1. Specifications Comparison
Design
| Feature | Xiaomi Mi 11 | Samsung Galaxy S21 5G | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 164.3 × 74.6 × 8.1 mm | 151.7 × 71.2 × 7.9 mm | Mi 11 is larger and slightly thicker, making it less pocketable but potentially more immersive. S21 is more compact and easier to handle with one hand. |
| Weight | 196g | 169g | S21 is significantly lighter, enhancing comfort during extended use. The Mi 11 is heavier, potentially causing fatigue over time. |
| Build | Glass front/back, aluminum frame | Glass front/back, aluminum frame | Both have a premium build with similar materials, the main difference is in the design. |
Display
| Feature | Xiaomi Mi 11 | Samsung Galaxy S21 5G | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Size | 6.81" | 6.2" | Mi 11's larger screen provides more immersive media consumption, gaming, and productivity, but it's less suitable for one-handed use. S21's screen is easier to handle and better for on-the-go activities. |
| Resolution | 1440x3200 | 1080x2400 | Mi 11's higher resolution results in sharper images and text, better detail in videos and photos. S21 offers still good quality display. |
| PPI | 515 | 421 | Mi 11 has a visibly crisper display, especially noticeable when viewing small text or intricate graphics. S21 has a good ppi but it isn't as sharp as the Mi 11 |
| Technology | AMOLED | AMOLED | Both provide vibrant colors, deep blacks, and excellent contrast ratios. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | Both offer smooth scrolling and animations, enhancing the overall user experience during gaming and navigation. |
| Brightness | 1500 nits | 1300 nits | Mi 11 has an advantage in outdoor visibility, making it easier to view the screen under direct sunlight. S21 is still suitable but less bright. |
Performance
| Feature | Xiaomi Mi 11 | Samsung Galaxy S21 5G | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chipset | Snapdragon 888 5G | Exynos 2100 (International) | Both are high-end chipsets. The Snapdragon offers a slight edge in gaming performance and app loading speeds. However, the Exynos is still capable of high level performance. |
| AnTuTu Score | 806,139 | 749,100 | Mi 11 has a marginal advantage in benchmark performance, translating to slightly faster app loading and smoother multitasking. |
| GPU | Adreno 660 | Mali-G78 MP14 | Both offer excellent graphics performance for gaming and demanding applications. |
Camera
| Feature | Xiaomi Mi 11 | Samsung Galaxy S21 5G | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main Camera | 108MP, f/1.85, 1/1.33" | 12MP, f/1.8, 1/1.76" | Mi 11's higher resolution captures more detail, but the S21's larger pixel size may result in better low-light performance. |
| Telephoto/Portrait | Not available | 64MP, f/2.0, 1/1.72" | S21 has an additional telephoto lens for portraits and zoom. |
| Selfie Camera | 20MP, f/2.3, 1/3.4" | 10MP, f/2.2, 1/3.2" | Mi 11 has higher resolution selfie camera for greater detail, but S21 has a larger sensor, potentially better for low light |
| Wide Angle | 13MP, f/2.3, 1/3.06" | Not available | Mi 11 has an ultra-wide lens for more expansive shots. |
| Macro Lens | 5MP, f/2.0, 1/5" | Not available | Mi 11 has a dedicated macro lens for extreme close-ups. |
| Wide Angle + Macro | Not available | 12.2MP, f/2.2, 1/2.55" | S21 has an additional combined Wide Angle + Macro lens. |
| Video | Up to 8K@24/30fps, multiple HDR, EIS | Up to 8K@24fps, multiple HDR, EIS, Stereo sound | Both offer professional-grade video recording. |
| Slow-mo | 480fps | 960fps | S21 has better slow motion recording capability. |
| DXOMark Scores | Selfie: Main 112, Photo 100, Video 133 | Mobile: Main 111, Photo 118, Video 90, Selfie: Main 132, Photo 125, Video 145 | S21 has better score for Mobile photography and overall Selfie performance while Mi 11 is better at recording selfie video. |
| Features | Ultra stable video, Laser AF, AF assist Beam | Optical zoom, Phase detection autofocus (PDAF), Exposure compensation, Night Mode | Both offer rich feature sets, Mi 11 has laser AF for faster focus, while S21 has optical zoom for greater focal range, additionally includes night mode. |
Battery
| Feature | Xiaomi Mi 11 | Samsung Galaxy S21 5G | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 4600mAh | 4000mAh | Mi 11's larger battery is likely to provide longer battery life for all-day usage. S21's battery is likely to require a recharge during a busy day. |
| Charging | 55W Fast Charging | 25W Fast Charging | Mi 11 offers much faster charging speeds, significantly reducing downtime. S21 charges slower. |
| Features | 50W wireless, 10W reverse wireless | 15W wireless, 4.5W reverse wireless, No in-box charger | Mi 11 has much faster wireless charging capabilities than S21 and includes the charger. S21 users must purchase an additional charger. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Xiaomi Mi 11 Advantages:
- Larger, Sharper Display: The 6.81" 1440p screen is significantly more immersive for media consumption and offers crisper visuals compared to the S21.
- Higher Battery Capacity and Faster Charging: The 4600mAh battery with 55W fast charging offers better endurance and faster replenishment, crucial for heavy users.
- Higher Main Camera Resolution and More Camera Features: The 108MP sensor captures more detail and it has a dedicated macro and wide-angle camera, alongside faster laser AF.
- Faster wireless charging Mi 11 supports 50W wireless charging.
Samsung Galaxy S21 5G Advantages:
- More Compact and Lightweight: The smaller form factor makes it more comfortable for one-handed use and carrying around.
- Telephoto Camera with Optical Zoom: The additional telephoto lens provides versatile zoom capabilities.
- Better Selfie Camera Performance: The S21 scores higher in DxOMark tests for the front-facing camera.
- Better slow-motion capabilities. The S21 offers a 960 fps compared to 480 fps on Mi 11.
- Environmental sensors. S21 has barometer, hall and geomagnetic sensors.
- Night Mode. The S21 includes a dedicated Night Mode feature for low-light shots.
- Better bluetooth support. The S21 has more bluetooth protocols.
Significant Trade-offs:
- Mi 11: Sacrifices portability for a larger display and battery. Lacks a dedicated zoom camera.
- S21: Smaller display and battery, slower charging, lacks dedicated macro and wide-angle camera.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Xiaomi Mi 11 - Ideal for:
- Media Enthusiasts: Users who frequently watch videos, movies, or play games on their phones will appreciate the larger, higher-resolution display and more immersive experience.
- Power Users: Users who multitask heavily, run demanding apps, and need all-day battery life. The Mi 11's larger battery and fast charging are ideal.
- Photography Enthusiasts: Users who want high-resolution photos and like to experiment with macro and wide-angle shots.
- Gamers: The powerful processor, high refresh rate display, and large screen make it well-suited for gaming.
Samsung Galaxy S21 5G - Ideal for:
- One-Handed Use: Users who prioritize a compact phone that is easy to hold and operate with one hand.
- On-the-go Photographers: Users who want a versatile camera system, especially those who take portraits and like to use zoom features.
- Social Media Users: The excellent selfie camera and the compact size of the phone make it great for content creation.
- Users that want a premium experience in a compact form factor: While smaller and less performant than the Mi 11 it offers good quality and features.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions:
- Screen Size Preference: Do you prioritize a large, immersive display or a more compact, pocketable phone?
- Battery Needs: Do you need all-day battery life and fast charging, or are you okay with potentially needing a midday top-up?
- Camera Usage: Do you prioritize high-resolution, macro, and wide angle photos or versatility and zoom capabilities?
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1 (All-Day Use, Media Consumption): If you need a phone that will last all day, and you frequently watch videos and play games, the Xiaomi Mi 11 is the better choice due to its larger battery, faster charging, and larger, higher resolution display.
- Scenario 2 (One-Handed Use, Versatile Camera): If you prefer a compact phone that you can easily use with one hand and want a versatile camera system with good zoom capabilities, the Samsung Galaxy S21 5G is a better fit due to its smaller size, lighter weight, and its dedicated zoom camera.
- Scenario 3 (Performance Focused): If you're a gamer or you need the best performance possible then the Xiaomi Mi 11 is a better fit due to it's high benchmark score, faster wireless charging and larger display.
My Choice
If I were choosing between these two phones, I would pick the Xiaomi Mi 11. The larger display, higher resolution, faster charging, and better battery capacity are features that I value most in a smartphone. While the S21 is more compact and has a zoom lens, I value the immersive experience and battery life more in my personal use case. I often watch videos, read, and play games on my phone, so the extra screen real estate and better battery of the Mi 11 would be advantageous for me. I find the versatility of a wide-angle and macro camera more useful, personally, than a zoom lens. The slightly better benchmark performance of the Mi 11 is also a plus. While the S21 is a good phone, the Mi 11 aligns better with my needs and preferences.
