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What we think
The PerfectRec phone team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
If you prioritize a more advanced camera system and are willing to pay more, the Google Pixel 6 offers better overall camera quality with higher still photo and video quality. However, if you want a phone with a higher refresh rate screen for smoother visuals, and you are looking to save money, the Samsung Galaxy S21 is a good choice. The Galaxy S21 also has a plastic back, which may be less premium than the Pixel 6's glass back, but it's lighter and possibly more durable. Both phones offer similar storage capacity and run on Android, but the Pixel 6 is a newer model. Give Feedback
this description is based on the product variant with some specs and product variant with some specs. At the time of writing, the variant with some specs cost some dollars and the variant with some specs cost some dollars.
Advantages of the Google Pixel 6
- The Google Pixel 6 has no clear advantages over the Samsung Galaxy S21.
Advantages of the Samsung Galaxy S21
- Very good display quality
- Good performance
Key differences
Overall Camera Quality
7.7
7.2
The Google Pixel 6 and Samsung Galaxy S21 both have good overall camera quality, though the Google Pixel 6 has somewhat better overall camera quality.
The Google Pixel 6 stands out with its very good selfie camera, alongside strong software support and solid low light performance, which benefits overall photo quality. The Samsung Galaxy S21 also provides a good selfie option and balances its camera capabilities with versatility and higher video resolution, yet doesn't quite match the Pixel 6 in software and low light photo aspects.
Photo Quality
7.7
7.0
The Google Pixel 6 and Samsung Galaxy S21 both have good photos, though the Google Pixel 6 takes somewhat better photos.
The Google Pixel 6 takes very good photos because it has a higher overall camera software experience and better dynamic range in photos compared to the Samsung Galaxy S21, which affected its selfie score. The Pixel 6 also has a more versatile main camera with higher megapixels, aiding in its stronger performance in various conditions, including low light.
Cost
$270
$145
$50
$100
$150
$200
$250
$300
$350
$400
The Google Pixel 6 has a price of $270 and the Samsung Galaxy S21 costs $145.
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Key similarities
Video Quality
7.0
6.6
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Google Pixel 6 to have good videos, while the Samsung Galaxy S21 takes only fair videos.
The Samsung Galaxy S21 outperforms the Google Pixel 6 in video resolution and framerate, delivering higher clarity and smoother motion in recordings. While both phones have good video stabilization and low light performance, the S21's video software experience is rated better, indicating a more intuitive interface and features that enhance the recording process.
Battery
6.9 Hours
6.7 Hours
The Google Pixel 6 has 6.9 hours of battery life. The Samsung Galaxy S21 has 6.7 hours of battery life.
Screen Size
The Google Pixel 6 has a screen size of 6.4 inches and the Samsung Galaxy S21 is 6.2 inches.
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How the Google Pixel 6 and the Samsung Galaxy S21 compare to other phones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Google Pixel 6 | Samsung Galaxy S21 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$270 | $145 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Samsung | ||
Operating System | |||
Operating System | Android | Android | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | October 28, 2022 | January 29, 2021 | |
SCREEN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Screen Size | |||
Screen Size | 6.4" | 6.2" | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 2400 x 1080 | 2400 x 1080 | |
Variable refresh rate | |||
Variable refresh rate | Yes | No | |
Pixels Per Inch | |||
Pixels Per Inch | 411 | 421 | |
Display Type | |||
Display Type | OLED | OLED | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | Tensor | SD888 | |
Internal Storage | |||
Internal Storage | 128 GB | 128 GB | |
RAM | |||
RAM | 8 GB | 8 GB | |
CAMERA | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Overall Camera Quality Score | |||
Overall Camera Quality Score | 7.8/10 | 7.2/10 | |
Photos Score | |||
Photos Score | 7.8/10 | 7/10 | |
Videos Score | |||
Videos Score | 7/10 | 6.6/10 | |
Rear Cameras | |||
Rear Cameras | Main, Ultrawide | Main, Ultrawide, Telephoto | |
Main Camera | |||
Main Camera | 50 megapixels + OIS | 12 megapixels + OIS | |
BATTERY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery Life | |||
Battery Life | 6.9 Hours | 6.7 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 4614 mAh | 4000 mAh | |
Wireless Charging | |||
Wireless Charging | Yes | Yes | |
Wireless charging Speed | |||
Wireless charging Speed | 21 W | 15 W | |
Reverse wireless charging | |||
Reverse wireless charging | Yes (5 watts) | Yes (4.5 watts) | |
PHYSICAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Size | |||
Size | 6.24" x 2.94" | 5.97" x 2.8" | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 7.30 oz | 5.96 oz | |
Back Material | |||
Back Material | Glass | Plastic | |
Stereo Speakers | |||
Stereo Speakers | No | No | |
CONNECTIVITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Dual SIM | |||
Dual SIM | Yes | Yes | |
Bluetooth Version | |||
Bluetooth Version | 5.2 | 5.0 | |
A2DP | |||
A2DP | Yes | Yes | |
WiFi Version | |||
WiFi Version | 6e | 6 | |
NFC | |||
NFC | Yes | Yes | |
US 5G Bands | |||
US 5G Bands | (SA/NSA/Sub6/mmWave) 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 14, 20, 25, 28, 30, 38, 40, 41, 48, 66, 71, 77, 78, 257, 258, 260, 261 (SA/NSA/Sub6) 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 14, 20, 25, 28, 30, 38, 40, 41, 48, 66, 71, 77, 78 | (SA/NSA/Sub6/mmWave)2, 5, 25, 41, 66, 71, 260, 261 (SA/NSA/Sub6)1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 77, 78 | |
OTHER FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Biometric unlock | |||
Biometric unlock | Fingerprint sensor: Under Display | Face unlock, Fingerprint sensor: Under Display | |
Unlockable Bootloader | |||
Unlockable Bootloader | Yes (Except Verizon Models) | No | |
Color | |||
Color | Stormy Black, Sorta Seafoam, Kinda Coral | Phantom Gray, Phantom White, Phantom Violet, Phantom Pink | |
Stock Android | |||
Stock Android | Yes | No | |
SD Card | |||
SD Card | No | No | |
Shopping
Google Pixel 6
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Dig into reviews and images
Android Police
Taylor Kerns | April 2022
"It punches above its weight in nearly every way: performance is great, build quality is very good, and the cameras positively rip. this is a big phone, which is a bit of a shock after the compact Pixel 4 and Pixel 5. But it’s a very good big phone at a very good price."
Samsung Galaxy S21
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Dig into reviews and images
Android Central
Huseman Joe | February 2022
"The Galaxy S21 delivers the flagship Samsung experience in a phone that's much more pocketable (and affordable) than the top-end S21 Ultra.The triple-camera system is incredibly capable, Samsung's One UI 3.1 software is chock-full of features and settings to mess with, and I've not once missed having expandable storage."
Get a great deal on the Google Pixel 6 or the Samsung Galaxy S21
About Google
Google can be considered a relatively new player in the smartphone industry, joining as late as 2016 with their phone, the Google Pixel. Since then, the Pixel lineup has undergone many changes, but it has always been characterized by a focus on photography and clean software, by providing a pure Android experience. By virtue of Google being the creator of the Android operating system, Pixels are known for receiving timely software updates and for being supported with updates for a long time. Additionally, over the past few generations of devices, Google started designing their own processors. This allowed for the implementation of unique software features that are not present in any other phone, such as automatic call screening and unique voice transcribing capabilities.
About Samsung
Samsung is one of the most recognizable names in the smartphone industry, standing as the undisputed best-selling brand of Android smartphones in the United States for many years now. Samsung is known for offering a variety of smartphones in all available price points, as well as for implementing cutting-edge technology and innovative features in their flagship devices, ones that often shape the market going forward. The company offers its own unique spin on Android, called One UI, which focuses on offering a multitude of features and is heavily customizable, according to user preference.
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Why trust us
This information was produced and vetted by the PerfectRec phones team. We are a product research and recommendation organization that meticulously reviews and evaluates the latest phone information and makes it digestible for you.
By the numbers
68
Phones evaluated
7,820
Phones stats compiled
8
Proprietary Phones ratings developed
152,400
Recommendations made
86,360
Consumer hours saved
About the phone team
Joe Golden, Ph.D
CEO and Phones Editor
Joe is an entrepreneur and lifelong electronics enthusiast with a Ph.D in Economics from the University of Michigan.
Jason Lew
Staff Expert & Software Engineer
Jason is a staff expert and software engineer that has been making laptop recommendations for 7 years and moderates one of the largest laptop subreddits.
Chandradeep Chowdhury
Staff Expert & Software Engineer
Chandradeep is a staff expert and software engineer and expert in televisions and monitors. He’s been making monitor recommendations for ten years.
Seth Peoples
Phones Expert
Seth is a US-based product expert focusing on smartphones and he is a moderator of one of the largest smartphone subreddits. His tailored recommendations have helped him earn over 87k comment karma, putting him in the top 1% of Redditors.
Efthimis Kotanidis
Phones Expert
Efthimis is a Greece-based product expert focusing on smartphones. He has been recommending phones for 4 years and his recommendations on Reddit have earned him over 35k karma.
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