1. Specifications Comparison
Design
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G | Huawei nova Y70 Plus | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 165.1 × 75.6 × 8.9 mm | 168.3 × 77.7 × 9 mm | The Huawei is slightly taller and wider, making the Samsung marginally more pocketable. |
| Weight | 227g | 199g | The Huawei is significantly lighter, which will feel more comfortable for extended use. |
| Build | Gorilla Glass Victus screen | Unknown screen protection | Samsung screen is more scratch and drop resistant. |
Display
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G | Huawei nova Y70 Plus | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Size | 6.8" | 6.75" | Negligibly different in size, both are large format. |
| Resolution | 1440x3200 | 720x1600 | Samsung display is significantly sharper, with text and images being noticeably clearer. |
| PPI | 515 | 260 | Samsung screen appears much sharper. |
| Technology | AMOLED | IPS LCD | Samsung offers better contrast, deeper blacks, more vibrant colors, and better power efficiency with dark themes. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 60Hz | Samsung screen is much smoother for scrolling, animations, and gaming. |
| Brightness | 1500 nits | 0 nits | Samsung display is much more visible in bright sunlight. Huawei brightness is unknown. |
Performance
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G | Huawei nova Y70 Plus | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chipset | Exynos 2100 (5 nm) | Kirin 710A (14 nm) | Samsung chipset is much more powerful, offering faster speeds, better efficiency, and more responsiveness. |
| AnTuTu Score | 749,000 | 103,500 | The Samsung will be significantly faster at launching apps, multitasking, and gaming. |
| GPU | Mali-G78 MP14 | Mali-G51 MP4 | Samsung has a much more powerful GPU, offering better graphics performance and more enjoyable gameplay. |
Camera
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G | Huawei nova Y70 Plus | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main Camera | 108MP, f/1.8 | 48MP, f/1.8 | Samsung captures much more detailed images with a higher resolution. |
| Telephoto | 10.8MP + 10.8MP | None | Samsung provides optical zoom capabilities for better long-distance shots. |
| Wide Angle | 12.2MP | 5MP | Samsung's wide-angle is better and more versatile. Huawei has a dedicated wide-angle lens. |
| Selfie Camera | 44MP, f/2.2 | 8MP, f/2.0 | Samsung offers higher resolution selfies, but Huawei has slightly wider aperture for slightly better low light photos. |
| Portrait Mode (Depth) | None | 2MP, f/2.4 | Huawei has a dedicated depth sensor for portrait mode. |
| Video | 8K@24fps, 4K@60fps | 1080p@30fps | Samsung captures much higher quality video, including 8K recording and better slow-motion capabilities. |
| DxOMark (Mobile) | 115 (Photo: 121, Video: 100) | Not tested | Samsung's camera has been professionally rated, indicating high performance. |
| DxOMark (Selfie) | 135 (Photo: 133, Video: 140) | Not tested | Samsung's front camera has been professionally rated, indicating high performance. |
| Features | OIS, Laser AF, RAW, Night Mode, Quadruple Camera, Optical zoom, etc. | Digital image stabilization, Triple camera | Samsung has more advanced features for photography enthusiasts. |
Battery
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G | Huawei nova Y70 Plus | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 6000mAh | Huawei likely has better battery life, but actual usage varies. |
| Charging | 25W fast charging | 22.5W fast charging | Samsung slightly faster charging. |
| Features | Wireless charging, Reverse charging | None | Samsung offers additional convenient charging options, but does not come with a charger. |
Software & Connectivity
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G | Huawei nova Y70 Plus | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| OS | Android 11 (upgradable to 15) | Unknown | Samsung offers a more up-to-date Android experience with guaranteed future updates. |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) | 802.11n | Samsung provides faster and more reliable Wi-Fi connectivity. |
| Bluetooth | 5.2 | 5.1 | Samsung offers slightly newer Bluetooth tech. |
| GPS | GPS (L1+L5) Galileo (E1+E5a) | QZSS | Both offer precise location capabilities but with different satellite system support. |
| Storage | 128GB/256GB/512GB | 64GB/128GB | Samsung offers much more internal storage, particularly at the high-end. |
| RAM | 12GB/16GB | 4GB | Samsung allows for much smoother multitasking due to its large RAM. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone offers expandable storage. |
Other
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G | Huawei nova Y70 Plus | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Audio | Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res Audio, Stereo speakers | Basic | Samsung offers a superior audio experience with higher fidelity, spatial audio and better speaker configuration. |
| Security | Fingerprint | Side-mounted fingerprint | Huawei offers a more modern fingerprint sensor. |
| Sensors | Accelerometer, Gyroscope, Compass, Barometer | Accelerometer | Samsung has more sensors that unlock additional features, especially for gaming and environmental data. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G Advantages:
- Superior Display: Much higher resolution, AMOLED technology, 120Hz refresh rate, and higher brightness. This makes for a dramatically better visual experience.
- Significantly Higher Performance: Much more powerful chipset and GPU that handle demanding tasks and games much better.
- Much Better Camera System: Versatile camera setup with higher resolution sensors, multiple telephoto lenses, and advanced features like 8K video and OIS.
- Premium Features: Wireless charging, reverse wireless charging, advanced audio, superior build quality with Corning Gorilla Glass Victus, more sensors and up to date Android experience.
- Higher Storage and RAM: Offers much more storage and RAM for heavy use.
Huawei nova Y70 Plus Advantages:
- Larger Battery: Offers a higher capacity battery, which may lead to longer battery life.
- Lighter Weight: More comfortable for prolonged use due to its lighter frame.
- Lower Price: Likely to be significantly more affordable
- Side-mounted Fingerprint Sensor: More practical in some situations.
Trade-offs:
- Samsung: The Samsung is much more expensive and heavier.
- Huawei: The Huawei sacrifices nearly every high-performance feature for a lower price and bigger battery.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G Ideal User:
- Power Users: Those who need top-tier performance for gaming, content creation, and multitasking.
- Photography Enthusiasts: Users who prioritize a versatile and high-quality camera system with advanced features.
- Media Consumers: Those who want the best possible display for watching videos, browsing, and gaming.
- Users who want an up to date Android experience: The S21 ultra offers a modern Android experience with the possibility of future updates.
- Users not price sensitive: This phone comes at a premium price.
Use Cases:
- Gaming, particularly graphic-intensive games
- High-resolution video recording and editing
- Professional-grade photography
- Long hours of use requiring high performance
- Demanding multitasking
- Outdoor usage in bright conditions
Huawei nova Y70 Plus Ideal User:
- Budget-Conscious Users: Those who need a reliable phone with a long battery life and basic functionality at a lower cost.
- Casual Users: Individuals who primarily use their phone for calls, texts, social media, and light browsing.
- Users looking for a phone with a long battery: The focus is on extending the battery life.
Use Cases:
- Everyday browsing and communication
- Basic social media use
- Long periods between charges
- General use where performance is not a priority
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- Budget: How much are you willing to spend on a smartphone?
- Performance Needs: What kind of tasks do you typically perform on your phone? Do you need high performance for gaming and demanding apps?
- Camera Priorities: How important is high-quality photography and videography to you?
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Budget is very limited: The Huawei nova Y70 Plus is the only practical option. It provides acceptable basic functionality at the lowest price point.
- Scenario 2: Performance and Camera are Critical: The Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G is the clear choice. The superior display, chipset, and camera system justify the higher cost for power users and photography enthusiasts.
- Scenario 3: Battery life is the main priority: The Huawei may be the best choice. Note that while it offers a larger battery, actual usage may vary significantly.
What I Would Choose and Why
If I were choosing between these two phones, I would choose the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G. While the Huawei nova Y70 Plus has a larger battery and is lighter, the Samsung S21 Ultra's superior performance across nearly every other category outweighs these advantages. My usage involves demanding applications, gaming, photography, and video, where the Samsung excels. The combination of a high-resolution AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate, the powerful Exynos 2100 chipset, a versatile camera system with 8K video and optical zoom, and premium features like wireless charging is essential for my use case.
Even if the battery life of the Huawei is better, I believe that the performance, better software and overall superior user experience of the Samsung S21 Ultra would be a better investment. The slightly higher price also reflects a superior product that will serve its owner well for a long period of time.
