1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G | Honor 50 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 165.1 × 75.6 × 8.9 mm | 160 × 73.8 × 7.8 mm | S21 Ultra is larger and thicker, potentially less comfortable for smaller hands or pockets. Honor 50 is slimmer and easier to handle. |
| Weight | 227g | 175g | S21 Ultra feels heavier, might be less convenient for prolonged use. Honor 50 is significantly lighter and more comfortable for extended use. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.8" | 6.57" | S21 Ultra offers slightly more screen real estate for immersive media and multitasking. Honor 50 is slightly more compact. |
| Resolution | 1440x3200 | 1080x2340 | S21 Ultra offers a noticeably sharper and clearer display, with higher pixel density, better for detailed viewing and text. Honor 50's display is less sharp but still good. |
| PPI | 515 | 392 | S21 Ultra's higher pixel density translates to crisper images and text, enhancing visual clarity. |
| Technology | AMOLED | OLED | Both offer vibrant colors and deep blacks, but AMOLED is generally considered slightly superior in color reproduction and viewing angles. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | Both offer smooth scrolling and animations, enhancing the overall user experience. |
| Brightness | 1500 nits | 0 nits | S21 Ultra's significantly higher brightness offers much better outdoor visibility, especially in direct sunlight. The Honor 50 brightness is unspecified, but assumed lower. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Exynos 2100 (5 nm) | Snapdragon 778G 5G (6 nm) | S21 Ultra's chipset is generally faster and more powerful, providing smoother performance for demanding tasks and gaming. |
| AnTuTu Score | 749,000 | 582,766 | S21 Ultra demonstrates superior benchmark performance, suggesting smoother app loading, faster processing, and better gaming performance. |
| GPU | Mali-G78 MP14 | Adreno 642L | S21 Ultra's GPU handles graphically intensive tasks better, ideal for gaming and video editing. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 108MP, f/1.8, 1/1.33", 0.8µm | 108MP, f/1.9, 1/1.52", 0.7µm | S21 Ultra's main camera has a slightly wider aperture and larger sensor, potentially capturing more light and detail. |
| Telephoto + Portrait Camera | 10.8MP, f/2.4, 1/2.65", 1.22µm | Not Available | S21 Ultra offers dedicated telephoto/portrait capabilities for better zoomed-in shots and portrait mode. Honor 50 has no dedicated telephoto lens. |
| Selfie Camera | 44MP, f/2.2, 1/2.65", 0.70µm | 32MP, f/2.2, 1/3.14", 0.70µm | S21 Ultra's selfie camera offers higher resolution and a larger sensor, potentially leading to more detailed and better low-light selfies. |
| Telephoto Lens Camera | 10.8MP, f/4.9, 1/2.65", 1.22µm | Not Available | S21 Ultra has a second telephoto camera, providing better zoom capabilities than Honor 50. |
| Wide Angle Lens Camera | Not Available | 8MP, f/2.2 | Honor 50 has a dedicated wide-angle lens for capturing wider scenes. S21 Ultra has no dedicated wide angle lens. |
| Portrait (Depth) Camera | Not Available | 2MP, f/2.4 | Honor 50 has a depth sensor, assisting with bokeh effects in portrait photos. |
| Macro Lens | Not Available | 2MP, f/2.4 | Honor 50 has a macro lens for taking close-up shots of small objects. |
| Wide Angle + Macro | 12.2MP, f/2.2, 1/2.55", 1.40µm | Not Available | S21 Ultra has a combined wide-angle and macro lens, adding versatility. |
| Video | 8K@24fps, 4K@60fps | 4K@30fps | S21 Ultra has higher resolution video recording (8K), better for professional-level video creation. |
| DxoMark | Mobile: 115, Selfie: 135 | Not Available | S21 Ultra's camera is rated as high quality, though not the highest overall. Honor 50 has no DxOMark results. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 4300mAh | S21 Ultra has a larger battery, likely providing longer battery life for a full day of use. |
| Charging | 25W Fast Charging | 66W Fast Charging | Honor 50 charges much faster, reducing downtime. |
| Features | Wireless charging, reverse wireless charging | None | S21 Ultra offers wireless charging, and reverse wireless charging, adding convenience. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11, upgradable to 15 | Android 11 | S21 Ultra is upgradeable to a newer version of Android, potentially offering new features. Max Android version is not known for Honor 50. |
| Connectivity | |||
| WiFi | WiFi 6 | WiFi 6 | Both offer fast WiFi connectivity. |
| Bluetooth | 5.2 with advanced codecs | 5.2 with LDAC, AAC | S21 Ultra offers more comprehensive codec support, but Honor 50 includes the high-quality audio codecs LDAC and AAC. |
| GPS | Comprehensive support | GPS, L1+L5, BeiDou (B1) | S21 Ultra has more comprehensive GPS support for more accurate location tracking. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 128/256/512GB | 128/256GB | S21 Ultra offers a 512GB storage option, for those needing lots of storage space. |
| RAM | 12/16GB | 6/8/12GB | S21 Ultra has an option for up to 16GB of RAM, better for heavy multitasking. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither phone supports expandable storage, a trade off for design and water resistance. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Dolby Atmos, Stereo Speakers, Hi-Res | Hi-Res | S21 Ultra has better audio capabilities for listening, streaming, and voice calls. |
| Security | |||
| Features | basic fingerprint sensor | basic fingerprint sensor | Both have basic fingerprint sensors. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Protection | Gorilla Glass Victus | Unknown | S21 Ultra offers the superior screen protection for a drop-prone user. The type of screen protection for the Honor 50 is not specified. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Barometer, Hall, Geomagnetic | No Barometer | S21 Ultra features additional environmental sensors. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G Advantages:
- Superior Display: Significantly higher resolution, pixel density, and brightness for sharper, clearer, and more visible images in all lighting conditions.
- Higher Performance: More powerful chipset and GPU for smoother multitasking, faster app loading, and better gaming experience.
- More Versatile Camera: Offers telephoto, portrait, and wide-angle/macro camera capabilities in addition to a strong main camera, with higher quality video.
- Larger Battery: Larger battery capacity for longer battery life.
- Advanced Audio Features: Dolby Atmos, stereo speakers for enhanced audio experience, and a noise-canceling microphone.
- Wireless Charging: Includes wireless and reverse wireless charging capabilities, providing extra convenience.
- More Storage and RAM options: Available with up to 512GB of storage and 16GB of RAM, suitable for intensive use cases.
- Additional Sensors: Includes a barometer for measuring air pressure and altitude.
- Advanced Screen Protection: Has Corning Gorilla Glass Victus for superior durability, while Honor 50 does not specify their screen protection.
Practical Implications: The S21 Ultra 5G excels in user experience for those who prioritize visual quality, performance, camera capabilities, and advanced features, often at a higher price point.
Honor 50 Advantages:
- Lighter and Thinner Design: More comfortable to handle, especially for extended use.
- Faster Charging: Significantly faster 66W charging for quicker refills.
- Dedicated Wide-Angle and Macro: Offers lens for wide-angle and close-up photos.
- Slightly Lower Price: Generally offered at a more affordable price point.
- High-Quality Audio codecs: Includes LDAC and AAC bluetooth codecs.
Practical Implications: The Honor 50 is aimed towards users seeking a lightweight, comfortable phone with fast charging, solid main camera and basic versatility.
Trade-offs:
- S21 Ultra: Heavier, more expensive, and slower wired charging.
- Honor 50: Lower screen resolution and brightness, less powerful chipset and GPU, less flexible zoom capabilities, less audio features, and shorter battery life.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Ideal User for Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G:
- Power Users: Those who need top-tier performance for demanding apps, gaming, and multitasking.
- Photography Enthusiasts: Users who value high-quality photos, especially when zooming, and versatile video capabilities.
- Media Consumers: Individuals who enjoy high-resolution videos, vibrant display experiences, and excellent audio.
- Professionals: Those who need all-day battery, reliable performance, and advanced features, and the ability to take high quality video.
- Outdoor User: Those who spend a lot of time outdoors and need bright display visibility.
- Those who value durability: Those who drop their phone and would value extra protection.
Use Cases for S21 Ultra 5G:
- Mobile Gaming: Smooth gameplay on demanding titles.
- Content Creation: High-quality video recording and editing.
- Professional Photography: Capturing detailed photos in various situations.
- Extended Media Consumption: Enjoying high-resolution videos, movies, and streaming.
- Business Use: Multitasking between demanding applications on the go.
Ideal User for Honor 50:
- Everyday Users: Those who want a reliable, comfortable phone with a good camera for general use.
- Social Media Users: Those who take lots of selfies and casual photos for posting online.
- Users on a Budget: Those looking for a good balance of features and performance at a lower price.
- Users who prioritize comfort: Those who need a lightweight and easily manageable phone.
- Users who prioritize fast charging: Those who want a phone that will charge quickly.
Use Cases for Honor 50:
- Casual Photography: Taking clear and shareable photos.
- Social Media Usage: Browsing, posting, and connecting with friends.
- Everyday Tasks: Calling, texting, and general app usage.
- Light Gaming: Playing less demanding mobile games.
Price-to-Value Ratio:
- The S21 Ultra offers a premium experience but comes at a significantly higher cost.
- The Honor 50 provides a more affordable and balanced experience for those with less demanding needs.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- What is your budget? The S21 Ultra is significantly more expensive; the Honor 50 is more budget-friendly.
- How important is camera quality and versatility? The S21 Ultra offers significantly more zoom, video, and features compared to the Honor 50.
- How important is screen resolution and brightness? The S21 Ultra has a much brighter and higher resolution display. Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: High-Performance & Camera Focus: If you are a user who does heavy multitasking, plays a lot of games, watches a lot of high-resolution videos, or takes a lot of photos (especially using zoom), the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G is the better choice.
- Scenario 2: Budget-Conscious & Casual Use: If you prioritize a more affordable option, a lighter phone, and faster charging, with a capable camera for everyday use, the Honor 50 is a great option.
- Scenario 3: Everyday Use: If you need a balance between performance and affordability for casual use, the Honor 50 will provide a good all-around experience. However, if you would like premium features and the highest quality performance possible, then the S21 Ultra is a better choice.
What I would choose and Why!
Personally, I would choose the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G. While the Honor 50 presents a good value, my priorities lean heavily towards a high-quality display, top-tier performance, and a versatile camera system. The S21 Ultra's superior screen resolution, brightness, and versatile camera system would offer an unmatched experience for both work and leisure activities. The additional battery capacity and premium audio features would be a big advantage for a full day of demanding tasks and media enjoyment, and the advanced screen protection is another plus for someone who is prone to dropping their phone. While it comes at a higher price and has slightly slower wired charging, the benefits of the S21 Ultra's screen, performance, camera and audio quality far outweigh the drawbacks for my specific needs.
