Google Pixel 9a vs Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra
43.9Performance37.2
55.8Display56.3
42.7Camera72
56.3Battery46.4
94.7Features78.7
7 spec wins — Google Pixel 9a7 spec wins — Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra
InnoReviews verdict
This one is close to a dead heat: Google Pixel 9a scores 53.6 against 53.9 for Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra. Pick by the categories that matter to you — Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra edges ahead in camera and display, or by price.
Which would you pick?
Key differences
Reasons to pick the Google Pixel 9a
- Stronger performance score: 44 vs 37
- Stronger battery score: 56 vs 46
- Stronger features score: 95 vs 79
- 80% higher Peak brightness: 2,700 nits vs 1,500 nits
- 75% higher OS update pledge: 7 years vs 4 years
- Lower launch price: $499 vs $1,199
Reasons to pick the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra
- Stronger camera score: 72 vs 43
- 208% higher Front camera: 40 MP vs 13 MP
- 125% higher Main camera: 108 MP vs 48 MP
- 100% higher Wireless charging: 15 W vs 8 W
- 50% higher RAM (max): 12 GB vs 8 GB
Display
| Spec | Google Pixel 9a | Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra |
|---|---|---|
| Screen size | 6.3 ″ | 6.8 ″+8% |
| Panel type | OLED | LTPO AMOLED |
| Resolution | 1080x2424 | 3200x1440 |
| Pixel density | 422 ppi | 515 ppi+22% |
| Refresh rate | 120 Hz | 120 Hz |
| Peak brightness | 2,700 nits+80% | 1,500 nits |
| Screen-to-body | 84 % | — |
Performance
| Spec | Google Pixel 9a | Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra |
|---|---|---|
| Chipset | Google Tensor G4 | Samsung Exynos 2100 |
| AnTuTuDifferent AnTuTu versions — not compared | 1,050,000 | 783,817Bottom 22% |
| AnTuTu 11 (CPU) | — | 263,424Bottom 17% |
| AnTuTu 11 (GPU) | — | 126,989Bottom 33% |
| AnTuTu 11 (Memory) | — | 165,563Bottom 34% |
| AnTuTu 11 (UX) | — | 227,841Bottom 20% |
| Geekbench 6 (single) | 1,900+33%Top 38% | 1,430Top 46% |
| Geekbench 6 (multi) | 4,500+27%Top 43% | 3,550Bottom 49% |
| RAM (max) | 8 GB | 12 GB+50% |
| Storage options | 128/256GB | 128GB / 256GB / 512GB |
| Storage type | UFS 3.1 | UFS 3.1 |
Camera
| Spec | Google Pixel 9a | Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra |
|---|---|---|
| Main camera | 48 MP | 108 MP+125% |
| Main aperture | f/1.7 | f/1.8 |
| Ultra-wide | 13 MP+8% | 12 MP |
| Telephoto | — | 10 MP |
| Optical zoom | — | 10 x |
| Max video | 4K@60fps | 8K@24fps |
| Front camera | 13 MP | 40 MP+208% |
| OIS | Yes | Yes |
Battery
| Spec | Google Pixel 9a | Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra |
|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 5,100 mAh+2% | 5,000 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 Ultra |
|---|---|---|
| Weight | 186 g+18% | 228 g |
| Thickness | 8.9 mm | 8.9 mm |
| IP rating | IP68 | IP68 |
| Frame material | Aluminum | Aluminum |
Connectivity
| Spec | Google Pixel 9a | Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra |
|---|---|---|
| 5G | Yes | Yes |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6E | Wi-Fi 6E |
| Bluetooth | 5.3 | 5.2 |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| USB | USB-C 3.2 | USB-C 3.2 |
| eSIM | Yes | Yes |
Software
| Spec | Google Pixel 9a | Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra |
|---|---|---|
| OS at launch | Android 15 | Android 11 (One UI 3.1) |
| OS update pledge | 7 years+75% | 4 years |
Audio
| Spec | Google Pixel 9a | Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra |
|---|---|---|
| Stereo speakers | Yes | Yes |
| 3.5mm jack | No | No |
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