Google Pixel 8a vs Samsung Galaxy S21
40.2Performance34.4
51.5Display49.1
46.5Camera40.8
47.5Battery36.9
94.7Features78.7
10 spec wins — Google Pixel 8a5 spec wins — Samsung Galaxy S21
InnoReviews verdict
Google Pixel 8a wins this phone face-off, 50.6 to 43.6, pulling ahead mainly in features (+16) and battery (+11). Samsung Galaxy S21 still makes sense if its price or standout specs fit your needs better.
Which would you pick?
Key differences
Reasons to pick the Google Pixel 8a
- Stronger performance score: 40 vs 34
- Stronger camera score: 47 vs 41
- Stronger battery score: 48 vs 37
- Stronger features score: 95 vs 79
- 433% higher Main camera: 64 MP vs 12 MP
- Lower launch price: $499 vs $799
Reasons to pick the Samsung Galaxy S21
- 100% higher Wireless charging: 15 W vs 8 W
- 39% higher Wired charging: 25 W vs 18 W
- 11% lower thickness: 7.9 mm vs 8.9 mm
Display
| Spec | Google Pixel 8a | Samsung Galaxy S21 |
|---|---|---|
| Screen size | 6.1 ″ | 6.2 ″+2% |
| Panel type | OLED (Actua) | AMOLED |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 2400x1080 |
| Pixel density | 430 ppi+2% | 421 ppi |
| Refresh rate | 120 Hz | 120 Hz |
| Peak brightness | 2,000 nits+54% | 1,300 nits |
| Screen-to-body | 83.1 % | — |
| AnTuTu 10 (CPU) | — | 252,025Top 94% |
| AnTuTu 10 (GPU) | — | 127,819Top 79% |
| AnTuTu 10 (Memory) | — | 144,909Top 91% |
| AnTuTu 10 (UX) | — | 221,794Top 88% |
Performance
| Spec | Google Pixel 8a | Samsung Galaxy S21 |
|---|---|---|
| Chipset | Google Tensor G3 | Samsung Exynos 2100 |
| AnTuTu 10 | 900,000+21%Top 56% | 746,547Top 66% |
| Geekbench 6 (single) | 1,690+18%Top 46% | 1,430Top 52% |
| Geekbench 6 (multi) | 4,300+21%Top 45% | 3,550Top 56% |
| RAM (max) | 8 GB | 8 GB |
| Storage options | 128/256GB | 128GB / 256GB |
| Storage type | UFS 3.1 | UFS 3.1 |
Camera
| Spec | Google Pixel 8a | Samsung Galaxy S21 |
|---|---|---|
| Main camera | 64 MP+433% | 12 MP |
| Main aperture | f/1.89 | f/1.8 |
| Ultra-wide | 13 MP+8% | 12 MP |
| Telephoto | — | 64 MP |
| Optical zoom | 2 x | — |
| Max video | 4K@60fps | 8K@24fps |
| Front camera | 13 MP+30% | 10 MP |
| OIS | Yes | Yes |
Battery
| Spec | Google Pixel 8a | Samsung Galaxy S21 |
|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 4,492 mAh+12% | 4,000 mAh |
| Wired charging | 18 W | 25 W+39% |
| Wireless charging | 8 W | 15 W+100% |
| Active use endurance | 11 h | — |
Design
| Spec | Google Pixel 8a | Samsung Galaxy S21 |
|---|---|---|
| Weight | 188 g | 171 g+9% |
| Thickness | 8.9 mm | 7.9 mm+11% |
| IP rating | IP67 | IP68 |
| Frame material | Aluminum | Aluminum |
Connectivity
| Spec | Google Pixel 8a | Samsung Galaxy S21 |
|---|---|---|
| 5G | Yes | Yes |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6E | Wi-Fi 6 |
| Bluetooth | 5.3 | 5.0 |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| USB | USB-C 3.2 | USB-C 3.2 |
| eSIM | Yes | Yes |
Software
| Spec | Google Pixel 8a | Samsung Galaxy S21 |
|---|---|---|
| OS at launch | Android 14 | Android 11 (One UI 3.1) |
| OS update pledge | 7 years+75% | 4 years |
Audio
| Spec | Google Pixel 8a | Samsung Galaxy S21 |
|---|---|---|
| Stereo speakers | Yes | Yes |
| 3.5mm jack | No | No |