Galaxy S21 FE 5G Vs Xiaomi 12T Pro

Galaxy S21 FE 5G
Galaxy S21 FE 5G
Starting at

Refurbished price:159.00

Versus €829.91 new

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Xiaomi 12T Pro
Xiaomi 12T Pro
Starting at

Refurbished price:201.00

Versus €1,199.00 new

See options

Ratings

The Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G, released in January 2022, and the Xiaomi 12T Pro, launched in October 2022, are both Android smartphones designed to offer a comprehensive mobile experience. While the Galaxy S21 FE emphasizes a balanced feature set with robust software support, the Xiaomi 12T Pro focuses on high-resolution imaging and rapid charging capabilities. Both devices operate on the Android platform, providing users with access to a vast ecosystem of applications and services.

Scores

Durability

The longevity of a smartphone is influenced by its release timeline, software support, and physical durability.

  • Release Timeline & Software Support: The Galaxy S21 FE 5G, released in January 2022, benefits from Samsung's commitment to provide up to four years of Android operating system updates, extending its software support to Android 16, and five years of security updates. The Xiaomi 12T Pro, launched in October 2022, is slated to receive three major Android OS updates and four years of security updates. This means the Galaxy S21 FE 5G offers a slightly longer period of guaranteed software feature updates.
  • Repairability & Practical Lifespan: The Galaxy S21 FE 5G has a repairability score of 7.5 out of 10, indicating that many components are relatively accessible for replacement, though the battery is noted as being tightly glued. The Xiaomi 12T Pro has a repairability score of 7 out of 10, suggesting a good level of repair ease. Both devices are designed with components that can be serviced, contributing to their potential practical lifespan, especially when considering quality-assured refurbished options.
  • Physical Durability: The Galaxy S21 FE 5G features Corning Gorilla Glass Victus on the front and an IP68 rating for dust and water resistance, allowing submersion up to 1.5 meters for 30 minutes. The Xiaomi 12T Pro comes with Corning Gorilla Glass 5 protection on its display and an IP53 rating, offering protection against dust and splashes.

Year of Release

2022

2022

Compatible with latest Update

Yes

Yes

OS

Android

Android

Foldable

No

No

Performance

Both smartphones are equipped with powerful internal components designed to handle demanding tasks, though they approach performance with different underlying architectures.

  • Processing Power: The Galaxy S21 FE 5G is powered by a processor that delivers strong performance for everyday applications, multitasking, and mobile gaming, with users generally reporting smooth operation. The Xiaomi 12T Pro features a newer-generation processor, which provides robust performance for intensive applications and graphically demanding games, often maintaining smooth frame rates.
  • Multitasking & Storage: The Galaxy S21 FE 5G is available with 6GB or 8GB of RAM, paired with 128GB or 256GB of internal storage, providing ample space and efficient multitasking capabilities for most users. The Xiaomi 12T Pro offers configurations with 8GB or 12GB of RAM and 128GB or 256GB of storage, catering to users who require more memory for heavy multitasking or larger storage for media and applications.
  • Battery Behavior: The Galaxy S21 FE 5G includes a 4500mAh battery, which typically provides all-day power for moderate use, supporting fast wired and wireless charging. The Xiaomi 12T Pro is equipped with a larger 5000mAh battery and features exceptionally fast 120W wired charging, capable of fully charging the device in a short period.

Memory (GB)

6 GB

8 GB

Screen quality

The visual experience on both devices is a key consideration, with each offering a high-quality display tailored for vibrant content consumption.

  • Display Technology & Clarity: The Galaxy S21 FE 5G features a 6.4-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display with a Full HD+ resolution (1080x2400 pixels), delivering sharp images and vibrant colors. The Xiaomi 12T Pro boasts a larger 6.67-inch CrystalRes AMOLED display with a higher resolution of 1220x2712 pixels, offering enhanced clarity and detail.
  • Brightness & Smoothness: Both phones feature a 120Hz adaptive refresh rate for smooth scrolling and responsive interactions. The Galaxy S21 FE 5G's display can reach a peak brightness of up to 1200 nits, ensuring good visibility in various lighting conditions. The Xiaomi 12T Pro offers a typical brightness of 500 nits and a peak brightness of 900 nits.
  • Viewing Experience: Both displays support HDR10+ for improved contrast and color depth. The Xiaomi 12T Pro further enhances its visual capabilities with Dolby Vision support and a 12-bit color depth, allowing for a wider range of colors and more nuanced gradients.

Resolution

1080 x 2340

1220 x 2712

Screen type

Dynamic AMOLED 2X

AMOLED

Audiovisual

Photography and videography capabilities are significant aspects of modern smartphones, and both devices offer distinct camera systems.

  • Rear Camera Systems: The Galaxy S21 FE 5G is equipped with a versatile triple-camera setup, including a 12MP main sensor with optical image stabilization (OIS), a 12MP ultrawide lens, and an 8MP telephoto lens capable of 3x optical zoom. The Xiaomi 12T Pro features a high-resolution 200MP main camera with OIS, an 8MP ultrawide lens, and a 2MP macro lens.
  • Photography Performance: The Galaxy S21 FE 5G delivers consistent image quality across its lenses, with reliable performance in various lighting conditions and effective optical zoom. The Xiaomi 12T Pro's 200MP main sensor excels in capturing highly detailed images, particularly in good lighting, and offers strong low-light performance due to pixel-binning technology. However, its ultrawide and macro cameras are generally considered less capable than the main sensor.
  • Video Recording & Front Camera: Both devices support 4K video recording, with the Galaxy S21 FE 5G capable of 4K at 60 frames per second, and the Xiaomi 12T Pro offering up to 8K at 24 frames per second and 4K at 60 frames per second. For selfies, the Galaxy S21 FE 5G has a 32MP front camera, while the Xiaomi 12T Pro features a 20MP front camera.

Main camera

12 megapixels

200 megapixels

Front camera

32 megapixels

20 megapixels

Miscellaneous

Beyond core features, several practical elements contribute to the overall user experience and device utility.

  • Connectivity & Ports: Both smartphones support 5G connectivity, ensuring access to fast mobile networks. They also include modern Wi-Fi standards and Bluetooth for wireless connections. The Galaxy S21 FE 5G and Xiaomi 12T Pro both utilize a USB-C port for charging and data transfer.
  • Security & Biometrics: For secure access, both devices feature in-display optical fingerprint sensors. They also support face recognition for convenient unlocking.
  • Design & Handling: The Galaxy S21 FE 5G weighs 177 grams and measures 155.7 x 74.5 x 7.9 mm, featuring an aluminum frame and a plastic back. The Xiaomi 12T Pro is slightly heavier at 205 grams and measures 163.1 x 75.9 x 8.6 mm, with a glass back and a plastic frame. The choice of materials and dimensions impacts the in-hand feel and overall portability.

Weight

177 g

204 g

Screen size (in)

6.4

6.67

Network

5G

5G

SIM card

Physical SIM

Dual Physical SIM

Carrier compatibility

Unlocked

Unlocked

The Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G and the Xiaomi 12T Pro each present a compelling package, catering to slightly different user priorities. Users often praise the Galaxy S21 FE 5G for its consistent camera performance, robust software update policy, and comprehensive durability with an IP68 rating. Some common feedback points to potential heating under sustained heavy use, particularly with certain processor variants.

The Xiaomi 12T Pro frequently receives acclaim for its powerful processor, exceptionally fast charging, and the impressive detail captured by its high-resolution main camera, especially in low-light conditions. Conversely, some users note that the secondary cameras (ultrawide and macro) do not match the quality of the main sensor, and the software experience (MIUI) can sometimes feel less streamlined.

Users prioritizing extended software support, a highly durable build with strong water resistance, and a balanced camera system that includes optical zoom may find the Galaxy S21 FE 5G well-suited to their needs. Those who value cutting-edge processing power, rapid battery replenishment, and a high-resolution main camera for detailed photography, even if it means a slightly less versatile secondary camera setup, may lean toward the Xiaomi 12T Pro. Both devices are available as quality-assured refurbished options, providing an eco-friendly alternative for consumers.

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