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The Pixel 6 is kind of presumably one of the best sub-$800 Android cellphone you should purchase proper now. It takes what was nice about earlier Pixels (particularly the wonderful digital camera and software program), and provides a strikingly contemporary design, a surprising AMOLED show with a 90Hz refresh price, a brand new Google-made processor, and an even bigger battery than ever. It even soups up its fundamental digital camera lens by swapping 12 megapixels for a extra substantial 50MP.
All in all, it seems to be like a really compelling smartphone, but it surely isn’t alone within the class of Android telephones that goal to be nice all-rounders whereas additionally not being too costly. One other contender on this area is the Samsung Galaxy S21, which additionally checks a lot of packing containers. Its 6.2-inch Dynamic AMOLED display screen is lusciously vibrant, its processor is dizzyingly quick, it sports activities a flexible triple-lens rear digital camera, and it additionally seems to be stylishly distinctive. Nevertheless, which is healthier: it or the Pixel 6?
We reply this query by taking a more in-depth have a look at the specs and efficiency of every cellphone. By fastidiously weighing up their professionals and cons, we must always show you how to resolve which is the mid-range Android for you.
Specs
Pixel 6
Samsung Galaxy S21
Measurement
158.6 x 74.8 x 8.9 mm (6.24 x 2.94 x 0.35 inches)
151.7 x 71.2 x 7.9 mm (5.97 x 2.80 x 0.31 inches)
Weight
207 grams (7.30 ounces)
171 grams (5.96 ounces)
Display screen measurement
6.4-inch AMOLED, 90Hz refresh price
6.2-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X
Display screen decision
2400 x 1080 pixels (411 pixels per inch)
2400 x 1080 pixels (421 pixels per inch)
Working system
Android 12
Android 11, OneUI 3.1
Storage
128GB, 256GB
128GB, 256GB
MicroSD card slot
No
No
Faucet-to-pay companies
Google Pay
Google Pay, Samsung Pay
Processor
Google Tensor (5nm)
Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 (5nm, USA/China), Exynos 2100 (5nm, remainder of world)
RAM
8GB
8GB
Digicam
Twin-lens 50MP large and 12MP ultrawide, 8MP entrance
Triple-lens 12MP large, 64MP telephoto, and 12MP ultrawide, 10MP selfie
Video
4K at as much as 60 fps, 1080p at 240 fps
8K at as much as 30 fps, 4K at 60 fps, 1080p at 240 fps
Bluetooth model
Bluetooth 5.2
Bluetooth 5.0
Ports
USB-C
USB-C
Fingerprint sensor
Sure (in-display)
Sure (in-display)
Water resistance
IP68
IP68
Battery
4,614mAh
Quick charging (30W)
Quick wi-fi charging (21W)
Reverse wi-fi charging
4,000mAh
Quick charging (25W)
Quick wi-fi charging (15W)
Reverse wi-fi charging
App market
Google Play Retailer
Google Play Retailer
Community help
All main carriers
All main carriers
Colours
Sorta Seafoam, Kinda Coral, Stormy Black
Phantom Grey, Phantom White, Phantom Violet, Phantom Pink
Costs
$599+
$799+
Evaluation rating
Arms-on
3.5 stars out of 5
Design, show, and sturdiness
Andy Boxall/Digital Tendencies
Google took previous criticism to coronary heart with the Pixel 6. Gone are the times of skimping on design with a purpose to pay for a terrific, low-cost digital camera cellphone, and as a substitute we have now a smartphone worthy of 2021. Whereas it does function a really comparable edge-to-edge show to the Pixel 5 (with a punch-hole selfie digital camera on the prime heart), its rear is all however unrecognizable, and that’s a praise. Most notably, it has a particular horizontal digital camera bar working throughout its width, wherein you’ll discover the 2 digital camera lenses and the flashlight. It’s definitely a radical redesign, resembling one thing you would possibly discover aboard the Starship Enterprise, and we are able to solely salute Google for redeeming itself after the dullness of the Pixel 4a and comparable plastic-backed telephones.
As spectacular because the design of the Pixel 6 definitely is, the Samsung Galaxy has additionally had one thing of a facelift. Once more, it has a recognizably smooth edge-to-edge show with a punch-hole selfie digital camera within the top-enter. Nevertheless, its again advantages from a brand new rear digital camera module, which slopes seamlessly into the cellphone’s shoulder. Coupled with some good shade decisions, it seems to be very enticing, even whether it is let down considerably by the “glasstic” materials Samsung has seen match to make use of. As for the Pixel 6, its glass rear implies that it seems to be like a costlier cellphone.
Each telephones are well-matched by way of their shows. The Pixel 6 comes with a 6.4-inch AMOLED show that carries 2400 x 1800 pixels, making for 411 pixels per inch. With the Galaxy S21, you get a 6.2-inch Dynamic AMOLED show that additionally packs 2400 x 1800 pixels, which with the marginally smaller display screen makes for 421 ppi. Extra importantly, the S21 has been graced with a 120Hz refresh, whereas the Pixel 6 has to make do with a pleasant — however not as spectacular — 90Hz price. Mixed with the marginally extra superior AMOLED expertise utilized by Samsung, this heightened refresh price implies that the S21’s show does have extra of a wow issue.
Each telephones include an official IP68 ranking, so can survive in as much as 1.5 meters of water for as much as half-hour. With issues being sq. on this respect, and with the Pixel 6’s barely extra luxurious redesign being balanced out by the S21’s barely extra vibrant show, we’re calling it a tie.
Winner: Tie
Efficiency, battery life, and charging
As with earlier fashions, the Galaxy S21 makes use of a Qualcomm Snapdragon chip, the 888. Against this, the Pixel 6 makes use of Google’s very personal in-house processor, the Tensor. As with the 888, it’s made utilizing 5nm transistors, which permit extra transistors to be fitted into the identical house (in distinction to earlier 7nm alternate options), and which in flip make it fairly darn quick. Early benchmarking exams counsel that it’s, nevertheless, a contact slower than the 888, due largely to its considerably uncommon CPU configuration (two Cortex-X1 cores, two Cortex-A76s, and 4 A55s). That stated, the distinction isn’t important, and with each telephones carrying 8GB of RAM, you’ll get pleasure from comparable ranges of efficiency with each.
Equally, the Pixel 6 and Galaxy S21 additionally supply 128GB of inner reminiscence as commonplace, which must be sufficient for many casual-to-moderate customers. They can be had with 256GB of storage at an additional price, should you want more room, though neither presents a slot for a microSD card, so you’ll most likely nonetheless have to handle your photographs and downloads fastidiously.
In distinction to the Galaxy S21’s 4,000mAh battery, the Pixel 6 feeds on a 4,614mAh cell. Our assessment of the S21 discovered that its day-to-day longevity is kind of common, with some battery life remaining on the finish of the day, however not an terrible lot. This leaves the Pixel able to take the lead, and whereas preliminary hands-on testing suggests it isn’t as long-lasting as its battery measurement would have you ever consider, it does go away you with extra energy on the finish of every day than the S21 (and to not point out earlier Pixels).
Each telephones additionally help quick charging, with the Pixel letting you prime up at 30W and the Galaxy S21 doing the identical at 25W. Taken with the truth that the S21 is barely sooner but the Pixel has barely higher stamina, this spherical is one other tie.
Winner: Tie
Cameras
The Pixels have lengthy been celebrated for his or her photographic capabilities, but the sixth technology finds Google going a step additional. Whilst you do nonetheless get a dual-lens rear digital camera (as with the Pixel 5), the 12MP large lens of yore has been bumped as much as 50MP. On prime of this, Google has added a laser autofocus, omnidirectional PDAF (phase-direction autofocus), and an even bigger aperture, giving it extra enhanced capabilities than the Pixel 5’s fundamental lens. As an example, bokeh results look extremely convincing when utilizing the principle large lens, much more so than they did with earlier fashions. As well as, the Pixel 6 additionally comes with a 12MP ultrawide lens, which regardless of not being as spectacular as the principle digital camera nonetheless provides some very precious — and extremely usable — versatility.
With the S21, you get a triple-lens setup, that includes a 12MP large lens, a 12MP ultrawide, and a 64MP telephoto. As our assessment discovered, it typically takes very enticing photographs, besides while you enter low-light situations. In such circumstances, element and readability undergo a bit, with pictures turning into noticeably much less spectacular. This isn’t one thing the Pixel 6 suffers from, with its evening mode dealing with low-light environments with relative ease.
With this distinction in thoughts, and with the Pixel’s fundamental digital camera being a little bit extra succesful usually than the S21’s, this spherical goes to Google’s cellphone.
Winner: Google Pixel 6
Software program and updates
Andrew Martonik/Digital Tendencies
The Pixel 6 runs on Android 12, the most recent model of Google’s working system. It gives probably the most substantial refreshes the system has loved in years, with a design overhaul, new-look notification shade, enhanced privateness controls, a digital automotive key, and a variety of novel options for the Digicam app (should you personal a Pixel 6 not less than). As for the S21, it’s nonetheless working on Android 11 with Samsung’s personal OneUI 3.1 working excessive. The latter is extra customizable than inventory Android (12), whereas it additionally tweaks the general design to provide it extra of a Samsung taste. It’s not essentially higher, however some might want its flexibility greater than inventory Android (or vice versa).
For the Pixel 6, Google has assured three core software program updates, in addition to 5 safety updates. That is more likely to exceed what you’ll get with the S21, which, being a Samsung (somewhat than Google) cellphone, received’t obtain updates as speedily because the Pixel. Because of this alone, we’re additionally giving this spherical to the Pixel.
Winner: Pixel 6
Particular options
Andy Boxall/Digital Tendencies
Each the Pixel 6 and the Galaxy S21 help 5G, together with the sooner mmWave band. Nevertheless, the Pixel helps the latter solely on Verizon and AT&T, whereas the S21 helps mmWave solely within the U.S. (and China), with customers elsewhere having solely the slower sub-6Hz vary to work with.
On prime of this, the Pixel 6 advantages from a variety of software program tips and options. Most notably, it has a Magic Eraser perform that allows you to magically take away undesirable objects from an image, all without having a lot in the best way of experience. On prime of this, it introduces two complementary options known as Wait Occasions and Direct My Name, each of which show you how to name toll-free numbers and navigate automated menus with out losing large quantities of time. There are additionally the same old Google-only options, resembling A.I.-powered name screening, which is available in very useful in supplying you with advance discover of spam.
With the S21, there isn’t that a lot else to report apart from the aforementioned 5G compatibility. That stated, the cellphone does help Samsung’s new SmartTag Bluetooth trackers, little sensors you possibly can connect to private belongings (e.g. keys) after which observe with the SmartThings Discover app. It’s not momentous, but it surely could possibly be a giant timesaver should you’re the kind of one who tends to spend ten minutes earlier than going out wanting beneath your sofa.
Winner: Tie
Value and availability
The Google Pixel 6 begins from $599 and is formally launched on October 28. It may be pre-ordered now from Google and will probably be supported by all main carriers.
The Samsung Galaxy S21 begins from $799 and might be purchased instantly from Samsung, though you would possibly have the ability to discover it for much less by way of numerous third-party retailers. It’s additionally supported by all main carriers.
Total winner: Pixel 6
The general win goes to the Pixel 6, which beats the Samsung Galaxy S21 in a few vital areas. Importantly, its revamped digital camera is definitely superior to the S21’s, whereas it’s additionally more likely to be higher serviced with extra well timed software program updates. As well as, its battery life goes to be considerably extra beneficiant, whereas its efficiency is corresponding to the S21’s, as is its new design and really inviting show. It’s additionally price remembering that it’s formally $100 cheaper than the S21.
After all, if you could find the S21 at a reduction, and should you are inclined to lean extra in the direction of Samsung anyway, you definitely received’t be upset by the cellphone, which manages to cram some premium options into an inexpensive shell.
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