1. Specifications Comparison
Design
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G | Honor Magic5 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Physical Size | 165.1 × 75.6 × 8.9 mm | 162.9 × 76.7 × 8.8 mm | S21 Ultra is slightly taller; Magic5 Pro is a bit wider. The difference is minimal and may not be noticeable. |
| Weight | 227g | 219g | Magic5 Pro is 8g lighter, potentially feeling less tiring during prolonged use. |
Display
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G | Honor Magic5 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Size | 6.8" | 6.81" | Virtually identical screen size; negligible difference. |
| Resolution | 1440x3200 | 1312x2848 | S21 Ultra has a sharper display due to higher pixel count. Text and images appear clearer, especially noticeable at close viewing distances. |
| PPI | 515 | 460 | S21 Ultra displays sharper details and smoother graphics. |
| Technology | AMOLED | OLED | Both use similar display tech, expect vibrant colors and deep blacks. The difference between AMOLED and OLED is not significant for most users. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | Both offer smooth scrolling and animations. |
| Brightness | 1500 nits | 1800 nits | Magic5 Pro is significantly brighter outdoors, making the screen much more readable in direct sunlight. |
Performance
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G | Honor Magic5 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chipset | Exynos 2100 (5 nm) - International | Qualcomm SM8550-AB Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 (4 nm) | Magic5 Pro's Snapdragon chip is considerably faster and more efficient, offering better performance in demanding tasks like gaming and video editing. |
| AnTuTu Score | 749,000 | 1,406,562 | Magic5 Pro has significantly better performance in benchmarks. Apps launch faster, multitasking is smoother and gaming is a more enjoyable experience. |
| GPU | Mali-G78 MP14 - International (ARM Mali-G78 MC14) | Adreno 740 (Qualcomm Adreno 740) | Magic5 Pro's GPU is more powerful, providing superior graphics performance, especially in demanding games. |
Camera
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G | Honor Magic5 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard | 108MP, f/1.8, 1/1.33", Samsung S5KHM3, 0.80 µm pixel size | 50MP, f/1.6, 1/1.12", Sony IMX878, 1.40 µm pixel size | S21 Ultra has higher resolution for detail; Magic5 Pro has a larger sensor and wider aperture for better low-light performance. |
| Telephoto + Portrait | 10.8MP, f/2.4, 1/2.65", Samsung S5K3J1, 1.22 µm pixel size | 50MP, f/3.0, 1/2.51", Sony IMX858, 0.64 µm pixel size | Magic5 Pro has higher resolution but a smaller pixel size; S21 Ultra has a wider aperture for low-light portraits. |
| Selfie | 44MP, f/2.2, 1/2.65", Samsung S5KGH1, 0.70 µm pixel size | 12MP, f/2.4, 1.22 µm pixel size | S21 Ultra has higher resolution, suitable for detailed selfies. Magic5 Pro's larger pixel size may result in better low-light performance for selfies. |
| Telephoto Lens | 10.8MP, f/4.9, 1/2.65", Samsung S5K3J1, 1.22 µm pixel size | Not Available | S21 Ultra has an additional telephoto lens for increased zoom versatility. |
| ToF 3D sensor | Not Available | 0.3MP | Magic5 Pro has a ToF 3D sensor, which may improve depth sensing for portrait mode and AR applications. |
| Wide Angle + Macro | 12.2MP, f/2.2, 1/2.55", Sony IMX563, 1.40 µm pixel size | 50MP, f/2.0, 1/2", Omnivision OV64B (50Mp), 0.70 µm pixel size | Magic5 Pro's wide-angle camera is higher resolution with a wider aperture but smaller pixels. |
| Video Resolution | Up to 8K@24fps | Up to 4K@60fps | S21 Ultra offers higher video recording resolution, ideal for professional use cases. |
| DxOMark Mobile Score | 115 | 152 | Honor Magic5 Pro has superior overall camera performance, particularly in video recording. |
| DxOMark Selfie Score | 135 | 123 | Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra excels in selfie photo and video quality. |
Battery
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G | Honor Magic5 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 5100mAh | Comparable battery life; slight edge to Magic5 Pro. |
| Charging | 25W fast charging | 66W fast charging | Magic5 Pro charges significantly faster; convenient for quick power boosts. |
| Features | 15W wireless, 9W reverse | 50W wireless, 5W reverse | Magic5 Pro offers much faster wireless charging. S21 Ultra has a slightly higher reverse wireless charging speed, but lower reverse charging speed. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G Advantages:
- Sharper Display: Higher resolution and pixel density for crisp images and text.
- Telephoto Zoom Versatility: Dedicated telephoto lens offers greater zoom capabilities.
- Higher Video Resolution: 8K video recording for professional-grade content creation.
- Better Selfie Camera Performance: Higher selfie score and more detailed selfies
Practical Implications: The S21 Ultra is better suited for users who prioritize display sharpness, detailed zooming and professional quality video recording. The superior selfie camera performance is also a key advantage.
Honor Magic5 Pro Advantages:
- Superior Performance: Much faster chipset for smoother multitasking and gaming.
- Brighter Display: Significantly better outdoor visibility in sunlight.
- Faster Charging: Significantly faster wired and wireless charging.
- Better Overall Camera Performance: Higher DxOMark scores for main camera.
- Newer Wi-Fi Standard: Wi-Fi 7 support for faster, more reliable connections.
Practical Implications: The Magic5 Pro is ideal for users who need top-tier performance, frequently use their phone outdoors, and value quick charging and a better main camera.
Trade-offs:
- S21 Ultra offers 8K recording, while the Magic5 Pro is limited to 4K.
- Magic5 Pro has a significantly better main camera system, while S21 Ultra has a better selfie camera.
- S21 Ultra has a slightly higher reverse wireless charging speed, but lower reverse charging speed
- S21 Ultra has a higher display resolution, but Magic5 Pro has a brighter display and better performance.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Ideal User for Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G:
- Photography Enthusiasts: Who need high-resolution photos and detailed zoom capabilities and who prioritize selfie camera quality
- Video Creators: Who need 8K video recording for professional projects.
- Content Consumers: Who appreciate a sharp display for watching media.
Specific Use Cases:
- Taking detailed landscape photos with optical zoom.
- Recording high-resolution videos for editing.
- Enjoying high-definition content on the sharp screen.
- Taking detailed and high quality selfies
Ideal User for Honor Magic5 Pro:
- Power Users: Who need fast and responsive performance for demanding tasks.
- Outdoor Users: Who need a bright display for easy visibility in sunlight.
- Gamers: Who need a powerful GPU for smooth gaming.
- Users focused on the best main camera system Who require higher-quality and more versatile photography.
Specific Use Cases:
- Playing graphically intensive mobile games.
- Working or browsing outdoors in bright sunlight.
- Taking high-quality pictures in all situations, especially in low light.
- Quickly charging the phone between uses.
Price-to-Value: The Honor Magic5 Pro offers a newer and more powerful chipset and superior main camera, but at a higher price point, while the S21 Ultra offers excellent display, more zoom versatility and 8K video for a lower price point.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions to Consider:
- What is your primary use case? (e.g., photography, gaming, general use)
- How important is display visibility in sunlight?
- How important is charging speed and main camera quality?
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Photography is top priority (especially selfies) & you want professional video: Choose the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G if you prioritize a high-resolution screen, zoom capabilities, 8K video and superior selfie quality.
- Scenario 2: Performance and outdoor visibility are key: Choose the Honor Magic5 Pro for a much faster, more efficient device and its superior screen brightness.
- Scenario 3: All-Around Performance with a focus on a great main camera: Choose the Honor Magic5 Pro. It has a superior main camera setup with better video.
My Choice
If I were choosing between these two phones, I would pick the Honor Magic5 Pro.
Here's why:
- Future-Proof Performance: The Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset is significantly more powerful, which translates to a smoother, faster experience not only today but for years to come. The much higher AnTuTu score is a clear indication of this.
- Brighter Display: I frequently use my phone outdoors, and the increased brightness of the Magic5 Pro would make a noticeable difference in readability, avoiding constant squinting.
- Faster Charging: The significantly faster charging speed is a huge convenience in daily use.
- Superior main camera system: The magic5 Pro main camera clearly outperforms the s21 ultra on DxOMark.
While the Samsung S21 Ultra has its advantages in screen sharpness, zoom versatility, 8k video and selfie camera performance, the overall package offered by the Magic5 Pro makes it a more compelling and future-proof device for my personal needs.
