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The PerfectRec phone team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
If you're looking for a phone with a stronger camera and don't mind the higher cost, the Google Pixel 7 might be a good option for you. On the other hand, if you prefer to save money and are content with a competent but less impressive camera, the Samsung Galaxy S21 could be a more suitable choice. In terms of battery life, if this is a priority for you, consider that the Google Pixel 7 generally offers a longer battery life compared to the Galaxy S21. Lastly, if screen size is important to you, be aware that the Samsung Galaxy S21 typically comes with a slightly larger display than the Pixel 7, which might enhance your viewing experience. Keep in mind that the Pixel 7 runs on Android with a Google-led software experience, while the Galaxy S21 also uses Android but with Samsung's own interface and additional features. 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 7
- Very good for taking photos
- Good for recording videos
- Good battery life
Advantages of the Samsung Galaxy S21
- Very good display quality
- Good performance
Key differences
Overall Camera Quality
8.0
7.2
The Google Pixel 7 has very good overall camera quality, while the Samsung Galaxy S21 has good overall camera quality.
The Google Pixel 7 offers a best-in-class selfie camera that excels in software experience, dynamic range, and low light performance, making it a superior choice for self-portraits and versatile photography needs. Conversely, the Samsung Galaxy S21 provides a good overall camera experience with excellent video resolution and stabilization but lags slightly behind the Pixel 7 in selfie camera quality and photo software sophistication.
Photo Quality
8.0
7.0
The Google Pixel 7 takes very good photos, while the Samsung Galaxy S21 takes good photos.
The Google Pixel 7 takes excellent photos primarily because it offers a better software experience for photography, which includes features like Magic Eraser, and has superior selfie quality, which is very important for many users. The Samsung Galaxy S21, however, also has a good overall camera performance with fair dynamic range and low light performance, but its selfie capabilities are not as highly rated as the Pixel 7's.
Video Quality
7.4
6.6
The Google Pixel 7 takes good videos, while the Samsung Galaxy S21 takes only fair videos.
The Google Pixel 7 delivers excellent video stabilization and very good across other factors like resolution/framerate, software experience, dynamic range, low light performance, and mic quality, making for very good videos overall. The Samsung Galaxy S21 offers good video qualities but lacks the same level of stabilization, scoring best only in resolution/framerate, which contributes to its overall good video capabilities.
Battery
7.6 Hours
6.7 Hours
The Google Pixel 7 has 7.6 hours of battery life. The Samsung Galaxy S21 has 6.7 hours of battery life.
Cost
$700
$145
$0
$200
$400
$600
$800
$1,000
$1,200
The Google Pixel 7 has a price of $700 and the Samsung Galaxy S21 costs $145.
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Key similarities
Screen Size
The Google Pixel 7 has a screen size of 6.3 inches and the Samsung Galaxy S21 is 6.2 inches.
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How the Google Pixel 7 and the Samsung Galaxy S21 compare to other phones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Google Pixel 7 | Samsung Galaxy S21 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$700 | $145 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Samsung | ||
Operating System | |||
Operating System | Android | Android | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | October 13, 2022 | January 29, 2021 | |
SCREEN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Screen Size | |||
Screen Size | 6.3" | 6.2" | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 2400 x 1080 | 2400 x 1080 | |
Variable refresh rate | |||
Variable refresh rate | Yes | No | |
Pixels Per Inch | |||
Pixels Per Inch | 416 | 421 | |
Display Type | |||
Display Type | OLED | OLED | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | TensorG2 | SD888 | |
Internal Storage | |||
Internal Storage | 128 GB | 128 GB | |
RAM | |||
RAM | 8 GB | 8 GB | |
CAMERA | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Overall Camera Quality Score | |||
Overall Camera Quality Score | 8/10 | 7.2/10 | |
Photos Score | |||
Photos Score | 8/10 | 7/10 | |
Videos Score | |||
Videos Score | 7.4/10 | 6.6/10 | |
Rear Cameras | |||
Rear Cameras | Main, Ultrawide | Main, Ultrawide, Telephoto | |
Main Camera | |||
Main Camera | 50 megapixels + OIS | 12 megapixels + OIS | |
BATTERY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery Life | |||
Battery Life | 7.6 Hours | 6.7 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 4355 mAh | 4000 mAh | |
Wireless Charging | |||
Wireless Charging | Yes | Yes | |
Wireless charging Speed | |||
Wireless charging Speed | 20 W | 15 W | |
Reverse wireless charging | |||
Reverse wireless charging | Yes (5 watts) | Yes (4.5 watts) | |
PHYSICAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Size | |||
Size | 6.13" x 2.88" | 5.97" x 2.8" | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 6.95 oz | 5.96 oz | |
Back Material | |||
Back Material | Glass | 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 | Face unlock, Fingerprint sensor: Under Display | Face unlock, Fingerprint sensor: Under Display | |
Unlockable Bootloader | |||
Unlockable Bootloader | Yes (Except Verizon Models) | No | |
Color | |||
Color | Lemongrass, Snow, Obsidian | Phantom Gray, Phantom White, Phantom Violet, Phantom Pink | |
Stock Android | |||
Stock Android | Yes | No | |
SD Card | |||
SD Card | No | No | |
Shopping
Google Pixel 7
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Dig into reviews and images
The Verge
Allison Johnson | October 2022
"I have no problem recommending the Pixel 7 and 7 Pro to those brave enough to look outside of the Apple / Samsung duopoly. They’re slightly better versions of the very good phones Google released last year. The Pixel 7 is a heck of a deal for someone who wants a flagship Android phone without paying flagship prices."
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 7 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
68
Phones evaluated
7,820
Phones stats compiled
8
Proprietary Phones ratings developed
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Recommendations made
86,530
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.
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.
Chandradeep Chowdhury
Staff Expert & Software Engineer
Chandradeep is a staff expert and software engineer and expert in televisions and monitors. He’s been making monitor recommendations for ten years.
Seth Peoples
Phones Expert
Seth is a US-based product expert focusing on smartphones and he is a moderator of one of the largest smartphone subreddits. His tailored recommendations have helped him earn over 87k comment karma, putting him in the top 1% of Redditors.
Efthimis Kotanidis
Phones Expert
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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