1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G | Xiaomi 12 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 165.1 x 75.6 x 8.9 mm | 163.6 x 74.6 x 8.2 mm | S21 Ultra is slightly taller and thicker, may feel slightly more bulky. |
| Weight | 227g | 204g | Xiaomi 12 Pro is noticeably lighter, more comfortable for prolonged use. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.8" | 6.73" | Negligible difference, both provide large viewing areas. |
| Resolution | 1440 x 3200 | 1440 x 3200 | Identical sharpness, both offer crisp visuals. |
| Pixel Density | 515 PPI | 521 PPI | Near-identical pixel density, indistinguishable to the naked eye. |
| Technology | AMOLED | AMOLED | Both offer vibrant colors, deep blacks, and excellent contrast. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | Smooth scrolling and animations on both. |
| Brightness | 1500 nits | 1500 nits | Excellent visibility under direct sunlight. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Exynos 2100 (5 nm) | Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 (4 nm) | Snapdragon offers significantly higher performance in demanding tasks. |
| AnTuTu Score | 749,000 | 1,177,498 | Xiaomi 12 Pro is notably faster, resulting in smoother operation and gaming. |
| GPU | Mali-G78 MP14 | Adreno 730 | Adreno 730 offers higher graphical processing, better for gaming. |
| Camera | |||
| Standard Camera Resolution | 108MP | 50MP | S21 Ultra captures higher-resolution images with more detail. |
| Standard Camera Sensor Size | 1/1.33" | 1/1.28" | Xiaomi 12 Pro's larger sensor may capture slightly more light, better in low light. |
| Standard Camera Pixel Size | 0.80µm | 1.22µm | Xiaomi 12 Pro's larger pixel size captures more light for better low-light performance. |
| Telephoto + Portrait | 10.8MP | N/A | S21 Ultra offers a dedicated telephoto lens for portraits. |
| Selfie Camera Resolution | 44MP | 32MP | S21 Ultra captures higher-resolution selfies. |
| Wide Angle Lens | N/A | 50MP | Xiaomi 12 Pro offers a dedicated wide-angle lens. |
| Portrait Mode (Depth) | N/A | 50MP | Xiaomi 12 Pro has a dedicated depth sensor for portrait mode. |
| Wide Angle + Macro | 12.2MP | N/A | S21 Ultra has a dedicated wide-angle camera with macro capabilities. |
| Telephoto lens | 10.8MP | N/A | S21 Ultra has a dedicated telephoto lens for optical zoom. |
| Video | Up to 8K@24fps | Up to 8K@24fps | Similar video capabilities with stabilization and HDR. |
| DxOMark Mobile Score | 115 | 129 | Xiaomi 12 Pro has a better overall camera performance according to DXOMARK. |
| DxOMark Mobile Photo Score | 121 | 136 | Xiaomi 12 Pro excels at still photography compared to S21 Ultra. |
| DxOMark Mobile Video Score | 100 | 125 | Xiaomi 12 Pro excels in video recording compared to S21 Ultra. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 4600mAh | S21 Ultra has a slightly larger battery, might offer longer battery life. |
| Charging | 25W | 120W | Xiaomi 12 Pro charges significantly faster. |
| Wireless Charging | 15W | 50W | Xiaomi 12 Pro offers much faster wireless charging. |
| Reverse Wireless Charging | 9W | 10W | Similar reverse wireless charging capabilities. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 (upgradable to 15) | Android 12 | Xiaomi 12 Pro comes with a more recent OS out of the box. |
| Connectivity | |||
| WiFi | WiFi 6 | WiFi 6 | Similar WiFi connectivity for both phones. |
| Bluetooth | 5.2 | 5.2 | Similar Bluetooth connectivity for both phones. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS | Xiaomi 12 Pro offers more precise location tracking through additional satellite system support. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 128/256/512 GB | 128/256 GB | S21 Ultra has the option for higher storage capacity. |
| RAM | 12/16 GB | 8/12 GB | S21 Ultra can have more RAM, better for heavy multitasking. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither phone supports microSD cards. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res Audio, Noise cancellation microphone, Stereo Speakers | Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res Audio, Stereo Speakers | Both offer excellent audio, S21 Ultra has a noise cancellation microphone, 12 Pro has dual microphones. |
| Security | |||
| Features | basic fingerprint sensor | basic fingerprint sensor | Both phones offer basic fingerprint security. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus | Both have similar scratch and drop resistance. |
| Sensors | |||
| Variety | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Barometer | Fingerprint, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Barometer | Xiaomi 12 Pro includes an ultrasonic virtual proximity sensor and RGB sensor. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G Advantages:
- More versatile camera system: Offers multiple dedicated telephoto lenses for improved optical zoom and portraits, as well as a macro lens.
- Larger battery: 5000 mAh battery might offer slightly longer battery life.
- Higher RAM Options: Up to 16GB of RAM is available for more demanding multitasking scenarios.
- Higher Storage Option: 512 GB version available for users with large storage requirements.
- More Audio Features: Noise cancellation microphone.
Practical Implications:
- The S21 Ultra provides a more flexible photography experience, suitable for diverse shooting scenarios.
- Potentially longer battery life due to the larger capacity.
- More RAM can allow for more apps to run concurrently without slowdowns
- Higher storage option allows for more videos, photos and applications to be installed without external storage.
Xiaomi 12 Pro Advantages:
- Significantly faster processor: The Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 offers markedly better performance than the Exynos 2100.
- Faster charging: 120W fast charging allows for incredibly rapid battery refills.
- Superior camera performance: Outperforms S21 Ultra in DXOMark tests
- Wider Angle Lens: Has a dedicated Wide angle lens.
- Lighter Design: More comfortable for prolonged use.
- More modern OS out of the box: Runs Android 12.
- Faster Wireless Charging: 50W wireless charging.
Practical Implications:
- The Xiaomi 12 Pro delivers snappier performance for demanding applications, gaming, and general usage.
- Ultra-fast charging makes low battery anxieties a thing of the past, allowing for quick power top-ups.
- Better camera performance based on DxOMark results.
Significant Trade-offs:
- S21 Ultra: While boasting more camera features, it doesn't match the raw performance of the Xiaomi 12 Pro. The device also has a lower battery charging speed.
- Xiaomi 12 Pro: The Xiaomi 12 Pro lacks the dedicated telephoto lenses and higher storage options of the S21 Ultra, and may not have the same level of telephoto zoom capability.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G Ideal User:
- Photography Enthusiasts: Users who prioritize zoom capabilities and having different lenses for various situations.
- Power Users: Those who need maximum RAM for heavy multitasking.
- Users with large media libraries: Users who require the highest storage possible (512GB).
- Users who prioritize a more versatile camera system: Macro and multiple telephoto lens options provide flexibility.
- Users who are looking for more audio functionality Noise canceling microphone.
Use Cases:
- Capturing detailed shots with high levels of zoom and detail.
- Running multiple apps and switching between them seamlessly.
- Storing large numbers of high-resolution photos and videos directly on the phone.
- Long trips where battery life is crucial.
- Video calls in noisy environments where noise cancellation is important.
Xiaomi 12 Pro Ideal User:
- Performance Seekers: Users who value fast processing speed and smooth gaming.
- Fast Charging Advocates: Users who desire incredibly fast charging capabilities.
- Users focused on general camera performance: Better photo and video performance.
- Users who like a lighter phone: More comfortable for extended periods of time.
- Users who want the latest software Newer Android version.
Use Cases:
- Playing graphically intensive games at high frame rates.
- Quickly charging the phone on the go for immediate use.
- Shooting high quality videos.
- Those that want better still photography.
- Users who want the newest Android version.
Price-to-Value:
- The price-to-value ratio depends on individual priorities. The Xiaomi 12 Pro may provide more value for performance, fast charging and general camera performance, while the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G provides more value for users that prioritize zoom, telephoto lenses and higher storage.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- Do you prioritize camera versatility (zoom, multiple lenses) or overall camera performance (photo/video quality)? If versatility is key, the S21 Ultra is a better choice. If overall quality is the goal, Xiaomi 12 Pro is the way to go.
- Is fast charging a critical feature for your lifestyle? If so, the Xiaomi 12 Pro's 120W charging is a game-changer.
- Do you need maximum storage or RAM? If you need 512 GB of storage and/or 16GB of RAM, the S21 Ultra has the edge.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Professional Photographer/Videographer: The S21 Ultra, with its multiple lenses and high-resolution shooting modes, could offer more creative flexibility despite not having better overall camera quality.
- Scenario 2: Mobile Gamer/Power User: The Xiaomi 12 Pro with its powerful chipset and fast charging will provide a better overall experience.
- Scenario 3: Average User: If looking for a balance of price and overall good features, the Xiaomi 12 Pro, due to it's faster charging and superior camera quality, has the edge.
My Choice
If I were choosing between these two phones, I would lean towards the Xiaomi 12 Pro. Here's why:
- Performance: The Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 chip in the Xiaomi 12 Pro provides a significant performance advantage over the Exynos 2100 in the S21 Ultra. As someone who values responsiveness, I prefer faster loading times and smoother gaming.
- Charging Speed: The 120W fast charging is a game-changer. I find that being able to fully charge a phone in a matter of minutes makes my life much easier and removes any worry about battery levels.
- General Camera Performance: According to DXOMark the Xiaomi 12 Pro takes better photos and records better videos than the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra.
- Modern OS: The device ships with Android 12, which should have a longer software support life compared to the S21 Ultra that initially shipped with Android 11.
- Weight: The lighter design makes it more comfortable for daily use and long periods of use.
While I appreciate the S21 Ultra's more versatile zoom and higher storage options, I prioritize the daily performance and charging speed offered by the Xiaomi 12 Pro, alongside better camera performance, ultimately making it a better fit for my needs. However, for someone who heavily prioritizes telephoto and macro lenses, alongside larger storage and RAM options, the S21 Ultra would be the better device.
