1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Xiaomi Mi 11 | Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 164.3 × 74.6 × 8.1 mm | 165.1 × 75.6 × 8.9 mm | Mi 11 is slightly more compact and thinner, potentially more comfortable to hold. S21 Ultra is a bit bulkier. |
| Weight | 196g | 227g | Mi 11 is significantly lighter, which makes it more comfortable for extended use and carrying around. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.81" | 6.8" | Negligible difference in size; both are large, providing immersive viewing experiences. |
| Resolution | 1440x3200 | 1440x3200 | Identical; both offer sharp and detailed visuals. |
| PPI | 515 | 515 | Identical pixel density; both screens appear equally crisp. |
| Technology | AMOLED | AMOLED | Identical AMOLED technology; both provide vibrant colors, deep blacks, and excellent contrast. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | Identical refresh rate; both screens offer smooth scrolling and animations. |
| Brightness | 1500 nits | 1500 nits | Identical peak brightness; both screens are easily visible even in direct sunlight. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Snapdragon 888 (5nm) | Exynos 2100 (5nm) - International | Different chipsets; Snapdragon 888 generally has a slight edge in raw performance and power efficiency. Real-world difference might be minimal. |
| AnTuTu Score | 806,139 | 749,000 | Mi 11 demonstrates marginally better performance according to benchmarks, which translates to slightly faster app launching and gaming. |
| GPU | Adreno 660 | Mali-G78 MP14 - International | Different GPUs; Adreno 660 is generally better for gaming and graphics-intensive tasks. |
| Camera | |||
| Standard | 108MP f/1.85, 1/1.33" | 108MP f/1.8, 1/1.33" | S21 Ultra has a wider aperture (f/1.8), allowing slightly more light, which may improve low-light performance. |
| Telephoto + Portrait | N/A | 10.8MP f/2.4, 1/2.65" | S21 Ultra has a dedicated telephoto lens for better portrait and zoom shots; Mi 11 lacks this dedicated lens |
| Selfie | 20MP f/2.3, 1/3.4" | 44MP f/2.2, 1/2.65" | S21 Ultra has a higher-resolution, larger sensor, and wider aperture, suggesting better selfies, especially in low light. |
| Telephoto Lens | N/A | 10.8MP f/4.9, 1/2.65" | S21 Ultra has a dedicated telephoto lens for enhanced optical zoom capabilities; Mi 11 lacks this dedicated lens. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 13MP f/2.3, 1/3.06" | N/A | Mi 11 has a dedicated wide-angle lens for capturing broader scenes; S21 Ultra lacks a dedicated wide-angle lens. |
| Macro Lens | 5MP f/2.0, 1/5" | N/A | Mi 11 has a dedicated macro lens for close-up shots; S21 Ultra lacks a dedicated macro lens. |
| Wide Angle + Macro | N/A | 12.2MP f/2.2, 1/2.55" | S21 Ultra has a combined wide-angle and macro lens, offering versatility; Mi 11 lacks this specific lens configuration. |
| Video | Up to 8K@24/30fps, HDR, EIS | Up to 8K@24fps, HDR, EIS, Stereo Sound | Both offer high-resolution video capture, with S21 Ultra having additional Stereo Sound in video recordings. |
| DxoMark Selfie | Main: 112 Photo: 100 Video: 133 | Main: 135, Photo: 133 Video: 140 | S21 Ultra has significantly better performance on selfie tests. |
| DxoMark Mobile | N/A | Main: 115 Photo: 121 Video: 100 | S21 Ultra performs better overall on camera tests (photo and video) |
| Camera Features | OIS, EIS, Laser AF, etc. | OIS, EIS, Laser AF, PDAF, Night Mode, etc. | Both share key features. S21 Ultra has additional optical zoom and PDAF, while Mi 11 has "Ultra Stable Video" and "AF Assist Beam" |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 4600 mAh | 5000 mAh | S21 Ultra has a slightly larger battery, potentially offering slightly longer battery life under similar usage conditions. |
| Charging | 55W Fast Charging | 25W Fast Charging | Mi 11 charges significantly faster than S21 Ultra, meaning shorter wait times to fully charge. |
| Wireless Charging | 50W | 15W | Mi 11 offers significantly faster wireless charging. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 (up to 14) | Android 11 (up to 15) | S21 Ultra will receive an additional year of software updates compared to the Mi 11. |
| Connectivity | |||
| WiFi | Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) | Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) | Both support the latest WiFi standards. |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.2 LE, LDAC, AAC | Bluetooth 5.2 LE, AVRCP, etc. | Both have Bluetooth 5.2, with minor differences in supported codecs. S21 Ultra has support for additional profiles. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, etc | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, etc | Mi 11 supports additional satellite systems for more precise location tracking. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 128GB/256GB | 128GB/256GB/512GB | S21 Ultra offers a larger 512GB storage option. |
| RAM | 8GB/12GB | 12GB/16GB | S21 Ultra offers up to 16GB of RAM, beneficial for heavy multitasking and demanding games. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither phone supports expandable storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Stereo Speakers, 2 mics | Stereo Speakers, Dolby Atmos, Noise cancelling Mic | S21 Ultra has enhanced audio features (Dolby Atmos), while both have stereo speakers. S21 Ultra also has a noise cancellation microphone. |
| Security | |||
| Features | Fingerprint Sensor | Fingerprint Sensor | Both use a basic fingerprint sensor for security. |
| Sensors | Biometric: Fingerprint, Heart Rate; Motion: Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope; Proximity: Ultrasonic proximity virtual | Biometric: Fingerprint; Proximity: Proximity; Motion: Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope; Environmental: Barometer | Mi 11 has a Heart Rate sensor, while S21 Ultra has environmental sensors like Barometer. |
| ## 2. Key Differences Analysis |
Xiaomi Mi 11 Advantages:
- Lighter and Thinner: The Mi 11 is more comfortable for extended use.
- Faster Charging: 55W wired and 50W wireless charging offers significantly faster charging.
- Better Benchmark Performance: Scores slightly higher in benchmarks, leading to smoother app launching and gaming.
- Wider Range of Satellites Better GPS location accuracy due to the support of additional satellite systems
- Macro & Wide Angle Lens: Dedicated macro lens and wide-angle lens.
- Price: Generally available at a lower price point.
Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G Advantages:
- More versatile Camera System: Dedicated telephoto lenses for better zoom capabilities.
- Better selfie camera: Superior selfie camera performance in both photo and video.
- Larger Battery: Slightly larger battery provides a bit more battery life.
- More RAM and Storage Options: Offers a 512GB storage option and up to 16GB of RAM.
- Superior Audio System: Dolby Atmos support and noise cancellation microphone for a better audio experience.
- Longer Software Support: Guarantees an additional year of software updates.
- Better Overall Camera Performance Better performance in mobile photography in terms of photo and video quality, according to DXOMark tests
Trade-offs:
- Xiaomi Mi 11: Sacrifices advanced camera versatility and some audio features for faster charging and lighter build.
- Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G: Bulkier and heavier, charges slower but offers a more versatile camera and larger storage options.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Xiaomi Mi 11:
- Ideal User: Tech enthusiasts, gamers, and users who prioritize fast charging, a lightweight design, and good overall performance at a competitive price.
- Use Cases:
- Gaming (smooth experience with Adreno 660 and Snapdragon 888).
- Media consumption (large AMOLED display with 120Hz refresh rate).
- Frequent travelers who need quick charging.
- Everyday users who don't need advanced camera features.
Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G:
- Ideal User: Photography enthusiasts, professionals, and users who prioritize a premium camera experience, more RAM and storage, and long-term software support.
- Use Cases:
- Professional photography and videography (versatile camera system with zoom capabilities).
- Heavy multitasking (16 GB of RAM)
- Users requiring more storage (512GB option).
- Users who prefer the Samsung ecosystem.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions to Consider:
- Camera Priorities: Do you need advanced zoom capabilities and high-quality selfies (S21 Ultra) or a good camera and macro/wide-angle lenses (Mi 11)?
- Performance and Speed: Do you prioritize faster charging and a lighter device (Mi 11) or a more versatile camera and longer software support (S21 Ultra)?
- Storage and RAM: Do you need the maximum storage and RAM available (S21 Ultra), or are the options on the Mi 11 sufficient?
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Budget-Conscious User: Choose the Xiaomi Mi 11 if you want excellent core performance with fast charging and a lighter build on a budget.
- Photography Enthusiast: Choose the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G if you need a versatile camera system, advanced zoom capabilities, and superior selfie performance.
- Power User: Choose the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G if you need the most RAM and storage for heavy multitasking and demanding applications, in addition to premium camera features.
- Traveler: Choose the Xiaomi Mi 11 for its lighter design, faster charging and great performance, while the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G for its versatile camera system.
What would I choose?
I would choose the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G. While I appreciate the faster charging speed and lighter build of the Xiaomi Mi 11, the versatility and superior performance of the S21 Ultra's camera system, paired with the longer software support and enhanced audio capabilities, make it the better choice for my personal usage. As someone who values a premium camera experience and plans to use the device for an extended period, the S21 Ultra aligns more closely with my needs. The additional RAM and storage are also appealing for future-proofing. Although it is heavier and charges slower, the overall package offers a more compelling experience for my specific preferences and use cases.
