The Honor View40 and Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G represent distinct approaches to the flagship smartphone experience. The View40, powered by the Mediatek Dimensity 1000+, aimed to deliver premium features at a more accessible price point. The S21 Ultra, with its Snapdragon 888 or Exynos 2100, doubled down on cutting-edge technology and a comprehensive feature set. This comparison dissects their strengths and weaknesses to determine which device offers the best value.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing camera versatility and long-term software support, the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G is the superior choice. However, the Honor View40’s blazing-fast 66W charging and competitive performance make it a compelling option for those seeking a high-value flagship.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1800 / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | LTE | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 14, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 30, 38, 39, 40, 41, 46, 48, 66, 71 - SM-G998U1 |
| 5G bands | SA/NSA | 2, 5, 25, 41, 66, 71, 260, 261 SA/NSA/Sub6/mmWave - SM-G998U1 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (7CA) Cat20 2000/200 Mbps, 5G (5+ Gbps DL) |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G |
| | - | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 77, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6 - SM-G998B |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2021, January 22 | 2021, January 14 |
| Status | Cancelled | Available. Released 2021, January 29 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front (Gorilla Glass Victus), glass back (Gorilla Glass Victus), aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | 163.1 x 74.3 x 8 mm (6.42 x 2.93 x 0.31 in) | 165.1 x 75.6 x 8.9 mm (6.5 x 2.98 x 0.35 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | · Nano-SIM + eSIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM + eSIM (max 2 at a time) |
| Weight | 189 g (6.67 oz) | 227 g (Sub6), 229 g (mmWave) (8.01 oz) |
| | - | IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 min)
Stylus support |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus |
| Resolution | 1236 x 2676 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~439 ppi density) | 1440 x 3200 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~515 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.72 inches, 110.9 cm2 (~91.5% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.8 inches, 112.1 cm2 (~89.8% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | AMOLED, 1B colors, HDR10, 120Hz, 800 nits (peak) | Dynamic AMOLED 2X, 120Hz, HDR10+, 1500 nits (peak) |
| | Always-on display | Always-on display |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.6 GHz Cortex-A77 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (1x2.9 GHz Cortex-X1 & 3x2.80 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x2.2 GHz Cortex-A55) - InternationalOcta-core (1x2.84 GHz Cortex-X1 & 3x2.42 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A55) - USA/China |
| Chipset | Mediatek Dimensity 1000+ (7 nm) | Exynos 2100 (5 nm) - InternationalQualcomm SM8350 Snapdragon 888 5G (5 nm) - USA/China |
| GPU | Mali-G77 MC9 | Mali-G78 MP14 - InternationalAdreno 660 - USA/China |
| OS | Android 10, with Google Play Services (unconfirmed) | Android 11, up to 4 major Android upgrades, One UI 6.1 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | No | No |
| Internal | 256GB 8GB RAM | 128GB 8GB RAM, 128GB 12GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 256GB 16GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 16GB RAM |
| | UFS 2.1 | UFS 3.1
|
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | Laser AF, LED flash, panorama, HDR | Laser AF, LED flash, auto-HDR, panorama |
| Quad | - | 108 MP, f/1.8, 24mm (wide), 1/1.33", 0.8µm, PDAF, OIS
10 MP, f/2.4, 72mm (telephoto), 1/3.24", 1.22µm, dual pixel PDAF, OIS, 3x optical zoom
10 MP, f/4.9, 240mm (periscope telephoto), 1/3.24", 1.22µm, dual pixel PDAF, OIS, 10x optical zoom
12 MP, f/2.2, 13mm (ultrawide), 1/2.55", 1.4µm, dual pixel PDAF, Super Steady video |
| Triple | 50 MP, f/1.9, (wide), 1/1.56", 1.0µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.4, 120˚, 17mm (ultrawide)
2 MP (macro) | - |
| Video | 4K, 1080p, 720p@1920fps, HDR, gyro-EIS | 8K@24fps, 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps, HDR10+, stereo sound rec., gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Dual | 16 MP, f/2.0, (wide)
Color spectrum sensor | - |
| Features | HDR | HDR |
| Single | - | 40 MP, f/2.2, 26mm (wide), 1/2.8", 0.7µm, PDAF |
| Video | 1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS | 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | No | No |
| 35mm jack | No | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| | - | 32-bit/384kHz audio
Tuned by AKG |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.1, A2DP, LE | 5.2, A2DP, LE |
| Infrared port | Yes | - |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO, QZSS | GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO |
| Radio | No | FM radio (Snapdragon model only; market/operator dependent) |
| USB | USB Type-C, OTG | USB Type-C 3.2, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (under display, ultrasonic), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer |
| | - | Samsung DeX, Samsung Wireless DeX (desktop experience support)
Bixby natural language commands and dictation
Samsung Pay (Visa, MasterCard certified)
Ultra Wideband (UWB) support |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 66W wired, 60% in 15 min, 100% in 35 min
50W wireless, 50% in 35 min
5W reverse wired | 25W wired, PD3.0
15W wireless (Qi)
4.5W reverse wireless |
| Type | Li-Po 4000 mAh | Li-Ion 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Midnight Black, Rose Gold, Titanium Silver | Phantom Black, Phantom Silver, Phantom Titanium, Phantom Navy, Phantom Brown, Navy |
| Models | - | SM-G998B, SM-G998B/DS, SM-G998U, SM-G998U1, SM-G998W, SM-G998N, SM-G9980 |
| Price | - | $ 240.01 / C$ 353.20 / £ 202.99 / € 264.99 |
| SAR | - | 0.77 W/kg (head) 1.02 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | - | 0.71 W/kg (head) 1.58 W/kg (body) |
| Pricing |
|---|
| 128GB 12GB RAM | - | $ 384.99 |
| 256GB 12GB RAM | - | $ 998.00 |
| 512GB 12GB RAM | - | $ 1,179.99 |
| RENEWED | - | $ 459.00 |
| Tests |
|---|
| Battery life | - |
Endurance rating 114h
|
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker | - |
-25.5 LUFS (Very good)
|
| Performance | - |
AnTuTu: 657150 (v8)
GeekBench: 3518 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 33fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
Honor View40
- Incredibly fast 66W wired charging
- Competitive performance with Dimensity 1000+
- 50W wireless charging offers fast wireless top-ups
- Chipset is less powerful than Snapdragon 888/Exynos 2100
- Likely limited software update support compared to Samsung
Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G
- Superior camera system with versatile zoom capabilities
- Brighter and more color-accurate display
- Powerful Snapdragon 888 or Exynos 2100 chipset
- Slower 25W wired charging
- Higher price point
Display Comparison
The Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra boasts a significantly brighter display, reaching a measured 1023 nits, compared to the Honor View40’s unspecified peak brightness. While the View40’s display quality is likely good, the S21 Ultra’s higher peak brightness ensures excellent visibility in direct sunlight. Both displays feature an 'Infinite' contrast ratio (Samsung) suggesting excellent black levels, but the S21 Ultra’s panel likely benefits from LTPO technology for adaptive refresh rates, potentially improving battery efficiency. Bezels are likely comparable, but Samsung’s display is generally considered best-in-class.
Camera Comparison
The Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra’s camera system is a clear standout. While both phones offer a 'Photo / Video' capability, the S21 Ultra’s larger sensors and advanced image processing algorithms provide superior image quality, particularly in low-light conditions. The S21 Ultra’s versatility, with multiple telephoto lenses, allows for greater zoom capabilities than the View40. The View40’s camera is likely competent, but lacks the refinement and feature set of Samsung’s flagship. Ignoring the likely inclusion of a 2MP macro lens on both devices, the S21 Ultra’s main sensor size and OIS implementation are key differentiators.
Performance
The Galaxy S21 Ultra’s chipset – either the Exynos 2100 (international) or Snapdragon 888 (USA/China) – built on a 5nm process, offers a clear architectural advantage over the Honor View40’s 7nm Dimensity 1000+. The S21 Ultra’s Cortex-X1 prime core, clocked at 2.9 GHz (or 2.84 GHz in the US/China variant), provides a substantial performance boost in single-threaded tasks. While the Dimensity 1000+ is no slouch, the Snapdragon/Exynos combination delivers superior GPU performance and sustained performance due to better thermal management. The S21 Ultra also benefits from faster LPDDR5 RAM, contributing to snappier multitasking.
Battery Life
Both phones achieve an endurance rating of 114 hours, suggesting comparable battery life under similar usage scenarios. However, the Honor View40’s 66W wired charging is a game-changer, achieving 60% charge in just 15 minutes and 100% in 35 minutes. The S21 Ultra’s 25W charging, while supporting PD3.0, is significantly slower. The View40 also offers 50W wireless charging, dwarfing the S21 Ultra’s 15W Qi wireless charging. While the S21 Ultra’s battery life is respectable, the View40’s charging speed provides a significant convenience advantage.
Buying Guide
Buy the Honor View40 if you need incredibly fast charging – 66W is significantly quicker than the S21 Ultra’s 25W – and prioritize a smooth user experience for everyday tasks and moderate gaming. Buy the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G if you demand the most versatile camera system, a brighter and more color-accurate display, and the peace of mind that comes with Samsung’s robust software update commitment.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Exynos 2100 chip in the international S21 Ultra suffer from overheating issues?
Early reports indicated some thermal throttling with the Exynos 2100, particularly during prolonged gaming sessions. Samsung addressed some of these concerns with software updates, but the Snapdragon 888 variant generally exhibits better thermal performance. The 5nm process helps mitigate heat, but demanding tasks can still lead to some throttling.
❓ Is the 2MP macro camera on either phone actually useful for taking detailed close-up shots?
Generally, 2MP macro cameras on smartphones are more of a marketing feature than a genuinely useful tool. The low resolution results in images lacking detail and sharpness. While they can capture a close-up perspective, the image quality is often subpar compared to using the main camera with digital zoom.
❓ Can the Honor View40 sustain high frame rates in demanding games like PUBG Mobile?
The Dimensity 1000+ is capable of running PUBG Mobile at high frame rates, but may require adjusting graphics settings to maintain a stable 60fps. The chipset's thermal management will play a crucial role in sustained performance. Expect some frame drops during extended gaming sessions, especially at the highest settings.
❓ How does the software update policy differ between Honor and Samsung?
Samsung is known for its commitment to long-term software support, typically offering 4 years of OS updates and 5 years of security patches for its flagship devices. Honor’s software update policy has been less consistent, and the View40 may receive fewer updates compared to the S21 Ultra. This is a significant consideration for users who prioritize software longevity.
