1. Specifications Comparison
Design
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G | Xiaomi 11T | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 161.5 × 75.6 × 7.8 mm | 164.1 × 76.9 × 8.8 mm | Xiaomi 11T is slightly taller, wider, and thicker, making it less pocketable and harder to use one-handed. |
| Weight | 200g | 203g | Both phones are relatively heavy, but the difference is negligible. |
Display
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G | Xiaomi 11T | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Size | 6.7" | 6.67" | Both displays are very similar in size; The difference of 0.03" is negligible in daily use. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2400 | Both offer a sharp and clear display, suitable for most viewing needs. |
| PPI | 394 | 395 | Both displays offer nearly identical sharpness, making them indistinguishable in day-to-day use. |
| Technology | AMOLED | AMOLED | Both offer vibrant colors, deep blacks, and excellent contrast, ideal for media consumption. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | Both provide smooth scrolling and animations, enhancing the user experience in gaming and UI navigation. |
| Brightness | 1300 nits | 1000 nits | Samsung S21+ has significantly better outdoor visibility in bright sunlight. |
Performance
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G | Xiaomi 11T | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chipset | Exynos 2100 (5 nm) - International | Mediatek Dimensity 1200 (6 nm) | The Samsung S21+ has a slightly better performance, though both are powerful enough for daily use and gaming. |
| AnTuTu Score | 749,100 | 712,100 | Samsung S21+ performs marginally better, indicating slightly snappier app launching and gaming performance. |
| GPU | Mali-G78 MP14 - International (ARM Mali-G78 MC14) | Mali-G77 MC9 (9x Arm Mali-G77 MC9) | Both GPUs offer comparable gaming performance. |
Camera
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G | Xiaomi 11T | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard Camera | 12MP, f/1.8, 1/1.76", 1.8µm | 108MP, f/1.75, 1/1.52", 0.7µm | Xiaomi 11T captures more detailed images in daylight, while S21+ excels in low-light due to larger pixel size and better aperture. |
| Telephoto | 64MP, f/2.0, 1/1.72", 0.8µm | None | Samsung S21+ provides better zoom capabilities for portraits and distant subjects. |
| Selfie Camera | 10MP, f/2.2, 1/3.2", 1.22µm | 16MP, f/2.45, 1/3.06", 1.0µm | Xiaomi 11T's selfie camera offers higher resolution. S21+ has better aperture for low light. |
| Wide Angle Camera | 12.2MP, f/2.2, 1/2.55" ,1.40µm | 8MP, f/2.2, 1/2.8", 1.14µm | S21+ provides higher quality wide-angle pictures, and it also has a macro lens functionality included. |
| Macro Lens | None | 5MP, f/2.4, 1/5", 1.12µm | Xiaomi 11T offers a dedicated macro lens for close-up photography. |
| Video Recording | 8K@24fps, 4K@60fps with HDR, EIS, Stereo Sound | 4K@30fps with EIS | Samsung S21+ supports higher resolution video and offers more features. Both phones offer slow-motion recording. |
| DXOMark Scores | Mobile: 111/118/89 (Main/Photo/Video) | Selfie: 115/110/124 (Main/Photo/Video) | S21+ overall has a higher mobile camera score while the 11T is higher for selfies. |
| Camera Features | 8K Video, Optical zoom, OIS, PDAF, RAW etc. | Ultra stable video, RAW, Night mode, etc. | S21+ offers more professional features such as optical zoom and OIS. Xiaomi 11T excels in video stabilization. |
Battery
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G | Xiaomi 11T | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 4800mAh | 5000mAh | Xiaomi 11T has a slightly larger battery which may result in slightly longer battery life. |
| Charging | 25W fast charging | 67W fast charging | Xiaomi 11T charges significantly faster, reducing downtime and charging time. |
| Features | Wireless, reverse charging | Non-removable | Samsung S21+ offers more charging flexibility with wireless and reverse wireless charging capabilities. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G Advantages:
- Brighter Display: Superior outdoor visibility with 1300 nits brightness.
- Slightly Better Performance: Higher AnTuTu scores suggest marginally snappier performance and better gaming capabilities.
- Advanced Camera System: Includes telephoto lens with optical zoom, higher video recording resolution (8K), and optical image stabilization (OIS).
- Wireless Charging: Supports wireless and reverse wireless charging for added convenience.
- More OS Updates: The phone gets updated to Android 15, whereas the Xiaomi 11T stops at Android 13.
- Wider Audio Features: The S21+ has Hi-Res Audio, which provides richer audio quality, and noise-canceling microphone which enables clearer calls
Xiaomi 11T Advantages:
- Faster Charging: 67W charging significantly reduces charging times.
- Larger Battery: Provides marginally better battery life.
- Higher-Resolution Main Camera: 108MP sensor captures more detailed images in daylight.
- Dedicated Macro Lens: Offers a dedicated lens for close-up photography.
- More Satellites supported for GPS: The phone offers more accurate GPS capabilities.
- Newer Bluetooth Version: The phone offers Bluetooth 5.2 versus 5.0 for more stable connections.
Trade-offs:
- Samsung S21+: While it has a better display and more versatile camera, it charges significantly slower.
- Xiaomi 11T: While it charges faster and has better battery life, it lacks optical zoom and has a slightly lower outdoor display brightness.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Ideal Users for Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G:
- Outdoor Enthusiasts: Need a bright screen for clear visibility in sunlight.
- Photography Enthusiasts: Want a versatile camera with zoom and OIS.
- Multimedia Consumers: Benefit from the high-quality display and advanced audio features.
- Those Who Value Convenience: Benefit from wireless charging options.
- Those Who Need Software Updates: The S21+ gets updated to Android 15 versus 13 for Xiaomi 11T
Specific Use Cases for Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G:
- Taking photos and videos in diverse lighting conditions with its versatile zoom capabilities.
- Watching videos and movies with its high-quality display.
- Navigating outdoors on bright sunny days.
Ideal Users for Xiaomi 11T:
- Power Users: Need fast charging and long battery life.
- Social Media Content Creators: Value the higher resolution main camera and video stabilization.
- Macro Photography Enthusiasts: Benefit from the dedicated macro lens.
- Gamers: benefit from the 120Hz refresh rate
- Those Who Value GPS and Navigation: The extra satellites offer the user better navigation in various locations.
Specific Use Cases for Xiaomi 11T:
- Quickly charging the phone during breaks.
- Taking detailed images and videos for social media.
- Capturing close-up shots of subjects.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- How important is display brightness for outdoor use? If outdoor visibility is critical, the S21+ is preferable.
- Do you need a zoom lens and advanced video features? If yes, the S21+ is a better option.
- Is fast charging and battery life a priority? If yes, the Xiaomi 11T excels.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Frequent Traveler & Outdoor Photographer: The Samsung S21+ is a better fit due to its brighter display, zoom capabilities and its wireless charging.
- Scenario 2: Social Media Influencer & Content Creator: The Xiaomi 11T, with its higher resolution main camera and fast charging, would be ideal.
- Scenario 3: Casual User & Movie Watcher: The S21+ offers a better display and enhanced audio.
- Scenario 4: Gamer and Heavy User: The Xiaomi 11T, with its 120 Hz display, fast charging and large battery offers a more enjoyable experience.
My Choice
If I were to choose between these two phones, I would personally pick the Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G. While the Xiaomi 11T has its strengths, such as faster charging and a slightly larger battery, the S21+ wins due to its superior display brightness, more versatile camera setup with optical zoom, and wireless charging capabilities. These features better align with my priorities as a frequent traveler and someone who values camera quality and multimedia consumption. The wider audio features of the S21+, with Hi-Res Audio and noise-canceling microphones would be beneficial to my use cases. Although the charging is slower, I am less impacted by it, compared to a more versatile camera and clearer display.
