. |
| RAM | 6GB/8GB | 12GB | The Pura 70 has more RAM, better for heavy multitasking and demanding apps. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone offers microSD card support. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Dolby Atmos, Noise cancellation mic | Dolby Atmos | The S21 FE 5G has noise cancellation for clearer calls. Both have good audio quality. |
| Security | |||
| Features | Fingerprint sensor | Fingerprint sensor | Both include fingerprint sensors for biometric security. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Gorilla Glass Victus | Unknown | The S21 FE 5G offers better protection against scratches and impacts. |
| Sensors | |||
| List | Barometer, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Proximity, Fingerprint | Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Proximity, Fingerprint, Gravity, RGB | Both have a standard sensor set. The S21 FE 5G has a barometer, while the Pura 70 includes a gravity and RGB sensor. |
2. Key Insights
Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G Strengths:
- Strong Performance: Powered by the Snapdragon 888, it's proven to perform well in benchmarks, indicating a good experience with day-to-day tasks and gaming.
- Established Camera: While it has a lower-resolution main sensor compared to the Pura 70, it still packs a very good camera setup, and has better selfie scores according to DxoMark.
- Lighter Design: The S21 FE 5G's lighter build makes it more comfortable for long use.
- Software Support: It has software support and upgrades available.
- Screen Protection: Gorilla Glass Victus offers good protection to the screen.
Huawei Pura 70 Strengths:
- Superior Display: Higher resolution, pixel density, and brightness make for a better viewing experience, especially outdoors.
- Camera Versatility: The 50MP main camera with a wide aperture and larger sensor should be impressive in low-light. With telephoto and wide-angle lenses, it has a more versatile setup than the S21 FE 5G, although the S21 FE 5G has a macro camera.
- Fast Charging: 65W wired and 50W wireless charging are extremely convenient.
- Larger Storage & RAM: Comes with double the storage and RAM, which is useful for heavy users and multitasking.
- Advanced GPS: Better GPS performance with access to more satellite systems.
Trade-offs and Limitations:
- Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G: Slightly older, thus potentially shorter software support life; does not have the same impressive main camera or charging speeds.
- Huawei Pura 70: The chipset's real-world performance is unclear, and it is not clear what version of Android it is running, as well as potential limitations on software, such as Google Play Store.
3. User Profiles and Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G is best for:
- Users looking for a reliable, well-balanced phone: It has great performance and cameras, with a solid screen, all in an established ecosystem.
- Gamers: The Snapdragon 888 and Adreno 660 offer good performance.
- Those comfortable with the Google ecosystem: With all Android services available.
- Users who prioritize software support and updates.
- Users who like a lightweight and compact design.
Huawei Pura 70 is best for:
- Photography enthusiasts: The Pura 70 has impressive camera specs and a versatile lens setup, likely resulting in superior low-light performance.
- Power users: The extra storage, RAM, and fast charging are great for heavy multi-taskers.
- Users who value screen quality: The higher resolution and brightness are ideal for media consumption and outdoor use.
- Those needing excellent location accuracy: The advanced GPS is useful for navigation and location-based services.
- Users who prioritize high quality video and fast charging.
4. Buying Decision Framework
Here are three questions to help you decide:
- Do you prioritize camera versatility and low-light performance?
- If yes: The Huawei Pura 70, with its better main sensor and the addition of dedicated telephoto and wide-angle lenses, is better.
- If no: The Samsung S21 FE 5G has a good camera, a dedicated Telephoto+Portrait lens, as well as a Wide Angle+Macro lens.
- Do you need maximum performance or a stable ecosystem with long-term software updates?
- If performance: The S21 FE 5G, with a proven and powerful processor, will suit your needs.
- If stability: The S21 FE 5G, with a more stable and established ecosystem, is a better option.
- How important are fast charging and a brighter screen?
- If they are important: The Huawei Pura 70 offers much faster charging and a better screen.
- If not that important: The S21 FE 5G's charging is still decent, and its screen is good enough for daily usage.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- The Tech Enthusiast: Huawei Pura 70, with cutting-edge tech, better camera, and premium features.
- The Everyday User: Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G, a more balanced, reliable device that fits most needs.
- The Photographer: Huawei Pura 70, for its excellent camera system with telephoto and wide-angle lens.
- The Gamer: Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G, with its strong processor and GPU.
Personal Choice
If I were to choose, I'd lean towards the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G. While the Huawei Pura 70 is impressive with its camera and screen, my needs prioritize a solid overall experience with a stable operating system, a known processor, and a balance of good performance, which the S21 FE 5G provides. I also value the better screen protection of the S21 FE. The slightly less impressive main camera is fine for my use case, and the S21 FE's more compact form factor suits me better. The inclusion of a barometer is also a good point for me personally, although this will not matter for most people. Additionally, it is not clear what version of Android the Huawei Pura 70 is running, and this can be a significant inconvenience. I believe the S21 FE 5G offers a well-rounded experience that suits my needs best.
