Is the Samsung S21 Better Than Google Pixel 7 Pro?

I’ve been thinking about this question a lot lately: is the Samsung S21 better than Google Pixel 7 Pro?
At first glance, you’d think the answer should be obvious. The Pixel 7 Pro is newer, has that sleek Google polish, and all the buzz around its camera. The S21? That’s from 2021  practically “old” in phone years. But the more I dug into the specs and actually handled both, the less black-and-white it seemed.

Let’s talk about it.

First Impressions: Size, Feel, and That First Swipe

The first time I picked up the Galaxy S21, I remember thinking, Ah, finally  a flagship that doesn’t feel like a tablet.
It’s got a 6.2-inch screen, which sounds small on paper these days, but in the hand it’s just… comfortable. Samsung’s Dynamic AMOLED 2X panel is sharp, colors pop, and scrolling at 120 Hz feels like you’re gliding. Plus, it’s light enough to hold for long TikTok binges without cramping your wrist.

Then there’s the Pixel 7 Pro. It’s the opposite vibe: big, bold, and bright. The 6.7-inch QHD+ OLED is gorgeous, brighter than the S21 and more detailed. But it’s not shy about its size. If you’ve got small hands, this thing will feel like a brick in a case. That said, if you love watching Netflix on your phone, it’s a dream.

The Nitty Gritty: Performance

Samsung’s S21 runs on either the Snapdragon 888 (if you’re in the US) or Exynos 2100 (pretty much everywhere else).
Both are quick  apps open instantly, games run smooth, no weird hiccups. The Snapdragon version feels slightly more “muscular” in gaming, but you won’t notice unless you’re a hardcore frame-rate counter.

The Pixel 7 Pro uses Google’s own Tensor G2 chip. It’s not aiming to crush benchmarks like some Snapdragon monsters. Instead, it’s built for smart stuff: real-time translation, voice-to-text that’s scary accurate, and all the AI camera magic. In day-to-day use, it feels plenty fast, though if you’re used to Snapdragon-level gaming performance, you might spot a difference in the heaviest titles.

Cameras: The Part Everyone Talks About

This is where things get spicy. The S21 has a triple setup  12 MP wide, 64 MP telephoto, and 12 MP ultrawide. It takes crisp, colorful shots in daylight, and the zoom is solid up to a point. Video tops out at 8K (which sounds cool, though almost no one really needs 8K home videos).

The Pixel 7 Pro? That thing is basically cheating.
Its 50 MP main lens, 48 MP telephoto (with 5x optical zoom), and 12 MP ultrawide pull in insane detail. Low-light performance is miles ahead thanks to Night Sight, and Magic Eraser is addictive. You start removing strangers from your holiday pics just because you can. Zoom in on a distant building, and you’ll swear you took it with a DSLR.

If photography is your main thing, the Pixel 7 Pro wins, no question.

Battery Life: A Game of Percentages

The S21’s 4,000 mAh battery is fine for a typical day. Not great, not awful. Moderate use? You’ll make it to bedtime. Go heavy on GPS, video calls, and gaming, and you’ll be hunting for a charger by late afternoon.

The Pixel 7 Pro packs a beefier 5,000 mAh cell, and it shows. Even on long travel days with maps, photos, and Spotify going, it usually limps into the evening with something left in the tank. Both phones do wireless and reverse wireless charging, though neither is breaking speed records there.

Software: One UI vs. Google’s Clean Android

Samsung’s One UI is… busy. It’s got features for everything, from customizing your lock screen to running Samsung DeX (turning your phone into a mini desktop). But it also comes with a bunch of apps you might never touch.

The Pixel 7 Pro is the complete opposite. Clean, minimal, no duplicates, just Google’s apps and that’s it. Plus, it gets Android updates first, and as of late 2024, Google promised five full years of OS and security updates. The S21 gets four years of major updates, which means it’ll tap out sooner.

Little Things That Might Sway You

• The S21 is easier to pocket. It sounds trivial until you live with a big phone.
  
• The Pixel 7 Pro’s screen is really good outdoors.
  
• Samsung has DeX; Pixel has Call Screen and Hold for Me, both actually useful.
  
• If you care about resale, newer Pixels seem to hold value a bit better.
  

Price in 2025

Here’s the curveball: the S21 is way cheaper now. If you buy used or refurbished, you can get one for a fraction of the Pixel 7 Pro’s price. That alone makes it tempting, especially if you just need a capable phone without dropping flagship money.

Quick Comparison

So… Is the Samsung S21 Better Than Google Pixel 7 Pro?

If “better” means smaller, lighter, cheaper, and still fast enough for anything you throw at it, yeah, the S21 could be better for you.

If “better” means jaw-dropping photos, longer battery life, a sharper display, and updates until the late 2020s  the Pixel 7 Pro takes the crown.

They’re different kinds of flagships. The S21 is the trusty, compact all-rounder. The Pixel 7 Pro is the big, flashy camera king with a brain for AI tricks. Neither is bad, it’s all about what matters most in your daily grind.

Final thought? The Galaxy S21 is like that reliable, nimble car you’ve had for years and still love driving. The Pixel 7 Pro is the shiny new SUV with all the gadgets. Pick the one that fits your road.

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