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The PerfectRec phone team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
The Google Pixel 7a typically provides a pure Android experience and timely updates directly from Google, which may be important if you prefer a clean interface and the latest software features. On the other hand, the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra often comes with Samsung's custom UI and additional features, some of which may not be available on Pixel phones. If photography is a priority, the Galaxy S21 Ultra usually has a more versatile camera system with multiple lenses offering extensive zoom capabilities, while the Pixel 7a may excel in computational photography, particularly in low light conditions, with a simpler camera setup. In terms of battery life, flagships like the S21 Ultra generally offer longer endurance due to larger batteries. Lastly, the S21 Ultra will likely have a larger and higher resolution screen, which can provide a better viewing experience for media but may make one-handed use more challenging compared to a potentially more compact Pixel 7a. If having a top-notch camera and larger screen is important to you, and you're okay with a heavier and bulkier phone, the S21 Ultra could be worth the extra cost, otherwise, the Pixel 7a may be a more cost-effective option with a still capable camera and clean software experience. 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 7a
- Very good for taking photos
- Good for recording videos
Advantages of the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra
- Very good display quality
- Good performance
Key differences
Screen Size
The Google Pixel 7a has a screen size of 6.1 inches and the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra is 6.8 inches.
Cost
$499
$423
$200
$300
$400
$500
$600
$700
$800
The Google Pixel 7a has a price of $499 and the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra costs $423.
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Key similarities
Overall Camera Quality
8.0
7.8
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Google Pixel 7a to have very good overall camera quality, while the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra has good overall camera quality.
The Google Pixel 7a boasts a superior selfie camera which is very important for selfie enthusiasts, while the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra offers a true camera versatility with its exceptional telephoto lens and high magnification capabilities, making it ideal for capturing distant subjects with clarity. However, if high-resolution photos and a comprehensive software experience are key, the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra provides very good performance in these areas, which might justify its higher price compared to the similarly capable but more budget-friendly Google Pixel 7a for general photography.
Photo Quality
8.0
7.8
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Google Pixel 7a to have very good photos, while the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra takes good photos.
The Google Pixel 7a provides an excellent selfie experience because it ranks highly in both software and selfie quality. In comparison, the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra also delivers a good selfie experience, but with a slightly lower performance in selfie quality.
Video Quality
7.3
7.1
The Google Pixel 7a and Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra both have good videos.
The Google Pixel 7a provides an excellent video software experience and stabilization, ensuring smooth and user-friendly video capture, while its microphone quality is also rated very good. Meanwhile, the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra boasts the best video resolution and framerate capabilities for crisper and more detailed recordings, complemented by very good stabilization, dynamic range, low light performance, and microphone quality.
Battery
6.9 Hours
6.7 Hours
The Google Pixel 7a has 6.9 hours of battery life. The Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra has 6.7 hours of battery life.
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How the Google Pixel 7a and the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra compare to other phones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Google Pixel 7a | Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$499 | $423 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Samsung | ||
Operating System | |||
Operating System | Android | Android | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | May 10, 2023 | 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 | Yes | Yes | |
Pixels Per Inch | |||
Pixels Per Inch | 429 | 515 | |
Display Type | |||
Display Type | OLED | OLED | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | TensorG2 | SD888 | |
Internal Storage | |||
Internal Storage | 128 GB | 128 GB | |
RAM | |||
RAM | 8 GB | 12 GB | |
CAMERA | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Overall Camera Quality Score | |||
Overall Camera Quality Score | 8/10 | 7.9/10 | |
Photos Score | |||
Photos Score | 8.1/10 | 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 | 64 megapixels + OIS | 108 megapixels + OIS | |
BATTERY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery Life | |||
Battery Life | 6.9 Hours | 6.7 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 4385 mAh | 5000 mAh | |
Wireless Charging | |||
Wireless Charging | Yes | Yes | |
Wireless charging Speed | |||
Wireless charging Speed | 7.5 W | 15 W | |
Reverse wireless charging | |||
Reverse wireless charging | No | Yes (4.5 watts) | |
PHYSICAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Size | |||
Size | 5.98" x 2.87" | 6.5" x 2.98" | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 6.84 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 | 5.3 | 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 | Face unlock, Fingerprint sensor: Under Display | Face unlock, Fingerprint sensor: Under Display | |
Unlockable Bootloader | |||
Unlockable Bootloader | Yes (Except Verizon Models) | No | |
Color | |||
Color | Sea, Snow, Coral, Charcoal | Phantom Black, Phantom Silver, Phantom Navy, Phantom Titanium | |
Stock Android | |||
Stock Android | Yes | No | |
SD Card | |||
SD Card | No | No | |
Shopping
Google Pixel 7a
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Dig into reviews and images
The Verge
Allison Johnson | May 2023
"The Pixel 7a is the best midrange Android phone — period. The camera doesn’t always nail it, but it’s impressively capable for this class. And even though it’s pricier than last year’s model, it comes with some serious upgrades not often seen in this class, like wireless charging."
Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra
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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 7a 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
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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