Smartphone Comparison: Xiaomi Poco M3 vs. Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G
1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Xiaomi Poco M3 | Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 162.3 × 77.3 × 9.6 mm | 161.5 × 75.6 × 7.8 mm | Poco M3 is slightly larger, wider, and thicker; S21+ 5G is slimmer and more pocketable. |
| Weight | 198g | 200g | Virtually identical weights; both feel similar in-hand. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.53" | 6.7" | S21+ 5G offers a slightly larger screen, better for media consumption. |
| Resolution | 1080x2340 | 1080x2400 | Both offer similar sharpness; minor difference not noticeable in daily use. |
| Pixel Density (PPI) | 395 | 394 | Similar pixel density; both appear equally sharp. |
| Technology | IPS LCD | AMOLED | S21+ 5G has significantly better display quality with vibrant colors, deep blacks, and better power efficiency. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 120Hz | S21+ 5G offers much smoother scrolling and animations. |
| Brightness | 0 nits (spec missing) | 1300 nits | S21+ 5G is much better for outdoor use in sunlight. Xiaomi brightness is missing. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 662 (11 nm) | Exynos 2100 (5 nm) | S21+ 5G offers significantly faster processing, better for gaming and demanding tasks. |
| AnTuTu Score | 185,028 | 749,100 | S21+ 5G offers a substantially faster experience, apps load much quicker. |
| GPU | Adreno 610 | Mali-G78 MP14 | S21+ 5G offers a vastly superior gaming experience. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 6000mAh | 4800mAh | Poco M3 has a larger battery, potentially offering longer battery life. Actual use can vary |
| Charging | 18W Fast Charging | 25W Fast Charging | S21+ 5G charges faster, reducing waiting time. |
| Features | 22.5W charger in-box, Reverse Charging | Wireless Charging 15W, Reverse Wireless Charging 4.5W, No Charger in-box, Reverse Charging | Poco M3 includes charger; S21+ 5G has wireless and reverse wireless charging but requires a separate charger purchase. |
| Camera | |||
| Standard Camera | 48MP, f/1.79, 1/2", 0.80µm | 12MP, f/1.8, 1/1.76", 1.80µm | Poco M3 has higher resolution; S21+ 5G has a larger sensor and larger pixels, often resulting in better low-light photos and better image quality. |
| Telephoto Camera | None | 64MP, f/2.0, 1/1.72", 0.80µm | S21+ 5G has a telephoto camera with zoom capabilities; Poco M3 has no telephoto lens. |
| Selfie Camera | 8MP, f/2.0, 1/4", 1.12µm | 10MP, f/2.2, 1/3.2", 1.22µm | S21+ 5G has a slightly better sensor and larger pixels, potentially better selfie quality. |
| Wide Angle/Macro | None | 12.2MP, f/2.2, 1/2.55", 1.40µm | S21+ 5G offers a wide-angle and macro lens for versatile photography; Poco M3 lacks this feature. |
| Video Recording | 1080p@30fps | 8K@24fps, 4K@60fps, 1080p@240fps | S21+ 5G offers superior video quality and slow-motion capabilities. |
| Stabilization | No | Yes | S21+ 5G offers superior stabilization of the video. |
| DxOMark | - | Mobile: 111 | S21+ 5G has a tested DxOMark score, providing a benchmark for camera quality; Poco M3 has no available score. |
| Additional Features | Digital zoom, Triple camera, Digital image stabilization | 4K, 8K Video, Optical zoom, Optical Stabilization, RAW, Night Mode | S21+ 5G offers more advanced camera features, including optical zoom and stabilization, night mode. |
| Software | |||
| Operating System | Android 10 | Android 11 (upgradable to 15) | S21+ 5G has newer OS and long term software support. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | 802.11ac | Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) | S21+ 5G offers faster and more reliable Wi-Fi connections. |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 | 5.0 | S21+ 5G has more advanced Bluetooth profiles for better connectivity. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo, NavIC System | GPS (L1+L5), A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo (E1+E5a) | S21+ 5G has dual-band GPS for more accurate positioning. |
| SIM | Dual Nano SIM | Dual Nano SIM / eSIM | S21+ 5G offers the flexibility of an eSIM. |
| Storage & RAM | |||
| Internal Storage | 64 GB or 128 GB | 128 GB or 256 GB | S21+ 5G offers more internal storage, especially with the 256 GB option. |
| RAM | 4 GB or 6 GB | 8 GB | S21+ 5G has more RAM, leading to better performance when multitasking. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone supports expandable storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Audio Quality | Hi-Res Audio, Stereo Speakers | Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res Audio, Noise cancellation microphone, Stereo Speakers | S21+ 5G offers a richer audio experience with Dolby Atmos and noise cancellation. |
| Security | |||
| Fingerprint Sensor | side-mounted | basic | Poco M3 has a more convenient side-mounted sensor; S21+ 5G has basic sensor. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Gorilla Glass 3 | Gorilla Glass Victus | S21+ 5G has significantly more durable screen protection. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Accelerometer, Compass, Ultrasonic proximity virtual | Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Barometer, Proximity, Hall, Geomagnetic | S21+ 5G has a more comprehensive sensor suite. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Xiaomi Poco M3 Advantages:
- Larger Battery: 6000mAh battery offers potentially longer battery life for users who need all-day power without frequent charging.
- Included Charger: Comes with a 22.5W charger in the box.
- Side-mounted fingerprint sensor: It is often seen as more convenient.
Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G Advantages:
- Superior Display: AMOLED screen with 120Hz refresh rate, significantly brighter, providing a much better visual experience.
- Much Faster Performance: Exynos 2100 chipset provides superior performance for demanding tasks like gaming, video editing, and multitasking.
- Better Camera System: Telephoto and wide-angle lenses, better sensors and video quality offer more versatile and higher-quality photography.
- Faster Charging: 25W fast charging and wireless charging options.
- More Modern Software: Newer Android OS and longer-term software support.
- Advanced Connectivity: Wi-Fi 6, dual-band GPS, and more advanced Bluetooth profiles for improved connection stability and speed.
- Better Build Quality: Superior screen protection with Gorilla Glass Victus.
- More Advanced Features: Dolby Atmos, reverse wireless charging, and other features that provide a better user experience
Trade-offs:
- Xiaomi Poco M3: Sacrifices performance, display quality, and camera features for a lower price point and longer battery life.
- Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G: Significantly more expensive but offers a premium experience in display, performance, and camera capabilities.
- No charger in-box: The Samsung S21+ 5G requires a separate purchase for a charger.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Xiaomi Poco M3 Ideal User:
- Budget-Conscious Users: Prioritize affordability and long battery life over performance and high-end features.
- Basic Smartphone Users: Primarily use the phone for calls, messaging, social media, and light web browsing.
- Users Needing Long Battery Life: Users who need a long battery life.
Use Cases:
- Long trips or travel: Where access to charging might be limited.
- Basic daily tasks: Where high performance or top quality visuals are not required.
- Backup phone: When you need a reliable phone at a low cost.
Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G Ideal User:
- Performance Enthusiasts: Prioritize speed and performance for gaming, multitasking, and demanding apps.
- Photography Lovers: Need high-quality photos and versatile camera options with great video capability.
- Premium Experience Seekers: Want the best display, build quality, and overall user experience.
- Multimedia Consumers: Enjoy high-quality video and audio.
Use Cases:
- Gaming: Fast processing and excellent display for smooth gameplay.
- Photography and Video: Capturing high-quality images and 8K videos, and enjoying advanced features.
- Productivity: Multitasking and utilizing demanding apps.
- Professional Use: Where high-quality photography, fast processing, and robust performance are essential.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- Budget: How much are you willing to spend on a smartphone?
- Primary Use Case: What will you mainly use the phone for (e.g., gaming, photography, basic communication)?
- Must-Have Features: Which features are most important to you (e.g., battery life, display quality, camera capabilities)?
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Budget-Conscious & Battery Focused: If your budget is tight and you need excellent battery life, the Xiaomi Poco M3 is a suitable option.
- Balanced User with Moderate Budget: If you want a better display and more performance the Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G would be a better fit if the price is not a big issue.
- Premium User with No Budget Constraints: If you want the best display, camera, performance, and overall experience the Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G is the better choice.
My Choice
If I were choosing between these two phones, I would pick the Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G. While it's significantly more expensive, the improvements in display quality (AMOLED, 120Hz, and much higher brightness), performance (with the superior chipset and GPU), and camera capabilities (telephoto lens, better video, optical image stabilization, and all the features) justify the higher price for me. I value a smooth user experience, excellent visual fidelity, and high-quality camera results. While the Poco M3 has a large battery, I can manage the battery life of the S21+ 5G with regular charging, and benefit significantly from the other advantages. Also the longer term software support is also something I value, and the fact that the S21+ has much better build quality with more advanced sensors is also a plus.
