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InnoReviews

Samsung Galaxy S21 vs Xiaomi 13 Ultra

S
43.6Inno Score
VS
WINNER
Xiaomi 13 Ultra

Xiaomi

Xiaomi 13 Ultra

$1,299

63.8Inno Score
34.4Performance54
49.1Display64.2
40.8Camera69.5
36.9Battery71.6
78.7Features65.3
5 spec wins — Samsung Galaxy S2113 spec wins — Xiaomi 13 Ultra

InnoReviews verdict

Xiaomi 13 Ultra wins this phone face-off, 63.8 to 43.6, pulling ahead mainly in battery (+35) and camera (+29). 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 Samsung Galaxy S21

  • Stronger features score: 79 vs 65
  • 33% higher OS update pledge: 4 years vs 3 years
  • 28% higher telephoto: 64 MP vs 50 MP
  • 25% lower weight: 171 g vs 227 g
  • 13% lower thickness: 7.9 mm vs 9.1 mm
  • Lower launch price: $799 vs $1,299

Reasons to pick the Xiaomi 13 Ultra

  • Stronger performance score: 54 vs 34
  • Stronger display score: 64 vs 49
  • Stronger camera score: 70 vs 41
  • Stronger battery score: 72 vs 37
  • 317% higher Main camera: 50 MP vs 12 MP

Display

Display comparison: Samsung Galaxy S21 versus Xiaomi 13 Ultra
SpecSamsung Galaxy S21Xiaomi 13 Ultra
Screen size6.2 ″6.73 ″+9%
Panel typeAMOLEDLTPO OLED
Resolution2400x10803200x1440
Pixel density421 ppi522 ppi+24%
Refresh rate120 Hz120 Hz
Peak brightness1,300 nits2,600 nits+100%
AnTuTu 10 (CPU)252,025Top 94%—
AnTuTu 10 (GPU)127,819Top 79%—
AnTuTu 10 (Memory)144,909Top 91%—
AnTuTu 10 (UX)221,794Top 88%—

Performance

Performance comparison: Samsung Galaxy S21 versus Xiaomi 13 Ultra
SpecSamsung Galaxy S21Xiaomi 13 Ultra
ChipsetSamsung Exynos 2100Snapdragon 8 Gen 2
AnTuTu 10746,547Top 66%1,550,000+108%Top 22%
Geekbench 6 (single)1,430Top 52%2,050+43%Top 31%
Geekbench 6 (multi)3,550Top 56%5,500+55%Top 28%
RAM (max)8 GB12 GB+50%
Storage options128GB / 256GB256GB / 512GB / 1TB
Storage typeUFS 3.1UFS 4.0

Camera

Camera comparison: Samsung Galaxy S21 versus Xiaomi 13 Ultra
SpecSamsung Galaxy S21Xiaomi 13 Ultra
Main camera12 MP50 MP+317%
Main aperturef/1.8f/1.9-4.0
Ultra-wide12 MP50 MP+317%
Telephoto64 MP+28%50 MP
Optical zoom—5 x
Max video8K@24fps8K@24fps
Front camera10 MP32 MP+220%
OISYesYes

Battery

Battery comparison: Samsung Galaxy S21 versus Xiaomi 13 Ultra
SpecSamsung Galaxy S21Xiaomi 13 Ultra
Capacity4,000 mAh5,000 mAh+25%
Wired charging25 W90 W+260%
Wireless charging15 W50 W+233%

Design

Design comparison: Samsung Galaxy S21 versus Xiaomi 13 Ultra
SpecSamsung Galaxy S21Xiaomi 13 Ultra
Weight171 g+25%227 g
Thickness7.9 mm+13%9.1 mm
IP ratingIP68IP68
Frame materialAluminumAluminum

Connectivity

Connectivity comparison: Samsung Galaxy S21 versus Xiaomi 13 Ultra
SpecSamsung Galaxy S21Xiaomi 13 Ultra
5GYesYes
Wi-FiWi-Fi 6Wi-Fi 6E
Bluetooth5.05.3
NFCYesYes
USBUSB-C 3.2USB-C 3.2
eSIMYesNo

Software

Software comparison: Samsung Galaxy S21 versus Xiaomi 13 Ultra
SpecSamsung Galaxy S21Xiaomi 13 Ultra
OS at launchAndroid 11 (One UI 3.1)Android 13 (MIUI 14)
OS update pledge4 years+33%3 years

Audio

Audio comparison: Samsung Galaxy S21 versus Xiaomi 13 Ultra
SpecSamsung Galaxy S21Xiaomi 13 Ultra
Stereo speakersYesYes
3.5mm jackNoNo

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