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What we think
The PerfectRec phone team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
The Google Pixel 6a is the more budget-friendly option, with a solid camera that is great for still photography and video quality, alongside a plastic back that is less premium but also less fragile. Meanwhile, the Samsung Galaxy S20 FE, while more expensive, offers a slightly larger screen, a higher refresh rate which makes for smoother scrolling and animation, and wireless charging capabilities, which the Pixel lacks. Both devices have similar storage, battery life, and run on Android, but the Galaxy S20 FE also boasts an additional telephoto camera, enabling better zoomed-in photos. If cost is a significant concern and you want good camera performance, the Pixel 6a is very capable. However, if you're willing to invest more for enhanced features like a smoother screen and wireless charging, the Galaxy S20 FE might be worth the extra expense. 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 6a
- Good for taking photos
- Good for recording videos
Advantages of the Samsung Galaxy S20 FE
- The Samsung Galaxy S20 FE has no clear advantages over the Google Pixel 6a.
Key differences
Overall Camera Quality
7.6
6.2
The Google Pixel 6a has good overall camera quality, while the Samsung Galaxy S20 FE has only fair overall camera quality.
The Google Pixel 6a offers a superior selfie camera experience compared to the Samsung Galaxy S20 FE, primarily due to its higher quality selfie performance, which is seen as significantly better. The Pixel 6a's edge in photos software, dynamic range, and low light performance also contribute to its advantage in camera capabilities, despite both phones sharing features like camera versatility and a competent range of video recording capabilities.
Photo Quality
7.4
6.3
The Google Pixel 6a takes good photos, while the Samsung Galaxy S20 FE takes only fair photos.
The Google Pixel 6a captures very good photos, with advanced software that enhances its photography capabilities, particularly in terms of resolution, dynamic range, and low-light performance. In contrast, while the Samsung Galaxy S20 FE has solid camera hardware as well, it falls short in low light performance and dynamic range, which results in fair photo quality, despite offering a higher selfie camera megapixel count.
Video Quality
7.2
5.5
The Google Pixel 6a takes good videos, while the Samsung Galaxy S20 FE takes poor videos.
The Google Pixel 6a offers a very good video software experience, excellent video stabilization, and very good performance in video dynamic range and low light, paired with good microphone quality. On the other hand, the Samsung Galaxy S20 FE provides a good video software experience and stabilization, but with only fair video dynamic range and low light performance, and microphone quality that is also fair.
Screen Size
The Google Pixel 6a has a screen size of 6.1 inches and the Samsung Galaxy S20 FE is 6.5 inches.
Cost
$400
$198
$100
$200
$300
$400
$500
$600
The Google Pixel 6a has a price of $400 and the Samsung Galaxy S20 FE costs $198.
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Key similarities
Battery
7.6 Hours
7.8 Hours
The Google Pixel 6a has 7.6 hours of battery life. The Samsung Galaxy S20 FE has 7.8 hours of battery life.
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How the Google Pixel 6a and the Samsung Galaxy S20 FE compare to other phones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Google Pixel 6a | Samsung Galaxy S20 FE |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$400 | $198 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Samsung | ||
Operating System | |||
Operating System | Android | Android | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | July 21, 2022 | October 2, 2020 | |
SCREEN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Screen Size | |||
Screen Size | 6.1" | 6.5" | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 2400 x 1080 | 2400 x 1080 | |
Variable refresh rate | |||
Variable refresh rate | No | No | |
Pixels Per Inch | |||
Pixels Per Inch | 429 | 405 | |
Display Type | |||
Display Type | OLED | OLED | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | Tensor | SD865 | |
Internal Storage | |||
Internal Storage | 128 GB | 128 GB | |
RAM | |||
RAM | 6 GB | 6 GB | |
CAMERA | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Overall Camera Quality Score | |||
Overall Camera Quality Score | 7.6/10 | 6.3/10 | |
Photos Score | |||
Photos Score | 7.5/10 | 6.4/10 | |
Videos Score | |||
Videos Score | 7.3/10 | 5.5/10 | |
Rear Cameras | |||
Rear Cameras | Main, Ultrawide | Main, Ultrawide, Telephoto | |
Main Camera | |||
Main Camera | 12.2 megapixels + OIS | 12 megapixels + OIS | |
BATTERY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery Life | |||
Battery Life | 7.6 Hours | 7.8 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 4410 mAh | 4500 mAh | |
Wireless Charging | |||
Wireless Charging | No | Yes | |
Wireless charging Speed | |||
Wireless charging Speed | 0 W | 15 W | |
Reverse wireless charging | |||
Reverse wireless charging | No | Yes (4.5 watts) | |
PHYSICAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Size | |||
Size | 5.99" x 2.83" | 6.29" x 2.93" | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 6.28 oz | 6.70 oz | |
Back Material | |||
Back Material | Plastic | Plastic | |
Stereo Speakers | |||
Stereo Speakers | No | No | |
CONNECTIVITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Dual SIM | |||
Dual SIM | Yes | No | |
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)2, 5, 41, 66, 71 | |
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 | Chalk, Sage, Charcoal | Cloud Navy, Cloud Red, Cloud White, Cloud Orange, Cloud Lavendar, Cloud Mint | |
Stock Android | |||
Stock Android | Yes | No | |
SD Card | |||
SD Card | No | Yes | |
Shopping
Google Pixel 6a
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Dig into reviews and images
Ars Technica
Ron Amadeo | July 2022
"it's very hard to find fault with the Pixel 6a. It has a processor that, in the US at least, blows away other Android phones in this price range. The design is great, the camera is fine, and the price is right. What's not to like?"
Samsung Galaxy S20 FE
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Dig into reviews and images
Android Authority
Eric Zeman | March 2023
"The Samsung Galaxy S20 FE is a fine phone. The flat display glass may turn off some, but the 120Hz refresh rate turned me on. I really liked the overall size and usability of the phone, and the six different colors mean you’ll likely find a version to suit your personal style. Other pros include solid performance, excellent battery life, and straightforward software."
Get a great deal on the Google Pixel 6a or the Samsung Galaxy S20 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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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
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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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