1. Specifications Comparison
Design
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G | Honor Magic5 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Dimensions | 161.5 × 75.6 × 7.8 mm | 162.9 × 76.7 × 8.8 mm | Honor Magic5 Pro is slightly larger and thicker, potentially feeling less comfortable in hand for some users and might be more difficult to put in smaller pockets. |
| Weight | 200g | 219g | Samsung S21+ is lighter, better for extended use and one-handed operation. Honor Magic5 Pro might feel more substantial. |
| Build | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus (Screen) | Unknown (Screen) | Samsung's screen has superior scratch and shatter resistance, providing better peace of mind. |
Display
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G | Honor Magic5 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Size | 6.7" | 6.81" | Magic5 Pro offers a marginally larger display, potentially better for media consumption. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1312x2848 | Honor Magic5 Pro has significantly sharper visuals, noticeably clearer text, and more detailed images. |
| PPI | 394 | 460 | Honor Magic5 Pro has a noticeably sharper display with finer details. |
| Technology | AMOLED | OLED | Both offer vibrant colors and deep blacks. No significant practical difference for most users. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | Both offer smooth scrolling and animations. |
| Brightness | 1300 nits | 1800 nits | Honor Magic5 Pro is significantly brighter, offering much better outdoor visibility under bright sunlight. |
Performance
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G | Honor Magic5 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Chipset | Exynos 2100 (5 nm) | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 (4 nm) | Honor Magic5 Pro's chip is newer, more efficient, and significantly more powerful, resulting in faster performance in all tasks. |
| AnTuTu Score | 749,100 | 1,406,562 | Honor Magic5 Pro provides much faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and better gaming performance. |
| GPU | Mali-G78 MP14 | Adreno 740 | Honor Magic5 Pro offers better graphics performance for gaming and demanding applications. |
Camera
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G | Honor Magic5 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Main Camera | 12MP f/1.8 1/1.76" | 50MP f/1.6 1/1.12" | Honor Magic5 Pro captures much more detailed images, especially in low light due to the larger sensor and wider aperture. |
| Telephoto/Portrait Camera | 64MP f/2.0 1/1.72" | 50MP f/3.0 1/2.51" | Samsung S21+ has higher zoom resolution but Honor's sensor may be better in very dark light and also has the ToF. |
| Wide-angle/Macro Camera | 12.2MP f/2.2 1/2.55" | 50MP f/2.0 1/2" | Honor Magic5 Pro captures significantly more detail and potentially better low-light performance with its wider aperture and larger sensor. |
| Selfie Camera | 10MP f/2.2 1/3.2" | 12MP f/2.4 | Honor Magic5 Pro captures slightly more detailed selfies, but the aperture difference is minimal. |
| ToF 3D Sensor | No | Yes | Honor Magic5 Pro has better depth mapping for portrait mode and AR applications. |
| Video | Up to 8K@24fps | Up to 4K@60fps | Samsung S21+ has 8K video capabilities. Both are very capable for general video recording. |
| DxOMark Score (Mobile) | 111 | 152 | Honor Magic5 Pro has a significantly better camera performance overall. |
| DxOMark Score (Selfie) | N/A | 123 | Honor Magic5 Pro offers a higher quality Selfie camera with an overall score of 123. |
Battery
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G | Honor Magic5 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Capacity | 4800mAh | 5100mAh | Honor Magic5 Pro has a slightly larger battery, potentially leading to longer usage between charges. |
| Charging | 25W Fast Charging | 66W Fast Charging | Honor Magic5 Pro charges much faster, getting you back to full power quicker. |
| Wireless Charging | 15W | 50W | Honor Magic5 Pro charges much faster wirelessly. |
| Features | Reverse charging, 15W wireless, 4.5W reverse wireless, No charger in-box | 50W wireless, Silicon-carbon battery, Reverse charging 5W | Honor Magic5 Pro has much faster wireless charging and a silicon-carbon battery which should result in better battery health over time. |
Software & Connectivity
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G | Honor Magic5 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|
| OS | Android 11 (upgradeable to 15) | Android 13 (upgradeable to 14) | Honor Magic5 Pro comes with a more recent Android version, likely to get longer security updates. |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6 | Wi-Fi 7 | Honor Magic5 Pro supports the latest Wi-Fi standard for much faster speeds and better performance in crowded network environments, including the 6GHz band. |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 | 5.2 | Honor Magic5 Pro has better bluetooth connectivity. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo, GPS (L1+L5), Galileo (E1+E5a) | GPS, A-GPS, Beidou, QZSS, Galileo, GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (L1), BeiDou (B1), Galileo (E1+E5a), BeiDou (B2), NavIC System, QZSS (L1 + L5) | Honor Magic5 Pro supports more satellite systems, leading to more accurate and faster location acquisition. |
| SIM | Dual SIM (Nano + Nano / eSIM) | Dual SIM (Nano + Nano / eSIM) | Both phones support Dual SIM and eSIM. |
Storage & Audio
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G | Honor Magic5 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Internal Storage | 128/256 GB | 128/256/512 GB | Honor Magic5 Pro offers a larger 512GB storage option. |
| RAM | 8 GB | 8/12/16 GB | Honor Magic5 Pro offers more RAM for improved multitasking. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone supports expandable storage |
| Audio Quality | Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res, Noise Cancellation Microphone | DTS/DTS X | Samsung's features offer better sound and clear call quality. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G Advantages
- Lighter and Slimmer: More comfortable for extended use and easier to handle one-handed.
- 8K Video Recording: Offers higher resolution video recording for professional-grade content creators.
- Reverse Wireless Charging: Can charge other devices wirelessly, a good extra feature.
- Hi-Res Audio and Dolby Atmos: Provides enhanced audio experience with better spatial separation and immersive sound.
Honor Magic5 Pro Advantages
- Significantly Faster Processor: Provides a much smoother experience, especially for gaming and heavy multitasking.
- Superior Display: Higher resolution, higher pixel density, and much better brightness for outdoor use.
- Superior Camera System: Much higher DXOMark scores in all categories, better low-light performance, more versatile cameras.
- Faster Charging: Both wired and wireless, resulting in significantly less time tethered to an outlet.
- Newer Connectivity Standards: Supports Wi-Fi 7 for faster network speeds and Bluetooth 5.2 for better connectivity.
- More RAM: Optional 12 or 16 GB RAM for very demanding tasks.
- Silicon-carbon Battery: Better long term battery health.
Trade-offs
- Samsung S21+ 5G: Sacrifices performance and camera quality for a lighter design and slightly more features on the audio front.
- Honor Magic5 Pro: Is heavier and bulkier but has the benefit of a superior display, chipset, and camera.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G Ideal User
- Users who value a lightweight and slim design.
- Consumers who primarily use their phone for general tasks and some media consumption.
- Those who would benefit from reverse wireless charging and improved audio features.
- Users who prioritize recording video at the highest resolution (8K)
- Price-conscious users looking for a more budget-friendly option that still offers decent performance.
Use Case Example: Someone who primarily uses their phone for social media, browsing, and occasional video recording, and values comfort in hand.
Honor Magic5 Pro Ideal User
- Power users who demand top-tier performance and are willing to pay more for it.
- Gamers who need a smooth and responsive experience.
- Photography enthusiasts who desire a versatile camera system with excellent low-light capabilities.
- Users who prioritize display quality for media consumption and overall visual experience.
- Professionals who need a reliable device that can handle demanding tasks and provide fast charging.
Use Case Example: A photographer who takes photos and videos in diverse lighting conditions and expects quality results. Or a mobile gamer who needs smooth gameplay.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions to Consider
- How important is performance and speed to you?
- What are your priorities for camera quality, specifically in low light situations?
- Do you value a lighter, more compact device or prioritize a larger display and battery life?
Scenario-Based Recommendations
- Scenario 1: Budget-conscious user primarily focused on everyday tasks and comfortable handling.
- Recommendation: The Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G. It provides a decent experience for basic tasks and is more cost-effective.
- Scenario 2: Power user who needs top performance and camera capabilities, with budget flexibility.
- Recommendation: The Honor Magic5 Pro. Its superior performance, camera system, display and fast charging are worth the investment.
- Scenario 3: User who needs to capture video on the go at high resolution (8K)
- Recommendation: The Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G.
- Scenario 4: Mobile gamer who needs a smooth, responsive device with long battery life
- Recommendation: The Honor Magic5 Pro is the best option due to its faster processor and larger battery.
My Choice and Why
If I were choosing between these two phones, I would pick the Honor Magic5 Pro. Despite being heavier and bulkier, the significant advantages in key areas, namely performance, display quality, camera system, and battery charging speed, make it the better choice for my needs. As someone who regularly edits photos and videos on my phone, I value superior camera performance, which the Magic5 Pro offers with its much higher DxOMark score. I also appreciate the higher resolution and brighter display of the Magic5 Pro, which enhance my viewing experience. Finally, the fast charging feature is essential to my busy daily life. While the Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G has a more lightweight design and offers some enhanced audio features, the gains from the Magic5 Pro are more substantial.
