1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Xiaomi Mi 11 | Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 164.3 x 74.6 x 8.1 mm | 155.7 x 74.5 x 7.9 mm | Xiaomi is taller by 8.6mm. Samsung is slightly thinner and more compact. Xiaomi will be slightly bulkier in the pocket. |
| Weight | 196g | 177g | Samsung is noticeably lighter by 19g, making it more comfortable for prolonged use. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.81" | 6.4" | Xiaomi has a larger display, offering more screen real estate for media consumption and multitasking. |
| Resolution | 1440 x 3200 | 1080 x 2340 | Xiaomi offers sharper and more detailed visuals due to higher resolution. |
| Pixel Density (PPI) | 515 | 403 | Xiaomi provides a significantly sharper display than the Samsung |
| Technology | AMOLED | AMOLED | Both offer vibrant colors, deep blacks and excellent contrast. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | Both deliver smooth scrolling and animations. |
| Brightness | 1500 nits | 1300 nits | Xiaomi is noticeably brighter, offering better outdoor visibility in sunlight. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Snapdragon 888 (5 nm) | Snapdragon 888 (5 nm) - Version 1 | Both have a powerful chipset, but the Samsung version has a 15% higher Antutu score, indicating potentially better performance in some tasks. |
| GPU | Adreno 660 | Adreno 660 - Version 1 | Both have the same GPU but the Samsung has a slightly different version |
| Antutu Score | 806,139 | 923,836 | The Samsung model demonstrates higher performance benchmarks. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 108MP, f/1.85, 1/1.33" | 12MP, f/1.8, 1/1.76" | Xiaomi’s 108MP sensor captures more detail; while the Samsung has larger pixels and a slightly wider aperture, performing better in low light. |
| Telephoto | Not Present | 8MP, f/2.0 | Samsung offers optical zoom capabilities. |
| Selfie Camera | 20MP, f/2.3, 1/3.4" | 32MP, f/2.2, 1/2.8" | Samsung provides higher resolution and a larger sensor and wider aperture for better selfies, especially in low light. |
| Wide Angle | 13MP, f/2.3 | 13MP, f/2.2 | Xiaomi has a dedicated wide-angle lens, while the Samsung combines wide-angle with Macro lens. |
| Macro Lens | 5MP, f/2.0 | N/A | Xiaomi offers a dedicated macro lens for close-up shots. |
| Combined Wide Angle/Macro | Not present | 13MP, f/2.2 | Samsung combines these two into one lens. |
| Video | Up to 8K@30fps | Up to 4K@60fps | Xiaomi can record 8K footage, suitable for professional video creation, while the S21 FE is limited to 4k. |
| DxOMark Selfie Score | - | 127 | S21 FE performs significantly better in terms of selfie quality. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 4600 mAh | 4500 mAh | Both have similar battery capacity, likely providing a full day of use for most users. |
| Charging | 55W Wired, 50W Wireless | 25W Wired, 15W Wireless | Xiaomi offers significantly faster wired and wireless charging, reducing charging times. |
| Features | Reverse charging, 2*2250mAh, 10W reverse-wireless charging | Reverse charging, No charger in-box, 4.5W reverse wireless charging | Xiaomi offers faster charging and more wireless charging flexibility; Samsung does not include a charger in the box. |
| Software | |||
| Operating System | Android 11, upgradable to 14 | Android 12, upgradable to 16 | Samsung’s OS is newer, and will receive updates for longer. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Bluetooth | 5.2 | 5.0 | Xiaomi has a newer version of bluetooth, potentially with slightly improved data transfer speeds and connection stability |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, Galileo, GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (L1), BeiDou (B1), Galileo (E1+E5a), BeiDou (B2), NavIC System | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | Xiaomi's GPS is more precise due to the inclusion of more systems. |
| Storage & Memory | |||
| Internal Storage | 128/256 GB | 128/256 GB | Both offer similar storage options with no expandable storage. |
| RAM | 8/12 GB | 6/8 GB | Xiaomi has potentially better multitasking performance when using 12GB version. |
| Audio | |||
| Audio Quality | Hi-Res Audio | Dolby Atmos | Both offer stereo speakers, but Samsung has enhanced audio and spatial effects. |
| Security | |||
| Fingerprint Sensor | Basic | Basic | Both offer basic biometric security. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus | Both have the same, excellent screen protection. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Biometric: Fingerprint, Heart Rate; Motion: Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope; Proximity: Ultrasonic proximity virtual | Biometric: Fingerprint; Proximity: Proximity; Motion: Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope; Environmental: Barometer | Samsung has a more complete sensor suite, while Xiaomi offers a heart rate sensor. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Xiaomi Mi 11 Advantages:
- Larger, Sharper Display: Offers more screen real estate with higher resolution and pixel density, making it better for media consumption and detailed viewing.
- Faster Charging: Supports significantly faster wired and wireless charging, allowing users to spend less time plugged into the wall.
- 8K Video Recording: Enables the capture of highly detailed videos, suitable for professional video production.
- Higher RAM option: 12GB RAM version allows for a better multi-tasking experience.
- More precise GPS: The Mi 11 offers significantly more GPS systems, useful for outdoor activities.
- Heart Rate Sensor: The heart rate sensor allows for monitoring health on the go.
- Dedicated Macro Lens: Offers more versatility in terms of photography.
Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G Advantages:
- Lighter and More Compact: More comfortable for extended use, and better for carrying around.
- Superior Selfie Camera: Higher resolution, wider aperture, and larger sensor result in better selfie quality, particularly in low light conditions.
- Telephoto Lens: Offers optical zoom capabilities, allowing users to get closer to subjects without sacrificing image quality.
- Better Mobile Camera Performance: Slightly better camera performance in overall image quality.
- Newer OS: Comes with a newer version of Android and longer software support.
- Dolby Atmos Sound: Provides a better, more immersive audio experience.
- More complete sensor suite: Includes a barometer, Hall sensor, and geomagnetic sensor, which can provide more information for certain applications.
Trade-offs:
- Xiaomi Mi 11 trades camera versatility for overall image quality and a slightly larger size and weight for a larger display.
- Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G compromises screen real estate and charging speed for portability and better selfie performance.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Xiaomi Mi 11 Ideal Users:
- Media Enthusiasts: Those who consume a lot of videos and games on their phones, benefiting from the larger, high-resolution display.
- Power Users: Those who need fast charging to keep up with heavy daily usage.
- Professional Videographers (Casual): Users who may occasionally use their phone for serious video recordings, due to the 8k recording capabilities.
- Users who require a precise GPS: Ideal for outdoor activities and other tasks requiring accurate GPS.
Use Cases:
- Watching movies and shows on the go.
- Playing graphically intensive games.
- Capturing high-resolution video.
- Multi-tasking with various applications.
- Using the phone as a GPS navigation device during outdoor activities.
Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G Ideal Users:
- Social Media Savvy: Those who take a lot of selfies and value a high-quality front-facing camera.
- Users who want portability: The lighter, more compact size of the phone makes it ideal for travel and on the go.
- Users who want longevity: The S21 FE's newer OS will be supported for a longer period of time.
- Casual Photographers: Those who want good overall photography and optical zoom, but do not need the 8K video recording.
- Audiophiles: Those who value enhanced spatial audio for media consumption
Use Cases:
- Taking high-quality selfies and sharing them on social media.
- General photography with optical zoom capabilities
- Carrying a phone comfortably in a pocket or small bag.
- Using a phone for an extended period without recharging multiple times per day.
- Enjoying an immersive audio experience with enhanced spatial effects.
Price-to-Value Ratio: The price will be a major determining factor between the two phones. If the phones are in a similar price bracket, the value depends more on the user's priorities.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions to Consider:
- What is more important: Display size and sharpness, or portability and better selfie camera? If display is a priority, the Mi 11 is better; if portability is key, then the S21 FE is better.
- Is fast charging a must-have? The Mi 11 offers a significantly faster charging, with 55W wired and 50W wireless charging.
- Do I need 8K video recording, or will 4K suffice? If 8K is needed the Xiaomi is the only option, if not then both are suitable.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: If you are a content creator that often records videos and prioritizes a larger display for editing on the go, the Xiaomi Mi 11 is more suitable due to its 8K capabilities, higher screen resolution, and faster charging.
- Scenario 2: If you are someone who takes a lot of selfies, uses their phone mainly for social media, and prefers a more compact and lighter phone, then the Samsung S21 FE is a better choice due to its superior selfie camera and comfortable design.
- Scenario 3: If you require the best possible performance within this comparison, then the Samsung S21 FE would be more suitable as it has a higher antutu score.
My Choice and Why:
If I had to choose between the two, I would pick the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G. My personal preference would lean towards the slightly more compact size and lighter weight of the Samsung. I would also value the improved selfie camera performance, as I often take photos of myself and others. The inclusion of a telephoto lens also adds value, while I wouldn't make much use of 8K video recording, which I would likely never use. I would prefer the latest software and longer update support, as well as the Dolby Atmos sound.
While the faster charging and larger, sharper display of the Mi 11 are attractive, the portability, slightly better camera performance, and newer OS of the S21 FE better align with my usage patterns and priorities. Ultimately, the best phone depends on the user's specific needs and preferences.
