Smartphone Comparison: Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G vs. Xiaomi Redmi Note 11 Pro+ 5G
1. Specifications Comparison
Design
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G | Xiaomi Redmi Note 11 Pro+ 5G | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 161.5 × 75.6 × 7.8 mm | 163.7 × 76.2 × 8.3 mm | Slightly more compact and thinner feel for the S21+, the Redmi Note 11 Pro+ is a bit taller and thicker. |
| Weight | 200g | 204g | Negligible difference in weight; both feel similar in hand. |
| Build | Gorilla Glass Victus front | Gorilla Glass 5 front | S21+ has a more durable screen protection against scratches and drops. |
Display
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G | Xiaomi Redmi Note 11 Pro+ 5G | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Size | 6.7" | 6.67" | Virtually identical screen size, minimal difference noticeable. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2400 | Same sharpness; both displays appear very crisp. |
| PPI | 394 | 395 | Same pixel density; indistinguishable to the naked eye. |
| Technology | AMOLED | AMOLED | Vivid colors, deep blacks, and good contrast on both. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | Smooth scrolling and animations on both phones. |
| Brightness | 1300 nits | 1200 nits | S21+ slightly better outdoor visibility under bright sunlight. |
Performance
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G | Xiaomi Redmi Note 11 Pro+ 5G | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chipset | Exynos 2100 (5 nm) | Mediatek Dimensity 920 (6 nm) | S21+ has a more powerful chipset, resulting in faster app loading and smoother multitasking. |
| AnTuTu Score | 749,100 | 528,100 | S21+ offers noticeably better overall performance, especially in demanding tasks. |
| GPU | Mali-G78 MP14 | Mali-G68 MC4 | S21+ has a more capable GPU, leading to better graphics performance in games. |
Camera
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G | Xiaomi Redmi Note 11 Pro+ 5G | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main Camera | 12MP, f/1.8, 1/1.76" | 108MP, f/1.89, 1/1.52" | Redmi Note 11 Pro+ captures more detailed images in good light; S21+ performs well in low-light scenarios, owing to larger pixels. |
| Telephoto + Portrait | 64MP, f/2.0, 1/1.72" | None | S21+ offers dedicated optical zoom for portrait and distant subjects. |
| Selfie Camera | 10MP, f/2.2, 1/3.2" | 16MP, f/2.45, 1/3.13" | Redmi Note 11 Pro+ captures slightly more detail in selfies; S21+ might fare better in low light, due to wider aperture. |
| Wide Angle Lens | None | 8MP, f/2.2, 1/2.8" | Redmi Note 11 Pro+ has a dedicated wide-angle lens for group shots and landscapes. |
| Macro Lens | None | 2MP, f/2.4 | Redmi Note 11 Pro+ has a dedicated macro lens for close-up photography. |
| Wide Angle + Macro | 12.2MP, f/2.2, 1/2.55" | None | S21+ offers a versatile ultrawide camera that also functions as a macro lens. |
| Video | 8K@24fps, 4K@60fps, EIS | 4K@30fps, EIS (unspecified) | S21+ records higher quality video, offering 8K and 4K at 60 fps. |
| Video Stabilization | Yes | No | S21+ has dedicated image stabilization for smoother video recording. |
| DXOMark Score | 111 | N/A | S21+ has a good DXOMark score while the Xiaomi is not rated by them. |
Battery
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G | Xiaomi Redmi Note 11 Pro+ 5G | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 4800mAh | 4500mAh | S21+ likely offers slightly longer battery life between charges. |
| Charging | 25W Fast Charging | 120W Fast Charging | Redmi Note 11 Pro+ charges significantly faster, making it more convenient. |
| Wireless Charging | 15W | None | S21+ offers wireless charging capability. |
| Reverse Charging | Yes | None | S21+ can wirelessly charge other devices. |
Software and Connectivity
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G | Xiaomi Redmi Note 11 Pro+ 5G | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Operating System | Android 11, upgradable to 15 | Android 11 | S21+ provides better future software updates, Xiaomi update cycle is not stated. |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6, dual-band | Wi-Fi 6, dual-band, Wi-Fi MiMO | Both offer the latest Wi-Fi standards; MiMO technology can offer slightly faster speeds on the Xiaomi. |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.0 | Bluetooth 5.2 | Xiaomi has a newer version of Bluetooth, which may improve connectivity with compatible devices. |
| GPS | GPS (L1+L5), Galileo (E1+E5a) | GPS (L1+L5), Galileo (E1+E5a), QZSS, BeiDou(B1,B2) NavIC | Xiaomi has more satellite support resulting in more accurate location tracking. |
| SIM | Dual SIM (Nano SIM + Nano SIM / eSIM) | Dual SIM (Nano SIM + Nano SIM) | S21+ has an eSIM option which is better for traveling. |
Storage and Audio
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G | Xiaomi Redmi Note 11 Pro+ 5G | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Internal Storage | 128GB or 256GB | 64 GB, 128GB or 256GB | Both offer up to 256GB of storage; Redmi offers a lower 64GB option as well. |
| RAM | 8GB | 6GB or 8GB | Both have up to 8GB of RAM, which is good for multitasking. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone offers expandable storage via microSD. |
| Audio Quality | Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res Audio, Noise cancellation microphone, Stereo Speakers | Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res Audio, Stereo Speakers, 2 microphones | Both have good audio features; S21+ has noise cancelling and Xiaomi has 2 mics for better calls. |
Security and Sensors
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G | Xiaomi Redmi Note 11 Pro+ 5G | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fingerprint Sensor | basic fingerprint sensor | side-mounted fingerprint sensor | Xiaomi offers a faster, more convenient fingerprint scanner. |
| Sensors | Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Barometer, Proximity | Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Ultrasonic proximity virtual | S21+ has additional environmental sensors. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G Advantages:
- Superior Performance: The Exynos 2100 chipset provides significantly better processing power and graphics performance than the Dimensity 920.
- Better Camera System: Offers a telephoto lens for optical zoom, and more versatile video recording features (8K and 4K@60fps), and OIS.
- Wireless Charging and Reverse Wireless Charging: Adds convenience for charging and power-sharing.
- Brighter Display: Higher peak brightness for better outdoor visibility.
- eSIM Support: Allows for digital carrier switching, useful for travelers.
- Better build Gorilla Glass Victus screen for better protection.
- More mature software support better future software update cycles.
- Additional sensors for environmental monitoring.
Xiaomi Redmi Note 11 Pro+ 5G Advantages:
- Significantly Faster Charging: 120W charging drastically reduces charging times.
- Higher Resolution Main Camera: 108MP sensor for more detailed photos in good lighting conditions.
- Dedicated Wide Angle and Macro Lens: Provides additional camera flexibility for landscape, group shots, and close-ups.
- Newer Bluetooth Version: The Bluetooth 5.2 may improve connectivity with other devices.
- Additional satellite support: Better location accuracy.
- Lower price likely available at a lower price point.
Trade-offs:
- S21+: Lacks the ultra-fast charging speed, dedicated wide-angle and macro cameras, and a side mounted fingerprint sensor of the Redmi Note.
- Redmi Note 11 Pro+ 5G: Inferior performance, lower video recording quality, basic fingerprint sensor, and missing advanced features like wireless charging, reverse charging, and eSIM.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G is Ideal For:
- Power Users: Users who require smooth multitasking, fast app loading, and demanding gaming capabilities.
- Photography Enthusiasts: Users who want versatile zoom capabilities, good video quality, and advanced camera features.
- Users Who Value Convenience: Those who benefit from wireless charging, reverse charging, and eSIM for travel.
- Users who value the brand: Looking for a phone from a reputable brand.
- Users who prioritize future updates: Will likely receive the latest android updates.
Use Cases:
- High-end gaming, video editing, and other demanding tasks.
- Professional photography and videography (8K recording capability).
- Frequent travelers who can utilize eSIM and wireless charging.
Xiaomi Redmi Note 11 Pro+ 5G is Ideal For:
- Budget-Conscious Users: Users seeking good performance and features at a lower price.
- Users who prefer fast charging: Those who need to quickly top up their phones throughout the day.
- Casual Photographers: Users who enjoy taking photos using the main, ultra-wide and macro lenses.
- Everyday users: Who dont need the latest features and don't need cutting-edge technology.
Use Cases:
- Everyday tasks like browsing, social media, and casual gaming.
- Taking photos with the wide angle and macro lenses.
- Users who need a long-lasting battery and fast charging.
Price-to-Value:
- The Redmi Note 11 Pro+ 5G will likely offer better value given that it may be available at a lower price point.
- The S21+ will be available at a higher price and that can be justified by the high performance and better build and camera quality.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- Performance Needs: Do you prioritize high-end gaming, video editing, and performance?
- Camera Requirements: Do you need versatile zoom capabilities and advanced video features, or more of a wide angle, macro and large megapixel camera?
- Charging Habits: Do you need the convenience of wireless charging or ultra-fast wired charging?
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Performance and Camera are top priority: Choose the Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G. It offers a more powerful chipset, a more versatile camera system with telephoto lens and 8K video recording and more mature software.
- Scenario 2: Value for money and Fast Charging is the most important: Choose the Xiaomi Redmi Note 11 Pro+ 5G. It offers significantly faster charging, good main camera details, and dedicated wide-angle/macro lenses, while likely costing less.
- Scenario 3: Casual user looking for a balance of features: Choose the phone that you prefer.
My Choice
If I were choosing, I would pick the Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G. Here's why: While the Xiaomi has its strengths, I prioritize performance and camera quality for the use case of demanding tasks, photo editing and professional use. The S21+ offers a more powerful processor, better video recording quality, and the addition of optical zoom is extremely valuable to me. The slightly longer battery life (negligible) and wireless charging adds an extra layer of convenience that is good to have. Although the S21+ has slower charging speeds, the better features make it the better phone for my needs, and a better balance of features overall, despite the likely price difference.
