Smartphone Comparison: Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G vs. Xiaomi Redmi Note 11S 5G
1. Specifications Comparison
Here's a detailed comparison of the key specifications, grouped by category with a focus on practical impact:
Design
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G | Xiaomi Redmi Note 11S 5G | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Dimensions | 161.5 × 75.6 × 7.8 mm | 163.6 × 75.8 × 8.8 mm | Redmi Note 11S 5G is slightly taller and thicker, potentially feeling a bit bulkier. |
| Weight | 200g | 195g | Negligible difference, both feel similar in weight. |
| Build | Not specified | Not specified | More info needed for build quality comparison |
Display
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G | Xiaomi Redmi Note 11S 5G | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Size | 6.7" | 6.6" | S21+ has a slightly larger screen, better for media consumption. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2400 | Identical sharpness on paper. |
| PPI | 394 | 399 | Virtually identical, no noticeable difference in pixel density. |
| Technology | AMOLED | IPS LCD | S21+ provides richer colors, deeper blacks, and better contrast, superior for viewing content. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 90Hz | S21+ delivers smoother scrolling and animations. |
| Brightness | 1300 nits | 0 nits | S21+ much brighter, significantly better for outdoor visibility under direct sunlight, missing brightness value on Xiaomi |
Performance
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G | Xiaomi Redmi Note 11S 5G | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Chipset | Exynos 2100 (5 nm) | Mediatek Dimensity 810 (6 nm) | S21+ chipset offers significantly higher performance and better power efficiency (5nm process). |
| AnTuTu Score | 749,100 | 438,700 | S21+ is significantly faster, handles demanding tasks like gaming and heavy multitasking much better. |
| GPU | Mali-G78 MP14 | Mali-G57 MC2 | S21+ has a much more powerful GPU for graphics-intensive tasks like gaming. |
Battery
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G | Xiaomi Redmi Note 11S 5G | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Capacity | 4800 mAh | 5000 mAh | Redmi Note 11S 5G may have slightly longer battery life due to a slightly larger battery. |
| Charging | 25W Fast Charging | 33W Fast Charging | Redmi Note 11S 5G charges faster. |
| Features | Wireless charging, reverse charging | None specified | S21+ offers additional flexibility with wireless and reverse charging, convenient for travel and power sharing with other devices |
Camera
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G | Xiaomi Redmi Note 11S 5G | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Standard Camera | 12MP, f/1.8, 1/1.76" | 50MP, f/1.8, 1/2.76" | Redmi Note 11S 5G captures more detail in good light, while S21+ has a larger sensor for better low-light performance |
| Telephoto + Portrait Camera | 64MP, f/2.0, 1/1.72" | None | S21+ offers more flexibility for zooming and portrait photography. |
| Selfie Camera | 10MP, f/2.2 | 13MP, f/2.4 | Redmi Note 11S 5G has a slightly higher resolution, while S21+ has a wider aperture for better low light selfies. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 12.2MP, f/2.2 | 8MP, f/2.2 | Redmi Note 11S 5G has a dedicated ultrawide, while S21+ has Wide Angle + Macro lens |
| Macro Lens | None | 2MP, f/2.4 | Redmi Note 11S 5G can capture dedicated macro shots. |
| Video | Up to 8K@24fps | Up to 1080p@60fps | S21+ has more video recording features and better stabilization, better video quality for professional usage |
| DxOMark Score | 111 | 65 | S21+ has better overall photo and video quality according to DxOMark scores. |
Software
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G | Xiaomi Redmi Note 11S 5G | Practical Impact |
|---|
| OS | Android 11 (upgradable to 15) | Android 11 (no details about max version) | S21+ offers more future software updates and security patches |
Connectivity
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G | Xiaomi Redmi Note 11S 5G | Practical Impact |
|---|
| WiFi | Wi-Fi 6 | Wi-Fi 5 | S21+ has faster Wi-Fi speeds and better performance on crowded networks. |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.0 | Bluetooth 5.1 | Redmi Note 11S has newer bluetooth version, minimal practical difference. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo, GPS (L1+L5), Galileo (E1+E5a) | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Galileo | S21+ uses more satellite systems for more accurate location tracking. |
| SIM | Dual SIM (Nano + Nano/eSIM) | Dual SIM (Nano + Nano) | S21+ supports eSIM for easy digital switching between carriers. |
Storage
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G | Xiaomi Redmi Note 11S 5G | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Internal | 128/256 GB | 64/128 GB | S21+ offers more storage options for media, files and applications |
| RAM | 8 GB | 4/6 GB | S21+ handles multitasking and demanding apps more smoothly. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither phone can expand storage with SD card. |
Audio
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G | Xiaomi Redmi Note 11S 5G | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Quality | Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res Audio, Noise cancellation microphone, Stereo Speakers | Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res Audio, Stereo Speakers, 2 microphones | S21+ offers higher audio quality playback and better clarity due to noise cancellation microphone |
Security
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G | Xiaomi Redmi Note 11S 5G | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Fingerprint | Basic fingerprint sensor | Side-mounted fingerprint sensor | Side mounted sensors are typically faster and more convenient to reach |
Build Quality
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G | Xiaomi Redmi Note 11S 5G | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Screen Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | S21+ has superior protection against scratches and drops. |
Sensors
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G | Xiaomi Redmi Note 11S 5G | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Barometer | Fingerprint, Accelerometer, Compass, Ultrasonic proximity virtual | S21+ has additional sensors for improved navigation, gaming and other applications. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G Advantages:
- Superior Display: AMOLED panel with 120Hz refresh rate and higher brightness provides a much better visual experience with vibrant colors, smooth scrolling, and excellent visibility even under direct sunlight.
- Much Faster Performance: Exynos 2100 chipset and significantly higher AnTuTu benchmark score allows for smoother performance with demanding apps and multitasking, and better gaming performance.
- Better Camera System: Superior video capabilities, with 8K recording, Optical Image Stabilization, telephoto lens, along with better sensor size for low-light shots, resulting in much better photo and video quality overall, also better dxoMark scores (111 vs 65).
- Advanced Features: Wireless charging, reverse charging, eSIM, superior screen protection, more advanced sensor suite and more software updates.
Xiaomi Redmi Note 11S 5G Advantages:
- Slightly Larger Battery: The 5000 mAh battery may offer a marginally longer battery life.
- Faster Charging: 33W charging is faster than the 25W charging of the S21+.
- Wide Angle + Macro Lenses: Offers versatility with its wide-angle and macro lens.
- Side-Mounted Fingerprint Scanner: More ergonomic and practical in most use-case scenarios.
Trade-offs:
- S21+: Higher price, potentially less battery life than the Redmi Note 11S 5G.
- Redmi Note 11S 5G: Inferior display, weaker performance, lower video and camera quality.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G:
- Ideal User: Users who prioritize a high-quality display, premium performance, better camera capabilities, and advanced features.
- Use Cases:
- Mobile gamers seeking smooth and responsive gameplay.
- Photography and videography enthusiasts.
- Users who consume a lot of media.
- Professionals and power users who need seamless multitasking.
- Users who travel frequently, making use of wireless and reverse charging features.
Xiaomi Redmi Note 11S 5G:
- Ideal User: Users on a budget who want a decent battery, fast charging, and a usable camera and display.
- Use Cases:
- General day-to-day use.
- Casual social media users and content consumers.
- Users who prioritize a longer battery and faster charging.
- Budget-conscious users who want a phone with good value for the price.
Price-to-Value Ratio
- S21+: Offers significantly more for a higher price tag.
- Redmi Note 11S 5G: Provides good value for its price and is ideal for those on a strict budget.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- What is your budget? The S21+ is in a higher price category.
- How important is display quality and performance to you? The S21+ offers a much better screen and performance.
- What are your camera needs? The S21+ has a much better camera system and more features for photo and video.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- If you need the best possible display and performance and don't mind spending more: The Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G is the clear choice.
- If you're on a tight budget and want a good all-around phone with longer battery: The Xiaomi Redmi Note 11S 5G is a good option.
- If you need the best camera: The Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G's camera is superior due to a larger sensor, Optical Image Stabilization and more versatile lenses.
My Choice
If I were choosing between these two phones, I would choose the Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G. While the Xiaomi Redmi Note 11S 5G has a few advantages like faster charging and a slightly bigger battery, the S21+ offers significant upgrades in areas that are crucial to me. The superior AMOLED display, much better performance, and the higher-quality camera make it a far more appealing device for my use cases. I appreciate the smoother experience, the brighter and more vibrant display, and the better photo and video quality. While it's more expensive, the advantages in display, performance, and camera make it worth the extra investment for me. The additional features like wireless charging are also a nice bonus.
