Smartphone Comparison: Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G vs. Xiaomi Poco F5 Pro
1. Specifications Comparison
Here's a detailed comparison of key specifications for both phones, focusing on their practical implications:
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G | Xiaomi Poco F5 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 165.1 x 75.6 x 8.9 mm | 162.8 x 75.4 x 8.6 mm | S21 Ultra is slightly taller and thicker; Poco F5 Pro is more compact and may feel more comfortable to hold. |
| Weight | 227g | 204g | Poco F5 Pro is significantly lighter, improving comfort during extended use. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.8" | 6.67" | S21 Ultra offers slightly more screen real estate; Poco F5 Pro is a bit more compact. |
| Resolution | 1440x3200 | 1440x3200 | Both offer very sharp displays with the same level of detail. |
| Pixel Density | 515 PPI | 526 PPI | Both have very high pixel density, resulting in sharp, clear images. Negligible difference. |
| Technology | AMOLED | AMOLED | Both offer vibrant colors, deep blacks, and excellent contrast. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | Both provide smooth scrolling and animations. |
| Brightness | 1500 nits | 1400 nits | S21 Ultra is slightly better for outdoor visibility in bright sunlight. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Exynos 2100 (5 nm) | Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 (4 nm) | Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 offers significantly better performance and efficiency, leading to faster app loading and better gaming. |
| AnTuTu Score | 749,000 | 1,317,798 | Poco F5 Pro delivers noticeably superior performance in demanding tasks. |
| GPU | Mali-G78 MP14 | Adreno 730 | Adreno 730 in the Poco F5 Pro is a more powerful GPU for gaming. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 5160mAh | Both offer similar battery life, comfortably lasting a full day for most users. |
| Charging | 25W Fast Charging | 67W Fast Charging | Poco F5 Pro charges significantly faster, reducing downtime. |
| Charging Features | 15W Wireless, 9W Reverse | 30W Wireless | Poco F5 Pro has faster wireless charging, S21 Ultra offers the flexibility of reverse wireless charging. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 108MP f/1.8, 1/1.33" | 64MP f/1.79, 1/2" | S21 Ultra has higher resolution and a larger sensor, typically capturing more detailed images, especially in low light. |
| Telephoto | 10.8MP (2x), 10.8MP (10x) | None | S21 Ultra offers more versatile zoom capabilities. |
| Wide Angle + Macro | 12.2MP | None | S21 Ultra offers a dedicated wide angle camera with macro functionality |
| Wide Angle | None | 8MP f/2.2 | Poco F5 Pro offers an ultrawide perspective. |
| Macro | None | 2MP f/2.4 | Poco F5 Pro allows capturing close-up details. |
| Selfie Camera | 44MP f/2.2, 1/2.65" | 16MP f/2.45, 1/3.06" | S21 Ultra offers higher resolution and wider aperture selfie camera. |
| Video | Up to 8K@24fps | Up to 8K@24fps | Both offer similar high-resolution video capabilities, with stabilization. Poco F5 Pro has faster slow motion. |
| DXOMark Mobile Score | 115 | N/A | S21 Ultra has a solid DxOMark Mobile Score, meaning good overall camera performance. Poco F5 Pro has not been tested. |
| DXOMark Selfie Score | 135 | N/A | S21 Ultra has a solid DxOMark Selfie Score, meaning good overall selfie camera performance. Poco F5 Pro has not been tested. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 (Upgradable to 15) | Android 13 | Poco F5 Pro ships with a more recent Android version out of the box. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6 | Wi-Fi 6 | Both offer high-speed Wi-Fi connectivity. |
| Bluetooth | 5.2 | 5.3 | Poco F5 Pro has a newer Bluetooth version with slightly better efficiency and features. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo, GPS (L1+L5), Galileo (E1+E5a) | A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, Galileo, GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (L1), BeiDou (B1), Galileo (E1+E5a), BeiDou (B2), QZSS (L1 + L5) | Xiaomi Poco F5 Pro supports more satellite systems for better location accuracy. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 128/256/512 GB | 256/512 GB | Both offer ample storage options; S21 Ultra has an entry-level 128GB option. |
| RAM | 12/16 GB | 8/12 GB | S21 Ultra offers up to 16GB of RAM, enabling even smoother multitasking. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither phone supports expandable storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Audio Quality | Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res Audio, Noise cancellation microphone, Stereo Speakers | Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res Audio, Stereo Speakers | Both have good audio quality but S21 Ultra has additional noise cancellation. |
| Security | |||
| Features | Fingerprint sensor | Fingerprint sensor | Both offer basic fingerprint unlock. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | S21 Ultra has the newer, tougher Gorilla Glass Victus for better screen protection. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Biometric: Fingerprint; Proximity: Proximity; Motion: Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope; Environmental: Barometer | Biometric: Fingerprint; Proximity: Proximity; Motion: Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope | S21 Ultra has an additional barometer for weather tracking. |
| ## 2. Key Differences Analysis |
Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G Advantages:
- More Versatile Camera System: Offers multiple telephoto lenses for greater zoom capabilities, a dedicated wide angle + macro lens and higher resolution on the main and selfie cameras.
- Higher Screen Brightness: 1500 nits provides better outdoor visibility, a slight edge in bright conditions.
- Reverse Wireless Charging: The ability to charge other devices wirelessly using the phone is a convenient extra.
- Advanced Sensors: Offers a barometer sensor for weather tracking.
- Better Screen Protection: Uses Corning Gorilla Glass Victus for better screen durability.
- Better Selfie Camera Has a higher resolution and wider aperture selfie camera with a larger sensor.
Xiaomi Poco F5 Pro Advantages:
- Significantly Superior Performance: Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 chipset offers much better processing power, resulting in faster app loading and better gaming experience.
- Much Faster Charging: 67W fast charging dramatically reduces charging times compared to 25W on the S21 Ultra.
- Newer Android Version: Ships with Android 13, providing a more up-to-date software experience.
- Newer Bluetooth Version: Bluetooth 5.3 for better connectivity efficiency.
- Lighter Weight: 23g lighter which may improve comfort during prolonged use.
- Wider Aperture on Main Camera: Slightly wider f/1.79 aperture on the main camera may help capture slightly more light for better low-light performance.
- Ultrawide and Macro Lens: Offers a dedicated ultrawide and macro lens for more shooting flexibility.
- Faster Slow-Motion: Offers a higher slow-motion framerate of 1920fps compared to the S21 Ultra's 960fps.
Trade-offs:
- Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G: Sacrifices raw performance and charging speed for a more versatile camera system, a brighter display and a few additional features.
- Xiaomi Poco F5 Pro: Prioritizes performance and charging speed, but with a less versatile camera system and lower screen brightness.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Ideal User for Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G:
- Photography Enthusiasts: Users who prioritize versatile camera capabilities, especially zoom, and require excellent image quality in various conditions, including low light and portraiture.
- Users Who Need a Brighter Display: Those who often use their phone outdoors in bright sunlight and need maximum screen visibility.
- Users Who Value Extra Features: Users that want features like reverse wireless charging, more advanced sensors, and a better selfie camera.
- Users who Want a Comprehensive Camera System: Those that want a comprehensive camera system with many focal lenghts.
Ideal User for Xiaomi Poco F5 Pro:
- Gamers and Power Users: Users who demand top-tier performance for gaming and other demanding tasks, and appreciate fast charging speeds.
- Users Who Want the Latest Software: Those that want the most recent Android version.
- Users Who Need All-Day Battery with Fast Charging: Those that want a phone that can get through a full day with the ability to recharge quickly.
- Budget-Conscious Users: Those seeking the best performance possible for the price.
Use Cases:
- Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G: Ideal for detailed photography, zooming in on distant objects, capturing various perspectives using the different lenses, and using the phone in direct sunlight. Suitable for users who value a feature-rich experience with top camera quality.
- Xiaomi Poco F5 Pro: Excels in heavy gaming, resource-intensive apps, multitasking, and situations where fast charging is a must. A good option for power users who prioritize speed and efficiency.
4. Decision Framework
Here are three key questions to help buyers decide:
- What is your primary use case? (Photography, gaming, everyday use, etc.)
- How important is fast charging and performance? (Do you prioritize quick refills and raw power?)
- How important is having a versatile and feature-rich camera system? (Do you need a wide range of zoom options and dedicated macro/ultrawide lenses?)
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- If you are a photography enthusiast who values a complete camera system with optical zoom: The Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G is the better choice.
- If you are a gamer or a power user looking for maximum performance and fast charging: The Xiaomi Poco F5 Pro is the recommended option.
- If you want a good balance of features, performance and cost: The Xiaomi Poco F5 Pro provides a better price-to-performance ratio.
My Choice
Personally, I would choose the Xiaomi Poco F5 Pro.
Here's why:
While the S21 Ultra has a more versatile camera system, the performance difference between the two devices is too substantial to ignore. The Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 in the Poco F5 Pro offers a significant leap in speed, making it a far more enjoyable device for everyday tasks, gaming, and demanding applications. The drastically faster charging is also a major advantage, ensuring that the phone is never out of commission for long. Additionally, the Poco F5 Pro ships with a more recent version of Android which I would prefer.
While I appreciate the S21 Ultra's camera capabilities, particularly the versatile zoom system, I believe the Poco F5 Pro provides a more well-rounded experience for my needs. For me, a fluid and responsive user experience with faster charging outweighs the benefits of a more robust camera system and the few additional features found on the S21 Ultra. Additionally, the price-to-performance ratio of the Xiaomi Poco F5 Pro is more compelling.
