Smartphone Comparison: Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G vs. Xiaomi Poco F5
1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G | Xiaomi Poco F5 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Launch Date | 2021-01-29 | 2023-05-01 | Xiaomi Poco F5 is a significantly newer device, potentially offering more modern features and software support. |
| Dimensions | 161.5 x 75.6 x 7.8 mm | 161.1 x 75 x 7.9 mm | Very similar physical size. |
| Weight | 200g | 181g | Xiaomi Poco F5 is noticeably lighter, making it more comfortable for extended use. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.7" | 6.67" | Negligible difference in screen size; both provide large, immersive viewing experiences. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2400 | Identical resolution for both phones; Expect similar sharpness and detail in images and text. |
| Pixel Density | 394 PPI | 395 PPI | Virtually identical pixel density; Both displays will look equally sharp. |
| Technology | AMOLED | AMOLED | Both utilize AMOLED tech, resulting in vibrant colors, deep blacks, and excellent contrast ratios. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | Identical refresh rate will result in smooth scrolling and animations on both devices. |
| Brightness | 1300 nits | 0 nits | Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G will be much more visible in bright outdoor conditions due to its significantly higher brightness. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Exynos 2100 (5 nm) | Snapdragon 7+ Gen 2 (4 nm) | Xiaomi Poco F5's newer 4nm Snapdragon chipset offers better efficiency and performance. |
| AnTuTu Score | 749,100 | 1,134,558 | Xiaomi Poco F5 offers significantly higher performance for demanding tasks like gaming and video editing. |
| GPU | Mali-G78 MP14 | Adreno 725 | Different GPUs; Xiaomi Poco F5's Adreno 725 is generally more powerful for gaming. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 4800mAh | 5000mAh | Xiaomi Poco F5 has a slightly larger battery, which might translate to a bit longer usage. |
| Charging | 25W Fast Charging | 67W Fast Charging | Xiaomi Poco F5 charges much faster, reducing downtime significantly. |
| Features | Wireless charging, reverse charging | Non-removable | Samsung offers more charging options with wireless and reverse wireless charging, while Poco F5 only has the battery itself. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 12MP, f/1.8, 1/1.76" | 64MP, f/1.79, 1/2" | Xiaomi Poco F5 captures higher-resolution images. Samsung S21+ has a slightly larger sensor. |
| Telephoto | 64MP, f/2.0, 1/1.72" | N/A | Samsung S21+ has a dedicated telephoto lens for better zoom capabilities, not available on Poco F5 |
| Wide Angle + Macro | 12.2MP, f/2.2, 1/2.55" | N/A | Samsung S21+ has a dedicated wide angle + Macro lens for wide angle shots, not available on Poco F5 |
| Wide Angle | N/A | 8MP, f/2.2, 1/2.8" | Poco F5 has a dedicated wide-angle lens for wide group shots, landscapes, not available on S21+. |
| Macro | N/A | 2MP, f/2.4, 1/5" | Poco F5 has a dedicated macro lens for close-up shots, not available on S21+ |
| Selfie | 10MP, f/2.2, 1/3.2" | 16MP, f/2.45, 1/3.1" | Xiaomi Poco F5 has a higher-resolution front camera, and larger sensor, while the S21+ has a wider aperture |
| Video | Up to 8K | Up to 4K | Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G offers higher resolution video, while both support stabilization. |
| DXOMark Mobile | 111 | N/A | Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G has been tested and scored on DXOMark, providing a benchmark for photo and video performance. Poco F5 has not been tested |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11, Upgradable to 15 | Android 13, Upgradable to 14 | Xiaomi Poco F5 ships with a more recent Android version, though future upgrade potential is uncertain. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6 | Wi-Fi 6, MiMO | Both support Wi-Fi 6; Xiaomi adds MiMO for enhanced speed and range. |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 | 5.3 | Xiaomi Poco F5 has a newer Bluetooth standard, potentially offering better efficiency and more stable connections. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo, GPS (L1+L5), Galileo (E1+E5a) | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, Galileo, BeiDou (B1) | Xiaomi Poco F5 supports more satellite systems for potentially more accurate location tracking. |
| SIM | Dual SIM Dual Standby (Nano SIM + Nano SIM / eSIM) | Dual SIM Full Active (Nano SIM + Nano SIM) | Samsung has eSIM, Poco has dual SIM capabilities while both having Dual SIM. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 128GB/256GB | 256GB | Both have maximum 256 GB storage, with no expandable option. |
| RAM | 8GB | 8GB/12GB | Xiaomi Poco F5 has option for more RAM for smoother multitasking and better performance for demanding apps. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone offers storage expansion. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res Audio, Noise cancellation microphone, Stereo Speakers | Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res Audio, Noise cancellation microphone, Stereo Speakers, 2 microphones | Both devices have similar audio capabilities, with Xiaomi offering enhanced spatial audio, higher quality audio playback, clearer calls, better audio separation and immersion, improved voice capture |
| Security | |||
| Features | Basic fingerprint sensor | Side-mounted fingerprint sensor | Xiaomi Poco F5 has a more advanced side-mounted fingerprint sensor. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Protection | Gorilla Glass Victus | Gorilla Glass 5 | Samsung S21+ 5G offers better scratch and shatter resistance for the display. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Biometric: Fingerprint; Proximity: Proximity; Motion: Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope; Environmental: Barometer | Biometric: Fingerprint; Motion: Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope; Proximity: Ultrasonic proximity virtual | S21+ includes environmental sensors such as barometer and hall sensor; Xiaomi uses virtual proximity sensor. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G Advantages:
- Superior Display Brightness: The S21+ has a much brighter display (1300 nits), offering significantly better outdoor visibility, especially in direct sunlight.
- Wireless Charging & Reverse Charging: Offers both wireless and reverse wireless charging, increasing versatility in battery management.
- 8K Video Recording & Optical Zoom: Provides higher video recording resolution (8K) and optical zoom, which may be beneficial for more professional-grade video creators or photography enthusiast.
- eSIM Support: Offers the flexibility of adding a second number with a digital SIM card.
- More Camera Features: Includes RAW image capture.
- Better Display Protection: Uses Gorilla Glass Victus for superior scratch and shatter resistance on the screen.
- Barometer Sensor: Includes a barometer sensor for measuring atmospheric pressure
- Wide Angle + Macro lens: Includes a dedicated wide angle + Macro lens for better camera experience.
Xiaomi Poco F5 Advantages:
- Significantly Better Performance: The Snapdragon 7+ Gen 2 chipset delivers much higher performance for gaming, multitasking, and demanding apps.
- Faster Charging: 67W fast charging allows for significantly faster battery replenishment.
- Lighter Design: The phone is noticeably lighter, making it more comfortable for extended use.
- Newer Android OS: Ships with Android 13, though upgrade potential is limited, providing a more modern user experience out of the box.
- Newer Bluetooth: Includes Bluetooth 5.3 with newer codecs.
- Larger RAM option: 12GB RAM option, excellent for multitasking and gaming.
- Dedicated Wide Angle and Macro lens: Includes dedicated wide-angle and macro cameras
- Front Flash: Includes front flash for better selfie pictures.
- More Satellites for GPS: More satellite systems for better location accuracy
Trade-offs:
- Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G: While it has a brighter display, wireless charging, and better zoom capabilities, it falls behind in performance and charging speed compared to the Xiaomi Poco F5.
- Xiaomi Poco F5: Lacks wireless charging, and its display brightness is not as high as the S21+. Camera setup while having more lenses, could be argued to be inferior in quality to the Samsung.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Ideal User for Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G:
- Users who prioritize display quality and outdoor visibility.
- Those who value wireless charging and reverse charging capabilities.
- Users needing advanced video features like 8K recording and optical zoom.
- Users who prefer a more mature and polished software experience (although this is subjective).
- Users who want more image capture features like RAW.
- Users needing a device that can be used with an eSIM and have Dual SIM dual Standby.
- Users needing a device with barometer sensor.
- Users looking for a good wide angle + macro experience.
Use Cases for Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G:
- Outdoor photography and videography in bright sunlight.
- Travelers who need wireless charging on the go.
- Users who require high-quality video recording for work or personal projects.
- Users who prefer a more complete camera system with zoom.
Ideal User for Xiaomi Poco F5:
- Users who prioritize performance and gaming.
- Those who value faster charging speeds.
- Users who prefer a lighter device.
- Users who want the latest version of android available out of the box.
- Users who value a modern user experience.
- Users that need a dedicated wide angle and macro experience.
- Users that need a more performant camera when using the selfie camera due to larger aperture and larger sensor.
- Users that need a front flash for their selfies.
Use Cases for Xiaomi Poco F5:
- Mobile gamers who need maximum performance.
- Users who need a quick charge to get back on the go quickly.
- Anyone who wants the newest chipset in a phone for more longevity.
- Users who take wide angle and close-up photos.
- Users who take a lot of selfies, especially in bad lighting conditions.
- Users who want the best possible location services.
Price-to-Value Ratio:
- Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G: May be more expensive if purchased new, but might be available at a good value on the used market. Offers a premium display and some advanced camera features, but performance lags behind newer phones.
- Xiaomi Poco F5: Generally offers higher performance for the price, but might have some trade-offs in display brightness and wireless charging.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- How important is outdoor display visibility? If you're frequently using your phone in bright sunlight, the Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G's brighter screen is a significant advantage.
- How crucial is performance for gaming or demanding apps? The Xiaomi Poco F5's Snapdragon 7+ Gen 2 offers a significant performance boost for gaming and heavy multitasking.
- How important are fast charging and battery features? If you need the fastest charging and value wireless charging capabilities, that would push you to Poco F5 and the Samsung S21+, respectively.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Bright Outdoor User: If you spend a lot of time outdoors and need to see your screen clearly, the Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G is the better choice due to its significantly brighter display.
- Scenario 2: Gaming and Performance User: If you primarily use your phone for gaming or demanding apps, the Xiaomi Poco F5 is the clear winner due to its superior chipset and potentially higher RAM.
- Scenario 3: Balanced User: If you want a balance of performance, camera quality, and battery life and don't need the most advanced features, you need to consider if you want the wireless charging and better brightness of the Samsung or the better performance and faster charging from the Xiaomi.
- Scenario 4: Camera Enthusiast: If camera versatility is your top priority, the S21+ has a more complete camera system on the back and RAW image capabilities, while the Poco has some dedicated lenses that S21+ doesn't have.
My Choice:
If I had to choose between these two phones, I would pick the Xiaomi Poco F5. While the Samsung S21+ 5G has a superior display in terms of brightness, and offers wireless charging and an eSIM, the significant performance advantage of the Snapdragon 7+ Gen 2, faster charging, and lighter design of the Poco F5 are more compelling for my use case, which includes mobile gaming, demanding apps, and a need for fast charging when I am on the move. The inclusion of a dedicated wide angle and macro lenses, front flash, and newer Bluetooth makes the Xiaomi a more versatile all-rounder. I value the performance jump the Poco F5 gives over a display that is only better outdoors.
