Smartphone Comparison: Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G vs. Xiaomi 14
1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G | Xiaomi 14 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Launch Date | 2021-01-29 | 2023-11-01 | Xiaomi 14 is a newer model with more up-to-date technology. |
| Size | 165.1 × 75.6 × 8.9 mm | 152.8 × 71.5 × 8.2 mm | S21 Ultra is larger, potentially less comfortable for one-handed use; Xiaomi 14 is more compact. |
| Weight | 227g | 188g | Xiaomi 14 is significantly lighter, making it more comfortable for extended use. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.8" | 6.36" | S21 Ultra offers a larger screen for immersive viewing; Xiaomi 14 is more pocketable. |
| Resolution | 1440x3200 | 1200x2670 | S21 Ultra has a noticeably sharper display with more detail. |
| PPI | 515 | 460 | S21 Ultra offers finer detail and sharper visuals. |
| Technology | AMOLED | OLED | Both offer excellent contrast and vibrant colors. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | Both provide smooth scrolling and animations. |
| Brightness | 1500 nits | 3000 nits | Xiaomi 14 offers significantly better outdoor visibility in bright sunlight. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Exynos 2100 (5 nm) | Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 (4 nm) | Xiaomi 14 uses a newer, more powerful and efficient chipset, resulting in significantly better performance. |
| AnTuTu Score | 749,000 | 1,985,014 | Xiaomi 14 offers dramatically faster app loading, better multitasking, and is much better for gaming. |
| GPU | Mali-G78 MP14 | Adreno 750 | Xiaomi 14 has a significantly more powerful GPU for better graphics performance. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 4610mAh | S21 Ultra has a slightly larger battery, potentially offering slightly longer battery life. |
| Charging | 25W fast charging | 90W fast charging | Xiaomi 14 charges much faster, reducing downtime. |
| Charging Features | 15W Wireless, 9W Reverse | 50W Wireless, 10W Reverse, Pengpai G1/P2 chips | Xiaomi 14 has significantly faster wireless charging. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 108MP f/1.8, 1/1.33", 0.8µm | 50MP f/1.6, 1/1.31", 1.20µm | S21 Ultra has a higher resolution, but Xiaomi 14 has a wider aperture and larger pixels for potentially better low-light. |
| Telephoto/Portrait | 10.8MP f/2.4, 1/2.65", 1.22µm | 50MP f/2.0, 1/2.76", 0.64µm | Xiaomi 14 has a higher resolution and wider aperture, but smaller pixel size. |
| Selfie | 44MP f/2.2, 1/2.65", 0.70µm | 32MP, 1/3", 0.70µm | S21 Ultra has a higher resolution and larger sensor. |
| Telephoto Lens | 10.8MP f/4.9 | NA | S21 Ultra has a dedicated telephoto lens, offering further optical zoom capabilities. |
| Wide Angle Lens | NA | 50MP f/2.2, 1/2.76", 1.12µm | Xiaomi 14 has a dedicated ultrawide angle lens |
| Wide Angle + Macro | 12.2MP f/2.2 | NA | S21 Ultra has a dedicated wide angle + macro lens |
| Video | Up to 8K 24fps | Up to 8K 24fps | Both offer similar high-resolution video capabilities. |
| DXOMARK Mobile Score | 115 | 138 | Xiaomi 14 has much better overall camera performance |
| DXOMARK Photo Score | 121 | 137 | Xiaomi 14 has much better performance in photo tests |
| DXOMARK Video Score | 100 | 138 | Xiaomi 14 has a much superior video performance |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 (up to 15) | Android 14 (up to 18) | Xiaomi 14 offers a newer OS with more features and longer software support. |
| Connectivity | |||
| WiFi | Wi-Fi 6 | Wi-Fi 7 | Xiaomi 14 offers faster and more reliable wireless connectivity with latest standard. |
| Bluetooth | 5.2 | 5.4 | Xiaomi 14 has a newer version offering potential efficiency and connectivity enhancements. |
| GPS | GPS, Galileo, Beidou | A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo, NavIC System | Xiaomi 14 offers better location accuracy using more satellite systems. |
| SIM | Dual SIM, Dual Standby | Dual SIM, Dual Standby | Both have dual SIM support. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 128/256/512 GB | 256/512/1024 GB | Xiaomi 14 provides more storage options, especially with its maximum 1TB option. |
| RAM | 12/16 GB | 8/12/16 GB | Both offer sufficient RAM for multitasking and gaming. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither phone supports expandable storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res, Stereo Speakers | Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res, Stereo Speakers, 4 Microphones | Xiaomi 14 has a slightly edge offering better audio recording capabilities. |
| Security | |||
| Features | Basic fingerprint | Basic fingerprint | Both offer basic fingerprint sensor technology. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Protection | Gorilla Glass Victus | Gorilla Glass Victus | Both provide similar screen protection. |
| Sensors | Hall, Geomagnetic, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Barometer | RGB, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Barometer | Both offer a comprehensive sensor suite for advanced functionality, with slight differences. |
| ## 2. Key Differences Analysis |
Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G Advantages:
- Larger Display: A 6.8" screen is great for media consumption and productivity.
- Higher Display Resolution and PPI: Noticeably sharper and more detailed display visuals.
- More versatile camera system: Includes dedicated telephoto lens and wide angle + macro lens, along with more telephoto zoom options.
Xiaomi 14 Advantages:
- Newer and More Powerful Chipset: Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 offers substantially superior performance.
- Significantly Higher AnTuTu Score: Much faster app loading, multitasking, and gaming experience.
- Much Brighter Display: Superior outdoor visibility, especially in sunny conditions.
- Faster Charging: Both wired and wireless charging is significantly faster, minimizing downtime.
- Better camera performance: Higher DXOMark scores indicating better photo and video quality.
- Newer Operating System: Comes with Android 14 and offers longer software support.
- Faster WiFi: Wi-Fi 7 support for faster, more reliable wireless connectivity.
- More storage options: Up to 1 TB of internal storage, compared to 512GB on S21 Ultra.
- Better Audio Recording: 4 microphones
Trade-offs:
- S21 Ultra: Larger size and weight for potentially superior video and photo capturing versatility, compared to the Xiaomi 14's improved performance, camera quality, and faster charging.
- Xiaomi 14: Smaller screen for a more compact experience, sacrificing some screen real estate. The telephoto and macro lens versatility is sacrificed in favor of a higher quality primary lens.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G Ideal Users:
- Media Enthusiasts: Those who prioritize a large, sharp display for watching movies and videos.
- Photography Enthusiasts: Users who need the extra telephoto versatility.
- Multitaskers: Prefer to work on their phone with multiple apps open.
Specific Use Cases for S21 Ultra:
- Watching movies or editing photos on a large, detailed screen.
- Taking photos in diverse situations utilizing the several zoom options.
- Multitasking with various apps and documents open simultaneously.
Xiaomi 14 Ideal Users:
- Performance Seekers: Gamers and users who need the fastest possible performance.
- On-the-Go Professionals: Users who prioritize fast charging and reliable connectivity.
- Mobile Photographers: Those who prioritize high quality images and video.
- Compact Phone Fans: Users who prefer a more pocketable and lighter device.
Specific Use Cases for Xiaomi 14:
- Playing graphic-intensive games smoothly without lag.
- Taking high-quality videos and photos.
- Working remotely, requiring fast charging and robust performance.
- Comfortable day to day use
Price-to-Value:
- The Xiaomi 14 offers a much better price-to-value ratio, due to the better hardware and camera performance. S21 Ultra is an older device, and can be found at lower price points as well, but users will need to be aware of the older chipset.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- Do you prioritize a larger display, or a more compact form factor?
- Is raw performance or camera quality more important to you?
- How much do you value fast charging?
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Heavy Gaming, High Performance - If you are a gamer, choose the Xiaomi 14. Its newer chipset and significantly higher performance will provide a smoother gaming experience.
- Scenario 2: Extensive Media Consumption - If a large, sharp display is most important for watching movies, choose the Samsung S21 Ultra.
- Scenario 3: Photo Enthusiast - If you want the most versatile camera system with additional zoom options, then the S21 Ultra is better. Otherwise, the Xiaomi 14 performs better and is the better overall option.
- Scenario 4: Day to Day Usage - If you want a reliable and very performant phone that takes good photos, can charge quickly and doesn't require too much storage space, the Xiaomi 14 is the better overall option.
My Choice and Why
If I were choosing between these two phones, I would choose the Xiaomi 14.
Here's why:
- Performance: The Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 is a major leap over the Exynos 2100. The Xiaomi 14's superior performance in benchmarks translates directly into a smoother, faster experience for everyday use, and especially for more demanding tasks like gaming.
- Camera Quality: While the S21 Ultra offers additional lens choices and more zoom options, the Xiaomi 14 offers a significantly better overall camera system, especially in video.
- Charging Speed: The 90W charging on the Xiaomi 14 is a massive advantage. I value the ability to rapidly charge the phone, as I'm often on the go and don't want to be tethered to a charger for long.
- Newer Technology: The Xiaomi 14's newer display technology, more up to date software support, and connectivity features make it a more future-proof device.
- Practicality: As a mobile professional, the compact size and light weight of the Xiaomi 14 would be a significantly advantage.
Although the S21 Ultra has the bigger, sharper display, the difference is not enough to outweigh the performance, charging speeds, and camera quality offered by the Xiaomi 14. I find the Xiaomi 14 to be the superior overall package for my needs.
