1. Specifications Comparison
Design
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G | Honor X8a | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 161.5 × 75.6 × 7.8 mm | 162.9 × 74.5 × 7.5 mm | Honor X8a is slightly taller and narrower, and thinner making it a little more compact and slightly easier to hold, while the S21+ is a bit wider and thicker. |
| Weight | 200g | 179g | Honor X8a is significantly lighter, which could be more comfortable for prolonged use. |
| Build | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus (screen) | Unknown (screen) | Samsung provides better screen protection from scratches and breakage. |
Display
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G | Honor X8a | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Size | 6.7" | 6.7" | Both have the same large screen size, suitable for media consumption and gaming. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2388 | Virtually identical sharpness; no noticeable difference in daily use. |
| PPI | 394 | 391 | Very similar pixel density; both are sharp and clear. |
| Technology | AMOLED | IPS LCD | S21+ offers deeper blacks, higher contrast, and more vibrant colors, making the display superior for media and dark mode usage. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 90Hz | S21+ provides smoother scrolling and animations, especially noticeable in fast-paced games and UI navigation. |
| Brightness | 1300 nits | 0 nits | S21+ is much brighter, making it easier to view in direct sunlight. The Honor X8a's brightness is not specified. |
Performance
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G | Honor X8a | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chipset | Exynos 2100 (5 nm) | Mediatek Helio G88 (12 nm) | S21+ has a much more powerful chipset, providing a significantly faster and smoother experience for demanding tasks and gaming. |
| AnTuTu Score | 749,100 | 253,700 | S21+ has significantly higher performance and can handle heavy tasks, like gaming and video editing, much better. |
| GPU | Mali-G78 MP14 | Mali-G52 MC2 | The S21+ GPU provides superior graphics performance, particularly beneficial for gaming and graphics-intensive apps. |
Camera
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G | Honor X8a | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main Camera Resolution | 12MP | 100MP | Honor has a higher resolution, enabling more detailed photos, however, other factors like sensor size and pixel size also affect the quality. |
| Main Camera Aperture | f/1.8 | f/1.9 | S21+ has a slightly wider aperture allowing more light to hit the sensor, which might perform better in low light. |
| Telephoto/Portrait Camera | 64MP | None | S21+ provides optical zoom capabilities for better close-ups and portrait shots. |
| Selfie Camera Resolution | 10MP | 16MP | Honor has a higher resolution front-facing camera. |
| Selfie Camera Aperture | f/2.2 | f/2.45 | S21+ has a slightly wider aperture, allowing for slightly better low-light selfies. |
| Wide Angle Lens | None | 5MP | Honor has an additional ultra-wide camera for capturing wider landscape or group shots. |
| Macro Lens | None | 2MP | Honor has a dedicated macro lens for close-up photography. |
| Wide Angle + Macro | 12.2MP | None | S21+ has a dedicated lens for wide angle + macro. |
| Video Recording | Up to 8K @ 24fps | Up to 1080p @ 30fps | S21+ offers professional-grade video quality with higher resolutions, including 8K recording, and much better stabilization. |
| DxOMark Score | 111 (overall) | Not Available | S21+ provides an indication of better overall camera performance than the Honor. |
| Camera Features | OIS, 8K Video, RAW, Night Mode | CDAF | S21+ has optical image stabilization (OIS) for better clarity in photos and videos and more advanced features. |
Battery
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G | Honor X8a | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 4800 mAh | 4500 mAh | S21+ has a slightly larger battery, potentially offering marginally better battery life. |
| Charging | 25W | 22.5W | S21+ offers slightly faster charging times. |
| Battery Features | Wireless charging, reverse charging | None | S21+ offers versatile charging options, including wireless and reverse wireless charging, making it more convenient. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G Advantages:
- Superior Display: AMOLED technology, 120Hz refresh rate, and higher brightness offer a much better viewing experience, especially in bright sunlight.
- Significantly Better Performance: The Exynos 2100 chipset provides much faster processing speeds, better for gaming, multitasking, and demanding apps.
- Advanced Camera System: Features a versatile camera setup with telephoto lens, OIS, 8K video recording, and higher quality recording.
- Enhanced Audio: Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res Audio, stereo speakers, and noise cancelling provide a better sound experience.
- Versatile Battery Features: Offers wireless and reverse wireless charging, making it more convenient to charge devices.
- Better Screen Protection: Gorilla Glass Victus provides superior protection.
- More Sensors: Gyroscope and Barometer.
- Faster Wifi: Wifi 6 support offers better wireless speed and performance.
Honor X8a Advantages:
- Lighter Design: More comfortable to hold for extended periods.
- Higher Resolution Main Camera: 100MP camera for more detailed shots, although the sensor itself is unknown.
- Wider Angle and Macro Lenses: Provides more versatility in photography.
- Newer Bluetooth Version: Includes EDR for improved wireless data speeds.
- Newer OS: Ships with a slightly newer version of Android (12), but the Samsung is upgradable to Android 15.
Trade-offs:
- The Samsung S21+ offers a premium display, performance and camera, but is heavier, and does not include a charger in the box.
- The Honor X8a is lighter and more versatile with its camera lenses, but significantly compromises on display quality, performance, and overall camera quality, and charging speed.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G Ideal Users:
- Power Users: Individuals who require high performance for gaming, multitasking, and demanding apps.
- Media Consumers: Users who prioritize a high-quality display for watching videos and browsing.
- Photography Enthusiasts: Those who need a capable camera with versatile features such as OIS, 8K video, and good zoom capabilities.
Professionals: People who need a reliable device for productivity, with features like wireless charging and reverse charging.
Specific Use Cases:
- Playing graphically intensive games like Genshin Impact or COD Mobile.
- Watching movies and videos in high definition with vibrant colors.
- Capturing high-quality photos and videos for social media or professional use.
- Using the phone for long periods for work without needing to recharge often.
Honor X8a Ideal Users:
- Casual Users: Individuals who primarily use their phones for basic tasks, social media, and browsing.
- Budget-Conscious Buyers: Users looking for a more affordable option with a decent camera and a lightweight design.
- Amateur Photographers: People who want the ability to take wide and macro photos, although with no information about the sensor quality.
Users who prioritize a lighter design: Individuals who value a more lightweight device for ease of handling.
Specific Use Cases:
- Taking casual photos and videos.
- Browsing social media and the web.
- Using the phone for everyday communication.
- Comfortably holding the device for extended reading or media consumption sessions.
Price-to-Value Ratio:
- The Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G likely offers a better value for users seeking top-tier performance and display quality, particularly if found at a discount now.
- The Honor X8a is more suitable for budget-conscious users who want a lightweight phone with basic features.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- How important is display quality and performance? (If very important, Samsung S21+ is the better choice).
- Do you prioritize camera versatility or video quality? (If camera versatility, Honor X8a, if video quality or optical zoom is important, Samsung S21+)
- What is your budget and how important are premium features like wireless charging and screen protection? (If a higher budget allows for it, and these features are important, the S21+ is the better choice)
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Gaming and Media: If you are a heavy gamer or media consumer, the Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G is the clear winner due to its superior display and performance.
- Scenario 2: Casual Use and Photography: If you are on a budget and value the additional macro and ultra wide lenses, and just need a lighter device for everyday use and occasional photos, the Honor X8a is a suitable option.
- Scenario 3: Professional Use: If you need the best camera and reliable performance with added features such as wireless and reverse charging, and a premium experience, the Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G is the preferred choice.
My Choice
Given the detailed analysis, I would personally choose the Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G. Here's why:
- Performance and Display: As someone who uses their phone for both work and media consumption, the significantly better performance of the Exynos 2100 and the superior AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate are crucial. These factors provide a much smoother and more enjoyable user experience.
- Camera Quality: While the Honor X8a offers a higher resolution main camera, I prefer the more comprehensive and versatile system of the S21+, with OIS, a telephoto lens, and the ability to shoot higher quality video, including 8K resolution. The camera on the S21+ is known to be a higher-quality camera, and has been tested by DXOmark.
- Premium Features: The wireless charging, reverse wireless charging, and better screen protection of the S21+ add significant value and convenience. While the phone is heavier, it's worth it for the overall package.
- Long-Term Value: Although it's an older model, the Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G has better long-term value with its performance that will continue to be useful for years to come.
While the Honor X8a has its advantages, such as its lighter build and additional camera lenses, the S21+ offers a significantly better overall experience for my usage needs, focusing on top-tier performance, superior display quality, and better video recording capabilities.
