1. Specifications Comparison
Here's a detailed comparison of the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G and the Huawei nova 8i, focusing on practical implications:
Design
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G | Huawei nova 8i | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 165.1 x 75.6 x 8.9 mm | 161.9 x 74.7 x 8.6 mm | S21 Ultra is slightly larger and thicker, potentially less comfortable for single-hand use. |
| Weight | 227g | 190g | Nova 8i is significantly lighter, more comfortable for extended use and portability. |
| Build | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus front | Unknown front | S21 Ultra has superior screen protection; Nova 8i screen protection is unknown, which may affect durability. |
Display
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G | Huawei nova 8i | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Size | 6.8" | 6.67" | S21 Ultra offers a slightly larger display, better for media consumption and multitasking, but not drastically different. |
| Resolution | 1440x3200 | 1080x2376 | S21 Ultra provides significantly sharper images and text, noticeably superior visual clarity. |
| Pixel Density | 515 ppi | 391 ppi | S21 Ultra display is noticeably sharper, reducing pixelation. |
| Technology | AMOLED | IPS LCD | S21 Ultra offers superior contrast, deeper blacks, and more vibrant colors; better for HDR content and outdoor visibility, and has superior power efficiency for dark themes |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 60Hz | S21 Ultra provides much smoother scrolling and animations, especially noticeable in gaming and fast-paced content. |
| Brightness | 1500 nits | 0 nits | S21 Ultra offers dramatically better visibility in bright sunlight, making it suitable for outdoor use; Nova 8i brightness information is missing, making outdoor use a potential issue. |
Performance
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G | Huawei nova 8i | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chipset | Exynos 2100 (5 nm) | Snapdragon 662 (11 nm) | S21 Ultra offers much faster processing speeds, enabling smoother multitasking, better gaming performance and app loading. |
| AnTuTu Score | 749,000 | 201,000 | S21 Ultra offers vastly superior performance for demanding tasks, including gaming, video editing and more fluid daily tasks. |
| GPU | Mali-G78 MP14 | Adreno 610 | S21 Ultra provides superior graphics rendering, resulting in better gaming and overall visual performance. |
Camera
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G | Huawei nova 8i | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard Lens | 108MP, f/1.8 | 64MP, f/1.9 | S21 Ultra captures more detailed photos with higher resolution and better low-light performance due to wider aperture. |
| Telephoto + Portrait | 10.8MP, f/2.4 | Not available | S21 Ultra offers optical zoom and enhanced portrait capabilities, improving versatility. |
| Selfie Camera | 44MP, f/2.2 | 16MP, f/2.0 | S21 Ultra takes higher resolution selfies with potentially better detail; Nova 8i has a slightly wider aperture which can improve low-light performance. |
| Telephoto Lens | 10.8MP, f/4.9 | Not available | S21 Ultra provides dedicated telephoto zoom, enhancing ability to capture distant subjects. |
| Wide Angle Lens | Not available | 8MP, f/2.2 | Nova 8i allows for wide-angle shots, capturing more of the scene. |
| Portrait (Depth) | Not available | 2MP, f/2.4 | Nova 8i includes a dedicated depth sensor for better portrait mode background blur. |
| Macro Lens | Not available | 2MP, f/2.4 | Nova 8i offers a dedicated macro lens for close-up photography. |
| Wide Angle + Macro | 12.2MP, f/2.2 | Not available | S21 Ultra offers a wide-angle lens with macro capabilities, providing additional photo capturing versatality. |
| Video | Up to 8K@24fps | 1080p@30fps | S21 Ultra captures much higher resolution videos, suitable for professional use; Nova 8i video is limited to Full HD. |
| Stabilization | EIS, OIS | EIS | S21 Ultra offers more advanced video stabilization with OIS support, reducing shaky footage. |
| Slow-motion | 960fps | 120fps | S21 Ultra records smoother, high-frame rate slow-motion videos. |
| DXOMARK | Mobile: 115, Selfie: 135 | Not tested | S21 Ultra camera performance is professionally tested and rated; Nova 8i doesn't have a rating. |
Battery
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G | Huawei nova 8i | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 5000 mAh | 4300 mAh | S21 Ultra has a larger battery, likely providing longer usage time between charges. |
| Charging | 25W fast charging | 66W fast charging | Nova 8i charges much faster, quickly replenishing the battery. |
| Features | Wireless charging, Reverse wireless charging | None | S21 Ultra offers wireless charging convenience and the ability to charge other devices wirelessly; Nova 8i lacks these features. |
Other
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G | Huawei nova 8i | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| OS | Android 11, upgradeable to 15 | Android 10 | S21 Ultra provides a more modern OS with longer software support, receiving future updates; Nova 8i uses an older version and the end of updates may affect security and access to new features. |
| WiFi | WiFi 6 | WiFi 5 | S21 Ultra supports newer, faster WiFi standards, which translates to faster network performance. |
| Bluetooth | 5.2 | 5.0 | S21 Ultra has a newer Bluetooth version, resulting in potentially better connectivity and power efficiency. |
| GPS | Dual-band GPS | Standard GPS | S21 Ultra offers more accurate location tracking, especially in urban areas. |
| Internal Storage | 128/256/512 GB | 128 GB | S21 Ultra offers significantly more internal storage options, catering to users with extensive media libraries. |
| RAM | 12 GB or 16 GB | 6 GB | S21 Ultra handles multitasking and heavy apps more smoothly, leading to better performance. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone allows for expanded storage via microSD cards. |
| Audio | Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res, Stereo Speakers | Stereo Speakers | S21 Ultra provides superior audio quality, particularly with headphones; both offer stereo sound, and noise cancelling microphones. |
| Security | Basic fingerprint sensor | Side-mounted fingerprint sensor | Huawei nova 8i has a more advanced and convenient fingerprint sensor. |
| Sensors | Barometer | None | S21 Ultra includes environmental sensors that enable additional functionality. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G Advantages
- Superior Display: AMOLED panel with higher resolution, pixel density, brightness and a 120Hz refresh rate offers a much more vibrant and smoother visual experience.
- Significantly Higher Performance: The Exynos 2100 chipset offers a massive performance leap, handling demanding tasks with ease and ensuring a more responsive user experience.
- Versatile and Higher-Quality Camera System: More versatile camera setup with telephoto lenses, and higher resolution sensors allows for higher quality photos, more zoom options, and 8K video recording.
- More Advanced Features: Wireless charging, reverse wireless charging, higher-end audio features (Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res Audio), and a more robust sensor suite.
- Future-Proofing: Newer OS, longer software support and cutting edge technology.
Practical Implications: The S21 Ultra is a premium device that offers cutting-edge performance and a superior user experience across all aspects, especially display quality, camera performance, and overall responsiveness. It is suitable for users who need the best of the best in mobile technology.
Huawei nova 8i Advantages
- Lighter Design: Significantly lighter, making it more comfortable to hold and carry for extended periods.
- Faster Charging: 66W fast charging significantly reduces charging time, offering better convenience for users in a hurry.
- Wide Angle Lens: Ability to capture more of a scene in a single shot.
- Macro Lens: Dedicated macro lens is useful for capturing close-up shots of small subjects.
- Side-Mounted Fingerprint Sensor: A more advanced and convenient unlock method, and provides a basic level of biometric security.
Practical Implications: The Nova 8i is a more budget-friendly option that prioritizes comfort and convenience with its lighter design and fast charging, while still providing a versatile camera system. However, it lacks the overall performance and display quality of the S21 Ultra.
Trade-offs
- S21 Ultra: Larger and heavier, and lacking a wide angle or macro lens on its standard setup.
- Nova 8i: Noticeably weaker performance, a lower resolution and lower quality display, lacks premium features such as wireless charging, and no advanced sensor or GPS options.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G
- Ideal User: Power users, photography enthusiasts, gamers, and those who need a top-tier mobile experience.
- Use Cases:
- Professional photography and videography.
- High-performance mobile gaming.
- Heavy multitasking, video editing, and demanding app usage.
- Users who appreciate a cutting-edge display with superior clarity and smoothness.
- Users requiring advanced features like wireless charging, reverse wireless charging.
- Users who intend to use their phones in bright sunlight conditions.
- Price-to-Value: High price, but justified by cutting-edge technology, the most features and top-tier performance.
Huawei nova 8i
- Ideal User: Budget-conscious users who value convenience, lighter weight and fast charging, and decent general camera performance.
- Use Cases:
- Everyday social media, browsing, and communication.
- General photography, including wide-angle and macro shots.
- Users who prioritize a lighter phone and comfort in hand.
- Users who need their phones to charge quickly.
- Price-to-Value: Very budget-friendly, offering great value for a good all rounder.
4. Decision Framework
Here are three key questions to help you decide:
- Performance Requirements: Do you need the absolute best performance for gaming, multitasking, and demanding apps, or is a good general performance sufficient?
- Recommendation: If you need top-tier performance, the S21 Ultra is the clear choice. If general performance is okay, the Nova 8i will suffice.
- Display Preferences: How important are display quality (sharpness, brightness, color accuracy, smoothness) for you?
- Recommendation: If you want the best visual experience, with great visibility in all lighting, choose the S21 Ultra. If a decent screen is adequate, the Nova 8i is more affordable.
- Camera Needs: Do you require the best camera quality, versatile zoom capabilities, and high-resolution video recording?
- Recommendation: If camera quality is a priority, and you need telephoto zoom and 8K video recording, the S21 Ultra is vastly superior. If you would like to have a dedicated wide-angle and macro lens, and standard shooting and video quality is acceptable, then the Nova 8i will do the job.
Scenario-Based Recommendations
Scenario 1: Professional Photographer/Videographer: The Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G is the only choice with its superior camera system, 8K video and manual shooting features.
Scenario 2: Casual User on a Budget: The Huawei nova 8i fits the bill, offering a good enough experience with excellent fast charging.
Scenario 3: Mobile Gamer: The Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G provides the best performance with a smooth and vibrant display.
My Choice
If I had to choose between the two, I would pick the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G. My reasoning comes from my use cases: I want a phone with a great camera for photos and video, and that is powerful enough to use for gaming and more demanding apps. I want to have a vibrant and smooth display, and it is important that I can use the phone outdoors. While the price is much higher and it is larger and heavier, the S21 Ultra provides much better performance, a superior camera system, a better display, higher-quality audio, and additional features such as wireless charging. The Huawei is a decent smartphone, but the S21 Ultra offers a substantially better experience in most of the areas that I value.
