Smartphone Comparison: Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G vs. Honor Magic6 Pro
1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G | Honor Magic6 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Launch Date | 2021-01-29 | 2024-01-18 | Honor Magic6 Pro is significantly newer, benefiting from advancements in technology. |
| Dimensions (mm) | 165.1 x 75.6 x 8.9 | 162.5 x 75.8 x 8.9 | The S21 Ultra is slightly taller, but both are very similar in hand feel. The difference will be minimal in day-to-day use. |
| Weight (g) | 227 | 225 | Negligible weight difference, both feel similar in the hand and pocket. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.8" | 6.8" | Both offer a large display, suitable for media consumption and multitasking. |
| Resolution | 1440x3200 | 1280x2800 | S21 Ultra's higher resolution results in a sharper and more detailed display, especially noticeable with text and fine details. |
| Pixel Density (PPI) | 515 | 453 | The S21 Ultra's significantly higher pixel density provides a clearer visual experience. |
| Technology | AMOLED | OLED | Both offer excellent color reproduction, deep blacks, and high contrast, with minimal real-world differences. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | Both offer smooth scrolling and animations. |
| Brightness (nits) | 1500 | 0 (Unknown) | S21 Ultra has a significantly brighter screen, making it much more usable in bright sunlight. Honor's brightness data is missing. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Exynos 2100 (5nm) | Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 (4nm) | Honor Magic6 Pro's newer chipset offers a huge performance boost, translating to faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and better gaming performance. |
| AnTuTu Score | 749,000 | 2,069,877 | Honor Magic6 Pro has a dramatically higher score, indicating much better overall performance. The Magic6 Pro will handle intensive tasks with ease. |
| GPU | Mali-G78 MP14 | Adreno 750 | Honor Magic6 Pro's GPU is significantly more powerful, leading to smoother graphics in games and other demanding applications. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 5600mAh | Honor Magic6 Pro's larger battery will likely provide longer battery life, allowing users to go longer between charges. |
| Charging | 25W fast charging | 80W fast charging | Honor Magic6 Pro charges much faster, minimizing downtime. |
| Wireless Charging | 15W | 66W | Honor Magic6 Pro offers much faster wireless charging speeds. |
| Features | Reverse Charging, Wireless Charging 15W, Reverse Wireless Charging 9W, No charger in-box | Reverse Charging, Wireless Charging 66W, Reverse Wireless Charging 7.5W, E1 Power Efficiency Chip, No charger inbox | The Honor has faster wireless charging and an efficiency chip. Both offer reverse charging and no in-box charger, making buying a charger a must. |
| Camera | |||
| Standard (Main) | 108MP (f/1.8, 1/1.33", 0.8µm) | 50MP (f/1.4, 1/1.3", 1.2µm) | S21 Ultra has higher resolution, while Honor has wider aperture and larger pixel size for better low-light performance. |
| Telephoto+Portrait | 10.8MP (f/2.4, 1/2.65", 1.22µm) | 180MP (f/2.6) | Honor Magic6 Pro's has significantly higher telephoto resolution. Aperture is better on the S21 Ultra. Honor Magic6 pro's sensor is not specified. |
| Selfie | 44MP (f/2.2, 1/2.65", 0.7µm) | 50MP (f/2.0, 1/2.51", 0.64µm) | Honor Magic6 Pro has a slight resolution and wider aperture advantage, potentially better for low-light selfies. It also has a larger sensor. |
| Telephoto Lens | 10.8MP (f/4.9, 1/2.65", 1.22µm) | - | S21 Ultra has a dedicated telephoto lens that the Honor lacks. |
| Wide Angle + Macro | 12.2MP (f/2.2, 1/2.55", 1.4µm) | 50MP (f/2.0, 1/2.88", 0.61µm) | Honor Magic6 Pro has significantly higher resolution and wider aperture, while S21 Ultra has a larger sensor. |
| Video | Up to 8K@24fps | Up to 4K@60fps | S21 Ultra offers 8K recording for more detail, while Honor has OIS for smoother 4k video. |
| DxOMark (Mobile) | Main: 115/ Photo: 121 / Video: 100 | Main: 158 / Photo: 160 / Video: 150 | Honor Magic6 Pro significantly outperforms the S21 Ultra in all mobile camera tests. |
| DxOMark (Selfie) | Main: 135 / Photo: 133 / Video: 140 | Main: 151 / Photo: 149 / Video: 155 | Honor Magic6 Pro significantly outperforms the S21 Ultra in all Selfie camera tests. |
| Camera Features | 8K Video, Quadruple Camera, Digital Image Stabilization, OIS, etc. | Noise Reduction, Face Unlock, Triple Camera, Ultra Stable Video, etc. | Both phones have a rich feature set. The S21 Ultra offers 8K recording, while the Honor focuses on noise reduction and better stabilization. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 (up to 15) | Android 14 (up to 18) | Honor has a newer OS out of the box and will get more software updates, providing access to the latest features and security patches. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6 | Wi-Fi 7 | Honor has newer Wi-Fi standards, resulting in faster speeds and better network efficiency. |
| Bluetooth | 5.2 | 5.3 | Honor has a newer version of Bluetooth that could help with latency and speed. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, Beidou, QZSS, Galileo | Honor supports more satellite systems, likely providing better location accuracy. |
| SIM | Dual Nano SIM | Dual Nano SIM/eSIM | Honor offers the flexibility of using a digital eSIM. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal Storage | 128/256/512 GB | 256/512/1024 GB | Honor offers much more storage at the higher end, great for users with extensive media libraries. |
| RAM | 12/16 GB | 12/16 GB | Both have ample RAM for smooth multitasking and gaming. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone supports expandable storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res Audio, Noise cancellation microphone, Stereo Speakers | DTS/DTS X, Stereo Speakers | S21 Ultra has more advanced audio features. |
| Security | |||
| Features | Basic Fingerprint Sensor | Basic Fingerprint Sensor | Both offer basic fingerprint security |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Gorilla Glass Victus | Unknown | Samsung has stronger screen protection |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Biometric: Fingerprint; Proximity: Proximity; Motion: Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope; Environmental: Barometer, Hall, Geomagnetic | Biometric: Fingerprint; Proximity: Proximity; Motion: Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope; Environmental: Barometer, Gravity | Both offer a comprehensive sensor suite, S21 Ultra has Geomagnetic and Hall sensors while Honor has a gravity sensor. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G Advantages:
- Higher Display Resolution and Pixel Density: Provides a sharper and more detailed visual experience.
- Brighter Display: Much better visibility in bright outdoor conditions.
- Dedicated Telephoto lens: The S21 Ultra features a dedicated telephoto lens that the Honor lacks.
- 8K Video Recording: Offers higher resolution for professional video use.
- More Advanced Audio Features: Includes Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res Audio, and noise cancellation microphone.
- Stronger Screen Protection: The screen is protected by Gorilla Glass Victus
Honor Magic6 Pro Advantages:
- Significantly Faster Performance: Newer chipset and GPU lead to better app loading, multitasking, and gaming.
- Better Camera System: Higher DxOMark scores for both mobile and selfie cameras and better hardware.
- Larger Battery: Longer battery life for extended use.
- Faster Charging: Faster wired and wireless charging.
- Newer Operating System: More software updates and access to the latest features.
- Newer Connectivity Standards: Supports faster Wi-Fi 7.
- More Storage Options: Larger maximum internal storage of 1024 GB.
- eSIM Support: Offers more flexibility in managing mobile plans.
Trade-offs:
- The S21 Ultra offers a slightly superior display in terms of sharpness and outdoor visibility, but the Honor excels in performance, camera capabilities, battery life, charging speed, and software.
- The Honor sacrifices dedicated telephoto lens for significant improvements elsewhere.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G is Ideal For:
- Users who prioritize display sharpness and outdoor visibility.
- Those who need 8K video recording.
- Audiophiles who value features like Dolby Atmos and Hi-Res Audio.
Users who prefer stronger glass screen protection.
Use Cases:
- Professional photographers or videographers needing 8K capabilities
- Users who spend a lot of time outdoors in bright sunlight
- Users who want more advanced audio features
Honor Magic6 Pro is Ideal For:
- Users who prioritize performance and speed.
- Those who want the best possible camera performance.
- Users who need long battery life and fast charging.
- Users who prefer the latest software and connectivity standards.
Those who want more internal storage options.
Use Cases:
- Mobile gamers who require smooth performance.
- Users who want top-tier camera quality for photos and videos.
- Users who need long battery life for all-day use.
- Power users who need a lot of internal storage and the latest software features
Price-to-Value:
The Honor Magic6 Pro offers a higher price-to-value proposition due to its superior performance, camera, battery life, charging speed, and software. The S21 Ultra is older and likely available at a lower price, making it an option for budget-conscious buyers who still value display quality.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- How important is peak display sharpness and outdoor visibility?
- How important is the latest hardware and performance?
- Which is more important, camera image quality or video recording resolutions?
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Top Performance & Photography. If you need the best performance, camera quality, and battery life, choose the Honor Magic6 Pro.
- Scenario 2: Bright Display & 8K Video If you prioritize display resolution, brightness, 8k video recording, and are on a slightly tighter budget, choose the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G.
- Scenario 3: Balanced User. If you need a phone that balances performance, camera quality, and battery life, while also being affordable, and can settle with a less bright screen, choose the Honor Magic6 Pro.
My Choice
I would choose the Honor Magic6 Pro. While the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G has a sharper, brighter display and 8k video recording, the Honor Magic6 Pro's strengths outweigh those in my priorities. The sheer performance difference, vastly superior camera system (backed up by its DxOMark scores), significantly better battery life, and faster charging are more important to me than a slightly sharper screen. The inclusion of faster WiFi standards and a newer OS is a huge bonus that keeps the phone future-proof for longer. While I value outdoor brightness, the S21 Ultra being a 2021 phone puts it at a significant disadvantage in other areas. For me, the Honor Magic6 Pro offers a significantly better overall experience, making it the clear winner, even without specific brightness information for the Honor.
