1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 5G | Xiaomi Poco F6 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 151.7 x 71.2 x 7.9 mm | 160.9 x 75 x 8.2 mm | Poco F6 Pro is larger and may feel less comfortable in one hand; S21 is more pocketable. |
| Weight | 169g | 209g | S21 is significantly lighter, making it more comfortable for extended use. Poco F6 Pro feels heavier. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.2" | 6.67" | Poco F6 Pro has a larger screen, better for media consumption and gaming, while the S21 is slightly more compact. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1440x3200 | Poco F6 Pro's higher resolution offers a much sharper and more detailed image, especially noticeable with high-res content. |
| Pixel Density | 421 ppi | 526 ppi | Poco F6 Pro has a sharper display, with text and images appearing crisper, especially in close-up viewing. |
| Technology | AMOLED | AMOLED | Both offer vibrant colors, deep blacks and excellent contrast ratios, resulting in a great viewing experience on both phones. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | Smooth scrolling and animations on both phones. |
| Brightness | 1300 nits | 4000 nits | Poco F6 Pro's significantly brighter screen provides dramatically better outdoor visibility in sunny conditions. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Exynos 2100 (5 nm) | Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 (4 nm) | Poco F6 Pro has a much newer and more powerful chipset, offering significantly faster processing and gaming performance. |
| AnTuTu Score | 749,100 | 1,642,770 | Poco F6 Pro delivers drastically better performance in demanding tasks, including gaming and heavy multitasking. |
| GPU | Mali-G78 MP14 | Adreno 740 | Poco F6 Pro's GPU is more powerful, better for gaming and graphics-intensive apps. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 4000mAh | 5000mAh | Poco F6 Pro's larger battery is likely to provide noticeably longer battery life. |
| Charging | 25W | 120W | Poco F6 Pro charges much faster, reducing downtime considerably. |
| Charging Features | Wireless charging, Reverse wireless charging | Xiaomi P2/G1 chips | S21 offers wireless/reverse wireless, while Poco F6 Pro has dedicated chips for faster and safer charging. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera Res | 12MP | 50MP | Poco F6 Pro's main camera has a much higher resolution. |
| Main Camera Aperture | f/1.8 | f/1.6 | Poco F6 Pro’s wider aperture may allow for better low-light performance, allowing more light to hit the sensor. |
| Main Camera Sensor Size | 1/1.76" | 1/1.55" | Poco F6 Pro's main sensor size might give it better image quality, with better light capture than S21. |
| Telephoto Lens | Yes | No | S21 has a dedicated telephoto for optical zoom, a feature the Poco F6 Pro lacks. |
| Wide Angle Lens | Yes | No | S21 has a dedicated wide-angle lens for taking pictures with a wider field of view, a feature the Poco F6 Pro lacks. |
| Macro Lens | No | Yes | Poco F6 Pro has a dedicated macro lens for taking close up images. |
| Selfie Camera Res | 10MP | 16MP | Poco F6 Pro's front camera has higher resolution, potentially resulting in sharper selfies. |
| Video | Up to 8K@24fps | Up to 8K@24fps | Both offer similar high-resolution recording, though some differences in frame rates at lower resolutions. |
| DXOMark Mobile Score | 111 | Not Available | S21 has been tested by DXOMark, but no score available for the Poco F6 Pro for direct comparison. |
| DXOMark Selfie Score | 132 | Not Available | S21 has been tested by DXOMark, but no score available for the Poco F6 Pro for direct comparison. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 (up to 15) | Android 14 (up to 17) | Poco F6 Pro has a more recent OS and is likely to receive longer software update support. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6 | Wi-Fi 7 | Poco F6 Pro supports a newer Wi-Fi standard, offering faster speeds and better connectivity. |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.0 | Bluetooth 5.3 | Poco F6 Pro has a more recent Bluetooth version, potentially offering better range and efficiency. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo, GPS (L1+L5), Galileo (E1+E5a) | A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, Galileo, GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (L1), BeiDou (B1), Galileo (E1+E5a), BeiDou (B2), NavIC System, QZSS (L1 + L5) | Poco F6 Pro supports more satellite systems and potentially more precise location tracking. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal Storage | 128GB/256GB | 256GB/512GB/1024GB | Poco F6 Pro offers larger internal storage options. |
| RAM | 8GB | 12GB/16GB | Poco F6 Pro offers more RAM, potentially providing better multitasking and performance. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone offers expandable storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Dolby Atmos, Stereo Speakers, Noise cancellation mic | Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res Audio, Stereo Speakers | Both offer good audio with Stereo speakers; S21 has noise cancelling and Poco F6 Pro has Hi-Res Audio. |
| Security | |||
| Features | basic fingerprint sensor | basic fingerprint sensor | Both offer basic fingerprint security features |
| Build Quality | |||
| Protection | Gorilla Glass Victus | Unknown | S21 has robust screen protection, whilst Poco F6 Pro's screen protection is unknown. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Biometric, Proximity, Motion, Environmental | Biometric, Proximity, Motion | S21 includes additional environmental sensors, whereas Poco F6 Pro has an RGB sensor. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy S21 5G Advantages:
- Lighter and More Compact: Easier to handle and pocketable.
- Wireless and Reverse Wireless Charging: Convenient charging options not available on Poco F6 Pro.
- Dedicated Telephoto and Wide Angle Lens: Offers greater optical zoom capabilities and wide landscape photo capabilities compared to the Poco F6 Pro
- DXOMark Camera Scores: Has been thoroughly tested by DXOMark providing additional insight into camera performance.
- Known Screen Protection: Has Gorilla Glass Victus protection offering additional scratch resistance.
- Barometer: Enables more accurate altitude readings.
Xiaomi Poco F6 Pro Advantages:
- Significantly More Powerful Processor: Faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and better gaming performance.
- Larger and Sharper Display: Higher resolution and brightness with a larger screen making media consumption more immersive and outdoor visibility much better.
- Significantly Faster Charging: Goes from 0-100 much faster, reducing down time.
- Much Larger Battery: Longer battery life, ensuring it lasts throughout the day for most users.
- Higher Main Camera Resolution: A higher resolution sensor gives more detail.
- More RAM: Better performance in heavy multitasking.
- Larger Internal Storage Options: More space for apps, media, and files.
- More Advanced WiFi and Bluetooth: Faster and more efficient connectivity.
- More Recent Software and Updates: More up-to-date Android OS and likely to receive more updates.
- Macro Lens: Can take close up macro images with a dedicated camera.
- Ultra Stable Video: Offers enhanced video stabilization features.
- Hi-Res Audio: Offers a high-fidelity audio experience.
Trade-offs:
- The Poco F6 Pro is larger and heavier, sacrificing pocketability and one-handed comfort compared to the S21.
- The S21 lacks the extremely fast charging of the Poco F6 Pro and doesn’t have Hi-Res Audio.
- The S21 lacks the larger battery of the Poco F6 Pro.
- The Poco F6 Pro lacks the telephoto and wide angle lens of the S21.
- The Poco F6 Pro lacks the wireless charging/reverse wireless charging of the S21.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy S21 5G:
- Ideal User: Someone who prioritizes a compact, lightweight phone with good camera versatility. Good for users who enjoy wireless charging.
- Use Cases: Everyday use, casual photography, users who prioritize convenience with wireless charging and prefer a smaller phone.
- Why: Its compact size and good camera make it suitable for general use. Its wireless charging and reverse wireless capabilities give it convenience.
Xiaomi Poco F6 Pro:
- Ideal User: Power users, gamers, media enthusiasts, and anyone needing long battery life and fast charging.
- Use Cases: Demanding gaming, heavy multitasking, watching high-resolution videos, use in bright sunlight, anyone requiring very long battery life and quick charging.
- Why: Its powerful processor, large, high-resolution display, large battery, and fast charging make it ideal for demanding tasks.
Price-to-Value Ratio:
- The Xiaomi Poco F6 Pro offers better value for performance. It provides significantly more powerful hardware, a superior display, and much faster charging and a larger battery than the S21. However, the Samsung Galaxy S21 5G has a more versatile camera setup and wireless charging if that is more important for you.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions:
- Do you prioritize portability and wireless charging, or are you okay with a larger phone for better performance and battery?
- Is camera versatility or raw processing power and battery life more important to you?
- Do you need the absolute best performance for demanding games and heavy multitasking, or is adequate performance acceptable?
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Casual User, Pocket Friendly, Good Camera: If you need a compact phone with a good camera and wireless charging and reverse wireless charging capabilities, the Samsung Galaxy S21 5G is suitable.
- Scenario 2: Power User, Gaming, Heavy Usage: If you prioritize performance, a high-resolution display, longer battery life and fast charging, the Xiaomi Poco F6 Pro is the better choice.
- Scenario 3: Budget Conscious: The Poco F6 Pro offers better performance and value for money, if budget is a concern. If on the other hand, having wireless charging is important, and a premium name is important, the S21 may be a better option, even at a higher price.
My Choice and Explanation:
If I were choosing between these two phones, I would choose the Xiaomi Poco F6 Pro.
Here’s why:
- Performance is King: For me, the massive performance difference between the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 in the Poco F6 Pro and the older Exynos 2100 in the S21 is a significant factor. I often use my phone for demanding tasks, including gaming, video editing, and running multiple apps simultaneously. The Poco F6 Pro offers significantly smoother and faster performance, which is a much better experience for my use case.
- Display and Media: The larger, higher resolution and brighter display of the Poco F6 Pro is a big plus, making media consumption a more enjoyable experience.
- Battery and Charging: The Poco F6 Pro’s larger battery and, more importantly, its 120W fast charging are huge wins. I value the ability to quickly top up my battery when needed.
- Future-Proofing: The newer OS and its longer software update support are important for ensuring my device remains secure and up-to-date.
- Value for Money: The Poco F6 Pro offers excellent performance and features, making it a more value-driven purchase overall.
While I appreciate the S21's compact size and wireless charging, the performance, display, battery life, and charging speed of the Poco F6 Pro are significantly more important to me, making it the better option for my needs. I also appreciate the addition of the Macro lens for taking close up pictures. Whilst the camera DXOMark scores are not available for the F6 Pro, this isn't a deciding factor for me.
