Smartphone Comparison: Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G vs. Honor 200 Pro
1. Specifications Comparison
Design
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G | Honor 200 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 165.1 × 75.6 × 8.9 mm | 163.3 × 75.2 × 8.2 mm | S21 Ultra is slightly taller and thicker; Honor 200 Pro is more compact. |
| Weight | 227g | 199g | Honor 200 Pro is significantly lighter, making it more comfortable for one-handed use and extended periods. |
| Foldable | Standard | Standard | Both are standard smartphones. |
Display
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G | Honor 200 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Size | 6.8" | 6.78" | Very similar screen sizes. |
| Resolution | 1440x3200 | 1224x2700 | S21 Ultra has a sharper display with more detailed visuals and text due to a higher pixel count. |
| PPI | 515 | 437 | S21 Ultra has a higher pixel density, resulting in a noticeably sharper image quality. |
| Technology | AMOLED | OLED | Both provide vibrant colors and deep blacks, but AMOLED typically offers slightly better contrast. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | Both offer smooth scrolling and animations. |
| Brightness | 1500 nits | 4000 nits | Honor 200 Pro is significantly brighter, making it much more visible in direct sunlight. |
Performance
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G | Honor 200 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chipset | Exynos 2100 (5 nm) | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 (4 nm) | Honor 200 Pro's newer Snapdragon chipset offers better performance and power efficiency. |
| AnTuTu Score | 749,000 | 1,537,608 | Honor 200 Pro is significantly faster in benchmarks; Expect smoother multitasking, quicker app loading, and better gaming performance. |
| GPU | Mali-G78 MP14 | Adreno 735 | Honor 200 Pro's GPU will provide superior gaming and graphics performance compared to S21 Ultra. |
Camera
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G | Honor 200 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard Camera | 108MP, f/1.8, 1/1.33", 0.80µm | 50MP, f/1.95, 1/1.3", 1.00µm | S21 Ultra has higher resolution but slightly smaller pixel size; Honor 200 Pro's larger pixels may result in better low-light performance. |
| Telephoto + Portrait | 10.8MP, f/2.4, 1/2.65", 1.22µm | N/A | S21 Ultra has dedicated portrait lens for better depth-of-field effects. |
| Selfie Camera | 44MP, f/2.2, 1/2.65", 0.70µm | 50MP, f/2.1 | Honor 200 Pro's front camera has higher resolution and wider aperture, which could result in better quality. |
| Telephoto Lens | 10.8MP, f/4.9, 1/2.65", 1.22µm | 50MP, f/2.4 | Honor 200 Pro's telephoto lens has much higher resolution and a wider aperture, offering better optical zoom capabilities. |
| Wide Angle Lens | N/A | 12MP, f/2.2 | Honor 200 Pro includes a dedicated wide-angle camera. |
| Wide Angle + Macro | 12.2MP, f/2.2, 1/2.55", 1.40µm | N/A | S21 Ultra offers a separate wide-angle and macro lens for detailed close-up shots. |
| Video | Up to 8K@24fps | Up to 4K@30fps | S21 Ultra can record in 8K, while Honor 200 Pro maxes out at 4K; Both support video stabilization. |
| DXOMark Mobile Score | 115 | N/A | S21 Ultra has known camera performance benchmark, Honor 200 Pro performance is not tested. |
| DXOMark Selfie Score | 135 | N/A | S21 Ultra has known selfie camera benchmark, Honor 200 Pro performance is not tested. |
| Camera Features | 8K Video, Quadruple camera, Laser AF | Triple camera, Ultra stable video, Dual front camera | Different camera configurations and features suit specific photography styles. |
Battery
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G | Honor 200 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 5200mAh | Honor 200 Pro has a slightly larger battery for potentially slightly longer usage. |
| Charging | 25W fast charging | 100W fast charging | Honor 200 Pro charges significantly faster, reducing charging time. |
| Features | Reverse charging, Wireless charging 15W, Reverse wireless charging 9W | Reverse charging, 66W wireless charging | S21 Ultra offers more wireless charging options and doesn't include a charger in the box; Honor 200 Pro's fast wireless charging offers higher speed. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G Advantages:
- Sharper Display: Higher resolution and pixel density provide a superior viewing experience.
- More Versatile Camera System: Features a dedicated macro lens, dedicated telephoto lenses, and 8K video recording capability
- Wireless Charging Versatility: Offers standard wireless charging and reverse wireless charging.
- Established Camera Performance: DXOMark scores for mobile and selfie cameras provide assurance of quality.
- More Sensor Features: Includes barometer and hall sensor not available in Honor 200 Pro.
Honor 200 Pro Advantages:
- Significantly Faster Performance: Newer chipset results in better speed and responsiveness.
- Much Brighter Display: 4000 nits brightness ensures excellent outdoor visibility.
- Faster Charging: 100W wired and 66W wireless charging significantly reduce downtime.
- Larger Battery: Slightly larger battery and more efficient chipset may provide longer battery life.
- Superior Telephoto Camera: Higher resolution and wider aperture results in better optical zoom quality.
- Wider Angle Lens: Dedicated wide-angle lens offers increased shooting versatility.
- Newer OS: Ships with Android 14, likely to get updates for longer.
- Lighter Design: More comfortable for extended use with a 28g reduction in weight.
Trade-offs:
- S21 Ultra: Older chipset, lower brightness, and slower charging, but offers a higher resolution display and more versatile camera system
- Honor 200 Pro: Lacks a macro lens and 8K video recording, but offers much faster charging and better performance.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G is ideal for:
- Users who prioritize display sharpness and quality: The higher resolution display makes it ideal for media consumption and detailed viewing.
- Users who want advanced camera features: The versatility of the camera system caters to photography enthusiasts.
- Users who prefer a known camera performance: DXOMark scores are available to guide the quality.
Use Cases:
- Professional photography and videography due to versatile camera system with 8K recording.
- High-resolution video consumption.
- Users who need reverse wireless charging for accessories.
Honor 200 Pro is ideal for:
- Users who prioritize speed and responsiveness: Newer chipset makes it a better choice for demanding tasks.
- Users who need long battery life and fast charging: Ideal for people who are always on the go.
- Users who spend a lot of time outdoors: Brighter display ensures excellent visibility under sunlight.
- Users who want a newer OS: Benefits from the latest features and security updates.
Use Cases:
- Mobile gaming and demanding applications.
- Frequent travelers who need reliable battery life and fast charging.
- Users who need clear display visibility in bright outdoor conditions.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions:
- How important is display sharpness and resolution? (S21 Ultra for highest resolution, Honor 200 Pro for higher brightness).
- How important is mobile gaming and processing speed? (Honor 200 Pro excels in performance)
- What is more important, camera versatility or charging speed? (S21 Ultra for camera, Honor 200 Pro for speed)
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Mobile Gamer - The Honor 200 Pro is better due to superior performance, faster charging, and a better display for outdoor use.
- Scenario 2: Photographer/Videographer - The Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G is better with its more versatile camera system, 8K recording, and higher quality sensor.
- Scenario 3: General Everyday User - The Honor 200 Pro is better with its faster charging, longer battery life, and more reliable performance.
- Scenario 4: Outdoor Enthusiast - The Honor 200 Pro is better due to its significantly brighter display which is ideal for bright sunlight.
Final Decision
If I were choosing, I would personally lean towards the Honor 200 Pro. While the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G offers a higher resolution display and more camera versatility with 8K video, the Honor 200 Pro's advantages in performance, display brightness, charging speed and lighter weight are more impactful in my daily usage. The newer chipset and faster charging would mean less time waiting and better performance. Ultimately, the better screen visibility and lighter design make the Honor 200 Pro a more appealing option for me. The trade-off of not having 8K video and a dedicated macro lens is acceptable for the performance and convenience gains offered by the Honor 200 Pro.
