1. Specifications Comparison
Here's a detailed comparison of the Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G and Xiaomi 12T, focusing on practical implications:
Design
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G | Xiaomi 12T | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 161.5 x 75.6 x 7.8 mm | 163.1 x 75.9 x 8.6 mm | Xiaomi 12T is slightly larger and thicker, which may be less comfortable for some users. |
| Weight | 200g | 202g | Virtually the same; both feel similar in hand in terms of weight. |
| Build | Glass front (Gorilla Glass Victus), glass back, aluminum frame | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), glass back, plastic frame | S21+ has superior screen protection and a more premium feel due to the aluminum frame. |
Display
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G | Xiaomi 12T | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Size | 6.7" | 6.67" | Minimal difference; both provide an immersive viewing experience. |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 | 1220 x 2712 | Xiaomi 12T has a noticeably sharper display, especially for text and detailed images. |
| Pixel Density | 394 PPI | 446 PPI | Xiaomi 12T's higher PPI leads to crisper images and text. |
| Technology | AMOLED | AMOLED | Both offer vibrant colors, deep blacks, and excellent contrast. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | Both offer smooth scrolling and animations for a fluid user experience. |
| Brightness | 1300 nits | 0 nits | S21+ will be significantly more visible in bright sunlight. Xiaomi 12T's brightness is unknown, but likely not as high. |
Performance
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G | Xiaomi 12T | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chipset | Exynos 2100 (5nm) | MediaTek Dimensity 8100 Ultra (5nm) | Both are capable processors; Xiaomi 12T has a slight edge in benchmarks. |
| AnTuTu Score | 749,100 | 835,913 | Xiaomi 12T provides marginally better real-world performance in demanding tasks like gaming. |
| GPU | Mali-G78 MP14 | Mali-G610 MC6 | Different GPUs; Xiaomi 12T has better benchmark performance, suggesting better gaming capabilities. |
Camera
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G | Xiaomi 12T | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main Camera | 12MP, f/1.8, 1/1.76" | 108MP, f/1.7, 1/1.67" | Xiaomi 12T captures significantly more detail and may perform better in low light due to larger sensor. |
| Telephoto | 64MP, f/2.0, 1/1.72" | None | S21+ offers a dedicated telephoto lens for optical zoom, a major advantage. |
| Wide Angle | 12.2MP, f/2.2, 1/2.55" | 8MP, f/2.2, 1/4" | S21+ has a higher resolution and larger sensor for wide shots. Xiaomi's is dedicated to ultra-wide shots. |
| Macro | None | 2MP, f/2.4, 1/5" | Xiaomi 12T has a dedicated macro lens, but this is not as useful as a telephoto lens |
| Selfie Camera | 10MP, f/2.2, 1/3.2" | 20MP, f/2.24, 1/2" | Xiaomi 12T captures more detail and has a larger sensor for better low-light selfies. |
| Video | Up to 8K@24fps | Up to 4K@30fps | S21+ can record in higher resolution video. |
| DXOMark | Main: 111, Photo: 118, Video: 89 | Main: 115, Photo: 120, Video: 127 | Xiaomi 12T has higher scores, especially in video. |
Battery
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G | Xiaomi 12T | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 4800mAh | 5000mAh | Xiaomi 12T likely has slightly better battery life due to larger battery. |
| Charging | 25W Fast Charging | 120W Fast Charging | Xiaomi 12T charges significantly faster than the S21+. |
| Features | Wireless charging, reverse charging | None | S21+ offers more versatility in terms of charging options. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G Advantages
- Brighter Display: Significantly better outdoor visibility with 1300 nits peak brightness.
- Premium Build: Uses Gorilla Glass Victus for better screen protection and a more premium aluminum frame.
- Telephoto Lens: Offers optical zoom capabilities missing on the Xiaomi 12T.
- Versatile Charging: Includes wireless charging and reverse wireless charging features.
- 8K Video Recording: Supports higher resolution video for professional-grade footage.
- eSIM Support: Allows for easier carrier switching without a physical SIM card.
- Better Wide Angle: Higher resolution and larger sensor size for better wide angle pictures
- Additional Sensors: Offers Barometer, Hall, Geomagnetic sensors
Xiaomi 12T Advantages
- Sharper Display: Higher resolution and pixel density for crisper visuals.
- Faster Charging: 120W charging is significantly faster than S21+'s 25W.
- Better Performance: Marginally better benchmark scores and GPU performance for gaming.
- Higher Main Camera Resolution: 108MP sensor captures more detail.
- Higher DXOMark Score: Better camera performance scores, particularly in video.
- Newer Bluetooth Version: Bluetooth 5.3 for potentially better wireless connectivity.
- Additional Satellite Systems: More support for satellite navigation for improved accuracy.
- Bigger Selfie Sensor: Larger sensor and higher resolution for better selfies
- Macro Lens: Dedicated macro lens, which is suitable for niche uses
- Ultra Stable Video: Additional video stabilization modes
- Latest OS Uses Android 12 vs Android 11
Significant Trade-offs
- S21+: Loses out on faster charging and a newer chipset
- Xiaomi 12T: Lacks a telephoto lens, wireless charging and has an unknown display brightness which likely worse than the S21+
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G Ideal User
- Outdoor Enthusiasts: Users who frequently use their phone in bright sunlight.
- Photography Enthusiasts: Those who value optical zoom and high-quality images.
- Video Creators: Users who need 8K video recording capabilities.
- Tech-Savvy Users: People who appreciate wireless charging and eSIM support.
- Users seeking build quality: Those who appreciate superior build quality and screen protection.
Specific Use Cases:
- Taking photos and videos outdoors in bright conditions.
- Zooming in on subjects without losing image quality.
- Professionally shooting videos using 8K resolution.
- Traveling and needing wireless charging for convenience.
Xiaomi 12T Ideal User
- Gamers: Users who need strong performance and fast charging for extended gaming sessions.
- Social Media Enthusiasts: Those who prioritize high-resolution selfies and detailed photos.
- Frequent Travelers: Users who need fast charging on the go
- Value-Oriented Buyers: People who want a high-performing phone at a competitive price.
- Users wanting latest Android version People who prioritize the latest OS features
Specific Use Cases:
- Playing graphically intensive games.
- Capturing detailed photos for social media and memories.
- Charging their phone quickly between classes or meetings.
- Taking lots of selfies and wide-angle photos
Price-to-Value Ratio
- The Xiaomi 12T generally offers better specs for the price. However, the S21+ offers specific features like a brighter display, wireless charging, and telephoto lens, which might justify the higher price point for certain users.
4. Decision Framework
Consider these questions:
- How important is outdoor screen visibility?
- If crucial, the S21+ is the better choice due to its significantly higher brightness.
- How important is a telephoto camera with optical zoom?
- If a must-have, the S21+ is the only option as the Xiaomi 12T lacks this feature.
- How important is charging speed vs wireless charging?
- If faster charging is vital, the Xiaomi 12T is the better pick. If wireless and reverse wireless charging are needed, the S21+ is the better choice.
Scenario-Based Recommendations
- Scenario 1: Outdoor Photography and Videography: Choose the S21+ for its brighter display, telephoto lens, and 8K video.
- Scenario 2: Mobile Gaming and Fast Charging: Choose the Xiaomi 12T for its stronger performance and significantly faster charging speed.
- Scenario 3: Daily Usage with Occasional Photography: Both phones are suitable, but the Xiaomi 12T offers better performance and a slightly better camera for the price.
- Scenario 4: User needing the newest OS and security patches: Choose the Xiaomi 12T as it has a more recent android version
- Scenario 5: User wanting high quality audio: Choose the S21+ as it has noise cancelling microphone in addition to all the features of the Xiaomi 12T
My Choice
If I had to pick one, I would choose the Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G. Here's why:
While the Xiaomi 12T offers some compelling advantages such as faster charging, slightly better benchmark performance, and a higher resolution main camera, the S21+ has features that align more with my needs and preferences. The brighter display is a key factor, as I frequently use my phone outdoors. The inclusion of a telephoto lens is also crucial for my photography needs. While I value the faster charging of the Xiaomi 12T, I prefer the wireless charging feature and better build quality of the S21+.
While the Xiaomi 12T is very tempting due to it's price and the better DXO score, I believe the S21+ is the better fit for the specific features I need and use daily. The combination of a brighter display, optical zoom, wireless charging, and better build quality make the S21+ my pick.
