Google Pixel XL (32GB) vs Samsung Galaxy S21
Side by side comparison between Google Pixel XL vs Samsung Galaxy S21 phones, differences, pros, cons and full specifications. What's the better?
,
5.5"
AMOLED
AMOLED
1440x2560
12.3
MP
MP
8mp
4GB
RAM
RAM
Quad-core
3450
mAh
mAh
(Non removable)
vs
6.2"
AMOLED
AMOLED
1080x2400
12.2
MP
MP
10mp
8GB
RAM
RAM
Octa-core
4000
mAh
mAh
(Non removable)
What's the better phone? Samsung Galaxy S21
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!
5 Advantages 
32 Advantages | 23 Common items in both devices |
| Aluminum frame, glass front/back / Aluminum body, glass front, plastic back |
| 16 million |
| LDAF/PDAF: laser/phase detection autofocus / PDAF: phase detection autofocus on both cameras |
| BSI sensor |
| Capacitive |
| Multitouch |
| Accelerometer |
| +16 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 XL (32GB) | Galaxy S21 | |
| Model | Pixel XL (32GB) | Galaxy S21 |
| Other model names | Verizon HTC Pixel XL, G-2PW2100, G-2PW2200, HTC Marlin | Galaxy S21 5G SM-G991B/DS |
| Country or region available |  (Global, International) | (Global, International) |
| Brand | Samsung | |
| Release date | 10/20/2016, Announced: 10/4/2016 | 1/29/2021, Announced: 1/14/2021 |
| Depth | 8.58 millimeters (0.34 inches) | 7.9 millimeters (0.31 inches) |
| Size (width x height) | 75.7 x 154.7 millimeters (2.98 x 6.09 in) | 71.2 x 151.7 millimeters (2.8 x 5.97 in) |
| Weight | 168 grams (5.88 ounces) | 169 grams (5.92 ounces) |
| Build, materials | Aluminum frame, glass front/back | Aluminum body, glass front, plastic back |
| Protection against water and others | Water repellent nano-coating (don't immerse) | IP68 certified: water-resistant up to 1.5 meters for 30min and dust-resistant |
📲 Display | ||
| Google Pixel XL (32GB) | Galaxy S21 | |
| Display type | AMOLED | Dynamic AMOLED |
| Screen size | 5.5" inches | 6.2" inches |
| Screen-to-body ratio | ~71.2% (screen-to-body ratio) | ~85.9% (screen-to-body ratio) |
| Display resolution | 1440x2560 pixels (16:9) | 1080x2400 pixels (20:9) |
| Touchscreen | Capacitive Multitouch | Capacitive Multitouch 10-points |
| Pixel density (dot pitch) | 534 PPI | 424 PPI |
| Colors | 16 million | 16 million |
| Scratch-resistant glass | Gorilla Glass 4 | Gorilla Glass Victus |
| Refresh rate | 60Hz | 120Hz |
| Display features | Not supported | 1300nits[peak] HDR10+ Always-On Display |
🤖 Operating System | ||
| Google Pixel XL (32GB) | Galaxy S21 | |
| System version | Android 7.1 Nougat | Android 11 |
| Firmware update | Android 10 | Android 15 |
| User Interface | feature not registered | One UI 3.1 / 4.1 / 5.1 / 6.0 / 7.0 |
⚙️ Processor | ||
| Google Pixel XL (32GB) | Galaxy S21 | |
| Chipset | 64bit: Qualcomm Snapdragon 821 (MSM8996AB) (14nm) | 64bit: Samsung Exynos 2100 (5nm) |
| CPU | Quad-core, 2 processors: 2x 2.15GHz Kryo (Dual-core) 2x 1.6GHz Kryo (Dual-core) | Octa-core, 3 processors: 1x 2.9GHz ARM Cortex-X1 (Single-core) 3x 2.8GHz ARM Cortex-A78 (Triple-core) 4x 2.2GHz ARM Cortex-A55 (Quad-core) |
| GPU graphical controller | Qualcomm Adreno 530 (624MHz) | ARM Mali-G78 MP14 (854MHz) |
| Performance (benchmark) | Basemark OS II: 2281 (v2) | feature not registered |
💽 Memory and storage | ||
| Google Pixel XL (32GB) | Galaxy S21 | |
| RAM memory | 4GB LPDDR4 | 8GB LPDDR5 |
| Internal storage | 32GB (22GB available) UFS 2.0 | 128GB (104GB available) UFS 3.1 |
| External storage | Not supported | Not supported |
📶 Mobile networks | ||
| Google Pixel XL (32GB) | Galaxy S21 | |
| Dual-SIM | Not supported | Dual-SIM Standby - Call active on one sim card |
| SIM card | 1 slot (Single-SIM) nano-SIM (4FF) | 2 slots (Dual-SIM) nano-SIM (4FF) + e-SIM |
| Maximum Download / Upload | 650/75 Mbps | 5000/1920 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 | CDMA 800/1900, GSM 850/900/1800/1900 |
| Primary 3G network | CDMA2000 1xEV-DO Global version: UMTS 800/850/900/1700/1900/2100 America version: UMTS 850/1700/1900/2100 | CDMA2000 1xEV-DO TD-SCDMA 1900/2000 UMTS 850/900/1700/1900/2100 |
| Primary 4G network | LTE Cat11 Global version: LTE (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 26, 28, 32) TD-LTE (38, 39, 40, 41) America version: LTE (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30) TD-LTE (41) | LTE Cat24 () TD-LTE () VoLTE |
| Primary 5G network | Not supported | SA/NSA/Sub6 () |
| 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, CDMA2000 EV-DO Rev 0, CDMA2000 EV-DO Rev A, TD-SCDMA, UMTS, TD-HSDPA, HSDPA, HSUPA, HSPA+, TD-LTE, LTE, LTE-A, SA/NSA, Sub6 |
| 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 Cat24 () TD-LTE () VoLTE |
| Secondary data network | Not supported | GPRS, EDGE, UMTS, HSDPA, HSUPA, HSPA+, TD-LTE, LTE, LTE-A |
📷 Camera | ||
| Google Pixel XL (32GB) | Galaxy S21 | |
| Back camera (main camera) | 12.3 megapixels | (triple camera) 12.2 megapixels 64MP telephoto f/2.029mm1/1.72"0.8µmPDAFOIS1.1x-optical-zoom3x-hybrid-zoom 12MP ultrawide f/2.213mm120°1/2.55"1.4µmSuper-Steady-video |
| Main camera resolution | 4048x3036 pixels | 4032x3024 pixels |
| Video recording (primary) | 4K UHD (3840x2160) 30 fps | 8K UHD (7680x4320) 24 fps |
| Flash | Dual-LED flash | LED flash |
| Focal aperture | f/2.0 (aperture) | f/1.8 (aperture) |
| Focal length | 28mm (lens) | 26mm (lens) |
| Sensor size | 1/2.3" inches | 1/1.76" inches |
| Pixel size | 1.55µm pixel | 1.8µm pixel |
| Autofocus | LDAF/PDAF: laser/phase detection autofocus | PDAF: phase detection autofocus on both cameras |
| Touch focus | Supported | Supported |
| Image stabilization | EIS: Digital 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 only main camera | HDR photo/video on both cameras |
| Camera extras | 4K@30fps 1080p@30/60fps 1080p@120fps (slow motion) 720p@240fps (slow motion) | 4K@60fps 1080p@240fps 720p@960fps |
📸 Front camera | ||
| Google Pixel XL (32GB) | Galaxy S21 | |
| Front camera (secondary) | 8 megapixels | 10 megapixels |
| Front camera resolution | 3264x2448 pixels | 3872x2592 pixels |
| Video recording (secondary) | Full HD (1920x1080) | 4K UHD (3840x2160) |
| Front flash | Not supported | Not supported |
| Focal aperture | f/2.4 (aperture) | f/2.2 (aperture) |
| Focal length | feature not registered | 26mm (lens) |
| Sensor size | 1/3.2" inches | 1/3.24" inches |
| Pixel size | 1.4µm pixel | 1.22µm pixel |
🔉 Sound and multimedia | ||
| Google Pixel XL (32GB) | Galaxy S21 | |
| Loudspeaker | Mono sound (not stereo) | Stereo sound 32-bit/384kHz Dolby Atmos Tuned by AKG |
| Active noise cancellation | 2 microphones or more | 2 microphones |
| Radio | Not supported | FM |
| TV | Not supported | Not supported |
| Video formats | MP4, H.264, H.263 | MP4, H.265, H.264, H.263, XviD, MKV |
| Audio formats | MP3, WAV, eAAC+, FLAC | MP3, WAV, WMA, eAAC+, FLAC |
🔌 Connectivity | ||
| Google Pixel XL (32GB) | Galaxy S21 | |
| USB | USB 3.1 Type-C reversible connector | USB 3.2 Type-C, USB OTG On-The-Go |
| Audio output | 3.5mm jack | Type-C reversible connector |
| TV output | Not supported | USB Type-C (reversible) |
| Bluetooth | 4.2 + A2DP | 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 | Supported | Supported |
| GPS | A-GPS, GeoTagging, GLONASS | A-GPS, GeoTagging, GLONASS, GALILEO, BeiDou |
| NFC | Supported | Supported |
| Infrared port | Not supported | Not supported |
🧭 Sensors | ||
| Google Pixel XL (32GB) | Galaxy S21 | |
| Sensors | Accelerometer Ambient light sensor Barometer Compass Fingerprint sensor (rear-mounted) Gyroscope Hall effect Proximity sensor | Accelerometer Ambient light sensor Barometer Compass Face unlock 2D Fingerprint sensor (under display) Gesture Gyroscope Hall effect Proximity sensor |
| Vibrating alert | Supported | Supported |
🔋 Battery | ||
| Google Pixel XL (32GB) | Galaxy S21 | |
| Battery type | Li-Ion: lithium-ion (Non removable) | LiPo: li-ion polymer (Non removable) |
| Battery capacity | 3450 mAh | 4000 mAh |
| Charger, watts | 18W (9V/2A) Wired fast charging USB Power Delivery 1.0 | 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 | 32 hours (1.3 days) | feature not registered |
| Standby | 552 hours (23 days) | feature not registered |
➕ Other features | ||
| Google Pixel XL (32GB) | Galaxy S21 | |
| 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: Black, Silver, Blue • Google Assistant • Daydream View VR • Live Case | • Colors: Phantom Gray, White, Violet, Pink • Samsung Pay (Visa, MasterCard) • Samsung DeX |
☢️ Radiation rate | ||
| Google Pixel XL (32GB) | Galaxy S21 | |
| SAR 1.6W/kg (USA, Mexico, etc.) | 0.89W/kg (head), 0.56W/kg (body) | feature not registered |
| SAR 2W/kg (Europe, UK, etc.) | 0.25W/kg (head), 0.44W/kg (body) | 0.456W/kg (head), 1.509W/kg (body) |