Choosing a new smartphone in 2021 has become a difficult dilemma as the gap between the tech giants has narrowed to a minimum. Whereas the iPhone was the undisputed leader in performance and Android devices were the price tag, now things have changed dramatically, with consumers having to consider not only the specifications, but also the ecosystem, the duration of support and even personal design preferences.
This year, three major players have been particularly prominent: South Korea’s Samsung with its Galaxy S21, China’s Xiaomi with its Mi 11 flagship, and America’s Apple with its iPhone 13 lineup. Each of these models offers a unique experience, but also has its own trade-offs that can be decisive when buying.
In this article, we will conduct an in-depth analysis of the key aspects to help you decide on your brand, and we will not just list the characteristics, but will look at how these devices behave in real life, not just in synthetic tests.
Performance and energy efficiency of processors
In 2021, the struggle erupted around chipsets. Apple A15 Bionic, installed in the iPhone 13, set a new bar for single-threaded performance, which competitors were difficult to overcome, ensuring smooth interface operation and instant launch of heavy applications even after several years of operation.
However, the Samsung Galaxy S21, depending on the region, can ship with the Snapdragon 888 or Exynos 2100.The former version shows excellent results in games, while the latter is sometimes criticized for heating. Xiaomi Mi 11 is also based on the Snapdragon 888, but due to aggressive optimization and high screen resolution, it often faces trolling problems under long loads.
⚠️ Note: Snapdragon 888 models in 2021 had a reputation for being hot chips. When choosing Samsung or Xiaomi, be sure to test the device in heavy games or video editors before buying, as overheating can significantly reduce the comfort of using.
Energy efficiency is also key. Despite having a smaller battery capacity compared to its competitors, the iPhone often benefits from optimizing iOS. Android flagships are forced to compensate for less optimization of background processes with increased battery capacity and fast charging.
Display quality and refresh rate
The screen has become a major window into the digital world, and in 2021, the 120Hz refresh rate became the de facto standard. Samsung traditionally uses the best Dynamic AMOLED 2X arrays, which provide incredible brightness and color reproduction. The S21 Ultra model has introduced an adaptive frequency from 10 to 120Hz, which has positively affected autonomy.
Xiaomi is not behind, offering in Mi 11 curved AMOLED-resolution-screen 3200×1440 (2K). This gives a clearer picture than the basic models of competitors, but requires more resources to render the interface. 13 Pro got ProMotion technology, which finally brought smoothness 120 Hz into Apple's ecosystem, though base iPhone models 13 still limited 60 Hz.
- 📱 Samsung: Best Color Calibration Out of the Box and High Maximum Brightness for Sun.
- 📱 Xiaomi: High resolution and Dolby Vision support, but curved edges can cause occasional taps.
- 📱 iPhone: Great color rendering, but lack of 120Hz in base 2021 model disappointed many users.
Why are curved screens going out of fashion?
Photo and video: camera comparison
In the mobile photography industry, in 2021, there was an interesting transformation, where Apple put its bet on Cinematic Mode, which allows you to create bokeh videos and change focus after you shoot, and it revolutionized mobile videographers, even though photo algorithms sometimes overly sharpen images.
Samsung continues to lead in the versatility of zoom lenses. The S21 Ultra offers 10x optical zoom, which is not available to either the iPhone 13 or Xiaomi Mi 11 in their standard trim levels. Samsung’s photo processing features are more saturated, “instagram” colors that most users like without the need for editing.
Xiaomi in collaboration with Leica (although the full-fledged partnership began a little later, in 2021, there was already a bias towards professional processing) offers excellent core modules with a resolution of 108 MP. However, auxiliary cameras (width and macro) are often inferior to competitors in low-light detail.
☑️ What to watch in the camera of a smartphone
Operating system and ecosystem
The choice between iOS and Android remains fundamental: In 2021, iOS 15 offered deep integration with Apple services, FaceID and a 5-6 year upgrade guarantee, making the iPhone the most liquid device in the secondary market.
Samsung’s One UI shell is considered one of the most thought-out on Android.It offers powerful customization capabilities, a DeX mode to turn a smartphone into a PC, and great multitasking. Xiaomi uses MIUI, which is rich in features but is often criticized for having ads in system apps and intrusive notifications, although in global versions this is solved by settings.
If you already have a laptop, tablet or watch of a certain brand, it makes more sense to choose a smartphone of the same ecosystem. transfer of files and shared clipboards makes life much easier.
⚠️ Note: When buying Xiaomi with global firmware (Global) ROM) Check the region carefully in settings. Some Chinese versions with a re-flashed global version may have problems with banking applications and Google Pay (NFC).
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Before buying an Android flagship, check your carrier’s LTE/5G list of supported frequencies. Imported versions of Xiaomi or Samsung from other regions may not support the required bands (Bands), which will lead to poor signal reception.
Comparative Characteristics Table
For a quick mapping of key parameters for the top models of 2021, use the following table to help visualize the differences in manufacturers’ approaches to iron.
| Characteristics | Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra | Xiaomi Mi 11 | iPhone 13 Pro |
|---|---|---|---|
| Processor | Snapdragon 888 / Exynos 2100 | Snapdragon 888 | Apple A15 Bionic |
| Screen. | 6.8" AMOLED, 120 Hz | 6.81" AMOLED, 120 Hz, 2K | 6.1" OLED, ProMotion 120 Hz |
| Camera (main) | 108MP, 10x optical zoom | 108MP, 3x optical zoom | 12MP, 3x optical zoom |
| Battery | 5,000 mAh | 4600mAh | 3095 mAh |
| Charging complete | No. | Got it (55 watts) | No. |
Price, completeness and liquidity
In 2021, the trend to abandon chargers in the box finally entrenched. Samsung and Apple stopped putting power supplies, arguing that concern for the environment. Xiaomi in the Mi 11 model in some regions still completes the smartphone with a charging capacity of 55 watts, which is a significant plus for budget savings.
As for price, Xiaomi has traditionally offered a more affordable entry ticket to the flagship world. However, the aftermarket liquidity of the iPhone in 2021 was about 70-80% of the original price a year later, while Android flagships lost up to 50% of the value.
The cost of repairs also varies.Substituting glass on an iPhone or a curved screen on Samsung can be very expensive.Xiaomi often has more affordable parts, but finding an authorized service in smaller cities can be harder than for the other two giants.
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The most profitable in the long run is the iPhone due to its high residual cost, but Xiaomi gives the best “here and now” experience for less money thanks to the configuration and screen.
Final verdict: who will be suitable
So to sum up, there's no perfect smartphone, there's only one that's right for you. If you value stability, long-term support and video, the iPhone 13 is the best choice, and it's for those who want to "just work" without too much customization.
Fans of experimentation, zoom photography and bright screens should take a look at the Samsung Galaxy S21.It is a choice for multimedia consumption and those who like to customize the interface for themselves. Xiaomi Mi 11 is an option for geeks who need maximum specs for reasonable money and the presence of fast charging in the box.
Remember, hardware is just a tool, it's important how convenient it is to use your device every day, and before you buy, be sure to hold your phone in your hands in the store, evaluate the ergonomics and speed of the interface.