Google Pixel 5a (G1F8F) vs Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra (SM-G998U1 128GB)
Side by side comparison between Google Pixel 5a vs Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra phones, differences, pros, cons and full specifications. What's the better?
,
6.34"
OLED
OLED
1080x2400
12.2
MP
MP
8mp
6GB
RAM
RAM
Octa-core
4680
mAh
mAh
(Non removable)
vs
6.8"
AMOLED
AMOLED
1440x3200
108
MP
MP
40mp
12GB
RAM
RAM
Octa-core
5000
mAh
mAh
(Non removable)
What's the better phone? Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra (SM-G998U1 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!
4 Advantages 
27 Advantages | 25 Common items in both devices |
| 128GB (103GB available) / 128GB (101GB available) |
| Aluminum body, glass front / Aluminum frame, glass front/back |
| 16 million |
| LED flash |
| PDAF: phase detection autofocus / PDAF: phase detection autofocus on both cameras |
| OIS: Optical stabilization |
| HDR photo/video on both cameras |
| +18 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 5a (G1F8F) | Galaxy S21 Ultra (SM-G998U1 128GB) | |
| Model | Pixel 5a (G1F8F) | Galaxy S21 Ultra (SM-G998U1 128GB) |
| Other model names | Google Pixel 5a 5G G1F8F (US / FI) | Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G (SM-G998U1) Unlocked |
| Country or region available |   (Global, International), USA | USA |
| Brand | Samsung | |
| Release date | 8/26/2021, Announced: 8/17/2021 | 1/29/2021, Announced: 1/14/2021 |
| Depth | 8.8 millimeters (0.35 inches) | 8.9 millimeters (0.35 inches) |
| Size (width x height) | 73.2 x 156.2 millimeters (2.88 x 6.15 in) | 75.6 x 165.1 millimeters (2.98 x 6.5 in) |
| Weight | 183 grams (6.41 ounces) | 227 grams (7.95 ounces) |
| Build, materials | Aluminum body, glass front | Aluminum frame, glass front/back |
| Protection against water and others | IP67 certified: dust proof and waterproof over 1 meter and 30min | IP68 certified: water-resistant up to 1.5 meters for 30min and dust-resistant |
📲 Display | ||
| Google Pixel 5a (G1F8F) | Galaxy S21 Ultra (SM-G998U1 128GB) | |
| Display type | OLED | Dynamic AMOLED |
| Screen size | 6.34" inches | 6.8" inches |
| Screen-to-body ratio | ~84.9% (screen-to-body ratio) | ~89.4% (screen-to-body ratio) |
| Display resolution | 1080x2400 pixels (20:9) | 1440x3200 pixels (20:9) |
| Touchscreen | Capacitive Multitouch 10-points | Capacitive Multitouch 10-points |
| Pixel density (dot pitch) | 415 PPI | 516 PPI |
| Colors | 16 million | 16 million |
| Scratch-resistant glass | Gorilla Glass 3 | Gorilla Glass Victus |
| Refresh rate | 60Hz | 120Hz |
| Display features | HDR8 Always-On Display | 1500nits[peak] HDR10+ Always-On Display |
🤖 Operating System | ||
| Google Pixel 5a (G1F8F) | Galaxy S21 Ultra (SM-G998U1 128GB) | |
| System version | Android 11 | Android 11 |
| Firmware update | Android 13 | Android 14 |
| User Interface | feature not registered | One UI 3.1 / 4.1 / 5.1 / 6.0 |
⚙️ Processor | ||
| Google Pixel 5a (G1F8F) | Galaxy S21 Ultra (SM-G998U1 128GB) | |
| Chipset | 64bit: Qualcomm Snapdragon 765G (SM7250-AB) (7nm) | 64bit: Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 (SM8350) (5nm) |
| CPU | Octa-core, 3 processors: 1x 2.4GHz Kryo 475 Prime (Single-core) 1x 2.2GHz Kryo 475 Gold (Single-core) 6x 1.8GHz Kryo 475 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 620 (625MHz) | Qualcomm Adreno 660 (840MHz) |
| Performance (benchmark) | AnTuTu: 291303 (v8) Geekbench: 1337 (v5.1) GFXBench: 19fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) | AnTuTu: 681099 (v8), 809165 (v9) Geekbench: 3539 (v5.2) GFXBench: 54fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
💽 Memory and storage | ||
| Google Pixel 5a (G1F8F) | Galaxy S21 Ultra (SM-G998U1 128GB) | |
| RAM memory | 6GB LPDDR4X | 12GB LPDDR5 |
| Internal storage | 128GB (103GB available) UFS 2.1 | 128GB (101GB available) UFS 3.1 |
| External storage | Not supported | Not supported |
📶 Mobile networks | ||
| Google Pixel 5a (G1F8F) | Galaxy S21 Ultra (SM-G998U1 128GB) | |
| Dual-SIM | Not supported | Dual-SIM Standby - Call active on one sim card |
| SIM card | 1 slot (Single-SIM) nano-SIM (4FF) + e-SIM | 1 slot (Single-SIM) nano-SIM (4FF) + e-SIM |
| Maximum Download / Upload | 3000/1024 Mbps | 5000/1920 Mbps |
| Network technology | 2G, 3G, 4G, 5G | 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 | CDMA 800/1900, GSM 850/900/1800/1900 |
| Primary 3G network | CDMA2000 1xEV-DO UMTS 850/900/1700/1900/2100 | CDMA2000 1xEV-DO UMTS 850/900/1700/1900/2100 |
| Primary 4G network | LTE Cat18 (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 14, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 32, 66, 71) TD-LTE (38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 46, 48) VoLTE | LTE Cat20 (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 14, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 30, 66, 71) TD-LTE (38, 39, 40, 41, 46, 48) VoLTE |
| Primary 5G network | SA/NSA/Sub6 (1, 2, 5, 12, 25, 28, 41, 66, 71, 77, 78) | SA/NSA/Sub6 (2, 5, 25, 41, 66, 71) mmWave (260, 261) |
| Primary data network | GPRS, EDGE, CDMA2000 EV-DO Rev 0, CDMA2000 EV-DO Rev A, UMTS, HSDPA, HSUPA, HSPA+, TD-LTE, LTE, LTE-A, SA/NSA, Sub6 | GPRS, EDGE, CDMA2000 EV-DO Rev 0, CDMA2000 EV-DO Rev A, UMTS, HSDPA, HSUPA, HSPA+, TD-LTE, LTE, LTE-A, SA/NSA, Sub6 |
| Secondary 2G network | Not supported | CDMA 800/1900, GSM 850/900/1800/1900 |
| Secondary 3G network | Not supported | CDMA2000 1xEV-DO UMTS 850/900/1700/1900/2100 |
| Secondary 4G network | Not supported | LTE Cat20 (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 14, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 30, 66, 71) TD-LTE (38, 39, 40, 41, 46, 48) VoLTE |
| Secondary data network | Not supported | GPRS, EDGE, CDMA2000 EV-DO Rev 0, CDMA2000 EV-DO Rev A, UMTS, HSDPA, HSUPA, HSPA+, TD-LTE, LTE, LTE-A, SA/NSA, Sub6 |
📷 Camera | ||
| Google Pixel 5a (G1F8F) | Galaxy S21 Ultra (SM-G998U1 128GB) | |
| Back camera (main camera) | (dual camera) 12.2 megapixels 16MP ultrawide f/2.2119° | (quad camera) 108 megapixels 10MP periscope telephoto f/4.9240mm1/3.24"1.22µmPDAFOIS10x-optical-zoom 10MP telephoto f/2.470mm1/3.24"1.22µmPDAFOIS3x-optical-zoom 12MP ultrawide f/2.213mm1/2.55"1.4µmPDAFSuper-Steady-video |
| Main camera resolution | 4032x3024 pixels | 12000x9000 pixels |
| Video recording (primary) | 4K UHD (3840x2160) 60 fps | 8K UHD (7680x4320) 24 fps |
| Flash | LED flash | LED flash |
| Focal aperture | f/1.7 (aperture) | f/1.8 (aperture) |
| Focal length | 27mm lens | 26mm lens |
| Sensor size | 1/2.55" inches | 1/1.33" inches |
| Pixel size | 1.4µm pixel | 1.8µm pixel |
| Autofocus | PDAF: phase detection autofocus | PDAF: phase detection autofocus on both cameras |
| 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/video on both cameras | HDR photo/video on both cameras |
| Camera extras | 1080p@240fps | 4K@60fps 1080p@240fps 720p@960fps |
📸 Front camera | ||
| Google Pixel 5a (G1F8F) | Galaxy S21 Ultra (SM-G998U1 128GB) | |
| Front camera (secondary) | 8 megapixels | 40 megapixels |
| Front camera resolution | 3264x2448 pixels | 7296x5472 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 | 1/4" inches | 1/2.8" inches |
| Pixel size | 1.12µm pixel | 0.7µm pixel |
🔉 Sound and multimedia | ||
| Google Pixel 5a (G1F8F) | Galaxy S21 Ultra (SM-G998U1 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 | FM |
| 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 5a (G1F8F) | Galaxy S21 Ultra (SM-G998U1 128GB) | |
| USB | USB 3.1 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 (reversible) |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 + A2DP/LE | 5.2 + 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 | Supported | Supported |
| GPS | A-GPS, GeoTagging, GLONASS, GALILEO, QZSS | A-GPS, GeoTagging, GLONASS, GALILEO, BeiDou |
| NFC | Supported | Supported |
| Infrared port | Not supported | Not supported |
🧭 Sensors | ||
| Google Pixel 5a (G1F8F) | Galaxy S21 Ultra (SM-G998U1 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) Gesture Gyroscope Hall effect Proximity sensor UWB (Ultra Wideband) |
| Vibrating alert | Supported | Supported |
🔋 Battery | ||
| Google Pixel 5a (G1F8F) | Galaxy S21 Ultra (SM-G998U1 128GB) | |
| Battery type | LiPo: li-ion polymer (Non removable) | LiPo: li-ion polymer (Non removable) |
| Battery capacity | 4680 mAh | 5000 mAh |
| Charger, watts | 18W Wired fast charging Reverse charging by cable USB Power Delivery 2.0 | 25W Wired fast charging USB Power Delivery 3.0 |
| Inductive / wireless charging | Not supported | 15W Qi wireless charging (Qi/PMA) 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 5a (G1F8F) | Galaxy S21 Ultra (SM-G998U1 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: Mostly Black • Google Pay • Google Cast | • Colors: Phantom Black, Silver, Titanium, Navy, Brown • Samsung Pay (Visa, MasterCard) • Samsung DeX • Stylus pen support |
☢️ Radiation rate | ||
| Google Pixel 5a (G1F8F) | Galaxy S21 Ultra (SM-G998U1 128GB) | |
| SAR 1.6W/kg (USA, Mexico, etc.) | 1.13W/kg (head), 1.09W/kg (body) | 0.77W/kg (head), 1.02W/kg (body) |
| SAR 2W/kg (Europe, UK, etc.) | 0.47W/kg (head), 1.14W/kg (body) | feature not registered |