The Samsung Galaxy M21 and Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro represent distinct approaches to the budget and mid-range smartphone market. The M21 prioritizes a balanced feature set and Samsung’s established ecosystem, while the Poco X3 Pro aggressively targets gamers and performance enthusiasts with a flagship-level chipset at a remarkably affordable price. This comparison dissects their key differences to help you choose the right device.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro is the superior choice. Its Snapdragon 860 chipset provides a substantial performance uplift over the Galaxy M21’s Exynos 9611, making it ideal for gaming and demanding applications. While the M21 offers a respectable experience, the X3 Pro’s speed justifies the slight price difference.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 38, 40, 41 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 - International |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | - | 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 38, 40, 41 - India |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2020, March 18. Released 2020, March 23 | 2021, March 22 |
| Status | Discontinued | Available. Released 2021, March 24 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3), plastic back, plastic frame | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 6), plastic back |
| Dimensions | 159 x 75.1 x 8.9 mm (6.26 x 2.96 x 0.35 in) | 165.3 x 76.8 x 9.4 mm (6.51 x 3.02 x 0.37 in) |
| SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 188 g (6.63 oz) | 215 g (7.58 oz) |
| | - | IP53, dust and splash resistant |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | Corning Gorilla Glass 6 |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~403 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~395 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.4 inches, 100.5 cm2 (~84.2% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.67 inches, 107.4 cm2 (~84.6% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | Super AMOLED, 420 nits (peak) | IPS LCD, 120Hz, 2404Hz PWM, HDR10, 450 nits (typ) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.3 GHz Cortex-A73 & 4x1.7 GHz Cortex-A53) | Octa-core (1x2.96 GHz Kryo 485 Gold & 3x2.42 GHz Kryo 485 Gold & 4x1.78 GHz Kryo 485 Silver) |
| Chipset | Exynos 9611 (10 nm) | Qualcomm Snapdragon 860 (7 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G72 MP3 | Adreno 640 |
| OS | Android 10, upgradable to Android 11, One UI 3.1 Core | Android 11, upgradable to Android 12, MIUI 13 for POCO |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM | 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM |
| | UFS 2.1 | UFS 3.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, panorama, HDR | Dual-LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Quad | - | 48 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.2, 119˚ (ultrawide), 1.0µm
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens |
| Single | - | 20 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1/3.4", 0.8µm |
| Triple | 48 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.2, 12mm (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps, 720p@240fps, gyro-EIS | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps, 1080p@960fps, gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | HDR, panorama |
| Single | 20 MP, f/2.2, 26mm (wide) | 20 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1/3.4", 0.8µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| | - | 24-bit/192kHz audio |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| Infrared port | - | Yes |
| NFC | Yes (market/region dependent) | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio, RDS, recording | FM radio, recording |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0 | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 15W wired | 33W wired, 59% in 30 min, 100% in 59 min |
| Type | Li-Po 6000 mAh | Li-Po 5160 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Midnight Blue, Raven Black | Phantom Black, Frost Blue, Metal Bronze |
| Models | SM-M215F, SM-M215F/DS, SM-M215F/DSN | M2102J20SG, M2102J20SI |
| Price | About 190 EUR | $ 128.04 / £ 249.99 |
| SAR | 0.47 W/kg (head) | 0.99 W/kg (head) 0.67 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | - | 0.57 W/kg (head) 0.90 W/kg (body) |
| Pricing |
|---|
| 64GB 4GB RAM | £ 279.99 | - |
| RENEWED | £ 129.00 | - |
| Tests |
|---|
| Battery life | - |
Endurance rating 112h
|
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: 1401:1 (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker | - |
-26.1 LUFS (Good)
|
| Performance | - |
AnTuTu: 453223 (v8)
GeekBench: 2574 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 38fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
Samsung Galaxy M21
- Familiar Samsung UI
- Reliable brand reputation
- Balanced feature set
- Outperformed by Snapdragon 860
- Slow 15W charging
Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro
- Flagship-level Snapdragon 860 performance
- 33W fast charging
- Excellent value for money
- MIUI software can be polarizing
- Xiaomi’s brand perception may be lower for some
Display Comparison
Both devices share a nominal contrast ratio of 1401:1, suggesting similar black levels and color vibrancy. However, detailed display specs like peak brightness and panel type are missing for the M21. Given its price point, it likely utilizes an IPS LCD, while the X3 Pro’s display is confirmed to be IPS LCD. The X3 Pro’s focus on gaming suggests a potentially higher refresh rate (not specified in the data) which would be a significant advantage for smoother visuals. Bezels are likely comparable, given both phones target similar market segments.
Camera Comparison
Both phones are listed as having 'Photo / Video' capabilities, but lack specific details. The absence of sensor size or aperture information makes a direct comparison difficult. However, the market positioning suggests the Poco X3 Pro likely features a more capable primary sensor. The M21 may rely on Samsung’s software processing to enhance image quality, but the X3 Pro’s superior processing power gives it an edge in computational photography. The inclusion of a 2MP macro camera on either device is likely a marketing gimmick with limited real-world utility.
Performance
The performance gap is the most significant differentiator. The Poco X3 Pro’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 860 (7nm) is a substantial upgrade over the Samsung Galaxy M21’s Exynos 9611 (10nm). The Snapdragon 860’s Kryo 485 Gold cores, clocked up to 2.96 GHz, deliver significantly faster CPU performance, while its Adreno 640 GPU provides a massive boost in graphics processing power. The 7nm process node also contributes to better thermal efficiency, reducing the likelihood of throttling during extended gaming sessions. The Exynos 9611, while capable, is simply outmatched in raw processing power.
Battery Life
Both devices boast an endurance rating of 112 hours, indicating comparable battery life under similar usage conditions. However, the Poco X3 Pro’s 33W wired charging is a game-changer, achieving 59% charge in 30 minutes and 100% in under an hour. The Galaxy M21’s 15W charging is significantly slower, requiring considerably more time to fully replenish the battery. This faster charging capability makes the X3 Pro more convenient for users who frequently need to top up their battery.
Buying Guide
Buy the Samsung Galaxy M21 if you prioritize a familiar Samsung user experience, a reliable brand reputation, and a generally efficient device for everyday tasks like browsing, social media, and light photography. Buy the Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro if you are a mobile gamer, frequently use demanding apps, or simply want the fastest possible performance for your money, and are comfortable with Xiaomi’s MIUI software.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Exynos 9611 in the Galaxy M21 overheat during prolonged gaming sessions?
The Exynos 9611 is known to throttle under sustained load, meaning performance will decrease over time to manage heat. While it's suitable for casual gaming, demanding titles will likely experience frame drops and reduced performance compared to the Poco X3 Pro.
❓ Is the 2MP macro camera on either phone worth using?
Generally, 2MP macro cameras offer limited detail and image quality. They are often included as a marketing feature but rarely deliver impressive results. You're better off using the main camera for close-up shots.
❓ Does the Poco X3 Pro support high frame rates (90fps) in popular games like PUBG?
The Snapdragon 860 is capable of delivering high frame rates in PUBG Mobile. While the specific frame rate achievable depends on the game settings and device optimization, the X3 Pro is well-equipped to handle demanding games at higher frame rates for a smoother gaming experience.
❓ How does Xiaomi's MIUI software compare to Samsung's One UI?
MIUI is known for its extensive customization options and features, but it can also be more resource-intensive and include pre-installed bloatware. Samsung's One UI is generally considered cleaner and more user-friendly, with a focus on simplicity and ease of use. Preference is subjective.
