1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G | Honor 50 Lite | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 161.5 x 75.6 x 7.8 mm | 161.8 x 74.7 x 8.5 mm | S21+ is slightly thinner. Honor 50 Lite is a bit taller and wider, but overall both are similar in size and will feel similar in hand |
| Weight | 200g | 192g | Honor 50 Lite is slightly lighter which might be noticeable during extended use. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.7" | 6.67" | Virtually identical screen size, minimal difference in visual area. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2376 | Similar sharpness, both offer a clear viewing experience, minimal difference in the sharpness. |
| PPI | 394 | 391 | Practically identical pixel density, both screens will look very sharp. |
| Technology | AMOLED | IPS LCD | S21+ has significantly better contrast, deeper blacks, more vibrant colors, and better power efficiency when using dark themes. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 60Hz | S21+ provides much smoother scrolling, animations, and gaming visuals; significantly better user experience for visually demanding tasks. |
| Brightness | 1300 nits | 0 nits | S21+ is much more visible in direct sunlight, a crucial factor for outdoor use, the Honor 50 Lite brightness is missing in the data. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Exynos 2100 (5 nm) | Qualcomm - 8 | S21+ has a significantly more powerful processor, meaning faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and better gaming performance. |
| AnTuTu Score | 749,100 | 201,000 | S21+ has vastly superior performance, capable of handling demanding tasks with ease. |
| GPU | Mali-G78 MP14 | Adreno 610 | S21+ offers much better graphics performance, resulting in a smoother and more enjoyable gaming and video editing experience. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 4800mAh | 4300mAh | S21+ has a larger battery, likely providing longer battery life for typical daily use. |
| Charging | 25W fast charging | 66W fast charging | Honor 50 Lite charges significantly faster, which is convenient for quick top-ups. |
| Features | Wireless, Reverse | Non-removable | S21+ offers wireless charging, reverse charging. Honor 50 Lite is just a standard phone, non-removable battery |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 12MP, f/1.8 | 64MP, f/1.9 | Honor 50 Lite has higher resolution; S21+ has a wider aperture, typically better in low light, both feature different sensors. |
| Telephoto/Portrait | 64MP, f/2.0 | None | S21+ has a dedicated telephoto camera, allowing for optical zoom and better portrait shots. |
| Selfie Camera | 10MP, f/2.2 | 16MP, f/2.0 | Honor 50 Lite has a higher-resolution front camera, wider aperture. |
| Wide Angle Lens | None | 8MP, f/2.4 | Honor 50 Lite has an dedicated wide angle lens, that S21+ lacks |
| Portrait Mode (depth) | None | 2MP, f/2.4 | Honor 50 Lite has a dedicated depth sensor that S21+ lacks |
| Macro Lens | None | 2MP, f/2.4 | Honor 50 Lite has a dedicated macro lens that S21+ lacks |
| Wide Angle + Macro | 12.2MP, f/2.2 | None | S21+ has a dedicated wide angle + macro lens, that the Honor 50 Lite lacks |
| Video Recording | Up to 8K | 1080p@30fps | S21+ offers significantly higher video recording quality, suitable for professional use, Honor 50 Lite captures basic video. |
| DxOMark Score | 111 | N/A | S21+ provides better image quality, and features (this data not available for Honor 50 Lite). |
| Camera Features | OIS, 8k Video, RAW, Night Mode | Quad Camera | S21+ includes advanced features like OIS and RAW capture, Honor 50 Lite is a basic quad camera with Digital Zoom. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 (Upgradable to 15) | Android 11 | S21+ has better future proofing with android version upgrades |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6 | Wi-Fi 5 | S21+ supports faster Wi-Fi speeds and better network performance in congested areas. |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 with extensive profiles | 5.0 with LDAC | S21+ has more extensive profiles, Honor 50 lite has LDAC and AAC codecs for better audio quality |
| GPS | More systems | Basic | S21+ supports more GPS systems, providing more accurate location tracking. |
| SIM | eSIM | Dual Nano | S21+ has more SIM functionality, allowing eSIMs |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 128/256 GB | 128 GB | S21+ Offers more storage options and double the storage on some variants |
| RAM | 8 GB | 6/8 GB | Both offer good ram capabilities, the base model of the Honor 50 Lite only offers 6GB of RAM |
| Expandable | No | No | Both lack expandable storage, but the S21+ offers higher default options |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Dolby Atmos | Basic | S21+ has better audio quality, better playback and immersion |
| Security | |||
| Fingerprint | Basic | Side-mounted | Honor 50 Lite has a more advanced side mounted fingerprint sensor |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Gorilla Glass Victus | Unknown | S21+ has superior screen protection |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Barometer, Hall, Geomagnetic | Gravity | S21+ has more sensors, for different uses |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G Advantages:
- Superior Display: AMOLED screen with 120Hz refresh rate and higher brightness provides a much more vibrant, smoother, and clearer viewing experience, especially outdoors.
- Significantly Better Performance: The Exynos 2100 chipset offers significantly higher processing power, resulting in faster performance, better multitasking, and smoother gaming.
- Advanced Camera System: Features a telephoto lens, 8k video recording, and OIS, delivering superior photography and video capabilities, including advanced features such as RAW and Night Mode.
- Enhanced Audio: Stereo speakers, Dolby Atmos and Hi-Res audio provide a significantly more immersive audio experience.
- Wireless Charging and Reverse Charging: Offers more convenient charging options, including the ability to charge other devices wirelessly.
- Better Future Proofing The S21+ offers higher software update capabilities with support up to Android 15.
- Build Quality: Better screen protection with Gorilla Glass Victus and a more comprehensive sensor suite
Honor 50 Lite Advantages:
- Faster Charging: 66W fast charging allows for quicker battery top-ups.
- Potentially Lower Price: Likely more affordable than the Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G, providing better value for budget-conscious buyers, though prices can vary by region and market.
- Higher Resolution Selfie Camera: 16MP front camera.
- Dedicated lenses With multiple dedicated lenses, the Honor 50 Lite may offer more flexibility.
- Side-mounted Fingerprint sensor Is an advanced biometric security feature.
Trade-offs:
- The S21+ sacrifices charging speed for a more advanced display, performance, and camera system
- The Honor 50 Lite sacrifices performance for a lower price and faster charging. It also lacks many advanced features.
- The S21+ does not have a dedicated wide angle and macro lens, while the Honor 50 Lite has a basic front facing camera.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G Ideal Users:
- Power Users: Individuals who demand top-tier performance for gaming, multitasking, and resource-intensive apps.
- Media Consumers: Users who prioritize an excellent display for streaming, viewing photos, and general media consumption.
- Photography Enthusiasts: Users who want advanced camera features, high-quality video recording, and versatile photo-taking capabilities.
- Professionals: Those who need a reliable phone with advanced connectivity and features for work and productivity.
Specific Use Cases for Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G:
- Playing high-fidelity mobile games with maximum settings.
- Shooting professional-quality 8K videos and editing them on the go.
- Watching HDR content with vibrant colors and deep blacks.
- Using the phone for business presentations, wireless charging, and reverse charging to provide power for accessories.
Honor 50 Lite Ideal Users:
- Budget-Conscious Users: Those seeking a capable phone at a more affordable price point, without demanding the most high-end specs.
- Everyday Users: Individuals who need a reliable device for basic tasks like calls, browsing, social media, and casual photography.
- Users Prioritizing Fast Charging: Those who need to quickly charge their phone and want to avoid long charging times.
- Users Seeking More Photography Flexibility: Users who want a flexible camera setup.
Specific Use Cases for Honor 50 Lite:
- Quickly charging the phone between classes or work meetings.
- Taking everyday photos and videos without demanding professional quality.
- Casual social media browsing, messaging, and streaming basic content.
- Basic productivity tasks like email, document editing and casual browsing.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- What is my budget? The Honor 50 Lite is likely cheaper, but the S21+ offers better value for the money if performance is more important than saving money.
- How important is display quality? If a high-quality display for vibrant colors and smooth motion is crucial, the S21+ is a must-have.
- How important is performance? If you plan on gaming or need fast app loading, the S21+ is significantly better than the Honor 50 Lite
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Power User: If you are a gamer, content creator, or power user, the Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G is the clear choice due to its vastly superior performance, display, and camera system.
- Scenario 2: Budget Conscious User: If you prioritize affordability and want faster charging, the Honor 50 Lite is a better option. You'll be making sacrifices, but still get a functional smartphone for everyday tasks.
- Scenario 3: Balanced User: If you want a decent experience with the best possible image quality and performance, the Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G is still the better choice. You will just have to deal with slower charging capabilities, and a higher initial cost.
My Choice
If I were choosing between these two phones, I would choose the Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G.
Here's why:
While the Honor 50 Lite does offer some advantages, like faster charging and a lower price, the Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G provides a vastly superior overall experience in areas that are more important to me.
Specifically:
- Display: The AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate is a game-changer. The vibrant colors, deep blacks, and smooth animations significantly enhance the viewing experience, making content consumption and general use more enjoyable. The brighter display also gives better visibility in direct sunlight which is key for me, since I use my phone a lot in bright environments.
- Performance: I value performance, especially when it comes to gaming and multitasking. The Exynos 2100 chipset in the S21+ is far more powerful than the one found in the Honor 50 Lite, ensuring a much smoother experience, faster loading times, and the ability to handle intensive tasks with ease.
- Camera: I often take photos and videos and the S21+ camera system is much more versatile and capable. The telephoto lens allows for optical zoom and better portrait shots, and the 8K video capabilities can be useful for creating content and recording memories in the highest quality. The availability of RAW mode and Night Mode are also key advantages for capturing high quality pictures.
- Software Support: The S21+ offers better future-proofing with updates up to Android 15
- Premium Experience: The wireless charging, reverse charging and premium build quality (Gorilla Glass Victus) contribute to a more well-rounded and premium experience.
While the faster charging on the Honor 50 Lite is tempting, the superior display, processing power, and camera system of the Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G outweigh that advantage for me. I'm willing to accept the trade-off of slower charging for a more enhanced user experience in other areas.
