Smartphone Comparison: Samsung Galaxy S21 5G vs. Xiaomi Poco F6
1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 5G | Xiaomi Poco F6 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Launch Date | 2021-01-29 | 2024-05-23 | The Poco F6 is significantly newer, benefiting from newer technology and software. |
| Dimensions | 151.7 × 71.2 × 7.9 mm | 160.5 × 74.5 × 8 mm | The Poco F6 is larger and may be less comfortable for single-handed use. The S21 is more compact and pocketable. |
| Weight | 169g | 179g | The S21 is slightly lighter, which might be noticeable during extended use. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.2" | 6.67" | The Poco F6 offers more screen real estate, better for media consumption and gaming. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1220x2712 | The Poco F6 provides sharper visuals and more detail due to its higher resolution. |
| PPI | 421 | 446 | The Poco F6 has slightly higher pixel density, contributing to slightly sharper images. |
| Technology | AMOLED | AMOLED | Both offer vibrant colors and deep blacks typical of AMOLED screens. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | Both provide smooth scrolling and animations. |
| Brightness | 1300 nits | 2400 nits | The Poco F6 is significantly brighter, much better for outdoor visibility in sunny conditions. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Exynos 2100 (5 nm) | Qualcomm SM8635 Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 (4 nm) | The Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 in the Poco F6 is a newer and significantly more powerful chip, offering faster performance, better gaming and more efficient power usage. |
| AnTuTu Score | 749,100 | 1,530,662 | The Poco F6 has a much higher benchmark score, indicating superior real-world performance for demanding tasks. |
| GPU | Mali-G78 MP14 | Adreno 735 | The Adreno 735 GPU in the Poco F6 is a significantly more powerful and modern, offering superior graphics for gaming. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 4000mAh | 5000mAh | The Poco F6 has a larger battery, likely resulting in significantly longer battery life. |
| Charging | 25W fast charging | 90W fast charging | The Poco F6 charges much faster, minimizing downtime. |
| Features | Reverse Charging, 15W Wireless charging, No in-box charger | Non-removable | The S21 offers wireless and reverse charging but requires an additional charger purchase. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 12MP f/1.8 (1/1.76" sensor) | 50MP f/1.6 (1/2" sensor) | The Poco F6 offers much higher resolution images with a brighter aperture, while the S21 has a larger sensor. Both have pros and cons depending on lighting conditions |
| Telephoto | 64MP f/2.0 (1/1.72" sensor) | None | The S21 has a dedicated telephoto lens for optical zoom, which the Poco F6 lacks. |
| Wide Angle Lens | None | 8MP f/2.2 (1/2.8" sensor) | The Poco F6 has a dedicated ultrawide lens, which the S21 lacks. |
| Wide Angle+Macro | 12.2MP f/2.2 (1/2.55" sensor) | None | The S21 has a ultrawide macro combo, which the Poco F6 lacks. |
| Selfie Camera | 10MP f/2.2 (1/3.2" sensor) | 20MP f/2.0 | The Poco F6 has a higher resolution selfie camera and wider aperture. |
| Video | Up to 8K@24fps | Up to 4K@60fps | The S21 supports higher resolution video recording, while the Poco F6 has a slightly more modern setup. |
| DXOMark Mobile Score | 111 | Not Available | The S21 has a tested camera score, but the Poco F6 score is not available, making direct camera quality comparisons difficult. |
| Features | OIS, RAW, Optical zoom | OIS, Flicker sensor, Noise reduction | Both have OIS, but the S21 offers optical zoom and RAW capture. The Poco F6 has a flicker sensor and noise reduction. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 (upgradeable to 15) | Android 14 (upgradeable to 17) | The Poco F6 ships with a newer version of Android and will receive longer software support. |
| Connectivity | |||
| WiFi | Wi-Fi 6 | Wi-Fi 6, MIMO | Both have similar WiFi standards, but the Poco F6 has MIMO. |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 | 5.4 | The Poco F6 has a newer Bluetooth version, offering potentially more reliable and efficient connections with supported devices. |
| GPS | GPS (L1+L5), Galileo (E1+E5a) | GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (L1), BeiDou (B1), QZSS | The Poco F6 has more robust satellite support, potentially offering better location accuracy. |
| SIM | Dual SIM | Dual SIM | Both support dual SIM functionality. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 128/256 GB | 256/512 GB | The Poco F6 offers larger storage options. |
| RAM | 8 GB | 8/12 GB | The Poco F6 offers more RAM, especially on the higher-end variant, for smoother multitasking. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither phone has expandable storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Dolby Atmos, Stereo Speakers, Noise cancellation microphone | Dolby Atmos, Stereo Speakers, Hi-Res Audio, 4 microphones | The Poco F6 has better audio quality and voice recording capabilities and better spatial audio. |
| Security | |||
| Features | Basic fingerprint sensor | Basic fingerprint sensor | Both have standard fingerprint sensors. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus | Both have the same scratch-resistant screen protection. |
| Sensors | |||
| Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Barometer | Fingerprint, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Ultrasonic proximity virtual | The S21 has additional environmental sensors, while the Poco F6 has an ultrasonic proximity sensor. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy S21 5G Advantages:
- More compact and lightweight design: Easier to handle and more pocketable.
- Telephoto Lens: Offers optical zoom capabilities for better versatility in photography.
- Wireless and Reverse Wireless Charging: Provides convenient charging options and can charge other devices wirelessly.
- Wider Range of Bluetooth profiles: Supports more Bluetooth profiles.
- Environmental Sensors: Barometer, Hall, and Geomagnetic sensors.
- RAW Image Capture: Offers more flexibility for advanced photo editing.
- DXOMark Scores: Has tested scores for camera quality, although the Poco F6 hasn't been tested.
Xiaomi Poco F6 Advantages:
- Newer and More Powerful Processor: Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 offers significantly better performance for gaming and demanding apps.
- Larger and Brighter Display: Larger screen size and significantly higher brightness make it much better for media consumption and outdoor use.
- Larger Battery: Larger capacity leads to significantly longer battery life.
- Much Faster Charging: 90W fast charging significantly reduces charging time.
- Higher Resolution Main and Selfie Camera: Captures more detailed images, with a brighter aperture.
- Wider Angle Camera: Provides a wider field of view, for landscape and group photos.
- More RAM: 12GB option is great for heavy multitasking.
- More Storage: Up to 512GB of internal storage.
- Newer Bluetooth Version: Bluetooth 5.4 is more energy-efficient.
- Enhanced Audio: Hi-Res Audio and 4 microphones.
- Newer Android Version: Ships with Android 14 and gets more OS updates.
Trade-offs:
- The S21, although older, offers better camera zoom and wireless charging, features not present in the Poco F6.
- The Poco F6 provides significantly better overall performance, but it lacks the telephoto lens and wireless charging of the S21.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy S21 5G is Ideal for:
- Users who prefer a compact phone: Those who value portability and easy one-handed use.
- Photography enthusiasts who want optical zoom: Users who require versatility for different types of shots.
- Users who prioritize wireless charging: Those who use wireless charging regularly or like the convenience of reverse wireless charging.
- Users who prefer tried-and-true camera results: Those who need reliable performance from a tested camera.
- Users who are not power users: Those who will be using the device for basic tasks and not demanding games.
- Users who need environmental sensors: Those who like to know the barometric pressure, or other sensor data.
Xiaomi Poco F6 is Ideal for:
- Gamers and power users: Those who need maximum performance for demanding apps and games.
- Media consumers: Those who watch a lot of videos and prefer a large, bright screen.
- Users who value battery life and fast charging: Those who want a phone that can easily last a full day with fast charging capabilities.
- Users who prefer newer technology and longer software support: Those who want the latest software and hardware.
- Users who need a good main camera and a wider field of view: Those who prioritize standard photography and capturing landscape or group photos.
- Users who need a good microphone: Those who record audio and want a high-quality recording.
Specific Use Cases:
- S21: Travel photography due to optical zoom and tested camera performance; daily casual usage.
- Poco F6: Mobile gaming, multimedia consumption, long workdays with extensive use; frequent travelers who need a long battery life.
Price-to-Value:
- The Poco F6 generally offers a better price-to-performance ratio, giving you flagship level performance at a lower cost than the older Samsung. The S21 will likely be cheaper to buy, but the older hardware is less capable than the Poco F6.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- Do you prioritize performance and battery life, or camera versatility and wireless charging? (Poco F6 for performance/battery; S21 for camera/wireless)
- Is size and weight a major concern, or do you prefer a larger screen for media consumption? (S21 for compact; Poco F6 for large)
- How much does the latest software and future-proofing matter to you? (Poco F6 for newer OS and longer updates)
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Gaming and Multimedia Enthusiast - Choose the Xiaomi Poco F6 due to its superior performance, larger and brighter screen, and better battery life.
- Scenario 2: Casual User Who Values Portability and Convenience - Choose the Samsung Galaxy S21 5G for its compact size and wireless charging.
- Scenario 3: Photography Enthusiast Seeking Optical Zoom - Choose the Samsung Galaxy S21 5G for its telephoto lens.
- Scenario 4: Power user seeking the best overall experience - Choose the Xiaomi Poco F6 for its modern processor, screen, and battery.
What I Would Choose and Why
If I were choosing between these two phones, I would choose the Xiaomi Poco F6. The main reason is that the Poco F6 represents significantly newer and more powerful technology.
Here is a breakdown of my reasoning:
- Future-Proofing: The Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 is a much more modern chip than the Exynos 2100. It provides better performance not just now, but will also provide a more consistent experience over the long term. The newer Android OS means I get more software updates for longer too.
- Display: The larger and brighter display on the Poco F6 is a significant advantage for media consumption and outdoor visibility, which are important for me.
- Battery: The much larger battery and faster charging mean I won't have to worry about the phone dying on me during the day, and I can quickly top it up if needed. This makes a bigger difference in day to day use than wireless charging.
- Value: The Poco F6 provides a level of performance and features that generally cost more.
- Audio: The better audio quality and recording capabilities are something I would use on a daily basis.
While I acknowledge that the S21 has a telephoto lens and wireless charging, these are not as important to me as the raw performance, screen quality, and battery life. The Poco F6's significantly better performance, more modern software, and superior display and battery life makes it the more compelling option for my use case.
