Smartphone Comparison: Samsung Galaxy S21 5G vs. Xiaomi Poco F5
1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 5G | Xiaomi Poco F5 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 151.7 x 71.2 x 7.9 mm | 161.1 x 75 x 7.9 mm | Xiaomi Poco F5 is taller and wider, potentially less comfortable for one-handed use and smaller pockets. |
| Weight | 169g | 181g | Samsung Galaxy S21 5G is lighter, making it easier to handle for extended periods. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.2" | 6.67" | Xiaomi Poco F5 offers a larger viewing area, better for media consumption and gaming. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2400 | Both offer sharp visuals; no practical difference in clarity. |
| Pixel Density (PPI) | 421 | 395 | Samsung Galaxy S21 5G has slightly sharper visuals, though the difference is subtle. |
| Technology | AMOLED | AMOLED | Both offer vibrant colors, deep blacks, and excellent contrast. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | Both provide smooth scrolling and animations. |
| Brightness | 1300 nits | 0 nits | Samsung Galaxy S21 5G is much brighter outdoors in direct sunlight. Note: Xiaomi Poco F5 brightness is unknown from provided data. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Exynos 2100 (5 nm) | Qualcomm Snapdragon 7+ Gen 2 (4 nm) | Xiaomi Poco F5 has a more powerful and efficient processor, leading to faster performance, better gaming, and improved battery efficiency. |
| AnTuTu Score | 749,100 | 1,134,558 | Xiaomi Poco F5 offers significantly better performance in benchmarks. |
| GPU | Mali-G78 MP14 | Adreno 725 | Xiaomi Poco F5 has a more powerful GPU, translating to better gaming and graphics performance. |
| Camera | |||
| Rear Standard | 12MP, f/1.8, 1/1.76" | 64MP, f/1.79, 1/2" | Xiaomi Poco F5 captures more detailed images in ideal lighting; Samsung Galaxy S21 5G performs better in low-light due to larger sensor pixels |
| Rear Telephoto | 64MP, f/2.0, 1/1.72" | None | Samsung Galaxy S21 5G offers better optical zoom capabilities and portrait shots. |
| Rear Wide Angle | None | 8MP, f/2.2, 1/2.8" | Xiaomi Poco F5 provides a wider field of view for landscape and group photos. |
| Rear Macro | None | 2MP, f/2.4, 1/5" | Xiaomi Poco F5 allows for close-up shots with limited detail. |
| Rear Wide Angle + Macro | 12.2MP, f/2.2, 1/2.55" | None | Samsung Galaxy S21 5G features a combined wide-angle and macro lens for versatile shots. |
| Front Camera | 10MP, f/2.2, 1/3.2" | 16MP, f/2.45, 1/3.1" | Xiaomi Poco F5 captures higher resolution selfies; Samsung Galaxy S21 5G may perform better in low light due to wider aperture. |
| Video Recording | 8K@24fps, 4K@60fps | 4K@30fps | Samsung Galaxy S21 5G supports higher video resolution, offering more flexibility for videography. |
| DXOMark Score | Mobile:111, Selfie: 132 | Not available | Samsung Galaxy S21 5G has a tested and better camera performance according to DXOMark |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 4000mAh | 5000mAh | Xiaomi Poco F5 has a significantly larger battery, likely offering longer battery life. |
| Charging | 25W | 67W | Xiaomi Poco F5 charges much faster, reducing downtime. |
| Wireless Charging | 15W | None | Samsung Galaxy S21 5G offers convenient wireless charging. |
| Reverse Charging | Yes | None | Samsung Galaxy S21 5G can wirelessly charge other devices. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 (Upgradable to 15) | Android 13 (Upgradable to 14) | Xiaomi Poco F5 ships with a more recent version of Android. Note that both phones will stop receiving OS updates at a similar time due to different update policy by Samsung and Xiaomi |
| Connectivity | |||
| WiFi | Wi-Fi 6 | Wi-Fi 6, MiMO | Both offer high-speed Wi-Fi; Xiaomi Poco F5 has extra MiMO feature for better connection speed |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 | 5.3 | Xiaomi Poco F5 supports a newer Bluetooth standard for better efficiency and range. |
| GPS | GPS (L1+L5), Galileo (E1+E5a) | GPS, QZSS, BeiDou (B1) | Xiaomi Poco F5 supports more satellite systems, potentially giving better location accuracy; Samsung includes more advanced features in its GPS |
| SIM | Dual SIM Dual Standby | Dual SIM Full Active | Xiaomi Poco F5 allows active connection on both SIMs, while Samsung Galaxy S21 5G will drop connection on second sim when the first one is active |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 128/256 GB | 256 GB | Xiaomi Poco F5 comes with 256GB, while Samsung offers the option of 128 GB, with the 256GB being the highest option. |
| RAM | 8 GB | 8/12 GB | Xiaomi Poco F5 has an option of more RAM for better multitasking and gaming. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither phone offers expandable storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Dolby Atmos, Stereo Speakers | Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res Audio, Stereo Speakers, 2 microphones | Xiaomi Poco F5 has Hi-Res Audio for better sound quality and additional microphone for clearer calls. |
| Security | |||
| Features | Basic Fingerprint sensor | Side-mounted fingerprint sensor | Xiaomi Poco F5 has a faster and more accessible fingerprint scanner. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | Samsung Galaxy S21 5G offers slightly better screen scratch and impact resistance. |
| Sensors | |||
| Barometer, Hall, Geomagnetic, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope | Ultrasonic proximity virtual, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope | Samsung Galaxy S21 5G offers Barometer, Geomagnetic and Hall Sensor while the Poco F5 has Ultrasonic proximity virtual sensor |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy S21 5G Advantages:
- Superior Display Brightness: Significantly better outdoor visibility in bright sunlight.
- Wireless Charging & Reverse Charging: Offers convenient wireless charging and the ability to charge other devices.
- Telephoto Camera with Optical Zoom: Enables better zoom shots and portraits.
- 8K Video Recording: Supports high-resolution video recording.
- Better Screen Protection: Uses Corning Gorilla Glass Victus for superior durability.
- DXOMark Tested Camera Performance: DXOMark score is available and is considered a good score for the market, while the Xiaomi Poco F5 camera has no available scores.
- Wider range of sensors Includes Barometer, Hall and Geomagnetic sensor.
- Better Main Camera Sensor: The main camera is better for low light photos, with a bigger sensor and pixel size
Xiaomi Poco F5 Advantages:
- More Powerful Processor: Offers faster performance and better gaming capabilities.
- Larger Battery: Provides longer battery life for extended use.
- Faster Charging: Significantly reduces charging time.
- Larger Display: Offers a more immersive viewing experience for media and gaming.
- More RAM options: Offers option of 12GB RAM for heavy multitasking.
- Wide-Angle and Macro Lenses: Provides versatile shooting options.
- Dual SIM Full Active: allows active connection on both SIM cards.
- Bluetooth 5.3: Newer Bluetooth standard for improved efficiency and range.
- Hi-Res Audio: Offers better audio playback quality and a second microphone for clearer calls.
- Side-mounted fingerprint sensor Faster and easier to use.
Trade-offs:
- The Samsung Galaxy S21 5G trades processor and battery performance for a slightly brighter display and better camera zoom capabilities.
- The Xiaomi Poco F5 trades some camera features and wireless charging for a much better processor and better battery life.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy S21 5G Ideal User:
- Users who prioritize a premium display with excellent outdoor visibility.
- Users who often use wireless charging.
- Users who enjoy photography, with a particular emphasis on zoom and portrait shots.
- Users who need high-resolution video recording (8K)
- Users who want a compact phone, with a smaller and lighter design.
- Users who appreciate a comprehensive sensor suite.
Use Cases:
- Outdoor photography and videography in bright conditions.
- Users who need wireless charging on a daily basis.
- Users who need more versatility on the camera, with a optical zoom and combined wide angle and macro lens.
Xiaomi Poco F5 Ideal User:
- Users who prioritize performance for gaming and multitasking.
- Users who need a long-lasting battery life.
- Users who value fast charging.
- Users who consume a lot of media, benefit from a larger screen.
- Users who want a more modern operating system.
- Users who want high-fidelity audio experience
- Users who use 2 SIM cards.
- Users who want the best performance on a budget.
Use Cases:
- Gaming and heavy multitasking on the go.
- Users who need long battery life for travel or extended work days.
- Users who regularly use multiple SIM cards for work and personal.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- What is my primary use case? (Gaming, photography, media consumption, productivity)
- How important is battery life and charging speed?
- Do I need the best possible display brightness for outdoor visibility?
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- For performance-focused users: If you primarily use your phone for gaming, multitasking, and want the best possible performance on a budget, the Xiaomi Poco F5 is the better choice.
- For Camera Enthusiasts: If you focus on mobile photography, like optical zoom and need more versatile lenses, the Samsung Galaxy S21 5G might be better suited.
- For outdoor use: If you frequently use your phone outdoors in bright sunlight and value the brightest possible display, the Samsung Galaxy S21 5G is recommended.
- For battery life: If you prioritize longer battery life and faster charging, the Xiaomi Poco F5 is the better option.
My Choice
If I were choosing between these two phones, I would choose the Xiaomi Poco F5. Although the Samsung Galaxy S21 5G has a better main camera sensor, a brighter display, wireless charging and a tested performance, the Poco F5 offers a significantly better processor and a much larger battery, with a fast charging which are more important for my usage. Additionally, the Xiaomi Poco F5 offers a more up-to-date operating system and additional features like a wide-angle lens, a macro lens, and hi-res audio. Overall, the better performance and significantly improved battery of the Xiaomi Poco F5 outweigh the advantages of the Samsung Galaxy S21 5G for my specific needs. I am often using my phone for gaming and media consumption, so the performance, battery life and fast charging are very important to me.
