Smartphone Comparison: Samsung Galaxy S21 5G vs. Xiaomi 12 Pro
1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 5G | Xiaomi 12 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Launch Date | 2021-01-29 | 2021-12-31 | Xiaomi 12 Pro is newer by approximately 11 months, indicating potentially more modern features and software. |
| Dimensions | 151.7 × 71.2 × 7.9 mm | 163.6 × 74.6 × 8.2 mm | Xiaomi 12 Pro is larger and may be less comfortable for one-handed use. |
| Weight | 169g | 204g | Samsung S21 is significantly lighter, making it more portable and comfortable for extended use. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.2" | 6.73" | Xiaomi 12 Pro offers a larger screen, better for media consumption and multitasking. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1440x3200 | Xiaomi 12 Pro has a noticeably sharper display with more detail. |
| Pixel Density (PPI) | 421 | 521 | Xiaomi 12 Pro provides a clearer and more detailed viewing experience. |
| Technology | AMOLED | AMOLED | Both provide vibrant colors and deep blacks typical of AMOLED screens. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | Both provide smooth scrolling and animations. |
| Brightness | 1300 nits | 1500 nits | Xiaomi 12 Pro is better suited for outdoor use with higher peak brightness. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Exynos 2100 (5 nm) | Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 (4 nm) | Xiaomi 12 Pro has a newer, more powerful processor, resulting in faster app loading and better performance. |
| AnTuTu Score | 749,100 | 1,177,498 | Xiaomi 12 Pro demonstrates substantially better performance for gaming and intensive tasks. |
| GPU | Mali-G78 MP14 | Adreno 730 | Xiaomi 12 Pro's GPU is significantly more powerful, providing superior gaming performance. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera Resolution | 12MP | 50MP | Xiaomi 12 Pro captures much more detailed images with its higher resolution main sensor. |
| Main Camera Aperture | f/1.8 | f/1.9 | Samsung S21 captures slightly more light in low-light scenarios. |
| Main Camera Sensor Size | 1/1.76" | 1/1.28" | Xiaomi 12 Pro's larger sensor typically means better low-light performance. |
| Telephoto/Portrait Camera | Samsung Galaxy S21 5G (64MP) | Xiaomi 12 Pro (None) | Samsung Galaxy S21 5G offers dedicated telephoto lens for portraits and zoomed shots. |
| Wide Angle Camera | Samsung Galaxy S21 5G (None) | Xiaomi 12 Pro (50MP) | Xiaomi 12 Pro captures a wider field of view for landscapes and group photos. |
| Portrait Mode (depth) Camera | Samsung Galaxy S21 5G (None) | Xiaomi 12 Pro (50MP) | Xiaomi 12 Pro has a dedicated sensor for depth information, better portraits. |
| Wide Angle + Macro Camera | Samsung Galaxy S21 5G (12.2MP) | Xiaomi 12 Pro (None) | Samsung Galaxy S21 5G has a dedicated wide and macro lens. |
| Selfie Camera Resolution | 10MP | 32MP | Xiaomi 12 Pro captures much more detailed selfies with higher resolution. |
| Video Recording | Up to 8K@24fps | Up to 8K@24fps | Both offer similar high-resolution video recording capabilities. |
| DxOMark Mobile Score | 111 | 129 | Xiaomi 12 Pro has superior image quality across still photos and video according to DxOMark benchmarks. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 4000mAh | 4600mAh | Xiaomi 12 Pro provides a larger battery, extending usage time between charges. |
| Charging | 25W Fast Charging | 120W Fast Charging | Xiaomi 12 Pro charges much faster, minimizing downtime. |
| Wireless Charging | 15W | 50W | Xiaomi 12 Pro has significantly faster wireless charging capability. |
| Reverse Charging | 4.5W | 10W | Xiaomi 12 Pro can charge other devices faster through reverse wireless charging. |
| Charger in-box | No | Yes | Xiaomi 12 Pro provides a charger out-of-box, while the Samsung does not. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 | Android 12 | Xiaomi 12 Pro has newer base Android version, with potential for additional features and longer support. |
| Max OS Version | 15 | Samsung Galaxy S21 5G will get 4 major OS upgrades while Xiaomi's is not mentioned. | |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6 | Wi-Fi 6 | Both offer the latest Wi-Fi standards for high-speed connectivity. |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 | 5.2 | Xiaomi 12 Pro has a newer Bluetooth version for better stability and battery efficiency. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo, GPS (L1+L5), Galileo (E1+E5a) | A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (L1), BeiDou (B1), Galileo (E1+E5a), BeiDou (B2), NavIC System, QZSS (L1 + L5) | Xiaomi 12 Pro offers a broader range of satellite support, potentially offering better location accuracy. |
| SIM | Dual SIM | Dual SIM | Both offer dual SIM functionality. |
| Storage & RAM | |||
| Internal Storage | 128GB/256GB | 128GB/256GB | Both offer identical storage options. |
| RAM | 8GB | 8GB/12GB | Xiaomi 12 Pro offers a higher RAM option, which will be better for heavier users. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone offers expandable storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Audio Features | Dolby Atmos, Stereo Speakers, Noise Cancellation Mic | Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res Audio, Stereo Speakers, 2 microphones | Xiaomi 12 Pro offers slightly enhanced audio capabilities and better voice recording. |
| Security | |||
| Security | basic fingerprint sensor | basic fingerprint sensor | Both offer standard biometric fingerprint security. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus | Both offer identical screen protection. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Biometric: Fingerprint; Proximity: Proximity; Motion: Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope; Environmental: Barometer | Biometric: Fingerprint; Motion: Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope; Environmental: Barometer; Proximity: Ultrasonic proximity virtual | Xiaomi 12 Pro offers a more diverse sensor suite, including an Ultrasonic Proximity sensor. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy S21 5G Advantages:
- Lighter and More Compact: Its smaller size and lower weight make it easier to handle and more pocketable, especially for smaller hands.
- Telephoto Lens: Dedicated telephoto lens allows for better zoomed shots, a feature missing on the Xiaomi.
- Wide angle + Macro lens: Dedicated lens allows for wider shots and close up photos.
- Guaranteed OS Updates: Will get up to Android 15.
Xiaomi 12 Pro Advantages:
- Superior Performance: The Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 chipset provides significantly better performance, especially for gaming and demanding apps.
- Larger and Sharper Display: Its higher resolution, larger display, and brighter screen make for a better multimedia experience.
- Faster Charging: 120W wired and 50W wireless charging are significantly faster, making for less downtime.
- Larger Battery: Its larger battery capacity offers potentially better battery life.
- More Advanced Camera System: Boasts a larger main sensor, a dedicated wide-angle camera and depth camera, resulting in better image quality.
- Better Audio: Enhanced audio features with higher spatial audio quality and better voice recording.
- Newer Android Version: Ships with a newer base Android version.
Trade-offs:
- Size vs. Portability: Xiaomi 12 Pro offers superior features but is larger and heavier. Samsung S21 is more portable but less feature rich.
- Camera versatility: Samsung offers dedicated telephoto and macro camera lenses, but the main camera performance is inferior to the Xiaomi 12 Pro.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Ideal User for Samsung Galaxy S21 5G:
- Users who prefer a smaller, more portable phone
- Users who value a dedicated telephoto and macro lenses
- Users who want a phone for general use and less demanding tasks
- Users who prioritize guaranteed software updates.
Use Cases for Samsung Galaxy S21 5G:
- Everyday use for browsing, social media, and communication.
- Occasional photography with the flexibility of a dedicated telephoto lens.
- Users who prioritize a smaller, easier to handle form factor.
Ideal User for Xiaomi 12 Pro:
- Power users who prioritize top-tier performance and gaming.
- Users who consume a lot of multimedia content.
- Photography enthusiasts who want a more advanced camera system.
- Users who prioritize fast charging and battery life.
Use Cases for Xiaomi 12 Pro:
- Gaming and graphic-intensive applications.
- High-quality photography and videography.
- Heavy multitasking and demanding productivity tasks.
- Users who need a phone that charges quickly and has extended battery life.
Price-to-Value Ratio:
- The Xiaomi 12 Pro generally offers a better price-to-value ratio given it's significantly better performance.
- The Samsung Galaxy S21 5G may be a better value if the user priorities portability and a dedicated telephoto lens.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- Performance Priority: How important is top-tier performance and gaming to your usage?
- Size and Portability: Do you prefer a smaller, more portable phone, or are you okay with a larger device for better features?
- Camera Needs: Do you prioritize a dedicated telephoto and macro lenses, or overall better image quality and a wider field of view?
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Gaming and Performance Enthusiast: Choose the Xiaomi 12 Pro for its superior processing power and overall performance.
- Scenario 2: Portability and Everyday Use: Choose the Samsung Galaxy S21 5G for its more compact form factor and suitability for general use.
- Scenario 3: Mobile Photographer (with Zoom): Choose the Samsung Galaxy S21 5G for its versatile dedicated lenses, even though its main camera is not as impressive.
- Scenario 4: Mobile Photographer (no Zoom): Choose the Xiaomi 12 Pro for the better overall image quality and wider field of view.
- Scenario 5: Heavy Multimedia User: Choose the Xiaomi 12 Pro for its larger, sharper display and faster charging.
My Choice
If I had to choose, I would pick the Xiaomi 12 Pro. While I appreciate the portability of the Samsung S21 5G, the significant performance boost, larger and better display, much faster charging and overall superior camera system of the Xiaomi 12 Pro are too compelling to ignore. As a user who often games and takes a lot of photos, the advantages of the 12 Pro align more with my usage patterns, and the trade-off in size is acceptable for me given the overall benefit of the phone. The better audio and longer battery life is an additional bonus as well. I would value the better overall user experience compared to the Samsung S21 5G.
