Smartphone Comparison: vivo V21 5G vs. Xiaomi Redmi Note 12S
1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | vivo V21 5G | Xiaomi Redmi Note 12S | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 159.7 × 73.9 × 7.3 mm | 159.9 × 73.9 × 8.1 mm | Xiaomi is slightly thicker (0.8mm), which might be noticeable in hand. |
| Weight | 176g | 176g | Both feel equally weighted in the hand. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.44" | 6.43" | Virtually identical screen size, negligible difference. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2400 | Identical sharpness; both offer a crisp visual experience. |
| PPI | 409 | 409 | Both screens have the same pixel density, leading to similar clarity. |
| Technology | AMOLED | AMOLED | Both offer vibrant colors, deep blacks, and good contrast. |
| Refresh Rate | 90Hz | 90Hz | Smooth scrolling and animations for both phones. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 1000 nits | Xiaomi Redmi Note 12S is significantly brighter for outdoor visibility in sunlight. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Mediatek Dimensity 800U (7 nm) | Mediatek MT6781 Helio G96 (12 nm) | Dimensity 800U (7nm) may have more efficient power consumption. |
| AnTuTu Score | 343,150 | 412,400 | Xiaomi Redmi Note 12S offers slightly better benchmark performance. |
| GPU | Mali-G57 MC3 | Mali-G57 MC2 | vivo V21 5G may have slight advantage in GPU-intensive tasks like gaming. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 4000mAh | 5000mAh | Xiaomi Redmi Note 12S will likely have longer battery life between charges. |
| Charging | 33W fast charging | 33W fast charging | Both offer the same fast charging speed. |
| Battery Features | Non-removable | Reverse charging, Non-removable | Xiaomi Note 12S allows you to charge other devices. |
| Camera | |||
| Rear Camera (Main) | 64MP, f/1.79, 0.80µm | 108MP, f/1.8, 1/1.52", 0.70µm | Xiaomi Note 12S offers more detailed images with higher MP; vivo V21 5G has a slightly wider aperture. |
| Selfie Camera | 44MP, f/2.0, 1/2.65", 0.70µm | 16MP, f/2.4 | vivo V21 5G provides higher resolution selfies. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 8MP, f/2.2 | 8MP, f/2.2 | Similar wide-angle lens performance. |
| Macro Lens | 2MP, f/2.4 | 2MP, f/2.4 | Similar macro lens performance. |
| Video Recording | 4K@30fps with OIS, 1080p@30/60fps with OIS | 1080p@30fps | vivo V21 5G records higher quality video with optical image stabilization. |
| Camera Features | 4K Video, OIS, PDAF, Panorama, Front Flash | Night Mode | Different camera features targeted at different usage scenarios. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 | Android 13 | Xiaomi Redmi Note 12S has a newer version of Android |
| Connectivity | |||
| WiFi | 802.11ac, Dual Band | 802.11ac, Dual Band, MIMO | Similar WiFi capabilities. Xiaomi has the advantage of MiMo. |
| Bluetooth | 5.1, LE, aptX, LDAC, SBC | 5.2, LE, EDR, HID | Xiaomi Note 12S features a more up-to-date bluetooth version. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal Storage | 128GB/256GB | 64GB/128GB/256GB | Both offer 256GB max. Xiaomi Note 12S has an additional 64 GB variant. |
| RAM | 8 GB | 6GB/8GB | Both models offer 8GB of RAM. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone allows storage expansion. |
| Audio | |||
| Audio Quality | Basic | Hi-Res Audio, Stereo Speakers | Xiaomi Redmi Note 12S has superior audio capabilities. |
| Security | |||
| Fingerprint Sensor | Basic | Side-mounted | Xiaomi has the advantage of a more modern sensor |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Unknown | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | Xiaomi Redmi Note 12S offers better protection against scratches and drops. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope | Fingerprint, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Ultrasonic proximity virtual | Similar sensor suite with slight variations. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
vivo V21 5G Advantages:
- Superior Selfie Camera: Higher 44MP resolution and wider f/2.0 aperture for better quality and low-light performance.
- Better Video Recording: Capable of 4K video recording at 30fps and 1080p at 60fps with OIS.
- Optical Image Stabilization (OIS): Significantly better video stabilization.
- Wider Aperture for main camera: Slightly better low light photos.
- Better Bluetooth codecs: LDAC and aptX are higher quality bluetooth codecs.
- Slightly more powerful GPU: May perform better in GPU-intensive tasks.
Xiaomi Redmi Note 12S Advantages:
- Brighter Display: 1000 nits brightness compared to an unknown value on the vivo, resulting in much better outdoor visibility.
- Larger Battery: 5000mAh vs. 4000mAh, offering significantly longer battery life.
- Higher Benchmark Scores: Better overall processing power.
- Higher MP Main camera: More detail in main shots.
- Newer OS: Android 13.
- Stereo speakers: A more immersive audio experience.
- Reverse Charging: Ability to charge other devices.
- Screen protection: Corning Gorilla Glass 3.
- Side mounted fingerprint scanner: More modern fingerprint scanner.
- Wi-Fi MiMO: Faster and more reliable WiFi.
Trade-offs:
- vivo V21 5G: Excels in camera and video quality but has a smaller battery and a potentially less bright screen.
- Xiaomi Redmi Note 12S: Offers better performance, battery life, and screen brightness but at the cost of a lower quality selfie camera and less capable video recording capabilities.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Ideal User for vivo V21 5G:
- Selfie Enthusiasts: Users who prioritize high-quality selfies.
- Video Creators: Users who need 4K video recording and good video stabilization.
- Casual gamers: Users who want a slightly better GPU for gaming.
- Multimedia Users: Users who need high quality Bluetooth audio.
Use Cases:
- Creating vlogs and social media content with high quality video and selfies.
- Casual gaming with a slightly better GPU.
- Streaming high quality audio using bluetooth.
Ideal User for Xiaomi Redmi Note 12S:
- Power Users: Users who need all-day battery life and better performance.
- Outdoor Users: Users who require a bright display for visibility in sunlight.
- Multimedia users: Users who want better audio quality and louder speakers.
- Budget conscious users: Users who want to maximize value.
Use Cases:
- Heavy daily usage including social media, browsing, and entertainment, outdoors.
- Watching videos and listening to audio with stereo speakers.
- Basic gaming.
Price-to-Value:
- The Xiaomi Redmi Note 12S generally offers better value due to its better battery life, performance, screen brightness, and screen protection.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- How important is selfie camera quality to you? If you prioritize high-resolution, low-light selfies, the vivo V21 5G is better.
- How important is battery life and outdoor screen visibility? If you value all-day battery life and need a bright screen, choose the Xiaomi Redmi Note 12S.
- Do you need high-quality video capabilities? If video recording with OIS is essential, the vivo V21 5G is the better choice.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Social Media Creator - If your content is primarily selfie-based video, the vivo V21 5G is the better choice for its higher quality selfie camera and video recording capabilities.
- Scenario 2: All-Day Mobile Use - If you are a power user who needs extended battery life for everyday tasks, choose the Xiaomi Redmi Note 12S for its larger battery and better overall performance.
- Scenario 3: Budget Conscious Buyer - The Xiaomi Redmi Note 12S likely provides better overall value for most users due to its brighter display, longer battery life, and modern fingerprint sensor.
My Choice
If I were choosing between these two phones, I would choose the Xiaomi Redmi Note 12S. The significantly brighter screen and larger battery are practical advantages for daily use. While the vivo V21 5G has a better selfie camera and video capabilities, the benefits of superior outdoor visibility, a more modern fingerprint sensor and stereo speakers outweigh those for my personal needs. I value battery life and screen brightness more than the selfie capabilities. The slightly better benchmark performance and newer Android version further solidify my choice towards the Xiaomi Redmi Note 12S.
While I acknowledge the better front camera on the vivo, I believe the overall package offered by the Xiaomi Redmi Note 12S better suits the average user looking for a reliable and versatile phone.
