Smartphone Comparison: Samsung Galaxy S21 5G vs. Xiaomi 12X
1. Specifications Comparison
Here's a detailed comparison of the key specifications of the Samsung Galaxy S21 5G and the Xiaomi 12X, with a focus on their practical implications:
Design
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 5G | Xiaomi 12X | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 151.7 x 71.2 x 7.9 mm | 152.7 x 69.9 x 8.2 mm | The S21 is slightly wider, while the 12X is a touch taller and thicker. In hand, differences are minimal, but the 12X might feel a little more compact due to its narrower width. |
| Weight | 169g | 176g | The S21 is 7g lighter, making it slightly more comfortable for extended holding. The weight difference is generally minimal. |
| Build | Standard | Standard | Both are standard smartphone builds. |
Display
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 5G | Xiaomi 12X | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Size | 6.2" | 6.28" | Very similar viewing areas. The 0.08" difference is almost negligible. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2400 | Both offer the same level of detail, sharpness, and clarity. |
| Pixel Density | 421 PPI | 419 PPI | Visually indistinguishable sharpness. |
| Technology | AMOLED | AMOLED | Rich colors, deep blacks, and excellent contrast on both. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | Smooth scrolling and animations on both phones, enhancing the user experience. |
| Brightness | 1300 nits | 1100 nits | The S21 has better outdoor visibility under bright sunlight. The difference is noticeable in extremely bright conditions. |
Performance
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 5G | Xiaomi 12X | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chipset | Exynos 2100 (5 nm) | Snapdragon 870 5G (7 nm) | The Snapdragon 870 in the 12X is generally considered to offer slightly better overall performance and power efficiency compared to the Exynos 2100 in the S21. This results in quicker app loading and smoother multitasking. |
| AnTuTu Score | 749,100 | 815,210 | The 12X has a 9% higher score, indicating superior overall processing capability. Real-world impact will be more responsiveness during heavy tasks like gaming. |
| GPU | Mali-G78 MP14 | Adreno 650 | The Adreno 650 GPU in the 12X is usually more performant in gaming. Games will perform better on Xiaomi. |
Battery
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 5G | Xiaomi 12X | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 4000mAh | 4500mAh | The 12X offers noticeably longer battery life per charge due to larger capacity. Users will experience more usage before needing to recharge the Xiaomi. |
| Charging | 25W | 67W | The 12X charges much faster. It can significantly reduce charging time. |
| Features | Reverse charging, 15W Wireless charging, 4.5W Reverse Wireless Charging, No charger in-box | Non-removable | The S21 provides more versatile charging options, but the lack of in-box charger can be a downside. The 12X focuses on fast wired charging. |
Camera
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 5G | Xiaomi 12X | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main Camera Resolution | 12MP | 50MP | Xiaomi 12X captures images with more detail, especially in good light |
| Main Camera Aperture | f/1.8 | f/1.88 | Both are similar. S21 might perform slightly better in very low light. |
| Main Camera Sensor Size | 1/1.76" | 1/1.56" | Xiaomi 12X has a larger sensor allowing it to capture more light and detail. |
| Telephoto Camera | 64MP | None | The S21 offers optical zoom capabilities, useful for distant shots. The 12X relies on digital zoom, which can degrade quality when zoomed in more. |
| Selfie Camera Resolution | 10MP | 32MP | Xiaomi 12X will capture more detailed selfies |
| Selfie Camera Aperture | f/2.2 | f/2.45 | S21 might slightly outperform in low light selfies. |
| Selfie Camera Sensor Size | 1/3.2" | 1/3" | Xiaomi 12X will capture slightly better selfies thanks to a larger sensor size. |
| Wide Angle Camera | 12.2MP | 13MP | Xiaomi 12X captures wider perspective shots than Samsung. |
| Macro Camera | None | 5MP | Xiaomi 12X has dedicated macro sensor. |
| Video Recording | Up to 8K@24fps, various HDR modes, EIS, Stereo Sound | Up to 8K@24fps, EIS | Both offer professional-grade video, but the Samsung includes more HDR options. |
| DxOMark (Mobile) | 111 | Not Tested | S21 has a score of 111, while Xiaomi 12X hasn't been tested. The S21 might produce better quality results for the photos and videos. |
| DxOMark (Selfie) | 132 | Not Tested | S21 has a good selfie rating, but no data is available for the 12X. |
Other
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 5G | Xiaomi 12X | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Operating System | Android 11, upgradable to 15 | Android 11, No Data on Max Version | S21 gets more OS support. The 12X's long term software support is uncertain. |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6 | Wi-Fi 6 | Fast, modern Wi-Fi connectivity on both phones, but Xiaomi 12X also has Wi-Fi MIMO. |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 | 5.1 | Xiaomi 12X has newer bluetooth, which can provide more robust connection to accessories. |
| GPS | Multiple Systems | More Systems | The 12X has better location accuracy thanks to more supported satellite systems. |
| Internal Storage | 128GB/256GB | 128GB/256GB | Both have same storage options. |
| RAM | 8GB | 8GB or 12GB | The 12X offers 12GB RAM as an option, which provides smoother multitasking. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither supports expandable storage, which might be a limitation for some users. |
| Audio | Dolby Atmos, Stereo Speakers, Noise Cancellation Mic | Dolby Atmos, Stereo Speakers, Hi-Res Audio, 2 Microphones | Both have excellent audio but 12X has better audio capture, with better separation and immersion, better for music lovers. |
| Security | Fingerprint Sensor | Fingerprint Sensor | Both offer basic fingerprint security. |
| Screen Protection | Gorilla Glass Victus | Gorilla Glass Victus | Both have similar protection against scratches and drops. |
| Sensors | Comprehensive | Comprehensive | Both include necessary sensors. S21 includes additional environmental sensors. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy S21 5G Advantages:
- Brighter Display: The S21's display is noticeably brighter, especially useful outdoors.
- Telephoto Camera: Provides optical zoom for better image quality at a distance.
- Wireless Charging: Offers convenient wireless charging and reverse wireless charging.
- More software upgrades: Guaranteed to get future Android OS updates.
- More Camera features: PDAF, optical zoom.
- Additional Environmental Sensors: Barometer, Hall and Geomagnetic sensors.
Practical Implications: The S21 excels in outdoor visibility, zoom photography, and versatile charging. The additional sensors provide greater functionality.
Xiaomi 12X Advantages:
- Faster Charging: Significantly faster charging speeds, reducing downtime.
- Larger Battery: Longer battery life per charge.
- Superior Performance: The Snapdragon 870 offers more processing power.
- Larger main camera sensor: Better image quality due to sensor size.
- Higher Resolution Cameras: More details in selfies and standard photos.
- Wide Angle and Macro Lenses: Captures wider scenes and close-up details.
- More RAM: 12 GB option provides for greater multitasking.
- Better Audio Quality: Hi-Res audio, better microphone configuration for better audio quality recording and playback.
- More GPS satellites: Better location accuracy.
Practical Implications: The 12X is better for users who prioritize performance, battery life, fast charging, and camera versatility. It is more ideal for gaming and photography.
Trade-offs:
- Samsung S21: Slower charging, smaller battery, and less powerful chipset.
- Xiaomi 12X: No Telephoto camera, no wireless charging, uncertain software support.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy S21 5G is Ideal For:
- Users who value Samsung ecosystem: Those already using Samsung services will find the seamless integration appealing.
- Those who need reliable outdoor visibility: The brighter display is crucial in sunny conditions.
- Users who use zoom photography: The telephoto lens gives better quality zoomed photos.
- Users who like wireless charging: The wireless and reverse wireless charging is very convenient.
- Those who value software updates: S21 will get more OS updates than Xiaomi.
- Users who need environmental sensors: Barometer can be useful for altitude tracking.
Use Cases: Outdoor photography, extensive use in bright environments, users reliant on wireless charging and Samsung's software.
Xiaomi 12X is Ideal For:
- Power users and gamers: The better chipset and GPU provide superior performance.
- Users needing a fast charging phone: 67W charging greatly reduces charging time.
- Users with higher battery needs: The larger battery offers longer usage.
- Users who take wide and macro photos: Additional cameras allow for more versatility.
- Those who value performance over brand: The Xiaomi provides better performance for a better price.
- Users who value audio: The Hi-Res audio and stereo speakers provide a better listening experience.
- Users with demanding applications: The optional 12GB RAM configuration is ideal for multitasking.
Use Cases: Mobile gaming, long days away from a power source, general photography including macro and wide-angle, listening to high quality audio.
4. Decision Framework
Consider these three key questions to make the right choice:
- What are your main priorities for a smartphone?: Performance, battery, charging speed, display quality or camera capabilities?
- Do you need a telephoto camera, or would you rather have wide angle and macro lenses?: Consider what kind of photos you usually take.
- How important is the software experience?: Do you prefer Samsung's interface, or are you ok with Xiaomi's UI. How much do you care about software updates?
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- For the "Always on the Go" user: Choose the Xiaomi 12X for its fast charging and larger battery.
- For the "Outdoor Enthusiast Photographer: Choose the Samsung Galaxy S21 5G for the brighter display and zoom capabilities.
- For the "Mobile Gamer": Choose the Xiaomi 12X for the better performance and potentially higher RAM.
- For the "Everyday user": Choose the phone that fits better your budget and preferences, as both perform very similarly.
My Choice
If I were choosing between these two phones, I would go with the Xiaomi 12X. My primary reasons are its significantly faster charging, larger battery, superior performance, and more versatile camera setup (including wide-angle and macro). While the Samsung S21 is a good phone, I find the benefits of the Xiaomi 12X to be more practical for my daily use. The 12X’s faster charging and better battery life are crucial for me since I'm often away from power outlets for long periods. Also, having a wide angle lens and macro lens is more useful for my photography habits than the optical zoom of the S21. Additionally, I tend to value the improved performance offered by the Snapdragon 870 more than the slightly brighter screen or wireless charging of the S21.
