Samsung Galaxy S21 5G vs Xiaomi 16 Pro
Compare Samsung Galaxy S21 5G vs Xiaomi 16 Pro side by side: Exynos 2100 / Snapdragon 888 5G (5 nm) vs Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 2, 12MP vs 50MP camera…
Samsung
Galaxy S21 5G
$799
2categories won
Xiaomi
16 Pro
$1,049
17categories won
3 categories tied · 22 scored in total · add a third phone
Which one wins?
Xiaomi 16 Pro takes the overall win
The Xiaomi 16 Pro proves superior overall against the Samsung Galaxy S21 5G, outperforming on gaming and photography. In camera testing, the 16 Pro leads with superior optics, while battery endurance leans towards the 16 Pro. Choose the 16 Pro if you want the highest performance ceiling, or opt for the Galaxy S21 5G if its lower retail price better fit your budget.
16 Pro takes battery honors offering 6,100 mAh alongside 120W charging.
16 Pro provides greater sustained gaming output with its Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 2 and 24GB RAM.
16 Pro takes photography with 50MP optics and 5x optical telephoto capabilities.
Galaxy S21 5G provides a sharper value proposition, coming in at $799 vs $1049.
Category verdicts are computed algorithmically from verified technical specifications and hardware benchmarks. Rows where neither figure is objectively better — screen size preference, operating system choice, aesthetic build materials — are displayed for direct reference without scoring bias.
Galaxy S21 5G vs 16 Pro: specifications compared
Display
| Specification | Galaxy S21 5G | 16 Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Screen size | 6.2" | 6.73" |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 | 1440 x 3200Winner |
| Pixel density | 424 ppi | 521 ppiWinner |
| Refresh rate | 120 Hz | 120 Hz |
| Peak brightness | 1300 nits | 3600 nitsWinner |
Performance
| Specification | Galaxy S21 5G | 16 Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Chipset | Exynos 2100 / Snapdragon 888 5G (5 nm) | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 2 |
| Process node | 5 nm | 2 nmWinner |
| AnTuTu score | 820,000 | 3,200,000Winner |
| Geekbench multi | 3720 | 10800Winner |
| Maximum RAM | 8 GB | 24 GBWinner |
| Maximum storage | 128GB | 1TBWinner |
Camera
| Specification | Galaxy S21 5G | 16 Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Main sensor | 12 MP | 50 MPWinner |
| Rear cameras | 3 | 3 |
| Optical zoom | 3x | 5xWinner |
| Ultrawide | 12 MP | 50 MPWinner |
| Selfie camera | 10 MP | 32 MPWinner |
| Max video | 8K at 24fps / 4K at 60fps | 8K at 30fps / 4K at 120fps |
Battery and charging
| Specification | Galaxy S21 5G | 16 Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 4,000 mAh | 6,100 mAhWinner |
| Wired charging | 25 W | 120 WWinner |
| Wireless charging | 15 W | 50 WWinner |
Design
| Specification | Galaxy S21 5G | 16 Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Weight | 169 gWinner | 210 g |
| Thickness | 7.9 mm | 8.1 mm |
| Water resistance | IP68 | IP68 |
| Build | Aluminum frame, glastic back, Gorilla Glass Victus front | Grade 5 Titanium frame, Ceramic Glass front and back |
Software and support
| Specification | Galaxy S21 5G | 16 Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Operating system | Android 11 | Android 17 |
| OS updates | 4 years | 7 yearsWinner |
| Security updates | 5 years | 7 yearsWinner |
Connectivity and value
| Specification | Galaxy S21 5G | 16 Pro |
|---|---|---|
| 5G | Yes | Yes |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) | Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be, tri-band 2.4/5/6GHz, 320MHz bandwidth) |
| Storage expansion | None | None |
| 3.5mm jack | No | No |
| Launch price | $799Winner | $1,049 |
Samsung Galaxy S21 5G
Highlighting Samsung's two-tone Contour-Cut camera housing and iconic Phantom Violet finish, the Galaxy S21 delivers 8K video capture, flat 120Hz AMOLED smoothness, and a featherlight 169g frame.
- Display
- 6.2"
- Chipset
- Exynos 2100 / Snapdragon 888 5G (5 nm)
- Main camera
- 12MP
- Battery
- 4,000mAh
Xiaomi 16 Pro
The Xiaomi 16 Pro brings a sweeping 2K 120Hz display with micro-curved edges, stepless variable aperture main optics, a dedicated 5x periscope telephoto, 120W charging, and 6,100 mAh capacity.
- Display
- 6.73"
- Chipset
- Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 2
- Main camera
- 50MP
- Battery
- 6,100mAh