1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G | Huawei nova Y90 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Launch Date | 2021-01-29 | 2022-07-27 | Huawei is newer by 1 year, 5 months, 28 days; could have better software support. |
| Dimensions | 161.5 x 75.6 x 7.8 mm | 163.3 x 74.7 x 8.4 mm | Nova Y90 is slightly taller and thicker; minimal difference in feel and portability. |
| Weight | 200g | 195g | Nova Y90 is negligibly lighter; difference not likely noticeable. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.7" | 6.7" | Identical screen size; similar viewing experience for media. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2388 | Very similar sharpness; negligible difference in visual clarity. |
| PPI | 394 | 391 | Almost identical pixel density; comparable sharpness. |
| Technology | AMOLED | IPS LCD | S21+ has superior blacks, contrast, color vibrancy, and power efficiency. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 90Hz | S21+ has smoother animations and scrolling; better perceived responsiveness. |
| Brightness | 1300 nits | 0 nits | S21+ is much brighter; far better outdoor visibility in sunlight. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Exynos 2100 (5 nm) | Snapdragon 680 (6 nm) | S21+ has much more processing power for demanding tasks and future-proofing. |
| AnTuTu Score | 749,100 | 249,000 | S21+ significantly faster; snappier performance, better gaming and multitasking. |
| GPU | Mali-G78 MP14 | Adreno 610 | S21+ has superior graphics; better gaming performance, faster rendering. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 4800mAh | 5000mAh | Nova Y90 has slightly larger battery; potentially marginally longer battery life. |
| Charging | 25W Fast Charging | 40W Fast Charging | Nova Y90 charges faster; reduced waiting time to charge. |
| Features | Reverse Charging, Wireless Charging 15W, No charge in-box | None | S21+ has wireless and reverse wireless charging; more convenience. |
| Camera | |||
| Standard Camera | 12MP, f/1.8, 1/1.76", 1.80µm | 50MP, f/1.8, 0.70µm | Nova Y90 has much higher resolution; can capture finer details, but pixel size impacts low light performance. |
| Telephoto/Portrait | 64MP, f/2.0, 1/1.72", 0.80µm | None | S21+ has optical zoom; greater versatility in photography. |
| Selfie Camera | 10MP, f/2.2, 1/3.2", 1.22µm | 8MP, f/2.0 | S21+ has higher resolution, while Nova Y90 has wider aperture. |
| Wide Angle/Macro | 12.2MP, f/2.2, 1/2.55", 1.40µm | None | S21+ has a wider field of view and macro capabilities. |
| Secondary Camera | None | 2MP, f/2.4 | Nova Y90 has a dedicated secondary camera. |
| Tertiary Camera | None | 2MP, f/2.4 | Nova Y90 has a dedicated tertiary camera. |
| Video | Up to 8K@24fps, EIS, Stereo Sound | 1080p@30fps | S21+ offers much higher video recording quality; better for professional content creation. |
| DXOMark | Main: 111, Photo: 118, Video: 89 | Not Tested | S21+ has significantly better image and video quality based on benchmark. |
| Camera Features | 4K/8K Video, OIS, RAW, Night Mode, Optical Zoom | Digital Zoom, Basic Features | S21+ has advanced features for more versatile photography. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11, Upgrade to 15 | S21+ has known Android OS and upgrade path; Nova Y90 OS is unclear. | |
| Connectivity | |||
| WiFi | WiFi 6 (802.11ax) | WiFi 5 (802.11ac) | S21+ offers faster WiFi speeds and better performance in congested networks. |
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, AVRCP, LE etc | 5.0, A2DP, EDR, LE | S21+ has more Bluetooth features for better audio and device connectivity. |
| GPS | GPS (L1+L5), Galileo (E1+E5a) | GPS, QZSS | S21+ has more precise GPS positioning. |
| SIM | Dual SIM + eSIM | Dual SIM | S21+ offers an eSIM option for easy switching between networks. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 128/256 GB | 128 GB | S21+ can have more storage space; better for users with large media libraries. |
| RAM | 8 GB | 4/6/8 GB | S21+ has a standard 8GB RAM, Huawei has varying options, but typically lower. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone supports memory expansion; limited storage for users with large files. |
| Audio | |||
| Audio Quality | Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res Audio, Stereo Speakers | Basic Audio | S21+ has superior audio; better for immersive media consumption. |
| Security | |||
| Fingerprint | Basic fingerprint sensor | Side-mounted fingerprint sensor | Huawei's side-mounted fingerprint sensor is generally faster and more reliable. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus | Unknown | S21+ has superior screen protection against scratches and drops. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Barometer | Fingerprint, Accelerometer, Compass, Ultrasonic proximity virtual | S21+ has more comprehensive sensors suitable for advanced features and gaming. |
| ## 2. Key Differences Analysis |
Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G Advantages:
- Superior Display: AMOLED screen with 120Hz refresh rate and much higher brightness provides a vastly superior viewing experience, especially in bright conditions.
- Significantly Higher Performance: The Exynos 2100 chipset offers significantly better processing and graphics performance, making it much faster for gaming and demanding applications.
- Advanced Camera System: Features a telephoto lens with optical zoom, wider wide-angle lens, and 8K video recording; more versatile for photography and videography.
- Better Audio: Offers stereo speakers, Dolby Atmos, and Hi-Res Audio; provides a more immersive audio experience.
- Advanced Features: Includes wireless charging, reverse wireless charging, and eSIM support; offers added convenience and flexibility.
- Screen Protection: Uses Gorilla Glass Victus for better screen durability.
Huawei nova Y90 Advantages:
- Faster Charging: 40W fast charging; quicker battery top-up times.
- Potentially Longer Battery Life: Slightly larger battery capacity; could translate to marginally better battery performance.
- Side-Mounted Fingerprint Sensor: Generally faster and more reliable than basic fingerprint sensors.
- Lower Price: Likely to be more budget-friendly.
- Higher Resolution Main Camera: Captures 50MP photos, offering more detail, though pixel size is smaller.
- Secondary and Tertiary Cameras: Adds additional hardware for depth or macro if needed, though not very high quality sensors.
Trade-offs:
- S21+ users pay a premium for performance, display, and features, while Nova Y90 is more budget-friendly but has weaker specs.
- S21+ might be overkill for basic users but is ideal for users who prioritize high performance and quality.
- Nova Y90 is suitable for users on a budget who need decent functionality but do not prioritize performance.
- Huawei's lack of clarity on OS and software updates is a trade off.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G Ideal User:
- Power Users: Users who demand high performance for gaming, video editing, and multitasking.
- Media Consumers: Users who watch a lot of videos, enjoy vibrant colors, and prioritize a superior display experience.
- Photography Enthusiasts: Users who want versatility in their camera with advanced features like optical zoom and 8K video.
- Users Needing Wireless Charging: Users looking for the convenience of wireless and reverse wireless charging.
- Users that require very bright screens for outdoor visibility
Specific Use Cases for Galaxy S21+ 5G:
- Playing graphically intensive games at high frame rates.
- Editing high-resolution photos and videos.
- Watching HDR movies with vibrant colors and deep blacks.
- Taking high-quality photos in different scenarios (telephoto, wide angle, low light).
- Powering other devices using reverse wireless charging.
Huawei nova Y90 Ideal User:
- Budget-Conscious Users: Users who want a decent smartphone experience without breaking the bank.
- Casual Users: Users who primarily use their phone for basic tasks like browsing, social media, and communication.
- Users Prioritizing Battery Life: Users who need long battery life and a fast-charging solution.
- Users that want a side mounted fingerprint reader.
Specific Use Cases for Huawei nova Y90:
- Basic social media browsing and content consumption.
- Taking casual photos for sharing with friends.
- Making calls and sending messages.
- Streaming music and other audio content.
- Daily tasks with long battery life
- Users that want a slightly lighter phone
Price-to-Value Ratio:
- The Galaxy S21+ 5G offers a premium experience with high performance and advanced features, justifying its likely higher price for power users.
- The Nova Y90 offers a solid user experience for the price-conscious, but compromises on performance and features.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- What is my budget? The S21+ will be more expensive due to its premium features.
- How important is performance? If heavy gaming or multitasking is a priority, the S21+ is necessary, while Nova Y90 is for less demanding use cases.
- How important is camera quality and features? The S21+ has better zoom, resolution and video features.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Gaming & High Performance: Choose the Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G for the best possible gaming experience and overall performance.
- Scenario 2: Budget-Conscious Everyday Use: Choose the Huawei nova Y90 for a basic experience at a lower price.
- Scenario 3: Photography & Media Consumption: Choose the Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G for a superior camera and display experience.
- Scenario 4: Basic Use with long battery: Huawei nova Y90 for a basic experience, with very good battery and fast charging.
My Choice
I would choose the Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G.
Reasoning:
While the Huawei nova Y90 has some advantages like potentially longer battery life and faster charging, it falls significantly short in key areas that are essential for my use case. As someone who values performance for smooth multitasking and mobile gaming, the Exynos 2100 chipset in the S21+ is a significant advantage. The vastly superior AMOLED display with 120Hz refresh rate and much higher brightness would dramatically enhance my media consumption and overall user experience, particularly in outdoor use. Also, the S21+'s camera system with its telephoto lens, 8K video recording, and advanced features is more appealing to me than the Nova Y90's basic setup. Finally, the inclusion of features like wireless charging, reverse wireless charging, and eSIM support adds a level of convenience that I appreciate. Although the price is likely higher, the S21+ offers a superior all-around experience that is worth the investment for my needs.
