1. Specifications Comparison
Design
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G | Xiaomi Redmi Note 13 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Dimensions | 161.5 × 75.6 × 7.8 mm | 161.2 × 74.2 × 8 mm | The S21+ is slightly wider, while the Redmi Note 13 Pro is marginally thicker. The difference is negligible for most users. |
| Weight | 200g | 187g | The Redmi Note 13 Pro is slightly lighter, which might be noticeable during extended one-handed use. |
Display
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G | Xiaomi Redmi Note 13 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Size | 6.7" | 6.67" | Practically identical screen sizes, minimal difference. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1220x2712 | Redmi Note 13 Pro has a noticeably sharper display due to higher pixel density. Text and images will appear clearer and more detailed. |
| PPI | 394 | 446 | The Redmi Note 13 Pro has a visibly sharper screen than the S21+ thanks to significantly more pixels per inch. |
| Technology | AMOLED | AMOLED | Both have vibrant colors, deep blacks, and excellent contrast typical of AMOLED panels. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | Both offer smooth scrolling and animations. |
| Brightness | 1300 nits | 1800 nits | The Redmi Note 13 Pro has much better outdoor visibility under bright sunlight, making it easier to view the screen. |
Performance
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G | Xiaomi Redmi Note 13 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Chipset | Exynos 2100 (5 nm) | Qualcomm SM7435-AB Snapdragon 7s Gen 2 (4 nm) | The S21+ has the edge in raw processing power. Expect slightly smoother multitasking and faster load times on the S21+. |
| Antutu Score | 749,100 | 625,845 | S21+ benchmarks show it to have marginally better overall performance, though in day to day use this difference may not be easily noticeable. |
| GPU | Mali-G78 MP14 | Adreno 710 | Different GPUs; the S21+ should perform better in graphically intensive tasks, but this may not be as noticeable in all games. |
Camera
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G | Xiaomi Redmi Note 13 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Main Camera | 12MP f/1.8, 1/1.76", 1.8µm | 200MP f/1.65, 1/1.4", 0.56µm | Redmi Note 13 Pro has a much higher resolution main sensor, leading to more detailed photos, especially with pixel binning. |
| Telephoto | 64MP f/2.0, 1/1.72", 0.8µm | None | S21+ provides optical zoom capabilities, resulting in sharper images at greater distances. The Note 13 Pro relies on digital zoom, which degrades image quality. |
| Selfie Camera | 10MP f/2.2, 1/3.2", 1.22µm | 16MP f/2.4, 1/3.06", 1.00µm | Redmi Note 13 Pro has a slightly higher resolution front camera. The S21+ has a slightly wider aperture, which theoretically gives it an edge in low-light scenarios. |
| Portrait Mode (Depth) | None | 2MP f/2.4, 1/5", 1.75µm | The Redmi Note 13 Pro features a dedicated depth sensor for better portrait effects. |
| Wide Angle | 12.2MP f/2.2, 1/2.55", 1.4µm | 8MP f/2.2, 1/2.8", 1.14µm | The S21+ has higher resolution and a larger sensor size for the ultrawide camera, potentially resulting in slightly higher quality images. |
| Video | Up to 8K@24fps | Up to 4K@30fps | The S21+ can record at higher video resolutions, especially in 8K, which may be important to some content creators. Both offer image stabilization for smoother video recordings. |
| DxOMark Score | Main 111, Photo 118, Video 89 | Main 120, Photo 121, Video 118 | The Redmi Note 13 Pro is rated as having a significantly better camera overall than the S21+, especially in video capabilities. |
| Features | 8K Video, Optical zoom, Continuous autofocus, Manual focus, RAW, Night Mode | None | S21+ offers more advanced features for more control over your photos/videos |
Battery
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G | Xiaomi Redmi Note 13 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Capacity | 4800mAh | 5100mAh | The Redmi Note 13 Pro has a larger battery, which likely translates to slightly longer battery life. |
| Charging | 25W | 67W | The Redmi Note 13 Pro charges much faster, resulting in less time waiting for a full charge. |
| Features | Reverse charging, Wireless charging 15W, Reverse wireless charging 4.5W | None | S21+ offers wireless charging and the ability to charge other devices wirelessly. |
Software
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G | Xiaomi Redmi Note 13 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|
| OS | Android 11 (upgradable to 15) | Android 13 (upgradable to 16) | Redmi Note 13 Pro ships with a newer version of Android, and likely has more years of security updates. |
Connectivity
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G | Xiaomi Redmi Note 13 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|
| WiFi | WiFi 6 (802.11ax) | 802.11ac | S21+ supports the faster WiFi 6 standard for better performance on newer networks, the Note 13 has additional MiMO capability which can help in specific circumstances |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 | 5.2 | Redmi Note 13 Pro has a newer Bluetooth version for slightly more efficient and potentially faster connections. |
| GPS | GPS (L1+L5), Galileo (E1+E5a) | GPS, QZSS, BeiDou (B1) | The Redmi Note 13 Pro supports more satellite systems for potentially better location accuracy. |
Storage
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G | Xiaomi Redmi Note 13 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Internal | 128GB or 256GB | 128GB, 256GB, or 512GB | The Redmi Note 13 Pro offers up to 512GB of internal storage for users who need more space for media. |
| RAM | 8GB | 8GB, 12GB or 16GB | The Redmi Note 13 Pro offers higher RAM options, which makes it better for heavy multi-tasking or games. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither phone allows for expandable storage via microSD cards. |
Audio
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G | Xiaomi Redmi Note 13 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Quality | Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res Audio, Noise cancellation microphone, Stereo Speakers | Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res Audio, Stereo Speakers | Both offer good audio experiences. The S21+ has a noise-canceling microphone for better call clarity. |
Security
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G | Xiaomi Redmi Note 13 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Features | Basic fingerprint sensor | Basic fingerprint sensor | Both phones feature standard fingerprint security. |
Build Quality
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G | Xiaomi Redmi Note 13 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus | Both have similar levels of scratch and drop resistance in their screens |
Sensors
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G | Xiaomi Redmi Note 13 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Biometric: Fingerprint; Proximity: Proximity; Motion: Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope; Environmental: Barometer | Biometric: Fingerprint; Motion: Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope; Proximity: Ultrasonic proximity virtual | S21+ offers more environmental sensors and a standard proximity sensor, and the Note 13 Pro opts for a virtual sensor for better motion detection and other advanced sensor features. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G Advantages:
- Marginally better performance: The Exynos 2100 chipset provides slightly higher benchmark scores and potentially smoother operation with demanding applications.
- More versatile camera: Optical zoom and 8K video recording provide greater flexibility for photos and videos. Also provides a larger pixel size on the ultrawide camera, potentially creating better low-light scenarios.
- Wireless charging and reverse wireless charging: Offers convenient charging options.
- Noise cancelling microphone: Better for voice calls in noisy environments
- More advanced sensor suite: Includes barometer for altitude tracking, a dedicated proximity sensor for more reliable function, and a magnetometer/Hall effect sensor for enhanced compass functionality.
Xiaomi Redmi Note 13 Pro Advantages:
- Significantly better display: Higher resolution, higher pixel density, and higher brightness result in a sharper and more visible display, especially outdoors.
- Better Main Camera: Higher resolution main sensor on the Note 13 Pro yields more detail, especially when pixel binning is employed.
- Faster charging: 67W charging significantly reduces the time spent waiting for the phone to recharge.
- Newer Software and OS: The Redmi Note 13 Pro ships with a more recent version of Android, and can likely be supported for a longer period.
- Potentially better battery life: The larger battery capacity may offer a slight increase in use time before needing a recharge.
- More RAM options: Having the options for 12 or 16GB of RAM over the 8GB on the S21+ is useful for heavier multi-tasking and gaming
- Better Bluetooth: Newer standards can provide better performance.
- More Storage Options: Up to 512GB of internal storage, more than the S21+.
- Better camera results: DXOMARK scores the camera performance as significantly better.
Trade-offs:
- The S21+ trades better display for slightly better performance, charging speed, and better camera functionality.
- The Redmi Note 13 Pro sacrifices some camera versatility (optical zoom) and raw performance for a superior display, battery, charging speed, and better video quality.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G Ideal Users:
- Users needing a balance of performance, camera features, and wireless charging: The S21+ is a good choice for users who value speed, versatility with photos and videos, and the convenience of wireless charging.
- Those who record high-resolution video The 8K video recording and optical zoom are ideal for users who want to use their phone as a high-quality video device.
- Users who need advanced environmental sensors: People who value the barometer or require enhanced compass functionality would be more satisfied with this model.
Xiaomi Redmi Note 13 Pro Ideal Users:
- Users who prioritize display quality: The Redmi Note 13 Pro's vibrant, high-resolution, and bright display is perfect for media consumption and anyone who spends a lot of time using their phone outdoors.
- Users who want fast charging and long battery life: Great for people who are often on the go or who want to minimize downtime.
- Users that care about camera quality above all: With a higher DxOMark score, it may be a better option for photo and video capture than the S21+.
- Users who need a lot of storage: 512GB of internal storage provides ample space for a large media library.
- Gamers: With higher refresh rates, a more recent chip, more RAM and a higher resolution display, gaming may be more enjoyable on the Xiaomi device.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions to Consider:
- How important is display quality? If a bright, sharp display is a priority, the Redmi Note 13 Pro is a clear winner.
- Do you need optical zoom or 8K video recording? The S21+ offers a more versatile camera setup if these features are crucial.
- How important is fast charging and battery life? If a battery that charges quickly and lasts longer is important, then the Redmi Note 13 Pro is a better option.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- For the casual user that needs a good all-rounder: The Redmi Note 13 Pro will likely be a more attractive package with its superior display and battery/charging capabilities.
- For a photographer or videographer: The Samsung Galaxy S21+ offers a more versatile set of features for content creators with its optical zoom and 8k recording capabilities.
- For a gamer: The Xiaomi phone will be more performant overall.
- For someone who primarily uses their phone outdoors: The brighter display on the Redmi Note 13 Pro makes it the best choice for visibility in bright conditions.
Personal Choice
If I had to choose between the two, I would pick the Xiaomi Redmi Note 13 Pro. Here's why:
- Better Display: The higher resolution, pixel density, and brightness make for a significantly better viewing experience. I consume a lot of media on my phone, so this is a priority for me.
- Faster Charging: The 67W charging is incredibly convenient for my fast-paced lifestyle. I hate waiting for my phone to charge.
- Newer Software: The newer version of Android means that the phone will have more security updates and support over time.
- Superior Camera Scores: Despite missing some of the more niche features such as RAW photos or 8k video, the camera is still better overall on the Redmi.
- More RAM and storage options: As someone who always takes photos and videos and uses a lot of apps, having more RAM and storage is beneficial.
While the Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G has some appealing features, such as wireless charging, better video recording and a telephoto lens, the overall package of the Xiaomi Redmi Note 13 Pro makes it the better choice for my needs. The significantly better display and charging speed tip the scales, and the better camera performance is a nice bonus.
The S21+ is a good choice for users who need a more versatile camera setup, but the vast majority of people will likely prefer the display and battery improvements of the Redmi Note 13 Pro.
