Google Pixel 9 Pro XL vs Samsung Galaxy S21
50.8Performance34.4
65.3Display49.1
71Camera40.8
59.3Battery36.9
94.7Features78.7
14 spec wins — Google Pixel 9 Pro XL3 spec wins — Samsung Galaxy S21
InnoReviews verdict
Google Pixel 9 Pro XL wins this phone face-off, 63.8 to 43.6, pulling ahead mainly in camera (+30) and battery (+22). 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 XL
- Stronger performance score: 51 vs 34
- Stronger display score: 65 vs 49
- Stronger camera score: 71 vs 41
- Stronger battery score: 59 vs 37
- Stronger features score: 95 vs 79
Reasons to pick the Samsung Galaxy S21
- 33% higher telephoto: 64 MP vs 48 MP
- 23% lower weight: 171 g vs 221 g
- Lower launch price: $799 vs $1,099
Display
| Spec | Google Pixel 9 Pro XL | Samsung Galaxy S21 |
|---|---|---|
| Screen size | 6.8 ″+10% | 6.2 ″ |
| Panel type | LTPO OLED | AMOLED |
| Resolution | 1344x2992 | 2400x1080 |
| Pixel density | 486 ppi+15% | 421 ppi |
| Refresh rate | 120 Hz | 120 Hz |
| Peak brightness | 3,000 nits+131% | 1,300 nits |
| Screen-to-body | 89 % | — |
| 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 XL | Samsung Galaxy S21 |
|---|---|---|
| Chipset | Google Tensor G4 | Samsung Exynos 2100 |
| AnTuTu 10 | 1,180,000+58%Top 37% | 746,547Top 66% |
| Geekbench 6 (single) | 1,980+38%Top 34% | 1,430Top 52% |
| Geekbench 6 (multi) | 4,750+34%Top 38% | 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 XL | 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 XL | Samsung Galaxy S21 |
|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 5,060 mAh+27% | 4,000 mAh |
| Wired charging | 37 W+48% | 25 W |
| Wireless charging | 23 W+53% | 15 W |
| Active use endurance | 11 h | — |
Design
| Spec | Google Pixel 9 Pro XL | Samsung Galaxy S21 |
|---|---|---|
| Weight | 221 g | 171 g+23% |
| Thickness | 8.5 mm | 7.9 mm+7% |
| IP rating | IP68 | IP68 |
| Frame material | Aluminum | Aluminum |
Connectivity
| Spec | Google Pixel 9 Pro XL | 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 XL | 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 XL | Samsung Galaxy S21 |
|---|---|---|
| Stereo speakers | Yes | Yes |
| 3.5mm jack | No | No |
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