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The PerfectRec phone team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
If a better camera and longer battery life are important to you, consider the Google Pixel 7; however, it is more expensive. If you are looking for a more budget-friendly option and prefer a larger screen size, the Samsung Galaxy S21+ would be a suitable choice. Both phones run on Android, have high-quality OLED displays with high refresh rates, and offer features like wireless charging and 5G connectivity. Keep in mind the Google Pixel 7 has a newer processor and a higher-quality overall camera system, but the Samsung Galaxy S21+ has a slightly higher quality display and additional video recording capabilities like 8K. 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
Advantages of the Samsung Galaxy S21+
- Very good battery life
- 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 stands out with its superior selfie camera performance, making it especially appealing for those who enjoy taking front-facing photos, and it is complemented by great camera software including unique features like Magic Eraser.
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 provides an excellent photo-taking experience, partly due to its highly rated photos software, which enhances image processing and dynamic range, and also due to its superior selfie camera quality. Meanwhile, the Samsung Galaxy S21+ offers a good photography experience with commendable versatility, dynamic range, and low light performance, but its software experience for photos is rated slightly lower, which can affect the overall image quality.
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 provides an excellent video recording experience, with high-quality video stabilization, dynamic range, low light performance, and mic quality, making it adept for capturing very good videos. Conversely, while the Samsung Galaxy S21+ also offers a good video experience, some aspects like video stabilization and dynamic range are not as highly evaluated, suggesting a slight compromise in certain conditions.
Screen Size
The Google Pixel 7 has a screen size of 6.3 inches and the Samsung Galaxy S21+ is 6.7 inches.
Cost
$700
$340
$0
$200
$400
$600
$800
$1,000
$1,200
The Google Pixel 7 has a price of $700 and the Samsung Galaxy S21+ costs $340.
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Key similarities
Battery
7.6 Hours
8.0 Hours
The Google Pixel 7 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 7 and the Samsung Galaxy S21+ compare to other phones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Google Pixel 7 | Samsung Galaxy S21+ |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$700 | $340 | ||
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" | 6.7" | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 2400 x 1080 | 2400 x 1080 | |
Variable refresh rate | |||
Variable refresh rate | Yes | No | |
Pixels Per Inch | |||
Pixels Per Inch | 416 | 394 | |
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 | 8 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 4355 mAh | 4800 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" | 6.36" x 2.98" | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 6.95 oz | 7.05 oz | |
Back Material | |||
Back Material | Glass | 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 | 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 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 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
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 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
152,700
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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