1. Specifications Comparison
Here's a detailed comparison of the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G and Huawei Mate 50 Pro specifications, focusing on their practical impact:
Design
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G | Huawei Mate 50 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Dimensions | 165.1 x 75.6 x 8.9 mm | 162.1 x 75.5 x 8.5 mm | The S21 Ultra is slightly taller and thicker, which might be noticeable when holding the phones, making the Mate 50 Pro a bit more compact. |
| Weight | 227g | 205g | The Mate 50 Pro is noticeably lighter, which could make it more comfortable for prolonged use. |
| Build Quality (Screen Protection) | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus | Unknown | The S21 Ultra has superior screen protection against scratches and drops. |
Display
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G | Huawei Mate 50 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Size | 6.8" | 6.74" | Negligible difference in size; both phones offer a large screen experience. |
| Resolution | 1440 x 3200 | 1212 x 2616 | The S21 Ultra offers a much sharper display, better for reading text and viewing detailed images and videos. |
| Pixel Density | 515 ppi | 428 ppi | S21 Ultra will look noticeably clearer due to higher pixel density, especially noticeable when viewing high-resolution content. |
| Technology | AMOLED | OLED | Similar quality displays with vibrant colors and deep blacks. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | Both provide smooth scrolling and animations, good for gaming and general usage. |
| Brightness | 1500 nits | 0 nits | The S21 Ultra offers significantly better visibility under bright sunlight. Huawei's brightness is unknown. |
Performance
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G | Huawei Mate 50 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Chipset | Exynos 2100 (5 nm) | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 4G (4 nm) | The Mate 50 Pro’s newer chipset will likely offer better performance and efficiency. |
| Antutu Score | 749,000 | 1,022,043 | The Mate 50 Pro demonstrates significantly higher performance for gaming and other demanding tasks. |
| GPU | Mali-G78 MP14 | Adreno 730 | The Adreno 730 in the Mate 50 Pro is generally more powerful, translating to better graphics performance. |
Camera
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G | Huawei Mate 50 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Main Camera | 108MP, f/1.8, 1/1.33" | 50MP, f/1.4, 1/1.56" | S21 Ultra captures higher resolution images, but the Mate 50 Pro has a wider aperture for better low-light performance and a larger pixel size. |
| Telephoto (Zoom) Camera | 10.8MP, f/2.4 & 10.8MP, f/4.9 | 64MP, f/3.5 | Huawei Mate 50 Pro features a significantly higher resolution telephoto lens with larger sensor, better for zoomed photos. |
| Ultrawide Camera | 12.2MP f/2.2 | 12MP f/2.2 | The Huawei Mate 50 Pro has a wide angle lens, while the S21 Ultra has an ultrawide/macro lens. The S21 Ultra also does not have a traditional wide angle lens. |
| Front Camera | 44MP, f/2.2 | 13MP, f/2.4 | The S21 Ultra has a higher-resolution front camera which captures more detailed selfies and better low light capability. |
| Video | Up to 8K@24fps | Up to 4K@60fps | The S21 Ultra offers higher resolution video recording (8K), suitable for professional use. |
| DxOMark (Mobile) | Main: 115, Photo: 121, Video: 100 | Main: 149, Photo: 152, Video: 141 | The Mate 50 Pro's camera system significantly outperforms the S21 Ultra in both photo and video quality. |
| DxOMark (Selfie) | Main: 135, Photo: 133, Video: 140 | Main: 145, Photo: 147, Video: 143 | The Mate 50 Pro shows superior selfie performance. |
Battery
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G | Huawei Mate 50 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 4700mAh | The S21 Ultra has a slightly larger battery, likely leading to slightly longer battery life. |
| Charging | 25W fast charging | 66W fast charging | The Mate 50 Pro charges much faster, reducing downtime for charging. |
| Wireless Charging | 15W, 9W reverse | 50W, 7.5W reverse | Mate 50 Pro offers significantly faster wireless charging. |
Other
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G | Huawei Mate 50 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|
| OS | Android 11 (upgradable to 15) | | The S21 Ultra runs on Android 11, while the Mate 50 Pro OS is unknown, though it does not use Google Play Services. |
| RAM | 12GB/16GB | 8GB | S21 Ultra offers significantly more RAM for smoother multitasking. |
| Storage | 128 GB or 256 GB or 512 GB | 256 GB or 512 GB | Both offer substantial storage space; S21 Ultra has a 128GB option. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone allows for storage expansion, a limiting factor for users with lots of media. |
| 5G | Yes | No | The Samsung S21 Ultra supports 5G, whilst the Mate 50 Pro is limited to 4G. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G Advantages:
- Sharper Display: Higher resolution and pixel density provide a more detailed viewing experience, good for detailed graphics and small text.
- Brighter Screen: Significantly higher brightness for better outdoor visibility, essential for using the phone in bright daylight.
- More RAM: Up to 16GB of RAM for superior multitasking capabilities and heavy usage.
- 8K Video Recording: Offers 8K recording for ultra high definition video creation.
- 5G Connectivity: Support for 5G, offering much faster download and upload speeds where available.
Practical Implications: Better for media consumption, outdoor use, and users who perform demanding tasks.
Huawei Mate 50 Pro Advantages:
- Superior Camera Performance: Better photo and video quality, especially in low light, as demonstrated by DxOMark scores.
- Faster Charging: Significantly faster wired and wireless charging.
- More Powerful Chipset: Offers better overall performance, smoother operation, and more efficient power usage.
- Lighter Build: More comfortable for extended use due to the lighter design.
Practical Implications: Better for photography enthusiasts, and users needing quick charging and excellent performance.
Trade-offs:
- S21 Ultra: Older chipset, camera is slightly inferior, charging is slow, and it is heavier.
- Mate 50 Pro: Lacks 5G connectivity, the screen isn’t as sharp and bright, and the OS situation is ambiguous, missing Google Play Services.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G Ideal User:
- Media Enthusiasts: Who value a very sharp display with higher brightness for watching content and consuming media.
- Multitaskers: Users who need lots of RAM for running multiple apps simultaneously.
- 5G Users: Individuals needing fast data speeds (5G).
- Professional Video Creators: Users needing 8K video recording capabilities.
- Users heavily invested in Google's ecosystem: Those relying heavily on Google services may prefer this phone.
Huawei Mate 50 Pro Ideal User:
- Photography Enthusiasts: Who prioritize top-tier camera performance, especially in low light.
- Power Users: Who require quick charging, great performance, and a lighter design.
- Those focused on mobile photography: Users prioritising mobile photo and video capture, and willing to adapt to an environment without Google services.
- Users who do not need 5G: Those not in need of 5G may be happy with 4G speeds.
Use Cases:
- S21 Ultra: Watching high-definition movies on a sharp display, playing graphically intensive games, recording high resolution 8K video.
- Mate 50 Pro: Taking detailed photos and videos in all conditions, gaming with improved performance, and long days with fast charging.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions to Consider:
- Do you prioritize camera performance or display quality? If the camera is paramount, the Mate 50 Pro is a better choice. If a sharper, brighter display is crucial, choose the S21 Ultra.
- Do you need 5G connectivity and Google Play Services? If 5G is a must, the S21 Ultra is the only option. If you are happy without Google services, the Mate 50 Pro is suitable.
- Do you prefer fast charging and lightweight design, or higher RAM and 8K video? The Mate 50 Pro prioritizes charging speed and portability, whereas the S21 Ultra goes for more RAM and advanced video recording capabilities.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1 (Photography): If you take pictures regularly, especially in low light, choose the Mate 50 Pro for superior camera performance.
- Scenario 2 (Multimedia): If media consumption is your priority, and you do not require superior camera performance, opt for the S21 Ultra for its brighter, higher-resolution display.
- Scenario 3 (Performance & Battery): If you value performance and fast charging, go with the Mate 50 Pro. If you require the most RAM possible, the S21 Ultra will be more suitable.
- Scenario 4 (5G Connectivity): If 5G connectivity is a requirement, the S21 Ultra is the only option, as the Mate 50 Pro is only 4G.
My Choice
If I were to choose, I would opt for the Huawei Mate 50 Pro. While the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G excels in display sharpness, brightness and RAM, the Mate 50 Pro's camera and performance are significantly better. My personal priority is mobile photography and overall speed, and the Mate 50 Pro excels in these areas. Additionally, the faster charging and lighter design of the Mate 50 Pro are significant advantages for day-to-day usability, even if it is at the expense of some display quality. The lack of Google services isn’t an issue for me personally. The lack of 5G is disappointing, but I am not in a location that heavily uses 5G.
