Smartphone Comparison: Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G vs. Honor 200
1. Specifications Comparison
Here's a detailed comparison of the key specifications of the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G and the Honor 200, with a focus on their practical impact:
Design
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G | Honor 200 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 165.1 x 75.6 x 8.9 mm | 161.5 x 74.6 x 7.7 mm | The Honor 200 is slightly smaller, thinner, and will likely feel more comfortable in hand. The S21 Ultra 5G is bulkier. |
| Weight | 227g | 187g | The Honor 200 is significantly lighter, making it more comfortable to hold for extended periods. |
Display
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G | Honor 200 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Size | 6.8" | 6.7" | Both offer similar large-screen experiences; the difference of 0.1" is unlikely to be very noticeable. |
| Resolution | 1440 x 3200 | 1200 x 2664 | The S21 Ultra 5G has a significantly sharper display. Text and images appear more detailed. |
| PPI | 515 | 436 | The S21 Ultra 5G has a visibly sharper screen, resulting in better image clarity and detail. |
| Technology | AMOLED | OLED | Both offer vibrant colors and deep blacks; AMOLED might have a slight edge in energy efficiency. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | Both offer smooth scrolling and animations. Identical refresh rates mean similar visual experiences in this regard. |
| Brightness | 1500 nits | 4000 nits | The Honor 200 is significantly brighter, making it much more visible in direct sunlight. |
Performance
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G | Honor 200 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chipset | Exynos 2100 (5 nm) - International | Qualcomm SM7550-AB Snapdragon 7 Gen 3 (4 nm) | The Honor 200's Snapdragon chipset is newer and performs better in benchmark tests. |
| AnTuTu Score | 749,000 | 865,000 | The Honor 200 has a higher benchmark score, implying slightly better overall performance in apps and games. |
| GPU | Mali-G78 MP14 - International (ARM Mali-G78 MC14) | Adreno 720 (Qualcomm Adreno 720) | Both are capable GPUs; the Honor 200's Adreno 720 is better at running high-performance games. |
Battery
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G | Honor 200 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 5000 mAh | 5200 mAh | The Honor 200 has a slightly larger battery, potentially offering a little more usage time between charges. |
| Charging | 25W Fast Charging | 100W Fast Charging | The Honor 200 charges much faster, allowing for quicker top-ups. |
| Features | Wireless charging 15W, Reverse wireless charging 9W | Reverse charging | S21 Ultra 5G has wireless charging capabilities and reverse wireless charging. Honor 200 has reverse charging feature. |
Camera
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G | Honor 200 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard Camera | 108MP, f/1.8, 1/1.33" sensor, 0.80 µm pixel size | 50MP, f/1.95, 1/1.56" sensor, 1.00 µm pixel size | The S21 Ultra 5G has higher resolution; the Honor 200 has larger pixel size. The Honor 200 might perform better in low light due to larger pixel size. |
| Telephoto + portrait | 10.8MP, f/2.4, 1/2.65" sensor, 1.22 µm pixel size | N/A | S21 Ultra has dedicated telephoto and portrait capabilities, which offer better results. |
| Selfie Camera | 44MP, f/2.2, 1/2.65" sensor, 0.70 µm pixel size | 50MP, f/2.1, sensor size and pixel size unknown | The Honor 200 has a higher resolution selfie camera and slightly wider aperture, potentially leading to better selfies. |
| Telephoto Lens | 10.8MP, f/4.9, 1/2.65" sensor, 1.22 µm pixel size | 50MP, f/2.4, sensor size and pixel size unknown | The Honor 200 has significantly higher resolution and a much wider aperture. This could offer better zoom capabilities and results than the S21 Ultra 5G. |
| Wide Angle Lens | N/A | 12MP, f/2.2, sensor size and pixel size unknown | Honor 200 has an ultrawide camera for landscape shots, where the S21 Ultra does not. |
| Wide Angle + Macro | 12.2MP, f/2.2, 1/2.55" sensor, 1.40 µm pixel size | N/A | The S21 Ultra has a dedicated macro camera for close-up shots, where the Honor 200 does not. |
| Video Recording | 8K@24fps, 4K@60fps etc | 4K@30fps, 1080p@60fps etc. | The S21 Ultra 5G supports higher video resolution, while Honor 200 prioritizes video quality with OIS. |
| DxOMark Mobile Score | 115 | 130 | The Honor 200 has a significantly higher DxOMark score for its main camera, which indicates better image and video quality overall. |
| DxOMark Selfie Score | 135 | N/A | The S21 Ultra 5G has a high DxOMark score for selfie camera |
Software & Connectivity | Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G | Honor 200 | Practical Impact | |----------------|--------------------------------------------|--------------------------------------|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | OS | Android 11, upgradable to 15 | Android 14 | Honor 200 ships with a newer OS out of the box with unknown upgrade version . | | WiFi | WiFi 6, 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax, Wi-Fi MiMO | WiFi 6, 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax | Both phones support Wi-Fi 6; the S21 Ultra 5G has Wi-Fi MiMO that will offer slightly better connectivity. | | Bluetooth | 5.2 | 5.3 | The Honor 200 uses a newer version of Bluetooth which can offer faster data transfers and potentially better stability. | | GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo (L1+L5), Galileo (E1+E5a) | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, GPS (L1+L5), Galileo (E1+E5a) | Both are highly accurate; Honor 200 support QZSS satellite system for even more precise location tracking. | | SIM | Dual Nano SIM | Dual Nano SIM / eSIM | Honor 200 has the additional flexibility of eSIM. |
Storage & Audio
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G | Honor 200 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Internal | 128/256/512GB | 256/512GB | Both phones offer ample storage for apps, photos, videos. |
| RAM | 12/16GB | 8/12/16GB | Both offer ample RAM for smooth multitasking, especially with 16GB variants. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither phone allows for additional storage. |
| Audio | Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res Audio, Noise cancellation microphone, Stereo Speakers | Dolby Atmos, Stereo Speakers, 2 microphones | Both support good audio quality with stereo speakers, The S21 Ultra 5G has enhanced audio features, while Honor 200 has two microphones that can reduce noise in calls. |
Security, Build, Sensors | Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G | Honor 200 | Practical Impact | |----------------|----------------------------|-------------------|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | Security | Basic fingerprint sensor | Basic fingerprint sensor | Both offer basic biometric security via fingerprint sensors. | | Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus | Unknown | Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G is using a premium screen protection where the Honor 200 does not provide that info. | | Sensors | Biometric: Fingerprint; Proximity: Proximity; Motion: Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope; Environmental: Barometer | Biometric: Fingerprint; Motion: Accelerometer, Gyroscope; Proximity: Ultrasonic proximity virtual | The S21 Ultra has a more comprehensive set of sensors that can offer a better user experience when using features such as direction, light, pressure and more. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Here's a breakdown of the key advantages of each phone:
Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G Advantages:
- Sharper Display: Higher resolution and pixel density provide superior clarity for detailed visuals.
- More Complete Camera System: Features a wide angle + macro lens and a dedicated telephoto lens, offering versatility with unique options for different photography styles.
- Enhanced Audio: Includes Hi-Res Audio and noise cancellation microphone for premium audio experience and clear calls.
- Wireless Charging: Supports both wireless and reverse wireless charging.
- Premium screen protection: Using Corning Gorilla Glass Victus for high scratch resistance and drop protection.
- More comprehensive set of sensors: Includes environmental sensors like barometer and a digital compass for more practical use cases.
- Selfie Camera Performance: It has a higher DxOMark score for selfie camera.
Honor 200 Advantages:
- Newer & Faster Chipset: The Snapdragon 7 Gen 3 chipset offers better performance and power efficiency.
- Brighter Display: The 4000 nits brightness is significantly better for outdoor use.
- Faster Charging: 100W charging is a huge upgrade, allowing very fast battery top-ups.
- Better Main Camera: Higher DxOMark score indicates better overall image and video quality.
- Wider Telephoto Lens: Offers a wider aperture and higher resolution for better zoom capabilities.
- Wider Wide Angle Lens: Features a dedicated ultrawide camera for landscape shots.
- Newer Software: Ships with a more recent version of Android with no information on future updates.
- Lighter & Thinner Design: Is easier to carry around and handle.
- More precise location tracking: Has QZSS satellite system for more precise location tracking.
Trade-offs
- S21 Ultra 5G: Sacrifices brightness and charging speed for higher display resolution, wireless charging features and a more complete camera system.
- Honor 200: Lacks macro camera, wireless charging and Hi-Res audio, which the S21 Ultra 5G does.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G is Ideal For:
- Users who value display quality: Those who prioritize a sharp and detailed screen for media consumption and detail-oriented work.
- Photography enthusiasts: Users who want a versatile camera system with a zoom lens and macro capabilities.
- Users who love audio: Those who appreciate high-quality audio output and clearer calls.
- Users who use wireless charging: Those who want to charge without cables or want to use it as a wireless power bank for their accessories.
- Users who love a complete sensor suite: Those who need a complete sensor suite for specific use cases.
Use Cases:
- Professional photographers who need diverse lens options.
- Media consumers who want the best screen clarity.
- Audio professionals and enthusiasts.
- Users who prefer the ease of wireless charging and reverse wireless charging.
- Gamers who like a wide variety of sensors for their games.
Honor 200 is Ideal For:
- Users who want smooth performance: Those who want the latest Android and fast performance for daily usage.
- Users who need great outdoor visibility: Users who frequently use their phone in direct sunlight and require a bright screen.
- Users who hate waiting for charging: Users who prioritize fast charging.
- Users who value good main camera performance: Those who take lots of pictures and videos using main camera and require higher quality output.
- Users who prefer light design: Those who look for lighter designs.
Use Cases:
- Casual users who want a good all-around experience.
- Users who travel or spend time outdoors.
- Users who need to charge their phones quickly on the go.
- Social media users who prioritize image quality and a wide angle camera.
- Users who prefer a lighter, more comfortable feel.
4. Decision Framework
Here are three key questions to consider before making a choice:
- Do you prioritize display sharpness or brightness? If you value ultimate display clarity and pixel density, go for the S21 Ultra 5G. If you value brightness and readability outdoors, the Honor 200 is the superior choice.
- How important is camera versatility vs. main camera quality? The S21 Ultra 5G offers a more complete set of lenses and features, but the Honor 200 has better main camera performance.
- Do you value wireless charging and enhanced audio, or faster charging? If you want wireless and reverse wireless charging plus an enhanced audio experience, opt for the S21 Ultra 5G. For faster charging speed, the Honor 200 is a clear winner.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Outdoor Enthusiast: If you're often in bright sunlight, the Honor 200 is the better choice due to its significantly higher brightness and faster charging speed for quick top-ups while on the go.
- Scenario 2: Photography Lover: If you want versatile camera lenses and options, choose the S21 Ultra 5G with its wide angle + macro lens and a dedicated telephoto lens, which will enhance your shooting experience.
- Scenario 3: Power User: If you need maximum performance, choose Honor 200 with its newer, faster chipset and Android.
- Scenario 4: Audio/Media Professional: If you are an audiophile who values audio quality, clarity and enhanced audio features, then the S21 Ultra 5G would be the right choice.
My Choice
Considering my personal needs and preferences, I would choose the Honor 200. My primary focus is on performance, fast charging, and outdoor visibility since I often work outdoors and need to quickly top up my phone on the go. While the S21 Ultra 5G has some impressive features, including the higher resolution display and versatile camera system, the Honor 200 offers a newer overall package with a newer, faster chipset, a significantly brighter display for outdoor use, and much faster charging. The improved main camera and wider telephoto lens also have appeal.
