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InnoReviews

Google Pixel 8a vs Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra

Google Pixel 8a

Google

Google Pixel 8a

$499

50.6Inno Score
VS
WINNER
S
53.9Inno Score
40.2Performance37.2
51.5Display56.3
46.5Camera72
47.5Battery46.4
94.7Features78.7
7 spec wins — Google Pixel 8a9 spec wins — Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra

InnoReviews verdict

Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra wins this phone face-off, 53.9 to 50.6, pulling ahead mainly in camera (+26) and display (+5). Google Pixel 8a 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 37
  • Stronger features score: 95 vs 79
  • 75% higher OS update pledge: 7 years vs 4 years
  • 33% higher Peak brightness: 2,000 nits vs 1,500 nits
  • 21% higher Geekbench 6 (multi): 4,300 vs 3,550
  • Lower launch price: $499 vs $1,199

Reasons to pick the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra

  • Stronger display score: 56 vs 52
  • Stronger camera score: 72 vs 47
  • 400% higher Optical zoom: 10 x vs 2 x
  • 208% higher Front camera: 40 MP vs 13 MP
  • 100% higher Wireless charging: 15 W vs 8 W

Display

Display comparison: Google Pixel 8a versus Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra
SpecGoogle Pixel 8aSamsung Galaxy S21 Ultra
Screen size6.1 ″6.8 ″+11%
Panel typeOLED (Actua)LTPO AMOLED
Resolution1080x24003200x1440
Pixel density430 ppi515 ppi+20%
Refresh rate120 Hz120 Hz
Peak brightness2,000 nits+33%1,500 nits
Screen-to-body83.1 %—
AnTuTu 10 (CPU)—263,424Top 88%
AnTuTu 10 (GPU)—126,989Top 82%
AnTuTu 10 (Memory)—165,563Top 72%
AnTuTu 10 (UX)—227,841Top 82%

Performance

Performance comparison: Google Pixel 8a versus Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra
SpecGoogle Pixel 8aSamsung Galaxy S21 Ultra
ChipsetGoogle Tensor G3Samsung Exynos 2100
AnTuTu 10900,000+15%Top 56%783,817Top 65%
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 GB12 GB+50%
Storage options128/256GB128GB / 256GB / 512GB
Storage typeUFS 3.1UFS 3.1

Camera

Camera comparison: Google Pixel 8a versus Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra
SpecGoogle Pixel 8aSamsung Galaxy S21 Ultra
Main camera64 MP108 MP+69%
Main aperturef/1.89f/1.8
Ultra-wide13 MP+8%12 MP
Telephoto—10 MP
Optical zoom2 x10 x+400%
Max video4K@60fps8K@24fps
Front camera13 MP40 MP+208%
OISYesYes

Battery

Battery comparison: Google Pixel 8a versus Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra
SpecGoogle Pixel 8aSamsung Galaxy S21 Ultra
Capacity4,492 mAh5,000 mAh+11%
Wired charging18 W25 W+39%
Wireless charging8 W15 W+100%
Active use endurance11 h—

Design

Design comparison: Google Pixel 8a versus Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra
SpecGoogle Pixel 8aSamsung Galaxy S21 Ultra
Weight188 g+18%228 g
Thickness8.9 mm8.9 mm
IP ratingIP67IP68
Frame materialAluminumAluminum

Connectivity

Connectivity comparison: Google Pixel 8a versus Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra
SpecGoogle Pixel 8aSamsung Galaxy S21 Ultra
5GYesYes
Wi-FiWi-Fi 6EWi-Fi 6E
Bluetooth5.35.2
NFCYesYes
USBUSB-C 3.2USB-C 3.2
eSIMYesYes

Software

Software comparison: Google Pixel 8a versus Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra
SpecGoogle Pixel 8aSamsung Galaxy S21 Ultra
OS at launchAndroid 14Android 11 (One UI 3.1)
OS update pledge7 years+75%4 years

Audio

Audio comparison: Google Pixel 8a versus Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra
SpecGoogle Pixel 8aSamsung Galaxy S21 Ultra
Stereo speakersYesYes
3.5mm jackNoNo

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