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InnoReviews

Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G vs Xiaomi 12

Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G
45.2Inno Score
VS
WINNER
Xiaomi 12

Xiaomi

Xiaomi 12

$749

50.9Inno Score
37.5Performance43.2
47.2Display47.7
41.7Camera47
41.7Battery62.5
78.7Features65.3
6 spec wins — Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G9 spec wins — Xiaomi 12

InnoReviews verdict

Xiaomi 12 wins this phone face-off, 50.9 to 45.2, pulling ahead mainly in battery (+21) and performance (+6). Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G still makes sense if its price or standout specs fit your needs better.

Which would you pick?

Key differences

Reasons to pick the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G

  • Stronger features score: 79 vs 65
  • 33% higher OS update pledge: 4 years vs 3 years
  • Has eSIM — the other doesn't

Reasons to pick the Xiaomi 12

  • Stronger performance score: 43 vs 38
  • Stronger camera score: 47 vs 42
  • Stronger battery score: 63 vs 42
  • 317% higher Main camera: 50 MP vs 12 MP
  • 233% higher Wireless charging: 50 W vs 15 W

Display

Display comparison: Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G versus Xiaomi 12
SpecSamsung Galaxy S21 FE 5GXiaomi 12
Screen size6.4 ″+2%6.28 ″
Panel typeAMOLEDAMOLED
Resolution2340x10802400x1080
Pixel density401 ppi419 ppi+4%
Refresh rate120 Hz120 Hz
Peak brightness1,200 nits+9%1,100 nits

Performance

Performance comparison: Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G versus Xiaomi 12
SpecSamsung Galaxy S21 FE 5GXiaomi 12
ChipsetSnapdragon 888Snapdragon 8 Gen 1
AnTuTu 101,040,324Top 46%1,150,000+11%Top 37%
Geekbench 6 (single)1,450Top 48%1,720+19%Top 43%
Geekbench 6 (multi)3,650Top 53%4,300+18%Top 45%
RAM (max)6 GB8 GB+33%
Storage options128GB / 256GB128GB / 256GB
Storage typeUFS 3.1UFS 3.1

Camera

Camera comparison: Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G versus Xiaomi 12
SpecSamsung Galaxy S21 FE 5GXiaomi 12
Main camera12 MP50 MP+317%
Main aperturef/1.8f/1.9
Ultra-wide12 MP13 MP+8%
Telephoto8 MP—
Optical zoom3 x—
Max video4K@60fps8K@24fps
Front camera32 MP32 MP
OISYesYes

Battery

Battery comparison: Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G versus Xiaomi 12
SpecSamsung Galaxy S21 FE 5GXiaomi 12
Capacity4,500 mAh4,500 mAh
Wired charging25 W67 W+168%
Wireless charging15 W50 W+233%

Design

Design comparison: Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G versus Xiaomi 12
SpecSamsung Galaxy S21 FE 5GXiaomi 12
Weight177 g+2%180 g
Thickness7.9 mm+4%8.2 mm
IP ratingIP68—
Frame materialAluminumAluminum

Connectivity

Connectivity comparison: Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G versus Xiaomi 12
SpecSamsung Galaxy S21 FE 5GXiaomi 12
5GYesYes
Wi-FiWi-Fi 6Wi-Fi 6
Bluetooth5.05.2
NFCYesYes
USBUSB-C 3.2USB-C 2.0
eSIMYesNo

Software

Software comparison: Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G versus Xiaomi 12
SpecSamsung Galaxy S21 FE 5GXiaomi 12
OS at launchAndroid 12 (One UI 4)Android 12 (MIUI 13)
OS update pledge4 years+33%3 years

Audio

Audio comparison: Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G versus Xiaomi 12
SpecSamsung Galaxy S21 FE 5GXiaomi 12
Stereo speakersYesYes
3.5mm jackNoNo

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