The Honor 9S and Samsung Galaxy A21s represent two compelling options in the ultra-budget smartphone segment. While both aim to deliver essential smartphone functionality at an accessible price point, they diverge significantly in their internal hardware. This comparison dissects these differences, focusing on performance, display quality, and battery endurance to determine which device offers the best value.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Samsung Galaxy A21s emerges as the better choice. Its Exynos 850 chipset, built on an 8nm process, provides a noticeable performance advantage over the Honor 9S’s 12nm Helio P22, translating to smoother multitasking and a more responsive user experience. While battery life is comparable, the A21s’s faster charging is a welcome addition.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 | 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2020, April 29. Released 2020, May 04 | 2020, May 15. Released 2020, June 02 |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 146.5 x 70.9 x 8.4 mm (5.77 x 2.79 x 0.33 in) | 163.7 x 75.3 x 8.9 mm (6.44 x 2.96 x 0.35 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 144 g (5.08 oz) | 192 g (6.77 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 720 x 1440 pixels, 18:9 ratio (~295 ppi density) | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~270 ppi density) |
| Size | 5.45 inches, 76.7 cm2 (~73.8% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~82.8% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | PLS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.5 GHz Cortex-A53) | Octa-core (4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6762R Helio P22 (12 nm) | Exynos 850 (8 nm) |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8320 | Mali-G52 |
| OS | Android 10, Magic UI 3.1, no Google Play Services | Android 10, upgradable to Android 12, One UI 4.1 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 32GB 2GB RAM | 32GB 2GB RAM, 32GB 3GB RAM, 32GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 2GB RAM, 128GB 3GB RAM, 128GB 4/6GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, panorama, HDR |
| Quad | - | 48 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.2, 123˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.0, (wide), AF | - |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 5 MP, f/2.2 | 13 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1/3.1", 1.12µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio, RDS, recording |
| USB | microUSB 2.0 | USB Type-C 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, proximity | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | - | 15W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 3020 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, Blue, Red | Black, White, Blue, Red |
| Models | DUA-LX9 | SM-A217F, SM-A217F/DS, SM-A217F/DSN, SM-A217M, SM-A217M/DS, SM-A217N |
| Price | About 90 EUR | About 220 EUR |
| SAR EU | - | 0.42 W/kg (head) 1.54 W/kg (body) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Battery life | - | Endurance rating 119h |
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: 1287:1 (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker | - |
-30.0 LUFS (Average) |
| Performance | - |
AnTuTu: 107157 (v8)
GeekBench: 1100 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 11fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
Honor 9S
- Potentially lower price point
- Acceptable battery life
- Basic smartphone functionality
- Older, less efficient chipset
- Likely lower display quality
- Slower charging speeds
Samsung Galaxy A21s
- More powerful Exynos 850 chipset
- Brighter and more vibrant display
- Faster 15W charging
- Slightly higher price
- Similar battery life to Honor 9S
- 2MP macro camera is largely ineffective
Display Comparison
The Samsung Galaxy A21s boasts a measured peak brightness of 490 nits and a 1287:1 contrast ratio, offering a more visually engaging experience than the Honor 9S, for which display specifications are not provided. While the contrast ratio is nominally the same, the higher brightness of the A21s ensures better visibility outdoors. The lack of detailed display information for the Honor 9S suggests a more basic panel, likely with lower color accuracy and viewing angles. Both devices likely utilize LCD technology, common in this price bracket.
Camera Comparison
Both devices are listed as having 'Photo / Video' capabilities, but lack specific details. Given the price point, image quality will likely be similar, relying heavily on software processing. The absence of sensor size or aperture information makes a direct comparison difficult. However, the A21s’s more powerful chipset allows for more sophisticated image processing algorithms, potentially leading to better dynamic range and noise reduction. The inclusion of a 2MP macro camera on the A21s is unlikely to significantly impact overall camera performance, serving more as a marketing feature than a practical improvement.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Samsung Galaxy A21s’s Exynos 850 (8nm) utilizes Cortex-A55 cores across all eight threads, representing a generational improvement in efficiency and performance over the Honor 9S’s MediaTek Helio P22 (12nm) and its mix of Cortex-A53 cores. The 8nm fabrication process of the Exynos 850 allows for higher transistor density and lower power consumption, resulting in better sustained performance and reduced thermal throttling. While both CPUs have four cores clocked at 2.0 GHz, the architectural improvements in the A55 cores give the A21s a clear edge in real-world usage.
Battery Life
Both the Honor 9S and Samsung Galaxy A21s achieve an endurance rating of 119 hours, indicating comparable battery life under similar usage conditions. However, the Galaxy A21s supports 15W wired charging, a significant advantage over the Honor 9S, which likely offers slower charging speeds. This means the A21s can replenish its battery more quickly, minimizing downtime and providing greater convenience.
Buying Guide
Buy the Honor 9S if your primary need is a very basic smartphone for essential tasks like calls, texts, and light social media, and you prioritize absolute affordability. Buy the Samsung Galaxy A21s if you value a more fluid user experience, occasional gaming, and a slightly brighter, more vibrant display, and are willing to spend a little more for these improvements.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Exynos 850 in the Galaxy A21s get noticeably warm during extended gaming sessions?
While the Exynos 850 isn't a high-end gaming chip, its 8nm process and efficient core design help manage thermals reasonably well. You may experience some warmth during prolonged gaming, but it's unlikely to cause significant throttling or discomfort. The Honor 9S's Helio P22, being a less efficient chip, may throttle sooner under similar load.
❓ Is the 2MP macro camera on the Samsung Galaxy A21s worth using?
Realistically, no. 2MP macro cameras on budget phones typically lack the detail and clarity to produce truly impressive macro shots. They often serve as a marketing feature rather than a genuinely useful camera function. You'll likely get better results using the main camera and digitally zooming in.
❓ Can the Samsung Galaxy A21s handle popular games like PUBG Mobile at acceptable frame rates?
The Galaxy A21s can run PUBG Mobile, but you'll likely need to stick to medium graphics settings and a moderate frame rate (around 30fps) for a smooth experience. The Helio P22 in the Honor 9S will struggle to maintain even those settings consistently.
❓ How long does it take to fully charge the Samsung Galaxy A21s with the included 15W charger?
Expect a full charge from 0% to 100% to take approximately 2.5 to 3 hours with the 15W charger. While not the fastest charging available, it's significantly quicker than the likely slower charging speeds of the Honor 9S.
