1. Specifications Comparison
Design
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G | Huawei Mate X3 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Form Factor | Standard | Foldable | The Mate X3 offers a larger screen that folds down to a more compact size for portability, while the S21+ is a standard single-screen phone. |
| Dimensions (mm) | 161.5 x 75.6 x 7.8 | 156.9 x 141.5 x 5.3 | The S21+ is taller and thicker, but the Mate X3 is significantly wider when unfolded. |
| Weight (g) | 200 | 239 | The S21+ is notably lighter and easier to handle for extended use. |
Display
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G | Huawei Mate X3 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Size | 6.7" | 7.85" | The Mate X3 offers a substantially larger viewing area, better for multitasking and media consumption. |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 | 2224 x 2496 | The Mate X3 delivers a much sharper and more detailed image. |
| Pixel Density (PPI) | 394 | 426 | The Mate X3 has a slightly sharper display, resulting in slightly clearer text and images. |
| Technology | AMOLED | Unknown | S21+ offers superior blacks, contrast, and color vibrancy for all content consumption. Mate X3 technology is not specified. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | Both offer smooth scrolling and animations. |
| Brightness (nits) | 1300 | 0 | The S21+ offers significantly better outdoor visibility in direct sunlight. Mate X3 brightness is not specified, implying worse sunlight visibility. |
Performance
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G | Huawei Mate X3 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chipset | Exynos 2100 (5 nm) | Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 4G (4 nm) | The Mate X3 has a newer, more powerful chip resulting in faster app loading, better multitasking and gaming performance. |
| AnTuTu Score | 749,100 | 1,238,400 | The Mate X3 delivers much faster overall performance, ideal for demanding tasks. |
| GPU | Mali-G78 MP14 | Adreno 730 | The Mate X3's Adreno 730 GPU offers significantly superior graphics performance, better for gaming. |
Camera
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G | Huawei Mate X3 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main Camera Resolution | 12MP | 50MP | The Mate X3 captures more detail in its images. |
| Main Camera Sensor Size | 1/1.76" | 1/1.56" | The Mate X3 has a physically larger sensor, resulting in better low-light performance. |
| Telephoto | 64MP | 16MP | The S21+ has a dedicated Telephoto lens while Mate X3 has a Telephoto camera. |
| Selfie Camera Resolution | 10MP | 8MP | The S21+ has a slightly higher resolution selfie camera. |
| Video Recording | 8K@24fps, 4K@60fps | 4K@60fps | The S21+ supports higher resolution videos. |
| DXOMark Score | 111 | Not Available | The S21+ has a tested score, but the Mate X3 has not been tested. |
Battery
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G | Huawei Mate X3 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 4800 mAh | 4800 mAh | Both should have similar battery life, depending on usage patterns. |
| Charging | 25W Fast | 66W Fast, 50W Wireless | The Mate X3 charges significantly faster, both wired and wirelessly. |
| Features | 15W Wireless, Reverse Charging | 50W Wireless | The Mate X3 offers much faster wireless charging. S21+ can charge other devices. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G Advantages:
- Significantly Lighter: Easier to handle for prolonged periods.
- Superior Display Technology: AMOLED offers better color, blacks, and power efficiency for dark modes.
- Higher Display Brightness: Much better outdoor visibility, particularly in bright sunlight.
- 8K Video Recording: Offers a higher resolution for video content creation.
- Wider array of Bluetooth Profiles: Offers better compatibility across devices.
- eSIM Support: Can digitally switch carriers.
- Reverse Wireless Charging: Can charge other devices.
- Tested Camera Performance: Has a tested DXOMark score.
- More established Software: Access to standard google apps
Huawei Mate X3 Advantages:
- Foldable Design: Larger screen that folds for portability, unique experience.
- Significantly Larger Display: Offers more immersive media consumption and multitasking.
- Higher Resolution Display: Crisper and more detailed visuals.
- Significantly higher performance: Much better for demanding apps and games
- Significantly Faster Charging: Less time spent waiting for the phone to charge.
- Faster Wireless Charging: More convenient charging without wires.
- Larger Storage Options: Can store a larger amount of photos, videos, and files.
- More Advanced Satellite Location: More accurate GPS support.
- Main camera can be used for selfies: Flexibility for capturing higher resolution selfies.
- Newer Bluetooth Version: Potential for improved connection stability and compatibility.
Significant Trade-offs:
- The S21+ sacrifices screen size and performance for a standard, lighter design.
- The Mate X3 gains a large display and performance, but it is heavier and has unknown display tech and brightness.
- The S21+ lacks the advanced charging capabilities of the Mate X3.
- The S21+ has tested camera performance while Mate X3 does not.
- The Mate X3 doesn't have a Telephoto + portrait camera.
- The Mate X3 has no specified OS.
- The S21+ has a lower resolution main camera than the Mate X3.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G Ideal User:
- Users who prioritize a lighter phone with superior display visibility in bright light conditions.
- Users who record and share video content, benefitting from the 8K video recording.
- Users who want a fully tested camera with good image quality and features.
- Users who value the established Google ecosystem and apps.
- Users who prefer a standard phone design and are not looking for a foldable device.
Specific Use Cases:
- Outdoor Photography/Videography: The high brightness display and 8K video capabilities make it ideal for capturing content outdoors.
- Everyday Usage: The lighter weight and comfortable design makes it easy to carry around for general usage.
- Standard Smartphone User: Users who are more familiar and comfortable with a standard smartphone form factor.
Huawei Mate X3 Ideal User:
- Users who prioritize a large screen for media consumption and multitasking.
- Users who want the latest performance from a smartphone, suitable for demanding apps and games.
- Users who want fast wired and wireless charging capabilities.
- Users who are comfortable with a heavier, foldable device.
- Users who need large storage and more RAM.
Specific Use Cases:
- Content Consumption: The larger display is perfect for watching videos, browsing, and reading.
- Productivity: The large screen enhances multitasking capabilities.
- Gaming: The powerful chipset and graphics processor provide better performance.
- Travel & Navigation: More accurate GPS for navigation.
- Photography Enthusiasts: Flexible camera system with excellent main sensor.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- Do you prioritize portability or a large screen? The S21+ is lighter and more portable, while the Mate X3 is much larger and foldable.
- Do you need a bright display for outdoor visibility? The S21+ offers significantly brighter screen for outdoor use.
- Do you require high-end performance and fast charging? The Mate X3 delivers higher performance and significantly faster charging.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- For the Everyday User Who Values a Standard Experience: Choose the Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G. Its lighter design, reliable AMOLED display and tested cameras make it a solid daily driver.
- For the Power User Who Wants the Latest Technology and a Large Screen: Choose the Huawei Mate X3. Its large folding display and impressive performance make it ideal for multimedia, gaming and multitasking, however, it's heavier and display brightness is unknown.
- For the Photographer Seeking Video Quality: The S21+ is the better option with 8K recording and well tested cameras, the Mate X3 has a better camera sensor, but no performance tests are available.
My Choice
If I were to choose between these two phones, I would personally lean towards the Huawei Mate X3. While the S21+ offers a more conventional and reliable experience, the Mate X3 provides a compelling combination of cutting-edge features that align with my priorities:
- The Foldable Screen: I find the larger display in the foldable form factor to be very appealing for productivity and media consumption.
- Performance Boost: The performance difference between the Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 and the Exynos 2100 is significant, and the Mate X3 would handle the most demanding apps and games with ease.
- Significantly Faster Charging: The faster wired and wireless charging will make it more convenient in everyday use.
- Advanced Camera Technology: Despite having no listed camera score, the newer 50MP sensor and added flexibility to use the main camera for selfies will likely provide a better photography experience in most cases.
- Unique Experience: The Mate X3 stands out as a more innovative phone compared to the S21+.
However, my decision is made with a few caveats: I'd need to confirm the Mate X3 display technology to understand its outdoor visibility and color accuracy. I'd also need to confirm if the Mate X3's OS would have a limitation in accessing google applications. The S21+ is a more reliable option if those concerns remain, given its tested display and software. Overall, if I had to choose based on available information, the Mate X3 is the winner for me.
