Smartphone Comparison: Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G vs. Huawei P50 Pro
1. Specifications Comparison
Design
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G | Huawei P50 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Launch Date | 2021-01-29 | 2021-08-12 | Huawei P50 Pro is newer by ~6.5 months, potentially benefiting from slightly more recent tech. |
| Dimensions | 161.5 × 75.6 × 7.8 mm | 158.8 × 72.8 × 8.5 mm | S21+ is slightly taller and wider, while P50 Pro is thicker. S21+ might feel larger in hand, P50 pro may feel more dense. |
| Weight | 200g | 195g | P50 Pro is slightly lighter, potentially more comfortable for extended use. |
Display
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G | Huawei P50 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Size | 6.7" | 6.6" | S21+ has a slightly larger screen, offering a marginally more immersive viewing experience, but not a significant difference. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1228x2700 | P50 Pro has a significantly sharper display, resulting in clearer images and text. |
| Pixel Density (PPI) | 394 | 450 | P50 Pro offers noticeably sharper visuals; finer details and text appear clearer. |
| Technology | AMOLED | OLED | Both use high-quality display tech, resulting in vibrant colors and deep blacks. No significant difference here. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | Both offer smooth scrolling and animations, providing a fluid user experience. |
| Brightness | 1300 nits | 0 nits | S21+ is much brighter, significantly improving outdoor visibility in direct sunlight. Huawei P50 Pro brightness is unknown. |
Performance
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G | Huawei P50 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chipset | Exynos 2100 (5 nm) | Kirin 9000 (5 nm) | Different chips; both are high-end 5nm processors, but performance characteristics may differ. |
| AnTuTu Score | 749,100 | 697,566 | S21+ scores slightly higher in benchmarks, suggesting marginally better overall performance. |
| GPU | Mali-G78 MP14 | Mali-G78 MP24 (Adreno 660) | Different GPUs; both powerful, but specific game performance might vary. |
Camera
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G | Huawei P50 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard Camera | 12MP, f/1.8, 1/1.76" Sony IMX555 | 50MP, f/1.8, 1/1.55" Omnivision OV50A | P50 Pro has a significantly higher resolution sensor which allows for more detail and better cropping abilities, and a larger sensor for better low-light performance. |
| Telephoto + Portrait Camera | 64MP, f/2.0, 1/1.72" Samsung S5KGW2 | None | S21+ has a dedicated telephoto lens, allowing for better optical zoom and portrait shots, although is a combination camera with a small sensor. |
| Selfie Camera | 10MP, f/2.2, 1/3.2" Sony IMX374 | 13MP, f/2.4 | P50 Pro has a slightly higher resolution front camera, S21+ has a wider aperture. The S21+ may do slightly better in low light, but is dependent on implementation. |
| Telephoto Lens | None | 64MP, f/3.4, 1/2" Omnivision OV64B | P50 Pro features a dedicated telephoto lens, allowing for more range and detail when zooming in. |
| Wide Angle + Macro | 12.2MP, f/2.2, 1/2.55" Sony IMX563 | 13MP, f/2.2, 1/3.06" Omnivision OV13B10 | P50 Pro has slightly higher resolution, while S21+ has a larger sensor, likely performing better in low light situations. |
| Black & White Camera | None | 40MP, f/1.6, 1/1.7" Omnivision OV40A | P50 Pro has a dedicated black and white sensor which can be used to capture more detail and is beneficial to taking B&W photographs. |
| Video | Up to 8K@24fps | Up to 4K@60fps | S21+ supports higher resolution video, beneficial for those wanting 8K content. Both have video stabilization. |
| DxOMark Score (Mobile) | 111 | 143 | P50 Pro significantly outperforms S21+ in overall camera quality, photo, and video capture based on DxOMark scores. |
| DxOMark Score (Selfie) | Not Tested | 144 | P50 Pro has a dedicated selfie camera DxOMark score and significantly outperforms the S21+'s main camera score. |
Battery
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G | Huawei P50 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 4800mAh | 4360mAh | S21+ has a larger battery, which may translate to slightly longer usage time. |
| Charging | 25W fast charging | 66W fast charging | P50 Pro charges much faster; a significant benefit for users needing quick top-ups. |
| Wireless Charging | 15W | 50W | P50 Pro charges wirelessly much faster than the S21+ |
| Reverse Wireless Charging | 4.5W | Yes | The P50 Pro can also wirelessly charge other devices. |
Software & Connectivity
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G | Huawei P50 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| OS | Android 11, upgradable to 15 | N/A | S21+ runs on Android and receives OS updates. The Huawei P50 Pro's OS is not listed. |
| WiFi | Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) | Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) | Both support fast WiFi standards; P50 Pro includes MIMO for potentially more reliable connections in crowded environments. |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.0 | Bluetooth 5.2 | P50 Pro has a newer version, potentially offering more efficient power consumption and a faster, more stable connection. |
| GPS | Multiple Systems | More systems incl. NavIC | P50 Pro supports additional satellite systems potentially resulting in better accuracy, especially in urban environments. |
| SIM | Dual SIM (Nano + Nano/eSIM) | Dual SIM (Nano + Nano) | Both support dual SIM, S21+ has the option for a digital eSIM. |
Storage & Audio
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G | Huawei P50 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Internal Storage | 128GB/256GB | 128GB/256GB/512GB | P50 Pro has a larger storage option, which can be important for users with a large amount of media. |
| RAM | 8GB | 8GB/12GB | P50 Pro offers a larger RAM option which benefits multitasking and demanding applications. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone allows expandable storage. |
| Audio Quality | Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res, Noise cancellation, Stereo Speakers | Dolby Atmos, Stereo Speakers | S21+ has a slight advantage in audio, offering superior sound processing and noise cancellation. |
Security & Build
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G | Huawei P50 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fingerprint Sensor | Basic | Basic | Both have standard fingerprint sensors for basic biometric security. |
| Screen Protection | Gorilla Glass Victus | Unknown | S21+ has known high-quality screen protection. P50 Pro's screen protection is not specified. |
Sensors
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G | Huawei P50 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Barometer, Geomagnetic | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Barometer, Gravity, RGB | Both have comprehensive sensor suites. The Samsung has a Geomagnetic sensor and the Huawei adds Gravity and RGB sensors. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G Advantages:
- Brighter Display: Significantly better outdoor visibility with 1300 nits brightness.
- 8K Video Recording: Higher resolution for video capture, appealing to users creating high resolution content.
- Wider ecosystem: Access to Google and Android services with regular updates.
- Slightly Higher Performance: Benchmarks show a marginal performance edge, although the real world difference is not particularly noticeable.
- Hi-Res audio and noise cancellation: Improved listening experience with high quality audio playback and noise cancellation on calls.
- Wireless Charging: Includes reverse wireless charging.
- eSIM support: Ability to use a digital sim.
Huawei P50 Pro Advantages:
- Superior Camera System: Higher DxOMark score, with a more versatile multi-lens setup, and excellent selfie camera performance.
- Faster Charging: 66W wired and 50W wireless charging.
- Sharper Display: Higher resolution and pixel density with similar quality technology.
- More RAM: 12GB RAM options for demanding users and more efficient multitasking.
- More Internal Storage: Up to 512GB of storage.
- More GPS systems: Better GPS accuracy in more situations and locations.
- Newer Bluetooth Standard: Newer Bluetooth may offer more efficient power consumption, and a faster, more stable connection.
- Additional sensors: Gravity and RGB sensors for more functions.
Trade-offs:
Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G:
- Lower camera performance according to DxOMark scores and less versatile sensor array.
- Slower charging speeds.
- Smaller RAM and storage options.
Huawei P50 Pro:
- Unknown display brightness and screen protection, could be an issue in bright sunlight.
- OS is unspecified, could be an older OS or have difficulties accessing Google Services.
- Lacks a dedicated telephoto + portrait camera
- No Hi-res audio, or noise cancellation microphone
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G:
Ideal Users: Users who prioritize a bright screen for outdoor visibility, prefer a wide ecosystem, use the device for general use, high quality video capture, and value high quality audio.
Use Cases:
- Outdoor photography and videography in bright sunlight.
- Users who prefer to use a device in a wide ecosystem, like Android.
- Users who prioritize audio and calls.
Huawei P50 Pro:
Ideal Users: Photography enthusiasts, users who prioritize fast charging, and those needing large storage and RAM, and do not need Google services.
Use Cases:
- Professional and enthusiast-level mobile photography and videography.
- Users who need to charge their phones rapidly.
- Users needing lots of local storage for files and videos.
- Users that need accurate location data.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- How important is camera quality? If camera performance is crucial, the P50 Pro excels. If it's important but not critical, the S21+ is competent.
- Do you prioritize screen brightness? The S21+ offers vastly superior outdoor visibility, essential for users in sunny environments.
- How important is fast charging? The P50 Pro's charging speeds are much quicker.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Outdoor Photographer: Choose the Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G for its brighter display and ability to take high quality video, with a usable camera system.
- Scenario 2: Mobile Photographer/Videographer: Choose the Huawei P50 Pro for its superior camera system, and high quality selfie camera.
- Scenario 3: Power User: If battery longevity is not the primary concern, but you require fast charging and do not need Google Services, the Huawei P50 Pro with its faster charging and higher RAM option may be preferred.
My Choice
If I were to choose between these two phones, I would personally go with the Huawei P50 Pro. My main reason is that it wins out in terms of the camera quality and versatility. While the S21+ has a slightly brighter screen and a more well known and stable OS, the improvements in the camera system with the P50 Pro are far more compelling to me, and the faster charging, more memory and larger storage options are also beneficial.
