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InnoReviews

Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G vs Xiaomi 17 Ultra

Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G
45.2Inno Score
VS
WINNER
Xiaomi 17 Ultra
81.4Inno Score
37.5Performance87.6
47.2Display67.4
41.7Camera77
41.7Battery81
78.7Features100
2 spec wins — Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G12 spec wins — Xiaomi 17 Ultra

InnoReviews verdict

Xiaomi 17 Ultra wins this phone face-off, 81.4 to 45.2, pulling ahead mainly in performance (+50) and battery (+39). 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

  • 19% lower weight: 177 g vs 219 g

Reasons to pick the Xiaomi 17 Ultra

  • Stronger performance score: 88 vs 38
  • Stronger display score: 67 vs 47
  • Stronger camera score: 77 vs 42
  • Stronger battery score: 81 vs 42
  • Stronger features score: 100 vs 79

Display

Display comparison: Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G versus Xiaomi 17 Ultra
SpecSamsung Galaxy S21 FE 5GXiaomi 17 Ultra
Screen size6.4 ″6.9 ″+8%
Panel typeAMOLEDLTPO AMOLED
Resolution2340x10801200x2608
Pixel density401 ppi416 ppi+4%
Refresh rate120 Hz120 Hz
Peak brightness1,200 nits3,500 nits+192%
Screen-to-body—92.3 %

Performance

Performance comparison: Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G versus Xiaomi 17 Ultra
SpecSamsung Galaxy S21 FE 5GXiaomi 17 Ultra
ChipsetSnapdragon 888Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5
AnTuTuDifferent AnTuTu versions — not compared1,040,3243,600,724Top 6%
AnTuTu 11 (CPU)—1,032,276Top 6%
AnTuTu 11 (GPU)—1,345,109Top 6%
AnTuTu 11 (Memory)—495,988Top 2%
AnTuTu 11 (UX)—727,351Top 6%
Geekbench 6 (single)1,450Top 44%—
Geekbench 6 (multi)3,650Top 50%—
RAM (max)6 GB16 GB+167%
Storage options128GB / 256GB512GB/1TB
Storage typeUFS 3.1UFS 4.1

Camera

Camera comparison: Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G versus Xiaomi 17 Ultra
SpecSamsung Galaxy S21 FE 5GXiaomi 17 Ultra
Main camera12 MP50 MP+317%
Main aperturef/1.8f/1.67
Ultra-wide12 MP50 MP+317%
Telephoto8 MP200 MP+2400%
Optical zoom3 x4.3 x+43%
Max video4K@60fps8K@30fps
Front camera32 MP50 MP+56%
OISYesYes

Battery

Battery comparison: Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G versus Xiaomi 17 Ultra
SpecSamsung Galaxy S21 FE 5GXiaomi 17 Ultra
Capacity4,500 mAh6,000 mAh+33%
Wired charging25 W90 W+260%
Wireless charging15 W50 W+233%

Design

Design comparison: Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G versus Xiaomi 17 Ultra
SpecSamsung Galaxy S21 FE 5GXiaomi 17 Ultra
Weight177 g+19%219 g
Thickness7.9 mm+5%8.3 mm
IP ratingIP68IP68/IP69
Frame materialAluminumAluminum

Connectivity

Connectivity comparison: Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G versus Xiaomi 17 Ultra
SpecSamsung Galaxy S21 FE 5GXiaomi 17 Ultra
5GYesYes
Wi-FiWi-Fi 6Wi-Fi 7
Bluetooth5.06.0
NFCYesYes
USBUSB-C 3.2USB-C 3.2
eSIMYesYes

Software

Software comparison: Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G versus Xiaomi 17 Ultra
SpecSamsung Galaxy S21 FE 5GXiaomi 17 Ultra
OS at launchAndroid 12 (One UI 4)Android 16 (HyperOS 3)
OS update pledge4 years—

Audio

Audio comparison: Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G versus Xiaomi 17 Ultra
SpecSamsung Galaxy S21 FE 5GXiaomi 17 Ultra
Stereo speakersYesYes
3.5mm jackNoNo

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