1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G | HTC U23 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 161.5 x 75.6 x 7.8 mm | 166.6 x 77.1 x 8.9 mm | HTC U23 Pro is larger and thicker, potentially less comfortable for one-handed use. |
| Weight | 200g | 205g | S21+ 5G is slightly lighter, potentially more comfortable for extended use. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.7" | 6.7" | Both have the same screen real estate. |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 | 1080 x 2400 | Identical sharpness; both have FHD+ screens. |
| PPI | 394 | 393 | Virtually identical pixel density; no noticeable difference. |
| Technology | AMOLED | OLED | Both offer vibrant colors and deep blacks. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | Smooth scrolling and animations on both phones. |
| Brightness | 1300 nits | 0 nits | S21+ 5G's significantly brighter display will be much easier to see in direct sunlight. HTC's brightness is missing. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Exynos 2100 (5 nm) | Snapdragon 7 Gen 1 (4 nm) | S21+ 5G has a slightly more powerful chipset in benchmarks; both are capable for most tasks. |
| AnTuTu Score | 749,100 | 699,600 | S21+ 5G may offer slightly faster performance in demanding apps and games. |
| GPU | Mali-G78 MP14 | Adreno 644 | Different GPUs; both can handle most mobile games, S21+ might perform slightly better. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 4800 mAh | 4600 mAh | S21+ 5G offers marginally better battery life. |
| Charging | 25W fast charging | 30W fast charging | HTC U23 Pro charges slightly faster. |
| Features | Wireless charging 15W, Reverse wireless charging 4.5W, No charge in-box | 15W wireless charging, 5W reverse wireless charging | Both offer wireless charging. S21+ charger is not included in the box. S21+ has a faster reverse wireless charge, but slower wireless charge in general. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera Resolution | 12MP | 108MP | HTC U23 Pro captures significantly more detail in photos due to higher resolution. |
| Main Camera Aperture | f/1.8 | f/1.7 | HTC U23 Pro has a slightly wider aperture for potentially better low-light performance. |
| Telephoto | 64MP | N/A | S21+ 5G has a dedicated telephoto lens, enabling optical zoom. |
| Selfie Camera Resolution | 10MP | 32MP | HTC U23 Pro captures more detailed selfies. |
| Selfie Camera Aperture | f/2.2 | f/2.45 | S21+ 5G has slightly better light intake for selfies. |
| Wide Angle Lens | N/A | 8MP | HTC U23 Pro offers wide-angle shots for capturing more in a scene. |
| Portrait (depth) Lens | N/A | 5MP | HTC U23 Pro can create bokeh effect with the dedicated depth sensor. |
| Macro Lens | N/A | 2MP | HTC U23 Pro offers close-up macro shots. |
| Wide Angle + Macro Lens | 12.2MP | N/A | S21+ 5G can capture wider and macro shots. |
| Video | Up to 8K@24fps | Up to 4K@30fps | S21+ 5G allows for higher resolution, professional-quality video recording. |
| DXOMark | 111 overall, 118 photo, 89 video | Not tested | S21+ 5G has a reputable camera system performance. |
| Camera Features | 8K Video, Optical zoom, Triple camera, Continuous autofocus, Manual focus, Continuous shooting, RAW, Night Mode | Quadruple camera | S21+ has more advanced features for experienced photographers, while HTC provides versatile camera hardware. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 (Upgradable to 15) | Android 13 | HTC U23 Pro has a newer out-of-the-box software. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6 | Wi-Fi 6 | Both support the latest Wi-Fi standards. |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 | 5.2 | HTC U23 Pro has a newer Bluetooth version for potentially better device pairing. |
| GPS | More systems | Fewer systems | S21+ has more accurate GPS. |
| SIM | Dual SIM + eSIM | Dual SIM | S21+ supports an eSIM for a second digital SIM profile. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 128/256GB | 256GB | HTC U23 Pro only available with 256GB of storage. S21+ comes with a 128GB option, as well. |
| RAM | 8GB | 8/12GB | HTC U23 Pro offers a 12GB RAM option for more demanding users. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone supports microSD card expansion. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res Audio, Noise cancellation mic, Stereo Speakers | Basic audio features | S21+ has significantly better audio, especially for music and media consumption. |
| Security | |||
| Features | Basic fingerprint sensor | Side-mounted fingerprint sensor | HTC's sensor is more convenient and potentially faster. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus | Both use the same screen protection. |
| Sensors | |||
| Features | Biometric, Proximity, Motion, Barometer | Biometric, Proximity, Motion, Gravity | S21+ has barometer for atmospheric pressure sensing, while HTC has gravity sensor. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G Advantages:
- Brighter Display: Significantly higher peak brightness (1300 nits) makes it much more usable in direct sunlight.
- More powerful performance: Slightly more powerful chipset (Exynos 2100) and higher AnTuTu score which allows for snappier performance in demanding tasks.
- More Advanced Camera System: Features a telephoto lens for optical zoom, 8K video recording, a wider + macro lens, and more advanced video capabilities.
- Better Audio Experience: Dolby Atmos and Hi-Res audio with Stereo Speakers.
- More Advanced GPS: More satellite systems for more accurate positioning.
- eSIM Support: Enables using two SIM cards simultaneously, along with an embedded digital SIM.
- More Feature-Rich Battery: Reverse charging, wireless charging (15W), reverse wireless charging (4.5W)
- More Comprehensive Sensor Suite: Includes a barometer for environmental sensing.
- Higher Software Support: Upgradable to Android 15.
HTC U23 Pro Advantages:
- Newer Device: Released over two years later, offering potentially newer tech features.
- Higher Resolution Main Camera: 108MP sensor captures significantly more detail.
- Wider Main Camera Aperture: f/1.7 aperture for better low light.
- Higher Resolution Selfie Camera: Captures more detailed selfies.
- Dedicated Wide-Angle, Macro, and Depth Lenses: Offers greater shooting versatility.
- Faster Charging: 30W fast charging for quicker battery top-ups.
- Newer Bluetooth Version: Supports Bluetooth 5.2 for potentially better device pairing.
- Side-Mounted Fingerprint Sensor: Offers potentially more convenient and faster unlocking.
- More RAM Option: 12GB available for heavy multitasking.
- Newer OS: Ships with Android 13.
Significant Trade-offs:
- S21+ 5G sacrifices versatile camera hardware (no dedicated wide angle, macro or depth) for more zoom capabilities.
- HTC U23 Pro lacks the advanced audio, GPS accuracy, advanced video capture, brighter display, and more comprehensive sensor suite of the S21+.
- S21+ 5G battery lacks the slightly faster charging of the U23 Pro.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G Ideal User:
- Content Creators: Benefit from 8K video, optical zoom, high brightness, more advanced video capabilities.
- Frequent Travelers: Dual SIM with eSIM support is great for international use. Accurate GPS, and a barometer makes it perfect for outdoor activities.
- Audio Enthusiasts: Enjoy enhanced sound through Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res Audio, and stereo speakers.
- Outdoor Users: High brightness screen for ease of use in direct sunlight.
- Power Users: The higher processing power allows for faster speeds for demanding games and apps.
HTC U23 Pro Ideal User:
- Photography Enthusiasts: Appreciate the versatile quad-camera setup with wide-angle, macro, and depth lenses.
- Social Media Users: Benefit from high-resolution front camera and a more modern user interface.
- Casual Gamers and Multitaskers: 12GB RAM option can handle demanding games and apps more efficiently.
- Users Prioritizing Fast Charging: Quicker battery top-ups are ideal for those constantly on the go.
- Users wanting a more recent device: Newer device will have newer features.
Specific Use Cases:
- S21+ 5G: Recording high-quality video, capturing zoom shots, navigation in unfamiliar areas, outdoor gaming, music enjoyment.
- HTC U23 Pro: Taking diverse range of photos, recording selfie videos, quickly charging for a long day, social media use, multi-tasking for work/school.
Price-to-Value Ratio:
The Samsung S21+ 5G is a 2021 flagship so it can be expected to have a much lower price than the HTC U23 Pro. The S21+ 5G offers significantly better value for performance and display quality, while the U23 Pro offers a higher resolution camera experience. The decision between the two comes down to user preference and whether the camera or the display/processing power is more important.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- How important is outdoor screen visibility? (S21+ wins due to its high brightness)
- How important is camera versatility? (HTC has a more diverse camera array but Samsung has better video)
- How much do audio quality and processing power matter? (S21+ is better)
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1 (Outdoor User): If you frequently use your phone in direct sunlight or rely heavily on GPS accuracy, the Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G is the better choice due to its superior display brightness and accurate GPS.
- Scenario 2 (Photography Focused): If you prioritize a versatile camera system with many lenses, the HTC U23 Pro is better thanks to its wide-angle, macro and depth cameras.
- Scenario 3 (Power User): If high-performance and audio quality are crucial, with frequent heavy use, Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G offers slightly faster performance and better sound.
- Scenario 4 (Budget User): Consider the prices of each device as a major factor when making a final decision; the S21+ 5G is a previous flagship device, while the U23 Pro is a newer mid-range device.
My Choice
Given the information provided, I would choose the Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G. My primary reason for this choice comes down to the superior display brightness and outdoor visibility, which is important to me for readability in sunny conditions. While the camera system of the HTC U23 Pro is certainly versatile, the S21+ 5G's higher quality video capabilities and more powerful performance is more appealing to me. Additionally, its better audio performance and additional features like eSIM and the barometer make it a better all-around device for my needs. While the HTC offers a newer device with more camera versatility, it lacks the additional functionality and power that the S21+ offers, as well as outdoor visibility. Therefore, the S21+ 5G better aligns with my priorities.
