Google Pixel 9 Pro vs Samsung Galaxy S21
50.2Performance34.4
63.9Display49.1
71Camera40.8
54Battery36.9
94.7Features78.7
14 spec wins — Google Pixel 9 Pro3 spec wins — Samsung Galaxy S21
InnoReviews verdict
Google Pixel 9 Pro wins this phone face-off, 62.3 to 43.6, pulling ahead mainly in camera (+30) and battery (+17). 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 9 Pro
- Stronger performance score: 50 vs 34
- Stronger display score: 64 vs 49
- Stronger camera score: 71 vs 41
- Stronger battery score: 54 vs 37
- Stronger features score: 95 vs 79
Reasons to pick the Samsung Galaxy S21
- 33% higher telephoto: 64 MP vs 48 MP
- 14% lower weight: 171 g vs 199 g
- Lower launch price: $799 vs $999
Display
| Spec | Google Pixel 9 Pro | Samsung Galaxy S21 |
|---|---|---|
| Screen size | 6.3 ″+2% | 6.2 ″ |
| Panel type | LTPO OLED | AMOLED |
| Resolution | 1280x2856 | 2400x1080 |
| Pixel density | 495 ppi+18% | 421 ppi |
| Refresh rate | 120 Hz | 120 Hz |
| Peak brightness | 3,000 nits+131% | 1,300 nits |
| Screen-to-body | 86.9 % | — |
| 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 9 Pro | Samsung Galaxy S21 |
|---|---|---|
| Chipset | Google Tensor G4 | Samsung Exynos 2100 |
| AnTuTu 10 | 1,150,000+54%Top 37% | 746,547Top 66% |
| Geekbench 6 (single) | 1,950+36%Top 35% | 1,430Top 52% |
| Geekbench 6 (multi) | 4,700+32%Top 39% | 3,550Top 56% |
| RAM (max) | 16 GB+100% | 8 GB |
| Storage options | 128/256/512GB/1TB | 128GB / 256GB |
| Storage type | UFS 3.1 | UFS 3.1 |
Camera
| Spec | Google Pixel 9 Pro | Samsung Galaxy S21 |
|---|---|---|
| Main camera | 50 MP+317% | 12 MP |
| Main aperture | f/1.68 | f/1.8 |
| Ultra-wide | 48 MP+300% | 12 MP |
| Telephoto | 48 MP | 64 MP+33% |
| Optical zoom | 5 x | — |
| Max video | 4K@60fps | 8K@24fps |
| Front camera | 42 MP+320% | 10 MP |
| OIS | Yes | Yes |
Battery
| Spec | Google Pixel 9 Pro | Samsung Galaxy S21 |
|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 4,700 mAh+18% | 4,000 mAh |
| Wired charging | 27 W+8% | 25 W |
| Wireless charging | 21 W+40% | 15 W |
| Active use endurance | 11 h | — |
Design
| Spec | Google Pixel 9 Pro | Samsung Galaxy S21 |
|---|---|---|
| Weight | 199 g | 171 g+14% |
| Thickness | 8.5 mm | 7.9 mm+7% |
| IP rating | IP68 | IP68 |
| Frame material | Aluminum | Aluminum |
Connectivity
| Spec | Google Pixel 9 Pro | Samsung Galaxy S21 |
|---|---|---|
| 5G | Yes | Yes |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 7 | 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 9 Pro | 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 9 Pro | Samsung Galaxy S21 |
|---|---|---|
| Stereo speakers | Yes | Yes |
| 3.5mm jack | No | No |
Related comparisons
Google Pixel 9 Provs Samsung Galaxy S23 UltraVSGoogle Pixel 9 Provs Xiaomi 13 ProVSGoogle Pixel 9 Provs Samsung Galaxy S24+VSGoogle Pixel 9 Provs iPhone 16 ProVSSamsung Galaxy S21vs Honor X9bVSSamsung Galaxy S21vs POCO M6 Pro (4G)VSSamsung Galaxy S21vs POCO X5 ProVSSamsung Galaxy S21vs Redmi Note 12 Pro 5GVS