1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 5G | Xiaomi 12 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 151.7 × 71.2 × 7.9 mm | 152.7 × 69.9 × 8.2 mm | Slightly different dimensions. S21 is a bit wider, Xiaomi 12 slightly thicker. Impact on handling is marginal. |
| Weight | 169g | 179g | S21 is 10g lighter, which might be noticeable during extended use and makes it slightly more comfortable to hold for longer. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.2" | 6.28" | Negligible difference in screen size, no practical impact. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2400 | Identical sharpness, both offer crisp and clear visuals. |
| PPI | 421 | 419 | Virtually identical pixel density, no visible difference in sharpness. |
| Technology | AMOLED | AMOLED | Both offer vibrant colors, deep blacks, and excellent contrast. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | Smooth scrolling and animations, making the user experience fluid. |
| Brightness | 1300 nits | 1100 nits | S21 offers slightly better visibility in very bright outdoor conditions. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Exynos 2100 (5 nm) | Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 (4 nm) | Xiaomi 12 has a newer and more powerful chipset, leading to faster app loading, smoother multitasking and better gaming performance. |
| AnTuTu Score | 749,100 | 1,150,831 | Xiaomi 12 has a significant performance advantage, noticeable in demanding tasks. |
| GPU | Mali-G78 MP14 | Adreno 730 | Xiaomi 12's Adreno 730 provides superior graphics performance, especially for gaming. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 4000mAh | 4500mAh | Xiaomi 12 likely offers longer battery life, reducing the need for frequent charging. |
| Charging | 25W fast charging | 67W fast charging | Xiaomi 12 charges significantly faster, reducing charging time. |
| Wireless Charging | 15W | 50W | Xiaomi 12 charges wirelessly much faster, more convenient. |
| Reverse Wireless Charging | 4.5W | 10W | Xiaomi 12 can charge other devices faster using wireless charging. |
| Camera | |||
| Standard Camera | 12MP, f/1.8, 1/1.76", Sony IMX555, 1.80µm | 50MP, f/1.88, 1/1.56", Sony IMX766, 1.00µm | Xiaomi 12 has higher resolution and a larger sensor, potentially better detail and low-light performance, while S21 has a wider aperture. |
| Telephoto/Portrait | 64MP, f/2.0, 1/1.72", Samsung S5KGW2, 0.80µm | None | S21 has a dedicated telephoto lens for better zoom and portrait shots. |
| Wide Angle | None | 13MP, f/2.4 | Xiaomi 12 has a dedicated wide-angle lens for capturing more in a single frame. |
| Macro | None | 5MP, f/2.4 | Xiaomi 12 offers a dedicated macro lens for close-up photography. |
| Wide Angle + Macro | 12.2MP, f/2.2, 1/2.55", Sony IMX563, 1.40µm | None | S21 has a dedicated wide angle + Macro lens |
| Selfie Camera | 10MP, f/2.2, 1/3.2", Sony IMX374, 1.22µm | 32MP, 1/3.14", Samsung JD1, 0.70µm | Xiaomi 12 has much higher resolution for selfies. |
| Video | Up to 8K@24fps | Up to 8K@24fps | Both offer high-quality video recording, but Xiaomi 12 has better slow-motion. |
| DxOMark (Mobile) | Main: 111, Photo: 118, Video: 90 | Main: 113, Photo: 118, Video: 121 | Xiaomi 12 has better video performance, while photo performance is similar. S21 Selfie performance is good. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 (upgradable to 15) | Android 12 | Xiaomi 12 has a newer base Android version. S21 upgradable to 15. |
| Connectivity | |||
| WiFi | WiFi 6 (802.11ax), Dual-band | WiFi 6 (802.11ax), Dual-band, WiFi MiMO | Both support fast WiFi, Xiaomi 12 has MiMO. |
| Bluetooth | 5.0, LE, A2DP, etc. | 5.2, LE, A2DP, etc. | Xiaomi 12 has a newer Bluetooth version. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, etc. | A-GPS, GLONASS, etc., incl. QZSS, NavIC | Xiaomi 12 has broader support for satellite systems for more accurate location. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 128/256 GB | 128/256 GB | Same storage options are available for both phones. |
| RAM | 8 GB | 8/12 GB | Xiaomi 12 can be configured with 12GB RAM, offering smoother multitasking. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone supports expandable storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Dolby Atmos, Stereo Speakers | Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res Audio, Stereo Speakers | Xiaomi 12 has enhanced audio, hi-res and better microphones. |
| Security | |||
| Features | Basic fingerprint sensor | Basic fingerprint sensor | Both use fingerprint sensors for basic security. |
| Build | |||
| Screen Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus | Both use Corning Gorilla Glass Victus for protection. |
| Sensors | |||
| Features | Biometric: Fingerprint; Proximity, Barometer, Hall, Geomagnetic, Motion: Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope; | Biometric: Fingerprint; Motion: Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope; RGB, Ultrasonic proximity virtual | S21 has additional Environmental sensors, Xiaomi 12 has additional RGB, and Ultrasonic proximity sensor. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy S21 5G Advantages:
- Brighter Display: 200 nits higher peak brightness for better outdoor visibility.
- Telephoto Lens: Offers dedicated telephoto lens for superior zoom capabilities and portrait mode shots.
- Additional Sensors: Barometer and Hall sensors, plus Geomagnetic.
- Wireless Charging: Offers 15W wireless charging and reverse wireless charging at 4.5W, if you prefer.
- Selfie Camera Performance: DxOMark scores show selfie camera performance.
Xiaomi 12 Advantages:
- Significantly More Powerful Chipset: Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 offers much better performance in CPU and GPU tasks (54% in Antutu), noticeably faster in demanding tasks.
- Larger Battery: 500mAh larger capacity, likely offering better battery life.
- Faster Charging: 67W wired and 50W wireless charging, dramatically reducing charging times.
- Superior Video Performance: Higher score on DxOMark video test, indicates higher video quality.
- Better Audio Quality: Hi-Res audio and an improved microphone system for better audio clarity.
- Wide Angle & Macro: Dedicated camera lenses for more shooting flexibility.
- More RAM option: 12 GB RAM for improved multitasking and gaming performance.
- Newer Bluetooth Version: Better and more efficient Bluetooth.
- Broader GPS support: More satellite systems for more accurate location.
Trade-offs:
- The Samsung S21 has a telephoto lens but the Xiaomi has wide and macro lenses for more flexibility.
- The Xiaomi 12 has significantly faster charging, but the Samsung S21 has 15W wireless charging.
- The S21 has a brighter screen, but the Xiaomi 12 has better audio and video performance.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy S21 5G is Ideal For:
- Users who value screen brightness: If you spend a lot of time outdoors, this phone has an edge.
- Users who prioritize zoom capabilities: The dedicated telephoto lens is better for zoomed shots.
- Users who take lots of selfies: The Selfie camera has a good DxO score, and may be better for you.
- Users who don't need the latest gaming performance: Still a good phone, but not the fastest.
- Users who prefer Samsung's One UI: If you like Samsung's ecosystem and UI.
Specific Use Cases:
- Outdoor photography where bright screen visibility is important
- Users who need better portrait and zoom photography.
- Users who prioritize using Samsung's UI and apps.
- Everyday users who don't need the most powerful processor.
Xiaomi 12 is Ideal For:
- Performance Enthusiasts: Users who need top-tier processing for gaming and heavy tasks.
- Users who want great battery life & fast charging: The larger battery and faster charging speed make this suitable for heavy users.
- Video Enthusiasts: DxOMark score indicates a superior video performance.
- Users who want wide-angle and macro lens flexibility: If you like different perspectives when shooting pictures.
- Users who prefer a more stock Android experience: MIUI is less customized than Samsung's One UI.
Specific Use Cases:
- Mobile gamers who need maximum performance and sustained gaming.
- Users who often record video, and want good quality.
- Users who value long battery life and fast charging for a day of heavy use.
- Photography enthusiasts who want creative lens flexibility with Wide Angle & Macro.
- Users that prefer a closer-to-stock Android experience.
Price-to-Value:
- Both phones may be found at a similar price on the used market but the Xiaomi 12 usually has a slight premium. The Xiaomi 12 provides more features overall, so it is likely to have the better value for money.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions to Consider:
- Performance Needs: Do you need the best performance for gaming or demanding apps, or is good enough sufficient?
- Camera Preferences: Do you prioritize telephoto zoom, or wide-angle/macro lenses? How important are Selfie scores to you?
- Battery and Charging: Is longer battery life and fast charging more important to you than 15W Wireless charging?
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Heavy Mobile Gamer: Choose the Xiaomi 12 for its superior performance and the 12GB RAM option.
- Scenario 2: Casual User who Likes Taking Zoomed Pictures: Choose the Samsung S21 for its telephoto lens, a balanced choice with a good screen.
- Scenario 3: Power User On-The-Go: Choose the Xiaomi 12 for faster charging, better battery and superior video.
- Scenario 4: Someone Who Takes Lots Of Selfies: The Samsung S21 is preferable due to the selfie rating on DxOMark
My Choice
I would choose the Xiaomi 12. While the Samsung Galaxy S21 5G has a slightly brighter screen and a telephoto camera, the Xiaomi 12 offers a more compelling overall package for my use case. The significantly more powerful processor (Snapdragon 8 Gen 1), larger battery with faster charging capabilities, superior video performance, and the inclusion of wide-angle/macro lenses make it a more versatile and future-proof device for me.
The performance boost would be particularly noticeable in day-to-day use and when playing demanding games, which I value. The faster charging and larger battery would allow me to worry less about power management, while the wide-angle lens gives me more flexibility when taking pictures. While I value good selfies, I appreciate the extra features the Xiaomi brings to the table overall, as it's a better all-round device. Although the price is usually slightly higher than the S21, I consider it worth it for the overall benefits, and it will likely last longer due to the newer technology.
