Smartphone Comparison: Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G vs. Xiaomi 11 Lite 5G NE
1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G | Xiaomi 11 Lite 5G NE | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 165.1 x 75.6 x 8.9 mm | 160.5 x 75.7 x 6.8 mm | S21 Ultra is taller and thicker, making it feel more substantial. 11 Lite is slimmer and more pocketable. |
| Weight | 227g | 158g | 11 Lite is significantly lighter, making it more comfortable for one-handed use and long periods of holding. S21 Ultra is heavier and more sturdy. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.8" | 6.55" | S21 Ultra offers a slightly larger screen for more immersive viewing. |
| Resolution | 1440x3200 | 1080x2400 | S21 Ultra has a much sharper, more detailed display, with significantly more pixels for clearer text and images. |
| Pixel Density (PPI) | 515 | 402 | S21 Ultra's display appears crisper, making images and text look less pixelated. |
| Technology | AMOLED | AMOLED | Both provide vibrant colors, deep blacks, and good contrast. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 90Hz | S21 Ultra offers smoother scrolling and animations, which feels more responsive for gaming and daily usage. |
| Brightness | 1500 nits | 0 nits | S21 Ultra display is dramatically brighter, offering much better visibility in direct sunlight. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Exynos 2100 (5 nm) | Snapdragon 778G 5G (6 nm) | S21 Ultra has a more powerful chipset which results in snappier multitasking and app launching. |
| AnTuTu Score | 749,000 | 589,200 | S21 Ultra has significantly better performance for demanding tasks, gaming and overall snappier day to day usage. |
| GPU | Mali-G78 MP14 | Adreno 642L | S21 Ultra's GPU delivers better graphics performance for gaming and graphically intensive apps. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 108MP, f/1.8, 1/1.33" | 64MP, f/1.79, 1/1.97" | S21 Ultra captures more detailed images with a larger sensor, especially in low light. |
| Telephoto+Portrait Camera | 10.8MP, f/2.4, 1/2.65" | None | S21 Ultra allows for optical zoom with dedicated telephoto lens, offering higher quality zoomed photos. 11 Lite has no dedicated telephoto lens. |
| Selfie Camera | 44MP, f/2.2, 1/2.65" | 20MP, f/2.24, 1/3.4" | S21 Ultra has a higher resolution front camera, potentially leading to more detailed selfies. |
| Telephoto Lens | 10.8MP, f/4.9, 1/2.65" | None | S21 Ultra offers an extra telephoto lens for better zoom capabilities. |
| Wide Angle Lens | None | 8MP, f/2.2 | 11 Lite offers a wide-angle lens for capturing more of a scene in one shot. |
| Macro Lens | None | 5MP, f/2.4 | 11 Lite has a dedicated macro lens for close-up photography. |
| Wide Angle + Macro | 12.2MP, f/2.2, 1/2.55" | None | S21 Ultra has a Wide angle and macro camera. |
| Video Recording | Up to 8K@24fps | Up to 4K@30fps | S21 Ultra captures higher resolution video with more options, while 11 Lite still provides good 4K video. |
| DxoMark Mobile Score | 115 | Not tested | S21 Ultra has been scored with detailed performance metrics, indicating its high camera performance. |
| DxoMark Selfie Score | 135 | Not tested | S21 Ultra's selfie performance exceeds the score of the main camera system. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 4250mAh | S21 Ultra has a larger battery that typically provides longer battery life per charge. |
| Charging | 25W | 33W | 11 Lite charges faster, reducing the time spent plugged into the wall. |
| Battery Features | Wireless Charging, Reverse charging | None | S21 Ultra has more charging flexibility with wireless and reverse charging options. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11, Upgradable to 15 | Android 11, Upgradable to 12 | S21 Ultra is slated to get more Android OS updates and security patches in the future. |
| Connectivity | |||
| WiFi | Wi-Fi 6, MiMO | Wi-Fi 6 | S21 Ultra supports Wi-Fi MiMO providing greater network bandwidth |
| Bluetooth | 5.2 with advanced codecs | 5.2 with fewer codecs | S21 Ultra supports more Bluetooth features and codecs for higher audio quality. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, Galileo, NavIC | 11 Lite offers more satellite support for more accurate location services. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 128/256/512GB | 128/256GB | S21 Ultra offers a 512GB storage variant, ideal for users with lots of media. |
| RAM | 12/16GB | 6/8GB | S21 Ultra has more RAM, allowing for smoother multitasking and running demanding apps. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither phone provides expandable storage via SD cards. |
| Audio | |||
| Audio Quality | Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res, Noise Cancelling Mic, Stereo Speakers | Hi-Res, Stereo Speakers | S21 Ultra has more advanced audio features including Dolby Atmos for more immersive sound and a noise cancellation mic for clearer calls. |
| Security | |||
| Fingerprint Sensor | Basic in-display sensor | Side-mounted sensor | 11 Lite features a side-mounted fingerprint sensor, which is more modern. S21 Ultra's sensor is integrated with the display. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Gorilla Glass Victus | Gorilla Glass 5 | S21 Ultra has more scratch-resistant and durable glass. |
| Sensors | Biometric, Proximity, Motion, Environmental | Biometric, Motion, Proximity | S21 Ultra has a more comprehensive sensor suite for more advanced functions. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G Advantages:
- Superior Display: Higher resolution, pixel density, brightness, and refresh rate result in a much better viewing experience, especially outdoors.
- More Powerful Performance: The Exynos 2100 chip and higher RAM provide faster processing, better graphics, and smoother multitasking, for demanding users.
- Enhanced Camera System: Multiple telephoto lenses, higher resolution sensors, and advanced video features provide more versatility and superior image quality.
- Larger Battery: The larger 5000mAh battery provides longer battery life on a single charge.
- Premium Build: Corning Gorilla Glass Victus, and a more premium feel.
- More Charging Options: Wireless and reverse wireless charging adds convenience.
- Advanced Audio: Dolby Atmos, noise cancellation microphone, and overall better audio quality
- Future proof software More Android OS upgrades available
Xiaomi 11 Lite 5G NE Advantages:
- Lighter and Thinner Design: More comfortable for extended use and pocketable.
- Faster Charging: 33W fast charging means less time plugged in.
- Wide-Angle and Macro Lens: Dedicated lenses add versatility to photography.
- Lower Price: Generally more budget-friendly.
- More accurate location services More satellite system for GPS.
- More modern fingerprint sensor: Side-mounted sensor.
Trade-offs:
- S21 Ultra: Higher price, bulkier and heavier.
- Xiaomi 11 Lite 5G NE: Less powerful performance, weaker display for sunlight, less advanced camera and audio system.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G Ideal Users:
- Power users: Those who demand top-tier performance for gaming, multitasking, and resource-intensive apps.
- Photography enthusiasts: Users who need maximum versatility in their camera system, with various zoom options, and high image quality.
- Media Consumers: Users who watch a lot of videos or enjoy high quality content on their mobile devices.
- Users who need long lasting battery: Users who value long battery life over other features.
- Outdoor users: Users who need a high brightness display for clear visibility outdoors.
- Users who plan on using the phone long term: Users that value long software support.
Specific Use Cases for S21 Ultra:
- Professional photography and videography with 8k recording capabilities.
- Demanding mobile gaming at highest settings.
- Video editing and content creation on the go.
- Heavy multitasking with many apps open simultaneously.
- Outdoor navigation in bright sunlight.
Xiaomi 11 Lite 5G NE Ideal Users:
- Budget-conscious buyers: Users who want good value for money and don't need the absolute best performance.
- Users who prioritize portability: Those who want a lightweight and comfortable phone.
- Social media users: Users who take casual photos and videos and want a versatile set of camera lenses.
- Everyday users: Users who primarily use their phone for calls, texts, and browsing.
Specific Use Cases for 11 Lite:
- Casual photography with both wide-angle and macro options.
- Everyday tasks like browsing, texting, and social media.
- Users that need a compact lightweight phone.
- Users who want a more modern fingerprint sensor.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- What is my budget? The S21 Ultra is significantly more expensive.
- How important are performance and camera quality to me? The S21 Ultra excels here.
- Do I prefer a larger phone or a more portable device? The S21 Ultra is larger and heavier.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Budget is no issue; maximum performance and camera quality are desired. Choose the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G.
- Scenario 2: Budget is a primary concern; daily tasks and casual photos are the focus. Choose the Xiaomi 11 Lite 5G NE.
- Scenario 3: Want a premium feel, maximum screen quality for media consumption, with good overall performance and a quality camera. Choose the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G.
- Scenario 4: Need a more ergonomic, lightweight and more modern phone and don't need top of the line performance. Choose the Xiaomi 11 Lite 5G NE.
My Choice:
Personally, I would choose the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G. While it is significantly more expensive and heavier, the superior display, performance, and camera system are worth the investment for me. As someone who consumes a lot of media, does a lot of mobile gaming, and takes a lot of photos and videos, the advantages of the S21 Ultra are very clear to me. The display's brightness, refresh rate, and resolution are all key factors in my decision as well. Although the Xiaomi is lighter and more affordable, the trade offs in display quality, performance, and camera are too significant for my use case. The Samsung's ability to take top of the line photos and videos as well as give a premium experience make it a clear winner for my specific needs.
