Honor X9b vs Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra
The Verdict
Honor X9b delivers exceptional value for budget-conscious buyers with its massive 5800mAh battery, bright 2000-nit AMOLED display, and capable 108MP camera setup. Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra commands a premium price tag but justifies it through superior processing power (Snapdragon 888 vs 6 Gen 1), professional-grade telephoto lens with 10x optical zoom, 8K video recording, and more refined build quality. S21 Ultra's higher resolution display (3200x1440) and superior durability (IP68 vs IP53) separate premium positioning. However, X9b's 120Hz refresh rate and exceptional battery life make it genuinely competitive for daily tasks. Budget buyers seeking all-day performance should choose X9b, while photography enthusiasts and power users need the S21 Ultra's advanced camera system and processing capabilities.
Who Should Buy
Buy the Honor X9b if…
- →Massive 5800 mAh battery provides outstanding multi-day endurance
- →2000-nit AMOLED display brightness is excellent for outdoor use
- →108 MP main sensor captures detailed photos in good lighting
Buy the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra if…
- →100x Space Zoom with 10x optical telephoto
- →108 MP main sensor with excellent detail
- →S Pen support (first S-series to do so)
Category Scores
Pros & Cons
Honor X9b
Pros
- Massive 5800 mAh battery provides outstanding multi-day endurance
- 2000-nit AMOLED display brightness is excellent for outdoor use
- 108 MP main sensor captures detailed photos in good lighting
- Enhanced drop resistance with 2-layer glass structure
- 5G connectivity at an affordable price point
Cons
- 35W charging is slow for the large 5800 mAh battery
- 5 MP ultrawide and 2 MP macro cameras are filler
- IP53 splash resistance is basic protection
- No wireless charging
- MagicOS has some bloatware and ads
Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra
Pros
- 100x Space Zoom with 10x optical telephoto
- 108 MP main sensor with excellent detail
- S Pen support (first S-series to do so)
- 1440p 120Hz LTPO adaptive display
- 5000 mAh battery with all-day endurance
Cons
- Heavy at 227 g
- Snapdragon 888 can overheat under load
- S Pen sold separately, no silo slot
- Slow 25W charging for the class
- No charger or earbuds in the box
Full Specifications
| Spec | Honor X9b | Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra |
|---|---|---|
| Software | Android 13 (MagicOS 7.2) | Android 11, One UI 3.1 |
| Body | ||
| Weight | 185 g | 227 g |
| Material | Plastic frame, glass front (2-ply drop resistant), plastic back | Aluminum frame, Gorilla Glass Victus |
| IP rating | IP53 | IP68 |
| Dimensions | 161.5 x 74.9 x 7.98 mm | 165.1 x 75.6 x 8.9 mm |
| Camera | ||
| Main camera | 108 MP, f/1.75, PDAF | 108 MP, f/1.8, OIS |
| Front camera | 16 MP, f/2.5 | 40 MP, f/2.2 |
| Macro | 2 MP, f/2.4 | — |
| Video | 4K@30fps | 8K@24fps, 4K@60fps |
| Ultrawide | 5 MP, f/2.2 | 12 MP, f/2.2 |
| Periscope | — | 10 MP, f/4.9, 10x optical zoom |
| Telephoto | — | 10 MP, f/2.4, 3x optical zoom |
| Memory | ||
| RAM | 8 GB / 12 GB | 12 GB |
| Storage options | 256 GB | 128 GB, 256 GB, 512 GB |
| Battery | ||
| Capacity | 5800 mAh | 5000 mAh |
| Charging | 35W wired | 25W wired |
| Wireless charging | No | 15W wireless |
| Display | ||
| Size | 6.78 inches | 6.8 inches |
| Type | AMOLED | Dynamic AMOLED 2X, LTPO |
| Resolution | 2436 x 1116 | 3200 x 1440 |
| Refresh rate | 120Hz | 120Hz |
| Brightness (nits) | 2000 | 1500 |
| Processor | ||
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.2 GHz + 4x1.8 GHz) | Octa-core (1x2.84 GHz + 3x2.42 GHz + 4x1.8 GHz) |
| GPU | Adreno 710 | Adreno 660 |
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 | Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 |
| Connectivity | ||
| 5G | ||
| NFC | ||
| USB | USB-C 2.0 | USB-C 3.2 |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 5 | Wi-Fi 6 |
| Bluetooth | 5.1 | 5.2 |
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This comparison is based on verified manufacturer specifications covering display, performance, camera, battery, and build quality. Scores are generated by analyzing specs across weighted categories on a 10-point scale. Learn more about our methodology.
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