Google Pixel 7 vs Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G: The Ultimate Showdown

The Google Pixel 7 and Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G are both compelling mid-range smartphones vying for your attention. Both offer excellent features and performance, but cater to slightly different user preferences. Let's dive into a detailed comparison to help you decide which one is the perfect fit.

Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

The Pixel 7 edges out the S21 FE thanks to its superior camera processing, brighter display, and longer software support. However, the S21 FE offers a slightly faster wired charging and potentially more versatile hardware depending on the chipset version. Ultimately, the Pixel 7 provides a more polished and user-friendly experience.

PHONES
Phone Names	Google Pixel 7	Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G

Network
2G bands	GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900	GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bands	HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100	HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands	1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 14, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 38, 40, 41, 42, 46, 48, 66, 71 - GQML3	1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 20, 26, 28, 32, 38, 40, 41, 66 - International
5G bands	1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 14, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 38, 40, 41, 46, 48, 66, 71, 260, 261 SA/NSA/Sub6/mmWave - GQML3	1, 3, 5, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6 - International
Speed	HSPA, LTE, 5G	HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (5CA) Cat19 1600/200 Mbps, 5G
Technology	GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G	GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G
	1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 14, 20, 25, 28, 30, 38, 40, 41, 48, 66, 71, 75, 76, 77, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6 - GVU6C	41, 66, 71, 260, 261 SA/NSA/Sub6/mmWave - USA

Launch
Announced	2022, October 06	2022, January 04
Status	Available. Released 2022, October 13	Available. Released 2022, January 07

Body
Build	Glass front (Gorilla Glass Victus), glass back (Gorilla Glass Victus), aluminum frame	Glass front (Gorilla Glass Victus), plastic back, aluminum frame
Dimensions	155.6 x 73.2 x 8.7 mm (6.13 x 2.88 x 0.34 in)	155.7 x 74.5 x 7.9 mm (6.13 x 2.93 x 0.31 in)
SIM	Nano-SIM + eSIM	· Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight	197 g (6.95 oz)	177 g (6.24 oz)
	IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 min)	IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 min)

Display
Protection	Corning Gorilla Glass Victus	Corning Gorilla Glass Victus
Resolution	1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~416 ppi density)	1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~403 ppi density)
Size	6.3 inches, 96.7 cm2 (~84.9% screen-to-body ratio)	6.4 inches, 100.5 cm2 (~86.7% screen-to-body ratio)
Type	AMOLED, 90Hz, HDR10+, 1000 nits (HBM), 1400 nits (peak)	Dynamic AMOLED 2X, 120Hz, HDR10+
	Always-on display	Always-on display

Platform
CPU	Octa-core (2x2.85 GHz Cortex-X1 & 2x2.35 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A55)	Octa-core (1x2.84 GHz Cortex-X1 & 3x2.42 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A55) - Version 1Octa-core (1x2.9 GHz Cortex-X1 & 3x2.80 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x2.2 GHz Cortex-A55) - Version 2
Chipset	Google Tensor G2 (5 nm)	Qualcomm SM8350 Snapdragon 888 5G (5 nm) - Version 1Exynos 2100 (5 nm) - Version 2
GPU	Mali-G710 MP7	Adreno 660 - Version 1Mali-G78 MP14 - Version 2
OS	Android 13, upgradable to Android 15, up to 5 major Android upgrades	Android 12, up to 4 major Android upgrades, One UI 8

Memory
Card slot	No	No
Internal	128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM	128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM
	UFS 3.1	-

Main Camera
Dual	50 MP, f/1.9, 25mm (wide), 1/1.31", 1.2µm, dual pixel PDAF, OIS 12 MP, f/2.2, 114˚ (ultrawide), 1/2.9", 1.25µm	-
Features	Laser AF, Dual-LED flash, Pixel Shift, Auto-HDR, panorama	LED flash, auto-HDR, panorama
Single	10.8 MP, f/2.2, 21mm (ultrawide), 1/3.1", 1.22µm	32 MP, f/2.2, 26mm (wide), 1/2.74", 0.8µm
Triple	-	12 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/1.76", 1.8µm, dual pixel PDAF, OIS 8 MP, f/2.4, 76mm (telephoto), 1/4.5", 1.0µm, PDAF, OIS, 3x optical zoom 12 MP, f/2.2, 13mm, 123˚ (ultrawide), 1/3.0", 1.12µm
Video	4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps; gyro-EIS, OIS, 10-bit HDR	4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps, HDR10+, gyro-EIS

Selfie camera
Features	HDR, panorama	HDR
Single	10.8 MP, f/2.2, 21mm (ultrawide), 1/3.1", 1.22µm	32 MP, f/2.2, 26mm (wide), 1/2.74", 0.8µm
Video	4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60fps	4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60fps, gyro-EIS

Sound
3.5mm jack	No	No
35mm jack	No	No
Loudspeaker	Yes, with stereo speakers	Yes, with stereo speakers
	-	32-bit/384kHz audio

Comms
Bluetooth	5.2, A2DP, LE, aptX HD	5.0, A2DP, LE
NFC	Yes	Yes
Positioning	GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (G1), BDS (B1I+B1c+B2a), GALILEO (E1+E5a), QZSS (L1+L5)	GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO
Radio	No	Unspecified
USB	USB Type-C 3.2	USB Type-C, OTG
WLAN	Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e, tri-band, Wi-Fi Direct	Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct

Features
Sensors	Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer	Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass
	-	Bixby natural language commands and dictation Samsung Pay (Visa, MasterCard certified) Samsung DeX (desktop experience support)

Battery
Charging	20W wired, PD3.0, 50% in 30 min 20W wireless Reverse wireless	25W wired, PD3.0, 50% in 30 min 15W wireless Reverse wireless
Type	Li-Ion 4355 mAh	Li-Ion 4500 mAh

Misc
Colors	Obsidian, Lemongrass, Snow	White, Graphite, Lavender, Olive
Models	GVU6C, GQML3, GO3Z5	SM-G990B, SM-G990B/DS, SM-G990U, SM-G990U1, SM-G990W, SM-G990E, SM-G9900, SM-G990B2, SM-G990U2, SM-G990W2, SM-G990U3
Price	€ 199.00 / $ 179.26 / £ 189.99 / ₹ 28,499	€ 199.00 / $ 143.95 / £ 154.99 / ₹ 29,990
SAR	-	0.77 W/kg (head) 0.90 W/kg (body)
SAR EU	-	0.95 W/kg (head) 1.48 W/kg (body)

Tests
Battery life	Endurance rating 96h	Endurance rating 92h
Camera	Photo / Video	Photo / Video
Display	Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal)	Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal)
Loudspeaker	-26.2 LUFS (Good)	-26.9 LUFS (Good)
Performance	AnTuTu: 813114 (v9) GeekBench: 3288 (v5.1) GFXBench: 59fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)	AnTuTu: 566529 (v8), 719696 (v9) GeekBench: 3049 (v5.1) GFXBench: 56fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)

Google Pixel 7

Exceptional camera quality
Brighter display
Clean and smooth Android experience
Guaranteed software updates
Reverse wireless charging

Charging speed could be faster
Tensor G2 can be less powerful than Snapdragon 888 in some scenarios

Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G

Versatile camera system
Faster wired charging (25W)
Customizable Android experience
Samsung ecosystem integration
Reverse wireless charging

Display not as bright as Pixel 7
Image processing not as refined
Potential for thermal throttling (Exynos version)
Shorter software support compared to Pixel

Display Comparison

The Pixel 7 boasts a significantly brighter display at 974 nits compared to the S21 FE's 792 nits, making it easier to view content outdoors. Both have excellent contrast ratios (infinite nominal), offering deep blacks and vibrant colors. The Pixel 7's display often receives praise for its color accuracy.

Camera Comparison

The Pixel 7's camera is a standout feature, known for its exceptional image processing and computational photography capabilities. It excels in low-light conditions and produces consistently pleasing results. The S21 FE offers a versatile camera system with multiple lenses, but its image processing isn't as refined as the Pixel 7's. Video recording is comparable on both devices.

Performance

The Pixel 7's Google Tensor G2 chip provides smooth performance for everyday tasks and moderate gaming. The S21 FE's performance varies depending on the chipset version. The Snapdragon 888 version generally offers slightly better raw processing power, while the Exynos version can sometimes exhibit thermal throttling. Both phones handle multitasking well.

Battery Life

The Pixel 7 holds a slight advantage in battery life, with an endurance rating of 96 hours compared to the S21 FE's 92 hours. Both phones offer wireless charging and reverse wireless charging, adding to their convenience.

Buying Guide

The Google Pixel 7 is ideal for photography enthusiasts who prioritize image quality and seamless software integration. It's also a great choice for those who value long-term software updates. The Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G is a good option for users who want a more customizable Android experience and potentially faster wired charging, and those who prefer Samsung's ecosystem.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Which phone has better software support?

The Google Pixel 7 offers guaranteed software updates for a longer period, typically 5 years of security updates and 3 years of OS updates.

❓ Is the Snapdragon or Exynos version of the S21 FE better?

The Snapdragon 888 version generally offers better performance and thermal management compared to the Exynos 2100 version. However, availability varies by region.