1. Specifications Comparison
Design
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G | Xiaomi Poco F6 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Launch Date | 2021-01-29 | 2024-05-23 | Poco F6 Pro is significantly newer, suggesting more modern features and support. |
| Dimensions | 165.1 × 75.6 × 8.9 mm | 160.9 × 75 × 8.2 mm | S21 Ultra is slightly taller and thicker, while both have similar widths. Poco F6 Pro is more compact and potentially more pocketable. |
| Weight | 227g | 209g | Poco F6 Pro is noticeably lighter, making it more comfortable for prolonged use and one-handed operation. |
| Foldable | Standard | Standard | Both are standard non-folding phones. |
Display
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G | Xiaomi Poco F6 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Size | 6.8" | 6.67" | S21 Ultra has a slightly larger screen, offering a more immersive experience for media consumption. |
| Resolution | 1440x3200 | 1440x3200 | Both offer sharp, high-definition displays; no discernible difference in clarity. |
| PPI | 515 | 526 | Both have very high pixel densities, so the difference is unlikely to be noticeable in daily use. |
| Technology | AMOLED | AMOLED | Both use vibrant AMOLED technology, providing excellent contrast and color reproduction. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | Both offer smooth scrolling and animations, enhancing the overall user experience. |
| Brightness | 1500 nits | 4000 nits | Poco F6 Pro has a significantly brighter display, providing much better outdoor visibility in bright sunlight. |
Performance
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G | Xiaomi Poco F6 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chipset | Exynos 2100 (5 nm) | Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 (4 nm) | Poco F6 Pro's newer, more powerful chipset results in faster processing, improved efficiency, and better performance in demanding tasks like gaming or video editing. |
| AnTuTu Score | 749,000 | 1,642,770 | Poco F6 Pro scores more than double, indicating a huge performance advantage for gaming and resource-intensive tasks. |
| GPU | Mali-G78 MP14 | Adreno 740 | Poco F6 Pro's GPU is much more powerful, resulting in better graphics performance and smoother gameplay. |
Battery
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G | Xiaomi Poco F6 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 5000mAh | Both offer similar battery capacity, suggesting comparable battery life. Real-world endurance will depend on usage. |
| Charging | 25W | 120W | Poco F6 Pro charges drastically faster, reducing the time spent tethered to a charger, significantly more convenient for quick top-ups. |
| Features | Wireless charging, Reverse charging | Xiaomi P2 fast charging chip, Xiaomi G1 battery management chip, Reverse charging | S21 Ultra offers wireless charging while Poco F6 Pro has proprietary fast-charging and battery management technologies, both enhance usability based on different priorities. |
Camera
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G | Xiaomi Poco F6 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard Camera | 108MP, f/1.8, 1/1.33", 0.80 µm pixel | 50MP, f/1.6, 1/1.55", 1.00 µm pixel | S21 Ultra has higher resolution; Poco F6 Pro has a wider aperture for better low-light performance and larger pixels for more light capture, potentially leading to better dynamic range and less noise. |
| Telephoto + Portrait | 10.8MP, f/2.4, 1/2.65", 1.22 µm pixel | None | S21 Ultra offers a dedicated telephoto camera for optical zoom and portraits, which provides more versatility. |
| Selfie Camera | 44MP, f/2.2, 1/2.65", 0.70 µm pixel | 16MP, 1/3.06", 1.00 µm pixel | S21 Ultra has higher resolution; Poco F6 Pro has larger pixels for potentially better low-light selfies. |
| Telephoto Lens | 10.8MP, f/4.9, 1/2.65", 1.22 µm pixel | None | S21 Ultra features a dedicated telephoto lens for further optical zoom capabilities, ideal for capturing distant subjects with better clarity. |
| Wide Angle lens | 12.2MP, f/2.2, 1/2.55", 1.40 µm pixel | 8MP, f/2.2, 1/2.8", 1.14 µm pixel | Poco F6 Pro has a dedicated wide-angle lens, which allows for capturing expansive landscapes or group photos with a wider field of view. S21 Ultra Wide Angle serves also as a macro lens |
| Macro Lens | None | 2MP, f/2.4, 1/5", 1.75 µm pixel | Poco F6 Pro offers a dedicated macro camera for capturing extreme close-up shots of small objects. |
| Video | Up to 8K@24fps, 4K@60fps, HDR, EIS, Stereo Sound | Up to 8K@24fps, 4K@60fps, EIS | Both offer excellent video recording quality, though S21 Ultra offers HDR at more frame rates. |
| DXOMark Mobile Score | 115 | Not Available | S21 Ultra has a tested score, the Poco F6 Pro's camera performance is unknown through this metric. |
| DXOMark Selfie Score | 135 | Not Available | S21 Ultra has a tested score, the Poco F6 Pro's selfie performance is unknown through this metric. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G Advantages:
- More Versatile Camera System: Offers a dedicated telephoto lens for optical zoom, as well as dedicated wide angle and macro sensors, with good camera performance according to DXOMark tests.
- Wireless Charging and Reverse Wireless Charging: Provides convenient charging options, enhancing flexibility in daily use.
- Tested Camera Performance: DXOMark scores provide an objective measure of camera performance, not yet available for Poco F6 Pro.
- Superior Screen Protection: Utilizes Corning Gorilla Glass Victus for better durability and scratch resistance, providing added peace of mind.
Practical Implications: The S21 Ultra suits users who need flexibility and zoom capability in their camera system. The addition of wireless charging and tested camera performance are beneficial.
Xiaomi Poco F6 Pro Advantages:
- Significantly Better Performance: The Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset offers much better CPU and GPU performance.
- Much Faster Charging: 120W fast charging is a game-changer, significantly reducing charging times.
- Brighter Display: The 4000 nits display provides superior outdoor visibility, essential for use in bright sunlight.
- Newer Technology: The Poco F6 Pro comes with a newer processor, newer WiFi and Bluetooth versions, which provides a better experience.
- Larger Maximum Storage Capacity: The availability of a 1TB model offers ample storage space for users who need it.
- Dedicated Wide Angle Lens: Providing a dedicated wide-angle camera for capturing expansive landscapes or group photos with a wider field of view.
Practical Implications: The Poco F6 Pro is tailored for users who prioritize performance, fast charging, and excellent display visibility in all conditions, with a more modern technology offering.
Trade-offs:
- S21 Ultra: Sacrifices performance and charging speed for wireless charging and a more versatile camera. It is also an older phone.
- Poco F6 Pro: Sacrifices the telephoto lens and wireless charging features for superior performance and charging speed. It is also missing a superior screen protection.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Ideal Users for Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G:
- Photography Enthusiasts: Users who need a versatile camera system with excellent zoom capabilities, including telephoto and wide angle functionalities.
- Wireless Charging Advocates: Those who prefer the convenience of wireless charging and the ability to reverse charge other devices.
- Established Tech Users: Individuals familiar with the Samsung ecosystem who may be upgrading from older devices and value continuity in experience.
- Users that value tested camera quality: Users who want a phone with a proven good camera and have the camera as an important priority.
Specific Use Cases: Travel photography, professional mobile photography, users who often need to charge accessories using reverse wireless charging.
Ideal Users for Xiaomi Poco F6 Pro:
- Power Users and Gamers: Those who need top-tier performance for demanding apps, games, and multitasking, who also value fast charging speed.
- Outdoor Users: Individuals who frequently use their phone in bright sunlight and need a very visible display.
- Users Needing Large Storage: Users who store a large library of photos and videos, who can utilize the 1TB version.
- Modern Technology Enthusiasts: Those who prioritize cutting-edge technology and want the latest connectivity standards like WiFi 7 and the newest Bluetooth.
Specific Use Cases: High-end mobile gaming, video editing on the go, heavy multitasking, outdoor usage under direct sunlight, users with large media libraries.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- How Important is Camera Versatility? Do you need optical zoom and diverse shooting modes (telephoto, wide angle, macro), or is high general quality sufficient?
- How Important is Fast Charging? Do you often find yourself needing to quickly top up your phone, or do you have time for slower wireless charging?
- What is Your Typical Usage Scenario? Are you mostly indoors with decent lighting, or outdoors in bright light? Do you do a lot of multitasking and gaming?
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Heavy Mobile Gamer & Outdoor User - Choose the Xiaomi Poco F6 Pro. It offers significantly better performance, much faster charging, and a brighter screen, essential for optimal gaming and use outdoors.
- Scenario 2: Professional Mobile Photographer - Choose the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G. It has a more versatile camera system with telephoto, wide angle and macro options, which can be essential for taking multiple shots.
- Scenario 3: General User Valuing Daily Convenience - The decision depends on the user preference, but if high performance and modern connectivity are needed Xiaomi Poco F6 Pro is the better choice because of its modern technology and fast charging. If the users prefer wireless charging, then the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G would be better.
My Choice
If I were choosing between these two phones, I would pick the Xiaomi Poco F6 Pro. While the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G has its strengths, especially in camera versatility and tested camera performance, the Poco F6 Pro is a much more compelling option in 2024 due to its sheer performance advantage, ultra-fast charging, and significantly brighter display. I value fast, modern performance and the convenience of charging speed and these outweigh the wireless charging and telephoto lens advantages of the S21 Ultra for my daily usage. Also, the newer technologies integrated in the Xiaomi Poco F6 Pro provide a better overall experience, with faster WiFi and Bluetooth.
