Smartphone Comparison: Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G vs. Honor Magic4 Pro
1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G | Honor Magic4 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 161.5 × 75.6 × 7.8 mm | 163.6 × 74.7 × 9.1 mm | The Honor Magic4 Pro is slightly taller and thicker, potentially feeling bulkier in hand. |
| Weight | 200g | 209g | The Samsung S21+ is slightly lighter, which might be noticeable during prolonged use. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.7" | 6.81" | The Honor Magic4 Pro offers a slightly larger display, providing a more immersive viewing experience. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1312x2848 | The Honor Magic4 Pro has a sharper display with significantly more detail and clarity. |
| PPI | 394 | 460 | The higher pixel density on the Honor Magic4 Pro leads to crisper text and images. |
| Technology | AMOLED | OLED | Both offer vibrant colors and deep blacks; display quality is generally similar. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | Both phones provide smooth scrolling and animations. |
| Brightness | 1300 nits | 1000 nits | The Samsung S21+ has a significantly brighter screen, improving visibility in direct sunlight. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Exynos 2100 (5 nm) | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 (4 nm) | The Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 in the Honor Magic4 Pro provides generally faster performance. |
| AnTuTu Score | 749,100 | 945,832 | The Honor Magic4 Pro delivers significantly better performance, offering faster app loading and smoother operation. |
| GPU | Mali-G78 MP14 | Adreno 730 | The Adreno 730 in the Honor Magic4 Pro handles graphically intensive tasks better. |
| Camera | |||
| Standard Camera | 12MP (f/1.8, 1/1.76", 1.8µm) | 50MP (f/1.9, 1/1.56", 1.0µm) | The Honor Magic4 Pro has higher resolution, but the Samsung S21+ has larger pixels on the sensor resulting in better low light performance. |
| Telephoto | 64MP (f/2.0, 1/1.72", 0.8µm) | 64MP (f/2.0, 1/2", 0.7µm) | Samsung S21+ has a larger sensor size, which may translate to better low-light zoom quality. |
| Wide Angle | 12.2MP (f/2.2, 1/2.55", 1.4µm) | 50MP (f/2.2) | The Honor Magic4 Pro has a higher resolution wide-angle camera, capturing more detail. Sensor details are missing |
| Selfie | 10MP (f/2.2, 1/3.2", 1.22µm) | 12MP (f/2.4) | The Honor Magic4 Pro has a slightly higher resolution but a smaller aperture, while Samsung S21+ has a larger aperture. |
| ToF 3D Sensor | No | 0.3MP | The Honor Magic4 Pro has a ToF 3D sensor that provides better depth sensing for camera features. |
| Video | Up to 8K@24fps | Up to 4K@60fps | The Samsung S21+ offers 8K video recording, better for professional video production. |
| DxOMark Score | 111 | 126 | The Honor Magic4 Pro has significantly better camera quality according to DxOMark scores. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 4800mAh | 4600mAh | The Samsung S21+ has a slightly larger battery, potentially offering marginally longer battery life. |
| Charging | 25W wired, 15W wireless | 100W wired, 100W wireless | The Honor Magic4 Pro charges much faster. |
| Battery Features | Reverse charging, 15W wireless charging, 4.5W reverse wireless charging, no charger in box | Reverse charging, 100W wireless charging | The Honor Magic4 Pro offers much faster wireless charging |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 (upgradable to 15) | Android 12 | The Honor Magic4 Pro has a newer starting OS; but with the upgrade on S21+ it is not significant. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6 | Wi-Fi 6 with MIMO | Both phones offer similar Wi-Fi capabilities, with the Honor Magic4 Pro supporting MIMO for potential speed improvements in ideal conditions. |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 | 5.2 | The Honor Magic4 Pro has a newer version of Bluetooth, which may offer better battery and connection reliability. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, Beidou, QZSS, Galileo, GLONASS, NavIC | The Honor Magic4 Pro supports more satellite systems, leading to potentially better location accuracy. |
| SIM | Dual SIM (Nano + Nano/eSIM) | Dual SIM (Nano + Nano) | The Samsung S21+ supports eSIM for digital carrier switching. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 128/256GB | 256/512GB | The Honor Magic4 Pro offers higher storage options. |
| RAM | 8GB | 8/12GB | The 12 GB RAM option on the Honor Magic4 Pro is better for multitasking and heavy gaming. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone supports expandable storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res Audio, Noise cancellation mic, Stereo speakers | DTS / DTS X, Stereo speakers | The Samsung S21+ offers a slight edge in audio features offering enhanced spatial audio, higher quality audio playback, clearer calls, better audio separation and immersion. |
| Security | |||
| Features | Fingerprint sensor | Fingerprint sensor | Both offer basic fingerprint security. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus | Unknown | The Samsung S21+ offers superior screen protection. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Barometer, Hall, Geomagnetic | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Gravity | The Samsung S21+ includes extra sensors (Barometer) useful for specific applications. The Honor Magic4 Pro includes a Gravity sensor, which is not mentioned in the S21+. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G Advantages:
- Brighter Display: The S21+ has a significantly brighter display (1300 nits vs. 1000 nits) for better outdoor visibility.
- 8K Video Recording: Capability to record professional-grade 8K video.
- eSIM Support: Allows for digital carrier switching.
- Slightly Larger Battery: 200mAh higher battery capacity offering slightly more battery life.
- Wireless Charging: 15W Wireless charging and 4.5W Reverse Wireless charging.
- Dolby Atmos and Hi-Res Audio: Enhances the audio experience.
- Superior Screen Protection: Corning Gorilla Glass Victus offers a more durable display.
- Wider Aperture Primary Camera: Better low-light photos than the Honor phone.
Honor Magic4 Pro Advantages:
- Superior Performance: Significantly higher AnTuTu score due to the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 chipset, resulting in faster and smoother operation.
- Sharper Display: Higher resolution display (1312x2848 vs 1080x2400) and higher pixel density providing a sharper picture.
- Faster Charging: Significantly faster 100W wired and wireless charging.
- Better Camera Quality: Higher DxOMark scores, indicating better overall camera performance.
- Larger Storage Options: Available with 256GB/512GB internal storage.
- More RAM Option: Available with up to 12GB RAM for better multitasking.
- Newer Bluetooth Version: Bluetooth 5.2 for improved connectivity and energy efficiency.
- More Satellite Systems for GPS: More precise location tracking.
- ToF 3D Sensor: Improved depth sensing capabilities for camera.
- Higher Resolution Cameras: The main and wide angle cameras have higher resolution (50MP vs 12.2MP/12MP).
Trade-offs:
- The Samsung S21+ offers better display brightness and 8K video, but lacks the overall performance and camera quality of the Honor Magic4 Pro.
- The Honor Magic4 Pro has much faster charging and better overall performance, but lacks the same level of display brightness and 8k Video found on the Samsung.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G Ideal User:
- Content Creators: Users who need 8K video recording capabilities for professional-grade content.
- Outdoor Users: Individuals who frequently use their phone in bright sunlight, benefiting from the brighter display.
- Multimedia Enthusiasts: Those who value enhanced audio features like Dolby Atmos and Hi-Res audio.
- Users Needing Digital Carrier Switching: People who need the flexibility of using an eSIM.
- Users Who Prefer Wireless Charging: People who appreciate 15W Wireless charging and Reverse Wireless charging.
- Durability: Users who are concerned about screen damage.
Use Cases:
- Filming high-resolution video content.
- Navigating maps and apps in direct sunlight.
- Enjoying high-fidelity audio with headphones or speakers.
Honor Magic4 Pro Ideal User:
- Performance Users: Gamers and power users who prioritize top-tier performance and multitasking.
- Photography Enthusiasts: Users who want a versatile camera system with high image quality and a variety of shooting modes.
- Frequent Chargers: Users who value fast charging speeds for minimal downtime.
- Those Who Value a Sharper Display: People who appreciate a clearer and more detailed viewing experience
- Those who value storage: People who need 256GB/512GB storage, especially if you don't like using Cloud options.
Use Cases:
- Playing demanding mobile games with smooth frame rates.
- Capturing high-quality photos and videos in various conditions.
- Quickly charging the phone during short breaks.
- Viewing detailed maps and documents.
Price-to-Value:
- The Honor Magic4 Pro offers a higher price-to-value ratio for users seeking performance and camera quality, considering its superior chipset, charging speed, and camera performance.
- The Samsung Galaxy S21+ is a more balanced option, but is older, and its price should reflect that.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- How important is raw performance and gaming? If performance is a top priority, the Honor Magic4 Pro with its Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 chip and 12GB RAM option is the better choice.
- Do you frequently use your phone outdoors in bright sunlight? The Samsung S21+ has a brighter display, making it better for outdoor use.
- Is fast charging a must-have? The Honor Magic4 Pro's 100W charging is significantly faster than the 25W charging on the Samsung S21+.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1 (Content Creator): If you need professional-grade 8K video recording and a brighter display, choose the Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G.
- Scenario 2 (Gamer/Power User): If you prioritize high performance for gaming and multitasking, and fast charging is critical, the Honor Magic4 Pro is the better option.
- Scenario 3 (General User): If you are a general user who wants a good balance between performance, camera quality and display but don't need top of the line specs, the Honor Magic4 Pro is a very strong contender, and the Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G can be an option if the price is significantly lower.
What I would choose
I would choose the Honor Magic4 Pro.
Here's why:
- Superior Performance: The Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 offers a noticeable performance improvement in daily tasks and gaming, making the phone feel much smoother and responsive. This is important to me, as I tend to do a lot of multitasking and some gaming.
- Faster Charging: The 100W fast charging is a game-changer. Being able to quickly top up the phone is very convenient and improves my daily life.
- Superior Camera: Based on DxOmark score and specifications, the camera is expected to deliver much better photos and videos than the Samsung.
- Newer Tech: Despite the S21+ being able to update to Android 15, the slightly newer Bluetooth and the rest of the tech in the Honor are more compelling.
While the Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G has a brighter screen and 8K video recording, the improvements in performance, charging speed, and camera quality of the Honor Magic4 Pro are more aligned with my priorities. The trade-offs in brightness and the 8K video are acceptable given the overall benefits the Honor provides.
