Galaxy S21 5G vs Huawei P40 Pro
Shop Samsung Galaxy
Galaxy S21 5G
Starting at
£171.33£1,125.00 new
Huawei P40 Pro
Starting at
£349.00What's the difference between the Galaxy S21 5G and Huawei P40 Pro?
Galaxy S21 5G vs Huawei P40 Pro comes down to the chipset, battery and screen size. Refurbished, the Galaxy S21 5G starts at £171.33, £177.67 less than the Huawei P40 Pro. The Galaxy S21 5G is the newer model, released in 2021.
Refurbished from
Chipset
Battery
Screen size
Screen type
Refresh rate
- Chipset: Exynos 2100 (5 nm), Qualcomm SM8350 Snapdragon 888 5G (5 nm) on the Galaxy S21 5G, Kirin 990 5G (7 nm+) on the Huawei P40 Pro.
- The Huawei P40 Pro has a bigger battery: 4200 mAh vs 4000 mAh.
- The Huawei P40 Pro has a bigger screen: 6.58 inch vs 6.2 inch.
Galaxy S21 5G vs Huawei P40 Pro specs
The Galaxy S21 5G and Huawei P40 Pro differ in several key areas that suit different user needs. The Huawei P40 Pro has a larger screen with higher resolution and stronger main and front cameras, ideal if you prioritise screen size and photography detail. Battery capacity is slightly larger on the Huawei. The Galaxy S21 5G supports dual physical SIM plus eSIM, while the Huawei uses dual physical SIMs and accepts Nano Memory cards for extra storage. Weight and dimensions also differ, which may influence comfort and handling. Both phones are unlocked and 5G capable, making them flexible for most users.
Galaxy S21 5G vs Huawei P40 Pro price
Colour
- GreyStarting at £171.33
- BlackStarting at £201.60
- PurpleStarting at £171.33
- SilverStarting at £171.33
- WhiteStarting at £180.33
- PinkStarting at £171.33
- BlackSold out
- BlueSold out
- SilverSold out
Storage
- 256GBSold out
Galaxy S21 5G vs Huawei P40 Pro battery life and software updates
Durability covers battery capacity, software updates, and physical design elements that affect daily use. Each device offers different strengths depending on what durability means to you.
Battery Capacity
The Huawei P40 Pro has a 4200 mAh battery, which is slightly larger than the Galaxy S21 5G's 4000 mAh. This means the Huawei could provide longer usage between charges, useful if you often use your phone heavily throughout the day. The Galaxy's battery still offers solid endurance for typical daily use.
Battery
Fast charging
Foldable
Ip rating
Software updates
Wireless charging
Year of release
Galaxy S21 5G vs Huawei P40 Pro performance
Performance depends on the chipset, RAM, and storage options. Both phones have 8 GB of RAM which supports smooth multitasking and everyday apps well.
Chipset Technology
The Galaxy S21 5G uses newer 5 nm chipsets, either the Exynos 2100 or Snapdragon 888, which offer efficient and powerful processing. The Huawei P40 Pro uses the Kirin 990 5G chipset built on 7 nm+ technology. Users who prioritise the latest processing tech may lean towards the Galaxy.
Storage Options
The Galaxy S21 5G comes in 128GB and 256GB versions, giving you a choice of storage sizes. The Huawei P40 Pro is stocked here with 256GB. The Huawei also supports NM (Nano Memory) cards, letting you expand storage if you want more space for files or apps.
Chipset
RAM
Galaxy S21 5G vs Huawei P40 Pro screen
Screen quality affects how you view content and interact with your phone. Differences in size, resolution, and refresh rate shape your experience.
Screen Size and Resolution
The Huawei P40 Pro has a larger 6.58 inch screen with a higher resolution of 1200 x 2640 pixels, offering more room and sharper detail for videos and browsing. The Galaxy S21 5G has a 6.2 inch screen at 1080 x 2400 pixels, which is still good for everyday viewing but more compact.
Refresh Rate
The Galaxy S21 5G offers a 120 Hz refresh rate, making animations and scrolling appear smoother. This suits users who want fluid visuals for gaming, social media, or general use. The Huawei P40 Pro has a 90 Hz refresh rate, which is still smooth but less so than the Galaxy.
Screen Type
The Galaxy uses Dynamic AMOLED 2X technology, known for vibrant colours and brightness. The Huawei uses OLED, which also delivers rich colours and good contrast. Both screen types provide good viewing experiences.
Refresh rate
Resolution
Screen size
Screen type
Galaxy S21 5G vs Huawei P40 Pro camera
Camera quality is important if you take lots of photos or selfies. The main and front cameras differ notably between these phones.
Front Camera Detail
The Huawei P40 Pro has a 32 megapixel front camera, capturing more detail in selfies and video calls. This is suited to users who prioritise clear and sharp front-facing photos. The Galaxy S21 5G has a 10 megapixel front camera, which works well for everyday use.
Main Camera Resolution
The Huawei P40 Pro features a 50 megapixel main camera, ideal for capturing highly detailed photos. The Galaxy S21 5G has a 12 megapixel main camera, which still takes quality pictures but with fewer pixels for detail. Photography enthusiasts may prefer the Huawei for its higher resolution.
Front camera
Main camera
Galaxy S21 5G vs Huawei P40 Pro size and design
Other differences in size, weight, SIM and storage options can influence comfort and usability based on your preferences.
SIM and Storage Expansion
The Galaxy S21 5G supports dual physical SIMs plus eSIM, offering flexible options for managing two numbers and a digital SIM. The Huawei P40 Pro has dual physical SIM slots and supports NM (Nano Memory) cards for storage expansion, which suits users who want more space beyond built-in storage.
Size and Weight
The Huawei P40 Pro is larger and heavier at 158.2 mm tall, 9 mm deep, and 209 g, compared to the Galaxy S21 5G at 151.7 mm tall, 7.9 mm deep, and 169 g. The Galaxy is more compact and lighter, which may appeal if you prefer a smaller, easier to handle phone.
Network and Connectivity
Both phones are unlocked and support 5G networks, ensuring compatibility with modern mobile networks. Both use USB Type-C connectors for charging and data.
Carrier compatibility
Connector
Depth
Height
Mobile network
SD card slot
SIM card
Weight
Width
Galaxy S21 5G or Huawei P40 Pro: which should you buy?
Buy the Galaxy S21 5G if
- you want to spend less: it starts at £171.33, £177.67 less than the Huawei P40 Pro
- you want a smoother screen (120 Hz vs 90 Hz)
- you want a lighter build (169 g vs 209 g)
Buy the Huawei P40 Pro if
- you want a bigger battery (4200 mAh vs 4000 mAh)
- you want a bigger screen (6.58 inch vs 6.2 inch)
- you want a higher-resolution main camera (50 megapixels vs 12 megapixels)
What our customers say
Customers say the Galaxy S21 5G looks like new and is in excellent condition, with many noting the battery life is good and the device works perfectly. Buyers appreciate the dual SIM plus eSIM support and the smooth performance. Some mention minor wear on fair condition phones but overall users recommend the device for its quality and reliability. The screen and speed meet everyday needs well.
Reviews for the Huawei P40 Pro highlight its good build quality and excellent camera. However several customers warn about the lack of Google Play services which affects app availability and usability in the UK. Some find workarounds but mention possible security concerns. The phone's screen and camera impress users but issues with app compatibility and call quality are noted. Condition varies with some customers receiving phones in perfect shape and others reporting minor damage.
The Galaxy S21 5G suits those wanting up-to-date software, a compact design, and smooth visuals. The Huawei P40 Pro fits users who prioritise a larger screen and high-resolution cameras and who can manage the app ecosystem differences.
Galaxy S21 5G vs Huawei P40 Pro FAQs
Galaxy S21 5G vs Huawei P40 Pro comes down to the chipset, battery and screen size. Chipset: Exynos 2100 (5 nm), Qualcomm SM8350 Snapdragon 888 5G (5 nm) on the Galaxy S21 5G, Kirin 990 5G (7 nm+) on the Huawei P40 Pro. The Huawei P40 Pro has a bigger battery: 4200 mAh vs 4000 mAh.
The Galaxy S21 5G is cheaper refurbished, from £171.33 compared with £349 for the Huawei P40 Pro.
The Huawei P40 Pro has a bigger battery: 4200 mAh vs 4000 mAh.
The Huawei P40 Pro has a higher-resolution main camera: 50 megapixels vs 12 megapixels.
Updates for the Galaxy S21 5G ended in Feb 2026. We don't have published update dates for the Huawei P40 Pro.
Refurbished, the Galaxy S21 5G comes in 128GB and 256GB, and the Huawei P40 Pro in 256GB.
