Smartphone Comparison: Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G vs. Xiaomi Poco F5
1. Specifications Comparison
Design
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G | Xiaomi Poco F5 | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Dimensions | 165.1 × 75.6 × 8.9 mm | 161.1 × 75 × 7.9 mm | The Poco F5 is more compact and thinner, potentially making it easier to handle and pocket. The S21 Ultra has a larger overall volume |
| Weight | 227g | 181g | The Poco F5 is significantly lighter, making it more comfortable for prolonged use, especially one-handed. |
| Build | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus (screen) | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 (screen) | The S21 Ultra's Victus screen offers better protection against scratches and drops. |
Display
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G | Xiaomi Poco F5 | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Size | 6.8" | 6.67" | The S21 Ultra offers a slightly larger display, beneficial for media consumption and multitasking. |
| Resolution | 1440x3200 | 1080x2400 | The S21 Ultra's higher resolution results in a sharper, more detailed display, with clearer text and images. |
| Pixel Density (PPI) | 515 | 395 | The S21 Ultra's significantly higher pixel density provides a noticeably crisper image. |
| Technology | AMOLED | AMOLED | Both offer vibrant colors and deep blacks inherent to AMOLED tech. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | Both provide a smooth visual experience with fluid scrolling and animations. |
| Brightness (nits) | 1500 | 0 | The S21 Ultra has significantly higher brightness, ensuring excellent visibility even in direct sunlight. The Poco F5 specification for brightness is missing. This is a large difference that could be a typo or misrepresentation and more research is needed here. |
Performance
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G | Xiaomi Poco F5 | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Chipset | Exynos 2100 (5 nm) | Qualcomm Snapdragon 7+ Gen 2 (4 nm) | The Poco F5's newer Snapdragon chipset offers improved efficiency and performance. |
| AnTuTu Score | 749,000 | 1,134,558 | The Poco F5 demonstrates significantly higher performance, handling demanding tasks and games with greater ease. |
| GPU | Mali-G78 MP14 | Adreno 725 | The Poco F5's Adreno GPU provides superior graphics performance for gaming and GPU-intensive tasks. |
Camera
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G | Xiaomi Poco F5 | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Main Camera | 108MP, f/1.8, 1/1.33" | 64MP, f/1.79, 1/2" | The S21 Ultra's higher resolution and larger sensor capture more detail and perform better in low light. |
| Telephoto + Portrait | 10.8MP, f/2.4, 1/2.65" | Not Available | The S21 Ultra offers dedicated zoom capabilities for versatile photography. |
| Selfie Camera | 44MP, f/2.2, 1/2.65" | 16MP, f/2.45, 1/3.1" | The S21 Ultra's selfie camera offers higher resolution and better low-light performance. |
| Telephoto Lens | 10.8MP, f/4.9, 1/2.65" | Not Available | The S21 Ultra offers dedicated zoom capabilities for versatile photography. |
| Wide Angle Lens | Not Available | 8MP, f/2.2, 1/2.8" | The Poco F5 offers an ultrawide lens for capturing more in frame. |
| Macro Lens | Not Available | 2MP, f/2.4, 1/5" | The Poco F5 includes a macro lens for close-up photography. |
| Wide Angle + Macro | 12.2MP, f/2.2, 1/2.55" | Not Available | The S21 Ultra offers a wide-angle camera with macro capabilities. |
| Video | Up to 8K@24fps | Up to 4K@30fps | The S21 Ultra records in higher resolution for professional-quality videos. |
| DXOMark Score | Mobile: 115, Selfie: 135 | Not Available | The S21 Ultra has a tested and better overall camera score. |
| Camera Features | Optical zoom, 8K Video, Quadruple camera, Laser AF, RAW | Triple camera, Front Flash | The S21 Ultra excels with zoom, laser focus and higher res video capture and has a dedicated RAW mode while Poco F5 offers a front flash. |
Battery
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G | Xiaomi Poco F5 | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 5000mAh | Both phones have the same battery capacity, suggesting similar battery life. |
| Charging | 25W | 67W | The Poco F5 charges much faster, allowing for quicker top-ups. |
| Features | Wireless charging 15W, Reverse wireless charging 9W, Reverse charging | None | The S21 Ultra offers more convenient charging options like wireless and reverse wireless charging. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G Advantages
- Superior Display: Higher resolution and pixel density provide a sharper, more detailed visual experience. Significantly higher max brightness.
- Versatile Camera System: Features a more comprehensive camera system with telephoto, wide angle and macro, offering greater flexibility and 8k video recording and better image processing.
- Advanced Camera Features: Includes optical zoom, laser autofocus, and RAW image capture.
- Wireless Charging: Offers the convenience of wireless and reverse wireless charging.
- Build Quality: Uses Gorilla Glass Victus for superior screen protection.
- DXOMark Score: It has been tested for and rated highly in camera and selfie capabilities.
- More Storage: More storage space available on the S21 Ultra.
- More RAM: Offers more RAM for those that need it.
Xiaomi Poco F5 Advantages
- Significantly Higher Performance: Faster processor and GPU result in smoother app performance and gaming.
- Faster Charging: 67W charging is much quicker.
- Lighter and More Compact: Easier to handle and carry.
- Newer Bluetooth: Newer version of Bluetooth offering increased efficiency.
- Wider Angle and Macro Lenses: Offering increased flexibility in photography.
Trade-offs
- S21 Ultra: Sacrifices performance for a better camera, screen, build quality and charging options. Also larger and heavier.
- Poco F5: Sacrifices camera flexibility, wireless charging, and screen resolution for superior performance and charging speeds and a more ergonomic design.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G
- Ideal User: Photography enthusiasts, users who prioritize display quality, those who need wireless charging and prefer a premium feel and build quality, those that need more storage space for photos and videos.
- Use Cases: Professional photography/videography, media consumption, outdoor use in bright sunlight, tasks requiring high screen resolution and accuracy.
- Price-to-Value: Offers a premium experience, but at a potentially higher price point.
Xiaomi Poco F5
- Ideal User: Gamers, performance-oriented users, those who value fast charging and a lighter device, budget-conscious consumers looking for the best performance for the price.
- Use Cases: Mobile gaming, multitasking, content creation, fast-paced social media browsing.
- Price-to-Value: Offers excellent performance at a competitive price point.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- Do you prioritize camera quality and versatility over processing performance? If yes, the S21 Ultra is a strong contender. If no, the Poco F5 is better.
- How important are fast charging, weight and compact design? If very important, the Poco F5 is the preferred choice.
- Do you need a high-brightness display for use in very bright outdoor environments? If yes, the S21 Ultra is the much better choice.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Photography Enthusiast: Choose the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G for its superior camera versatility and image quality, 8k video recording, RAW mode, and zoom capabilities.
- Mobile Gamer: Choose the Xiaomi Poco F5 for its faster performance, and faster charging.
- Budget-Conscious User Needing Performance: Choose the Xiaomi Poco F5 for the excellent performance at a lower cost.
- All-Around User with a Need for a Premium Display: Choose the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G for the sharper, brighter screen for outdoor visibility.
What I Would Choose and Why
Personally, I would choose the Xiaomi Poco F5. While the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G boasts a more versatile camera system, a higher-resolution screen, and premium features like wireless charging, my priorities lie in performance and practicality. The Poco F5's significantly faster processor and GPU, combined with its lighter and more compact design, make it a more suitable daily driver for me. I'm not a professional photographer or videographer, so the extra camera features of the S21 Ultra wouldn't be utilized often. I prioritize speed, responsiveness, and longer battery life with faster charging for my workflow and I'm happy to make the trade-offs when it comes to the cameras. The significantly higher brightness of the S21 Ultra is tempting, but the lack of official specifications for the Poco F5 gives me pause as there is no guarantee that this is correct.
My decision aligns with the user profile of a performance-oriented individual who values speed, battery and practicality. The Poco F5's competitive price point is a bonus.
