Smartphone Comparison: Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G vs. Honor Magic5 Lite
1. Specifications Comparison
Design
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G | Honor Magic5 Lite | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 161.5 x 75.6 x 7.8 mm | 161.6 x 73.9 x 7.9 mm | Slightly wider, less comfortable in small hands. Similar height and thickness. |
| Weight | 200g | 175g | The Honor Magic5 Lite is noticeably lighter, making it more comfortable for extended use and single-handed operation. |
| Build Quality | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus (screen), unspecified body | Unknown screen protection, unspecified body | S21+ provides more robust screen protection against scratches and drops. |
Display
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G | Honor Magic5 Lite | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Size | 6.7" | 6.67" | Negligible size difference. Both offer a large screen experience. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2400 | Both offer identical sharpness. |
| Pixel Density (PPI) | 394 | 395 | Both offer similar sharpness and clarity |
| Technology | AMOLED | AMOLED | Both offer vibrant colors, deep blacks, and high contrast ratios. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | Both offer smooth scrolling and animations, ideal for gaming and social media. |
| Brightness | 1300 nits | 0 nits | S21+ offers significantly better visibility under direct sunlight; Honor's brightness is unknown. |
Performance
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G | Honor Magic5 Lite | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chipset | Exynos 2100 (5 nm) | Snapdragon 695 5G (6 nm) | S21+ provides significantly faster performance for demanding apps, multitasking and gaming. |
| AnTuTu Score | 749,100 | 431,000 | S21+ performs much better in benchmarks, translating to smoother user experience overall. |
| GPU | Mali-G78 MP14 | Adreno 619 | S21+ offers superior graphics performance, beneficial for gaming and graphic intensive applications. |
Camera
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G | Honor Magic5 Lite | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main Camera Resolution | 12MP | 64MP | Honor captures more detail in standard photos in ideal conditions, but low-light performance and image quality heavily relies on processing. |
| Telephoto Camera | 64MP | None | S21+ offers optical zoom capabilities for better quality zoomed photos. |
| Selfie Camera Resolution | 10MP | 16MP | Honor captures more detailed selfies, but S21+ has wider aperture for better low-light capture |
| Wide Angle Lens | 12.2MP | 5MP | S21+ takes wider photos but honor also takes wide photos in a separate lens |
| Macro Lens | No | 2MP | Honor can capture close-up shots, S21+ lacks this dedicated feature. |
| Video Recording | Up to 8K@24fps | Up to 1080p@30fps | S21+ is much better suited for professional video needs, offering higher resolutions and frame rates. |
| DxOMark Score (Mobile) | 111 | 74 | S21+ has a significantly higher overall camera score, indicating better image quality in various conditions. |
| Camera Features | 8K Video, OIS, RAW, Night Mode, Optical Zoom, Autofocus, etc. | Digital Image Stabilization, Autofocus, etc. | S21+ provides more advanced features for professional photographers and photography enthusiasts. |
Battery
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G | Honor Magic5 Lite | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 4800mAh | 5100mAh | Honor offers a slightly larger battery which might mean slightly longer battery life. |
| Charging | 25W Fast Charging | 40W Fast Charging | Honor recharges faster, which is ideal for users who need to quickly top-up their devices. |
| Features | 15W Wireless Charging, Reverse Wireless Charging, Reverse Charging, No charge in-box | Non-removable battery | S21+ offers more charging options and can also charge other devices wirelessly. Honor does not have those features |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G Advantages:
- Superior Performance: Significantly faster chipset and GPU, leading to smoother overall performance, better multitasking, and enhanced gaming experience.
- Better Display: Significantly higher display brightness, resulting in better outdoor visibility and a more enjoyable viewing experience.
- Advanced Camera System: Offers optical zoom, 8K video recording, optical image stabilization (OIS), superior low-light performance, and more versatile shooting options.
- Advanced Charging Features: Offers wireless charging, reverse wireless charging and reverse charging, increasing usability and convenience.
- Enhanced Audio: Includes Dolby Atmos and stereo speakers for a more immersive audio experience.
- Advanced Connectivity: Supports newer WiFi standard and more precise satellite navigation.
Honor Magic5 Lite Advantages:
- Lighter Design: Significantly lighter, making it more comfortable for extended use and portability.
- Faster Charging: Supports faster wired charging, allowing users to top-up their battery more quickly.
- Higher Main Camera Resolution: Captures more detailed photos in well-lit conditions with the 64MP camera.
- Dedicated Macro Lens: Offers a dedicated lens for capturing detailed close up shots
- Slightly Larger Battery: Offers a slightly higher capacity, which might translate to slightly longer battery life.
Trade-offs:
- The Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G sacrifices battery capacity, lightweight design and faster charging speed for significantly superior performance, display, camera, and audio capabilities.
- The Honor Magic5 Lite prioritizes a lightweight design, faster charging, and main camera resolution at the expense of overall performance, camera capabilities, and display quality.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G - Ideal User:
- Power Users: Individuals who demand top-tier performance for gaming, multitasking, and demanding applications.
- Photography Enthusiasts: Users who want advanced camera features, including optical zoom, high-resolution video, and versatile shooting options.
- Multimedia Consumers: Users who prioritize display quality and immersive audio experience for watching videos and listening to music.
- Users Who Value Convenience: Those who benefit from wireless charging, reverse wireless charging and reverse charging
- Professional users: Those who require high-resolution video for content creation
Honor Magic5 Lite - Ideal User:
- Budget-Conscious Consumers: Those seeking a balance between performance and price, who are willing to trade some high-end features for a lower cost.
- Casual Users: Individuals who primarily use their phones for basic tasks, social media, browsing, and light gaming.
- Users Prioritizing Portability: Those who value a lightweight phone for comfortable use over long periods.
- Users who charge frequently: Those who are on the go and need fast charging on their devices.
Specific Use Cases:
- Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G: Mobile gaming, professional photography/videography, content creation, video streaming, and heavy app usage.
- Honor Magic5 Lite: Everyday social media browsing, casual gaming, general photography, travel, and portability.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- Performance Needs: How important is top-tier performance for gaming, multitasking, and demanding apps? If it's a priority, the S21+ is better.
- Camera Requirements: What level of photography capabilities are needed, such as optical zoom, advanced features, and high-quality video? If these are key, the S21+ is the choice.
- Comfort and Convenience: How important is a lightweight design, fast charging, wireless charging and the ability to charge other devices wirelessly? If these are important, the Honor is lighter, and has faster charging, while the S21+ offers the rest.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Heavy User: If you are a gamer or need a phone for heavy tasks, the Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G is the clear choice for its superior processor, GPU and screen brightness.
- Scenario 2: Budget Conscious and Casual User: If you're a casual user who primarily browses, uses social media and needs a light phone, and want a larger main camera sensor, the Honor Magic5 Lite is a better option.
- Scenario 3: Photography Enthusiast: If taking pictures, especially zoomed in or night shots, and recording videos with professional-grade options is a priority, the Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G's superior camera system is the better choice.
My Choice and Explanation
If I were choosing between these two phones, I would choose the Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G.
Here's why:
- Performance is Paramount: As someone who uses my phone for a variety of tasks, including demanding apps, gaming, and multitasking, the significantly superior performance of the Exynos 2100 chipset and Mali-G78 GPU is a major draw.
- Superior Display Quality: The higher brightness offered by the Samsung's display is essential for me because I often use my phone in brightly lit conditions, including outdoors.
- Versatile Camera System: While I appreciate the higher resolution main camera on the Honor, I value the versatility of the S21+'s camera system, including optical zoom, better video capabilities, and superior low-light performance, as I enjoy capturing high-quality photos and videos.
- Added Convenience: Features like wireless charging and the ability to charge other devices using reverse wireless charging are incredibly convenient for me, further tilting my preference towards the S21+.
While I appreciate the lighter weight and faster charging of the Honor Magic5 Lite, those advantages do not outweigh the significant improvements in performance, display quality, camera capabilities, and added convenience offered by the Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G, which makes it my preferred choice for my specific usage needs and preferences.
