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What we think
The PerfectRec phone team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
If saving money is your priority, then the Google Pixel 6a is certainly the more budget-friendly option. However, the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE boasts a superior screen refresh rate for smoother scrolling and graphics, which is notable if you prefer an enhanced visual experience. The S21 FE also has a slightly larger screen, which might appeal if you consume a lot of media on your device. For camera capabilities, both offer good performance, but the Galaxy S21 FE includes additional camera features and a higher megapixel front camera, potentially making it a better choice if selfies are important to you. Battery capacity is relatively comparable, yet the Galaxy S21 FE has a slightly larger battery which may translate into longer usage between charges. Both phones run Android and are made with plastic backs, so their overall durability and software experience will be quite similar. 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
- Good battery life
Advantages of the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE
- The Samsung Galaxy S21 FE has no clear advantages over the Google Pixel 6a.
Key differences
Overall Camera Quality
7.6
7.0
The Google Pixel 6a and Samsung Galaxy S21 FE both have good overall camera quality, though the Google Pixel 6a has somewhat better overall camera quality.
The Google Pixel 6a offers a very good selfie camera performance, which is important for those looking to capture high-quality self-portraits, and it provides a strong overall photos software experience with good performance in dynamic range and low-light conditions. On the other hand, the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE, while having a good selfie camera quality and solid camera versatility, slightly lags behind in the low light and dynamic range categories, but it compensates with a telephoto camera offering optical zoom, adding to its utility for diverse photo opportunities.
Photo Quality
7.4
6.9
The Google Pixel 6a takes good photos, while the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE takes only fair photos.
The Google Pixel 6a provides top-notch photo software experience and low light performance, alongside a good dynamic range, while the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE excels in selfie quality, offering very good selfies compared to the Pixel 6a's just good selfies.
Video Quality
7.2
5.9
The Google Pixel 6a takes good videos, while the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE takes poor videos.
The Google Pixel 6a provides very good video stabilization, dynamic range, low light performance, and microphone quality, which contributes to a reliable video recording experience in various conditions. On the other hand, the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE offers comparable video qualities in terms of stabilization and dynamic range, but it may not perform as well in low light conditions; however, its microphone quality is on par with the Pixel 6a, ensuring clear audio recording.
Battery
7.6 Hours
6.7 Hours
The Google Pixel 6a has 7.6 hours of battery life. The Samsung Galaxy S21 FE has 6.7 hours of battery life.
Cost
$400
$770
$200
$400
$600
$800
$1,000
$1,200
The Google Pixel 6a has a price of $400 and the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE costs $770.
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Key similarities
Screen Size
The Google Pixel 6a has a screen size of 6.1 inches and the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE is 6.4 inches.
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How the Google Pixel 6a and the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE compare to other phones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Google Pixel 6a | Samsung Galaxy S21 FE |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$400 | $770 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Samsung | ||
Operating System | |||
Operating System | Android | Android | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | July 21, 2022 | January 29, 2022 | |
SCREEN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Screen Size | |||
Screen Size | 6.1" | 6.4" | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 2400 x 1080 | 2400 x 1080 | |
Variable refresh rate | |||
Variable refresh rate | No | No | |
Pixels Per Inch | |||
Pixels Per Inch | 429 | 401 | |
Display Type | |||
Display Type | OLED | OLED | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | Tensor | SD888 | |
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 | 7.1/10 | |
Photos Score | |||
Photos Score | 7.5/10 | 6.9/10 | |
Videos Score | |||
Videos Score | 7.3/10 | 5.9/10 | |
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 | 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" | 6.13" x 2.93" | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 6.28 oz | 6.24 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)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 | Chalk, Sage, Charcoal | Graphite, Lavender, Olive, White, Navy Blue | |
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 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 6a 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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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
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Joe is an entrepreneur and lifelong electronics enthusiast with a Ph.D in Economics from the University of Michigan.
Jason Lew
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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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