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Updated January 10, 2024·
For a better camera experience, the Google Pixel 6 Pro is recommended as it provides higher photo and video quality, along with a larger 50-megapixel main camera compared to the 12-megapixel of the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE. The Pixel also boasts a telephoto lens with more megapixels and a longer focal length, which means better zoom capabilities. However, if battery life is a priority, both phones offer similar performance. The S21 FE has a slightly brighter screen which could be beneficial in outdoor conditions. In terms of size and weight, the Pixel 6 Pro has a slightly larger screen and is heavier. Both phones offer wireless charging, but the S21 FE has the advantage of higher wireless charging speed and reverse wireless charging. If external storage is important, neither device supports SD cards. They run on different processors with the Pixel using Google's Tensor and the S21 FE equipped with the Snapdragon 888, both offering solid performance. Lastly, both phones have the Android operating system but may have different software features based on their manufacturers. 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 Pro
- Very good for taking photos
- Good for recording videos
- Best in class display quality
Advantages of the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE
- The Samsung Galaxy S21 FE has no clear advantages over the Google Pixel 6 Pro.
Key differences
Overall Camera Quality
8.0
7.0
The Google Pixel 6 Pro has very good overall camera quality, while the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE has good overall camera quality.
The Google Pixel 6 Pro is recognized for its superior camera performance, particularly in selfie quality, thanks to its better overall photo and video software experience, low light capabilities, and a more versatile camera system. In comparison, the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE offers commendable camera performance with slightly lower capabilities in dynamic range and low light, yet remains a competitive option for those considering a blend of quality and cost.
Photo Quality
8.0
6.9
The Google Pixel 6 Pro takes very good photos, while the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE takes only fair photos.
The Google Pixel 6 Pro delivers very good selfies due to its high selfie quality, along with strong performance in software experience, dynamic range, and low light conditions, which collectively provide a robust photography experience. Conversely, the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE also produces good selfies, but it has slightly lower dynamic range and software experience which may affect the overall photo quality especially in challenging lighting conditions.
Video Quality
7.3
5.9
The Google Pixel 6 Pro takes good videos, while the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE takes poor videos.
The Google Pixel 6 Pro offers very good video resolution and frame rate, complemented by excellent video software experience, stabilization, dynamic range, and low light performance, as well as very good microphone quality. Meanwhile, the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE also provides very good video resolution and frame rate, with good scores across video software experience, stabilization, dynamic range, and microphone quality, but only fair performance in low light settings.
Screen Size
The Google Pixel 6 Pro has a screen size of 6.71 inches and the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE is 6.4 inches.
Cost
$309
$770
$0
$200
$400
$600
$800
$1,000
$1,200
The Google Pixel 6 Pro has a price of $309 and the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE costs $770.
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Key similarities
Battery
6.7 Hours
6.7 Hours
The Google Pixel 6 Pro has 6.7 hours of battery life. The Samsung Galaxy S21 FE has 6.7 hours of battery life.
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How the Google Pixel 6 Pro and the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE compare to other phones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Google Pixel 6 Pro | Samsung Galaxy S21 FE |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$309 | $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 | 6.71" | 6.4" | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 3120 x 1440 | 2400 x 1080 | |
Variable refresh rate | |||
Variable refresh rate | Yes | No | |
Pixels Per Inch | |||
Pixels Per Inch | 512 | 401 | |
Display Type | |||
Display Type | OLED | OLED | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | Tensor | SD888 | |
Internal Storage | |||
Internal Storage | 128 GB | 128 GB | |
RAM | |||
RAM | 12 GB | 6 GB | |
CAMERA | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Overall Camera Quality Score | |||
Overall Camera Quality Score | 8/10 | 7.1/10 | |
Photos Score | |||
Photos Score | 8.1/10 | 6.9/10 | |
Videos Score | |||
Videos Score | 7.4/10 | 5.9/10 | |
Rear Cameras | |||
Rear Cameras | Main, Ultrawide, Super Telephoto | Main, Ultrawide, Telephoto | |
Main Camera | |||
Main Camera | 50 megapixels + OIS | 12 megapixels + OIS | |
BATTERY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery Life | |||
Battery Life | 6.7 Hours | 6.7 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 5003 mAh | 4500 mAh | |
Wireless Charging | |||
Wireless Charging | Yes | Yes | |
Wireless charging Speed | |||
Wireless charging Speed | 23 W | 15 W | |
Reverse wireless charging | |||
Reverse wireless charging | Yes (5 watts) | Yes (4.5 watts) | |
PHYSICAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Size | |||
Size | 6.45" x 2.99" | 6.13" x 2.93" | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 7.41 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, Cloudy White, Sorta Sunny | Graphite, Lavender, Olive, White, Navy Blue | |
Stock Android | |||
Stock Android | Yes | No | |
SD Card | |||
SD Card | No | No | |
Shopping
Google Pixel 6 Pro
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Dig into reviews and images
TechRadar
James Peckham | August 2022
"The Google Pixel 6 Pro has one of the best screens you’ll find on a smartphone, and you’ll get a bright and bold picture no matter what you’re doing. That’s a big deal for many, and for some it may be reason enough to buy this phone. Its main sensor is fantastic, the telephoto is strong and there are new exciting software features too."
Samsung Galaxy S21 FE
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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 Pro 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.
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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
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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
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Chandradeep is a staff expert and software engineer and expert in televisions and monitors. He’s been making monitor recommendations for ten years.
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