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What we think
The PerfectRec phone team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
If the camera is a top priority for you, the Google Pixel 6 generally offers better photo quality, making it worth considering despite being more expensive than the Samsung Galaxy S21+. However, if screen refresh rate is important, the S21+ has a higher refresh rate for smoother scrolling and animation, but its camera doesn't match the Pixel's. The Pixel 6 has longer battery life than the S21+ and might last you longer on a single charge. The S21+ has a larger screen, which could be better for media consumption and gaming. Both phones run Android, have similar storage, and lack headphone jacks and SD card slots. Choose the Pixel 6 for photography and battery, or the S21+ for the display and cost savings. 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 battery life
- 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's very good cameras are attributed to its excellent software experience and high selfie quality, which enhance its resolution, dynamic range, and low light capabilities. Meanwhile, the Samsung Galaxy S21+ has good cameras with comparable dynamic range and low light performance, but its overall versatility and selfie quality aren't rated as highly.
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 delivers a stronger selfie performance and a higher-rated photo software experience compared to the Samsung Galaxy S21+, while both phones are on par in terms of low light photography. The Samsung Galaxy S21+, however, offers more camera versatility than the Google Pixel 6 and showcases slightly better dynamic range in its photos.
Battery
6.9 Hours
8.0 Hours
The Google Pixel 6 has 6.9 hours of battery life. The Samsung Galaxy S21+ has 8 hours of battery life.
Screen Size
The Google Pixel 6 has a screen size of 6.4 inches and the Samsung Galaxy S21+ is 6.7 inches.
Cost
$270
$340
$150
$200
$250
$300
$350
$400
$450
$500
The Google Pixel 6 has a price of $270 and the Samsung Galaxy S21+ costs $340.
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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+ offers better video capabilities with higher video stabilization, dynamic range, and low-light performance compared to Google Pixel 6; this difference is alongside a more comprehensive video software experience and microphone quality in the S21+. The Google Pixel 6, however, despite having lower performance in these areas, still provides a fair video experience for users not requiring top-of-the-line video quality.
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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 | $340 | ||
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" | 6.7" | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 2400 x 1080 | 2400 x 1080 | |
Variable refresh rate | |||
Variable refresh rate | Yes | No | |
Pixels Per Inch | |||
Pixels Per Inch | 411 | 394 | |
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 | 8 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 4614 mAh | 4800 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" | 6.36" x 2.98" | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 7.30 oz | 7.05 oz | |
Back Material | |||
Back Material | Glass | Glass | |
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 Black, Phantom Silver, Phantom Violet, Phantom Pink, Phantom Gold, Phantom Red | |
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
Tom's Guide
Jordan Palmer | May 2022
"All told, Samsung nailed it with the Galaxy S21 Plus. It has most of the strengths of the smaller S21 in a bigger package. It’s got a lot going for it. If you’re coming from an older device, like the Galaxy S10 series, this is a solid upgrade."
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
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Phones stats compiled
8
Proprietary Phones ratings developed
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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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