Google Pixel 6 vs Samsung Galaxy S21 FE

A spec-by-spec comparison of the Google Pixel 6 and the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE, taken from their full specification sheets. Green marks the better value in each measured row.

Head to head

Google Pixel 6Samsung Galaxy S21 FE
Price$112$167
Our rating9/107/10
Battery4,614 mAh4,500 mAh
Wired charging21W25W
RAM (max)8 GB—
Storage (max)256 GB256 GB
Screen size6.4 in6.4 in
Refresh rate90 Hz120 Hz
Main camera50 MP12 MP
Weight (lower is lighter)207 g177 g
ReleasedOct 2021Jan 2022
Summary: Google Pixel 6 is ahead on our rating, battery, main camera. Samsung Galaxy S21 FE is ahead on wired charging, refresh rate, weight (lower is lighter).
★ Which should you buy? Specs are close to an even split here, so Google Pixel 6 is the better buy — the extra cost of the other one isn't matched by a clear spec advantage.

Display

Google Pixel 6Samsung Galaxy S21 FE
TypeAMOLED, 90Hz, HDR10+Dynamic AMOLED 2X, 120Hz, HDR10+
Size6.4 inches6.4 inches
Resolution1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~411 ppi density)1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~401 ppi density)
ProtectionCorning Gorilla Glass VictusCorning Gorilla Glass Victus
FeaturesAlways-on display—

Platform

Google Pixel 6Samsung Galaxy S21 FE
OSAndroid 12, upgradable to Android 17Android 12, upgradable to Android 16 (One UI 8)
ChipsetGoogle Tensor (5 nm)Qualcomm SM8350 Snapdragon 888 5G (5 nm) - Version 1 or Exynos 2100 (5 nm) - Version 2
CPUOcta-core (2x2.80 GHz Cortex-X1 & 2x2.25 GHz Cortex-A76 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A55)Octa-core (1x2.84 GHz Cortex-X1 & 3x2.42 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A55) - Version 1 or Octa-core (1x2.9 GHz Cortex-X1 & 3x2.80 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x2.2 GHz Cortex-A55) - Version 2
GPUMali-G78 MP20Adreno 660 - Version 1 or Mali-G78 MP14 - Version 2

Memory

Google Pixel 6Samsung Galaxy S21 FE
Card slotNoNo
Internal128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM—
Storage TypeUFS 3.1—
RAM—6GB, 8GB
Storage—128GB, 256GB

Main Camera

Google Pixel 6Samsung Galaxy S21 FE
Dual50 MP, f/1.9, 25mm (wide), 1/1.31", 1.2µm, omnidirectional PDAF, Laser AF, OIS; 12 MP, f/2.2, 17mm, 114˚ (ultrawide), 1.25µm—
FeaturesDual-LED flash, Pixel Shift, Auto-HDR, panoramaLED flash, auto-HDR, panorama
Video4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps; gyro-EIS, OIS4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60fps, gyro-EIS
Triple—12 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), Dual Pixel PDAF, OIS; 8 MP, f/2.4, 76mm (telephoto), PDAF, OIS, 3x optical zoom; 12 MP, f/2.2, 13mm, 123˚ (ultrawide)

Selfie Camera

Google Pixel 6Samsung Galaxy S21 FE
Single8 MP, f/2.0, 24mm (wide), 1.12µm32 MP, f/2.2, 26mm (wide)
FeaturesAuto-HDR, panoramaHDR
Video1080p@30fps4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60fps

Battery

Google Pixel 6Samsung Galaxy S21 FE
TypeLi-Ion 4614 mAh, non-removableLi-Ion 4500 mAh, non-removable
ChargingFast charging 21W (advertised 50% in 30 min), USB Power Delivery 3.0, Fast wireless charging 21W, Reverse wireless charging25W wired, 15W wireless, 4.5W reverse wireless

Body

Google Pixel 6Samsung Galaxy S21 FE
Dimensions158.6 x 74.8 x 8.9 mm (6.2 x 2.9 x 0.4 inches)155.7 x 74.5 x 7.9 mm
Weight207 g (7.30 oz)177 g
BuildGlass front (Gorilla Glass Victus), glass back (Gorilla Glass 6), aluminum frameGlass front (Gorilla Glass Victus), plastic back, aluminum frame
SIMNano-SIM and eSIMSingle SIM (Nano-SIM) or Dual SIM (Nano-SIM, dual stand-by)
IP RatingIP68 dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 mins)—
Colors—White, Graphite, Lavender, Olive
Durability—IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 min)

Comms

Google Pixel 6Samsung Galaxy S21 FE
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e, tri-band, Wi-Fi DirectWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Bluetooth5.2, A2DP, LE, aptX HD5.0, A2DP, LE
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, QZSS, BDSGPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO
NFCYesYes
RadioNoNo
USBUSB Type-C 3.1USB Type-C 3.2, OTG

Launch

Google Pixel 6Samsung Galaxy S21 FE
AnnouncedOctober 20212022, January 04
StatusAvailable. Released 2021, October 28Available. Released 2022, January 07

Frequently asked questions

Which has the better battery, Google Pixel 6 or Samsung Galaxy S21 FE?

Google Pixel 6 — 4,614 mAh for the Google Pixel 6 versus 4,500 mAh for the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE.

Which has the smoother screen, Google Pixel 6 or Samsung Galaxy S21 FE?

Samsung Galaxy S21 FE — 90 Hz for the Google Pixel 6 versus 120 Hz for the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE.

Which is lighter, Google Pixel 6 or Samsung Galaxy S21 FE?

Samsung Galaxy S21 FE — 207 g for the Google Pixel 6 versus 177 g for the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE.

Which is newer, Google Pixel 6 or Samsung Galaxy S21 FE?

Samsung Galaxy S21 FE — Oct 2021 for the Google Pixel 6 versus Jan 2022 for the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE.

Is the Google Pixel 6 or the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE rated higher?

We rate the Google Pixel 6 9/10 and the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 7/10.

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