Smartphone Comparison: Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G vs. Google Pixel 9 Pro
1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G | Google Pixel 9 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 161.5 × 75.6 × 7.8 mm | 152.8 × 72 × 8.5 mm | S21+ is larger & thinner, Pixel 9 Pro is smaller and slightly thicker. Pixel 9 Pro might be more pocketable, S21+ is more screen. |
| Weight | 200g | 199g | Virtually identical. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.7" | 6.3" | S21+ has a larger screen, better for media consumption and multitasking. Pixel 9 Pro is more compact, one-hand friendly. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1280x2856 | Pixel 9 Pro has significantly sharper images, text, and video. |
| PPI | 394 | 495 | Pixel 9 Pro has visibly sharper display with more detail. |
| Technology | AMOLED | OLED | Both offer vibrant colors and deep blacks; little practical difference. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | Both provide smooth scrolling and animations. |
| Brightness | 1300 nits | 3000 nits | Pixel 9 Pro screen is significantly brighter and more visible outdoors, particularly in direct sunlight. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Exynos 2100 (5 nm) | Google Tensor G4 (4 nm) | Pixel 9 Pro's newer chip is expected to offer faster processing, improved AI capabilities and better power efficiency. |
| AnTuTu Score | 749,100 | 1,148,512 | Pixel 9 Pro has much better performance with faster app loading, smoother multitasking and better gaming. |
| GPU | Mali-G78 MP14 | Mali-G715 MC7 | Pixel 9 Pro expected to have superior graphics performance. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 4800mAh | 4700mAh | Similar battery sizes suggest comparable battery life. |
| Charging | 25W fast charging | 27W fast charging | Pixel 9 Pro charges slightly faster. |
| Features | 15W Wireless, 4.5W Reverse Wireless, No Charger Included | 21W Wireless, Reverse Charging | Pixel 9 Pro has faster wireless charging, S21+ has wider wireless charging flexibility, but no included charger. |
| Camera | |||
| Standard Rear | 12MP f/1.8, 1/1.76" | 50MP f/1.69, 1/1.3" | Pixel 9 Pro has much higher resolution, larger sensor and wider aperture, likely leading to better low-light performance and more detail. |
| Telephoto/Portrait | 64MP f/2.0, 1/1.72" | None | S21+ has dedicated telephoto/portrait camera; Pixel 9 Pro needs to rely on digital zoom or cropped image from main sensor. |
| Telephoto Lens | None | 48MP f/2.8 | Pixel 9 Pro has a dedicated telephoto lens that would be better than digital zoom at long ranges. |
| Wide Angle + Macro | 12.2MP f/2.2, 1/2.55" | 48MP f/1.7 | Pixel 9 Pro has much higher resolution and wider aperture likely resulting in better wide angle images, especially in low light. |
| Front Camera | 10MP f/2.2, 1/3.2" | 42MP f/2.2 | Pixel 9 Pro's front camera captures significantly more detail and is expected to provide higher quality selfies. |
| Video | Up to 8K@24fps, EIS | Up to 8K@30fps, OIS, EIS | Both can record high-resolution videos, Pixel 9 Pro has optical stabilization that is better for stable hand-held recording. |
| Additional Camera Features | 4K Video, 8K Video, Digital zoom, Optical zoom, Triple camera, Digital image stabilization, Optical Stabilization (OIS), Autofocus, Touch focus, Continuous autofocus, Manual focus, Phase detection autofocus (PDAF), Continuous shooting, Geotagging, Panorama, HDR, Face detection, White balance settings, ISO settings, Exposure compensation, Scene mode, Self-timer, RAW, Night Mode | Flicker sensor, Noise reduction, Pro Video Mode, 4K Video, 8K Video, Digital zoom, Optical zoom, Triple camera, Digital image stabilization, Optical Stabilization (OIS), Ultra stable video, Autofocus, Touch focus, Continuous autofocus, Manual focus, Phase detection autofocus (PDAF), Laser autofocus (LAF), NPU AI Engine, Continuous shooting, Geotagging, Panorama, HDR, Face detection, White balance settings, ISO settings, Exposure compensation, Scene mode, Self-timer, RAW, Night Mode | Pixel 9 Pro has additional video and photography features. |
| DxoMark | Main: 111, Photo: 118, Video: 89 | Not available | S21+ has been tested, Pixel 9 Pro has not. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 (Upgradable to 15) | Android 14 (Upgradable to 21) | Pixel 9 Pro has a more recent Android version with longer update support. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6 | Wi-Fi 7, MIMO | Pixel 9 Pro has newer Wi-Fi standard, potentially faster and more reliable. |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 | 5.3 | Pixel 9 Pro has slightly newer Bluetooth standard with better efficiency and security. |
| GPS | GPS (L1+L5), Galileo (E1+E5a) | GPS, GLONASS (L1), NavIC System, GNSS | Pixel 9 Pro has more global location systems, likely providing better location accuracy in diverse areas. |
| SIM | Dual SIM Dual Standby (Nano SIM + Nano SIM / eSIM) | Dual SIM Dual Standby (Nano SIM + eSIM) | Both support dual SIM, S21+ has a more flexible dual SIM implementation. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 128/256GB | 128/256/512/1024GB | Pixel 9 Pro offers more storage options with up to 1TB compared to S21+'s 256GB max. |
| RAM | 8GB | 16GB | Pixel 9 Pro has significantly more RAM, much better for multitasking. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither phone has expandable storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res Audio, Stereo Speakers | Stereo Speakers, 3 microphones | S21+ has more immersive audio playback, Pixel 9 Pro has more microphones for better audio pickup. |
| Security | |||
| Features | Fingerprint Sensor | Fingerprint Sensor | Both have basic fingerprint security. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Gorilla Glass Victus | Gorilla Glass Victus 2 | Pixel 9 Pro has a slightly newer, more durable version of Gorilla Glass. |
| Sensors | |||
| Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Barometer | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Gyroscope, Magnetometer, Barometer, Thermometer | Pixel 9 Pro has a more advanced sensor set including a thermometer. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G Advantages:
- Larger Display: A 6.7-inch screen makes it better for media consumption and multitasking.
- Telephoto Lens: Dedicated zoom lens with 64MP resolution.
- More Wireless Charging Features: Includes Wireless Charging 15W and Reverse wireless charging 4.5W
- Hi-Res Audio and Dolby Atmos: Superior audio quality for music and videos
Practical Implications:
- Larger screen is better for watching movies, playing games and running multiple apps at the same time, at the cost of portability.
- Dedicated zoom lens captures much better zoomed-in shots compared to digital zoom.
- Wider wireless charging features mean more flexibility, you can share power with another phone or a wireless charger.
Google Pixel 9 Pro Advantages:
- Superior Display: Higher resolution and significantly higher brightness for better clarity, especially outdoors.
- Faster Performance: The newer Google Tensor G4 chip provides a huge boost in performance and AI capabilities.
- Better Cameras: Larger sensors, higher resolution, and advanced image processing for higher quality images, especially in low light. It also has a dedicated telephoto lens.
- More RAM: 16GB of RAM provides a much smoother multitasking experience, it is able to have more background apps open, and provides better performance in demanding tasks.
- Newer Software: Ships with Android 14 and promises longer software update support.
- Faster Connectivity: Supports WiFi 7 for faster and more reliable wireless connections.
- Higher Storage Options: Offers up to 1TB of storage for more files and applications.
- Advanced Features: Includes a flicker sensor, noise reduction, pro video mode, Ultra stable video, laser autofocus, and a NPU AI engine for enhanced image and video processing.
- Additional Sensor: Has a thermometer sensor.
Practical Implications:
- The much brighter display means you'll be able to comfortably see what's on your phone even in bright sunlight.
- The Pixel 9 Pro will generally handle apps and games much better, especially demanding ones.
- Images and video will look significantly better, especially in poor lighting. The inclusion of OIS ensures much more stable hand-held recordings.
- A phone with more RAM will allow you to comfortably have more apps open in the background, and will provide better performance in demanding tasks, such as editing video or playing graphics heavy games.
- Your phone will receive security and feature updates for longer.
- Newer WiFi and Bluetooth means better connection performance and efficiency.
- You will have much more space to install apps, and keep large files, such as photos and videos.
Significant Trade-offs:
- Size vs Portability: The S21+ has a larger display, but the Pixel 9 Pro is much more pocketable.
- Camera Flexibility vs Image Quality: S21+ has an additional telephoto lens, whereas Pixel 9 Pro offers an overall better camera with a larger sensor.
- Audio Immersiveness vs Mic Quality: S21+ has Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res Audio, and Stereo Speakers, whereas Pixel 9 Pro has Noise cancellation microphone, Stereo Speakers, and 3 microphones
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G Ideal User:
- Users who prioritize a large screen for media consumption.
- Users who appreciate dedicated zoom camera functionality, and don't require the absolute best picture quality.
- Users who value a device with excellent audio playback.
- Users who want to wirelessly charge and share battery wirelessly with other devices.
- Users on a budget and want a phone that performs acceptably well and has a large screen.
Use Cases:
- Watching movies and TV shows on-the-go.
- Gaming with an emphasis on a larger display.
- Taking zoomed-in photos where digital zoom performance is inadequate.
- Listening to music and other audio content with a focus on spatial audio.
- Wanting more wireless charging flexibility.
Google Pixel 9 Pro Ideal User:
- Users who prioritize a sharp, bright screen, especially for outdoor use.
- Users who demand the best possible camera performance and quality, and AI capabilities.
- Users who want a future-proof device with the latest software and faster connectivity.
- Users who need superior multitasking and gaming performance.
- Users who need a high amount of storage on their phone.
- Users who value advanced camera features.
Use Cases:
- Taking high-quality photos and videos in diverse lighting conditions, especially low light.
- Playing demanding mobile games smoothly.
- Using AI-powered features, such as the NPU AI Engine
- Viewing content in bright sunlight with a crystal clear screen.
- Working with multiple apps and multitasking frequently.
- Need lots of storage for large files.
- Taking calls with best audio pickup, including background noise cancellation.
- Taking advantage of the additional, useful sensor, the thermometer.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- What is your primary use case? (Media consumption, photography, performance, etc.)
- What is your budget? (While price was not provided, assume the Pixel is more expensive.)
- How important is future-proofing and latest technology? (Software updates, connectivity etc)
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Budget-Conscious Media Lover: If you need a large screen for media and are budget conscious, then the Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G may be more appropriate.
- Scenario 2: Photography Enthusiast: If you prioritize camera quality above all else, including low-light performance and advanced video features, then the Google Pixel 9 Pro is the best choice.
- Scenario 3: Performance Seeker: If you need the best performance for demanding apps, multitasking, and gaming, choose the Google Pixel 9 Pro.
- Scenario 4: Outdoor User: If you often use your phone outdoors, in the sun or in bright light, the Google Pixel 9 Pro's superior screen brightness makes it the better choice.
My Choice
If I were choosing between these two phones, I would choose the Google Pixel 9 Pro. Although the Samsung S21+ has some advantages like the slightly larger screen and the dedicated zoom lens, the Pixel 9 Pro offers a much more compelling package overall. The huge upgrade in performance, the superior camera quality, the significantly brighter and sharper display, and the promise of longer software support make it a better fit for my needs and priorities. While I like to consume content and appreciate the S21+'s Hi-Res Audio, it isn't as compelling compared to the benefits offered by the Pixel 9 Pro. The newer processor and significantly better graphics performance, paired with the higher amount of RAM, means that the Pixel 9 Pro will handle demanding apps, multitasking and mobile games a lot better, which is something I would much rather value. The ability to take high-quality photos and videos, especially in low light, is a significant benefit that justifies choosing it over the S21+, in my opinion. Also, the larger internal storage is greatly appreciated.
