Google Pixel 6 vs Samsung Galaxy S21: preliminary comparison

On the other hand, we have the Galaxy S21, the smallest of the most recent flagship series by Samsung, which boasts the latest and greatest processor and versatile cameras, and retails at $799. So, in this article, we will compare these two phones in terms of design, display, and performance, in order to help you if you’re wondering which one you should upgrade to.

Alright, let’s discuss the design first, and the difference between the Pixel 6 and the Galaxy S21 in terms of overall looks. First off, we have the Pixel 6 new approach to design, that shocked the internet when renders were leaked a couple of months ago.

This new look makes the Pixel 6 stand out from previous Pixels, making it instantly recognizable. The phone’s camera bump on the back stretches horizontally across the entire width of the rear panel, a design solution Google calls a ‘camera bar’ and the phone’s back brags with not one, not two, but three different colors.

The Pixel 6 and the Pixel 6 Pro official renders

The Pixel 6 sports three finishes: an orange-coral one, an all-black one, and a mint green one, and they are all matte. The front of the phone has slim bezels and a centered punch-hole camera.

The Galaxy S21’s design is far from boring as well, and also, instantly recognizable. The phone comes in four colors: Phantom Violet, Phantom Pink, Phantom White, and Phantom Grey, and boasts an eye-catching approach to smartphone camera bump design.

Galaxy S21

In terms of sizes, the Pixel 6 will sport a 6.4-inch display, and the overall sizes of the phone are reportedly going to be 6.45 x 2.98 x 0.35 in (163.9 x 75.8 x 8.9 mm). On the other hand, the Galaxy S21’s size is 5.97 x 2.80 x 0.31 inches (151.7 x 71.2 x 7.9 mm), with a display size of 6.2 inches diagonally, so it’s a tad smaller than the Pixel.

The Pixel 6 will come with an under-display fingerprint sensor, something its predecessor did not have, and Galaxy phones have had for a while.

Google Pixel 6 vs Galaxy S21: Display

Pixel 6 render

The Pixel 6 will have slimmer bezels now, compared to its predecessor. A 6.4-inch AMOLED display with 90Hz refresh rate is expected for the Pixel 6, which should assure smooth animations and an overall great user experience. It will be a flat display.

The Galaxy, on the other hand, has a smooth 120Hz adaptive refresh rate for its beautiful 6.2-inch AMOLED screen. Its display is also flat, sports an FHD+ resolution, and offers a pleasant viewing experience with its crystal clear 424PPI pixel density.

Galaxy S21

For reference, here’s how the Galaxy S21 and the Pixel 5’s display measurements compare with each other. Of course, some improvement in the display with the Pixel 6 is something one will reasonably expect: 

Google Pixel 6 vs Galaxy S21: Hardware and performance

Here, we have a very interesting situation. Google has finally announced the new custom-made chip for the Pixel 6 series. The processor was previously known by its codename Whitechapel, or GS101, and now, Google has revealed its official name: Google Tensor.

The Google Tensor chip is specifically made for Pixels

Google is aiming to bring premium flagship experience to the Pixel 6 series with this chip. But most importantly, the new chip will improve on AI capabilities for the new phones. Google did not disclose any clock speeds or specs for the new SoC, so the other information we have about it is based on leaks.

This chip is rumored to be made in Samsung’s factories using a 5nm process, meaning it should be able to deliver a performance similar to that of the Snapdragon 888 and the Exynos 2100. However, reports have indicated it might not be as strong as Qualcomm’s premium chipset, and it is expected to deliver performance similar to the Snapdragon 870.

The Galaxy S21, on the other hand, features industry-leading Snapdragon 888 (or Exynos 2100 outside of the States and South Korea), which delivers premium, ultra-fast performance with no stutters whatsoever, capable of withstanding whatever it is you throw at it. If Google manages to achieve similar performance, things will get really interesting here.

For reference, here’s how the Galaxy S21 and the Pixel 5 fared in benchmarking tests. Keep in mind the new Tensor chipset in the Pixel 6 should technically deliver better results for the Pixel:

Performance Benchmarks:

*Please note that we have the Exynos version of the Galaxy S21.

In terms of other specs, leaks state the Pixel 6 will come with 8 gigs of RAM and 128/256 gigs of storage. The same as the Galaxy. Well, as many of you probably know, 8GB of RAM is plenty for everything you might need: from multitasking to gaming, so no worries here.

Google Pixel 6 vs Galaxy S21: Cameras

Google Pixel 6 camera bar, official render image

The camera department is again another aspect where these two phones might be really close in performance. Pixel phones are famous for their gorgeous image processing capabilities, and despite usually having lower-resolution camera lenses, Pixel phones rarely struggle with coming up with great photos in every situation.

With the Pixel 6 preview announcement, Google has claimed we should expect upgraded camera system for the Pixel 6. The tech giant did not specify any specs or numbers, but it did state the Pixel 6’s camera, coupled with the Tensor AI capabilities, will be delivering many new camera features and upgrades to old features. For once, we know the Pixel 6 should deliver better image quality of moving objects – like your kid that won’t stay put when you’re taking a family photo.

We know the Pixel 6 has two cameras on the back. According to leaks and reports, the main camera is expected to rock an upgraded 50MP resolution, complemented by a 12MP ultra-wide shooter. The main camera is a big upgrade over Pixel 5’s 12.2MP main shooter.

Galaxy S21

On the other hand, the Galaxy S21 has a triple camera system with a main 12 MP sensor, a 64MP zoom camera (no telephoto lens though), and a 12 MP ultra-wide. The phone manages to deliver well-exposed images with great quality and a fantastic dynamic range. It is also sharp on details.

It remains to be seen how the Pixel 6’s cameras will perform and what improvements Google has planned in this department. For now, you can look through some photo samples taken for our Google Pixel 5 vs Galaxy S21 comparison:

Keep in mind that we expect a lot of camera improvements by Google this year. Rumors point to the possibility the selfie camera on the Pixel 6 will have a front-facing flash, while the main camera should be able to deliver improved zoom during video, which is expected to be upgraded to 7x video zoom.

The best camera features may be reserved for the more premium, Google Pixel 6 Pro, but the vanilla Pixel 6 will also have great features, so stay tuned!

Google Pixel 6 vs Galaxy S21: Battery life

The Pixel 6’s battery size is rumored to be 4,614 mAh, again upgraded over its predecessor. The Pixel 5 and its 4,080mAh battery cell did deliver good performance for day-to-day usage. With moderate usage, it can go for a day and a half with room to spare, and it seems Google will keep or improve on that battery performance with the Pixel 6.

The Galaxy S21 has a 4,000mAh battery cell, capable of lasting a day with moderate usage, so it did perform well in our battery tests, but, let’s say, battery life is not its strongest selling point.

Here you can look at some of our battery benchmarks with the Pixel 5 and the S21, for reference:

*Keep in mind we have tested only the Exynos-powered Galaxy S21 at the moment. The Pixel 5 supports 90Hz high refresh rate, while the Galaxy 120Hz.

Google Pixel 6 vs Galaxy S21: Price

From what it seems, Google has prepared the Pixel 6 for the flagship scene. This means it may come with a higher price tag than its predecessor’s $699. And we know that if the new processor can match up, or at least try to match the Snapdragon 888’s capabilities, Google will be in a perfect position to rejoin the flagship battles.

For now, let’s bet on at least a $799 or even $899 retail price for the Pixel 6, to compete with the Galaxy S21’s base $799. However, keep in mind that no leaks have disclosed any info on the Pixel 6’s price as of now.

Conclusion

We’ve said it multiple times in this article: Google seems to be working on a flagship phone this time around, something Google fans have been waiting for since the Pixel 5 was released. However, it faces tough competition in the names of the Galaxies and iPhones, so in order to grab a bigger market share, it should wow us with something better than the competition.

The Galaxy S21 is a dependable and powerful flagship phone, so it does not disappoint in any aspect of everyday usage. On the other hand, we have the Pixel 6, which, at least according to a preliminary examination of leaks and reports, should also be a good choice for those of you wanting to get a Pixel flagship at last.

Which phone turns out to be better will depend a lot on how the Tensor chip in the Pixel 6 performs and what camera upgrades Google has in store for us. However, until we test that ourselves, we will refrain from saying which company wins the flagship battle.