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What we think
The PerfectRec phone team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
The Google Pixel 6a is a budget-friendly choice with commendable camera quality, especially for still photos, and offers a decent battery life. It features a plastic body and a smaller screen compared to the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra, which might be less appealing if premium build and large display are priorities. On the other hand, the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra boasts superior screen and camera capabilities, with a prominent display, higher screen resolution, vibrant colors and higher camera quality overall, but at a higher price point. For extended usage and multimedia consumption, the S21 Ultra has a larger battery and more advanced screen features like a higher refresh rate. The choice between the two phones largely depends on whether you value a more affordable price and satisfactory performance or are willing to pay more for premium features and top-notch camera quality. Both run on Android, but the Pixel offers a more stock experience, while Samsung provides additional features and a customized interface. 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 Ultra
- Very good display quality
- Good performance
Key differences
Battery
7.6 Hours
6.7 Hours
The Google Pixel 6a has 7.6 hours of battery life. The Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra has 6.7 hours of battery life.
Screen Size
The Google Pixel 6a has a screen size of 6.1 inches and the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra is 6.8 inches.
Cost
$349
$423
$100
$200
$300
$400
$500
$600
$700
The Google Pixel 6a has a price of $349 and the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra costs $423.
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Key similarities
Overall Camera Quality
7.6
7.8
The Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra and Google Pixel 6a both have good overall cameras quality.
The Google Pixel 6a provides a solid photos software experience and selfie quality, which is beneficial for users who prioritize front-facing camera usage and software-enhanced photography. The Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra, on the other hand, offers greater camera versatility and better low light performance, appealing to those who value a range of photographic options and high-quality images in various lighting conditions.
Photo Quality
7.4
7.8
The Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra and Google Pixel 6a both have good photos.
The Google Pixel 6a provides a best-in-class photos software experience, ensuring pictures look great even in varied conditions. In contrast, the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra, while boasting good selfie quality, has a very good camera versatility, signifying its capability to handle a wider range of photographic scenarios.
Video Quality
7.2
7.1
The Google Pixel 6a and Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra both have good videos.
The Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra provides superior video resolution and framerate capabilities which contribute to clearer and smoother videos, paired with video software that enhances the filming experience. In contrast, while the Google Pixel 6a has a very good stabilization and dynamic range, allowing for steady and visually balanced videos, its video resolution and low light performance, along with microphone quality, are rated as good, indicating a relatively lower capability compared to the S21 Ultra in these aspects.
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How the Google Pixel 6a and the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra compare to other phones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Google Pixel 6a | Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$349 | $423 | ||
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" | 6.8" | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 2400 x 1080 | 3200 x 1440 | |
Variable refresh rate | |||
Variable refresh rate | No | Yes | |
Pixels Per Inch | |||
Pixels Per Inch | 429 | 515 | |
Display Type | |||
Display Type | OLED | OLED | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | Tensor | SD888 | |
Internal Storage | |||
Internal Storage | 128 GB | 128 GB | |
RAM | |||
RAM | 6 GB | 12 GB | |
CAMERA | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Overall Camera Quality Score | |||
Overall Camera Quality Score | 7.6/10 | 7.9/10 | |
Photos Score | |||
Photos Score | 7.5/10 | 7.8/10 | |
Videos Score | |||
Videos Score | 7.3/10 | 7.1/10 | |
Rear Cameras | |||
Rear Cameras | Main, Ultrawide | Main, Ultrawide, Telephoto, Super Telephoto | |
Main Camera | |||
Main Camera | 12.2 megapixels + OIS | 108 megapixels + OIS | |
BATTERY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery Life | |||
Battery Life | 7.6 Hours | 6.7 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 4410 mAh | 5000 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" | 6.5" x 2.98" | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 6.28 oz | 8.01 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 | 5.2 | |
A2DP | |||
A2DP | Yes | Yes | |
WiFi Version | |||
WiFi Version | 6e | 6e | |
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 Navy, Phantom Titanium | |
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 Ultra
See more
Dig into reviews and images
Android Authority
David Imel | January 2023
"The Galaxy S21 Ultra is a killer combo of great design, blazing-fast performance, a wonderful display, long-lasting battery life, and one of the most versatile camera systems you can get in a smartphone today."
Get a great deal on the Google Pixel 6a or the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra
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
68
Phones evaluated
7,820
Phones stats compiled
8
Proprietary Phones ratings developed
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Recommendations made
81,940
Consumer hours saved
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.
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Staff Expert & Software Engineer
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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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