1. Specifications Comparison
Design
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G | Honor 50 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 161.5 × 75.6 × 7.8 mm | 160 × 73.8 × 7.8 mm | S21+ is slightly larger; Honor 50 might feel more compact in hand. |
| Weight | 200g | 175g | Honor 50 is noticeably lighter, which can improve comfort during extended use. |
Display
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G | Honor 50 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Size | 6.7" | 6.57" | S21+ has a slightly larger screen, better for media consumption, gaming |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2340 | Both offer sharp images; differences are negligible. |
| PPI | 394 | 392 | Pixel density is nearly identical; both offer clear and detailed displays. |
| Technology | AMOLED | OLED | Both offer vibrant colors and deep blacks, minimal difference in practical use. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | Both offer smooth scrolling and animations. |
| Brightness | 1300 nits | 0 nits | S21+ display is significantly brighter, resulting in much better outdoor visibility. Honor 50's brightness is unknown and not mentioned, which implies it might be considerably lower. |
Performance
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G | Honor 50 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chipset | Exynos 2100 (5 nm) | Snapdragon 778G 5G (6 nm) | S21+ chipset (5nm) is slightly more power efficient than the Honor 50's (6nm). |
| AnTuTu Score | 749,100 | 582,766 | S21+ offers better performance in everyday tasks and demanding apps, faster app loading, and smoother multitasking. |
| GPU | Mali-G78 MP14 | Adreno 642L | S21+ has a more powerful GPU, leading to better gaming performance. |
Camera
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G | Honor 50 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard (Rear) | 12MP, f/1.8, 1/1.76", Sony IMX555, 1.8µm | 108MP, f/1.9, 1/1.52", Samsung S5KHM2, 0.7µm | Honor 50 has much higher resolution; S21+ has larger pixel size and wider aperture which usually results in better low light performance |
| Telephoto | 64MP, f/2.0, 1/1.72" | Not Available | S21+ offers optical zoom capabilities for better quality when zooming in. |
| Wide Angle | 12.2MP, f/2.2, 1/2.55" | 8MP, f/2.2, unknown sensor | S21+ has a higher resolution for wide angle shots. |
| Selfie | 10MP, f/2.2, 1/3.2" | 32MP, f/2.2, 1/3.14" | Honor 50 takes higher resolution selfies with a slightly larger sensor. |
| Portrait Mode (depth) | Not Available | 2MP, f/2.4 | Honor 50 has a dedicated depth sensor for improved portrait mode. |
| Macro Lens | Not Available | 2MP, f/2.4 | Honor 50 has a dedicated macro lens for close-up shots. |
| Video | Up to 8K@24fps, EIS, HDR | Up to 4K@30fps, EIS | S21+ captures higher resolution video for detailed footage and has many more frame rate options. |
| DxoMark Score | 111 (Mobile), 118 (Photo), 89 (Video) | Not Available | S21+ has a rated score and is a proven camera. Honor 50 camera quality is unknown. |
Battery
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G | Honor 50 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 4800mAh | 4300mAh | S21+ is likely to have a longer battery life. |
| Charging | 25W | 66W | Honor 50 charges much faster, reducing waiting time. |
| Features | Wireless charging, Reverse wireless charging | None | S21+ offers more flexible charging options. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G Advantages:
- Brighter Display: Significantly better outdoor visibility with 1300 nits brightness.
- Superior Performance: Higher AnTuTu scores, faster chipset, and more powerful GPU, smoother overall performance, better gaming.
- Better Camera: Versatile camera system with telephoto lens, optical zoom, and 8K video recording. Has a proven DxOMark score.
- Larger Battery: Likely longer battery life due to higher capacity.
- Wireless Charging: Offers wireless charging and reverse wireless charging for convenience.
- More GPS Satellites: Better location accuracy due to support for more satellite systems
- Better Audio Quality: Includes Dolby Atmos, noise cancellation microphone, and stereo speakers.
- Better Screen protection: Corning Gorilla Glass Victus
- More Sensors: Includes a Barometer sensor.
Honor 50 Advantages:
- Lighter and More Compact: More comfortable to hold for extended periods.
- Faster Charging: Significantly faster 66W charging, less time plugged in.
- Higher Resolution Main Camera: 108MP main sensor; potentially more detailed images.
- Higher Resolution Selfie Camera: 32MP front facing camera, for better detail.
- Dedicated Depth and Macro Lenses: Enhanced portrait mode and macro capabilities.
- Newer Bluetooth Version: Bluetooth 5.2 offers slightly better performance compared to Bluetooth 5.0
- Potentially Cheaper: Usually the non-flagship phone will have better pricing.
Trade-offs:
- S21+: Heavier, slower charging, potentially more expensive.
- Honor 50: Lower performance, less versatile camera (no telephoto zoom), lower outdoor display brightness, and smaller battery. Lacks some features such as wireless charging and is unproven.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G:
- Ideal User: Power users, mobile gamers, photography enthusiasts, and those who value overall performance and advanced features, and need good outdoor visibility.
- Use Cases:
- Gaming on the go with high frame rates.
- Capturing high-resolution photos and videos in various scenarios.
- Long days of use without needing to charge frequently.
- Enjoying content on a vibrant, outdoor-readable display.
- Need wireless charging.
- Extensive use of GPS.
- Price-to-Value: Justified for users needing flagship performance and features, but higher initial cost.
Honor 50:
- Ideal User: Users seeking a stylish and lightweight phone with fast charging and a good camera, but do not need the extra flagship level performance.
- Use Cases:
- Everyday tasks, social media, casual gaming.
- Taking selfies and photos with depth and macro effects.
- Quickly charging the phone.
- Comfortable one-handed use due to its lighter weight.
- Price-to-Value: Good for users on a budget who do not need the best performance, but a more everyday phone.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions to Consider:
- How important is raw performance and gaming to you? (S21+ excels)
- Do you prioritize battery life or charging speed? (S21+ for capacity, Honor 50 for speed)
- How important is display quality in bright sunlight? (S21+ is much brighter)
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
Scenario 1: For a user who needs a phone for high-performance gaming, outdoor visibility and professional video recording, the Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G is the better choice.
Scenario 2: For a user who prefers a lighter phone that charges fast for everyday use, social media, and good selfies, the Honor 50 is more suitable.
Scenario 3: If camera versatility is key, particularly zooming and video, the Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G is recommended due to its superior telephoto lens and 8K video. If you want to be able to take macro photos and portraits then the Honor 50 is suitable.
My Choice
I would choose the Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G.
Here's why: While the Honor 50 has some attractive features like faster charging and a lighter build, the S21+ provides a more robust, all-around experience. The key factors influencing my decision are the significantly brighter display, superior overall performance, and more versatile camera system with a telephoto lens, 8K video and proven DxOMark scores. The S21+'s extra features like wireless charging, better audio quality, and robust build make it a better long-term investment for my needs. Although the Honor 50 may be better priced, the user experience of the S21+ is superior, particularly the visibility under bright sunlight. In summary, the S21+ is simply the superior phone for the things that are important to me.
