Smartphone Comparison: Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G vs. Xiaomi Redmi 12C
1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G | Xiaomi Redmi 12C | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 165.1 × 75.6 × 8.9 mm | 168.8 × 76.4 × 8.8 mm | Redmi 12C is slightly taller, negligibly wider and thinner. |
| Weight | 227g | 192g | S21 Ultra is noticeably heavier, may be less comfortable for extended use. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.8" | 6.71" | Very similar screen sizes. |
| Resolution | 1440x3200 | 720x1650 | S21 Ultra's display is significantly sharper and clearer, especially for text and images. |
| PPI | 515 | 268 | S21 Ultra has much higher pixel density, resulting in a crisper image. |
| Technology | AMOLED | IPS LCD | S21 Ultra has deeper blacks, better contrast, and more vibrant colors. Better visibility in bright conditions. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 60Hz | S21 Ultra offers much smoother scrolling, animations and gaming. |
| Brightness | 1500 nits | 0 nits | S21 Ultra is much more visible in direct sunlight, Redmi 12C's brightness is not specified. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Exynos 2100 (5 nm) | Mediatek Helio G85 (12 nm) | S21 Ultra's chipset is much more powerful, offering significantly better performance and efficiency. |
| AnTuTu Score | 749,000 | 225,154 | S21 Ultra performs much better in all tasks, from app loading to gaming, and will remain relevant longer. |
| GPU | Mali-G78 MP14 | Mali-G52 MC2 | S21 Ultra has a more powerful GPU for better graphics in gaming and demanding apps. |
| Camera | |||
| Standard Camera | 108MP (f/1.8, 1/1.33") | 50MP (f/1.8) | S21 Ultra captures much more detailed images. |
| Telephoto + Portrait Camera | 10.8MP (f/2.4, 1/2.65") | None | S21 Ultra can take zoomed images with less loss in quality and better portraits. |
| Selfie Camera | 44MP (f/2.2, 1/2.65") | 5MP | S21 Ultra captures significantly sharper and detailed selfies. |
| Telephoto Lens | 10.8MP (f/4.9, 1/2.65") | None | S21 Ultra offers an additional dedicated telephoto lens. |
| Macro Lens | None | 2MP (f/2.4) | Redmi 12C has a dedicated macro camera for very close-up shots. |
| Wide Angle + Macro | 12.2MP (f/2.2, 1/2.55") | None | S21 Ultra has a versatile wide-angle camera that can also capture macro photos. |
| Video Recording | Up to 8K@24fps | Up to 1080p@30fps | S21 Ultra can record much higher quality videos with more advanced features, such as HDR and stabilization. |
| DxOMark Mobile | 115 | 45 | S21 Ultra's camera is significantly superior in both photo and video quality. |
| DxOMark Selfie | 135 | N/A | S21 Ultra's selfie camera is high-performing. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 5000mAh | Similar battery life expected in general use |
| Charging | 25W Fast Charging | 10W Fast Charging | S21 Ultra charges much faster, reducing waiting times. |
| Features | Wireless, Reverse Charging | None | S21 Ultra offers more flexible charging options. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 (Upgradable to 15) | Android 12 | Redmi 12C has a slightly newer initial OS, but less updates guaranteed. |
| Connectivity | |||
| WiFi | WiFi 6 (802.11ax) | WiFi 5 (802.11ac) | S21 Ultra supports faster and more efficient WiFi. |
| Bluetooth | 5.2 | 5.1 | S21 Ultra has a slightly newer Bluetooth version, leading to better connectivity, and more features. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 128/256/512 GB | 32/64/128 GB | S21 Ultra offers much higher storage capacity options. |
| RAM | 12/16 GB | 3/4/6 GB | S21 Ultra offers much more RAM for smoother multitasking and gaming. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither phone supports expandable storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res Audio | Basic Audio Features | S21 Ultra delivers much superior audio experience. |
| Security | |||
| Features | Basic fingerprint sensor | Rear-mounted fingerprint sensor | Both phones offer fingerprint security. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus | Unknown | S21 Ultra has better screen protection. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G Advantages:
- Superior Display: Significantly higher resolution, pixel density, AMOLED technology, higher refresh rate, and brightness results in a much better viewing experience for all tasks.
- Much Higher Performance: The Exynos 2100 chipset offers significantly faster processing and graphics capabilities, leading to smoother multitasking and gaming.
- Professional-Grade Camera System: Features a versatile camera system with higher resolution sensors, multiple telephoto lenses, and 8K video recording capability. Better photo and video quality.
- Faster Charging & Wireless Charging: 25W fast charging, wireless and reverse wireless charging enhance user convenience and flexibility.
- Premium Audio: Features like Dolby Atmos and Hi-Res Audio provide a superior audio experience.
- Better Connectivity: Supports the latest WiFi 6 and Bluetooth 5.2 standards.
- More RAM & Storage: Higher capacity options for both RAM and storage.
- Superior Build Quality: Better screen protection with Gorilla Glass Victus.
Xiaomi Redmi 12C Advantages:
- Lighter Weight: The Redmi 12C is significantly lighter, which may be more comfortable for extended use.
- Lower Price: Expected to be considerably more affordable.
- Macro Camera: Offers a dedicated macro camera for close-up shots.
- Newer Initial OS: Comes with a slightly newer Android version out of the box (however, updates are less guaranteed).
Trade-offs:
- S21 Ultra: Significantly more expensive, may be overkill for basic users.
- Redmi 12C: Substantially lower performance, inferior display, and a much less advanced camera system.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G Ideal Users:
- Tech Enthusiasts: Who demand the best possible performance, display, and camera experience.
- Power Users: Those who engage in heavy multitasking, gaming, or resource-intensive applications.
- Photography and Videography Enthusiasts: Those who want high-quality camera features for capturing photos and video.
- Users Who value premium features: Users who value a superior viewing experience, fast charging, wireless charging, and premium audio.
Xiaomi Redmi 12C Ideal Users:
- Budget-Conscious Users: Who prioritize affordability over high-end features.
- Basic Smartphone Users: Those who primarily use their phone for calls, texts, basic browsing, and social media.
- Users who want a lightweight device: Users who want a phone that is comfortable to use for long periods of time and is easy to carry.
Specific Use Cases:
- S21 Ultra: Ideal for professional photography, videography, graphic design, gaming, and demanding multitasking.
- Redmi 12C: Suited for simple tasks, light social media use, and casual gaming.
Price-to-Value Ratio:
- S21 Ultra: Offers very high performance and top of the line features for a premium price. It will be the better value for anyone who is looking for the best specifications.
- Redmi 12C: Provides basic functionality at an affordable price, making it a better value for the most budget conscious users.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions to Consider:
- What is your budget? The price difference between these phones is substantial.
- What are your primary phone usage needs? Do you need a powerful device for demanding tasks, or a basic one for simple communication?
- How important is camera quality to you? Do you need professional grade features, or are basic photos sufficient?
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Budget is a primary concern & basic usage is all that is needed: Choose the Xiaomi Redmi 12C.
- Scenario 2: Desire a premium phone experience with top performance and camera Choose the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G.
- Scenario 3: Want the best photo & video taking experience on a smartphone: Choose the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G.
My Choice
If I were choosing, I would select the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G. While acknowledging the substantial price difference, the S21 Ultra's superior display, significantly better performance, professional-grade camera system, faster charging, wireless charging capabilities, and premium audio features are compelling. I would prefer the better build quality, more advanced connectivity, and the large amount of RAM and storage capacity. These features make the phone much better for my use case, as I tend to use my phone for many demanding tasks, which would greatly benefit from the performance and features the S21 Ultra provides. The difference in user experience between the two would be massive.
