Smartphone Comparison: Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G vs. Xiaomi Poco F4 GT
1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G | Xiaomi Poco F4 GT | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 161.5 × 75.6 × 7.8 mm | 162.5 × 76.7 × 8.5 mm | The Poco F4 GT is slightly larger and thicker, making it a bit less pocketable and potentially less comfortable for smaller hands. |
| Weight | 200g | 210g | The S21+ 5G is 10g lighter, which may be noticeable during extended use, feeling less tiring to hold. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.7" | 6.67" | Negligible difference in screen size; both feel similar in daily use. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2400 | Identical sharpness. Both offer crisp visuals. |
| Pixel Density | 394 PPI | 395 PPI | Similar display sharpness. |
| Technology | AMOLED | AMOLED | Vibrant colors and deep blacks on both devices. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | Smooth scrolling and animations on both. |
| Brightness | 1300 nits | 0 nits | The S21+ 5G is significantly brighter, providing much better visibility in direct sunlight. The value for Xiaomi Poco F4 GT appears to be incorrect. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Exynos 2100 (5 nm) | Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 (4 nm) | The Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 in the Poco F4 GT offers substantially better performance for gaming and demanding apps, better multitasking, and faster app loading. |
| AnTuTu Score | 749,100 | 1,178,365 | The Poco F4 GT significantly outperforms the S21+ 5G in benchmarks, indicating a more responsive experience overall. |
| GPU | Mali-G78 MP14 | Adreno 730 | The Adreno 730 in the Poco F4 GT provides a better gaming experience with smoother graphics. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 12MP f/1.8, 1/1.76", 1.8µm | 64MP f/1.73, 1/1.7", 0.8µm | The Poco F4 GT's main camera has much higher resolution and a wider aperture. However, the S21+ 5G has larger pixel size. Real-world image quality depends on processing as well as sensor. |
| Telephoto/Portrait Lens | 64MP f/2.0, 1/1.72", 0.8µm | None | The S21+ 5G has a dedicated telephoto lens for better zoomed photos and portraits, which the F4 GT lacks. |
| Selfie Camera | 10MP f/2.2, 1/3.2", 1.22µm | 20MP f/2.4, 1/2", 0.8µm | The Poco F4 GT has higher resolution front camera. The S21+ 5G has wider aperture. |
| Wide Angle Lens | None | 8MP f/2.2, 1/4", 1.12µm | The Poco F4 GT has a dedicated ultra-wide lens for capturing wider scenes, something the S21+ 5G lacks. |
| Macro Lens | None | 2MP f/2.4 | The Poco F4 GT includes a macro lens for detailed close-up shots; the S21+ 5G doesn't. |
| Wide Angle + Macro | 12.2MP f/2.2, 1/2.55", 1.40µm | None | S21+ 5G also includes an additional wide angle camera. |
| Video | Up to 8K@24fps | Up to 4K@60fps | The S21+ 5G offers higher video resolution at 8K, suitable for professional video creation; Both offer 4K options. |
| OIS | Yes | No | The S21+ 5G includes Optical Image Stabilization which results in smoother videos and better low-light photography than the F4 GT without OIS. |
| DXOMark Score | 111 (Mobile) | Not Tested | The S21+ 5G is a tested camera with a score of 111, while the F4 GT has no data on the DXOMark. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 4800mAh | 4700mAh | Similar battery capacities, both should last a full day for most users. |
| Charging | 25W Fast Charging | 120W Fast Charging | The Poco F4 GT charges much faster, allowing for quick top-ups; The S21+ 5G charging speed is significantly slower. |
| Wireless Charging | 15W | None | The S21+ 5G offers wireless charging, providing a convenient way to charge. |
| Reverse Wireless Charging | 4.5W | None | The S21+ 5G can charge other devices wirelessly, a useful feature when on the go. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 (Upgradable to 15) | Android 12 (Upgradable to 13) | The Poco F4 GT is shipped with a newer OS version, but Samsung offers a longer software support. |
| Connectivity | |||
| WiFi | Wi-Fi 6 | Wi-Fi 6, Wi-Fi MiMO | Both support Wi-Fi 6; Poco F4 GT includes Wi-Fi MiMO for potentially more stable connections. |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 | 5.2 | The Poco F4 GT has a newer Bluetooth version, which may offer better performance. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo, GPS (L1+L5), Galileo (E1+E5a) | A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (L1), BeiDou (B1), Galileo (E1+E5a), BeiDou (B2) | Poco F4 GT supports more satelite systems, which may provide more accurate GPS positioning. |
| SIM | Dual SIM (Nano + Nano/eSIM) | Dual SIM (Nano + Nano) | The S21+ 5G offers eSIM support, allowing for more flexible connectivity options. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 128GB/256GB | 128GB/256GB | Similar storage options. Both phones lack expandable storage. |
| RAM | 8GB | 8GB/12GB | Poco F4 GT offers an option with 12GB of RAM for smoother multitasking and better gaming performance. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res Audio, Stereo Speakers, Noise Cancellation Mic | Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res Audio, Stereo Speakers, 3 mics | Both have similar audio features, but the S21+ 5G has noise cancellation for microphone, and the F4 GT has 3 microphones instead. |
| Security | |||
| Features | Basic Fingerprint Sensor | Side-Mounted Fingerprint Sensor | The side-mounted fingerprint sensor on the Poco F4 GT might be faster and more intuitive for some users. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus | Both feature the same screen protection. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Barometer | Fingerprint, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Ultrasonic Proximity Virtual | The S21+ 5G has a broader range of environmental sensors, while Poco F4 GT includes an Ultrasonic virtual sensor. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G Advantages:
- Brighter Display: Significantly better visibility in direct sunlight.
- Versatile Camera System: Includes a dedicated telephoto lens for better zoomed shots, and OIS. The video recording capabilities are also superior, with 8K recording.
- Wireless Charging: Offers convenience with both wireless and reverse wireless charging.
- eSIM Support: Allows for flexible connectivity options with dual SIM support.
- Better software support: Samsung offers more updates than Xiaomi.
- More environmental sensors: More sensor variety for advanced applications.
Xiaomi Poco F4 GT Advantages:
- Superior Performance: The Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 chipset provides significantly better performance for gaming, demanding apps, and multitasking.
- Faster Charging: The 120W fast charging is substantially faster than the 25W charging on the S21+, allowing for very quick top-ups.
- Higher Resolution Main Camera: Higher main camera resolution, as well as a dedicated ultra-wide and macro lens.
- Side-mounted Fingerprint Sensor: More convenient and faster than in-display sensors for some users.
- Newer Bluetooth Version: Bluetooth 5.2 potentially offers better connection stability.
- Better gaming experience: Better GPU, higher RAM option and additional features are targeted towards a better gaming experience.
Trade-offs:
- The S21+ 5G sacrifices some raw performance and charging speed for a brighter display, wireless charging, and a more versatile camera system. It has an older Android Version but a longer update support, making it better for long-term use.
- The Poco F4 GT prioritizes performance and fast charging at the expense of a less versatile camera system (no telephoto lens) and wireless charging.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Ideal Users for Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G:
- Photography Enthusiasts: Users who prioritize a versatile camera system with telephoto capabilities, OIS and good video recording (8K).
- Outdoor Users: Those needing a bright display for easy viewing under sunlight.
- Wireless Charging Fans: Users who appreciate the convenience of wireless and reverse wireless charging.
- Users who want longer software support: Samsung has a better track record on update releases.
Ideal Users for Xiaomi Poco F4 GT:
- Gamers: Users who prioritize high performance and fast charging.
- Power Users: Those needing to handle demanding apps and multitasking smoothly.
- Users who want extremely fast charging: If very fast charging is needed.
- Users who don't mind a less versatile camera system: As long as the main camera is good.
Specific Use Cases:
- Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G: Traveling (versatile camera), outdoor work (bright display), frequent charging of accessories (reverse wireless charging), daily user.
- Xiaomi Poco F4 GT: Competitive gaming, heavy multitasking, mobile video editing, fast top-ups on the go.
Price-to-Value Ratio:
- The Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G generally has been available for higher price compared to the Xiaomi Poco F4 GT after its release. However, the price might vary according to retailers and locations, so it's essential to check local availability and cost.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- How important is gaming performance and raw power to you? If gaming is a top priority, the Poco F4 GT is likely the better choice.
- Do you need a versatile camera system with telephoto zoom, OIS and 8K video? If yes, the S21+ 5G is superior in this respect.
- Is wireless charging a must-have feature for you? If so, the S21+ 5G is the only option here.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Gaming Enthusiast: If you play a lot of games, the Poco F4 GT will deliver a significantly smoother experience and the battery will charge very fast.
- Scenario 2: Photography Lover: The S21+ 5G is better for photography, with its telephoto lens, OIS, and 8K video recording.
- Scenario 3: Everyday User: If you're looking for a balanced phone with a good display, solid performance, and reliable cameras, the choice depends on whether you prioritize a brighter display and wireless charging (S21+ 5G) or extremely fast charging and more raw power (Poco F4 GT).
- Scenario 4: Outdoor worker: If you are often under direct sunlight the S21+ 5G is the right choice with the much brighter screen.
My Choice
If I were to choose between these two phones, I would choose the Xiaomi Poco F4 GT. While the Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G has a very good display, wireless charging, and a more versatile camera system, the performance difference between the two is too large to ignore. The Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 chipset in the Poco F4 GT provides a significant advantage in day-to-day tasks and especially gaming. In addition, the significantly faster 120W charging is extremely useful for topping up the phone quickly and will ensure a day of battery use.
