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Huawei has had a rough go-of-it for the last couple of years, with its inability to use Google Play Services on any of its flagship devices. This is really a shame when it comes to a smartphone like the Huawei Mate 40 Pro, which features some of the best hardware that we’ve ever seen.
Samsung has really swung for the fences with the Galaxy S21 Ultra, making this the cream of the crop for 2021. You’re going to get the biggest display with a QHD+ display, along with a 120Hz adaptive refresh rate, and support for the ultra-popular S Pen.
Samsung Galaxy S21 versus S21+ & S21 Ultra: which one should you buy?
Under the hood, we have the Snapdragon 888 paired with either 12GB or 16GB of RAM and up to 512GB of storage. Compared to the Mate 40 Pro, Huawei included its own Kirin 9000 chipset, along with 8GB of RAM and 256GB or 512GB of storage.
The S21 Ultra also gets the nod in terms of the battery, with its 5,000mAh cell, although the Mate 40 Pro features faster 66W charging speeds. When it comes to cameras, both of these are equipped with fantastic sensors, although the S21 Ultra features a total of four cameras on the back, compared to the three cameras of the Mate 40 Pro.
Perhaps the biggest difference, more than the technology being used, has to do with Google Play Services. Samsung and Google announced a new partnership bringing Google’s Messaging app and Duo to the S21 lineup. Meanwhile, in order to even download any apps from the Play Store on the Mate 40 Pro requires a rather exhaustive process.
These are both great devices, but the Galaxy S21 Ultra is clearly the way to go for anyone wanting the best that Android has to offer.
Galaxy S21 Ultra vs Mate 40 Pro Spec Comparison
| Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra | Huawei Mate 40 Pro | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $1199 | € 1199 |
| Screen size | 6.8-inches | 6.76-inches |
| Resolution | 3200×1440 | 2772×1344 |
| Density | 515 ppi | 456 ppi |
| Processor | Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 | Kirin 9000 |
| RAM | 12 /16GB | 8GB |
| Storage | 128/256/512 GB | 256/512 GB |
| Battery | 5000 mAh | 4400 mAh |
| OS | Android 11 | Android 11 |
| Rear camera | Quad-cameras: 108MP Phase Detection AF, OIS, F1.8, 0.8µm 12MP Dual Pixel AF, FOV 120°, F2.2, 1.4µm (ultrawide), 10MP Dual Pixel AF, Optical 3x, OIS, F2.4, 1.22µm (telephoto),: 10MP Dual Pixel AF, Optical 10x, OIS, F4.9, 1.22µm (telephoto) |
Triple cameras: 50 MP, f/1.9, 23mm (main), 1/1.28″, 1.22µm, omnidirectional PDAF, Laser AF 12 MP, f/3.4, 125mm ( telephoto), PDAF, OIS, 5x optical zoom 20 MP, f/1.8, 18mm (ultrawide), PDAF |
| Front camera | 40MP Phase Detection AF, FOV 80°, F2.2, 0.7 µm | 13 MP, f/2.4, 18mm (main) TOF 3D, (depth/biometrics sensor) |
| Bluetooth | v5.1 | v5.2 |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Dimensions | 75.6 x 165.1 x 8.9mm | 162.9 x 75.5 x 9.1 mm |
| Weight | 229g | 212g |
| Water Resistance | IP68 | IP68 |
| Wireless Charging | Yes | Yes |
| Special features | 25W fast charging, 15W wireless charging, 120Hz dynamic refresh display, mmWave & Sub6 5G, Wi-fi 6E, ultrasonic fingerprint sensor, Ultra Wide Band, S Pen support, 8K video capture | 66W fast charging, 50W fast wireless charging, reverse wireless charging, 90Hz refresh rate, in-display fingerprint sensor, secure face unlock, mmWave & Sub6 5G, Wi-fi 6 |
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