Smartphone Comparison: Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G vs. Xiaomi Poco M6 4G
1. Specifications Comparison
Here's a detailed comparison of key specifications, grouped by category, with a focus on practical implications:
Design
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G | Xiaomi Poco M6 4G | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 161.5 × 75.6 × 7.8 mm | 168.6 × 76.3 × 8.3 mm | Poco M6 is taller and thicker, potentially less comfortable for smaller hands. |
| Weight | 200g | 205g | S21+ is slightly lighter, might feel better during extended use. |
| Build Material | Not Specified | Not Specified | Material impacts durability, feel, and overall aesthetics (information is unavailable). |
Display
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G | Xiaomi Poco M6 4G | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Size | 6.7" | 6.79" | Minimal difference; both offer a large display for media consumption and multitasking. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2460 | Negligible difference in sharpness, both are Full HD+ quality. |
| PPI | 394 | 396 | Practically identical pixel density, resulting in similar clarity. |
| Technology | AMOLED | IPS LCD | S21+ offers deeper blacks, higher contrast, better color accuracy, and is more power efficient in dark mode. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 90Hz | S21+ provides smoother scrolling and animations, noticeable during gaming or UI interactions. |
| Brightness | 1300 nits | 0 nits | S21+ offers significantly better outdoor visibility, especially in bright sunlight. Xiaomi Poco M6 4G's brightness is unknown. |
| Screen Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus | Unknown | S21+ has better scratch and impact resistance; Poco M6 screen protection is not specified |
Performance
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G | Xiaomi Poco M6 4G | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chipset | Exynos 2100 (5 nm) | Mediatek Helio G91 Ultra (12 nm) | S21+ provides significantly faster processing, better app loading, and a smoother user experience in demanding tasks. |
| Antutu Score | 749,100 | 269,266 | S21+ scores much higher, indicating superior performance across all tasks, including gaming and multitasking. |
| GPU | Mali-G78 MP14 | Mali-G52 MC2 | S21+ has a much more powerful GPU; S21+ has a big advantage in gaming and graphically demanding apps. |
Camera
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G | Xiaomi Poco M6 4G | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main Camera | 12MP, f/1.8, 1/1.76", Sony IMX555 | 108MP, f/1.75, 1/1.67", Samsung HM6 | Poco M6's higher resolution might capture more detail in good lighting, S21+'s larger pixel size may offer better low-light performance. |
| Telephoto/Portrait | 64MP, f/2.0, 1/1.72", Samsung S5KGW2 | None | S21+ has a dedicated telephoto lens for zooming and portrait photography. |
| Selfie Camera | 10MP, f/2.2, 1/3.2", Sony IMX374 | 13MP, f/2.45, Unspecified | Poco M6 has a higher resolution selfie camera, the Samsung might have better low light. |
| Macro Lens | None | 2MP, f/2.4, Unspecified | Poco M6 has a dedicated macro lens for extreme close-up shots. |
| Wide Angle | 12.2MP, f/2.2, 1/2.55", Sony IMX563 | None | S21+ has a dedicated wide-angle camera for capturing larger scenes. |
| Video | Up to 8K@24fps, 4K@60fps, EIS, Stereo sound | Up to 1080p@30fps | S21+ has significantly superior video recording capabilities, including 8K video and advanced stabilization and stereo sound. |
| DXOMark Score | Mobile: 111 (Photo 118, Video 89) | Not Tested | S21+ camera performance is validated via DXOMark scores, while Poco M6 has no published scores. |
| Additional Features | 8K Video, Optical zoom, OIS, PDAF, RAW, Night Mode | 4K Video, Dual Camera | S21+ offers more features related to quality video capture and photography. |
Battery
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G | Xiaomi Poco M6 4G | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 4800mAh | 5030mAh | Poco M6 offers slightly longer battery life due to higher capacity. |
| Charging | 25W Fast Charging | 33W Fast Charging | Poco M6 charges faster, potentially reducing wait time. |
| Features | Wireless Charging, Reverse Wireless Charging | Reverse Charging | S21+ has wireless and reverse wireless charging, offering more convenience. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G Advantages:
- Superior Display: AMOLED panel with 120Hz refresh rate and significantly higher brightness provides a much better viewing experience, especially outdoors.
- Higher Performance: The Exynos 2100 chipset and Mali-G78 GPU offer significantly better processing power for gaming, multitasking, and demanding apps.
- Advanced Camera System: Includes a telephoto lens, wide-angle lens, superior video recording (8K), OIS, and better low-light capabilities due to larger pixel size, resulting in greater flexibility and quality.
- Premium Features: Offers wireless and reverse wireless charging, a more advanced Bluetooth, and better protection with Corning Gorilla Glass Victus.
- Better Connectivity: Supports newer WiFi standards, GPS (L1+L5) and Galileo (E1+E5a), eSIM.
Xiaomi Poco M6 4G Advantages:
- Newer Device: Launched more recently, this might mean better software support for longer.
- Higher Battery Capacity: Slightly larger battery provides potentially longer battery life between charges.
- Faster Charging: 33W charging is faster than the 25W offered by the S21+.
- Higher Resolution Main Camera: 108MP camera can capture highly detailed images in optimal conditions.
- Dedicated Macro Lens: Provides a feature for extreme close-up photography that the S21+ lacks.
- Side-mounted Fingerprint: Faster and more reliable physical sensor.
Trade-offs
- The S21+ sacrifices some battery capacity and charging speed for overall performance, a premium display, and more camera features.
- The Poco M6 sacrifices overall performance, display quality, and some premium features for a better battery, a macro lens, and faster charging.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G Ideal User:
- Power Users: Those who require high performance for gaming, content creation, or heavy multitasking.
- Media Enthusiasts: Users who prioritize a high-quality display for watching videos and playing games, especially in varying light conditions.
- Photography/Videography Enthusiasts: Users who want a versatile camera system with high-resolution video, optical zoom, and advanced features.
- Tech-Savvy Users: Those who want premium features such as wireless charging, advanced Bluetooth, a newer WiFi standard and better screen protection.
Use Cases:
- Playing graphically intensive mobile games.
- Editing videos on the go.
- Consuming media outdoors in bright sunlight.
- Taking high-quality photos in various conditions
- Professionals needing a reliable, powerful mobile device.
Xiaomi Poco M6 4G Ideal User:
- Budget-Conscious Users: Those who want a capable smartphone at a lower price point.
- Everyday Users: Users who mainly browse the web, use social media, and perform basic tasks.
- Users Prioritizing Battery Life: Those who need a phone that lasts a full day or more on a single charge.
- Macro Photographers: Users who enjoy taking close-up photos.
Use Cases:
- Everyday browsing and social media.
- Longer usage without needing to recharge frequently.
- Taking macro shots.
- Basic mobile gaming and casual usage.
- Users looking for a basic reliable phone.
Price-to-Value Ratio:
- The S21+ offers higher value in terms of raw performance, display and camera quality, but comes at a higher cost.
- The Poco M6 4G offers more value in terms of battery life and faster charging while being more budget-friendly.
4. Decision Framework
Here are three key questions buyers should consider:
- What is your primary use case? Is it gaming and content creation (S21+) or everyday browsing and social media (Poco M6)?
- How important is display quality to you? Do you need the deep blacks and vibrancy of an AMOLED panel (S21+), or is an IPS LCD adequate (Poco M6)?
- What is your budget? Are you willing to pay more for a premium experience (S21+) or are you looking for a more affordable option (Poco M6)?
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
Scenario 1: High Performance and Visuals: If you prioritize performance, display quality, and camera capabilities, the Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G is the superior choice despite being older.
Scenario 2: Budget and Battery Life: If your priority is budget, battery life, and faster charging, the Xiaomi Poco M6 4G is a more suitable option.
Scenario 3: Balanced Needs: If you need a balance of performance, battery, and don't need the highest end video capabilities, the S21+ is still a better choice overall due to better specifications.
My Choice and Reasoning
I would choose the Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G.
Here's why:
- Superior Display Experience: As a person who consumes a lot of media on my phone, the AMOLED display with its vibrant colors, deep blacks, and higher brightness is a huge advantage. The 120Hz refresh rate also provides a noticeably smoother experience.
- Performance Edge: The Exynos 2100 is considerably more powerful than the Helio G91 Ultra. I value a phone that can handle demanding apps and games smoothly, as well as excellent multitasking abilities.
- Better Camera Versatility: The telephoto and wide-angle lenses on the S21+, coupled with its advanced video features, make it a more complete and versatile camera system for my needs. The inclusion of features such as OIS and 8k recording makes it a much more powerful tool for photography and videography.
- Premium Features: Wireless charging, a higher Bluetooth version, better screen protection, newer Wifi standards are not negligible.
While the Poco M6 4G is newer, has a slightly larger battery and faster charging, the difference in display quality, overall performance, and camera versatility that the Samsung S21+ 5G provides far outweighs the benefits of the budget-friendly phone. My usage patterns are more aligned with the S21+’s strengths, making it a worthwhile investment. Even being an older device, the S21+ still outperforms the Poco M6 4G in almost every key area of comparison.
