1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G | Xiaomi 11T Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 161.5 x 75.6 x 7.8 mm, 200g | 164.1 x 76.9 x 8.8 mm, 204g | Xiaomi 11T Pro is slightly larger and thicker; both feel similar in hand. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.7" | 6.67" | Practically identical screen sizes for viewing content. |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 | 1080 x 2400 | Both offer crisp, clear displays. |
| PPI | 394 | 395 | Practically no difference in pixel density, both are very sharp. |
| Technology | AMOLED | AMOLED | Vibrant colors and deep blacks on both screens. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | Smooth scrolling and animations on both. |
| Brightness | 1300 nits | 1000 nits | S21+ is noticeably brighter in direct sunlight. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Exynos 2100 (5 nm) | Snapdragon 888 5G (5 nm) | Snapdragon 888 in Xiaomi is slightly faster in benchmarks, offering smoother performance in demanding tasks. |
| AnTuTu Score | 749,100 | 863,489 | Xiaomi 11T Pro will feel a bit more responsive for intensive gaming and multitasking. |
| GPU | Mali-G78 MP14 | Adreno 660 | Different GPUs, but both offer excellent gaming performance. Snapdragon Adreno is generally preferred for gaming. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 4800 mAh | 5000 mAh | Xiaomi 11T Pro has a slightly larger battery, which may translate to slightly longer usage between charges. |
| Charging | 25W Fast Charging | 120W Fast Charging | Xiaomi 11T Pro charges much faster, a significant practical advantage for those often in a hurry. |
| Battery Features | Wireless, Reverse Charging | 2 x 2500mAh cells | S21+ can wirelessly charge, and reverse charge other devices. Xiaomi uses two cells for faster charging. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 12MP, f/1.8, 1/1.76" | 108MP, f/1.75, 1/1.52" | Xiaomi captures much more detail in good light. S21+ main sensor has better pixel size for low light. |
| Telephoto/Portrait | 64MP, f/2.0, 1/1.72" | None | S21+ has dedicated zoom capability, allowing for better portrait and distant shots. |
| Selfie Camera | 10MP, f/2.2, 1/3.2" | 16MP, f/2.45, 1/3.06" | Xiaomi has more resolution, slightly smaller pixels, S21+ has wider aperture for low light. |
| Wide Angle | 12.2MP, f/2.2, 1/2.55" | 8MP, f/2.2, 1/2.8" | S21+ offers the wide angle on top of the macro, whereas the Xiaomi has those separate lenses. |
| Macro | None | 5MP, f/2.4, 1/5" | Xiaomi has a dedicated macro lens for close-up photography. |
| Video | Up to 8K@24fps, multiple modes | Up to 8K@30fps, multiple modes | Both offer high quality recording. |
| DxOMark (Mobile) | 111 overall (photo:118, video: 89) | 108 overall (photo:110, video:126) | S21+ wins in photo overall, 11T Pro wins in video. |
| DxOMark (Selfie) | Not Tested | 121 overall (photo:111, video:137) | Xiaomi has superior selfie performance |
| Camera Features | OIS, PDAF, Optical Zoom | Ultra stable video | Samsung's OIS offers superior stability, and the Xiaomi ultra-stable for video capture. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 (Upgradable to 15) | Android 11 (Upgradable to 13) | Samsung will likely get more future software updates. |
| Connectivity | |||
| WiFi | Wi-Fi 6, Dual Band | Wi-Fi 6, Dual Band, MIMO | Similar performance, but MIMO on the Xiaomi may offer slightly better Wi-Fi in crowded areas. |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 LE, Many codecs | 5.2 LE, Many codecs | Xiaomi has newer version and different codec support. Both offer excellent quality. |
| GPS | Dual-band GPS (L1+L5) | Dual-band GPS (L1+L5) | Both offer accurate positioning. |
| SIM | Dual SIM + eSIM | Dual SIM (Nano) | Samsung offers eSIM for ease of switching carriers. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 128GB/256GB | 128GB/256GB | Both offer same storage options. |
| RAM | 8 GB | 8 GB/12 GB | 12GB RAM on Xiaomi is useful for heavy multitaskers and demanding games. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither has expandable storage, important to select the correct storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Stereo, Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res, Noise cancelling mic | Stereo, Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res, 2 mics | S21+ features a noise cancelling microphone, while the 11T pro features 2 microphones for a higher quality of audio recording. |
| Security | |||
| Features | Basic Fingerprint | Side-mounted Fingerprint | Xiaomi offers a quicker access location of the sensor. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Protection | Gorilla Glass Victus | Gorilla Glass Victus | Both screens are well-protected from scratches and impacts. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Many Proximity / Geomagnetic | Ultrasonic Proximity | S21+ has a more comprehensive suite, while the Xiaomi uses Ultrasonic Proximity. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G Advantages:
- Brighter Display: 1300 nits vs. 1000 nits on Xiaomi, offering better outdoor visibility.
- Better Software Support: Likely to receive more OS updates (Android 15 vs 13).
- Wireless Charging & Reverse Charging: Offers more flexible charging options, including wireless charging and reverse charging.
- More comprehensive sensor suite: Useful for specific uses cases such as advanced gaming.
- Telephoto/Portrait Lens: Dedicated zoom lens provides better flexibility for photography.
- eSIM Support: Allows for easier switching between carriers.
- Noise Cancellation Microphone: Better clarity on calls
Xiaomi 11T Pro Advantages:
- Faster Charging: 120W charging is significantly faster than 25W, a major practical benefit.
- Higher Benchmark Performance: Snapdragon 888 offers a slight performance edge over Exynos 2100.
- Higher Resolution Main Camera: 108MP offers more detail in good lighting conditions.
- Larger Battery Capacity: 5000mAh vs 4800mAh, offers a marginal increase in battery life.
- 12GB RAM option: Available 12 GB option enables better multitasking.
- Better video: Xiaomi features superior video quality and ultra-stable video.
- Dedicated Macro Lens: Dedicated macro lens.
- Newer Bluetooth Version: Bluetooth 5.2 with LDAC and AAC codec support.
- Side-mounted Fingerprint Sensor: More convenient to unlock when picking up the phone.
- Selfie Camera: Superior selfie photo and video performance.
- Better GPS: More satellite support.
Trade-offs:
- Samsung: Lower charging speeds, and slightly lower benchmark performance
- Xiaomi: Less bright display, and less future software updates.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G is ideal for:
- Outdoor users: Those who need a very bright screen for use in sunny conditions.
- Power users invested in the Samsung ecosystem: Users heavily relying on Samsung ecosystem features.
- Users who prefer telephoto zoom: Users who value optical zoom over macro photography.
- Users who value wireless and reverse wireless charging: Users that require the convenience of wireless charging, and the ability to charge other devices.
- Users who want a robust sensor array: Users who require a more robust sensor array for advanced features and gaming.
Xiaomi 11T Pro is ideal for:
- Users who prioritize fast charging: Those who value speed and convenience in charging.
- Users who like to tinker with performance: Those looking for maximum performance for demanding apps and games.
- Users who focus on high-resolution photography: Those who want detailed photos in good lighting conditions.
- Users who require a great selfie camera: Those who prioritize the front camera quality
- Users that want quality video: Those who focus on video quality
- Users who want a more convenient fingerprint sensor: Those who prefer a side-mounted sensor.
- Users who want a better GPS: Those who require the utmost accuracy in location services.
Specific Use Cases:
- Samsung: A professional who needs a very bright screen for outdoor work, and frequently uses reverse wireless charging for their wearables. A photographer who wants zoom and optical stabilization.
- Xiaomi: A gamer who needs high performance and incredibly fast charging, a social media content creator who values high resolution photos and video.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- How important is extremely fast charging? (If very important, Xiaomi wins).
- How critical is outdoor screen visibility? (If critical, Samsung wins).
- Do you prefer zoom or macro photography? (Zoom-S21+, Macro-Xiaomi)
- How important is software updates? (If longevity is required, S21+)
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: You're always on the go and need the fastest charging speeds possible – choose the Xiaomi 11T Pro.
- Scenario 2: You frequently use your phone outdoors in bright conditions and want to take advantage of wireless charging – choose the Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G.
- Scenario 3: You value a better camera on the front, and need to take lots of high-quality video, as well as play demanding games, – choose the Xiaomi 11T Pro.
- Scenario 4: You value software updates, and need to use the optical zoom a lot – choose the Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G.
My Choice
If I were to choose between the two, I would pick the Xiaomi 11T Pro. While the Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G has a brighter display and the telephoto camera, the faster charging on the Xiaomi 11T Pro is a major practical advantage for me. The performance edge of the Snapdragon 888, along with the 12GB RAM option (for future proofing) would be my choice for the type of user I am. Additionally, the improved selfie camera and video would make the Xiaomi 11T Pro the more compelling option for my needs.
