1. Specifications Comparison
Design
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 5G | Xiaomi Mi 11 Lite | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 151.7 x 71.2 x 7.9 mm | 160.5 x 75.7 x 6.8 mm | Mi 11 Lite is taller and wider but thinner, impacting pocketability and hand feel. S21 is more compact, may be easier to use one-handed. |
| Weight | 169g | 157g | Mi 11 Lite is slightly lighter, which might be noticeable during extended use and contribute to comfort. |
Display
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 5G | Xiaomi Mi 11 Lite | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Size | 6.2" | 6.55" | Mi 11 Lite offers a larger screen for media consumption, gaming and reading; S21 is more compact for portability. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2400 | Both are Full HD+, offering similar sharpness; text, images will appear similarly crisp |
| PPI | 421 | 402 | Similar sharpness; difference will likely not be noticeable in everyday use. |
| Technology | AMOLED | AMOLED | Vibrant colors, deep blacks, and good viewing angles are provided by both screens. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 90Hz | S21 provides smoother scrolling and animations, a more fluid experience. |
| Brightness | 1300 nits | 0 nits | S21 offers much better outdoor visibility and readability in direct sunlight. Xiaomi Mi 11 Lite brightness data is not provided, which limits comparison. |
Performance
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 5G | Xiaomi Mi 11 Lite | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chipset | Exynos 2100 (5 nm) - International | Qualcomm SM7150 Snapdragon 732G (8 nm) | S21 has a significantly more powerful chipset, offering much faster app loading, smoother multitasking, better gaming performance and energy efficiency. |
| AnTuTu Score | 749,100 | 355,871 | S21 provides a much snappier and responsive experience for all tasks including gaming and multitasking. Mi 11 Lite is acceptable for basic tasks. |
| GPU | Mali-G78 MP14 - International (ARM Mali-G78 MC14) | Adreno 618 (Qualcomm Adreno 618) | S21's GPU offers superior graphics performance for gaming and graphically intensive apps. |
Camera
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 5G | Xiaomi Mi 11 Lite | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard Camera | 12MP, f/1.8, 1/1.76" Sony IMX555, 1.80µm pixel size | 64MP, f/1.79, 1/1.97" Samsung GW3, 0.70µm pixel size | Mi 11 Lite offers higher resolution, while S21 has larger sensor size and larger pixels that can capture more light and detail, leading to better low-light performance and dynamic range. |
| Telephoto + Portrait | 64MP, f/2.0, 1/1.72" Samsung Bright S5KGW2, 0.80 µm pixel size | Not Available | S21 offers dedicated telephoto lens for optical zoom and portrait photos with a shallow depth of field. Mi 11 Lite lacks this versatility. |
| Wide Angle + Macro | 12.2MP, f/2.2, 1/2.55" Sony IMX563, 1.40 µm pixel size | Not Available | S21 provides a dedicated wide-angle lens for capturing expansive views, as well as macro shots, providing more shooting options. Mi 11 Lite lacks this versatility. |
| Selfie Camera | 10MP, f/2.2, 1/3.2" Sony IMX374, 1.22 µm pixel size | 16MP, f/2.45, Unknown Pixel size | Mi 11 Lite offers higher resolution selfie camera while the S21 has a wider aperture leading to better low-light performance. |
| Wide Angle Lens | Not Available | 8MP, f/2.2, Unknown Pixel size | Mi 11 Lite offers an ultrawide lens for capturing expansive views; S21 does not offer this but instead combines it with Macro. |
| Macro Lens | Not Available | 5MP, f/2.4, 1.12µm pixel size | Mi 11 Lite offers a dedicated Macro lens for close-up shots; S21 lacks this dedicated lens. |
| Video Recording | 8K@24fps, 4K@60fps, 1080p@240fps, with HDR, EIS, Stereo Sound | 4K@30fps, 1080p@120fps with EIS | S21 can record higher resolution videos with more frame-rate options. It has advanced EIS and includes stereo sound recording. It also has better overall video quality |
| DXOMark Scores | Mobile: 111, Photo: 118, Video: 90, Selfie: 132, Photo: 125, Video: 145 | No data | S21 offers superior overall image and video quality compared to Xiaomi Mi 11 Lite. |
| Camera Features | 8K Video, Optical zoom, OIS, PDAF, RAW | 4K Video, Digital Zoom | S21 has more features for advanced users, like 8K video recording, optical zoom, OIS, PDAF, and RAW support. |
Battery
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 5G | Xiaomi Mi 11 Lite | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 4000mAh | 4250mAh | Mi 11 Lite has a slightly larger battery, potentially providing longer battery life. |
| Charging | 25W Fast Charging | 33W Fast Charging | Mi 11 Lite charges faster, reducing charging time, while S21 provides 15W wireless charging, reverse charging and reverse wireless charging, none of which are supported by the Mi 11 Lite |
| Features | Wireless charging 15W, Reverse wireless charging 4.5W | None | S21 has more flexibility in charging and also has a no-charger-in-box situation, which should be considered. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy S21 5G Advantages:
- Significantly Higher Performance: The Exynos 2100 chipset offers a substantial performance advantage, making the S21 far smoother and faster for all tasks including gaming.
- Superior Display: The 120Hz refresh rate and higher brightness offer a more fluid and readable experience, particularly in outdoor conditions.
- Advanced Camera System: The S21 has a more versatile camera system with a dedicated telephoto lens for optical zoom, better low-light performance, 8k video, OIS, PDAF and RAW support, resulting in overall better picture and video quality.
- Wireless Charging & Reverse Wireless Charging: The S21 offers wireless and reverse wireless charging, providing more convenient options for battery management.
- More Comprehensive Sensor Suite: Offers more environmental sensors including the barometer.
- Superior Screen Protection: Comes with Corning Gorilla Glass Victus compared to the Mi 11 Lite's Gorilla Glass 5.
Xiaomi Mi 11 Lite Advantages:
- Lighter and Thinner Design: The Mi 11 Lite is lighter and thinner, potentially making it more comfortable to hold and carry.
- Slightly Larger Battery: The larger battery capacity may provide slightly longer battery life although this is likely offset by the higher performance chipset of the S21.
- Faster Wired Charging: The 33W fast charging is a little faster than the 25W charging of the S21.
- Dedicated Macro and Wide-Angle Lens: The Mi 11 Lite has dedicated macro and ultrawide lens while S21 combines wide-angle and macro into one lens.
- Newer Bluetooth Version: Supports a slightly newer Bluetooth version.
- Side-Mounted Fingerprint Sensor: Offers a convenient and fast side-mounted fingerprint sensor.
Trade-offs:
- S21: Sacrifices a bit of battery life and is slightly heavier and thicker for much higher performance, significantly better display and camera experience, more charging options and other advanced features.
- Mi 11 Lite: Offers better battery life, faster charging, lighter design, side-mounted fingerprint and a dedicated macro lens at the expense of raw performance, display quality and camera capabilities and wireless charging.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Ideal Users for Samsung Galaxy S21 5G:
- Power Users: Users who need top-tier performance for demanding tasks like gaming, video editing, and multitasking.
- Photography Enthusiasts: Users who value a versatile camera system with optical zoom, advanced video features and superior image quality.
- Outdoor Users: People who often use their phones in bright sunlight will benefit from the S21's higher brightness display.
- Those Who Value Build Quality and Durability: Users looking for top-tier screen protection and better build.
- Users Needing Wireless Charging: Benefit from wireless and reverse wireless charging capabilities.
Specific Use Cases:
- Gaming at high graphics settings with high frame rates.
- Professional-quality video recording and editing.
- Taking detailed photographs in varying lighting conditions, with varied focal lengths and zoom.
- Viewing content outdoors on a bright day.
Ideal Users for Xiaomi Mi 11 Lite:
- Casual Users: Users who primarily use their phones for basic tasks like browsing, social media, and light gaming.
- Budget-Conscious Buyers: Users looking for a good value phone with a decent screen, battery, and camera without premium features.
- Users Who Value Lightweight Design: Those who prefer a phone that is comfortable to hold and carry around all day.
- Users Who Prefer A Physical Fingerprint Sensor: Prefer side-mounted fingerprint sensors.
Specific Use Cases:
- Everyday social media browsing and communication.
- Light gaming and media consumption.
- Taking casual photographs and videos.
- Users who prefer a lighter design.
- Users who value faster wired charging.
Price-to-Value Ratio:
- Samsung Galaxy S21 5G: Offers a premium experience, justifying the higher price if performance, display, and camera quality are priorities.
- Xiaomi Mi 11 Lite: Provides good value for a mid-range phone, suitable for budget-conscious buyers who don't need top-tier performance.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- How important is raw performance to you? (Gaming, multitasking, resource-intensive apps)
- How often do you use your phone outdoors in bright sunlight? (Display brightness)
- How important is wireless charging and advanced camera features? (e.g. optical zoom, RAW photo, 8k video)
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Gamers and Power Users: Choose the Samsung Galaxy S21 5G for its superior performance and display.
- Scenario 2: Casual Users on a Budget: Choose the Xiaomi Mi 11 Lite for its lighter design, good battery, and faster charging at a lower cost.
- Scenario 3: Photography Enthusiasts: Choose the Samsung Galaxy S21 5G for its advanced camera system, optical zoom, OIS, and superior image quality.
- Scenario 4: Outdoor Users: Choose the Samsung Galaxy S21 5G for its significantly brighter display.
- Scenario 5: Wireless charging and reverse wireless charging: Choose the Samsung Galaxy S21 5G for its convenience.
My Choice
If I were choosing between these two phones, I would pick the Samsung Galaxy S21 5G. The significant performance difference is a major factor for me, as I often multitask and play games. The superior display with a higher refresh rate and much greater brightness would enhance my daily usage, especially outdoors. While the Xiaomi Mi 11 Lite has a lighter design, larger battery and faster charging I personally prefer a device with better long-term performance, screen quality and camera flexibility, all of which are provided by the S21. The advanced features including wireless and reverse wireless charging and the extra camera features are a big plus. The trade-off in battery capacity and wired charging speed is acceptable considering the overall superior user experience offered by the S21. Although the Mi 11 Lite is a good budget phone, I value the features offered by the S21 much more.
