Smartphone Comparison: Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G vs. Honor X7b
1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G | Honor X7b | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 165.1 × 75.6 × 8.9 mm | 166.7 × 76.5 × 8.2 mm | The Honor X7b is slightly taller and thinner, while the S21 Ultra is a bit wider and thicker overall. The S21 Ultra has a slightly larger overall volume. |
| Weight | 227g | 199g | The Honor X7b is significantly lighter, making it more comfortable for prolonged use. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.8" | 6.8" | Both phones have the same display size. |
| Resolution | 1440x3200 | 1080x2412 | The S21 Ultra has a much sharper display, resulting in clearer text, images, and videos. |
| PPI | 515 | 389 | The S21 Ultra's higher pixel density provides a noticeably crisper visual experience. |
| Technology | AMOLED | IPS LCD | The S21 Ultra offers richer colors, deeper blacks, and better contrast, and power efficiency for dark themes. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 90Hz | The S21 Ultra has smoother scrolling and animations. |
| Brightness | 1500 nits | 0 nits | The S21 Ultra is much better for outdoor visibility, especially in bright sunlight. Honor X7b brightness data is missing. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Exynos 2100 (5 nm) | Qualcomm SM6225 Snapdragon 680 4G (6 nm) | The S21 Ultra offers significantly faster processing and more efficient multitasking. |
| AnTuTu Score | 749,000 | 249,150 | The S21 Ultra has superior performance for demanding apps and games. |
| GPU | Mali-G78 MP14 | Adreno 610 | The S21 Ultra has better graphics performance, especially in gaming. |
| Camera | |||
| Standard Camera | 108MP, f/1.8, 1/1.33" sensor, 0.80µm pixels | 108MP, f/1.8, 0.64µm pixels | Both have a 108MP main camera. The S21 Ultra has larger sensor and pixel sizes, generally resulting in better low-light performance. |
| Telephoto + portrait Camera | 10.8MP, f/2.4, 1/2.65" sensor, 1.22µm pixels | None | The S21 Ultra has dedicated telephoto and portrait cameras for better zoom and bokeh effects. |
| Selfie Camera | 44MP, f/2.2, 1/2.65" sensor, 0.70µm pixels | 8MP, f/2.0 | The S21 Ultra takes much higher resolution selfies with a smaller aperture. The Honor X7b's slightly wider aperture may improve low-light performance. |
| Telephoto Lens | 10.8MP, f/4.9, 1/2.65" sensor, 1.22µm pixels | None | The S21 Ultra offers a second telephoto lens for increased zoom capabilities |
| Wide Angle Lens | None | 5MP, f/2.2 | The Honor X7b includes a wide-angle lens for capturing broader scenes. |
| Portrait Mode (Depth) | None | 2MP, f/2.4 | The Honor X7b has a depth sensor for enhanced portrait effects. |
| Macro Lens | None | 2MP, f/2.4 | The Honor X7b includes a dedicated macro lens for close-up photography. |
| Wide Angle + Macro Lens | 12.2MP, f/2.2, 1/2.55" sensor, 1.40µm pixels | None | The S21 Ultra provides a high-quality wide-angle camera that can also perform macro photography. |
| Video | Up to 8K@24fps | 1080p@30fps | The S21 Ultra supports much higher video resolution for professional use and a higher slow-motion framerate. |
| DXOMark (Mobile) | 115 (Photo: 121, Video: 100) | Not Tested | The S21 Ultra has a professional camera rating which indicates quality. |
| DXOMark (Selfie) | 135 (Photo: 133, Video: 140) | Not Tested | The S21 Ultra has a professional selfie camera rating which indicates quality. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 5330mAh | The Honor X7b has a slightly larger battery, potentially offering a bit more battery life. |
| Charging | 25W fast charging | 35W fast charging | The Honor X7b offers faster wired charging. |
| Features | Wireless charging, reverse charging | None | The S21 Ultra includes wireless charging and reverse wireless charging capabilities. The S21 Ultra does not include a charger in the box. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 (upgradable to 15) | Android 13 (upgradable to 14) | The Honor X7b launches with a newer Android version but S21 Ultra can upgrade to 15. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6, Dual Band | Wi-Fi 6, Dual Band | Both support modern Wi-Fi standards. The S21 Ultra also has Wi-Fi MiMO. |
| Bluetooth | 5.2 LE | 5.1 LE | The S21 Ultra has a newer Bluetooth version with more features. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo (L1+L5) | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | The S21 Ultra supports more satellite systems for better location accuracy |
| SIM | Dual Nano SIM | Dual Nano SIM | Both support dual SIM functionality. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 128/256/512 GB | 128/256 GB | The S21 Ultra offers a 512 GB option for users needing maximum storage space. |
| RAM | 12/16 GB | 6/8 GB | The S21 Ultra has significantly more RAM, making it better for multitasking. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither phone supports microSD card expansion. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res Audio, Noise cancellation microphone, Stereo Speakers | Stereo Speakers | The S21 Ultra offers superior audio quality with more features, including Dolby Atmos. |
| Security | |||
| Features | Basic fingerprint sensor | Side-mounted fingerprint sensor | The Honor X7b has a more advanced side-mounted fingerprint sensor for faster unlocking. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus | Unknown | The S21 Ultra has a higher quality glass for screen protection. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Barometer, Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope | S21 Ultra features additional environmental sensors. The Honor X7b features a Gravity sensor. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G Advantages:
- Superior Display: Higher resolution, higher PPI, AMOLED technology, and higher refresh rate provide a significantly better viewing experience.
- Much Higher Performance: The Exynos 2100 chipset and significantly higher AnTuTu scores translate to faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and better gaming performance.
- Better Camera System: More advanced camera setup with additional telephoto lenses, a higher-resolution selfie camera and 8k video recording.
- Premium Features: Offers wireless charging, reverse wireless charging, and a comprehensive set of audio features, including Dolby Atmos.
- More RAM & Storage Options: Offers up to 16 GB of RAM and a 512 GB storage option, making it better for power users.
- Build Quality: Superior screen protection, along with additional environmental sensors
- Better Location Accuracy: Supports more satellite systems for better location accuracy.
- Better Bluetooth: Newer Bluetooth version with more supported features.
Honor X7b Advantages:
- Lighter Design: Significantly lighter weight for comfortable handling.
- Slightly Larger Battery: Marginally larger battery capacity for potential battery life advantages.
- Faster Charging: Offers slightly faster 35W charging.
- Wider Angle, Macro and Portrait Lenses: Includes a dedicated wide-angle camera, macro camera and depth sensor, expanding creative photographic capabilities.
- Newer Android Version: Comes with a newer base Android version, although updates are limited to Android 14.
- Fingerprint Sensor: The side-mounted fingerprint sensor provides a faster unlocking experience
Trade-offs:
- The S21 Ultra sacrifices weight and thickness for its premium features and powerful performance.
- The Honor X7b prioritizes affordability and battery life over performance and display quality.
- The S21 Ultra doesn't include a charger in the box.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G is ideal for:
- Power users: Those who need top-tier performance for demanding tasks like gaming, video editing, and heavy multitasking.
- Photography enthusiasts: Users who want a versatile camera system with excellent image quality, and want 8k video recording.
- Multimedia consumers: People who value a high-quality display and premium audio for watching videos and listening to music.
- Users needing premium features: Users wanting wireless charging, reverse wireless charging, and the best possible Bluetooth and location accuracy.
Use cases:
- Gaming at high settings.
- Professional-quality photo and video recording.
- Watching high-resolution movies and TV shows.
- Heavy multitasking with many apps open simultaneously.
Honor X7b is ideal for:
- Budget-conscious users: Those looking for a reliable smartphone at an affordable price point.
- Users prioritizing battery life: Individuals who need a phone that can last a full day with moderate use.
- Casual users: People who primarily use their phones for basic tasks like browsing the web, social media, and messaging.
- Users who value a light phone: Those who value comfort and do not want a heavy phone.
- Users wanting a variety of cameras Users who want a phone with wide-angle, macro and portrait lenses.
Use cases:
- Everyday communication and social media.
- Basic web browsing and email.
- Casual photography.
- Longer battery life on a single charge for day-to-day use.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- Budget: How much are you willing to spend? The S21 Ultra will be more expensive.
- Performance Needs: What do you primarily use your phone for? (Gaming, photography, basic tasks).
- Feature Priorities: What features do you value most? (Display quality, camera versatility, battery life, premium audio).
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: High-Performance User
- Recommendation: Choose the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G. Its superior performance, display, camera, and premium features justify the higher price for users who need the best.
- Scenario 2: Budget-Conscious User
- Recommendation: Choose the Honor X7b. It offers a more affordable option with a focus on battery life and everyday usability.
- Scenario 3: Balanced User
- Recommendation: If you need more than basic features, you should still consider the S21 Ultra 5G if budget is not an issue. If it is an issue, the Honor X7b should be sufficient.
My Choice:
I would choose the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G.
While the Honor X7b has its merits, the S21 Ultra provides a far superior experience for my needs, which include:
- Best Possible Display: The AMOLED display with higher resolution and refresh rate is crucial for my daily media consumption and visual tasks.
- Top-Tier Performance: As a user who runs many apps and games, the significant performance advantage of the S21 Ultra is a must.
- Advanced Camera System: The versatility and high quality of the S21 Ultra's camera are important for my photography and videography needs, and the 8k video is something I need.
- Premium Features: Wireless charging, reverse charging and premium audio are all features that are very important to me.
While the S21 Ultra is heavier and thicker, the advantages it offers significantly outweigh the drawbacks for my usage.
