1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G | Xiaomi 14 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Launch Date | 2021-01-29 | 2023-11-01 | Xiaomi 14 is significantly newer, likely with more modern features and software support. |
| Dimensions | 161.5 × 75.6 × 7.8 mm | 152.8 × 71.5 × 8.2 mm | S21+ is larger and slightly thinner; Xiaomi 14 is more compact, may be more comfortable in smaller hands. |
| Weight | 200g | 188g | Xiaomi 14 is slightly lighter, potentially better for prolonged use. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.7" | 6.36" | S21+ has a larger screen, better for media consumption; Xiaomi 14 is more compact. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1200x2670 | Xiaomi 14 offers a sharper display with more detail, better for reading and detailed visuals. |
| Pixel Density | 394 ppi | 460 ppi | Xiaomi 14's display is noticeably sharper, making text and images look crisper. |
| Technology | AMOLED | OLED | Both offer vibrant colors and deep blacks; negligible practical difference in daily use. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | Both offer smooth scrolling and animations. |
| Brightness | 1300 nits | 3000 nits | Xiaomi 14 offers significantly better outdoor visibility in bright sunlight. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Exynos 2100 (5 nm) | Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 (4 nm) | Xiaomi 14's newer chipset provides significantly faster processing and better energy efficiency. |
| AnTuTu Score | 749,100 | 1,985,014 | Xiaomi 14 is substantially faster in real-world performance, apps load faster, smoother multitasking, better gaming. |
| GPU | Mali-G78 MP14 | Adreno 750 | Xiaomi 14's GPU is more powerful, offers superior gaming performance and graphics rendering. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 4800mAh | 4610mAh | Similar battery capacity; expect comparable battery life under typical use. |
| Charging | 25W fast charging | 90W fast charging | Xiaomi 14 charges much faster, minimizing downtime. |
| Features | 15W wireless, 4.5W reverse wireless, no charger in box | 50W wireless, 10W reverse wireless, Pengpai G1/P2 chips | Xiaomi 14 offers faster wireless and reverse wireless charging and advanced battery management features. |
| Camera | |||
| Standard Lens | 12MP, f/1.8, 1/1.76", 1.8µm | 50MP, f/1.6, 1/1.31", 1.2µm | Xiaomi 14 has higher resolution and a larger sensor, better image quality and more detail. |
| Telephoto/Portrait Lens | 64MP, f/2.0, 1/1.72", 0.8µm | 50MP, f/2.0, 1/2.76", 0.64µm | S21+ has higher resolution, but smaller pixels; Xiaomi 14 likely has better low-light performance due to a more advanced sensor. |
| Selfie Lens | 10MP, f/2.2, 1/3.2", 1.22µm | 32MP, 1/3", 0.7µm | Xiaomi 14 has much higher resolution, more detailed selfies. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 12.2 MP, f/2.2, 1/2.55, 1.4µm | 50MP, f/2.2, 1/2.76", 1.12µm | Xiaomi 14 includes a dedicated Wide Angle lens while the S21+ combines it with macro |
| Wide Angle + Macro Lens | No | Xiaomi 14 has better low-light performance due to the more advanced sensor. | |
| Video | Up to 8K@24fps | Up to 8K@24fps | Both offer high-resolution video recording. |
| DxOMark Score | 111 Mobile | 138 Mobile | Xiaomi 14 offers significantly better image and video quality, likely producing more detailed and vibrant photos and videos. |
| Additional Features | RAW, 4K/8K Video | Flicker sensor, Noise reduction, Ultra stable video, RAW 14 bits, 4K/8K Video | Xiaomi 14 offers more advanced features and higher-quality RAW files |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 (upgradable to 15) | Android 14 (upgradable to 18) | Xiaomi 14 has a newer OS and longer software support. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6 | Wi-Fi 7 | Xiaomi 14 supports the latest Wi-Fi standard, faster speeds and improved performance in crowded areas. |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 | 5.4 | Xiaomi 14 offers newer Bluetooth technology. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo, NavIC System | Xiaomi 14 has broader support for satellite systems, potentially improved location accuracy. |
| SIM | Dual SIM (Nano + Nano/eSIM) | Dual SIM (Nano + Nano) | S21+ offers an eSIM option. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 128/256 GB | 256/512/1024 GB | Xiaomi 14 offers significantly higher storage options. |
| RAM | 8 GB | 8/12/16 GB | Xiaomi 14 offers more RAM for smoother multitasking. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone supports expandable storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res, Stereo Speakers, noise cancelling mic | Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res, Stereo Speakers, 4 mics | Xiaomi 14 has an advanced microphone setup for better audio recording. |
| Security | |||
| Features | Fingerprint Sensor | Fingerprint Sensor | Both use basic fingerprint sensor technology. |
| Build | |||
| Screen Protection | Gorilla Glass Victus | Gorilla Glass Victus | Both offer strong screen protection. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Barometer, Hall, Geomagnetic | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Barometer, RGB | Comprehensive sensor suite suitable for advanced features and gaming. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G Advantages:
- Larger Display: The 6.7" screen is better for users who prioritize screen size for media consumption.
- eSIM Support: Offers more flexibility in carrier management.
- Slightly Higher Resolution Telephoto Camera: Offers higher resolution for zoomed-in photos (although the sensor is smaller)
- Wider Angle Macro Camera: Offers a dedicated camera for macro photography
Xiaomi 14 Advantages:
- Significantly Newer Chipset: The Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 offers superior processing power and energy efficiency.
- Much Higher Performance: AnTuTu benchmark scores reflect significant performance advantages for gaming and multitasking.
- Sharper Display: Higher resolution and pixel density result in a crisper, more detailed screen.
- Much Higher Brightness: Significantly better visibility in bright sunlight.
- Faster Charging: 90W charging significantly reduces charging time compared to 25W.
- Faster Wireless Charging: 50W vs 15W.
- More RAM: Higher RAM options (12GB/16GB) for smoother multitasking and future-proofing.
- Significantly Better Camera Performance: Higher DxOMark scores indicate overall better photo and video quality.
- Newer Software: Ships with a newer version of Android and will receive updates for longer.
- Better Audio Recording: 4 mics provide a significant improvement in voice capture.
- Wider Selection of Storage Options: 256GB, 512GB and 1TB
- Wider Angle Lens: Inclusion of a dedicated ultra-wide-angle camera, a feature that is missing from the S21+.
- Modern Wi-Fi and Bluetooth: Support for Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 5.4
- Better Location Accuracy: Support for a broader range of satellite systems for positioning.
Trade-offs:
- S21+ is older and its performance is lagging far behind the Xiaomi 14.
- S21+ has a larger screen which might be better for content consumption, but is less convenient for single handed use.
- Xiaomi 14 lacks eSIM support.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G:
- Ideal User: Users who prioritize a larger screen, and are less performance intensive.
- Use Cases:
- Casual media consumption.
- Basic daily tasks and communication.
- Users who prefer Samsung's ecosystem and software.
- Users who require eSIM functionality.
Xiaomi 14:
- Ideal User: Performance-focused users, and those who value camera quality and overall experience.
- Use Cases:
- Mobile gaming and heavy app use.
- Photography and videography enthusiasts.
- Users who prioritize a vibrant display and fast charging.
- Users who prefer the Android experience.
- Users who use their phone outdoors often.
Price-to-Value Ratio:
Given the current market, the Xiaomi 14 offers a significantly higher value-for-money proposition due to its modern chipset, significantly better performance and a vastly improved camera system, despite having a smaller screen size. The Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G is now an older phone and while it might be available at a lower price, it's not going to match the experience of the Xiaomi 14.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- Performance Needs: Do you need top-tier performance for gaming and heavy app usage, or is moderate performance sufficient?
- Camera Importance: How important is image and video quality to you?
- Screen Size Preference: Do you prioritize a larger display for media consumption, or a smaller more compact phone?
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Budget-Conscious User with Basic Needs: If budget is the primary concern and the user only needs a device for basic tasks, the older S21+ may be a cheaper option. But given the advancements in the Xiaomi 14, even budget-conscious users would benefit from the newer device.
- Scenario 2: Performance Enthusiast: If you want the best performance for gaming, multitasking, and general usage, the Xiaomi 14 is the clear choice.
- Scenario 3: Camera Lover: If you prioritize camera quality for photos and videos, the Xiaomi 14 is the better choice, especially if you intend to use the phone outdoors a lot.
- Scenario 4: Large Screen Preference: If a large screen is essential, the S21+ has the advantage of a slightly larger display; however, for most other usage, the Xiaomi 14 will offer a better experience.
What I would choose and why!
I would choose the Xiaomi 14. Here's why:
- Future-Proofing: The Xiaomi 14's significantly newer chipset (Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 vs Exynos 2100) means it will remain a high-performance phone for much longer. The improved GPU will keep up with demanding games and applications for years.
- Camera Superiority: As an avid photographer, the camera is a crucial factor. The much higher DxOMark scores for the Xiaomi 14, along with its larger sensors, wider aperture, and advanced features (like 14-bit RAW, flicker sensor, and noise reduction) ensure that I'd be getting the highest quality images and videos in any lighting conditions.
- Better Display Technology: The Xiaomi 14's display offers higher resolution, resulting in sharper text and images, which is a huge advantage for extended reading and viewing. The significantly higher brightness is invaluable in the outdoors.
- Faster Charging: The significantly faster charging speeds, both wired and wireless, provide a considerable benefit in daily use, reducing downtime.
- Software and Support: The Xiaomi 14 ships with a much newer version of Android, and will likely get more software updates.
- RAM and Storage: The higher RAM and storage configurations on the Xiaomi 14 would give me more room to multitask, and future proof against larger apps and larger photo libraries.
The only potential drawback for me would be the slightly smaller screen size. However, the benefits of the faster, better, and more modern Xiaomi 14 far outweigh the slightly larger screen on the S21+.
