1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | vivo V21 5G | Xiaomi Redmi Note 11S | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 159.7 × 73.9 × 7.3 mm | 159.9 × 73.9 × 8.1 mm | Redmi Note 11S is slightly thicker, potentially feeling less sleek in hand, but the difference is minor. |
| Weight | 176g | 179g | Both are lightweight and similar, making a negligible difference in carrying feel. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.44" | 6.43" | Virtually identical screen sizes, resulting in a similar viewing experience. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2400 | Both have sharp, detailed screens; no practical difference. |
| PPI | 409 | 409 | Both screens offer the same pixel density, resulting in equal sharpness. |
| Technology | AMOLED | AMOLED | Both screens offer vibrant colors and deep blacks; similar viewing experience. |
| Refresh Rate | 90Hz | 90Hz | Both offer smoother scrolling and animations compared to standard 60Hz displays. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 1000 nits | Xiaomi Redmi Note 11S has a significantly brighter screen, crucial for outdoor visibility in sunlight. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Mediatek Dimensity 800U (7 nm) | Mediatek MT6781 Helio G96 (12 nm) | Dimensity 800U is built on a smaller process (7nm), which generally translates to better power efficiency and performance than the Helio G96(12nm). |
| AnTuTu Score | 343,150 | 302,877 | vivo V21 5G offers marginally better performance for demanding apps and games. |
| GPU | Mali-G57 MC3 | Mali-G57 MC2 | vivo V21 5G's GPU has an extra core, resulting in slightly better graphics performance in games. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera Resolution | 64MP (f/1.79) | 108MP (f/1.9) | Redmi Note 11S captures more detailed photos. V21 5G’s wider aperture may perform slightly better in low light. |
| Main Camera Sensor Size | 1/1.52" | Redmi Note 11S has a larger sensor to capture more light, generally better in low-light scenarios | |
| Main Camera Pixel Size | 0.80 µm | 0.70 µm | V21 5G pixels are slightly larger, allowing better light absorption |
| Selfie Camera Resolution | 44MP (f/2.0) | 16MP (f/2.4) | vivo V21 5G captures more detailed selfies, potentially better low-light performance due to wider aperture. |
| Selfie Camera Sensor Size | 1/2.65" | 1/3.13" | V21 5G has a larger sensor for selfies, improving low-light performance |
| Selfie Camera Pixel Size | 0.70 µm | 1.00 µm | Redmi Note 11S has larger pixels in its front camera |
| Wide Angle Lens | 8MP (f/2.2) | 8MP (f/2.2) | Similar performance for capturing wide landscapes or group photos. |
| Depth Sensor | None | 2MP (f/2.4) | Redmi Note 11S has a dedicated depth sensor, which enhances portrait mode effects. |
| Macro Lens | 2MP (f/2.4) | 2MP (f/2.4) | Both have basic macro lenses, suitable for close-up shots. |
| Video | 4K@30fps with OIS, 1080p@60fps with OIS | 1080p@30fps | vivo V21 5G supports higher resolution video and has OIS for smoother footage. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 4000mAh | 5000mAh | Xiaomi Redmi Note 11S will likely offer significantly longer battery life on a single charge. |
| Charging | 33W Fast Charging | 33W Fast Charging | Both support the same fast charging capabilities. |
| Battery Features | Non-removable | Reverse Charging, Non-removable | Xiaomi Redmi Note 11S can charge other devices, offering a useful feature for sharing power. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal Storage | 128 GB or 256 GB | 64 GB or 128 GB | vivo V21 5G offers more internal storage options. |
| RAM | 8 GB | 6 GB or 8 GB | Both offer good multitasking performance, with Redmi Note 11S having a 6GB ram variant as well. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone allows you to add external storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Audio Features | Basic audio features | Hi-Res Audio, Stereo Speakers | Xiaomi Redmi Note 11S provides a richer and more immersive audio experience. |
| Security | |||
| Fingerprint Sensor | basic fingerprint sensor | side-mounted fingerprint sensor | Xiaomi Redmi Note 11S’s side-mounted sensor offers quicker and more ergonomic access. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Unknown | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | Xiaomi Redmi Note 11S has better screen protection, making it more resistant to scratches and minor impacts. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
vivo V21 5G Advantages:
- Superior Front Camera: Higher resolution (44MP vs 16MP) and wider aperture (f/2.0 vs f/2.4) result in better detail, low-light performance, and potentially better selfies overall.
- Better Video Recording: Supports 4K video at 30fps and 1080p at 60fps with Optical Image Stabilization (OIS), leading to higher-quality, smoother video recordings.
- Slightly Better Performance: The Dimensity 800U chipset, coupled with its GPU, gives a small edge in benchmarks and should provide smoother performance in demanding applications and games.
- Higher Internal Storage Options: Offers up to 256GB of storage, whereas Redmi Note 11S maxes out at 128GB.
- Newer Bluetooth Version: Bluetooth 5.1 offers a slightly better connection and features than Bluetooth 5.0.
- Faster Main camera pixel size 0.80 µm compared to 0.70 µm
- Wider Main Camera Aperture f/1.79 compared to f/1.9
Xiaomi Redmi Note 11S Advantages:
- Larger Battery: 5000mAh battery provides significantly longer battery life compared to the 4000mAh in vivo V21 5G.
- Brighter Display: 1000 nits of brightness makes it much easier to see the screen in bright sunlight.
- Better Screen Protection: Corning Gorilla Glass 3 provides better scratch and impact resistance.
- Hi-Res Audio & Stereo Speakers: Offers richer and more immersive audio experience with stereo speakers.
- Larger Main Camera Sensor 1/1.52" compared to unknown on the V21
- Larger Selfie Camera pixel size 1.00 µm compared to 0.70 µm
- Reverse Charging: Ability to charge other devices, offering a useful backup option.
- Dedicated Depth Sensor: enhances portrait mode with better background blur and depth effects
- Side-mounted Fingerprint Sensor: more convenient and faster unlocking.
- Ultrasonic proximity virtual sensor
- Main Camera Higher Resolution 108MP compared to 64MP
Trade-offs:
- The vivo V21 5G trades battery life and some features like screen protection and stereo speakers for better camera capabilities, particularly for selfies and video recording.
- The Xiaomi Redmi Note 11S prioritizes battery life, a brighter screen, and audio quality but has a lower-resolution front camera and no OIS in video.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
vivo V21 5G Ideal Users:
- Selfie Enthusiasts: Users who prioritize high-quality, detailed selfies and are willing to pay more for it.
- Content Creators: Those who record a lot of videos and would benefit from 4K recording and OIS for smooth, high-quality footage.
- Multimedia Consumption: Users who stream and watch videos.
- Users that prefer Slightly more processing power
Use Cases:
- Social Media Influencers: For producing high-quality photo and video content for social media.
- Vloggers: For recording smooth, stabilized video content in 4K.
- Frequent video conferencing
- Gamers wanting a slightly better performance
Xiaomi Redmi Note 11S Ideal Users:
- Battery Life Prioritizers: Users who need their phone to last through a full day or more with heavy usage.
- Outdoor Users: Those who often use their phone in bright sunlight and need a bright display.
- Multimedia Consumers: Those who prioritize good audio playback, as the phone has Hi-Res Audio and stereo speakers.
- General users that want a phone that covers all the basics
- Users that want more screen protection
Use Cases:
- Travelers: For users who need extended battery life during long trips or outdoor activities.
- Students or Professionals: For those who use their phones extensively throughout the day and need reliable battery life.
- Music lovers
Price-to-Value:
- The Xiaomi Redmi Note 11S generally offers a higher value for money due to its large battery and extra features like reverse charging, better screen protection and a more modern side mounted fingerprint reader, making it more cost-effective overall.
- The vivo V21 5G targets users who prioritize high-quality selfies and video, which justifies its higher price point for that niche.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- How important is front camera quality? If you take a lot of selfies and care about their quality, the vivo V21 5G is superior.
- How much do you value battery life and bright screen visibility? If long battery life and using the phone in direct sunlight are priorities, the Xiaomi Redmi Note 11S is the better choice.
- What are my main use cases? If you are a heavy video content creator, the vivo V21 5G is the better fit. If you prioritize music listening, long battery and general usage, the Redmi Note 11S will be a better fit.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: You are a social media enthusiast who loves taking selfies and creating video content.
- Recommendation: The vivo V21 5G is a better fit with its superior front camera and OIS in video.
- Scenario 2: You need a reliable phone for daily use that lasts all day and can handle bright sunlight.
- Recommendation: The Xiaomi Redmi Note 11S is a better fit with its bigger battery, brighter screen, and side-mounted fingerprint reader.
- Scenario 3: You want the best value for money, including good battery life and better audio.
- Recommendation: The Xiaomi Redmi Note 11S will be a more cost-effective phone overall.
- Scenario 4: You want a phone with the most processing power available for gaming and running demanding applications.
- Recommendation: The vivo V21 5G will be a slightly better fit for better performance and smoother graphics capabilities
My Choice
I would choose the Xiaomi Redmi Note 11S. While the vivo V21 5G has a better selfie camera and video recording capabilities, the Xiaomi Redmi Note 11S offers a more well-rounded package for general use. The significant increase in battery capacity and the brighter screen are more beneficial to my daily usage. Additionally, features like stereo speakers, Hi-Res Audio, better screen protection and reverse charging enhance the user experience and provide a great value for money. While the V21 5G is great for the right kind of user, the Redmi Note 11S offers more overall utility and is better suited to my preferences.
