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What we think
The PerfectRec phone team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
If camera quality is a top priority for you, the Google Pixel 8 Pro offers better photo and video capabilities. Though more expensive, the Pixel has superior camera performance, enhanced photo features like RAW output, and advanced video capabilities such as Ultra HDR. On the other hand, if budget is a concern, the Samsung Galaxy S21+ is a cost-effective option with good camera capabilities for its price range. Additionally, the S21+ has a longer battery life than the Pixel 8 Pro. Both phones have a large 6.7-inch screen and run on Android, but the Pixel 8 Pro is a more recent model, potentially offering more updated features and better support in the long term. 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 Pro
- Excellent for taking photos
- Very 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
9.1
7.2
The Google Pixel 8 Pro has excellent overall camera quality, while the Samsung Galaxy S21+ has good overall camera quality.
The Google Pixel 8 Pro outperforms the Samsung Galaxy S21+ with superior photo capabilities including higher resolution, better dynamic range, and low light performance, as well as a more advanced camera versatility and software experience. Additionally, the Pixel 8 Pro offers a more excellent selfie score indicating higher quality front-facing photos which is very important for selfie enthusiasts, while the S21+ has a good selfie camera but does not match the Pixel's performance.
Photo Quality
9.3
7.0
The Google Pixel 8 Pro takes excellent photos, while the Samsung Galaxy S21+ takes good photos.
The Google Pixel 8 Pro stands out for its excellent photo capabilities due to superior software experience, dynamic range, and low light performance, resulting in higher-quality selfies; whereas the Samsung Galaxy S21+ delivers good overall photo performance but doesn't reach the same heights in software experience and dynamic range, impacting its selfie quality despite being respectable in its own right.
Video Quality
8.0
6.6
The Google Pixel 8 Pro takes very good videos, while the Samsung Galaxy S21+ takes only fair videos.
The Google Pixel 8 Pro takes very good videos because it has excellent video stabilization and low light performance, which ensures smooth and clear footage even in challenging conditions. The Samsung Galaxy S21+, while still capable, doesn't quite match up to the Pixel 8 Pro in terms of stabilization and low light performance.
Cost
$999
$340
$0
$200
$400
$600
$800
$1,000
$1,200
$1,400
The Google Pixel 8 Pro has a price of $999 and the Samsung Galaxy S21+ costs $340.
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Key similarities
Battery
7.8 Hours
8.0 Hours
The Google Pixel 8 Pro has 7.8 hours of battery life. The Samsung Galaxy S21+ has 8 hours of battery life.
Screen Size
The Google Pixel 8 Pro has a screen size of 6.7 inches and the Samsung Galaxy S21+ is 6.7 inches.
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How the Google Pixel 8 Pro and the Samsung Galaxy S21+ compare to other phones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Google Pixel 8 Pro | Samsung Galaxy S21+ |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$999 | $340 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Samsung | ||
Operating System | |||
Operating System | Android | Android | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | October 12, 2023 | January 29, 2021 | |
SCREEN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Screen Size | |||
Screen Size | 6.7" | 6.7" | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 2992 x 1344 | 2400 x 1080 | |
Variable refresh rate | |||
Variable refresh rate | No | No | |
Pixels Per Inch | |||
Pixels Per Inch | 489 | 394 | |
Display Type | |||
Display Type | OLED | OLED | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | TensorG3 | SD888 | |
Internal Storage | |||
Internal Storage | 128 GB | 128 GB | |
RAM | |||
RAM | 12 GB | 8 GB | |
CAMERA | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Overall Camera Quality Score | |||
Overall Camera Quality Score | 9.1/10 | 7.2/10 | |
Photos Score | |||
Photos Score | 9.3/10 | 7/10 | |
Videos Score | |||
Videos Score | 8/10 | 6.6/10 | |
Rear Cameras | |||
Rear Cameras | Main, Ultrawide, Super Telephoto | Main, Ultrawide, Telephoto | |
Main Camera | |||
Main Camera | 50 megapixels + OIS | 12 megapixels + OIS | |
BATTERY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery Life | |||
Battery Life | 7.8 Hours | 8 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 5050 mAh | 4800 mAh | |
Wireless Charging | |||
Wireless Charging | Yes | Yes | |
Wireless charging Speed | |||
Wireless charging Speed | 23 W | 15 W | |
Reverse wireless charging | |||
Reverse wireless charging | Yes (5 watts) | Yes (4.5 watts) | |
PHYSICAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Size | |||
Size | 6.4" x 3.01" | 6.36" x 2.98" | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 7.51 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 | 5.3 | 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)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 | Bay, Porcelain, 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 8 Pro
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Dig into reviews and images
The Guardian
Samuel Gibbs | October 2023
"The screen, body, performance and battery life are all good. The Pixel has a distinctive look that elevates it from the many of the competition, too. It has a really great camera system, with an array of advanced AI-infused editing tools that blur the line between what’s real and what’s fake.
But the biggest upgrade is in the full seven years of software support, bringing the Pixel up to par with Apple and outlasting all but the Fairphone 5 on the Android side."
Samsung Galaxy S21+
See more
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 8 Pro 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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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
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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
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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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