A comparison of specs, key information, reviews, and best pricing from top retailers
Last updated -- hours ago | Report incorrect information
Company ProductName Specs
Company ProductName Specs
What we think
The PerfectRec phone team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
If camera quality is a priority for you, the Google Pixel 6 and Samsung Galaxy S21 FE have comparable overall camera quality. However, the S21 FE's camera system offers slightly higher still photo and video quality. The Pixel 6 offers longer battery life, which might be crucial if you're often on the move. The S21 FE boasts a higher refresh rate screen, providing smoother visuals, which is great for gaming or scrolling through content. Both have similar screen sizes and resolutions. The S21 FE will cost more, but it also includes additional features like wireless DeX for desktop-like experience and slightly more durable Gorilla Glass Victus. The Pixel 6, being more budget-friendly, stands out with its clean Android interface and a little longer battery life. 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
- Good for taking photos
- Good for recording videos
Advantages of the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE
- The Samsung Galaxy S21 FE has no clear advantages over the Google Pixel 6.
Key differences
Overall Camera Quality
7.7
7.0
The Google Pixel 6 and Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 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 higher-rated photos software experience and dynamic range, contributing to its very good cameras, and despite having a fair camera versatility score, it maintains a good selfie quality score. In comparison, the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE, while sporting good cameras, has a lower software experience rating but compensates with a good rating in camera versatility and also shares the same good selfie quality score as the Pixel 6.
Photo Quality
7.7
6.9
The Google Pixel 6 takes good photos, while the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE takes only fair photos.
The Google Pixel 6 takes very good photos partly because it has the highest marks for software experience, which can greatly enhance photo quality. In contrast, while the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE takes good photos and has superior camera versatility, it falls short in selfie quality which is considered very important.
Video Quality
7.0
5.9
The Google Pixel 6 takes good videos, while the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE takes poor videos.
The Samsung Galaxy S21 FE records videos with a higher video resolution/framerate, better video stabilization, and performs adequately in low light, thus offering good video quality overall. In comparison, the Google Pixel 6, despite providing a fair video software experience and decent mic quality, falls short in video resolution/framerate and dynamic range, leading to fair video performance.
Cost
$270
$770
$0
$200
$400
$600
$800
$1,000
$1,200
The Google Pixel 6 has a price of $270 and the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE costs $770.
Let Us Help Find Your Perfect Phone
Find your new phone
Key similarities
Battery
6.9 Hours
6.7 Hours
The Google Pixel 6 has 6.9 hours of battery life. The Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 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 FE is 6.4 inches.
Give feedback
We’re constantly working to improve.
How the Google Pixel 6 and the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE compare to other phones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Google Pixel 6 | Samsung Galaxy S21 FE |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$270 | $770 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Samsung | ||
Operating System | |||
Operating System | Android | Android | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | October 28, 2022 | January 29, 2022 | |
SCREEN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Screen Size | |||
Screen Size | 6.4" | 6.4" | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 2400 x 1080 | 2400 x 1080 | |
Variable refresh rate | |||
Variable refresh rate | Yes | No | |
Pixels Per Inch | |||
Pixels Per Inch | 411 | 401 | |
Display Type | |||
Display Type | OLED | OLED | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | Tensor | SD888 | |
Internal Storage | |||
Internal Storage | 128 GB | 128 GB | |
RAM | |||
RAM | 8 GB | 6 GB | |
CAMERA | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Overall Camera Quality Score | |||
Overall Camera Quality Score | 7.8/10 | 7.1/10 | |
Photos Score | |||
Photos Score | 7.8/10 | 6.9/10 | |
Videos Score | |||
Videos Score | 7/10 | 5.9/10 | |
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 | 4500 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" | 6.13" x 2.93" | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 7.30 oz | 6.24 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)41, 66, 71, 260, 261 | |
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 | Graphite, Lavender, Olive, White, Navy Blue | |
Stock Android | |||
Stock Android | Yes | No | |
SD Card | |||
SD Card | No | No | |
Shopping
Google Pixel 6
See more
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 FE
See more
Dig into reviews and images
Tom's Guide
Philip Michaels | March 2022
"The Galaxy S21 FE is a fine addition to Samsung's S21 lineup, retaining the very best features of those flagship phones for a more modest price. This is a solid phone, matching the performance of the top Android flagships from a year ago and delivering photos that hold their own against some of the best camera phones we've tested."
Get a great deal on the Google Pixel 6 or the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE
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.
Give feedback
We're constantly perfecting our model
Phone guides you might be interested in
More comparisons for you
Compare Google Pixel 6 vs. Samsung Galaxy A32
VS
Compare Google Pixel 6 vs. Apple iPhone 11
VS
Compare Google Pixel 6 vs. Samsung Galaxy Note20
VS
Compare Samsung Galaxy S21 FE vs. OnePlus 12
VS
Compare Samsung Galaxy S21 FE vs. Motorola Motorola Edge+ (2023)
VS
Compare Samsung Galaxy S21 FE vs. Samsung Galaxy S24
VS
FAQs
FAQs about phones
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.
Featured in
