Alright, let's dive into a head-to-head comparison of the Xiaomi 12 and the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G. Both of these phones were released around the same time, aiming for the sweet spot of flagship features at a slightly more accessible price point. Let's see how they stack up.
1. Specifications Breakdown
Here's a detailed comparison of the key specifications, focusing on how they translate into real-world usage:
| Feature | Xiaomi 12 | Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G | Real-World Implications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 152.7 x 69.9 x 8.2 mm, 179g | 155.7 x 74.5 x 7.9 mm, 177g | Xiaomi 12 is slightly smaller and a hair thicker, easier to handle in one hand. Samsung S21 FE is a bit larger, possibly feeling more substantial. Weight is negligible. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.28" | 6.4" | Samsung offers a marginally larger screen, better for media consumption and gaming. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2340 | Both displays are sharp, but the Xiaomi 12 has a tad more pixels leading to very slightly higher sharpness, though negligible. |
| Pixel Density (PPI) | 419 | 403 | Again, very similar pixel density resulting in equivalent visual clarity. |
| Technology | AMOLED | AMOLED | Both use vibrant AMOLED, excellent color reproduction, and deep blacks. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | Both offer super smooth scrolling and fluid animations. |
| Brightness | 1100 nits | 1300 nits | Samsung wins in outdoor visibility; significantly easier to see under direct sunlight with that extra 200 nits. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 (4 nm) | Snapdragon 888 5G (5 nm) | Xiaomi 12 has a newer, more powerful chip with noticeable speed and efficiency advantage. Expect faster app loading and smoother performance. |
| AnTuTu Score | 1,150,831 | 923,836 | Xiaomi 12 is significantly faster. This means better gaming, faster multitasking, and snappier response times overall. |
| GPU | Adreno 730 | Adreno 660 | The Adreno 730 is a step up, providing better graphical performance, especially for gaming. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 50MP (f/1.88, 1/1.56" Sony IMX766, 1.0µm) | 12MP (f/1.8, 1/1.76" Sony IMX555, 1.8µm) | Xiaomi 12 has higher resolution and a larger sensor, which tends to mean better details, but smaller pixel size may impact low-light performance. Samsung's larger pixels should offer good low light shots. |
| Telephoto + Portrait | N/A | 8MP (f/2.0 Hynix HI-847, 1.0µm) | Samsung gets a Telephoto with optical zoom capability, useful for portraits and zoomed photos without too much digital degradation. |
| Selfie | 32MP (1/3.14" Samsung JD1, 0.7µm) | 32MP (f/2.2, 1/2.8" Sony IMX616, 0.8µm) | Samsung has a slightly larger sensor and larger pixel size, better for low-light selfies. |
| Wide Angle | 13MP (f/2.4) | N/A | Xiaomi 12 has a dedicated Wide-Angle for expansive shots. |
| Macro Lens | 5MP (f/2.4) | N/A | Xiaomi 12 includes a dedicated macro lens, useful for close-up photography, although 5MP is a bit low resolution for high details. |
| Wide Angle + Macro | N/A | 13MP (f/2.2 1/3.06" Sony IMX258, 1.12µm) | Samsung has a single wide-angle/macro lens, offering a compromise but might be less versatile than separate lenses. |
| Video | Up to 8K@24fps | Up to 4K@60fps | Xiaomi 12 supports 8K video, a step-up for high-quality professional footage; both have excellent stabilization and HDR. |
| DxOMark Mobile (Overall) | 113 | 117 | Samsung has slightly better overall quality. |
| DxOMark Mobile (Photo) | 118 | 119 | Similar photo quality. |
| DxOMark Mobile (Video) | 121 | 107 | Xiaomi has noticeably better video quality. |
| DxOMark Selfie (Overall) | N/A | 127 | Samsung wins here, but no data on the Xiaomi 12. |
| Battery Life | |||
| Capacity | 4500mAh | 4500mAh | Same battery size, so similar day-to-day battery life, but can vary depending on use, both have good battery life. |
| Charging | 67W Fast Charging; 50W Wireless, 10W Reverse | 25W Fast Charging; 15W Wireless, 4.5W Reverse | Xiaomi 12 charges much faster (both wired and wireless), a significant advantage. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 12 | Android 12, upgradeable to 16 | Both phones launched with Android 12, but the Samsung is slated to receive 4 major OS upgrades. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wifi | 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/6 | 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/6 | Both have similar wifi capabilities with Wi-Fi 6. |
| Bluetooth | 5.2 | 5.0 | Xiaomi wins in a newer Bluetooth version for better battery efficiency. |
| GPS | A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (L1), BeiDou (B1), Galileo (E1+E5a), BeiDou (B2), NavIC System, QZSS (L1 + L5) | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | Xiaomi offers more support in satelite systems for better accuracy. |
| Storage & RAM | |||
| Internal | 128GB/256GB | 128GB/256GB | Same storage options, no expandable storage on either. |
| RAM | 8GB/12GB | 6GB/8GB | Xiaomi has a higher RAM option and more memory overall for smooth multitasking. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res Audio, Stereo Speakers, 2 microphones | Dolby Atmos, Noise cancellation microphone, Stereo Speakers | Both have stereo speakers and Dolby Atmos, but Xiaomi has better Hi-Res audio and 2 microphones. |
| Security | |||
| Fingerprint sensor | Basic fingerprint sensor | Basic fingerprint sensor | Both have basic fingerprint sensors for security. |
2. Key Insights
Xiaomi 12 Strengths:
- Performance Prowess: The Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 delivers significantly higher performance, making the phone faster and more responsive for all tasks.
- Charging Speed: Blazing-fast 67W wired and 50W wireless charging. This is a huge advantage for users who hate waiting around for their phone to charge.
- Advanced Video: 8K video recording, ideal for creators needing top-tier resolution.
- Versatile Cameras: Dedicated Wide-Angle and Macro lenses provide different creative options.
- Audio: Better audio quality and features like Hi-Res audio and dual microphones.
- More RAM: 12GB option for smoother multitasking.
Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G Strengths:
- Brighter Display: 1300 nits for better outdoor visibility, a major plus for those in sunny environments.
- Optical Zoom: The telephoto lens enables good zoomed photos.
- Better Selfie Camera: Larger sensor and pixel size should translate to better low-light selfies.
- Software Updates: Up to Android 16 is a large positive for future-proofing.
- Better Mobile Overall Camera: Higher DxOMark score on overall, though negligible.
- Better Selfie Camera Performance: Significant advantage on the Selfie Camera, both for photo and video.
- More Sensors: Useful for advanced user features and gaming.
Trade-offs and Limitations:
- Xiaomi 12: Lacks a telephoto lens for optical zoom, and its main camera's smaller pixel size might struggle in extremely low-light scenarios compared to the Samsung.
- Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G: Slower charging is a significant drawback. Performance is a step below, but still quite good for most users.
- Both: Neither has expandable storage.
3. User Profiles and Recommendations
- Xiaomi 12:
- Power Users and Gamers: Its superior performance and faster charging make it ideal for those who push their phones to the limit.
- Video Creators: 8K recording is a unique draw.
- Tech Enthusiasts: Users that appreciate cutting edge tech will love the faster processing speed and quick charging.
- Users that prefer more RAM. For smooth and reliable multitasking.
- Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G:
- Outdoor Users: The brighter display is a big advantage for those spending time outside.
- Social Media Enthusiasts: The better selfie camera will appeal to those who take lots of selfies and video.
- Users seeking long-term support: Four years of OS updates is great for longevity.
- Users that prefer a versatile camera experience: The telephoto lens is great for different scenarios.
4. Buying Decision Framework
Here are three key questions to help users decide:
- How important is performance and speed to you?
- If it's critical, the Xiaomi 12 is the clear winner with its superior chipset.
- Do you prioritize outdoor visibility or charging speed?
- If bright displays are key, then the Samsung S21 FE excels in outdoor visibility. If you want super quick charging, the Xiaomi is the best option.
- How important is camera versatility vs. video resolution?
- If you need telephoto zoom and a great selfie camera, the Samsung is a solid choice. If you require 8K video and diverse shooting modes, the Xiaomi is your device.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: The Gamer: Choose the Xiaomi 12. The better processor and GPU will offer superior frame rates and response times.
- Scenario 2: The Social Media Influencer: Choose the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G. The better front camera and good low-light performance will make you shine.
- Scenario 3: The On-the-Go Professional: The Xiaomi 12 with its blazing fast charging.
- Scenario 4: The Outdoor Photographer: Choose the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G. The display will be better for daytime shooting.
My Personal Choice
Personally, I would choose the Xiaomi 12. The sheer performance leap offered by the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 and the significantly faster charging are hard to ignore. While the Samsung has its advantages, particularly the brighter display and telephoto camera, I find myself leaning towards the Xiaomi due to the overall smoother, more responsive experience it would provide in daily use. The advanced audio quality is just the cherry on top. The 8K video is something I wouldn't use every day, but I would definitely benefit from the super fast charging.
