Google Pixel 6 and Samsung Galaxy S21 FE are targeted for consumers who seek a flagship-like smartphone experience without having to fork out a lot of money. ‘ A year after Samsung released the Galaxy S20 FE, Google released the smaller Pixel 6, which is the non-Pro sister of the higher-end Pixel 6 Pro. While the S21 FE is the newest addition to the Galaxy S21 series, Google has released a formidable Pixel phone after many years of good but inconspicuous offerings.
As flagship phones, the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE and the Google Pixel 6 both promise to provide premium features at a reduced cost.
To read our evaluations of both phones, click on the links above or on the sidebar. This is the spot to go if all you want to know is what the most inexpensive flagship phone is.
Our final verdict on the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE and Google Pixel 6’s strengths and flaws is here.
| Phone | Google Pixel 6 | Samsung Galaxy S21 FE |
| Chipset | Google Tensor | Snapdragon 888 / Exynos 2100 |
| RAM | 8GB | 6-8GB |
| Storage | 128, 256GB | 128, 256GB |
| Display | 6.4” Flat FHD+ (2400×1080) 90Hz OLED | 6.4” Flat FHD+ (2400×1080) 120Hz AMOLED, Always-on Display |
| Battery | 4,614mAh, 30W fast charging, up to 21W wireless charging | 4,500mAh, 25W fast charging, up to 15W wireless charging |
| Rear Cameras | 50MP wide (f/1.85, OIS,); 12MP ultra-wide (f/2.2, 114° FoV) | 12MP wide (f/1.8, OIS, DPAF); 12MP ultra-wide (f/2.2, 123° FoV, FF); 8MP telephoto (f/2.4, 3x optical zoom, 30x Space Zoom) |
| Front Camera | 10MP (f/2.2, 80° FoV, DPAF) | 32MP f/2.2 (81° FoV, fixed focus) |
| Connectivity | 5G, Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.2, NFC, USB Type-C | 5G, Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5, NFC, USB Type-C |
| Dimensions | 158.6 x 74.8 x 8.9 mm, 207g, IP68 certified | 155.7 x 74.5 x 7.9mm, 177g, IP68 certified |
| Fingerprint scanner | In-display optical | In-display optical |
| Software | Android 12 | One UI 4.0 (Android 12) |
| Colors | Stormy Black, Kinda Coral, Sorta Seafoam | White, graphite, olive, lavender |
| Price | Starting at $599 | Starting at $699 |
Price and availability comparison between the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE and Google Pixel 6
After the rest of the S21 line, the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE was introduced on January 7, 2022. The 6GB RAM/128GB storage variant costs £699 / $699 / AU$999, while the 8GB/256GB model costs £749 / $769.99 / AU$1,099.
The Google Pixel 6 was released on October 28, 2021, a few months ahead of schedule. Starting at $599 for 128GB, the Pixel 6 can be yours for as little as £599 or AU$999. There’s also a $699/AU$1,129 256GB variant available in the US and Australia.
In our evaluation, we labelled the Galaxy S21 FE as “far too pricey” due to the Pixel 6’s $100/£100 price difference.
Design
A lot of people have noticed that the Samsung Galaxy S21FE looks a lot like its cousin the Galaxy S21. This “Contour Cut” design for the phone’s camera module can be seen on all of these Samsung devices.
With a full-width camera module that looks like a future visor, Google’s Pixel 6 is a whole new phone design. The two-tone colour scheme is a favourite of ours, too. In my opinion, the Pixel 6 (and the Pixel 6 Pro) is Google’s best-looking phone to date.
It is available in white, black, lavender, and olive for the Galaxy S21 FE (green). Your colours choices for the Pixel 6 are Dark Ink, Sea Foam, and Coral.
The Google Pixel 6 was propped up on a table, facing away from the camera.
The Google Pixel 6 is made up of both glass and metal. It’s a picture by Future.
In terms of design, the Galaxy S21 FE has certain similarities with the Galaxy S21 in that it has a plastic body. The pricing gap between the S21 and the Pixel 6 may come into question when you notice that the Pixel is made entirely of glass and metal.
The Galaxy S21 FE comes in at a more manageable size and weight. While the Pixel 6 is 158.6 x 74.8 x 8.9mm, and weighs 207g, the Pixel 5 is 155.7 x 74.5 x 7.9 mm and weighs 177.1g.
IP68 certification means that both phones are equally dust and water-resistant. But in terms of overall design, the Pixel 6 trumps the S21 FE by a wide margin.
Display
The 6.4-inch FHD+ OLED screens on both of these phones were praised for their vivid colours by both of our reviewers.
OLED panels in this size range are seen on the Galaxy S21 FE and Google’s Pixel 6. The Pixel, on the other hand, employs a 90Hz display, whilst Samsung’s uses a 120Hz panel. Most people will not notice the difference between 90Hz and 120Hz unless they compare them side-by-side, but Samsung’s phone has an edge in smoothness.
Because of its 120Hz refresh rate, the Galaxy S21 FE has a modest edge over the Pixel 6. Google’s phone has a maximum frequency of 90 Hz.
The Galaxy S21 FE’s screen is much smoother while scrolling through online sites, emails, and the like, but most users won’t notice the difference.
We referred to the Galaxy S21 FE’s screen as its “best feature” in our review. Likewise, the Pixel 6’s screen is an improvement over the Pixel 5’s.
In contrast to many of its competitors, the S21 FE and the Pixel 6 both locate its camera cutouts in the centre of the top of the device. In our opinion, that design decision offers these phones a feeling of symmetry that we like.
Camera
However, each phone has its own unique photography skills, as well as certain commonalities. As previously mentioned, the Galaxy S21 FE boasts three cameras, one of which is specialised to taking telephoto shots. On the other hand, the Pixel 6 has a dual-camera setup but no optical zoom.
SAMSUNG’s new wide-sensor camera features 12MP resolution and an 8MP telephoto lens to back it up, making it one of the most versatile on the market. A 3x hybrid zoom and a 1.1x optical zoom are both possible with the latter.
Using a 50-megapixel wide sensor and a 12-megapixel ultra-wide, Google’s phone has a total of 60-megapixels. A 2x zoom option is available, although they are just cropped from the broad sensor’s pixels.
As expected, we discovered that the photography performance of the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE is almost identical to that of the S21. As a result, images taken with the S21 are crisp, bright, and filled with oversaturated colours that look great on social media.
In contrast, Google’s Pixel 6 shoots noticeably better images in the majority of situations. Galaxy S21 FE photos just don’t measure up to this degree of detail in colour and shadow. Using the Google phone’s camera, you’ll be able to take better nighttime photos than ever before.
Due to the absence of a telephoto lens on the Pixel 6, the only time you’ll notice a difference is while taking zoomed-in images.
It’s not only the hardware that’s different between the two. Using a 5 to 15-second clip, Samsung’s Single Take feature captures the finest still images and video. Search giant Google has Face Unblur and Magic Eraser to help you fix fuzzy human faces and get rid of photo-bombers.
Both devices are capable of recording video in 4K quality at 60 frames per second.
Specifications and results
A generation behind the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 found in Samsung’s Galaxy S22 series, the S21 FE operates on the Snapdragon 888.
In terms of raw CPU power, it is still faster than the proprietary Tensor processor that powers the Google Pixel 6. With an average multi-core Geekbench 5 performance score of 2837, the Galaxy S21 FE falls short of the Galaxy S21 FE’s 3100.
Powered by Google’s first-ever in-house Tensor smartphone processor, the Pixel 6 is Google’s most powerful smartphone to date. A Snapdragon 888 or Exynos 2100 chipset is present in all other Galaxy S21 versions, but only in handsets sold outside of the United States. Despite the fact that none of these CPUs is the most recent or most advanced on the Android platform, they are still powerhouses that can handle any programme or game you throw at them. The Snapdragon CPU is roughly 8-10 percent quicker than Tensor, but Tensor outperforms Snapdragon when it comes to graphics processing power.
Machine learning is the focus of Google’s own Tensor processor, according to the search giant. The Pixel is able to do its unique camera tricks and fast real-time voice interpretation thanks to these additional smarts.
When comparing the two phones, it’s crucial to remember that the results of a benchmark test don’t tell the whole storey. On that aspect, there’s basically no difference between the two.
When it comes to browsing the web or playing games, both phones are just as quick. Even the most demanding games operate without a hitch.
8GB of RAM and 256GB of storage are available on both phones, depending on where you live.
When it comes to software, there is a significant distinction. One UI 4 for Samsung’s Galaxy S21 FE operates on top of Android 12. The Pixel 6 runs Android 12 in its purest form, with no alterations made by Google.
Despite the fact that Samsung’s UI has improved greatly in previous years, it still seems a little disjointed and crowded.
The Tensor processor in Google’s phone means that certain software functions are only accessible on the company’s phone, such as the ability to Live Translate audio. Even more so, we like Google’s Material You colour palette coordination system, which helps to match colour themes with widgets and user interface icons in Google’s Material Design.
Battery
With a battery capacity of 4614mAh against 4500mAh, the Pixel 6 is marginally more powerful than the S21 FE. However, in practise, it makes little difference. If you often use 5G, the Pixel 6 may run out of energy before the Pixel 3 does. The S21 FE, powered by the Snapdragon 888, has a battery life of up to 7-8 hours on a single charge.
You get a 4,500mAh battery in the S21 FE from Samsung, but the Pixel 6 has a 4,612mAh battery. The similarities between the two are striking, to say the least.
Reviewer of the Galaxy S21 FE observed that the phone needed a nighttime charge “to keep it going until the following morning” because of intensive usage. A “middling battery” was our conclusion in our Pixel 6 review, which stated that the phone “comfortably gets it through a full day of usage”.
Because of the somewhat bigger battery and the little less demanding 90Hz display, the Pixel could have a tiny advantage. However, none of these devices is a powerhouse.
For charging, the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE can provide 25W support whereas the Pixel 6 has a maximum of 21W of chargeable power available. The Xiaomi 12 and the OnePlus 10 Pro, on the other hand, both include a USB-C charging cable in the box, putting them at a significant disadvantage.
Wireless charging is an option on both phones.