1. Specifications Comparison
Here's a detailed comparison of the Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G and the Honor Magic6 Pro, focusing on practical implications:
Design
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G | Honor Magic6 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Launch Date | 2021-01-29 | 2024-01-18 | The Honor Magic6 Pro is significantly newer, benefiting from the latest technology. |
| Dimensions | 161.5 x 75.6 x 7.8 mm | 162.5 x 75.8 x 8.9 mm | The Honor Magic6 Pro is slightly larger and noticeably thicker, potentially feeling bulkier in hand. |
| Weight | 200g | 225g | The Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G is lighter, making it more comfortable for prolonged use. |
Display
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G | Honor Magic6 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Size | 6.7" | 6.8" | Both offer large displays, but the Honor Magic6 Pro is marginally bigger. |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 | 1280 x 2800 | The Honor Magic6 Pro has a much sharper display, resulting in crisper text and images. |
| PPI | 394 | 453 | Higher pixel density on the Honor Magic6 Pro translates to a more detailed and visually refined experience. |
| Technology | AMOLED | OLED | Both use similar high-quality display technology offering vibrant colors and deep blacks. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | Both offer smooth scrolling and animations with identical refresh rates. |
| Brightness | 1300 nits | 0 nits | Missing data for Honor Magic6 Pro. The Samsung S21+ will be much easier to see in direct sunlight. |
Performance
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G | Honor Magic6 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chipset | Exynos 2100 (5 nm) | Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 (4 nm) | The Honor Magic6 Pro's chipset is significantly more powerful, leading to faster performance and better efficiency. |
| AnTuTu Score | 749,100 | 2,069,877 | The Honor Magic6 Pro has a much higher benchmark score, translating to faster app loading, smoother multitasking and higher gaming performance. |
| GPU | Mali-G78 MP14 | Adreno 750 | The Honor Magic6 Pro's GPU offers better graphics performance, ideal for gaming and demanding applications. |
Battery
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G | Honor Magic6 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 4800 mAh | 5600 mAh | The Honor Magic6 Pro has a larger battery, likely providing longer battery life. |
| Charging | 25W fast charging | 80W fast charging | The Honor Magic6 Pro charges significantly faster, reducing downtime. |
| Features | 15W Wireless, 4.5W Reverse Wireless | 66W Wireless, 7.5W Reverse Wireless, E1 Power Efficiency Chip | The Honor Magic6 Pro offers much faster wireless charging and reverse wireless charging, and an efficiency chip for better battery management. |
Camera
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G | Honor Magic6 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main Camera | 12MP, f/1.8, 1/1.76", 1.8µm | 50MP, f/1.4, 1/1.3", 1.2µm | The Honor Magic6 Pro has a higher resolution, wider aperture and larger sensor, likely resulting in better low-light performance and detail. |
| Telephoto | 64MP, f/2.0, 1/1.72", 0.8µm | 180MP, f/2.6 | The Honor Magic6 Pro has a much higher resolution telephoto sensor. The Samsung S21+ has a wider aperture which is better for low-light scenarios |
| Selfie Camera | 10MP, f/2.2, 1/3.2", 1.22µm | 50MP, f/2.0, 1/2.51", 0.64µm | The Honor Magic6 Pro has a higher resolution and wider aperture, resulting in better low-light selfies. |
| Wide Angle | 12.2MP, f/2.2, 1/2.55", 1.4µm | 50MP, f/2.0, 1/2.88", 0.61µm | The Honor Magic6 Pro has a higher resolution, and wider aperture but the Samsung has a larger sensor. |
| Video | Up to 8K@24fps | Up to 4K@60fps | The Samsung Galaxy S21+ can record higher resolution video. Both devices have good video capabilities with OIS/EIS |
| DxOMark (Mobile) | 111 | 158 | The Honor Magic6 Pro has significantly better overall camera performance. |
| DxOMark (Selfie) | N/A | 151 | The Honor Magic6 Pro offers an excellent selfie camera |
| Features | 8K Video, OIS | Noise Reduction, Laser AF, Dual Front Camera | Both have strong camera features but target different scenarios. The Honor is targeted at general photography, and the Samsung is targeted towards professional videography. |
Software and Connectivity
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G | Honor Magic6 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| OS | Android 11 (Upgradable to 15) | Android 14 (Upgradable to 18) | The Honor Magic6 Pro has a much newer OS and is more future-proof. |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6 | Wi-Fi 7 | The Honor Magic6 Pro has the latest Wi-Fi, offering potentially faster speeds, and better connectivity. |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 | 5.3 | The Honor Magic6 Pro has a newer Bluetooth version, with better range and efficiency. |
| 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), QZSS (L1 + L5) | The Honor Magic6 Pro has a better GPS system, providing more accurate location data. |
| SIM | Dual SIM (Nano SIM + Nano SIM / eSIM) | Dual SIM (Nano SIM + Nano SIM / eSIM) | Both offer flexible SIM options. |
Storage and Audio
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G | Honor Magic6 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Internal Storage | 128/256GB | 256/512/1024GB | The Honor Magic6 Pro offers significantly more storage options, ideal for users with large media collections. |
| RAM | 8GB | 12/16GB | The Honor Magic6 Pro has more RAM, enhancing multitasking and performance. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone supports expandable storage, so users should choose a model with sufficient internal storage. |
| Audio Quality | Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res Audio, Noise Cancellation | DTS/DTS X | The Samsung Galaxy S21+ has slightly better audio features for richer audio experiences. |
Security and Build
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G | Honor Magic6 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fingerprint Sensor | Basic | Basic | Both use the same standard fingerprint technology. |
| Screen Protection | Gorilla Glass Victus | Unknown | The Samsung S21+ has very good screen protection. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G Advantages:
- Lighter and Thinner: More comfortable for extended use.
- Brighter Display: Significantly better outdoor visibility in bright conditions, however, I am missing some information for the Honor device in this regard.
- 8K Video Recording: Captures higher-resolution video, appealing to professional users.
- Advanced Audio Features: Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res Audio and noise cancellation offer a better audio experience for media consumption.
- Known Display Protection: Reliable Gorilla Glass Victus screen protection.
Honor Magic6 Pro Advantages:
- Significantly Newer and Faster Processor: The Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 offers vastly superior performance, especially for gaming and heavy use.
- Higher Resolution and Pixel Density Display: Sharper and more detailed visuals.
- Larger Battery Capacity: Longer battery life for users who need all-day power.
- Much Faster Charging: Reduced charging times.
- Superior Camera System: Higher resolution sensors, larger sensors and wider apertures for better photos.
- More RAM and Storage Options: Better performance and storage for heavy users.
- More Advanced Connectivity: Faster and more reliable WiFi and Bluetooth.
- Future-Proof OS: The Magic6 Pro comes with Android 14 and is guaranteed to get upgrades to at least Android 18.
- Better DXOMark Score: Overall superior camera performance.
Trade-offs:
- The Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G offers a slightly better screen in regards to outdoor brightness, but this information is not entirely available for the Honor device.
- The Honor Magic6 Pro is bulkier and heavier than the Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G.
- The Samsung has 8K video recording which may be important to some users.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G Ideal User:
- Budget-Conscious Users: Looking for a reliable device without the premium price tag of newer flagships.
- Video Content Creators: The 8K video recording is a big draw for this niche.
- Users Prioritizing Lightweight Design: Value a comfortable and easy to handle phone.
- Users Who Value Audio Experience: Dolby Atmos support and a dedicated noise cancellation microphone for better sound quality and phone calls.
- Users Who use Their Phone in Bright Sunlight: The bright screen is very useful in these circumstances.
Use Cases:
- General media consumption.
- Basic gaming and social media.
- Creating High-resolution video content.
- Everyday use where comfort is a priority.
- Users who value advanced audio features.
Honor Magic6 Pro Ideal User:
- Power Users and Gamers: The superior performance, RAM, and battery make it ideal for demanding tasks.
- Photography Enthusiasts: The superior camera system results in high-quality photos.
- Users Needing All-Day Battery: The large battery and fast charging make this a workhorse for heavy usage.
- Users Who Want Future-Proofing: The latest OS, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth standards.
- Users Looking For The Best Overall Camera Experience: The DXOMark results speak for themselves.
Use Cases:
- High-performance gaming.
- Advanced photo and video editing.
- Multitasking with multiple apps.
- Extended daily usage without needing to charge.
- Demanding tasks with the latest software and hardware capabilities.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- What is my main use case? (Gaming, photography, content creation, general use)
- Do I need the absolute best performance or is an older model good enough? (Consider whether the 3 year old chip is sufficient for your needs or whether you require the most recent flagship-tier chip)
- What is my budget? (Determine how much performance you can get for the price. The Honor is much more expensive)
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Budget-Conscious User: The Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G offers a decent experience at a lower price, but be aware that its chipset is older.
- Power User/Gamer: The Honor Magic6 Pro is the clear winner due to its better processor, RAM, and battery performance.
- Photography Enthusiast: The Honor Magic6 Pro has the superior camera system, making it the best choice for high-quality photos.
- Frequent Traveler: The Honor Magic6 Pro's GPS, battery, and fast charging make it a very good choice, but the screen brightness information is missing.
My Choice
If I were choosing between these two phones, I would select the Honor Magic6 Pro.
Here's why:
- Superior Performance: The Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 is a game-changer, offering a much smoother experience in all tasks. As a power user, this is critical for me.
- Better Camera: The camera system on the Magic6 Pro is vastly superior in almost all aspects, including higher resolutions, larger apertures and sensors, and better post-processing. The DXOMark scores support this with a high degree of objectivity.
- Future-Proofing: The Magic6 Pro has a newer OS, better connectivity and more RAM, ensuring it will remain relevant for a longer time.
- Larger Battery & Fast Charging: I need my phone to last all day and charge quickly. The Honor device delivers on this need.
While the Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G is a decent phone, it is several generations behind. If you are on a strict budget, it is an option, but the difference in performance is significant. The superior camera, performance, and battery life of the Honor Magic6 Pro more than justify the additional cost for me.
