Affiliate links on Android Authority may earn us a commission. Learn more.
Samsung Galaxy S21 vs Google Pixel 7: Should you upgrade?
Samsung’s Galaxy S21 is now a little old in the tooth, to the point that something like the Google Pixel 7 might be a desirable upgrade, especially if you prefer a stock Android experience. Are there enough improvements to warrant jumping ship to the Pixel 7, or should you consider something else? Find out in this Pixel 7 vs Galaxy S21 comparison.
Samsung Galaxy S21 vs Google Pixel 7: At a glance
- The Pixel 7 offers longer battery life.
- The Galaxy S21 has two SIM card slots, whereas the Pixel 7 sports one physical slot plus an eSIM.
- The Galaxy S21's display has a smoother refresh rate.
- The Galaxy S21 offers a telephoto camera for long-distance shooting, and can record video up to 8K at 24fps.
Samsung Galaxy S21 vs Google Pixel 7: Specs
| Samsung Galaxy S21 | Google Pixel 7 | |
|---|---|---|
Display | Samsung Galaxy S21 6.2-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2,400 x 1,080 120Hz refresh rate HDR10+ | Google Pixel 7 6.32-inch OLED 2,400 x 1,080 90Hz refresh rate HDR10+ |
Processor | Samsung Galaxy S21 Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 or Samsung Exynos 2100 | Google Pixel 7 Tensor G2 |
Memory / Storage | Samsung Galaxy S21 8GB RAM / 128GB or 256GB | Google Pixel 7 8GB RAM / 128GB or 256GB |
Battery and Power | Samsung Galaxy S21 4,000mAh 25W wired charging 15W wireless charging 4.5W reverse wireless | Google Pixel 7 4,355mAh 20W wired charging 20W wireless Reverse wireless |
Cameras | Samsung Galaxy S21 Rear: -12MP wide, ƒ/1.8 - 64MP telephoto, ƒ/2.0 - 12MP ultrawide, ƒ/2.2 Video: - 8K at 24fps, 4K at 30/60fps Front: - 10MP, ƒ/2.2 | Google Pixel 7 Rear: - 50MP wide, f/1.9 - 12MP ultrawide, ƒ/2.2 Video: - 4K at 30/60fps Front: - 10.8MP, ƒ/2.2, |
Connectivity | Samsung Galaxy S21 4G LTE, 5G Wi-Fi 6E Bluetooth 5.0 NFC | Google Pixel 7 4G LTE, 5G Wi-Fi 6E Bluetooth 5.2 NFC |
Software | Samsung Galaxy S21 One UI 3.1 Android 11 Four OS updates | Google Pixel 7 Android 13 Three OS updates |
Samsung Galaxy S21 vs Google Pixel 7: Should you upgrade?
Both devices have a similarly-sized display with matching resolution. The Pixel 7 does sport higher peak brightness levels, but the S21 offers a smoother 120Hz refresh rate versus the Pixel 7’s 90Hz. The S21’s Snapdragon 888 chipset meanwhile holds its own against the Pixel’s Tensor G2, providing similar CPU and GPU performance. And while both phones offer excellent camera setups for everyday use, the Galaxy S21 does have a few advantages, such as 1.1x optical zoom and support for slow-motion recording up to 960fps.
If cameras, performance, and display quality are more important to you, the differences between the two devices might not justify the upgrade.
For these reasons, you might want to hold onto your S21 for a little longer or consider some of the many other phones that have been released since the Pixel 7. That includes the Pixel 8 and Galaxy S24, which feature not just a number of hardware improvements but a heavier focus on AI conveniences.