1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G | Huawei Mate 50 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Launch Date | 2021-01-29 | 2022-09-28 | Huawei Mate 50 Pro is significantly newer, likely with more up-to-date software and features. |
| Dimensions | 161.5 x 75.6 x 7.8 mm | 162.1 x 75.5 x 8.5 mm | Very similar size, Huawei is slightly thicker and might feel more bulky. |
| Weight | 200g | 205g | Samsung is negligibly lighter which may be preferred for prolonged one handed usage |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.7" | 6.74" | Virtually the same display size, negligible difference. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1212x2616 | Huawei has a sharper display, noticeable in clearer text and more detailed images. |
| PPI | 394 | 428 | Huawei offers slightly more detailed images, though it is not a dramatic difference, very similar. |
| Technology | AMOLED | OLED | Both offer excellent color reproduction and deep blacks; negligible real-world difference in picture quality |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | Both offer smooth scrolling and animations. |
| Brightness | 1300 nits | 0 nits | Samsung display is significantly brighter for outdoor visibility, making it much better for use in sunny conditions. Huawei's brightness is unknown. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Exynos 2100 (5 nm) | Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 4G (4 nm) | Huawei has a newer, more powerful chipset, leading to faster app loading and smoother multitasking. |
| AnTuTu Score | 749,100 | 1,022,043 | Huawei demonstrates better performance, offering a snappier overall experience. |
| GPU | Mali-G78 MP14 | Adreno 730 | Huawei GPU generally has better gaming performance than the Mali GPU in the Samsung. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 4800mAh | 4700mAh | Both have similar battery capacity, indicating comparable battery life, battery drain depends on usage though. |
| Charging | 25W fast charging | 66W fast charging | Huawei charges much faster. |
| Wireless Charging | 15W | 50W | Huawei offers significantly faster wireless charging. |
| Camera | |||
| Standard Camera | 12MP, f/1.8, 1/1.76" | 50MP, f/1.4, 1/1.56" | Huawei captures significantly more detail, performs better in low light with larger sensor, wider aperture. |
| Telephoto + portrait | 64MP f/2.0 | None | Samsung offers telephoto portrait capabilities |
| Selfie Camera | 10MP, f/2.2 | 13MP, f/2.4 | Huawei has a slightly higher resolution selfie, while Samsung has a wider aperture for better low-light. |
| Telephoto Lens | None | 64MP, f/3.5, 1/2" | Huawei offers telephoto capabilities for zooming on subjects |
| Wide Angle Lens | None | 12MP, f/2.2 | Huawei offers a wide angle option |
| Wide Angle + Macro | 12.2MP f/2.2 | None | Samsung provides macro and wide-angle option |
| Video Recording | Up to 8K 24fps | Up to 4K 60fps | Samsung offers higher video resolution for professional use, but Huawei has more framerate options at 1080p. |
| DxOMark Score | Mobile: 111, Photo: 118, Video: 89 | Mobile: 149, Photo: 152, Video: 141, Selfie: 145, Photo: 147, Video: 143 | Huawei has significantly better camera performance, based on DxOMark scores. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 | (unknown) | Samsung has the well known Android OS with up to version 15, Huawei OS is unknown. |
| Connectivity | |||
| WiFi | Wi-Fi 6 | Wi-Fi 6 | Both offer the latest Wi-Fi standard. |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 | 5.2 | Huawei has a newer version, potentially with better stability and range. |
| GPS | Multiple | Multiple | Huawei supports more satellite systems, likely providing more accurate location tracking, especially in challenging areas. |
| SIM | Dual SIM + eSIM | Dual SIM | Samsung offers an eSIM option for greater flexibility. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal Storage | 128/256 GB | 256/512 GB | Huawei provides a larger maximum storage option. |
| RAM | 8GB | 8GB | Both offer the same RAM. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone allows for expandable storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res, Noise cancellation | Stereo Speakers | Samsung has more advanced audio features for immersive audio, clearer calls. |
| Security | |||
| Fingerprint sensor | Basic | Basic | Both use basic fingerprint sensors for biometric security |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Gorilla Glass Victus | Unknown | Samsung uses a superior screen protection. Huawei's screen protection is not specified |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Geomagnetic, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Barometer | Gravity, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Barometer | Both have a full array of sensors for advanced functionalities, but slightly different sensor suite. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G Advantages:
- Brighter Display: Significantly better visibility in direct sunlight due to higher brightness.
- eSIM Support: Offers greater flexibility with mobile plans, especially for international travel.
- 8K Video Recording: Higher resolution video recording, suitable for professional-grade content creation.
- Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res audio, Noise cancellation microphone: Enhanced audio experience, higher audio quality, clear calls
Huawei Mate 50 Pro Advantages:
- Newer and More Powerful Chipset: The Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 provides a smoother and more responsive user experience with faster app loading times and better multitasking.
- Superior Camera System: Significantly better image quality, with a larger sensor, wider aperture, and telephoto lens, as well as scoring much higher in DxOMark.
- Faster Charging: Both wired and wireless, which greatly reduces downtime.
- Larger Storage Options: Provides more room for photos, videos, and apps if needed.
- Better Bluetooth: Newer Bluetooth version that has better performance
- Better GPS: Better satellite support leads to higher location accuracy
- Overall performance Significantly better performance score and gaming experience.
Significant Trade-offs:
- Display Brightness: Huawei's display brightness is not specified, and the Samsung has a much brighter display for better outdoor visibility.
- Software: Huawei's OS is not specified.
- Video: Samsung offers 8K video, while Huawei is capped at 4K.
- Camera versatility: Samsung has some features that are lacking on the Huawei and vice versa.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Ideal User for Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G:
- Outdoor Enthusiasts: Prioritizes excellent screen visibility in bright sunlight.
- Video Content Creators: Needs 8K video recording capabilities.
- Travelers: Utilizes eSIM capabilities for easy switching between mobile plans.
- Audio enthusiasts: Wants higher quality audio experience with Dolby Atmos.
- Budget-Conscious Consumers: Looking for a still high end, but older device that might be more affordable now, or on sale.
Ideal User for Huawei Mate 50 Pro:
- Photography Enthusiasts: Prioritizes superior image quality, low-light performance, and advanced camera features.
- Power Users: Requires the fastest possible performance for gaming and multitasking.
- Those who need long lasting battery The faster charging would be beneficial.
- Users wanting large internal storage The 512GB storage is a great option.
- Users wanting a more up to date device The phone is much newer than the Samsung.
Specific Use Cases:
- Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G: Filming outdoor sporting events in bright conditions, recording high resolution videos, making long international calls using e-sims, playing games or watching videos with the Dolby Atmos audio.
- Huawei Mate 50 Pro: Capturing photos and videos at concerts and events with less light, recording short 4K videos, heavy gaming, keeping thousands of photos and files on device, faster charging when on the go.
Price-to-Value Ratio:
- The Samsung is an older device that may be sold at a cheaper price.
- The Huawei is a more modern device with a higher price tag.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- How important is outdoor screen visibility? If it is a priority, the Samsung is better.
- Do I need top-tier camera performance and fast charging? If yes, the Huawei is a better option.
- What is my budget? The Samsung might be sold at a lower price.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Frequent Outdoor Use & Professional Videos: Choose the Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G for its excellent brightness and 8K video capabilities.
- Scenario 2: Photography Enthusiast & Power User: Choose the Huawei Mate 50 Pro for its superior camera system, faster performance, and faster charging.
- Scenario 3: Balanced User With Focus On General Use and price: Choose the Samsung S21+ 5G due to it being a older and more affordable phone, while still offering great features.
My Choice
I would choose the Huawei Mate 50 Pro.
Here's why:
Despite the Samsung having an excellent display brightness and some nice video features, the Huawei Mate 50 Pro is the better choice for most users for several reasons. The main points are:
- Superior Camera System: For me, the camera is the most important feature of a smartphone, and the Huawei Mate 50 Pro is significantly better in this regard. Its larger sensor, wider aperture, and telephoto lens all combine to produce far more superior image and video quality that the Samsung.
- Better Performance: As a phone reviewer, I am constantly using the phone for multiple tasks. The Huawei Mate 50 Pro has a newer and more powerful chipset with a better benchmark performance. This translates to faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and better gaming performance.
- Faster Charging: The Huawei has both faster wired and wireless charging, which are a must when using the phone a lot. The faster charging means less downtime.
- Modern and Up To Date: As a tech reviewer, I need to be using the latest tech. The Huawei is a much newer and more modern device.
- Overall Better Experience: The sum of all the changes in Huawei make it the better pick. The differences are clear in almost every aspect.
While the Samsung has advantages, such as a brighter display, those benefits are outweighed by the Huawei's superior performance, camera capabilities, and charging. For my needs, the Huawei Mate 50 Pro is clearly the better choice despite the missing information about the OS.
