Google Pixel 3a XL (G020B) vs Samsung Galaxy S21 FE (SM-G990U 128GB)
Side by side comparison between Google Pixel 3a XL vs Samsung Galaxy S21 FE phones, differences, pros, cons and full specifications. What's the better?
,
6"
OLED
OLED
1080x2160
12.2
MP
MP
8mp
4GB
RAM
RAM
Octa-core
3700
mAh
mAh
(Non removable)
vs
6.4"
AMOLED
AMOLED
1080x2400
12.2
MP
MP
32mp
6GB
RAM
RAM
Octa-core
4500
mAh
mAh
(Non removable)
What's the better phone? Samsung Galaxy S21 FE (SM-G990U 128GB)
The phonemore's choice is much more technical than personal. Therefore, you shouldn't only consider this. Our goal is to help you, but what's important to us may not be important to you. You decide which one is the best! Comment!
3 Advantages 
29 Advantages | 22 Common items in both devices |
| 16 million |
| PDAF: phase detection autofocus |
| OIS: Optical stabilization |
| HDR photo on both cameras / HDR photo/video on both cameras |
| f/1.8 (aperture) |
| 4K UHD (3840x2160) |
| Capacitive |
| +15 specs and more in the table below |
Check the comparison table below for more items that are not evaluated in comparison score above.
Highlight differences Clear highlight📱 Model features | ||
| Google Pixel 3a XL (G020B) | Galaxy S21 FE (SM-G990U 128GB) | |
| Model | Pixel 3a XL (G020B) | Galaxy S21 FE (SM-G990U 128GB) |
| Other model names | Google Pixel 3a XL G020B | Galaxy S21 FE 5G SM-G990U1 (Snapdragon) |
| Country or region available |     (Europe), (Global, International), India, Singapore |  USA |
| Brand | Samsung | |
| Release date | 5/19/2019, Announced: 5/7/2019 | 1/7/2022, Announced: 1/4/2022 |
| Depth | 8.2 millimeters (0.32 inches) | 7.9 millimeters (0.31 inches) |
| Size (width x height) | 76.1 x 160.1 millimeters (3 x 6.3 in) | 74.5 x 155.7 millimeters (2.93 x 6.13 in) |
| Weight | 167 grams (5.85 ounces) | 177 grams (6.2 ounces) |
| Build, materials | Plastic body, glass front | Aluminum body, glass front, plastic back |
| Protection against water and others | Not supported | IP68 certified: water-resistant up to 1.5 meters for 30min and dust-resistant |
📲 Display | ||
| Google Pixel 3a XL (G020B) | Galaxy S21 FE (SM-G990U 128GB) | |
| Display type | OLED | Dynamic AMOLED |
| Screen size | 6" inches | 6.4" inches |
| Screen-to-body ratio | ~76.3% (screen-to-body ratio) | ~85.3% (screen-to-body ratio) |
| Display resolution | 1080x2160 pixels (18:9) | 1080x2400 pixels (20:9) |
| Touchscreen | Capacitive Multitouch | Capacitive Multitouch 10-points |
| Pixel density (dot pitch) | 402 PPI | 411 PPI |
| Colors | 16 million | 16 million |
| Scratch-resistant glass | Dragontrail Glass | Gorilla Glass Victus |
| Refresh rate | 60Hz | 120Hz |
| Display features | Always-On Display | 1300nits[peak] HDR10+ Always-On Display |
🤖 Operating System | ||
| Google Pixel 3a XL (G020B) | Galaxy S21 FE (SM-G990U 128GB) | |
| System version | Android 9.0 Pie | Android 12 |
| Firmware update | Android 12 | Android 14 |
| User Interface | feature not registered | One UI 4.1 / 5.1 / 6.0 |
⚙️ Processor | ||
| Google Pixel 3a XL (G020B) | Galaxy S21 FE (SM-G990U 128GB) | |
| Chipset | 64bit: Qualcomm Snapdragon 670 (SDM670) (10nm) | 64bit: Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 (SM8350) (5nm) |
| CPU | Octa-core, 2 processors: 2x 2GHz Kryo 360 Gold (Dual-core) 6x 1.7GHz Kryo 360 Silver (Hexa-core) | Octa-core, 3 processors: 1x 2.84GHz Kryo 680 (Single-core) 3x 2.42GHz Kryo 680 (Triple-core) 4x 1.8GHz Kryo 680 (Quad-core) |
| GPU graphical controller | Qualcomm Adreno 615 | Qualcomm Adreno 660 (840MHz) |
| Performance (benchmark) | AnTuTu: 159110 (v7), 176612 (v8) Geekbench: 5176 (v4.4), 1307 (v5.1) GFXBench: 11fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) | AnTuTu: 566529 (v8), 719696 (v9) Geekbench: 3049 (v5.1) GFXBench: 56fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
💽 Memory and storage | ||
| Google Pixel 3a XL (G020B) | Galaxy S21 FE (SM-G990U 128GB) | |
| RAM memory | 4GB LPDDR4X | 6GB LPDDR5 |
| Internal storage | 64GB (50GB available) eMMC 5.1 | 128GB (97GB available) UFS 3.1 |
| External storage | Not supported | Not supported |
📶 Mobile networks | ||
| Google Pixel 3a XL (G020B) | Galaxy S21 FE (SM-G990U 128GB) | |
| Dual-SIM | Not supported | Dual-SIM Standby - Call active on one sim card |
| SIM card | 1 slot (Single-SIM) e-SIM (Eletronic) | 2 slots (Dual-SIM) nano-SIM (4FF) |
| Maximum Download / Upload | 600/75 Mbps | 2000/1024 Mbps |
| Network technology | 2G, 3G, 4G | 2G, 3G, 4G, 5G |
| Frequency, bands | Expand band details Collapse details | |
| GSM MHz band | Quad-Band 850/900/1800/1900 | Quad-Band 850/900/1800/1900 |
| Primary 2G network | CDMA 800/1900, GSM 850/900/1800/1900 | GSM 850/900/1800/1900 |
| Primary 3G network | CDMA2000 1xEV-DO UMTS 850/900/1700/1900/2100 | UMTS 850/900/1700/1900/2100 |
| Primary 4G network | LTE Cat11/5 (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 20, 25, 26, 28, 32, 66) TD-LTE (38, 40, 41) VoLTE | LTE Cat20 (1, 3, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 28) TD-LTE (34, 38, 39, 40, 41) VoLTE |
| Primary 5G network | Not supported | SA/NSA/Sub6 (1, 3, 5, 8, 28, 41, 78, 79) |
| Primary data network | GPRS, EDGE, CDMA2000 EV-DO Rev 0, CDMA2000 EV-DO Rev A, UMTS, HSDPA, HSUPA, HSPA+, TD-LTE, LTE, LTE-A | GPRS, EDGE, UMTS, HSDPA, HSUPA, HSPA+, TD-LTE, LTE, LTE-A, SA/NSA |
| Secondary 2G network | Not supported | GSM 850/900/1800/1900 |
| Secondary 3G network | Not supported | UMTS 850/900/1700/1900/2100 |
| Secondary 4G network | Not supported | LTE Cat20 (1, 3, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 28) TD-LTE (34, 38, 39, 40, 41) VoLTE |
| Secondary data network | Not supported | GPRS, EDGE, UMTS, HSDPA, HSUPA, HSPA+, TD-LTE, LTE, LTE-A, SA/NSA |
📷 Camera | ||
| Google Pixel 3a XL (G020B) | Galaxy S21 FE (SM-G990U 128GB) | |
| Back camera (main camera) | 12.2 megapixels | (triple camera) 12.2 megapixels 12MP ultrawide f/2.2123°13mm1/3"1.12µm 8MP telephoto f/2.476mm1/4.5"1.0µmPDAFOIS3x-optical-zoom |
| Main camera resolution | 4032x3024 pixels | 4032x3024 pixels |
| Video recording (primary) | 4K UHD (3840x2160) 30 fps | 4K UHD (3840x2160) 60 fps |
| Flash | Dual-LED flash | LED flash |
| Focal aperture | f/1.8 (aperture) | f/1.8 (aperture) |
| Focal length | 28mm lens | 26mm lens |
| Sensor size | 1/2.55" inches | 1/1.76" inches |
| Pixel size | 1.4µm pixel | 1.8µm pixel |
| Autofocus | PDAF: phase detection autofocus | PDAF: phase detection autofocus |
| Touch focus | Supported | Supported |
| Image stabilization | OIS: Optical stabilization | OIS: Optical stabilization |
| Zoom | Only digital zoom | Digital and optical zoom |
| Face/smile detection | Face detection, Smile detection | Face detection, Smile detection |
| BSI sensor | Supported | Supported |
| HDR | HDR photo on both cameras | HDR photo/video on both cameras |
| Camera extras | 1080p@120fps | 4K@30/60fps 1080p@30/60fps 1080p@240fps (slow motion) 720p@960fps (slow motion) |
📸 Front camera | ||
| Google Pixel 3a XL (G020B) | Galaxy S21 FE (SM-G990U 128GB) | |
| Front camera (secondary) | 8 megapixels | 32 megapixels |
| Front camera resolution | 3264x2448 pixels | 6528x4896 pixels |
| Video recording (secondary) | Full HD (1920x1080) | 4K UHD (3840x2160) |
| Front flash | Not supported | Not supported |
| Focal aperture | f/2.0 (aperture) | f/2.2 (aperture) |
| Focal length | 24mm lens | 26mm lens |
| Sensor size | feature not registered | 1/2.74" inches |
| Pixel size | 1.12µm pixel | 0.8µm pixel |
🔉 Sound and multimedia | ||
| Google Pixel 3a XL (G020B) | Galaxy S21 FE (SM-G990U 128GB) | |
| Loudspeaker | Stereo sound | Stereo sound 32-bit/384kHz Dolby Atmos Tuned by AKG |
| Active noise cancellation | 2 microphones or more | 2 microphones or more |
| Radio | Not supported | Not supported |
| TV | Not supported | Not supported |
| Video formats | MP4, H.265, H.264, H.263, XviD, MKV | MP4, H.265, H.264, H.263, XviD, MKV |
| Audio formats | MP3, WAV, WMA, eAAC+, FLAC | MP3, WAV, WMA, eAAC+, FLAC |
🔌 Connectivity | ||
| Google Pixel 3a XL (G020B) | Galaxy S21 FE (SM-G990U 128GB) | |
| USB | USB 2.0 Type-C, USB OTG On-The-Go | USB 3.2 Type-C, USB OTG On-The-Go |
| Audio output | 3.5mm jack | Type-C reversible connector |
| TV output | USB Type-C (reversible) | USB Type-C SlimPort® |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 + A2DP/LE | 5.0 + A2DP/LE |
| WiFi | 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac [wifi5] (2.4GHz, 5GHz) + MIMO WiFi Direct, hotspot | 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/ax [wifi6] (2.4GHz, 5GHz) + MIMO WiFi Direct, hotspot |
| DLNA | Not supported | Supported |
| GPS | A-GPS, GeoTagging, GLONASS, GALILEO | A-GPS, GeoTagging, GLONASS, GALILEO, BeiDou |
| NFC | Supported | Supported |
| Infrared port | Not supported | Not supported |
🧭 Sensors | ||
| Google Pixel 3a XL (G020B) | Galaxy S21 FE (SM-G990U 128GB) | |
| Sensors | Accelerometer Ambient light sensor Barometer Compass Fingerprint sensor (rear-mounted) Gyroscope Proximity sensor | Accelerometer Ambient light sensor Barometer Compass Face unlock Fingerprint sensor (under display) Gyroscope Hall effect Proximity sensor |
| Vibrating alert | Supported | Supported |
🔋 Battery | ||
| Google Pixel 3a XL (G020B) | Galaxy S21 FE (SM-G990U 128GB) | |
| Battery type | LiPo: li-ion polymer (Non removable) | LiPo: li-ion polymer (Non removable) |
| Battery capacity | 3700 mAh | 4500 mAh |
| Charger, watts | 18W (9V/2A) Wired fast charging USB Power Delivery 2.0 | 25W Wired fast charging Reverse charging by cable USB Power Delivery 3.0 |
| Inductive / wireless charging | Not supported | 15W Qi wireless charging 4.5W Reverse wireless charging |
| Talk time autonomy | feature not registered | feature not registered |
| Standby | feature not registered | feature not registered |
➕ Other features | ||
| Google Pixel 3a XL (G020B) | Galaxy S21 FE (SM-G990U 128GB) | |
| Call control | Voice dialing, Voice recorder, Voice commands | Voice dialing, Voice recorder, Voice commands |
| Messaging | SMS (T9), MMS, E-mail, Push mail | SMS (T9), MMS, E-mail, Push mail |
| Hands-free calling | Supported | Supported |
| Video calling | Supported | Supported |
| Ringtones | Polyphonic and customized | Polyphonic and customized |
| Web browser | HTML, XHTML, HTML5 | HTML, XHTML, HTML5 |
| Antenna | Internal antenna | Internal antenna |
| Qwerty physical keyboard | Not supported | Not supported |
| Miscellaneous | • Colors: Just Black, Clearly White, Purple-ish | • Colors: Graphite, White, Lavender, Olive |
☢️ Radiation rate | ||
| Google Pixel 3a XL (G020B) | Galaxy S21 FE (SM-G990U 128GB) | |
| SAR 1.6W/kg (USA, Mexico, etc.) | 1.18W/kg (head), 1.11W/kg (body) | 0.77W/kg (head), 0.9W/kg (body) |
| SAR 2W/kg (Europe, UK, etc.) | 1.17W/kg (head), 1.19W/kg (body) | feature not registered |