A comparison of specs, key information, reviews, and best pricing from top retailers
Last updated -- hours ago | Report incorrect information
Company ProductName Specs
Company ProductName Specs
What we think
The PerfectRec phone team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
If you prioritize camera quality, the Google Pixel 8 stands out with slightly higher overall photography and videography performance, which also extends to its main and selfie cameras. However, the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE offers a telephoto camera with a specific focal length, which the Pixel 8 doesn't have, providing an advantage for zoomed-in shots. Screen-wise, both phones have OLED displays, but the Galaxy S21 FE has a marginally larger screen, which might offer a more immersive viewing experience, albeit with a slightly lower pixel density compared to the Pixel 8. Both are on par regarding high refresh rates and HDR features, and they share a similar battery life, but the Pixel 8 edges out slightly in battery endurance. The Google Pixel 8 is also a newer release, which could mean more updated hardware and longer support down the line. Lastly, the S21 FE's back is made of plastic compared to the glass back of the Pixel 8, which may influence durability and design preference. Both run Android and have similar storage capacities. Choose the Google Pixel 8 if camera quality and a more recent model are your priorities, with a slight advantage in display density and battery life, or opt for the Galaxy S21 FE for a larger display and telephoto camera capabilities. 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 8
- Very good for taking photos
- Good for recording videos
- Good battery life
Advantages of the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE
- The Samsung Galaxy S21 FE has no clear advantages over the Google Pixel 8.
Key differences
Overall Camera Quality
8.4
7.0
The Google Pixel 8 has very good overall camera quality, while the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE has good overall camera quality.
The Google Pixel 8 has superior camera capabilities compared to the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE, offering a 'best' photos software experience and an 'excellent' rating in photos low light performance, which are key for vibrant, clear images, especially in challenging light conditions. Additionally, the Pixel 8 stands out with a 'very good' selfie quality, making it a strong choice for selfie enthusiasts, while the S21 FE's selfie quality is rated as 'good,' and its overall camera performance is considered very good but not at the same level as the Pixel in terms of versatility and low light performance.
Photo Quality
8.5
6.9
The Google Pixel 8 takes very good photos, while the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE takes only fair photos.
The Google Pixel 8 takes excellent photos as it provides a superior selfie quality compared to the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE, which takes good photos, mainly because the Pixel 8 offers a more refined photos software experience and better dynamic range, which enhances the overall image quality.
Video Quality
7.6
5.9
The Google Pixel 8 takes good videos, while the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE takes poor videos.
The Google Pixel 8 outshines the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE in video quality because it offers a superior video software experience, better stabilization, and improved performance in dynamic range and low-light conditions, along with higher microphone quality, which is essential for capturing clear audio alongside your video content.
Let Us Help Find Your Perfect Phone
Find your new phone
Key similarities
Battery
7.3 Hours
6.7 Hours
The Google Pixel 8 has 7.3 hours of battery life. The Samsung Galaxy S21 FE has 6.7 hours of battery life.
Screen Size
The Google Pixel 8 has a screen size of 6.2 inches and the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE is 6.4 inches.
Cost
$800
$770
$400
$600
$800
$1,000
$1,200
The Google Pixel 8 has a price of $800 and the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE costs $770.
Give feedback
We’re constantly working to improve.
How the Google Pixel 8 and the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE compare to other phones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Google Pixel 8 | Samsung Galaxy S21 FE |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$800 | $770 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Samsung | ||
Operating System | |||
Operating System | Android | Android | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | October 12, 2023 | January 29, 2022 | |
SCREEN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Screen Size | |||
Screen Size | 6.2" | 6.4" | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 2400 x 1080 | 2400 x 1080 | |
Variable refresh rate | |||
Variable refresh rate | Yes | No | |
Pixels Per Inch | |||
Pixels Per Inch | 428 | 401 | |
Display Type | |||
Display Type | OLED | OLED | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | TensorG3 | SD888 | |
Internal Storage | |||
Internal Storage | 128 GB | 128 GB | |
RAM | |||
RAM | 8 GB | 6 GB | |
CAMERA | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Overall Camera Quality Score | |||
Overall Camera Quality Score | 8.4/10 | 7.1/10 | |
Photos Score | |||
Photos Score | 8.5/10 | 6.9/10 | |
Videos Score | |||
Videos Score | 7.7/10 | 5.9/10 | |
Rear Cameras | |||
Rear Cameras | Main, Ultrawide | Main, Ultrawide, Telephoto | |
Main Camera | |||
Main Camera | 50 megapixels + OIS | 12 megapixels + OIS | |
BATTERY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery Life | |||
Battery Life | 7.3 Hours | 6.7 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 4575 mAh | 4500 mAh | |
Wireless Charging | |||
Wireless Charging | Yes | Yes | |
Wireless charging Speed | |||
Wireless charging Speed | 18 W | 15 W | |
Reverse wireless charging | |||
Reverse wireless charging | Yes (5 watts) | Yes (4.5 watts) | |
PHYSICAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Size | |||
Size | 5.93" x 2.79" | 6.13" x 2.93" | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 6.60 oz | 6.24 oz | |
Back Material | |||
Back Material | Glass | Plastic | |
Stereo Speakers | |||
Stereo Speakers | No | No | |
CONNECTIVITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Dual SIM | |||
Dual SIM | Yes | Yes | |
Bluetooth Version | |||
Bluetooth Version | 5.3 | 5.0 | |
A2DP | |||
A2DP | Yes | Yes | |
WiFi Version | |||
WiFi Version | 7 | 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)41, 66, 71, 260, 261 | |
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 | Rose, Hazel, Obsidian | Graphite, Lavender, Olive, White, Navy Blue | |
Stock Android | |||
Stock Android | Yes | No | |
SD Card | |||
SD Card | No | No | |
Shopping
Google Pixel 8
See more
Dig into reviews and images
The Guardian
Samuel Gibbs | October 2023
"The fit, finish and feel is top notch. The phone is responsive and smooth. The battery life is decent. The main camera is excellent but the lack of an extended optical zoom is slightly disappointing, even if it has been a similar formula for Google for several years.
The 6.2in screen moves the Pixel 8 closer to the underserved market of smaller but top-end phones, of which there are only a handful to choose from. Google’s generative AI features are certainly novel, but it is the extended seven-year software support that truly sets it apart."
Samsung Galaxy S21 FE
See more
Dig into reviews and images
Tom's Guide
Philip Michaels | March 2022
"The Galaxy S21 FE is a fine addition to Samsung's S21 lineup, retaining the very best features of those flagship phones for a more modest price. This is a solid phone, matching the performance of the top Android flagships from a year ago and delivering photos that hold their own against some of the best camera phones we've tested."
Get a great deal on the Google Pixel 8 or the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE
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.
Give feedback
We're constantly perfecting our model
Phone guides you might be interested in
More comparisons for you
Compare Google Pixel 8 vs. OnePlus 12
VS
Compare Google Pixel 8 vs. Motorola Motorola Edge+ (2023)
VS
Compare Google Pixel 8 vs. Samsung Galaxy S24
VS
Compare Samsung Galaxy S21 FE vs. Apple iPhone 14 Plus
VS
Compare Samsung Galaxy S21 FE vs. Apple iPhone 15
VS
Compare Samsung Galaxy S21 FE vs. Apple iPhone 15 Plus
VS
FAQs
FAQs about phones
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
151,800
Recommendations made
86,020
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.
Featured in
