1. Specifications Comparison
Here's a detailed comparison of the Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G and Huawei Pura 70 Ultra, focusing on practical implications:
Design
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G | Huawei Pura 70 Ultra | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 161.5 x 75.6 x 7.8 mm | 162.6 x 75.1 x 8.4 mm | Huawei is slightly taller and thicker, may feel slightly bulkier in hand. |
| Weight | 200g | 226g | S21+ is significantly lighter, more comfortable for extended use. |
Display
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G | Huawei Pura 70 Ultra | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Size | 6.7" | 6.8" | Virtually identical screen sizes. |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 | 1260 x 2844 | Huawei offers noticeably sharper text and images. |
| Pixel Density (PPI) | 394 | 460 | Huawei's higher PPI results in clearer details. |
| Technology | AMOLED | OLED | Similar high-quality display technologies; vibrant colors and deep blacks. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | Both offer smooth scrolling and animations. |
| Brightness (nits) | 1300 | 2500 | Huawei's display is significantly brighter, offering better visibility under direct sunlight. |
Performance
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G | Huawei Pura 70 Ultra | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chipset | Exynos 2100 (5 nm) | Kirin 9010 (7 nm) | Huawei has a newer chip, but manufacturing processes are different, actual performance differences will exist in real-world usage. |
| AnTuTu Score | 749,100 | 869,707 | Huawei is faster in benchmarks; expect slightly smoother performance for demanding tasks. |
| GPU | Mali-G78 MP14 | Maleoon 910 | Huawei's GPU should offer better gaming performance. |
Camera
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G | Huawei Pura 70 Ultra | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard Camera | 12MP, f/1.8, 1/1.76" sensor | 50MP, f/1.6, 1" sensor | Huawei captures more detail, performs better in low light due to larger sensor and wider aperture. |
| Telephoto + Portrait | 64MP, f/2.0, 1/1.72" sensor | None | S21+ has telephoto and portrait, better for zoom and portrait |
| Selfie Camera | 10MP, f/2.2 | 13MP, f/2.4 | Huawei takes slightly more detailed selfies; the difference in practical use will be minimal |
| Telephoto Lens | None | 50MP, f/2.1 | Huawei offers optical zoom, which Samsung lacks. |
| Wide Angle Lens | None | 40MP, f/2.2, 1/1.7" sensor | Huawei offers a wide-angle perspective, Samsung does not. |
| Wide Angle + Macro | 12.2MP, f/2.2, 1/2.55" sensor | None | S21+ has wide angle and macro for taking ultrawide and closeup shots |
| Video | 8K@24fps | 4K | S21+ records higher resolution video, if you require 8k recording |
| DxOMark Mobile Score | 111 | 163 | Huawei has a significantly higher camera score |
Battery
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G | Huawei Pura 70 Ultra | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 4800mAh | 5200mAh | Huawei has slightly better battery life on paper. |
| Charging | 25W wired | 100W wired, 80W wireless | Huawei charges much faster. |
| Features | 15W wireless, 4.5W reverse wireless | 80W wireless, 20W reverse wireless | Huawei has significantly faster wireless charging capabilities. |
Software & Connectivity
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G | Huawei Pura 70 Ultra | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| OS | Android 11 (upgradable to 15) | Unknown | Samsung offers a full Android experience with upgrades, Huawei's OS availability is not known |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6 | Wi-Fi 6, Wi-Fi MIMO | Similar Wi-Fi speeds, Huawei’s Wi-Fi MIMO for potentially more stable connections. |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 | 5.2 | Huawei has a newer, potentially more efficient Bluetooth version. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo, GPS (L1+L5), Galileo (E1+E5a) | GPS, A-GPS, QZSS, GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (L1), BeiDou (B1), BeiDou (B2), NavIC System, QZSS (L1 + L5), Galileo (E1+E5a+E5b) | Huawei has more satellite systems for better location accuracy |
| SIM | Dual SIM (Nano + Nano/eSIM) | Dual SIM (Nano + Nano) | Samsung has an eSIM option for easier carrier switching. |
| Internal Storage | 128 GB or 256 GB | 512 GB or 1024 GB | Huawei offers much more storage capacity |
| RAM | 8GB | 16GB | Huawei offers double the RAM, making it better for multitasking |
Other
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G | Huawei Pura 70 Ultra | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone supports expandable storage |
| Audio | Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res Audio, Noise cancellation microphone, Stereo Speakers | Dolby Atmos, Stereo Speakers | Samsung has better audio quality and includes noise-cancelling mics |
| Security | Basic fingerprint sensor | Basic fingerprint sensor | Both have basic fingerprint sensor security |
| Screen Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus | Unknown | Samsung offers more robust screen protection |
| Sensors | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Barometer | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Gravity, RGB | Samsung has barometer and geomagnetic sensors while the Huawei phone offers gravity and RGB sensors |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G Advantages:
- Lighter Design: Significantly lighter (26g) which makes it more comfortable for extended use.
- eSIM Support: Easier to switch carriers without physical SIMs.
- 8K Video Recording: Capable of recording in 8K resolution for higher quality videos.
- Hi-Res Audio and Noise Cancelling Microphones: Superior audio output and clearer calls
- Better photo scores: Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G has a higher photo score of 118 vs 0 on Huawei Pura 70 Ultra
Huawei Pura 70 Ultra Advantages:
- Superior Display: Higher resolution and significantly higher brightness for better outdoor visibility.
- Faster Charging: Much faster wired and wireless charging times (100W wired, 80W wireless).
- Larger Battery: Slightly larger capacity for potentially better battery life.
- Better Performance: Higher benchmark scores for smoother performance in demanding tasks.
- Superior Cameras: Higher resolution primary and telephoto lenses, which perform much better in low light.
- More Storage and RAM: Doubles the storage and RAM of the Samsung phone.
- Better GPS: More satellite systems supported for better location accuracy.
- Better Camera Score significantly higher overall score on DxoMark of 163 vs 111 on the Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G
Trade-offs:
- Samsung S21+: The older chip and weaker cameras make this an older device, also significantly less internal storage and ram are offered.
- Huawei Pura 70 Ultra: Heavier build and unknown OS can be downsides for some users
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G Ideal Users:
- Users who prioritize a lighter device.
- Users heavily invested in the Samsung ecosystem
- Users looking for 8k video recording.
- Users who require high-quality audio and noise canceling mics
Use Cases:
- Everyday use where a lighter phone is desired.
- Recording high-resolution 8K videos.
- Users who need seamless carrier switching using eSIM.
- Video calls and audio recording with noise cancellation.
Huawei Pura 70 Ultra Ideal Users:
- Users who need the best possible camera performance.
- Users who need to charge their phones as quickly as possible.
- Users who require very high screen brightness for outdoor use.
- Users who desire smooth, high-performance phones for demanding tasks.
- Users who prefer more internal storage and ram
Use Cases:
- Mobile photography and videography in diverse conditions.
- Gaming and other resource-intensive tasks.
- Users who need their device to have a bright display for use in sunny outdoor conditions.
- Users who need long battery life
Price-to-Value Ratio:
- The Samsung S21+ is an older phone and will likely be available at a lower price.
- The Huawei Pura 70 Ultra is a newer, more premium phone, it is likely to cost significantly more.
4. Decision Framework
Here are key questions to ask before making a purchase:
- Do you prioritize camera quality above all else?
- Yes: Huawei Pura 70 Ultra with significantly better cameras is better for you
- No: Other factors such as audio recording quality or device weight may matter more to you
- Do you require fast charging and a very bright screen?
- Yes: Huawei Pura 70 Ultra is best for you
- No: The fast charging and super bright screen will be useful, but other phones can provide similar performance
- Is having the latest OS and software updates important?
- Yes: Consider the Samsung S21+ or another android phone since the OS of the Huawei Pura 70 Ultra is not known
- No: If you don't need the latest android upgrades and are willing to risk using a phone without knowing the os, then consider the Huawei phone
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- For the Casual User: If you are a casual user, the Samsung S21+ provides a good user experience with decent performance at a lower price point.
- For the Mobile Photographer: The Huawei Pura 70 Ultra is the better choice for its higher camera scores, superior low-light capabilities and optical zoom features.
- For the Power User: The Huawei Pura 70 Ultra is the better pick for better performance, faster charging, superior battery, and enhanced gaming capabilities.
My Choice
Based on my analysis, I would choose the Huawei Pura 70 Ultra. Here’s why:
The Huawei Pura 70 Ultra excels in critical areas that align with my priorities for a flagship smartphone. The significantly better camera system, especially for low-light photography and videography, combined with the faster charging and brighter display, makes it a more compelling option for me. Although it's heavier and may come at a premium price, the performance benefits, along with the greatly enhanced camera features, make it worth the investment. I am also willing to take the risk of using an unknown operating system, considering the benefits. Additionally, the Samsung S21+ is an older phone, and if I want the latest and greatest, the Huawei phone is a better choice.
