Smartphone Comparison: Samsung Galaxy S21 5G vs. Xiaomi Redmi Note 11S 5G
1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 5G | Xiaomi Redmi Note 11S 5G | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 151.7 × 71.2 × 7.9 mm | 163.6 × 75.8 × 8.8 mm | S21 is smaller, more pocketable, and easier to handle one-handed. Note 11S 5G is larger, making it less convenient. |
| Weight | 169g | 195g | S21 is significantly lighter and comfortable for extended use, Note 11S is noticeably heavier. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.2" | 6.6" | Note 11S has a larger screen for more immersive media consumption and better viewing. S21 is more compact. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2400 | Both offer similar sharpness. |
| Pixel Density | 421 PPI | 399 PPI | S21 has slightly sharper text and images. The difference is minor and likely not noticeable to most users. |
| Technology | AMOLED | IPS LCD | S21 offers superior contrast, deeper blacks, and potentially better battery life with dark themes. Note 11S has more traditional LCD technology. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 90Hz | S21 has smoother scrolling and animations, leading to a more fluid user experience. |
| Brightness | 1300 nits | 0 nits | S21 is dramatically brighter for better visibility in bright sunlight. Note: Brightness information for Note 11S is missing, assumed to be significantly lower based on other LCD panels. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Exynos 2100 (5 nm) | Mediatek Dimensity 810 (6 nm) | S21's chipset is significantly more powerful, resulting in faster app loading and better performance in demanding apps and games. |
| AnTuTu Score | 749,100 | 438,700 | S21 delivers substantially better overall performance, suitable for gaming and heavy multitasking. |
| GPU | Mali-G78 MP14 | Mali-G57 MC2 | S21 offers far superior graphics performance for gaming and graphically intensive applications. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 4000mAh | 5000mAh | Note 11S has a larger battery, likely offering better battery life per charge. Actual endurance varies based on usage. |
| Charging | 25W Fast Charging | 33W Fast Charging | Note 11S charges slightly faster, minimizing downtime. |
| Features | Reverse Charging, Wireless Charging 15W, Reverse Wireless Charging 4.5W, No charger in-box | Non-removable | S21 offers more versatile charging options like wireless and reverse charging. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 12MP, f/1.8, 1/1.76", 1.8µm pixel | 50MP, f/1.8, 1/2.76", 0.64µm pixel | Note 11S has higher resolution, but the S21 has a larger sensor and larger pixels for better low light performance. |
| Telephoto/Portrait | 64MP, f/2.0, 1/1.72", 0.8µm pixel | None | S21 has a dedicated telephoto camera for better zoom and portrait shots. |
| Selfie Camera | 10MP, f/2.2, 1/3.2", 1.22µm pixel | 13MP, f/2.4 | Note 11S has slightly higher resolution, but S21 has a wider aperture for better low light performance. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 12.2MP, f/2.2, 1/2.55", 1.4µm pixel | 8MP, f/2.2 | The S21's ultrawide camera appears to be included with the macro lens, offering better quality than the Note 11S’s dedicated wide-angle. |
| Macro Lens | None | 2MP, f/2.4 | Note 11S has a dedicated macro lens for close-up shots, but low resolution. |
| Video | Up to 8K@24fps with HDR, EIS, Stereo Sound | 1080p@30/60fps | S21 offers significantly better video recording capabilities, including 8K and advanced stabilization. |
| DXOMARK Main Score | 111 | 65 | S21 has a superior camera performance. |
| DXOMARK Selfie Score | 132 | Not Rated | S21 has better selfie camera. |
| Camera Features | 8K Video, Optical zoom, OIS, RAW | Digital zoom, Ultra stable video, | S21 has more advanced camera features, especially for photography. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 (Upgradable to 15) | Android 11 | S21 offers longer-term software support. Max OS for Note 11S is not available |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | WiFi 6 (802.11ax) | 802.11ac | S21 supports the latest Wi-Fi standard for faster speeds. |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 | 5.1 | Note 11S has slightly newer Bluetooth, although both are similar in functionality. |
| GPS | GPS (L1+L5), Galileo (E1+E5a), Beidou | GPS, Galileo | S21 offers better GPS accuracy with dual band. |
| Storage & Memory | |||
| Internal | 128/256 GB | 64/128 GB | S21 offers more storage options. |
| RAM | 8 GB | 4/6 GB | S21 has more RAM for better multitasking. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither phone offers expandable storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Dolby Atmos, Noise Cancellation Microphone, Stereo Speakers | Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res Audio, Stereo Speakers, 2 microphones | Both are similar but Note 11S offers 2 microphones and Hi-Res Audio |
| Security | |||
| Features | Basic fingerprint sensor | Side-mounted fingerprint sensor | Note 11S's sensor is more ergonomic |
| Build Quality | |||
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | S21 has significantly better screen protection. |
| Sensors | Biometric: Fingerprint; Proximity; Motion: Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope; Environmental: Barometer | Biometric: Fingerprint; Motion: Accelerometer, Compass; Proximity: Ultrasonic proximity virtual | S21 has more sensors (gyroscope, barometer) that are useful for many apps and games. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy S21 5G Advantages:
- Superior Performance: The Exynos 2100 chipset offers significantly faster processing and graphics, ideal for demanding apps and gaming.
- Better Display: AMOLED technology, 120Hz refresh rate, and high brightness provide a superior viewing experience, especially outdoors.
- Advanced Camera System: Features a telephoto lens, optical image stabilization (OIS), 8K video, and better low-light performance.
- Wireless Charging: Offers convenient wireless and reverse wireless charging capabilities.
- More RAM & Storage: 8GB of RAM and up to 256 GB of storage for smoother multitasking and more files.
- Better Build: Includes Corning Gorilla Glass Victus for superior screen protection.
- Longer Software Support: Confirmed OS updates up to Android 15.
- More Sensors: Includes additional sensors for more advanced use cases.
Xiaomi Redmi Note 11S 5G Advantages:
- Larger Battery: 5000mAh for potentially longer battery life per charge.
- Faster Charging: 33W fast charging allows for quicker refills.
- Side-mounted Fingerprint Sensor: More ergonomic and easier to access compared to an in-display sensor.
- Slightly Newer Bluetooth: Offers Bluetooth 5.1 compared to 5.0 on the S21.
- Dedicated Macro Lens: Allows for close-up photography.
- Hi-Res Audio Support for high-quality audio playback
- Lower Price: Typically more affordable than the S21.
Trade-offs:
- The S21 sacrifices battery capacity for a more powerful processor and superior display.
- The Note 11S sacrifices performance, display quality, and camera capabilities for longer battery and a more affordable price.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy S21 5G is Ideal for:
- Power Users: Those who need fast performance for demanding applications, multitasking, and gaming.
- Photography Enthusiasts: Those who prioritize camera quality, zoom capabilities, and advanced shooting options.
- Media Consumers: Those who want a high-quality display with vibrant colors, smooth refresh rates, and great outdoor visibility.
- Users Who Value Build Quality and Durability: Users who need a robust device with the latest protective glass.
Xiaomi Redmi Note 11S 5G is Ideal for:
- Budget-Conscious Buyers: Those looking for a capable smartphone at a more affordable price point.
- Users Who Need Long Battery Life: Those who prioritize battery endurance over top-tier performance.
- Casual Users: Those whose primary use cases involve basic social media, browsing, and light gaming.
- Users Who Prefer A Larger Screen: Those who prefer a bigger screen for reading, browsing and watching videos.
Specific Use Cases:
- S21: Mobile gaming, professional photography, graphic design, streaming high-resolution video, outdoor use.
- Note 11S: All-day social media usage, casual gaming, consuming video content, travel photography, everyday tasks.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions to Consider:
- What is your budget? The Note 11S is likely more affordable than the S21.
- How important is performance and camera quality? The S21 excels in both of these areas.
- What do you value more: battery life or display quality? The Note 11S offers longer battery life while the S21 offers a superior display.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- If you are a gamer or a power user: The S21 is the better choice due to its superior performance.
- If you take a lot of pictures and want good low-light performance: The S21’s superior camera would be the better option.
- If you need a phone for basic tasks and need long battery life on a budget: The Note 11S is more suitable.
- If you often use your phone outdoors: The S21's brighter display will be beneficial.
- If you want the latest features: The S21 has wireless charging, more advanced Bluetooth codecs, and more advanced cameras.
- If you want a basic phone that will serve your daily needs without any bells and whistles: The Note 11S will be perfect.
What I Would Choose and Why
If I were to choose between these two phones, I would personally choose the Samsung Galaxy S21 5G.
My reasoning is primarily based on the superior performance and significantly better display offered by the S21. While the Redmi Note 11S 5G offers a larger battery and a lower price, the S21's strengths in key areas I value more outweigh its compromises.
Here's a breakdown:
- Performance: As a regular user of resource-intensive applications and mobile games, the Exynos 2100 chip in the S21 provides a noticeable performance boost compared to the MediaTek Dimensity 810 in the Note 11S. This translates to smoother multitasking, faster loading times, and an overall more responsive experience.
- Display Quality: The AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate is a clear advantage. The vibrant colors, deep blacks, and smooth scrolling of the S21’s display are more immersive and enjoyable for everyday use, including media consumption. The higher brightness of the S21 would also be extremely useful when used outdoors or in bright light.
- Camera Capabilities: The S21’s camera system is significantly more versatile, offering a telephoto lens for optical zoom and better portrait shots, along with OIS. The camera is also superior based on DxOMark scores. The ability to shoot 8k video would also be beneficial for more professional-grade content creation.
- Build Quality and Features: The S21's superior screen protection with Gorilla Glass Victus offers peace of mind. The inclusion of wireless charging is also a convenient feature for me.
- Software Support: While this model is a couple of years old, its long-term software support provides the benefit of keeping the phone up to date and secure.
- Personal Preferences: As someone who tends to prefer a more premium experience, the S21 aligns more with my personal preferences despite the older phone being released a year earlier. The S21 provides all the things I would need from a smartphone and much more, with an attractive design.
While the Note 11S’s larger battery is appealing, I'm willing to trade it for the superior performance and overall experience that the S21 provides. The difference in charging speed isn't enough to offset the gap in display and performance. Therefore, the S21 offers a better-rounded experience that suits my needs and use-case scenario. However, if the budget were extremely tight and performance was not a concern for me, the Note 11S would be a more than capable phone for a user on a budget.
