Alright, let's break down the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G and the Xiaomi Poco F5 Pro. These are two very different beasts, each with its own strengths and weaknesses, despite both being aimed at the premium mid-range segment. As always, I’m less concerned with the spec sheet and more with how these numbers translate into your daily life.
1. Specifications Breakdown
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G | Xiaomi Poco F5 Pro | Real-World Implications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Launch Date | 2022-01-07 | 2023-05-01 | Poco F5 Pro is newer by 1 year and 4 months, which is a significant advantage in the fast-paced tech world. |
| Physical Size | 155.7 × 74.5 × 7.9 mm | 162.8 × 75.4 × 8.6 mm | S21 FE is slightly more compact and should feel easier to handle for small hands. |
| Weight | 177g | 204g | S21 FE is lighter, likely more comfortable for extended use. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.4" | 6.67" | Poco F5 Pro has a larger display, which is better for media consumption and gaming. |
| Resolution | 1080x2340 | 1440x3200 | Poco F5 Pro has a sharper, more detailed display, noticeable in text and images. |
| PPI | 403 | 526 | Poco F5 Pro has higher pixel density, resulting in a noticeably sharper display |
| Technology | AMOLED | AMOLED | Both use AMOLED, meaning excellent colors and deep blacks. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | Both have a smooth 120Hz refresh rate for fluid scrolling and animations. |
| Brightness | 1300 nits | 1400 nits | Poco F5 Pro will be slightly more visible in bright sunlight. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Snapdragon 888 (5 nm) | Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 (4 nm) | Poco F5 Pro's newer chipset offers improved speed, better efficiency, and higher Antutu scores, making it feel smoother. |
| AnTuTu Score | 923,836 | 1,317,798 | Poco F5 Pro is notably faster in benchmarks, translating to quicker app launches and smoother multitasking. |
| GPU | Adreno 660 | Adreno 730 | Poco F5 Pro’s GPU is more powerful, giving it a clear edge in gaming. |
| Battery Life | |||
| Capacity | 4500mAh | 5160mAh | Poco F5 Pro has a larger battery, likely giving it a noticeable edge in daily battery life. |
| Charging | 25W Fast | 67W Fast | Poco F5 Pro charges much faster, saving you a significant amount of time. |
| Features | Reverse Charging, 15W Wireless, 4.5W reverse wireless | 30W wireless | Samsung has more versatility with reverse charging and wireless capabilities, Xiaomi has more powerful wireless charging capabilities, and no charger in the box for Samsung. |
| Camera | |||
| Standard Camera | 12MP, f/1.8, 1/1.76" Sony IMX555 | 64MP, f/1.79, 1/2" Omnivision OV64B | Xiaomi has a higher megapixel count with a wider aperture but smaller sensor. |
| Telephoto+Portrait | 8MP, f/2.0, Hynix HI-847 | None | S21 FE has a dedicated zoom lens for portraits, giving it an edge in optical zoom. |
| Selfie Camera | 32MP, f/2.2, 1/2.8" Sony IMX616 | 16MP, f/2.45, 1/3.06" Omnivision OV16A1Q | S21 FE has a higher megapixel selfie camera, likely capturing more detail. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 13MP, f/2.2, 1/3.06" Sony IMX258 | 8MP, f/2.2, 1/4" Omnivision OV08D10 | S21 FE has a dedicated wide + macro angle lens, Xiaomi has a dedicated wide angle lens |
| Macro Lens | None | 2MP, f/2.4, 1/5" Omnivision OV02B10 | Xiaomi has a dedicated macro lens |
| Video Recording | Up to 4K 60fps | Up to 8K 24fps | Poco F5 Pro can record at higher resolution with 8k, S21 FE has better HDR video capabilities. |
| DXOMark Score | Mobile: 117, Selfie: 127 | Not Available | S21 FE has been reviewed and tested, Poco has not. |
| Camera Features | OIS, PDAF, HDR, Night mode, Optical Zoom | OIS, PDAF, HDR, Night Mode, 8K video | Both have a comprehensive feature set, with Samsung with optical zoom and Xiaomi with 8k video. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 12 (up to 16) | Android 13 | Poco F5 Pro has a newer version of Android, and more future-proof, although the S21 FE has promised updates to 16 |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6 | Wi-Fi 6 | Both support Wi-Fi 6, offering fast wireless speeds. |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 | 5.3 | Poco F5 Pro has a newer version of Bluetooth with support for LDAC audio codec, offering a better Bluetooth audio experience. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, Galileo, GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (L1), BeiDou (B1), Galileo (E1+E5a), BeiDou (B2), QZSS (L1 + L5) | Xiaomi device has more accurate GPS because of additional supported systems. |
| SIM | Dual SIM | Dual SIM | Both have dual SIM capability, which allows users to use two SIM cards simultaneously. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal Storage | 128/256 GB | 256/512 GB | Poco F5 Pro offers more storage options, suitable for media-heavy users. |
| RAM | 6/8 GB | 8/12 GB | Poco F5 Pro offers more RAM, smoother multitasking, and faster performance. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone offers expandable storage, make sure you pick the right storage variant. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Dolby Atmos, Stereo Speakers, Noise Cancellation Mic | Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res Audio, Stereo Speakers | Both offer good quality audio, with Samsung offering noise cancellation and Xiaomi offering Hi-Res audio. |
| Security | |||
| Security Features | Basic Fingerprint Sensor | Basic Fingerprint Sensor | Both offer basic fingerprint security. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Gorilla Glass Victus | Gorilla Glass 5 | S21 FE has more durable screen protection. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Biometric: Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Barometer | Biometric: Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope | S21 FE has more environmental sensors, including a barometer. |
2. Key Insights
Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G Strengths:
- More Compact and Lighter: Feels better in hand and easier to carry around.
- Versatile Camera: Offers a dedicated telephoto lens for optical zoom, which is great for portraits and far-away subjects.
- Reverse Charging Capabilities: Can charge other devices wirelessly, a handy feature.
- Gorilla Glass Victus: Better screen protection for more durability.
- More sensors: Contains more sensors like a barometer.
- DXOMARK Score: DXOMARK Scores for both the main and selfie cameras.
- Better HDR Video: HDR Video is available on all frame rates
- Optical Zoom: Has a dedicated zoom lens
Xiaomi Poco F5 Pro Strengths:
- Superior Performance: The newer Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 chipset makes it significantly faster and smoother than the S21 FE.
- Larger, Sharper Display: Offers a higher resolution display, a difference you'll appreciate when watching videos or playing games.
- Bigger Battery, Faster Charging: More battery and much faster charging times are a major advantage.
- 8K Video Recording: 8k Video capabilities
- Higher Storage Options: Comes with up to 512 GB of internal storage.
- Newer Bluetooth: Includes Bluetooth 5.3 for better connectivity.
- Hi-Res Audio: Hi-Res Audio capabilities for better music
- Ultra Stable Video: Ultra stable video feature
Trade-offs and Limitations:
- The Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G has a less powerful processor and graphics, which shows in benchmark scores.
- The Xiaomi Poco F5 Pro is heavier and has a bigger footprint, making it less comfortable for some users.
- The S21 FE, although it has more video recording capabilities, can't shoot in 8K.
- The Poco F5 Pro's camera setup lacks optical zoom and has a less impressive telephoto lens.
- The S21 FE does not come with a charger in the box.
- The Xiaomi Poco F5 Pro has a weaker Gorilla Glass screen protection, compared to the S21 FE.
3. User Profiles and Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G is best for:
- Casual Users: Who prioritize ease of use, comfort, and reliable performance.
- Photography Enthusiasts: Who value optical zoom and front facing camera.
- Those with smaller hands: Who appreciate a more compact and lighter design.
- Samsung Ecosystem Users: Who are already invested in the Samsung ecosystem.
- Users who want additional sensors like a barometer
Xiaomi Poco F5 Pro is best for:
- Power Users: Who require top-notch performance for gaming, multitasking, and heavy apps.
- Media Consumers: Who want a large, high-resolution screen for movies and videos.
- Gamers: Who need smooth performance, fast charging and high quality display.
- Those who value storage: Who want to store a large collection of media on their device.
- Music Enthusiasts: Who require Hi-Res Audio capabilities.
- Those who want an 8k camera and ultra stable video capabilities.
4. Buying Decision Framework
Here are three questions to help you decide:
- Do I value size and weight more, or raw performance and display quality? If comfort and portability are key, the S21 FE might be better. If you want raw speed, sharper visuals, and more storage the Poco F5 Pro excels.
- How important is battery life and fast charging to you? If you are a heavy user and hate waiting for your phone to charge, then the Poco F5 Pro's larger battery and faster charging will be a game changer.
- What is my primary use case for the camera? If you prioritize optical zoom, a versatile set up and front camera quality, the S21 FE is better. However, if 8K recording and ultra stable video features are important, the Poco F5 Pro is better.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: You're a gamer who always plays mobile games and also watches a lot of movies on the go. You want smooth performance, a sharp display, and a battery that can last all day.
- Recommendation: Xiaomi Poco F5 Pro is the ideal choice due to its superior gaming performance, larger, higher-resolution screen, and longer battery life with rapid charging.
- Scenario 2: You mostly use your phone for emails, browsing, social media, and some casual photography. You also want something lightweight and comfortable for everyday use.
- Recommendation: Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G is a better fit due to its more compact design, comfortable ergonomics and more versatile telephoto camera capabilities.
- Scenario 3: You work from your phone, and need to constantly multitask and quickly move between apps, while also having the ability to take great portraits.
- Recommendation: The Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G is better suited for you as its powerful enough to multitask while it also delivers great optical zoom photography.
- Scenario 4: You want the best battery and the fastest charging without sacrificing performance for gaming and watching movies.
- Recommendation: The Xiaomi Poco F5 Pro is the clear choice, it delivers better gaming, battery life and charging speeds.
Which one would I choose?
Given my needs, I would personally choose the Xiaomi Poco F5 Pro. As a tech journalist, I often push my devices to their limits, running multiple apps, editing photos, and playing demanding games. While I appreciate the S21 FE's lighter build and more versatile camera, the Poco F5 Pro's superior performance, sharper display, larger battery, faster charging, Hi-Res Audio capabilities, 8k and ultra stable video recording and newer features is more important to me. The performance boost and the superior display resolution outweigh its heavier design, and the larger battery with much faster charging would save me a lot of hassle during my busy days.
