Google Pixel 9a vs Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G
43.9Performance37.5
55.8Display47.2
42.7Camera41.7
56.3Battery41.7
94.7Features78.7
10 spec wins — Google Pixel 9a6 spec wins — Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G
InnoReviews verdict
Google Pixel 9a wins this phone face-off, 53.6 to 45.2, pulling ahead mainly in features (+16) and battery (+15). Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G 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 9a
- Stronger performance score: 44 vs 38
- Stronger display score: 56 vs 47
- Stronger battery score: 56 vs 42
- Stronger features score: 95 vs 79
- 300% higher Main camera: 48 MP vs 12 MP
- Lower launch price: $499 vs $699
Reasons to pick the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G
- 146% higher Front camera: 32 MP vs 13 MP
- 100% higher Wireless charging: 15 W vs 8 W
- 11% lower thickness: 7.9 mm vs 8.9 mm
Display
| Spec | Google Pixel 9a | Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G |
|---|---|---|
| Screen size | 6.3 ″ | 6.4 ″+2% |
| Panel type | OLED | AMOLED |
| Resolution | 1080x2424 | 2340x1080 |
| Pixel density | 422 ppi+5% | 401 ppi |
| Refresh rate | 120 Hz | 120 Hz |
| Peak brightness | 2,700 nits+125% | 1,200 nits |
| Screen-to-body | 84 % | — |
Performance
| Spec | Google Pixel 9a | Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G |
|---|---|---|
| Chipset | Google Tensor G4 | Snapdragon 888 |
| AnTuTu 10 | 1,050,000+1%Top 45% | 1,040,324Top 46% |
| Geekbench 6 (single) | 1,900+31%Top 38% | 1,450Top 48% |
| Geekbench 6 (multi) | 4,500+23%Top 42% | 3,650Top 53% |
| RAM (max) | 8 GB+33% | 6 GB |
| Storage options | 128/256GB | 128GB / 256GB |
| Storage type | UFS 3.1 | UFS 3.1 |
Camera
| Spec | Google Pixel 9a | Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G |
|---|---|---|
| Main camera | 48 MP+300% | 12 MP |
| Main aperture | f/1.7 | f/1.8 |
| Ultra-wide | 13 MP+8% | 12 MP |
| Telephoto | — | 8 MP |
| Optical zoom | — | 3 x |
| Max video | 4K@60fps | 4K@60fps |
| Front camera | 13 MP | 32 MP+146% |
| OIS | Yes | Yes |
Battery
| Spec | Google Pixel 9a | Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G |
|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 5,100 mAh+13% | 4,500 mAh |
| Wired charging | 23 W | 25 W+9% |
| Wireless charging | 8 W | 15 W+100% |
| Active use endurance | 12 h | — |
Design
| Spec | Google Pixel 9a | Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G |
|---|---|---|
| Weight | 186 g | 177 g+5% |
| Thickness | 8.9 mm | 7.9 mm+11% |
| IP rating | IP68 | IP68 |
| Frame material | Aluminum | Aluminum |
Connectivity
| Spec | Google Pixel 9a | Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G |
|---|---|---|
| 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 9a | Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G |
|---|---|---|
| OS at launch | Android 15 | Android 12 (One UI 4) |
| OS update pledge | 7 years+75% | 4 years |
Audio
| Spec | Google Pixel 9a | Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G |
|---|---|---|
| Stereo speakers | Yes | Yes |
| 3.5mm jack | No | No |
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