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Updated January 10, 2024·
If you are looking for a phone with a more powerful camera system and are willing to pay a higher price for it, the Google Pixel 8 Pro would be a better choice as it offers higher photo and video quality overall. However, if you prefer a phone that offers a curved screen and slightly larger display while being more cost-effective, the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra could be the better option. Keep in mind that both phones run on Android operating system, offer OLED displays with high refresh rates, and do not support 3.5mm headphone jacks or include an SD card slot for expandable storage. Additionally, the Pixel 8 Pro has better battery life, but the Galaxy S21 Ultra could still hold up well for daily use. 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
- Good battery life
Advantages of the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra
- Very good display quality
- Good performance
Key differences
Overall Camera Quality
9.1
7.8
The Google Pixel 8 Pro has excellent overall camera quality, while the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra has good overall camera quality.
The Google Pixel 8 Pro features better performance in photos software experience, dynamic range, and low light situations, and it also has a higher-rated selfie camera, making it preferable for users who prioritize photography, especially selfies. While the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra offers commendable camera capabilities, including versatility and a good selfie camera, it does not match the Pixel 8 Pro in these specific areas, making it a better fit for users who might prioritize other features or value considerations over the cutting edge in camera performance.
Photo Quality
9.3
7.8
The Google Pixel 8 Pro takes excellent photos, while the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra takes good photos.
The Google Pixel 8 Pro takes excellent photos, notably in selfies, due to its high selfie quality score and a robust software experience that enhances photo quality in various lighting conditions, including low light. Meanwhile, the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra also delivers good photos, supported by its solid camera versatility and decent software experience, but it lags slightly behind the Pixel in selfie quality and the software aspect of photography.
Video Quality
8.0
7.1
The Google Pixel 8 Pro takes very good videos, while the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra takes good videos.
The Google Pixel 8 Pro delivers an excellent video software experience and stabilization, along with exceptional low light performance and mic quality, which contribute to its very good video quality overall. In comparison, the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra provides the best video dynamic range and very good stabilization, but with good video software experience and low light performance, it achieves good video quality that may not match up to the Pixel 8 Pro's performance in certain aspects.
Battery
7.8 Hours
6.7 Hours
The Google Pixel 8 Pro has 7.8 hours of battery life. The Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra has 6.7 hours of battery life.
Cost
$999
$423
$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 Ultra costs $423.
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Key similarities
Screen Size
The Google Pixel 8 Pro has a screen size of 6.7 inches and the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra is 6.8 inches.
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How the Google Pixel 8 Pro and the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra compare to other phones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Google Pixel 8 Pro | Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$999 | $423 | ||
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" | 6.8" | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 2992 x 1344 | 3200 x 1440 | |
Variable refresh rate | |||
Variable refresh rate | No | Yes | |
Pixels Per Inch | |||
Pixels Per Inch | 489 | 515 | |
Display Type | |||
Display Type | OLED | OLED | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | TensorG3 | SD888 | |
Internal Storage | |||
Internal Storage | 128 GB | 128 GB | |
RAM | |||
RAM | 12 GB | 12 GB | |
CAMERA | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Overall Camera Quality Score | |||
Overall Camera Quality Score | 9.1/10 | 7.9/10 | |
Photos Score | |||
Photos Score | 9.3/10 | 7.8/10 | |
Videos Score | |||
Videos Score | 8/10 | 7.1/10 | |
Rear Cameras | |||
Rear Cameras | Main, Ultrawide, Super Telephoto | Main, Ultrawide, Telephoto, Super Telephoto | |
Main Camera | |||
Main Camera | 50 megapixels + OIS | 108 megapixels + OIS | |
BATTERY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery Life | |||
Battery Life | 7.8 Hours | 6.7 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 5050 mAh | 5000 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" | 6.5" x 2.98" | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 7.51 oz | 8.01 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 | 5.2 | |
A2DP | |||
A2DP | Yes | Yes | |
WiFi Version | |||
WiFi Version | 7 | 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 | Bay, Porcelain, Obsidian | Phantom Black, Phantom Silver, Phantom Navy, Phantom Titanium | |
Stock Android | |||
Stock Android | Yes | No | |
SD Card | |||
SD Card | No | No | |
Shopping
Google Pixel 8 Pro
See more
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 Ultra
See more
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 8 Pro 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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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
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.
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