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What we think
The PerfectRec phone team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
If you prefer a slightly larger screen and higher screen refresh rate, which can result in smoother scrolling and better gaming experience, go for the Samsung Galaxy S21+. It also boasts superior peak brightness, which can be better for outdoor visibility. The Samsung Galaxy S21+ has a glass back, which might feel more premium but can be more prone to breaking compared to the Google Pixel 6a's plastic back. The Pixel 6a, however, offers a newer model with arguably better overall camera quality and more hours of battery life. Both phones run on Android, have high-quality OLED screens, and don't support microSD cards for storage expansion. Choose the Pixel 6a for a newer device and potentially better photography experience or the Galaxy S21+ for a larger display and smoother performance, keeping in mind the Pixel 6a is often somewhat more expensive. 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
- The Google Pixel 6a has no clear advantages over the Samsung Galaxy S21+.
Advantages of the Samsung Galaxy S21+
- Very good battery life
- 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 Google Pixel 6a provides a solid video experience with features like Magic Eraser, highly rated video software, stabilization, dynamic range, low light performance, and mic quality, although with less frame rate options compared to Samsung. On the other hand, the Samsung Galaxy S21+ excels in video resolution and framerate, including support for HDR10+, offering high dynamic range in videos, which may be preferred for those focused on display and video clarity.
Screen Size
The Google Pixel 6a has a screen size of 6.1 inches and the Samsung Galaxy S21+ is 6.7 inches.
Cost
$400
$340
$100
$200
$300
$400
$500
$600
The Google Pixel 6a has a price of $400 and the Samsung Galaxy S21+ costs $340.
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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 is known for its superior photos software experience and good selfie camera quality, making it a strong choice for users focused on photography and selfies. In comparison, while the Samsung Galaxy S21+ also has good capabilities in these areas, its selfie camera quality is not as highly regarded as that of the Pixel 6a, although its overall photos software experience is very good.
Photo Quality
7.4
7.0
The Google Pixel 6a and Samsung Galaxy S21+ both have good photos.
The Google Pixel 6a has a photo software experience and dynamic range that is considered the best, while the Samsung Galaxy S21+ is rated as very good in those areas, which contributes to the Google Pixel 6a's slightly better photo-taking capability, especially in diverse lighting conditions. However, the Samsung Galaxy S21+ takes good selfies compared to the fair selfie quality of the Google Pixel 6a.
Battery
7.6 Hours
8.0 Hours
The Google Pixel 6a has 7.6 hours of battery life. The Samsung Galaxy S21+ has 8 hours of battery life.
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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 | $340 | ||
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" | 6.7" | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 2400 x 1080 | 2400 x 1080 | |
Variable refresh rate | |||
Variable refresh rate | No | No | |
Pixels Per Inch | |||
Pixels Per Inch | 429 | 394 | |
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 | 8 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 4410 mAh | 4800 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" | 6.36" x 2.98" | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 6.28 oz | 7.05 oz | |
Back Material | |||
Back Material | Plastic | 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 | Chalk, Sage, Charcoal | 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 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
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 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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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
Jason is a staff expert and software engineer that has been making laptop recommendations for 7 years and moderates one of the largest laptop subreddits.
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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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Efthimis is a Greece-based product expert focusing on smartphones. He has been recommending phones for 4 years and his recommendations on Reddit have earned him over 35k karma.
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