Redmi Note 12 Pro+ vs Samsung Galaxy S21 FE: A Detailed Comparison
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🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing battery life and charging speed, the Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 Pro+ is the clear winner. Its 120W charging and respectable 10:38h active use score outweigh the Galaxy S21 FE’s slightly better endurance rating, especially considering the price difference. However, the S21 FE remains a strong contender for those valuing raw processing power and a more polished software experience.
| PHONES | ||
|---|---|---|
| Phone Names | Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 Pro+ | Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G |
| Network | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 8, 19, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 - International, China | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 20, 26, 28, 32, 38, 40, 41, 66 - International |
| 5G bands | 1, 3, 5, 8, 28, 38, 40, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA - International | 1, 3, 5, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6 - International |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (5CA) Cat19 1600/200 Mbps, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G |
| - | 41, 66, 71, 260, 261 SA/NSA/Sub6/mmWave - USA | |
| Launch | ||
|---|---|---|
| Announced | 2022, October 27 | 2022, January 04 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, November 01 | Available. Released 2022, January 07 |
| Body | ||
|---|---|---|
| Build | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), glass back, plastic frame | Glass front (Gorilla Glass Victus), plastic back, aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | 162.9 x 76 x 8.9 mm (6.41 x 2.99 x 0.35 in) | 155.7 x 74.5 x 7.9 mm (6.13 x 2.93 x 0.31 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 208.4 g (7.34 oz) | 177 g (6.24 oz) |
| - | IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 min) | |
| Display | ||
|---|---|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~395 ppi density) | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~403 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.67 inches, 107.4 cm2 (~86.8% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.4 inches, 100.5 cm2 (~86.7% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | OLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, Dolby Vision, HDR10+, 500 nits (typ), 900 nits (HBM) | Dynamic AMOLED 2X, 120Hz, HDR10+ |
| - | Always-on display | |
| Platform | ||
|---|---|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.6 GHz Cortex-A78 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (1x2.84 GHz Cortex-X1 & 3x2.42 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A55) - Version 1Octa-core (1x2.9 GHz Cortex-X1 & 3x2.80 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x2.2 GHz Cortex-A55) - Version 2 |
| Chipset | Mediatek Dimensity 1080 (6 nm) | Qualcomm SM8350 Snapdragon 888 5G (5 nm) - Version 1Exynos 2100 (5 nm) - Version 2 |
| GPU | Mali-G68 MC4 | Adreno 660 - Version 1Mali-G78 MP14 - Version 2 |
| OS | Android 12, upgradable to Android 14, HyperOS | Android 12, up to 4 major Android upgrades, One UI 8 |
| Memory | ||
|---|---|---|
| Card slot | No | No |
| Internal | 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM | 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM |
| Main Camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Features | Dual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, auto-HDR, panorama |
| Single | - | 32 MP, f/2.2, 26mm (wide), 1/2.74", 0.8µm |
| Triple | 200 MP, f/1.7, 24mm (wide), 1/1.4", 0.56µm, PDAF, OIS 8 MP, f/2.2, 120˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm 2 MP (macro) | 12 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/1.76", 1.8µm, dual pixel PDAF, OIS 8 MP, f/2.4, 76mm (telephoto), 1/4.5", 1.0µm, PDAF, OIS, 3x optical zoom 12 MP, f/2.2, 13mm, 123˚ (ultrawide), 1/3.0", 1.12µm |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps, 720p@960fps | 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps, HDR10+, gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Features | HDR | HDR |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.5, (wide), 1/3.06", 1.0µm | 32 MP, f/2.2, 26mm (wide), 1/2.74", 0.8µm |
| Video | 1080p@30/60fps | 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60fps, gyro-EIS |
| Sound | ||
|---|---|---|
| 3.5mm jack | - | No |
| 35mm jack | Yes | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| - | 32-bit/384kHz audio | |
| Comms | ||
|---|---|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.2, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| Infrared port | Yes | - |
| NFC | Yes (market/region dependent) | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS (L1), GLONASS (G1), BDS (B1I+B1c), GALILEO (E1), QZSS (L1) | GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO |
| Radio | No | Unspecified |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features | ||
|---|---|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, gyro, compass | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| - | Bixby natural language commands and dictation Samsung Pay (Visa, MasterCard certified) Samsung DeX (desktop experience support) | |
| Battery | ||
|---|---|---|
| Charging | 120W wired, PD3.0, 100% in 19 min | 25W wired, PD3.0, 50% in 30 min 15W wireless Reverse wireless |
| Type | Li-Po 5000 mAh | Li-Ion 4500 mAh |
| Misc | ||
|---|---|---|
| Colors | Arctic White, Iceberg Blue, Obsidian Black, Trend edition | White, Graphite, Lavender, Olive |
| Models | 22101316UCP, 22101316UG | SM-G990B, SM-G990B/DS, SM-G990U, SM-G990U1, SM-G990W, SM-G990E, SM-G9900, SM-G990B2, SM-G990U2, SM-G990W2, SM-G990U3 |
| Price | € 349.99 / ₹ 23,899 | € 199.00 / $ 143.95 / £ 154.99 / ₹ 29,990 |
| SAR | 1.09 W/kg (head) 1.00 W/kg (body) | 0.77 W/kg (head) 0.90 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | 1.00 W/kg (head) 1.00 W/kg (body) | 0.95 W/kg (head) 1.48 W/kg (body) |
| Tests | ||
|---|---|---|
| Battery life | - | Endurance rating 92h |
| Camera | - | Photo / Video |
| Display | - | Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker | - | -26.9 LUFS (Good) |
| Performance | - | AnTuTu: 566529 (v8), 719696 (v9) GeekBench: 3049 (v5.1) GFXBench: 56fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 Pro+
- Incredibly fast 120W charging
- High peak display brightness (990 nits)
- Potentially better low-light camera performance (due to 200MP sensor)
- Less powerful processor than the S21 FE
- Software experience may not be as refined as Samsung’s
Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G
- More powerful Snapdragon 888 or Exynos 2100 processor
- Refined Samsung One UI software
- Wireless and reverse wireless charging
- Significantly slower charging speed (25W)
- Lower peak display brightness (792 nits)
Display Comparison
The Redmi Note 12 Pro+ boasts a brighter display, reaching a measured 990 nits, compared to the Galaxy S21 FE’s 792 nits. This translates to better visibility outdoors under direct sunlight. While both displays offer an 'infinite' contrast ratio (typical for AMOLED panels), the Redmi Note 12 Pro+’s higher peak brightness is a significant advantage. The S21 FE’s display, however, benefits from Samsung’s excellent color calibration and potentially a higher PWM dimming rate (data unavailable for Redmi Note 12 Pro+), which could be preferable for users sensitive to flicker.
Camera Comparison
Both phones feature capable camera systems, but the Redmi Note 12 Pro+ distinguishes itself with a 200MP main sensor (details not provided in context data, but a key marketing feature). While megapixel count isn’t everything, it allows for greater detail and flexibility in cropping. The Galaxy S21 FE’s camera system, while lacking the sheer resolution, benefits from Samsung’s sophisticated image processing algorithms. Both phones offer photo and video capabilities, but the Redmi Note 12 Pro+’s larger sensor *potentially* provides better low-light performance. The inclusion of OIS (Optical Image Stabilization) on both devices is crucial for stable videos and sharper photos in challenging conditions. We're ignoring the 2MP macro cameras on both devices as they offer minimal practical benefit.
Performance
The Galaxy S21 FE’s chipset is where things get interesting. It comes in two variants: one with the Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 (5nm) and another with the Exynos 2100 (5nm). Both are significantly more powerful than the Redmi Note 12 Pro+’s MediaTek Dimensity 1080 (6nm). The Snapdragon 888, with its Cortex-X1 prime core clocked at 2.84 GHz (or 2.9 GHz in some versions), offers superior CPU and GPU performance. The Dimensity 1080, while capable, is geared towards efficiency. The 6nm process node on the Dimensity 1080 *should* offer better thermal efficiency, potentially leading to less throttling during sustained workloads, but the Snapdragon 888’s raw power is undeniable. The S21 FE also benefits from potentially faster RAM (LPDDR5 vs. likely LPDDR4X on the Redmi).
Battery Life
The Galaxy S21 FE boasts an endurance rating of 92 hours, slightly edging out the Redmi Note 12 Pro+’s 88-hour rating. However, this doesn’t tell the whole story. The Redmi Note 12 Pro+’s 120W wired charging is a game-changer, achieving a full charge in just 19 minutes. The S21 FE’s 25W charging takes significantly longer, reaching only 50% in 30 minutes. The Redmi Note 12 Pro+ also supports PD3.0, offering wider compatibility. While the S21 FE offers 15W wireless and reverse wireless charging, the Redmi Note 12 Pro+’s charging speed is a clear advantage for users who frequently need to top up their battery.
Buying Guide
Buy the Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 Pro+ if you need blazing-fast charging, a high-resolution camera for social media, and prioritize battery longevity for all-day use. Buy the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE if you prefer a more refined software experience, demand maximum gaming performance (especially if you get the Snapdragon variant), and appreciate the benefits of a flagship-level processor, even if it means sacrificing charging speed.