1. Specifications Comparison
Design
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G | Honor Magic V2 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Form Factor | Standard | Foldable | Honor Magic V2 offers a larger screen in a pocketable form factor, while S21+ is a traditional slab phone. |
| Dimensions | 161.5 x 75.6 x 7.8 mm | 156.7 x 145.4 x 4.7 mm | S21+ is taller and thicker, while the Magic V2 is much wider when unfolded but thinner. |
| Weight | 200g | 231g | S21+ is lighter, making it more comfortable for extended single-handed use. |
| Build Material | Gorilla Glass Victus | Unknown | S21+ screen is better protected with Gorilla Glass Victus. The protection level for the Magic V2 is unknown. |
Display
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G | Honor Magic V2 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Size | 6.7" | 7.92" | Magic V2 has a significantly larger screen, better for media consumption, multitasking, and reading. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 2156x2344 | Magic V2 offers sharper visuals and more screen real estate due to higher resolution. |
| Pixel Density | 394 ppi | 402 ppi | Both phones offer a similar level of sharpness, making text and images appear crisp. |
| Technology | AMOLED | Unknown | S21+'s AMOLED provides superior contrast, vibrant colors, and better power efficiency. Display tech of the Magic V2 is not specified. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | Both devices provide smooth scrolling and animations with a 120Hz refresh rate. |
| Brightness | 1300 nits | 2500 nits | Magic V2 has significantly higher brightness, making it much more usable outdoors in direct sunlight. |
Performance
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G | Honor Magic V2 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chipset | Exynos 2100 (5 nm) | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 (4 nm) | Magic V2's newer Snapdragon chip offers better performance and power efficiency for demanding tasks and games. |
| Antutu Score | 749,100 | 1,361,789 | Magic V2 delivers much faster overall performance, smoother multitasking, and better gaming capabilities. |
| GPU | Mali-G78 MP14 | Adreno 740 | Magic V2's Adreno GPU is superior for graphics-intensive applications and high-end gaming. |
Camera
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G | Honor Magic V2 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard | 12MP, f/1.8, 1/1.76" Sony IMX555 | 50MP, f/1.9 | Magic V2 offers much higher resolution for standard shots, but aperture is slightly narrower. |
| Telephoto+Portrait | 64MP, f/2.0, 1/1.72" Samsung S5KGW2 | Not available | S21+ includes a dedicated telephoto lens for better zoom and portrait photography, whereas Magic V2 does not have one of this type. |
| Selfie | 10MP, f/2.2, 1/3.2" Sony IMX374 | 16MP, f/2.2 | Magic V2 has a higher-resolution front camera for sharper selfies. |
| Telephoto Lens | Not available | 20MP, f/2.4 | Magic V2 includes a dedicated telephoto lens for better zoom, whereas S21+ does not have one of this type. |
| Wide Angle+Macro | 12.2MP, f/2.2, 1/2.55" Sony IMX563 | 50MP, f/2.0 | Magic V2 has a much higher resolution wide-angle lens, offering potentially higher quality wide and macro shots, and a wider aperture. |
| Video Resolution | Up to 8K@24fps | Up to 4K@60fps | S21+ supports 8K video recording for professional-level content creation, whereas Magic V2 maxes out at 4K. |
| DxOMark Overall Score | 111 | 117 | Honor Magic V2 achieves a slightly higher overall camera score. |
| DxOMark Photo Score | 118 | 109 | Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G performs better in photo tests. |
| DxOMark Video Score | 89 | 120 | Honor Magic V2 performs better in video tests. |
| Features | 8K Video, Optical Zoom | Flicker Sensor, Laser AF, Main Camera for Selfies | S21+ offers 8K video recording and optical zoom, while Magic V2 focuses on sensor-related features such as flicker sensor and laser autofocus. |
Battery
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G | Honor Magic V2 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 4800mAh | 5000mAh | Magic V2 has a slightly larger battery, which might translate to slightly longer usage. |
| Charging | 25W fast charging | 66W fast charging | Magic V2 charges significantly faster, reducing charging times. |
| Features | 15W Wireless charging, Reverse charging | None | S21+ provides versatile charging options including wireless charging and reverse wireless charging, while Magic V2 does not. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G Advantages:
- Lighter and More Compact: Its smaller size and lighter weight make it easier to handle and carry, especially for one-handed use.
- Versatile Charging Options: Wireless charging and reverse wireless charging offer added convenience for users.
- 8K Video Recording: Supports 8K video recording, providing professional-level video quality (although not everyone needs 8K).
- Established ecosystem: The Samsung ecosystem is well established with accessories and services
- Better Photo Score on DXOMark: Achieves a higher score on DXOMark photo tests.
Honor Magic V2 Advantages:
- Larger, Brighter Display: The foldable design gives a significantly larger screen, ideal for multitasking and media consumption, combined with superior brightness for outdoor use.
- Superior Performance: The Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset delivers much better overall performance in benchmarks.
- Faster Charging: 66W charging drastically reduces charging time.
- Higher Resolution Main and Wide Camera: Main and wide angle cameras have higher resolution for more detailed images.
- Newer Technology: The device incorporates newer technologies such as Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 5.3.
- Better Video Score on DXOMark: Achieves a higher score on DXOMark video tests.
- Larger Internal Storage: Offers up to 1TB of storage.
Trade-offs:
- Samsung S21+: Sacrifices performance and display size for better portability and versatile charging
- Honor Magic V2: Sacrifices portability for a much larger display, better performance, and faster charging
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G is ideal for:
- Users who prioritize portability: Those who value a lightweight and compact phone for everyday use.
- Those invested in wireless charging: Users who frequently use wireless charging and reverse charging features for convenience.
- General consumers seeking a reliable phone: A well-rounded device that focuses on overall ease of use and reliability.
Use Cases:
- Everyday communication, social media, and casual gaming.
- Taking photos and videos with a good quality camera system.
- Users who already own Samsung devices and enjoy the ecosystem.
Honor Magic V2 is ideal for:
- Power users: Those who need top-tier performance for demanding apps, gaming, and multitasking.
- Media consumption enthusiasts: Users who value a large screen for movies, reading, and browsing.
- Those who want cutting edge technology: The latest processor, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth standards are present in this model.
Use Cases:
- Professional multitasking and productivity with split-screen apps.
- Immersive gaming and media consumption on the large screen.
- Photography and videography with the high-resolution camera.
- Users who value the latest hardware.
Price-to-value ratio:
- The Honor Magic V2 is the more expensive device.
- The Galaxy S21+ is older and should be cheaper.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- Do you prioritize portability or a larger screen?
- Is top-tier performance crucial, or is good all-around performance acceptable?
- How important are specific features like wireless charging or 8K video?
Scenario-based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Portability & Wireless Charging are Key: Choose the Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G for its compact design, lighter weight, and wireless charging capabilities.
- Scenario 2: Power & Immersive Media are Essential: Opt for the Honor Magic V2 for its superior performance, much larger display, and faster charging.
- Scenario 3: Balanced Use with Moderate Demands: The Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G is a good choice as it is more available and has a good all round performance.
My Choice
If I had to choose between these two phones, I would pick the Honor Magic V2. While the Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G is a capable phone, the Magic V2's superior performance, significantly larger and brighter display, and faster charging are features I value more. I frequently engage in tasks that benefit from the larger screen, like multitasking, reading, and watching videos. Furthermore, the increased processing power is beneficial for the apps I use, and having fast charging is a huge plus.
Although the Honor Magic V2 sacrifices portability to some extent, I believe the advantages it offers outweigh the size and weight trade-off. The improved display and performance make it a better overall fit for my specific usage needs, which tend to favor media consumption and demanding productivity tasks. Therefore, the higher cost of the Honor Magic V2 is justified for my use case, making it the better choice for me personally.
