1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 5G | Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 Pro+ | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 151.7 × 71.2 × 7.9 mm | 162.9 × 76 × 8.9 mm | S21 is more compact and easier to handle with one hand. Note 12 Pro+ is larger, may be less pocketable. |
| Weight | 169g | 208.4g | S21 is significantly lighter, making it more comfortable for extended use. Note 12 Pro+ is noticeably heavier. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.2" | 6.67" | Note 12 Pro+ offers a larger display for more immersive media consumption, gaming and productivity. S21 is better for compact use. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2400 | Both offer the same level of clarity in terms of pixel count. |
| PPI | 421 | 395 | S21 has slightly sharper visuals due to higher pixel density, but the difference is not drastic in everyday use. |
| Technology | AMOLED | OLED | Both use high-quality display technology providing vibrant colors and deep blacks. Minimal difference in real-world experience. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | Both offer smooth scrolling and animations. |
| Brightness | 1300 nits | 900 nits | S21 is significantly brighter, providing much better visibility in direct sunlight. Note 12 Pro+ may struggle more in bright conditions. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Exynos 2100 (5 nm) - International | Mediatek Dimensity 1080 (6 nm) | S21's chipset generally offers slightly better performance for demanding tasks, apps and gaming, based on benchmark results. |
| AnTuTu Score | 749,100 | 573,100 | S21 provides overall snappier performance based on benchmark results, likely noticeable in heavier apps and games. |
| GPU | Mali-G78 MP14 - International | Mali-G68 MC4 | S21’s GPU is expected to provide slightly superior graphics performance, particularly in more demanding games. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 4000mAh | 5000mAh | Note 12 Pro+ offers potentially longer battery life due to the larger capacity. S21 may require more frequent charging. |
| Charging | 25W fast charging | 120W fast charging | Note 12 Pro+ charges significantly faster, reducing downtime. S21 charging speed is considerably slower in comparison. |
| Features | Reverse, Wireless, No in-box Charger | Non-removable | S21 offers convenience of wireless and reverse charging; Note 12 Pro+ needs cable for charging, no charger in-box for both. |
| Camera | |||
| Standard Camera | 12MP, f/1.8, 1/1.76", 1.8µm | 200MP, f/1.65, 1/1.4", 0.56µm | Note 12 Pro+ has much higher resolution for potential greater detail in good light; S21 has slightly larger pixel size for better low-light |
| Telephoto | 64MP | None | S21 has dedicated telephoto lens providing optical zoom capability; Note 12 Pro+ lacks optical zoom. |
| Selfie Camera | 10MP, f/2.2, 1/3.2", 1.22µm | 16MP, f/2.45, - , - | Note 12 Pro+ has slightly higher resolution for selfies. S21 has slightly wider aperture for better low-light selfies. |
| Wide Angle Lens | None | 8MP, f/2.2, 1/2.8", 1.14µm | Note 12 Pro+ has a wide-angle lens for capturing more of the scene. |
| Macro Lens | None | 2MP, f/2.4, 1/5", 1.75µm | Note 12 Pro+ has a dedicated macro lens for close-up shots; S21 lacks this feature. |
| Wide Angle + Macro | 12.2MP | None | S21 has dedicated wide-angle plus macro capabilities, offering versatile shooting options, Note 12 Pro+ doesn't have this combo |
| Video | Up to 8K | Up to 4K | S21 offers significantly higher video recording resolution, allowing for better post-processing and cropping. |
| DxOMark (Mobile) | Overall: 111, Photo: 118, Video: 90 | Overall: 113, Photo: 117, Video: 117 | Note 12 Pro+ has a slightly higher overall score and a significantly higher video score. S21 has slightly better photo score based on test results |
| DxOMark (Selfie) | Overall: 132, Photo: 125, Video: 145 | Not tested | S21 has a higher selfie camera quality based on DxOMark results. Note 12 Pro+ has no results here. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy S21 5G Advantages:
- Superior Performance: The Exynos 2100 chipset and Mali-G78 GPU offer slightly better performance, noticeable in gaming and demanding applications.
- Brighter Display: The 1300 nits brightness makes it much more usable in bright sunlight compared to the Note 12 Pro+'s 900 nits display.
- Better Video Recording: The ability to record up to 8K video provides a significant advantage for professional video production.
- More Advanced Camera Features: Offers a dedicated telephoto lens for optical zoom and a combination Wide Angle + Macro lens enhancing versatility.
- Wireless charging: Features both wireless and reverse wireless charging
- Screen protection: Offers superior screen protection with Corning Gorilla Glass Victus
Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 Pro+ Advantages:
- Larger Battery: The 5000mAh battery offers potentially longer battery life.
- Faster Charging: 120W fast charging significantly reduces charging time.
- Higher Resolution Main Camera: 200MP main sensor allows for greater detail in well-lit conditions.
- Wider Range of Camera Lenses: Dedicated Wide Angle and Macro lenses adds versatility in photography.
- Newer Bluetooth: Has Bluetooth 5.2 version.
- Lower video score: DxOMark for Mobile score shows 27 points difference in video quality
- Lower price: Generally offered at a lower price point compared to Samsung
Trade-offs:
- The S21 trades a smaller battery and slower charging for better performance, screen brightness and camera features like optical zoom and 8k recording.
- The Note 12 Pro+ trades slightly lower performance and lower outdoor visibility for a larger battery, faster charging, and higher-resolution main camera with more lenses
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy S21 5G:
- Ideal Users:
- Users who value performance and smooth experience in demanding applications and games.
- Users who frequently use their phone in direct sunlight.
- Users who prioritize high-quality video recording, including professional level footage.
- Users who prefer a more compact, lighter phone for ease of use.
- Users who prioritize optical zoom capabilities in camera
- Specific Use Cases:
- Mobile gaming enthusiasts.
- Content creators who frequently shoot videos.
- Professionals working outdoors who need a bright, readable display.
- Users who prefer wireless charging and power-sharing.
- Users who want the best selfie camera
Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 Pro+:
- Ideal Users:
- Users who prioritize long battery life and quick charging.
- Users who take a lot of photos and want a high-resolution main camera.
- Users who want more versatility in photography with dedicated wide-angle and macro lenses.
- Budget-conscious users seeking a feature-rich phone without top-tier performance.
- Specific Use Cases:
- Frequent travelers who need long battery life.
- Users who take many photos in good light.
- Social media users who enjoy creative photography, including macro and wide angle.
- Users who want a larger display for multimedia consumption.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions to Consider:
- How important is outdoor visibility? If you frequently use your phone in bright sunlight, the S21 is the clear choice.
- What is more important, battery life or charging speed? If you prefer faster charging with longer battery life, the Note 12 Pro+ is better.
- What are your photography priorities? If you need optical zoom and better selfie camera performance S21 excels, while Note 12 Pro+ offers a higher main sensor resolution with wide-angle and macro lens capabilities.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Outdoor Photography & Videography: Choose the Samsung Galaxy S21 5G for its brighter display, better video recording capabilities, and optical zoom.
- Scenario 2: Heavy Usage, Long Battery Needs: Choose the Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 Pro+ for its longer battery life and significantly faster charging.
- Scenario 3: Budget-Conscious User with Photography Focus: Choose the Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 Pro+ for its high-resolution camera, wider range of lenses, and lower price point.
- Scenario 4: Performance and compact form factor: Choose the Samsung Galaxy S21 5G for its superior performance and comfortable use.
My Choice
If I were choosing between these two phones, I would personally pick the Samsung Galaxy S21 5G. While the Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 Pro+ offers compelling features like faster charging and a higher resolution main camera, the S21's superior performance, notably brighter display (critical for my use case), higher video recording capabilities, and dedicated telephoto lens align better with my typical usage. Additionally, having wireless charging and a more compact form factor makes the S21 a more practical choice for my needs despite the compromises in battery life. Even if the Note 12 Pro+ was a lot cheaper, the benefits of the S21 outweigh the value of a lower price.
