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What we think
The PerfectRec phone team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
The Google Pixel 6a is a slightly newer choice with a stronger overall camera performance and longer battery life, which can be vital if photography and staying powered throughout the day are your primary concerns. On the other hand, the Samsung Galaxy S21 offers a screen with a higher refresh rate, which means smoother visuals, potentially better for gaming or watching videos. Both have similar storage, are made by reputable manufacturers, and run on Android, but the Galaxy S21 has an additional telephoto camera and reverse wireless charging, which are absent in the Pixel 6a. The choice hinges on whether camera quality and battery life are worth the extra cost of the Pixel 6a, or if a smoother display and extra features like reverse wireless charging make the Galaxy S21 more appealing at a lower price point. 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 battery life
Advantages of the Samsung Galaxy S21
- Very good display quality
- Good performance
Key differences
Video Quality
7.2
6.6
The Google Pixel 6a takes good videos, while the Samsung Galaxy S21 takes only fair videos.
The Samsung Galaxy S21 offers superior video resolution and frame rate, which means it provides clearer and smoother video capture. On the other hand, the Google Pixel 6a is praised for its video software experience, ensuring that common video recording tasks are handled efficiently and intuitively, with both phones providing good video stabilization, dynamic range, low light performance, and microphone quality.
Battery
7.6 Hours
6.7 Hours
The Google Pixel 6a has 7.6 hours of battery life. The Samsung Galaxy S21 has 6.7 hours of battery life.
Cost
$400
$145
$0
$100
$200
$300
$400
$500
$600
The Google Pixel 6a has a price of $400 and the Samsung Galaxy S21 costs $145.
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Key similarities
Overall Camera Quality
7.6
7.2
The Google Pixel 6a and Samsung Galaxy S21 both have good overall cameras quality.
The Google Pixel 6a stands out with a very good selfie camera, supported by its highly rated photo software experience that enhances the selfie's resolution, dynamic range, and low light performance. In contrast, the Samsung Galaxy S21's selfie camera is rated as good, not reaching the same heights in key areas like software experience, which is crucial for overall photo quality and versatility.
Photo Quality
7.4
7.0
The Google Pixel 6a and Samsung Galaxy S21 both have good photos.
The Google Pixel 6a takes very good photos with better software experience, dynamic range, and low light performance, also featuring a respectable selfie quality, all contributing to a good photography experience despite its camera's limited versatility. Conversely, the Samsung Galaxy S21 delivers good photos with a slightly lower selfie score but compensates with additional camera versatility, which can be an advantage for users interested in a range of photographic options.
Screen Size
The Google Pixel 6a has a screen size of 6.1 inches and the Samsung Galaxy S21 is 6.2 inches.
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How the Google Pixel 6a and the Samsung Galaxy S21 compare to other phones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Google Pixel 6a | Samsung Galaxy S21 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$400 | $145 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Samsung | ||
Operating System | |||
Operating System | Android | Android | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | July 21, 2022 | January 29, 2021 | |
SCREEN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Screen Size | |||
Screen Size | 6.1" | 6.2" | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 2400 x 1080 | 2400 x 1080 | |
Variable refresh rate | |||
Variable refresh rate | No | No | |
Pixels Per Inch | |||
Pixels Per Inch | 429 | 421 | |
Display Type | |||
Display Type | OLED | OLED | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | Tensor | SD888 | |
Internal Storage | |||
Internal Storage | 128 GB | 128 GB | |
RAM | |||
RAM | 6 GB | 8 GB | |
CAMERA | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Overall Camera Quality Score | |||
Overall Camera Quality Score | 7.6/10 | 7.2/10 | |
Photos Score | |||
Photos Score | 7.5/10 | 7/10 | |
Videos Score | |||
Videos Score | 7.3/10 | 6.6/10 | |
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 | 6.7 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 4410 mAh | 4000 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" | 5.97" x 2.8" | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 6.28 oz | 5.96 oz | |
Back Material | |||
Back Material | Plastic | 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)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 | Chalk, Sage, Charcoal | Phantom Gray, Phantom White, Phantom Violet, Phantom Pink | |
Stock Android | |||
Stock Android | Yes | No | |
SD Card | |||
SD Card | No | No | |
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 S21
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Dig into reviews and images
Android Central
Huseman Joe | February 2022
"The Galaxy S21 delivers the flagship Samsung experience in a phone that's much more pocketable (and affordable) than the top-end S21 Ultra.The triple-camera system is incredibly capable, Samsung's One UI 3.1 software is chock-full of features and settings to mess with, and I've not once missed having expandable storage."
Get a great deal on the Google Pixel 6a 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
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Phones evaluated
7,820
Phones stats compiled
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Proprietary Phones ratings developed
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Recommendations made
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Consumer hours saved
About the phone team
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CEO and Phones Editor
Joe is an entrepreneur and lifelong electronics enthusiast with a Ph.D in Economics from the University of Michigan.
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