1. Specifications Comparison
Here's a detailed comparison of the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G and the Honor Magic4 Pro, focusing on practical implications:
Design
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G | Honor Magic4 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 165.1 × 75.6 × 8.9 mm | 163.6 × 74.7 × 9.1 mm | S21 Ultra is slightly taller. Minimal practical difference in hand. |
| Weight | 227g | 209g | Magic4 Pro is noticeably lighter, making it more comfortable for long use. |
Display
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G | Honor Magic4 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Size | 6.8" | 6.81" | Negligible difference, virtually the same screen size. |
| Resolution | 1440x3200 | 1312x2848 | S21 Ultra has a sharper display, text and images will appear clearer. |
| Pixel Density (PPI) | 515 | 460 | S21 Ultra's higher PPI results in a noticeably crisper image. |
| Technology | AMOLED | OLED | Both offer excellent color and contrast, similar visual quality. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | Both provide smooth scrolling and animations. |
| Brightness (nits) | 1500 | 1000 | S21 Ultra offers better outdoor visibility, easier to see in bright sunlight. |
Performance
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G | Honor Magic4 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chipset | Exynos 2100 (5 nm) | Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 (4 nm) | Magic4 Pro's chip is more powerful resulting in snappier performance. |
| AnTuTu Score | 749,000 | 945,832 | Magic4 Pro will feel faster in everyday tasks and demanding apps. |
| GPU | Mali-G78 MP14 | Adreno 730 | Magic4 Pro has more powerful GPU for graphically demanding games. |
Camera
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G | Honor Magic4 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main Camera Resolution | 108MP | 50MP | S21 Ultra captures more detail in well-lit scenes. |
| Main Camera Sensor Size | 1/1.33" | 1/1.56" | S21 Ultra's larger sensor captures more light. |
| Main Camera Pixel Size | 0.80 µm | 1.00 µm | Magic4 Pro has larger individual pixels, potentially better low light performance. |
| Telephoto + Portrait Camera Resolution | 10.8MP | 64MP | Magic4 Pro captures more detail and has greater flexibility in portraits |
| Telephoto + Portrait Camera Sensor Size | 1/2.65" | 1/2" | Magic4 Pro's larger sensor is generally better in low light. |
| Telephoto + Portrait Camera Pixel Size | 1.22 µm | 0.70 µm | S21 Ultra has slightly larger pixels. |
| Selfie Camera Resolution | 44MP | 12MP | S21 Ultra produces higher detail images. |
| Selfie Camera Aperture | f/2.2 | f/2.4 | S21 Ultra is slightly better in low light for selfies. |
| Telephoto Lens | Yes | No | S21 Ultra has a dedicated telephoto lens for enhanced optical zoom capabilities. |
| ToF 3D Sensor | No | Yes | Magic4 Pro has depth-sensing capabilities for better bokeh effects. |
| Wide Angle + Macro Resolution | 12.2MP | 50MP | Magic4 Pro captures much more detail in wide angle and macro shots. |
| Video Recording | Up to 8K@24fps | Up to 4K@60fps | S21 Ultra can record in 8K for ultra-high-resolution videos. |
| DXOMark Mobile Score | 115 | 126 | Magic4 Pro has higher overall camera performance. |
| DXOMark Photo Score | 121 | 132 | Magic4 Pro has higher photo performance. |
| DXOMark Video Score | 100 | 117 | Magic4 Pro has higher video performance. |
| Selfie DXOMark Mobile Score | 135 | Not Available | S21 Ultra has great selfie performance but we don't know about Magic4 Pro's. |
| Additional Camera Features | 8K Video, Optical Zoom | Ultra Stable Video, Laser Autofocus, Dual Front Camera | Both have a number of useful features, with some differences. |
Battery
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G | Honor Magic4 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 5000 mAh | 4600 mAh | S21 Ultra may offer slightly longer battery life. |
| Charging Speed | 25W | 100W | Magic4 Pro charges significantly faster, much more convenient for on-the-go charging. |
| Wireless Charging | 15W | 100W | Magic4 Pro has much faster wireless charging. |
Other
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G | Honor Magic4 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| OS | Android 11 (upgradable to 15) | Android 12 | Magic4 Pro has the slightly newer OS out of the box and potentially better long term support. |
| RAM | 12GB or 16GB | 8GB or 12GB | S21 Ultra can handle more apps and multitasking at once. |
| Storage | 128 GB / 256 GB / 512 GB | 256 GB / 512 GB | Both have generous storage. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither can use SD cards. |
| Screen Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus | Unknown | S21 Ultra has much better scratch and drop resistance. |
| Audio | Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res, Noise Cancellation | DTS / DTS X, Stereo Speakers | S21 Ultra has some slightly more advanced audio features |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo, GPS (L1+L5), Galileo (E1+E5a) | GPS, A-GPS, Beidou, QZSS, Galileo, GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (L1), BeiDou (B1), Galileo (E1+E5a), BeiDou (B2), NavIC System, QZSS (L1 + L5) | Magic4 Pro has far more robust location tracking, better for outdoor accuracy. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G Advantages:
- Sharper Display: Higher resolution and pixel density resulting in a noticeably crisper image.
- Brighter Display: Significantly brighter screen for better outdoor visibility.
- Telephoto Lens: Dedicated telephoto lens offering superior optical zoom.
- 8K Video Recording: Ability to record in 8K, useful for professional content creators.
- More RAM: Up to 16GB for heavier multitasking.
- Superior Screen Protection: Offers Corning Gorilla Glass Victus for better scratch and drop resistance.
- Better Selfie Camera: Higher resolution and better low light performance for selfies.
- More Audio Features: More advanced audio capabilities.
Honor Magic4 Pro Advantages:
- Newer Chipset: More powerful and efficient Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 chipset.
- Faster Performance: Higher AnTuTu benchmark scores, noticeable in daily use.
- Significantly Faster Charging: 100W wired and wireless charging for very fast battery top-ups.
- Better Mobile Camera System Better main camera with wider aperture and larger pixel size.
- Better DXOMark Score: Higher overall score for the mobile camera system, better photo and video performance
- ToF 3D sensor For better depth perception.
- More Robust GPS: Supports more satellite systems for superior location accuracy.
- Lighter: More comfortable to use over extended periods.
Significant Trade-offs:
- S21 Ultra: Older processor and slower charging, bulkier and heavier.
- Magic4 Pro: Lower display resolution and brightness, lacks a dedicated telephoto lens, inferior screen protection, less RAM and inferior selfie camera.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G Ideal Users:
- Media Consumers: Those who prioritize a high-resolution, bright screen for watching videos and browsing.
- Photography Enthusiasts: Users who need versatile zoom capabilities and prefer a dedicated telephoto lens.
- Video Content Creators: Individuals who need to shoot videos in 8K.
- Heavy Multitaskers: Power users who need plenty of RAM for demanding workflows.
- Those needing better screen protection: Those who are prone to dropping their phones.
- Audiophiles: Those who prioritize advanced audio features.
Specific Use Cases for S21 Ultra:
- Outdoor Photography: Capturing detailed images in bright sunlight.
- Long Zoom Sessions: Taking detailed photos from a distance.
- Professional Video Editing: Recording and editing high-resolution video footage.
- Mobile Gaming: Smooth performance with the high refresh rate screen and plenty of RAM.
- Reading: Text will be very sharp thanks to the high resolution display.
- Long term usage: The robust screen protection means it will last longer.
Honor Magic4 Pro Ideal Users:
- Performance Seekers: Users who prioritize fast and smooth performance.
- On-the-Go Professionals: Individuals who need to quickly charge their phone on a regular basis.
- Casual Photographers: Users who want a great all-around mobile camera system.
- Outdoor Adventurers: Those who require the most accurate GPS tracking
- Those who prioritize a lighter phone: Users who find heavier phones uncomfortable.
Specific Use Cases for Magic4 Pro:
- Mobile Gaming: Very smooth and responsive gaming experience.
- Rapid Charging: Quickly topping up battery between meetings or on short breaks.
- Travel Photography: High quality photos from a compact device.
- Navigation: Accurate location tracking and mapping.
- Daily Driver: A phone that's both smooth and light.
Price-to-Value Ratio:
- The Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G, being an older model, may offer better value in the used market. However, it will be more expensive to buy new.
- The Honor Magic4 Pro offers some newer features and better charging speed, making it an attractive option for those not wanting an older device.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- Do I prioritize display sharpness and brightness, or performance and charging speed?
- Do I need an advanced telephoto lens and 8K video recording, or do I prioritize a robust all around camera system?
- How important is battery life versus super-fast charging?
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Photography Enthusiast
- Recommendation: Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G for its telephoto lens, 8K video, and sharper display.
- Scenario 2: Performance-Driven User
- Recommendation: Honor Magic4 Pro for its faster chipset and significantly faster charging.
- Scenario 3: Daily Driver
- Recommendation: Honor Magic4 Pro if fast charging, a lighter phone and slightly newer OS is a priority, Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G if screen sharpness is the priority.
- Scenario 4: Budget Conscious Buyer
- Recommendation: Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G if it can be purchased used at a good price.
My Choice
I would choose the Honor Magic4 Pro.
While the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G has an excellent screen, the Honor Magic4 Pro's significantly faster charging and newer chipset are more important to me in my use cases. I prioritize smooth performance and the ability to quickly top up my battery throughout the day. While the S21 Ultra’s superior screen and telephoto lens are appealing, I believe the overall camera system on the Magic4 Pro, as evidenced by the DXOMark scores, combined with the other performance and practical advantages make it a more compelling device for my needs.
