Smartphone Comparison: Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro vs. Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G
1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro | Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Launch Date | 2021-04-02 | 2022-01-07 | S21 FE is newer, likely has longer software support. |
| Dimensions | 164.3 × 74.6 × 8.5 mm | 155.7 × 74.5 × 7.9 mm | Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro is larger and bulkier, S21 FE is more pocketable and comfortable to hold. |
| Weight | 208g | 177g | S21 FE is significantly lighter, easier for extended use. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.81" | 6.4" | Mi 11 Pro offers a larger display, better for media consumption and multitasking. |
| Resolution | 1440x3200 | 1080x2340 | Mi 11 Pro is sharper and more detailed, resulting in a better visual experience. |
| Pixel Density | 515 PPI | 403 PPI | Mi 11 Pro has a noticeably sharper display. |
| Technology | AMOLED | AMOLED | Both offer vibrant colors and deep blacks. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | Both offer smooth scrolling and animations. |
| Brightness | 1700 nits | 1300 nits | Mi 11 Pro has better outdoor visibility, especially in bright sunlight. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Snapdragon 888 (5nm) | Snapdragon 888 (5nm) | Both have powerful performance for demanding tasks, but performance can vary between versions. |
| AnTuTu Score | 854,267 | 923,836 | S21 FE shows slightly better benchmark performance, but not drastically better. |
| GPU | Adreno 660 | Adreno 660 | GPU configuration differences can cause performance variations in gaming. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 50MP, f/1.95, 1/1.12" | 12MP, f/1.8, 1/1.76" | Mi 11 Pro has a larger sensor, potentially better low light performance, more detail with higher resolution. |
| Telephoto+Portrait | - | 8MP, f/2.0 | S21 FE has dedicated telephoto lens for portraits and zoom. |
| Selfie Camera | 20MP, f/2.3, 1/3.4" | 32MP, f/2.2, 1/2.8" | S21 FE has higher resolution and a slightly better sensor for selfies. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 13MP, f/2.2, 1/3.06" | - | Mi 11 Pro has a dedicated wide-angle lens for landscape shots. |
| Wide Angle+Macro | - | 13MP, f/2.2, 1/3.06" | S21 FE offers a wide-angle lens that can also be used for macro photography. |
| Telephoto+Macro | 8MP, 1/4.4" | - | Mi 11 Pro has a telephoto lens that can also be used for macro photography. |
| Video Recording | Up to 8K@24fps | Up to 4K@60fps | Mi 11 Pro can record higher resolution videos, great for content creation. |
| DXOMark (Mobile) | Main: 124, Photo: 118, Video: 132 | Main: 117, Photo: 119, Video: 107 | Mi 11 Pro offers better overall video performance. S21 FE better in photos. |
| DXOMark (Selfie) | - | Main: 127, Photo: 126, Video: 130 | S21 FE has good selfie camera scores. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 4500mAh | Mi 11 Pro likely offers better battery life due to larger capacity. |
| Charging | 67W Fast Charging | 25W Fast Charging | Mi 11 Pro charges significantly faster. |
| Wireless Charging | 67W, 10W Reverse | 15W, 4.5W Reverse | Mi 11 Pro offers much faster wireless charging. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 | Android 12 | S21 FE has a newer OS out of the box and is likely to receive updates for longer. |
| Max Version | - | Android 16 | S21 FE should receive at least 4 major Android OS updates. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 128/256GB | 128/256GB | Both offer the same storage options. |
| RAM | 8/12GB | 6/8GB | Mi 11 Pro offers more RAM options for smoother multitasking. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither phone supports expandable storage. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Bluetooth | 5.2 | 5.0 | Mi 11 Pro has a newer Bluetooth version for more stable connections. |
| GPS | GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (L1), BeiDou (B1+B2), Galileo (E1+E5a), QZSS, NavIC System | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro offers more satellite systems for better location accuracy |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Hi-Res Audio, Stereo Speakers, 3 microphones | Dolby Atmos, Noise cancellation microphone, Stereo Speakers | Both offer Stereo Speakers; Mi 11 Pro has Hi-Res audio for music lovers. S21 FE has Dolby Atmos for enhanced audio. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro Advantages:
- Superior Display: Larger, higher resolution, and significantly brighter screen, excellent for media consumption and outdoor use.
- Better Battery: Larger capacity and much faster charging (both wired and wireless) mean less time plugged in and better all-day endurance.
- More Powerful Camera Features: Offers 8K video recording, a larger main sensor for improved low-light performance, and includes a telephoto macro lens.
- More RAM: Up to 12GB for smoother multitasking and better gaming performance.
- More Precise Location Tracking: Enhanced GPS capabilities with more satellite systems.
Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G Advantages:
- Newer Software: Ships with Android 12 (upgradable to 16) offering a longer software update lifecycle.
- Lighter and More Compact: Easier to handle and more pocketable due to its smaller size and weight.
- Dedicated Telephoto Lens: Has a dedicated telephoto camera for portraits and zoom.
- Better Selfie Camera: Higher resolution and larger sensor for better selfies.
- Better Benchmark Score: Higher Antutu score for marginally better performance.
- More Bluetooth Features: Supports additional Bluetooth profiles for better device interoperability.
- Better DXOMark for Photos: S21 FE performs slightly better in photo tests.
- Barometer: Useful for altitude tracking.
Trade-offs:
- Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro: Larger size and weight, older OS out of the box, no dedicated telephoto for portraits.
- Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G: Smaller, lower resolution display, slower charging, smaller battery and lower wireless charging, slightly inferior video recording capabilities.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro is ideal for:
- Media Enthusiasts: Users who consume a lot of video content and need a vibrant, sharp, and large display.
- Power Users: Those who need a fast-charging, long-lasting battery and smooth multitasking.
- Photography Enthusiasts: Users who want high-quality photos and videos, especially in low-light conditions.
- Gamers: Who want high-quality gameplay with high resolution and more RAM.
Specific Use Cases:
- Watching movies and TV shows on the go.
- Playing graphically intensive mobile games.
- Capturing high-resolution videos and photos.
- Heavy multitasking with multiple apps.
- Extensive outdoor use in bright sunlight.
Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G is ideal for:
- Everyday Users: Those who want a reliable all-around phone that’s easy to handle.
- Selfie Lovers: Users who prioritize a high-quality front-facing camera.
- Users who need longer software support: Benefit from the newer OS and the potential for more updates
- Budget-Conscious Buyers: Who want a reliable and well-rounded smartphone for a reasonable price.
Specific Use Cases:
- Taking high-quality selfies and group photos.
- Casual gaming and social media browsing.
- General day-to-day usage, including calls, texts, and light app use.
- Utilizing features like barometers.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions to Consider:
- Display Preference: Do you prioritize a larger, higher resolution display, or is a more compact size preferable?
- Battery Needs: Do you need the absolute best battery life and fastest charging, or is moderate battery life acceptable?
- Camera Priorities: Are you more interested in main camera performance, video recording, or selfie quality?
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Media Consumption & Gaming: Choose the Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro for its superior display, performance, and battery.
- Scenario 2: Everyday Use & Portability: Choose the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G for its more compact size, and lighter weight.
- Scenario 3: Photography Enthusiast: Choose the Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro for better main camera performance, or choose the S21 FE for better portraits and selfies.
- Scenario 4: Software Support: Choose the S21 FE for the latest operating system and future updates.
My Choice and Why:
If I were to choose between the two, I would personally lean towards the Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro. Here's why:
- Display Quality: For me, the display is the most important aspect of a smartphone. The larger, sharper, and brighter screen of the Mi 11 Pro offers a significant advantage for media consumption, which is one of my primary use cases.
- Battery Life and Charging: I prefer a phone that can comfortably last a full day, and the Mi 11 Pro’s larger battery, combined with much faster charging, is a big win for me.
- Camera Capabilities: Although the S21 FE has a good camera setup, the Mi 11 Pro’s more capable main sensor and the ability to record videos in 8K are more appealing to me. I often take videos and I know the difference the higher resolution makes.
- Performance: Although both share the same chipset, the extra RAM in the Mi 11 Pro is a big advantage for heavy multi-tasking.
While the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G is a good all-around phone with the latest software and more compact size, the Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro better suits my personal priorities and usage pattern.
