Smartphone Comparison: Samsung Galaxy S21 5G vs. Xiaomi Redmi 12 5G
1. Specifications Comparison
Here's a breakdown of key specifications, highlighting their practical impact:
Design
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 5G | Xiaomi Redmi 12 5G | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 151.7 × 71.2 × 7.9 mm | 168.6 × 76.3 × 8.2 mm | The S21 is noticeably more compact and easier to handle with one hand. The Redmi 12 5G is larger, may be less comfortable for smaller hands. |
| Weight | 169g | 199g | The S21 is lighter making it more comfortable for prolonged use, while Redmi 12 5G feels more substantial but may cause fatigue during longer periods. |
| Build Quality | Gorilla Glass Victus | Gorilla Glass 3 | S21 offers superior scratch and shatter resistance, while Redmi 12 5G is more prone to damage. |
Display
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 5G | Xiaomi Redmi 12 5G | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Size | 6.2" | 6.79" | The Redmi 12 5G provides a more immersive viewing experience with a larger screen, ideal for media consumption, while the S21 is more pocketable with a smaller screen |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2460 | Both offer sharp visuals, but there's no discernible difference in day-to-day clarity. |
| Pixel Density (PPI) | 421 | 396 | The S21 display is slightly sharper, leading to very slightly more detail which may only be noticeable on close inspection. |
| Technology | AMOLED | IPS LCD | The S21 provides more vibrant colors, deeper blacks, and better contrast, especially in darker settings and when viewing HDR content. The Redmi 12 5G offers good but less vibrant colors. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 90Hz | The S21's 120Hz display delivers smoother scrolling, animations, and a more fluid user experience. |
| Brightness | 1300 nits | 0 nits | The S21 display offers significantly better outdoor visibility even under bright sunlight. The Redmi 12 5G brightness is not specified so a comparison cannot be made for this aspect. |
Performance
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 5G | Xiaomi Redmi 12 5G | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chipset | Exynos 2100 (5 nm) - International | Qualcomm Snapdragon 4 Gen 2 (4 nm) | The S21's chipset offers substantially better overall performance, capable of handling demanding tasks and graphically intensive games with ease. The Redmi 12 5G is adequate for general tasks and casual gaming. |
| Antutu Score | 749,100 | 456,552 | The S21's higher score indicates much faster app loading times, smoother multitasking, and overall faster performance suitable for gaming. |
| GPU | Mali-G78 MP14 - International | Adreno 613 | The S21's GPU offers superior graphics processing power, resulting in better gaming and graphical performance. |
Camera
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 5G | Xiaomi Redmi 12 5G | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard Camera | 12MP, f/1.8, 1/1.76", Sony IMX555, 1.8µm | 50MP, f/1.8 | While the Redmi 12 5G has a higher megapixel count, the S21's superior sensor and pixel size often produce better images in various lighting conditions. |
| Telephoto Camera | 64MP, f/2.0, 1/1.72", Samsung Bright S5KGW2, 0.8µm | None | The S21 offers significantly greater zoom capabilities, making it more versatile for photography at different focal lengths. |
| Selfie Camera | 10MP, f/2.2, 1/3.2", Sony IMX374, 1.22µm | 5MP, f/2.2 | The S21 takes more detailed selfies with greater clarity. |
| Portrait Mode (Depth) | None | 2MP, f/2.4 | The Redmi 12 5G can offer dedicated depth data for better background blur in portrait shots however, the quality of the depth sensing data is not specified. |
| Wide Angle + Macro Camera | 12.2MP, f/2.2, 1/2.55", Sony IMX563, 1.4µm | None | The S21 can capture broader perspectives and detailed close-up shots, offering more creative options. |
| Video Recording | 8K@24fps, 4K@60fps, 1080p@240fps | 1080p@30fps | The S21 can record videos at significantly higher resolution and frame rates, suitable for high-quality video recording, with slow-motion capabilities. |
| DxOMark Mobile Score | 111 | 63 | The S21 offers much higher photo and video quality based on the DxOMark scores. |
Battery
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 5G | Xiaomi Redmi 12 5G | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 4000mAh | 5000mAh | The Redmi 12 5G will likely offer better battery life, lasting longer between charges. Actual battery life depends on usage patterns, but the gap is significant. |
| Charging | 25W Fast Charging | 18W Fast Charging | The S21 can charge faster, reducing the waiting time for the phone to reach full battery capacity. |
| Features | 15W Wireless Charging, Reverse Charging | None | S21 offers more charging flexibility with wireless charging and reverse charging, allowing it to charge other devices. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy S21 5G Advantages:
- Superior Display: AMOLED panel with 120Hz refresh rate and significantly higher brightness for better viewing experience, especially outdoors and while consuming high dynamic range content.
- Significantly Higher Performance: Exynos 2100 chipset offers a substantial performance advantage, making it much better for intensive tasks, multitasking and mobile gaming.
- Advanced Camera System: Better overall camera system with a telephoto lens, wide-angle lens, higher selfie camera resolution, and advanced video recording capabilities (8K). Much higher DxOMark scores for both photo and video and also selfie performance.
- Faster Charging and Wireless Charging: Offers faster 25W wired charging along with wireless charging and reverse wireless charging.
- More Comprehensive Sensor Suite: More sensors including barometer, gyroscope, making it suitable for advanced usage scenarios such as health tracking or gaming.
- Better Build Quality: The Corning Gorilla Glass Victus makes it more durable and less prone to damage than the Redmi 12's Corning Gorilla Glass 3.
- Better Audio: Dolby Atmos and stereo speakers enhance the audio experience for media and gaming.
- Faster WiFi: The support for Wifi 6 makes it better suited for modern networks.
Xiaomi Redmi 12 5G Advantages:
- Larger Display: Larger display provides more screen real estate, which is ideal for media consumption.
- Larger Battery: The 5000mAh battery offers significantly better potential battery life, which is valuable for users who need a phone to last all day without charging.
- Newer Software: Comes with a newer operating system version out of the box and is slated to receive newer updates.
- Side-mounted Fingerprint Sensor: Can be faster and more convenient for some users than the basic fingerprint sensor.
- Lower Price: The Redmi 12 5G is generally a more budget friendly option.
Significant Trade-offs:
- The S21 trades battery life for performance, a premium display and overall camera quality.
- The Redmi 12 5G trades performance, camera quality and display quality for a larger screen and much longer battery life.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy S21 5G Ideal Users:
- Power Users: Those who frequently use demanding apps, play graphically intensive games, and need smooth multitasking capabilities.
- Photography Enthusiasts: Users who value high-quality images and videos and want versatile camera features like telephoto and wide-angle lenses.
- Multimedia Lovers: Users who prioritize a vibrant, high-resolution display for media consumption with better contrast and deep blacks and good sound quality.
- Users who prioritize fast charging and wireless convenience: A user who needs to be able to quickly charge their phone and prefers wireless charging.
Use Cases:
- Gaming: Smooth gameplay, higher frame rates, and higher quality graphics.
- High-quality content creation: Recording 4K/8K videos, high quality photos, and requiring advanced camera features.
- Outdoor use: Easy to read in bright sunlight conditions.
Xiaomi Redmi 12 5G Ideal Users:
- Casual Users: Those who need a phone for basic tasks, social media, and light gaming.
- Battery Life Prioritizers: Users who need a phone that can easily last a full day or more without charging.
- Media Consumers: Users who watch a lot of videos on their phone and prefer a large display for an immersive experience.
- Budget-conscious buyers: Users looking for the most value for money at a lower price point.
Use Cases:
- Long periods of web browsing and social media.
- Watching movies and TV shows on the go.
- Basic photography and everyday pictures.
Price-to-Value Ratio:
- The Samsung Galaxy S21 5G offers a premium experience with its better display, performance, and camera at a higher price point.
- The Xiaomi Redmi 12 5G offers good value for its price, balancing features with cost but compromising in key areas like camera, display and performance.
4. Decision Framework
Here are three key questions to help buyers decide:
How important is performance and gaming?
- If High: The Samsung Galaxy S21 5G is the better choice for intensive tasks and gaming.
- If Low: The Xiaomi Redmi 12 5G is sufficient for everyday use.
How critical is display quality and visibility?
- If High: The Samsung Galaxy S21 5G with its AMOLED display and high brightness is better suited.
- If Low: The Xiaomi Redmi 12 5G has a decent screen for general use but is not as high in contrast and brightness.
Is battery life more important than other features?
- If Yes: The Xiaomi Redmi 12 5G's larger battery provides longer usage on a single charge.
- If No: The Samsung Galaxy S21 5G is a good all-rounder if battery life is not the priority.
Scenario-Based Recommendations
- Scenario 1: Mobile Gamer & Content Creator
- Recommendation: Samsung Galaxy S21 5G. Better performance and camera quality is better suited to gaming and content creation.
- Scenario 2: All-Day Battery & Casual User
- Recommendation: Xiaomi Redmi 12 5G. Longer battery life and a budget friendly option.
- Scenario 3: Media Consumption and Daily Use
- Recommendation: Samsung Galaxy S21 5G. Better display quality and sound quality make the S21 the better choice for consuming media content.
- Scenario 4: Value-Conscious User
- Recommendation: Xiaomi Redmi 12 5G. Offers a more affordable option for those who don't require premium features.
My Choice
If I were choosing, I would opt for the Samsung Galaxy S21 5G. While the Redmi 12 5G has a larger battery, the superior display quality of the S21, significantly faster performance, and far better camera system makes it a far better choice for me. I often use my phone to consume media and take pictures/videos for social media and the S21 would be much better suited for these use cases. Furthermore, the inclusion of wireless charging is an added convenience that I appreciate. Although the battery life is not as long as the Redmi 12 5G, it's still adequate for a day of moderate use, and fast charging helps top it up quickly when needed.
