1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G | Xiaomi 13 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Launch Date | 2021-01-29 | 2022-12-14 | Xiaomi 13 Pro is significantly newer, likely with updated software support and features. |
| Dimensions | 161.5 × 75.6 × 7.8 mm | 162.9 × 74.6 × 8.4 mm | Xiaomi 13 Pro is slightly taller and thicker; S21+ is a bit wider, resulting in a larger overall volume for Xiaomi. The difference in hand feel is minor. |
| Weight | 200g | 210g | S21+ is slightly lighter, possibly more comfortable for long-term holding. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.7" | 6.73" | Negligible difference in screen size, user experience will be nearly identical |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1440x3200 | Xiaomi 13 Pro has a noticeably sharper display, especially for text and detailed images. |
| PPI | 394 | 522 | Xiaomi 13 Pro offers much clearer and sharper visuals, especially noticeable when viewing small text |
| Technology | AMOLED | AMOLED | Identical display technology for vibrant colors and deep blacks. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | Both provide smooth scrolling and animations. |
| Brightness | 1300 nits | 1900 nits | Xiaomi 13 Pro offers much better outdoor visibility, particularly in direct sunlight. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Exynos 2100 (5 nm) | Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 (4 nm) | Xiaomi 13 Pro's chipset is significantly faster and more energy-efficient, offering better app performance and gaming |
| AnTuTu Score | 749,100 | 1,532,113 | Xiaomi 13 Pro delivers vastly superior performance in all tasks. |
| GPU | Mali-G78 MP14 | Adreno 740 | Xiaomi 13 Pro's GPU is significantly more powerful, resulting in better gaming performance. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 4800mAh | 4820mAh | Similar battery size, both should offer comparable battery life. |
| Charging | 25W Fast Charging | 120W Fast Charging | Xiaomi 13 Pro charges significantly faster, reducing charging downtime dramatically. |
| Features | 15W Wireless, 4.5W Reverse | 50W Wireless, 10W Reverse, Surge G1 | Xiaomi 13 Pro has much faster wireless charging and battery management chip for efficiency and charging safety. |
| Camera | |||
| Standard Lens Resolution | 12MP | 50MP | Xiaomi has higher resolution for standard photos, resulting in more detail. |
| Standard Lens Aperture | f/1.8 | f/1.9 | S21+ has slightly wider aperture for better low-light performance, though the Xiaomi's larger sensor likely mitigates this. |
| Standard Lens Sensor Size | 1/1.76" | 1" | Xiaomi has a significantly larger sensor for better low-light and dynamic range. |
| Standard Lens Sensor Model | Sony IMX555 | Sony IMX989 | Xiaomi has a more recent, high-end sensor. |
| Standard Lens Pixel Size | 1.80 µm | 1.60 µm | S21+ has larger pixels that can gather more light, though the difference is marginal and counteracted by the much bigger sensor in the Xiaomi. |
| Telephoto/Portrait Lens | 64MP, f/2.0, 1/1.72" | None | S21+ has a dedicated telephoto lens for optical zoom, though this is a lower res, and smaller sensor than other lenses on the Xiaomi |
| Selfie Camera Resolution | 10MP | 32MP | Xiaomi has much higher resolution for detailed selfies. |
| Selfie Camera Aperture | f/2.2 | f/2.0 | Xiaomi selfie camera has a wider aperture for better low-light performance. |
| Selfie Camera Sensor Size | 1/3.2" | 1/3.2" | Both are the same size |
| Telephoto Lens | None | 50MP, f/2.0, 1/2.76" | Xiaomi has a dedicated telephoto lens, offering optical zoom capabilities. |
| Wide Angle Lens | None | 50MP, f/2.2, 1/2.76" | Xiaomi has a dedicated ultra-wide-angle lens for capturing expansive scenes. |
| Wide Angle+Macro | 12.2MP, f/2.2, 1/2.55" | None | S21+ has a dedicated wide-angle + macro lens. |
| Video Recording | Up to 8K | Up to 8K | Similar recording capabilities, both can capture high-resolution video content. |
| Slow-motion | 960fps | 1920fps | Xiaomi has more slow motion capabilities |
| DxOMark Score | 111 Overall, 118 Photo, 89 Video | 136 Overall, 136 Photo, 129 Video | Xiaomi 13 Pro has a dramatically better camera system. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11, upgradable to 15 | Android 13, upgradable to 14 | Xiaomi 13 Pro is launching with a more recent OS, but may have a shorter upgrade cycle. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6 | Wi-Fi 6E | Xiaomi 13 Pro has newer Wi-Fi standard for faster speeds and better performance in crowded networks. |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 | 5.3 | Xiaomi 13 Pro offers better power efficiency and slightly faster data transfer rate. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo, GPS (L1+L5), Galileo (E1+E5a) | A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, Galileo, GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (L1), BeiDou (B1), Galileo (E1+E5a), BeiDou (B2), NavIC System, QZSS (L1 + L5) | Xiaomi 13 Pro supports more satellite systems for better location accuracy. |
| SIM | Dual SIM (Nano + Nano/eSIM) | Dual SIM (Nano + Nano/eSIM) | Both offer dual SIM capabilities; both offer eSIM. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 128GB/256GB | 128GB/256GB/512GB | Xiaomi 13 Pro offers a 512GB option for users needing more storage. |
| RAM | 8GB | 8GB/12GB | Xiaomi 13 Pro has a 12 GB option that would significantly improve performance in heavy use situations. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither phone supports expandable storage, may be a constraint for some users. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res Audio, Noise cancellation microphone, Stereo Speakers | Dolby Digital Plus, Hi-Res Audio, Stereo Speakers | Both offer quality audio, but S21+ has enhanced spatial audio with dolby atmos. |
| Security | |||
| Features | basic fingerprint sensor | basic fingerprint sensor | Both feature standard fingerprint sensor for secure unlocking. |
| Build | |||
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus | Both devices have the same level of scratch and shatter resistance from screen protection |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Biometric: Fingerprint; Proximity: Proximity; Motion: Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope; Environmental: Barometer | Biometric: Fingerprint; Proximity: Proximity; Motion: Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope | Samsung has more environmental sensors. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G Advantages:
- Slightly Lighter Build: At 200g, it's a bit more comfortable for extended use than the 210g Xiaomi 13 Pro.
- Dolby Atmos: Enhanced spatial audio for a more immersive experience.
- Wider Standard Lens Aperture: f/1.8 aperture on the main camera vs f/1.9 on the Xiaomi, theoretically better in low light though counteracted by the sensor differences.
- Dedicated Wide Angle + Macro Lens: Offers more versatile camera options for macro photography.
- Barometer: Includes barometer sensor.
- More Bluetooth Features: Offers more varied bluetooth profiles, which some users may utilize.
- eSIM: Has eSIM capability for digital carrier switching.
Xiaomi 13 Pro Advantages:
- Significantly Faster Chipset: Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 offers vastly superior performance over the Exynos 2100 in all tasks.
- Higher Resolution Display: 1440x3200 resolution and 522 PPI provide much sharper images.
- Brighter Display: 1900 nits brightness makes it much easier to use in bright sunlight.
- Significantly Faster Charging: 120W charging dramatically reduces charging time.
- More Advanced Wireless Charging: 50W wireless charging is substantially faster than the S21+'s 15W.
- Superior Camera System: Larger primary camera sensor, dedicated telephoto and wide angle lens, and higher DxOMark scores result in much better photo and video quality.
- Higher resolution Selfie camera: Much more detailed selfie photos.
- Newer Bluetooth: Bluetooth 5.3 for faster and more efficient connections.
- Newer Wifi: Wi-Fi 6E supports the 6GHz band for less congested networks.
- More RAM: Option for 12GB RAM offers improved multitasking and smoother performance.
- More Storage: Option for 512GB internal storage for users needing more space.
- Gimbal and Flicker Sensor: Offers gimbal for better image and video stabilization and Flicker sensor to mitigate issues with light flicker when shooting.
- Surge G1 battery management chip: Enhanced safety and efficiency for battery management
Trade-offs:
- S21+ sacrifices raw performance and camera quality for slightly better audio and a more compact feel.
- Xiaomi 13 Pro offers a vastly superior display, significantly better performance and much better cameras but is slightly thicker and heavier. It lacks some of the additional bluetooth profiles and environmental sensors found on the S21+.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G:
- Ideal User: Someone who values a slightly more compact form factor, good audio capabilities, and a versatile camera setup, but isn't demanding about the top performance available.
- Use Cases: Casual photography, video viewing with Dolby Atmos, moderate gaming, everyday use, and someone who cares about more in depth bluetooth options.
- Price-to-Value: The S21+ is an older device, and may be cheaper now. This is a value proposition phone for a person who does not need the latest tech.
Xiaomi 13 Pro:
- Ideal User: Someone who wants a flagship experience, prioritizing top performance, a vibrant display, fast charging, and a high quality camera system.
- Use Cases: Demanding mobile games, professional photography/videography, high-resolution media consumption, heavy multitasking.
- Price-to-Value: The Xiaomi 13 Pro is a newer, more advanced phone so will be at a higher price point. This phone is for someone willing to pay for premium performance.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- What is my priority - performance or price? If budget is the key factor, the S21+ might be an option but for the best all-around experience the 13 Pro is best.
- How important is camera quality? If you need a phone for regular photography or videography, the Xiaomi 13 Pro is superior.
- How important is screen brightness? If you often use your phone outdoors, the Xiaomi 13 Pro's brighter display will be a huge advantage.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Budget-Conscious User: If you need a phone now and can get the S21+ at a very discounted price it might be a better value, though with a poorer performance and camera.
- Power User: The Xiaomi 13 Pro is the clear choice, providing excellent performance, fast charging, and a higher quality camera.
- Casual User: If raw power is not a requirement, the S21+ is more than sufficient for daily use with a smaller footprint.
My Choice
I would choose the Xiaomi 13 Pro.
Here's why:
- Future-Proofing: The newer chipset, higher resolution display, and better camera system make the Xiaomi 13 Pro a better long-term investment and will hold up longer.
- Performance: The Xiaomi's performance jump is simply too significant to ignore, offering a much smoother and more enjoyable user experience.
- Photography: The camera capabilities are a huge factor for me. I take lots of photos and would appreciate the quality that comes with the improved sensor and lenses.
- Display Quality: I value a bright display that I can easily see when I'm outside and the higher pixel density is noticeable.
- Fast Charging: 120W charging is a game-changer for me as I often forget to charge my phone.
While the Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G is a decent device, the Xiaomi 13 Pro represents a much more compelling flagship experience, particularly for a user who values performance, a high quality display and a top of the line camera system. The differences in performance are so vast it makes the minor advantages of the S21+ not worth the cost.
