1. Specifications Comparison
Here's a detailed comparison of the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G and the Huawei nova Y90, focusing on real-world implications:
Design
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G | Huawei nova Y90 | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Dimensions | 165.1 x 75.6 x 8.9 mm | 163.3 x 74.7 x 8.4 mm | The S21 Ultra is slightly taller and thicker, but the size difference is minimal in daily use. |
| Weight | 227g | 195g | The nova Y90 is noticeably lighter, making it more comfortable for extended use. |
| Build | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus front | Unknown front | The S21 Ultra’s screen is more resistant to scratches and drops. The nova Y90 screen protection is unconfirmed. |
| Foldable | Standard | Standard | Both phones are standard smartphones |
Display
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G | Huawei nova Y90 | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Size | 6.8" | 6.7" | Both phones offer large screens, with minimal difference. |
| Resolution | 1440 x 3200 | 1080 x 2388 | The S21 Ultra has a much sharper display, resulting in crisper text and images. |
| Pixel Density (PPI) | 515 | 391 | The S21 Ultra's higher PPI means significantly clearer visuals and smoother fonts. |
| Technology | AMOLED | IPS LCD | The S21 Ultra has deeper blacks, better contrast, and more vibrant colors, and better viewing angles. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 90Hz | The S21 Ultra offers smoother scrolling and animations. |
| Brightness | 1500 nits | 0 nits | The S21 Ultra is much easier to see in bright sunlight due to its superior brightness. |
Performance
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G | Huawei nova Y90 | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Chipset | Exynos 2100 (5 nm) | Snapdragon 680 4G (6 nm) | The S21 Ultra’s chipset is significantly more powerful, leading to faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and better gaming performance. |
| AnTuTu Score | 749,000 | 249,000 | The S21 Ultra provides a significantly better user experience in terms of speed and responsiveness. |
| GPU | Mali-G78 MP14 | Adreno 610 | The S21 Ultra's GPU is far more capable, providing much better graphics rendering in apps and games. |
Battery
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G | Huawei nova Y90 | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Capacity | 5000 mAh | 5000 mAh | Both phones should offer similar battery life under comparable usage patterns. |
| Charging | 25W fast charging | 40W fast charging | The nova Y90 charges much faster, reducing downtime. |
| Features | Wireless charging, Reverse wireless charging | None | The S21 Ultra offers convenient wireless charging and the ability to charge other devices wirelessly. |
Camera
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G | Huawei nova Y90 | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Main Camera | 108MP, f/1.8 | 50MP, f/1.8 | The S21 Ultra captures more detailed photos with its higher resolution. |
| Telephoto + Portrait Camera | 10.8MP, f/2.4 | None | The S21 Ultra provides better zoom capabilities and portrait modes. |
| Selfie Camera | 44MP, f/2.2 | 8MP, f/2.0 | The S21 Ultra has significantly higher selfie resolution and more detail. The nova Y90 has a slightly wider aperture, which may help in low-light. |
| Telephoto Lens | 10.8MP, f/4.9 | None | The S21 Ultra has a dedicated telephoto lens for better zoom. |
| Wide Angle + Macro Camera | 12.2MP, f/2.2 | None | The S21 Ultra has a wide angle and macro lens, which allows for more versatile shooting. |
| Secondary Camera | None | 2MP, f/2.4 | The nova Y90 includes a secondary camera |
| Tertiary Camera | None | 2MP, f/2.4 | The nova Y90 includes a tertiary camera |
| Video | Up to 8K@24fps | Up to 1080p@30fps | The S21 Ultra can record much higher resolution video, suitable for professional use. |
| DxOMark Mobile Score | 115 (Photo: 121, Video: 100) | Not tested | The S21 Ultra has significantly better image and video quality based on DxOMark Scores |
| DxOMark Selfie Score | 135 (Photo: 133, Video: 140) | Not tested | The S21 Ultra has significantly better image and video quality for selfies based on DxOMark Scores |
| Camera Features | Optical zoom, 4K/8K video, OIS, RAW, Night Mode | Autofocus, PDAF, HDR | The S21 Ultra has more advanced features, including OIS for smoother videos and optical zoom for better zoom capabilities. The nova Y90 lacks those advanced features. |
Software
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G | Huawei nova Y90 | Practical Impact |
|---|
| OS | Android 11 (upgradable to 15) | Unknown | The S21 Ultra has a more up-to-date OS, which means better compatibility with newer apps and security features, and better updates in the future. The Huawei Nova Y90 has no specified OS. |
Connectivity
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G | Huawei nova Y90 | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) | Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac) | The S21 Ultra supports newer Wi-Fi standards, leading to faster and more reliable connections. |
| Bluetooth | 5.2 | 5.0 | The S21 Ultra has a newer Bluetooth version for better performance and power efficiency, and more codec support. |
| GPS | Dual-band GPS (L1+L5) | Standard GPS | The S21 Ultra provides more accurate location tracking. |
| SIM | Dual Nano SIM, Dual Standby | Dual Nano SIM, Dual Standby | Both phones support dual SIM functionality. |
Storage
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G | Huawei nova Y90 | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Internal Storage | 128/256/512 GB | 128 GB | The S21 Ultra has more storage options for users with lots of files. |
| RAM | 12/16 GB | 4/6/8 GB | The S21 Ultra has significantly more RAM, leading to better multitasking capabilities. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone supports microSD card expansion. |
Audio
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G | Huawei nova Y90 | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Quality | Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res Audio, Stereo Speakers | Basic audio | The S21 Ultra offers a superior audio experience with high-quality playback and spatial audio features. |
Security
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G | Huawei nova Y90 | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Fingerprint Sensor | Basic fingerprint sensor | Side-mounted fingerprint sensor | The side-mounted sensor on the Huawei is more convenient and easier to access than the basic sensor of the S21 Ultra. |
Sensors
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G | Huawei nova Y90 | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Sensors | Comprehensive suite including gyroscope, barometer, hall, geomagnetic | Basic Suite, including ultrasonic proximity virtual sensor | The S21 Ultra offers a wider range of sensors, for more advanced features and better gaming. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G Advantages:
- Superior Display: The AMOLED display with higher resolution, pixel density, refresh rate, and brightness offers a vastly superior visual experience.
- Much Better Performance: The Exynos 2100 chipset provides significantly more processing power and better gaming capabilities.
- Advanced Camera System: The versatile camera system with higher resolution sensors, multiple lenses, optical zoom, and advanced features like 8K video and OIS, provides exceptional photo and video quality.
- Wireless Charging and Reverse Wireless Charging: Added features provide convenience to the user.
- Better Audio Experience: High-resolution audio, Dolby Atmos, and stereo speakers offer an immersive audio experience.
- More Storage Options and RAM: Provides a significant advantage for power users and those with many files.
- Better Connectivity: Faster and more reliable Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity.
Huawei nova Y90 Advantages:
- Lighter Design: The significantly lighter design enhances user comfort, especially during extended use.
- Faster Charging: The 40W fast charging is quicker than the 25W charging on the S21 Ultra, reducing downtime.
- Side Mounted Fingerprint Sensor: Side mounted fingerprint sensor is more convenient and easier to access.
Trade-offs:
- S21 Ultra: Heavier and bulkier than the nova Y90. Slower charging.
- Nova Y90: Substantially lower performance, less impressive display, inferior camera system, and fewer advanced features.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G Ideal Users:
- Power Users: Those who demand top-tier performance, multitasking capabilities, and a smooth user experience.
- Photography Enthusiasts: Users who prioritize high-quality photos and videos with advanced features like optical zoom and 8K recording.
- Multimedia Consumers: Users who enjoy watching movies, playing games, and require a vibrant and high-resolution display.
- Professionals: Users who need a device with advanced features like better location tracking, wireless charging, and a wider range of sensors for work.
Huawei nova Y90 Ideal Users:
- Budget-Conscious Users: Those who prioritize affordability over top-tier features.
- Casual Users: Users who primarily browse the web, use social media, and don't require high-end performance.
- Users Seeking Lightweight Devices: Those who prefer a light and comfortable phone for everyday use.
- Users Prioritizing Battery Charging: Those who do not want long down times and prefer a fast charging solution.
Use Cases
S21 Ultra:
- Editing photos and videos on the go.
- Playing demanding mobile games.
- Watching high-resolution movies.
- Using as a primary device for work and personal tasks.
- Capturing high quality images and videos in a multitude of settings.
Nova Y90:
- Basic social media browsing.
- Making phone calls and sending messages.
- Light gaming.
- Everyday browsing and tasks
- Users who value speed in charging their phone.
Price-to-Value Ratio:
The Samsung S21 Ultra is a higher-priced device with premium features, and is more suitable for users who can leverage its advanced capabilities. The Huawei Nova Y90 offers better value to budget-conscious users, as it fulfills basic daily needs without a high price tag.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions:
- What is my budget? The S21 Ultra is a flagship device that will come at a higher cost, whereas the nova Y90 is much more affordable.
- What are my primary uses for a smartphone? If the phone is primarily used for casual browsing, social media and calls, then the nova Y90 will serve the user very well. But, if the user plans to play games, do photo and video editing or take lots of pictures and videos, then the S21 Ultra would be a much better choice.
- Do I value premium features over cost? If superior display, performance, and camera are paramount, the S21 Ultra is the clear winner. If a lighter, more affordable phone is sufficient, the nova Y90 is a more practical option.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: If you are a gamer who needs a high performance phone and enjoys watching content, the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G is the only option here, as the Nova Y90 is lacking in the display and performance necessary for that.
- Scenario 2: If your focus is primarily on social media browsing and calls, and want an affordable and lightweight device, the Huawei nova Y90 would be better suited to you.
- Scenario 3: If you value a superior camera system, and like to take a lot of photos and videos, the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G is a much better device.
My Choice
Personally, I would choose the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G. The main reason for this is the superiority of the display. Having a high resolution, vibrant display would be my top priority. While the Huawei nova Y90 is lighter and more affordable, the S21 Ultra's advanced features such as the high quality screen and performance would significantly enhance my user experience. As someone who enjoys photography, the better camera system is also a major deciding factor. The extra weight doesn't bother me as much as having to make use of a screen with lower display quality, as that is something I would be forced to use daily.
