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Updated January 10, 2024·
If camera quality is your top priority, the Google Pixel 6 Pro is the better choice, offering higher still photo and video quality. If battery life is of concern, both phones perform similarly, but the Samsung Galaxy S21+ is slightly better in this regard. The Google Pixel 6 Pro has a larger screen, which might be preferable for multimedia consumption, but keep in mind that it is slightly bulkier and heavier than the Galaxy S21+. In terms of storage, both phones start at the same capacity. Consider the Pixel 6 Pro if you can stretch your budget for a more advanced camera and larger display, albeit with a higher price. If you're looking for a more economical option, the Galaxy S21+ still provides good performance and quality. Both phones run Android, so the operating system isn't a differentiating factor here. 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+
- Very good battery life
Key differences
Overall Camera Quality
8.0
7.2
The Google Pixel 6 Pro has very good overall camera quality, while the Samsung Galaxy S21+ has good overall camera quality.
The Google Pixel 6 Pro's superior selfie quality makes it ideal for capturing brilliant self-portraits, significantly better than the Samsung Galaxy S21+. When considering other important factors like camera versatility and photo low light performance, both phones offer good capabilities, but the Google Pixel 6 Pro stands out with slightly better overall camera performance.
Photo Quality
8.0
7.0
The Google Pixel 6 Pro takes very good photos, while the Samsung Galaxy S21+ takes good photos.
The Google Pixel 6 Pro takes very good photos partly because of its superior camera software, which is rated as the best, leading to an overall better software experience and selfie quality compared to the Samsung Galaxy S21+, which has a very good software experience but lower-rated selfie performance. Both phones have good dynamic range and low-light performance, but the Google Pixel 6 Pro's camera versatility also contributes to its edge in photo quality.
Video Quality
7.3
6.6
The Google Pixel 6 Pro takes good videos, while the Samsung Galaxy S21+ takes only fair videos.
The Google Pixel 6 Pro offers excellent video stabilization and very good video software experience, which is beneficial for creating smooth and user-friendly video content, while the Samsung Galaxy S21+ excels in video dynamic range and mic quality, ensuring videos have rich details across lights and shadows with clear audio capture.
Battery
6.7 Hours
8.0 Hours
The Google Pixel 6 Pro has 6.7 hours of battery life. The Samsung Galaxy S21+ has 8 hours of battery life.
Cost
$309
$340
$150
$200
$250
$300
$350
$400
$450
$500
The Google Pixel 6 Pro has a price of $309 and the Samsung Galaxy S21+ costs $340.
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Key similarities
Screen Size
The Google Pixel 6 Pro has a screen size of 6.71 inches and the Samsung Galaxy S21+ is 6.7 inches.
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How the Google Pixel 6 Pro and the Samsung Galaxy S21+ compare to other phones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Google Pixel 6 Pro | Samsung Galaxy S21+ |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$309 | $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 | 6.71" | 6.7" | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 3120 x 1440 | 2400 x 1080 | |
Variable refresh rate | |||
Variable refresh rate | Yes | No | |
Pixels Per Inch | |||
Pixels Per Inch | 512 | 394 | |
Display Type | |||
Display Type | OLED | OLED | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | Tensor | SD888 | |
Internal Storage | |||
Internal Storage | 128 GB | 128 GB | |
RAM | |||
RAM | 12 GB | 8 GB | |
CAMERA | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Overall Camera Quality Score | |||
Overall Camera Quality Score | 8/10 | 7.2/10 | |
Photos Score | |||
Photos Score | 8.1/10 | 7/10 | |
Videos Score | |||
Videos Score | 7.4/10 | 6.6/10 | |
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 | 8 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 5003 mAh | 4800 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" | 6.36" x 2.98" | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 7.41 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, Cloudy White, Sorta Sunny | 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 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+
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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 Pro 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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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.
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Joe is an entrepreneur and lifelong electronics enthusiast with a Ph.D in Economics from the University of Michigan.
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