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InnoReviews

POCO M8 5G vs Samsung Galaxy S21

WINNER
POCO M8 5G

Xiaomi

POCO M8 5G

$229

48.2Inno Score
VS
Samsung Galaxy S21
43.6Inno Score
35Performance34.4
64Display49.1
31.6Camera40.8
57.4Battery36.9
70.7Features78.7
13 spec wins — POCO M8 5G7 spec wins — Samsung Galaxy S21

InnoReviews verdict

POCO M8 5G wins this phone face-off, 48.2 to 43.6, pulling ahead mainly in battery (+21) and display (+15). Samsung Galaxy S21 still makes sense if its price or standout specs fit your needs better.

Which would you pick?

Key differences

Reasons to pick the POCO M8 5G

  • Stronger display score: 64 vs 49
  • Stronger battery score: 57 vs 37
  • 317% higher Main camera: 50 MP vs 12 MP
  • 146% higher Peak brightness: 3,200 nits vs 1,300 nits
  • 100% higher Front camera: 20 MP vs 10 MP
  • Lower launch price: $229 vs $799

Reasons to pick the Samsung Galaxy S21

  • Stronger camera score: 41 vs 32
  • Stronger features score: 79 vs 71
  • 40% higher Geekbench 6 (single): 1,430 vs 1,024
  • 20% higher Geekbench 6 (multi): 3,550 vs 2,960
  • Has OIS — the other doesn't

Display

Display comparison: POCO M8 5G versus Samsung Galaxy S21
SpecPOCO M8 5GSamsung Galaxy S21
Screen size6.77 ″+9%6.2 ″
Panel typeAMOLEDAMOLED
Resolution1080x23922400x1080
Pixel density388 ppi421 ppi+9%
Refresh rate120 Hz120 Hz
Peak brightness3,200 nits+146%1,300 nits
Screen-to-body92 %—

Performance

Performance comparison: POCO M8 5G versus Samsung Galaxy S21
SpecPOCO M8 5GSamsung Galaxy S21
ChipsetSnapdragon 6 Gen 3Samsung Exynos 2100
AnTuTu 11837,903+12%Bottom 30%746,547Bottom 18%
AnTuTu 11 (CPU)292,124+16%Bottom 20%252,025Bottom 14%
AnTuTu 11 (GPU)130,371+2%Bottom 36%127,819Bottom 35%
AnTuTu 11 (Memory)179,700+24%Bottom 39%144,909Bottom 16%
AnTuTu 11 (UX)235,708+6%Bottom 25%221,794Bottom 18%
Geekbench 6 (single)1,024Bottom 35%1,430+40%Top 46%
Geekbench 6 (multi)2,960Bottom 38%3,550+20%Bottom 50%
Wild Life Extreme stability99 %Top 26%—
RAM (max)12 GB+50%8 GB
Storage options256/512GB128GB / 256GB
Storage typeUFS 2.2UFS 3.1

Camera

Camera comparison: POCO M8 5G versus Samsung Galaxy S21
SpecPOCO M8 5GSamsung Galaxy S21
Main camera50 MP+317%12 MP
Main aperturef/1.8f/1.8
Ultra-wide—12 MP
Telephoto—64 MP
Max video4K@30fps8K@24fps
Front camera20 MP+100%10 MP
OISNoYes

Battery

Battery comparison: POCO M8 5G versus Samsung Galaxy S21
SpecPOCO M8 5GSamsung Galaxy S21
Capacity5,520 mAh+38%4,000 mAh
Wired charging45 W+80%25 W
Wireless charging0 W15 W

Design

Design comparison: POCO M8 5G versus Samsung Galaxy S21
SpecPOCO M8 5GSamsung Galaxy S21
Weight178 g171 g+4%
Thickness7.4 mm+7%7.9 mm
IP ratingIP66IP68
Frame materialPlasticAluminum

Connectivity

Connectivity comparison: POCO M8 5G versus Samsung Galaxy S21
SpecPOCO M8 5GSamsung Galaxy S21
5GYesYes
Wi-FiWi-Fi 5Wi-Fi 6
Bluetooth5.15.0
NFCYesYes
USBUSB-C 2.0USB-C 3.2
eSIMNoYes

Software

Software comparison: POCO M8 5G versus Samsung Galaxy S21
SpecPOCO M8 5GSamsung Galaxy S21
OS at launchAndroid 15 (HyperOS 2)Android 11 (One UI 3.1)
OS update pledge4 years4 years

Audio

Audio comparison: POCO M8 5G versus Samsung Galaxy S21
SpecPOCO M8 5GSamsung Galaxy S21
Stereo speakersYesYes
3.5mm jackNoNo

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