Alright, let's dive into a head-to-head comparison between the Xiaomi 12 and the Samsung Galaxy S24 FE. I'll be breaking down these specs with a focus on how they translate to your everyday use.
Specifications Breakdown
Here’s a detailed look at how these two phones stack up:
| Feature | Xiaomi 12 | Samsung Galaxy S24 FE | Real-World Implications |
|---|---|---|---|
| DESIGN | |||
| Launch Date | 2021-12-31 | 2024-10-03 | The S24 FE is significantly newer, benefitting from newer tech. |
| Dimensions | 152.7 x 69.9 x 8.2 mm | 162 x 77.3 x 8 mm | The Xiaomi is smaller and more pocketable; the S24 FE has a larger screen and is more substantial in hand. |
| Weight | 179g | 213g | The Xiaomi is noticeably lighter, making it more comfortable for extended use. |
| DISPLAY | |||
| Size | 6.28" | 6.7" | The S24 FE's larger screen is better for media consumption and multitasking. |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 | 1080 x 2340 | Both screens are sharp, with negligible difference in clarity. |
| PPI | 419 | 385 | The Xiaomi’s screen is slightly sharper. |
| Technology | AMOLED | AMOLED | Both deliver vibrant colors and deep blacks. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | Both provide smooth scrolling and gaming. |
| Brightness | 1100 nits | 1900 nits | The S24 FE's screen is significantly brighter and easily visible under direct sunlight. |
| PERFORMANCE | |||
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 | Exynos 2400e | The S24 FE's Exynos chip is newer and more powerful. |
| Antutu Score | 1,150,831 | 1,600,000 | The S24 FE provides smoother and faster experience in daily tasks and gaming. |
| GPU | Adreno 730 | Xclipse 940 | The S24 FE has a more modern GPU, offering better graphics performance. |
| BATTERY LIFE | |||
| Capacity | 4500mAh | 4700mAh | The S24 FE offers a slightly longer battery life |
| Charging | 67W Fast Charging | 25W Fast Charging | Xiaomi charges significantly faster, minimizing downtime. |
| Features | 50W Fast Wireless Charging, 10W Reverse Charging | 15W Wireless Charging, Bypass Charging | Xiaomi has faster wireless charging; S24 FE can charge while bypassing battery. |
| CAMERA | |||
| Main Camera | 50MP, f/1.88, 1/1.56" Sony IMX766 | 50MP, f/1.8, 1/1.57" Samsung GN3 | Both offer great main camera performance with slightly different sensors. |
| Selfie Camera | 32MP, 1/3.14" Samsung JD1 | 10.8MP, f/2.4, 1/2.65" Samsung S5K3J1 | The Xiaomi has a higher resolution selfie camera. The S24 FE has a bigger sensor and bigger pixels. |
| Telephoto Lens | N/A | 8MP, f/2.4, 1/4.4" Omnivision OV08A10 | The S24 FE has a dedicated telephoto lens for better zoomed images. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 13MP, f/2.4 | 13MP, f/2.2, 1/3.1" Samsung S5K3L6 | Slight advantage with S24 FE's wider aperture for better low light images. |
| Macro Lens | 5MP, f/2.4 | N/A | The Xiaomi has a dedicated macro camera, which the S24 FE lacks. |
| Video Recording | Up to 8K @ 24/30/60 fps | Up to 8K @ 30 fps, 4k @ 120fps | Both offer excellent video recording capabilities but the S24 FE offers more flexible frame rate options |
| DxOMark Score | Mobile: 113, Photo: 118, Video: 121 | Mobile: 133, Photo: 136, Video: 125 | The S24 FE has a considerably higher DXOMark score for overall camera performance. |
| SOFTWARE & CONNECTIVITY | |||
| OS | Android 12 | Android 14 | The S24 FE has the latest OS with more software and security updates. |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6 | Wi-Fi 6E | The S24 FE supports faster Wi-Fi 6E with less interference. |
| Bluetooth | 5.2 | 5.3 | The S24 FE has a newer Bluetooth version for faster and more stable connections. |
| GPS | More Satellite systems | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, Galileo | Xiaomi 12 has more options for accuracy; Samsung has a solid system. |
| SIM | Dual SIM | Dual SIM / eSIM | Samsung includes eSIM support for easy carrier switching. |
| STORAGE & AUDIO | |||
| Internal Storage | 128 GB or 256 GB | 128 GB, 256 GB or 512 GB | The S24 FE offers up to 512GB of storage. |
| RAM | 8 GB or 12 GB | 8 GB | The Xiaomi offers up to 12GB for heavier multitasking. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither offer SD card slots |
| Audio Quality | Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res Audio, Stereo Speakers | Noise cancellation microphone, Stereo Speakers | The Xiaomi has enhanced audio quality and more microphones. The S24 FE has a noise cancelling mic for calls. |
| SECURITY & BUILD | |||
| Security Features | Fingerprint Sensor | Fingerprint Sensor | Both use fingerprint security. |
| Screen Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus+ | Both offer high levels of screen protection with a slight edge to Samsung's newest glass. |
| Sensors | Biometric, Motion, Proximity | Motion, Environmental, Proximity | The Samsung includes a barometer, and hall sensor for environmental data, while the Xiaomi has an additional RGB sensor. |
Key Insights
Xiaomi 12 Strengths:
- Compact Design: It's lighter and smaller, making it ideal for one-handed use and easy portability.
- Faster Charging: The 67W wired and 50W wireless charging is significantly faster, getting you back up and running quickly.
- Higher RAM Option: With up to 12GB of RAM, it provides slightly better multitasking capability, especially if you like to juggle a lot of apps.
- Enhanced Audio Features: Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res Audio, and more microphones.
- Macro Lens: For those who like close-up shots.
Samsung Galaxy S24 FE Strengths:
- Superior Performance: The Exynos 2400e chipset outpaces the older Snapdragon, making the phone smoother and more future-proof.
- Brighter Display: The 1900 nits peak brightness is a game-changer for outdoor visibility, making it ideal for sunny days.
- Better Camera Overall: The S24 FE's camera scores are significantly better in photo quality, video performance, and overall capability, also aided by the dedicated telephoto lens.
- Newer OS and WiFi: It has Android 14 out of the box, and better WiFi.
- Longer Battery Life: Slightly bigger battery, and bypass charging that can help prolong the life of the device by not charging while playing.
- More Storage: Offers up to 512 GB of storage, a significant advantage for power users.
Trade-offs and Limitations:
- Xiaomi 12: Its older chipset and less impressive camera scores. Also lacks a telephoto lens.
- Samsung Galaxy S24 FE: It has slower charging speeds and is larger and heavier. No macro lens, so you're limited to digital zoom.
User Profiles and Recommendations
Xiaomi 12:
- Best for: Users who prioritize portability and fast charging, and don't need top of the line photo or video performance. Ideal for casual users and people with smaller hands.
- Use Cases: Everyday browsing, social media, music, light gaming, and capturing photos of objects close up.
- Value: Offers great performance with unique features such as macro and faster charging, especially if you can find it at a lower price point.
Samsung Galaxy S24 FE:
- Best for: Users who want the best performance, a great camera experience, and a bright display for outdoor use.
- Use Cases: Mobile gaming, content creation, professional photography/videography, and frequent outdoor use.
- Value: Higher initial price but delivers a comprehensive experience that justifies it. A more future proof device overall.
Buying Decision Framework
Here are three questions to help guide your decision:
Do you prioritize compact size and fast charging or a large display and superior camera experience?
- If compact size and fast charging: Choose the Xiaomi 12.
- If large display and camera: Choose the Samsung Galaxy S24 FE.
How important is outdoor visibility and future proofing to you?
- If outdoor visibility and future proofing: Choose the Samsung Galaxy S24 FE.
- If not that important: Choose the Xiaomi 12.
Do you need macro shots, or zoom shots?
- If you want macro shots: Choose the Xiaomi 12.
- If you want zoom shots: Choose the Samsung Galaxy S24 FE.
My Choice
If I were choosing, I'd lean toward the Samsung Galaxy S24 FE. While I appreciate the compact design and charging speed of the Xiaomi 12, the S24 FE wins me over with its more powerful processor, vastly superior display, better camera, and newer software. The brighter screen is a big deal for me, as I often use my phone outdoors, and the camera performance is too good to ignore. The trade off in charging speed is something I can deal with, and the 512gb of storage would be essential for me.
