On the prime of the rating of the most important Android smartphone producers are Xiaomi and Samsung. Whereas Samsung has been main the way in which for over ten years with its Galaxy smartphones, Xiaomi stays a comparatively younger firm. Regardless of this, the Chinese language electronics large has managed to carve out an enormous market share in Europe lately.
Each producers use Android and canopy a large worth vary. That is why we’re dividing this text into three worth classes: high-end smartphones, mid-range smartphones, entry-level fashions and foldable smartphones. Additionally, we will let you know in regards to the two respective ecosystems in addition to Samsung and Xiaomi’s overlays.
Xiaomi vs. Samsung: Smartphone Catalogs In contrast
Flagship
Let’s start with a bang by trying on the fashions that decide the picture of the manufacturers in 2024: the flagships. Right here, each Xiaomi and Samsung showcase new applied sciences on provide at mouthwatering costs. Listed below are the present fashions compared.
Xiaomi vs Samsung: Flagships
The worldwide launch of the Xiaomi 14 collection, which came about as a part of MWC 2024, is recent in our minds. Samsung had already offered its Galaxy S24 collection in January. So we have already got an summary of what the 2 producers’ flagship fashions will appear like in 2024.
Within the orange ring nook are the Xiaomi 14, the Xiaomi 14 Professional, and at last the Xiaomi 14 Extremely. Samsung names its fashions very equally and sends the Galaxy S24, the Galaxy S24+, and the Galaxy S24 Extremely into the race.
Since you’ll be able to take a look at the precise variations within the desk, we are going to think about the clearest similarities and variations. Each smartphone collection provide the newest applied sciences reminiscent of OLED shows with 120 Hertz, a number of cameras with excessive resolutions, and present wi-fi requirements reminiscent of 5G, Bluetooth 5.3 / 5.4, and Wi-Fi 6E / 7. There’s additionally the newest Android 14 with a number of years of updates.
Nevertheless, there are nonetheless some variations to pay attention to. For instance, Xiaomi is forward by way of fast charging and battery efficiency. In return, Samsung negotiated a take care of processor maker Qualcomm to provide overclocked variations of the Snapdragon chips, which debuted within the Xiaomi telephones.
Samsung continues to outperform its rival with regards to software program updates. Whereas Xiaomi now provides 4 years of Android updates and 5 years of safety updates, Samsung is now forward with seven necessary Android updates and 7 years of safety updates on its 2024 flagships.
As you’ll be able to see: Xiaomi and Samsung hardly have something to separate themselves within the flagship market. Whereas there are minor variations between the lineups, each producers characterize the newest applied sciences within the smartphone world with their fashions.
Mid-range
In the event you nonetheless take a look at solely the costliest fashions with regards to smartphones, you might be lacking out on so much. It’s because the mid-range market continues to be probably the most thrilling one since 2021 till now. Each Xiaomi and Samsung have launched extraordinarily fashionable mid-range gadgets over the previous two years, and almost all of them provide a very good price-performance ratio.
Regardless of all the eye within the flagship enviornment, probably the most heated battles in all probability occur within the mid-range house. With duels just like the Redmi Notice 12 Professional+ versus the Galaxy A54, the class consists of a number of the best-selling fashions from each manufacturers.
Xiaomi is taken into account the producer with the very best price-performance ratio within the smartphone world, and that’s to be taken fairly actually on this case. Not solely does the Chinese language firm provide superlative specs on its Redmi Notice 13 lineup, however it additionally counts on sub-brand Poco to supply flagship performing telephones for mid-range costs.
Along with its Redmi vary, Xiaomi additionally provides mid-range smartphones below the Poco model. These fashions are recognized for providing glorious efficiency with high-end SoCs and extra daring designs.
Nevertheless, Xiaomi’s software program replace coverage is barely behind Samsung’s regardless of latest enhancements, and the pre-installed HyperOS working system does comprise loads of bloatware and even advertisements that require you to deactivate in a relatively awkward method. Additionally, their availability within the US is sort of zero, with solely independently imported fashions accessible in marketplaces.
Right here, Samsung clearly positions itself as a model for premium smartphones within the mid-range as properly. The Galaxy A52, A52s, A52 5G, A72, and A32 fashions launched in 2021 already shone with one of many longest replace ensures on the smartphone market. Samsung now continues this with the Galaxy A35 and Galaxy A55.
Nevertheless, the telephones should not have to cover by way of specs both. You get significantly high-quality AMOLED shows, triple or quad cameras with optical picture stabilization, and sufficiently quick processors for the mid-range. Nevertheless, Samsung can not maintain a candle to Xiaomi with regards to quick charging occasions for smartphones, particularly contemplating the Galaxy A fashions launched since 2022 do not include a charger within the field.
Entry-level
If smartphones are primarily imagined to be cheap, you’ll be able to see an thrilling improvement on this division in the previous couple of years. For a very long time now, Xiaomi was the primary port of name for smartphones that price lower than $200. Samsung has reacted to this and even launched entry-level smartphones just like the Galaxy A15 5G. Principally, the identical execs and cons apply as within the mid-range section.
Because of this Xiaomi usually provides a bit extra efficiency and options for a similar sum of money. Samsung, nevertheless, convinces with strong {hardware}, usually actually good construct high quality, and its personal Android pores and skin, OneUI. Nevertheless, we have now to level out a particular caveat for Xiaomi on this entry-level class.
Xiaomi additionally sells smartphones which have a very good price-performance ratio below the Poco model. The producer’s plan right here is to supply the absolute best {hardware} on the lowest doable worth. For a market overview, check out our record of the very best smartphones you should purchase immediately for below $200.
Foldables
Since 2018, an entire new smartphone class has opened up: foldable telephones with touchscreens that merely fold in half. Though Xiaomi and Samsung launched their first foldables fairly promptly, Samsung is clearly forward of everybody else right here. From 2021 till now, Samsung’s foldable smartphones proceed to be the clear shopping for advice for distinctive handsets.
Nevertheless, keep in mind that foldable smartphones are nonetheless pricey. Whereas the Samsung Galaxy Z Folds provides a format that transforms a standard smartphone right into a pill when opened, the Galaxy Z Flips is extra paying homage to a basic flip telephone. From a “half-smartphone”, you get a full-size smartphone.
Xiaomi launched the Mi Combine Fold in 2021, which was adopted by the Mi Combine Fold 2 in 2022, and the Combine Fold 3 in 2023. The foldable follows the same idea because the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold, however it has not been formally launched exterior of China. Current rumors, nevertheless, counsel that not solely Xiaomi will launch the Combine Fold 4 globally however will probably be accompanied by its compact Combine Flip sidekick.
Since we don’t advocate importing the smartphone, we won’t go into extra element in regards to the machine.
Software program and privateness
You’ve already learn a bit about it within the earlier paragraphs regarding each smartphone choices: Samsung is best positioned than Xiaomi by way of software program updates. To give you a greater concept of this, we are going to take a better take a look at each working programs as soon as once more.
Samsung’s One UI
Because the title suggests, Samsung’s One UI is used on all Android gadgets from the producer. The Samsung-optimized Android interface is taken into account a factor of magnificence amongst skins and provides quite a few further options like prolonged multitasking options, help for Samsung’s S Pen stylus, and native help for Samsung companies like Samsung’s S Cloud.
In our overview of Samsung’s newest One UI 6 pores and skin, you’ll be able to learn in regards to the myriad of choices Samsung has carried out with the corresponding replace to Android 14.
Aside from the options, you’ll be able to sit up for the truth that, along with Samsung’s personal companies, there may be little or no bloatware pre-installed and also you typically get extraordinarily lengthy updates. A seven-year replace promise was made for flagship telephones—each for safety updates and the key Android variations.
Nevertheless, not every part is ideal in Samsung’s software program both. The large measurement of Samsung’s working programs tends to face out in opinions. Thus, you must stay with having as much as 15% of the accessible cupboard space used up even earlier than you arrange your Samsung smartphone.
Samsung additionally works more and more on implementing its personal {hardware} and software program ecosystem. As an example, you’ll be able to solely use the multi-pairing function of the Samsung Galaxy Buds Professional with different Samsung gadgets.
Xiaomi HyperOS
The MIUI working system emerged from a former customized ROM for rooted Android telephones. Xiaomi adopted the working system and has developed it considerably since then. Xiaomi is presently turning away from MIUI, and the primary flagships are already geared up with the brand new HyperOS.
Xiaomi additionally significantly improved its OS replace insurance policies, particularly for flagship telephones, with 5 years of safety updates, the identical Samsung provides for its intermediate fashions. Within the mid-range market, Xiaomi is now promising 4 years of safety updates, which must be ok for most individuals. Alternatively, Xiaomi repeatedly attracts destructive consideration with advertisements and bloatware on its telephones.
For many individuals, Xiaomi’s working system can be questionable as a result of it’s not totally clear with how the collected knowledge is dealt with. As a Chinese language firm, Xiaomi has to strongly adjust to the nation’s knowledge safety rules. Thus, if you wish to make sure that your knowledge isn’t handed on to the Chinese language Communist Celebration, you would possibly wish to search for one other producer. It is a political situation, however we don’t wish to enter this territory.
Wearables and different gadgets
Each Xiaomi and Samsung don’t solely see themselves as smartphone rivals. It’s because, with the acquisition of a brand new smartphone, you additionally achieve a doorway into an ecosystem of different gadgets. Each producers provide smartwatches, health trackers, tablets, TVs, in-ear Bluetooth headphones, and even washing machines or good bathroom seats. Nevertheless, we solely overview wearables and tablets from these product classes.
Wearables and different gadgets
Within the desk above, yow will discover present opinions of those gadgets from Xiaomi and Samsung. Nevertheless, we solely wish to spotlight this section to you with a purpose to illustrate the ecosystems of each producers. Total, Xiaomi and Samsung don’t give one another a lot elbow room on this respect. In the event you really feel comfy with gadgets from a sure producer, you’ll be able to sit again and proceed procuring with each Samsung and Xiaomi.
Value stability and sustainability
Xiaomi is a primary instance of a producer that produces so-called “fast phones”. In different phrases, smartphones are cheap to purchase and attain the top of their life cycle after round two years. The producer provides quick-charging applied sciences that shorten the battery lifespan and an replace assure that corresponds to the same time-frame. Solely the costliest Xiaomi smartphones provide an extended replace assure with three years of safety updates.
The story is barely completely different with regards to Samsung. As talked about earlier, quite a few Samsung smartphones will now obtain long-term help updates. The brand new gadgets from the S24 collection, for instance, will be safely used till 2031 like latest Pixel telephones. The workmanship on these handsets is nice sufficient that the gadgets ought to have the ability to final till then with a bit bit of additional care and warning. Nevertheless, even Samsung isn’t resistant to the quick telephone tradition with its entry-level smartphones. The rule of thumb right here is: The dearer a Samsung smartphone is, the longer you’ll be able to theoretically use it.
Nevertheless, neither model is a very sustainable smartphone producer. Samsung omits the chargers in lots of its dearer smartphones and depends on plastic elements comprised of recycled fishing nets within the S22 collection. Xiaomi did plan one thing related with the Mi 11 however in the end determined in opposition to leaving the charger out of the packaging for the Western market.
Nevertheless, avoiding digital waste by omitting the charger isn’t a primary instance of sustainability at Samsung both. Small steps in the suitable course ought to due to this fact not be a purpose to purchase Samsung in any case. If sustainability is necessary to you, you must go for fashions just like the Shiftphone or Fairphone 5, which will be repaired and upgraded as a consequence of their modular kind issue.
Conclusion
Xiaomi or Samsung—which smartphone producer provides extra ultimately? This query might be tougher to reply for some other pair of manufacturers than for the rivals from China and South Korea. In spite of everything, each producers provide fashions for newcomers all the way in which to the high-end market or area of interest markets reminiscent of foldables.
Nevertheless, Samsung nonetheless positions itself extra towards being a producer of premium smartphones in 2024, which is justified by fashions just like the costly Galaxy S24 Extremely and the newest foldables. Even with its personal Extremely flagship, Xiaomi nonetheless carries the repute of being a extremely advisable bang-for-the-buck smartphone producer with improbable mid-range choices, as these are the strengths of the corporate by stretching your hard-earned greenback.
Samsung’s large ace up its sleeve, nevertheless, is One UI, and it additionally provides a very lengthy replace guarantee from entry-level to flagship telephones. Thus, Samsung can additional strengthen its picture as a premium model for this yr. Xiaomi continues to attempt to slim this hole, and the 14 flagships handle to match the Galaxy S in most necessary specs. However whereas its fashions will be simply present in Europe, the Chinese language model will not launch its telephone in America…
The duel between the 2 smartphone giants stays thrilling! It’s purpose sufficient so that you can take one other take a look at this text often for the newest updates.
Article up to date on July 2024 with further telephones reviewed and the brand new Galaxy Z foldables.