Xiaomi vs Samsung: Telephones and Ecosystems Head-to-Head

On the high of the rating of the largest Android smartphone producers are Xiaomi and Samsung. Whereas Samsung has been main the best way 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 in recent times.

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 inform you concerning the two respective ecosystems in addition to Samsung and Xiaomi’s overlays.

Xiaomi vs. Samsung: Smartphone Catalogs In contrast

Flagship

We noticed the worldwide launch of the Xiaomi 14 sequence at MWC 2024 and Samsung had already introduced its Galaxy S24 sequence in January. Each producers adopted up within the second half of the 12 months and accomplished the sequence with the 2 “T” fashions from Xiaomi and the “Fan Version” from Samsung.

Since you possibly can take a look at the precise variations within the desk, we are going to consider the clearest similarities and variations. Each smartphone sequence provide the most recent applied sciences resembling OLED shows with 120 Hertz, a number of cameras with excessive resolutions, and present wi-fi requirements resembling 5G, Bluetooth 5.3 / 5.4, and Wi-Fi 6E / 7. There’s additionally the most recent Android 14 with a number of years of updates.

Nonetheless, there are nonetheless some variations to pay attention to. For instance, Xiaomi is forward when it comes to fast charging and battery efficiency. In return, Samsung negotiated a cope with processor maker Qualcomm to produce overclocked variations of the Snapdragon chips, which debuted within the Xiaomi telephones.

Samsung continues to outperform its rival in relation to software program updates. Whereas Xiaomi now gives 4 years of Android updates and 5 years of safety updates, Samsung is now forward with seven essential Android updates and 7 years of safety updates on its 2024 flagships.

As you possibly can see: Xiaomi and Samsung hardly have something to separate themselves within the flagship market. Whereas there are minor variations between the lineups, each producers signify the most recent applied sciences within the smartphone world with their fashions.

Mid-range

Regardless of all the eye within the flagship area, probably the most heated battles in all probability occur within the mid-range house. With duels just like the Redmi Observe 12 Professional+ versus the Galaxy A54, the class contains among the best-selling fashions from each manufacturers. 

Xiaomi is taken into account the producer with the most effective 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 Observe 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 gives mid-range smartphones beneath the Poco model. These fashions are recognized for providing glorious efficiency with high-end SoCs and extra daring designs.

Nonetheless, Xiaomi’s software program replace coverage is barely behind Samsung’s regardless of current enhancements, and the pre-installed HyperOS working system does comprise loads of bloatware and even advertisements that require you to deactivate in a fairly awkward method. Additionally, their availability within the US is sort of zero, with solely independently imported fashions obtainable in marketplaces.

Samsung is clearly positioning itself as a model for premium smartphones within the mid-range section. The fashions introduced in 2021 launched in 2021 already boasted one of many longest replace ensures on the smartphone market. Samsung is now persevering with this with the Galaxy A35 and Galaxy A55, providing safety patches for 5 years and Android updates for 4 years.

Nonetheless, the telephones do not need to cover when it comes to 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. Nonetheless, Samsung can’t maintain a candle to Xiaomi in relation 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 class

If smartphones are primarily alleged to be cheap, you’ve seen an thrilling improvement in recent times. For a very long time, Xiaomi was the primary port of name for telephones costing lower than 200 euros. Samsung has responded to this and even launched entry-level smartphones such because the Samsung Galaxy A15 (assessment) onto the market. In the end, the identical benefits and drawbacks apply as within the mid-range.

Because of this Xiaomi usually gives a bit extra efficiency and options for a similar amount of cash. Samsung, nonetheless, convinces with strong {hardware}, usually actually good construct high quality, and its personal Android pores and skin, OneUI. Nonetheless, we’ve got 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 beneath the Poco model. The producer’s plan right here is to supply the absolute best {hardware} on the lowest attainable worth. For a market overview, check out our listing of the greatest smartphones you should buy at this time for beneath $200.

Foldable smartphones

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.

Nonetheless, you continue to need to count on a crease within the show and excessive costs. Whereas the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 (take a look at) gives a format that turns a standard smartphone right into a pill when unfolded, the Galaxy Z Flip 6 (take a look at) is extra harking back to a traditional flip cellphone. You possibly can flip half a cellphone right into a cellphone in customary smartphone format.

Xiaomi introduced the Mi Combine Fold in 2021 and has since moved on to the Combine Fold 4. The foldable follows an analogous idea to the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 however has not but been formally launched within the West. With the Xiaomi Combine Flip, the primary Xiaomi foldable has now formally set foot on European soil, however with no hopes of ever reaching North America.

Software program and information safety

You will have already learn a bit about it within the earlier paragraphs regarding each smartphone choices: Samsung is healthier positioned than Xiaomi when it comes to software program updates. To offer you a greater concept of this, we are going to take a more in-depth take a look at each working methods as soon as once more.

Samsung’s One UI

Because the identify suggests, Samsung’s One UI is used on all Android units from the producer. The Samsung-optimized Android interface is taken into account a factor of magnificence amongst skins and gives quite a few extra options like prolonged multitasking options, help for Samsung’s S Pen stylus, and native help for Samsung providers like Samsung’s S Cloud.

In our assessment of Samsung’s newest One UI 6 pores and skin, you possibly can learn concerning the myriad of choices Samsung has carried out with the corresponding replace to Android 14.

Other than the options, you possibly can look ahead to the truth that, along with Samsung’s personal providers, there’s 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.

Nonetheless, not every part is ideal in Samsung’s software program both. The massive dimension of Samsung’s working methods tends to face out in opinions. Thus, it’s a must to reside with having as much as 15% of the obtainable space for storing 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 illustration, you possibly can solely use the multi-pairing characteristic of the Samsung Galaxy Buds Professional with different Samsung units.

Synthetic intelligence performs an essential position in Samsung’s software program technique. With its Galaxy AI, Samsung has additionally launched the correct platform with many wonderful features.

Xiaomi MIUI / HyperOS

The MIUI working system emerged from a former customized ROM for rooted Android telephones. Xiaomi adopted the working system and has since developed it additional. MIUI has now turn into HyperOS, which means that this new interface, which has but to emancipate itself from MIUI, might be discovered on newer fashions.

Xiaomi additionally significantly improved its OS replace insurance policies, particularly for flagship telephones, with 5 years of safety updates, the identical Samsung gives for its intermediate fashions. Within the mid-range market, Xiaomi is now promising 4 years of safety updates, which ought to be ok for most individuals. Alternatively, Xiaomi repeatedly attracts unfavourable consideration with advertisements and bloatware on its telephones.

For many individuals, Xiaomi’s working system can also be questionable as a result of it’s not solely clear with how the collected information is dealt with. As a Chinese language firm, Xiaomi has to strongly adjust to the nation’s information safety rules. Thus, if you wish to ensure that your information shouldn’t be handed on to the Chinese language Communist Celebration, you would possibly wish to search for one other producer. It is a political challenge, however we don’t wish to enter this territory.

AI has additionally lengthy performed a serious position at Xiaomi. With the Xiaomi 14T fashions, Xiaomi additionally introduced new AI features for Xiaomi telephones. These embrace its personal AI options, however Google instruments resembling Gemini and Circle to Search may also discover their method onto the units.

Wearables and different units

Each Xiaomi and Samsung don’t solely see themselves as smartphone rivals. It is because, with the acquisition of a brand new smartphone, you additionally achieve a doorway into an ecosystem of different units. Each producers provide smartwatches, health trackers, tablets, TVs, in-ear Bluetooth headphones, and even washing machines or good bathroom seats. Nonetheless, we solely assessment wearables and tablets from these product classes.

Within the desk above, yow will discover present opinions of those units from Xiaomi and Samsung. Nonetheless, we solely wish to spotlight this section to you to be able 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 snug with units from a sure producer, you possibly can sit again and proceed purchasing with each Samsung and Xiaomi.

Value stability and sustainability

Xiaomi is a major instance of a producer that produces so-called “quick telephones”. In different phrases, smartphones are cheap to purchase and attain the top of their life cycle after round two years. The producer gives quick-charging applied sciences that shorten the battery lifespan and an replace assure that corresponds to an analogous time-frame. Solely the costliest Xiaomi smartphones provide an extended replace assure with three years of safety updates.

The story is barely completely different in relation to Samsung. As talked about earlier, quite a few Samsung smartphones will now obtain long-term help updates. The brand new units from the S24 sequence, for instance, might be safely used till 2031 like current Pixel telephones. The workmanship on these handsets is nice sufficient that the units ought to be capable to final till then with slightly bit of additional care and warning. Nonetheless, even Samsung shouldn’t be proof against the quick cellphone tradition with its entry-level smartphones. The rule of thumb right here is: The dearer a Samsung smartphone is, the longer you possibly can theoretically use it.

Nonetheless, neither model is a very sustainable smartphone producer. Samsung omits the chargers in a lot of its dearer smartphones and depends on plastic elements produced from recycled fishing nets within the S22 sequence. Xiaomi did plan one thing comparable with the Mi 11 however in the end determined in opposition to leaving the charger out of the packaging for the Western market.

Nonetheless, avoiding digital waste by omitting the charger shouldn’t be a major instance of sustainability at Samsung both. Small steps in the correct course ought to subsequently not be a purpose to purchase Samsung in any case. If sustainability is essential to you, you need to go for fashions just like the Shiftphone or Fairphone 5, which might be repaired and upgraded attributable to their modular type issue.

Conclusion