Smartphone Comparison: Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G vs. Xiaomi Poco F6
1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G | Xiaomi Poco F6 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 161.5 × 75.6 × 7.8 mm | 160.5 × 74.5 × 8 mm | S21+ is slightly wider, while the Poco F6 is slightly thicker. The difference is marginal, not noticeable during regular use. |
| Weight | 200g | 179g | Poco F6 is notably lighter, making it more comfortable for extended holding and single-handed use. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.7" | 6.67" | Negligible size difference; both offer ample screen real estate. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1220x2712 | Poco F6 has a noticeably sharper display; text and images will look clearer and more detailed. |
| Pixel Density | 394 ppi | 446 ppi | Poco F6's higher pixel density translates to crisper images, especially when viewing high-resolution content or reading small text. |
| Technology | AMOLED | AMOLED | Both offer vibrant colors, deep blacks, and excellent contrast, suitable for media consumption. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | Both provide smooth scrolling and animations, enhancing the user experience, particularly in gaming and fast-paced content. |
| Brightness | 1300 nits | 2400 nits | Poco F6 is significantly brighter, offering superior outdoor visibility, especially in direct sunlight. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Exynos 2100 (5 nm) | Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 (4 nm) | Poco F6's newer chipset provides significantly better performance, handling demanding apps and games with ease. The S21+ may show signs of slowdown. |
| AnTuTu Score | 749,100 | 1,530,662 | Poco F6 delivers substantially better performance, resulting in faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and improved gaming performance. |
| GPU | Mali-G78 MP14 | Adreno 735 | Poco F6's GPU is significantly more powerful, resulting in better gaming and graphics rendering. |
| Camera | |||
| Standard Camera | 12MP, f/1.8, 1/1.76" | 50MP, f/1.6, 1/2" | Poco F6 captures more detail in well-lit conditions; While S21+ has slightly larger sensor size, it has significantly lower resolution and may struggle in low-light scenarios due to older technology. |
| Telephoto/Portrait | 64MP, f/2.0, 1/1.72" | None | S21+ has a dedicated telephoto lens for better zoom capabilities and portrait photography, a feature missing on Poco F6 |
| Selfie Camera | 10MP, f/2.2, 1/3.2" | 20MP, f/2.0 | Poco F6 captures more detailed selfies, particularly in well-lit environments; has a wider aperture as well. |
| Wide Angle Lens | None | 8MP, f/2.2, 1/2.8" | Poco F6 offers a dedicated ultrawide lens for capturing expansive landscapes; S21+ lacks this specific capability. |
| Wide Angle + Macro | 12.2MP, f/2.2, 1/2.55" | None | S21+ has a dedicated Wide angle + macro lens offering close-up photography. |
| Video | Up to 8K@24fps | Up to 4K@60fps | S21+ captures 8K video for professional use cases; both have video stabilization and slow motion capabilities, but S21+ offers higher slow-motion framerates. Poco F6 also has Ultra Stable video mode. |
| DXOMark | 111 (Mobile) | Not Tested | S21+ has a known camera benchmark score, while Poco F6 doesn't; S21+ has been benchmarked and has a better video score. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 4800mAh | 5000mAh | Poco F6 offers slightly more battery capacity, potentially providing slightly longer usage time. |
| Charging | 25W Fast Charging | 90W Fast Charging | Poco F6 charges significantly faster, reducing downtime. |
| Features | 15W Wireless, Reverse Charging | Non-removable | S21+ offers convenient wireless charging and reverse charging, while Poco F6 only supports wired charging. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11, up to 15 | Android 14, up to 17 | Poco F6 offers a newer OS with more recent features, updates, and a longer support cycle. |
| Connectivity | |||
| WiFi | WiFi 6 | WiFi 6, MiMO | Poco F6 offers a WiFi MiMO for improved connectivity; both support modern WiFi standards. |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 LE | 5.4 LE | Poco F6 has a newer Bluetooth version, providing slightly improved performance and power efficiency. |
| GPS | Multiple Systems | More Systems | Poco F6 supports additional satellite systems, potentially providing more accurate positioning. |
| SIM | Dual SIM + eSIM | Dual SIM | S21+ offers eSIM support for easier switching between carriers. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 128/256GB | 256/512GB | Poco F6 has more internal storage options; double the minimum and maximum storage. |
| RAM | 8GB | 8/12GB | Poco F6 has more RAM available for heavy multitasking and resource-intensive applications with the 12GB variant. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither phone offers microSD card support for expandable storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Dolby Atmos, Stereo Speakers, Noise cancellation microphone | Dolby Atmos, Stereo Speakers, 4 microphones | Both have good audio, but Poco F6 has more microphones for clearer audio capture and separation; S21+ has noise cancellation microphone. |
| Security | |||
| Fingerprint Sensor | Basic | Basic | Both offer standard fingerprint sensors for device security. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Gorilla Glass Victus | Gorilla Glass Victus | Both phones have the same screen protection for a scratch resistant screen. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Barometer, Proximity | Ultrasonic Proximity Virtual | S21+ includes a Barometer and a physical proximity sensor, while Poco F6 has a virtual one; Poco F6 has a more advanced proximity sensing. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G Advantages:
- Telephoto Lens: Dedicated zoom capabilities and better portrait photography.
- Wireless Charging & Reverse Charging: Added convenience for users already in the ecosystem.
- eSIM Support: Easier to switch carriers without a physical SIM card.
- 8K Video: Can record in higher resolution, suitable for professional video content creation.
- Known Camera Performance: DXOMark scores offer a reference for camera quality.
- Wide Angle + Macro Lens: For extreme close-up photography
Practical Implications:
- The S21+ is a better all around device with more features but slightly older technology.
Xiaomi Poco F6 Advantages:
- Significantly Higher Performance: Newer chipset, faster CPU/GPU; much more smooth, especially for resource-heavy applications.
- Higher Resolution Display: Sharper text and images for better viewing experience.
- Much Brighter Display: Significantly better outdoor visibility, even under direct sunlight.
- Faster Charging: Reduced downtime due to much faster battery charging.
- Newer Operating System: More recent features, better security, and longer support.
- Larger Battery Capacity: Slightly better battery life during usage.
- More Storage and RAM: More internal storage for media and apps; more RAM for seamless multitasking.
- Wider Aperture on Primary Camera: Better low light performance.
- Dedicated Ultra-wide Lens: Capable of capturing expansive landscapes.
- Ultra Stable Video Mode: Enhanced video stabilization.
- Better Bluetooth Version: For improved performance.
- Additional Microphones: For better audio capture and separation.
Practical Implications:
- The Poco F6 is a beast in performance, especially for heavy use.
Significant Trade-offs:
- S21+ : Sacrifices performance and newer tech in return for more camera lenses, wireless charging and eSIM support.
- Poco F6: No telephoto camera and no wireless charging but offers better display, performance and battery.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G Ideal Users:
- Users who prioritize versatile camera features like telephoto zoom.
- Users who value wireless and reverse wireless charging convenience.
- Users who need eSIM capabilities for travel or flexibility.
- Users who require 8K Video recording.
- Users who want a known camera quality with an official benchmark score.
Specific Use Cases:
- Travelers who need eSIM for easy switching between carriers and high quality photos and videos
- Users who often need to wirelessly charge or reverse charge other devices.
- Photographers who want a versatile lens setup (telephoto for zoom).
Xiaomi Poco F6 Ideal Users:
- Gamers and heavy users who demand top performance.
- Users who want a bright and sharp display for outdoor visibility.
- Users who need fast charging to minimize downtime.
- Users who want the latest Android OS version.
- Users who prioritize battery life and faster overall experience.
- Users who want a fast phone at a better price.
Specific Use Cases:
- Mobile Gamers who need smooth, high-FPS gameplay.
- Users who spend a lot of time outdoors or under bright sunlight.
- Power users who require fast app loading and seamless multitasking.
- People who travel or are on the go and have limited time to charge.
Price-to-Value Ratio:
- Based on the specs, the Xiaomi Poco F6 seems to offer better value for its price, delivering substantially better performance, newer tech and a better display. The S21+ is an older phone and will likely be cheaper, so the decision is user dependent.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- Performance vs. Camera Versatility: Do you prioritize top-tier performance for gaming and apps, or versatile camera lenses with zoom capabilities?
- Wireless Charging vs. Fast Charging: Do you value the convenience of wireless charging, or would you rather have significantly faster wired charging?
- Newer Software vs. Established Ecosystem: Do you prefer having the latest OS and a longer support cycle or are you more interested in having the older software ecosystem?
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- For Gamers and Power Users: Choose the Xiaomi Poco F6 for its superior performance, better display and faster charging.
- For Photography Enthusiasts: The Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G is a better choice for its versatile camera with a telephoto lens and 8K video recording, if you value that over performance.
- For Everyday Users: If you don't need top performance and want a versatile phone with wireless charging, the S21+ is the better choice, but if you want the faster experience and don't care about wireless charging, the Poco F6 is better.
- For Users on a Budget: If you want maximum value, the Xiaomi Poco F6 offers significantly better performance and newer tech at likely a better price.
My Choice
I would choose the Xiaomi Poco F6.
Reasoning:
While the Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G has its merits, including a dedicated telephoto lens, wireless charging, and eSIM support, the Xiaomi Poco F6 excels in areas that are more critical for my everyday use. I prioritize performance, a bright, sharp display for outdoor use, and fast charging. The Poco F6's significantly superior chipset and GPU ensure smoother gaming, faster app loading, and better overall performance. The higher resolution and much brighter display enhance my viewing experience, and the 90W fast charging ensures I spend less time plugged in.
While I appreciate the convenience of wireless charging, the Poco F6's dramatically faster wired charging makes up for it. The newer operating system also appeals to me as I always prefer having the newest security updates.
Ultimately, the Poco F6's combination of superior performance, better display, and faster charging makes it the more compelling option for my needs.
