Galaxy S21 5G • Unlocked vs Google Pixel 7 Pro • Unlocked

The Samsung Galaxy S21 5G, released in January 2021, and the Google Pixel 7 Pro, launched in October 2022, represent distinct approaches to the premium smartphone experience. While both operate on the Android platform, they offer different strengths in terms of hardware, software philosophy, and overall user experience. The Pixel 7 Pro, being a newer device, incorporates more recent advancements in display technology and camera capabilities, alongside Google's signature software integration. The Galaxy S21 5G, on the other hand, provides a compact design with a robust feature set that was competitive at its release.

When considering the longevity of these devices, several factors come into play, including their release timelines, software support, and physical durability.

• Software Support: The Google Pixel 7 Pro benefits from a longer guaranteed software support period, receiving five years of OS and security updates from its release, extending to Android 18. The Samsung Galaxy S21 5G, released earlier, was promised four major OS updates, reaching Android 15, and five years of security updates.
• Physical Durability: Both devices feature IP68 water and dust resistance, indicating protection against immersion in water. Both also utilize Corning Gorilla Glass Victus for screen protection, offering enhanced resistance against scratches and drops.
• Repairability: The Galaxy S21 5G has been noted by some as being relatively easy to disassemble, with some sources giving it a repairability score of 7.5/10 or 7.75/10. However, other assessments, like iFixit, rated it lower at 4/10, citing difficulties with screen and battery removal. The Pixel 7 Pro received a repairability score of 5.5/10, with challenges noted for back glass and screen removal due to strong adhesive.

The performance of a smartphone is crucial for daily tasks, from app usage to demanding games and multitasking. Both devices offer capable performance for their respective generations.

• Processing Power: The Google Pixel 7 Pro is equipped with a newer generation processor that is optimized for machine learning and artificial intelligence tasks, contributing to smooth operation and efficient handling of demanding applications. The Galaxy S21 5G, while an older model, features a powerful processor that ensures fast performance for multitasking and gaming.
• Multitasking and Storage: The Pixel 7 Pro typically comes with 12GB of RAM, allowing for extensive multitasking without slowdowns, and offers storage options up to 512GB. The Galaxy S21 5G includes 8GB of RAM and is available with 128GB or 256GB of internal storage.
• Battery Life: The Pixel 7 Pro houses a larger 5000 mAh battery, which generally translates to solid battery life for many users. The Galaxy S21 5G has a 4000 mAh battery, which for moderate users can last a full day, though heavy usage might necessitate more frequent charging.

The visual experience is a key aspect of smartphone usage, and both the Galaxy S21 5G and Pixel 7 Pro offer high-quality displays with distinct characteristics.

• Display Technology and Size: The Google Pixel 7 Pro features a larger 6.7-inch LTPO AMOLED display, providing a more expansive viewing area. The Samsung Galaxy S21 5G has a 6.2-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display, offering a more compact form factor.
• Resolution and Brightness: The Pixel 7 Pro boasts a higher resolution of 1440 x 3120 pixels, resulting in a sharper image, and can reach a peak brightness of 1500 nits, improving visibility in bright outdoor conditions. The Galaxy S21 5G offers a resolution of 1080 x 2400 pixels and a peak brightness of 1300 nits.
• Refresh Rate: Both devices feature an adaptive 120Hz refresh rate, which contributes to smoother scrolling and a more fluid user interface. The Pixel 7 Pro's LTPO technology allows its refresh rate to dynamically adjust from 10Hz to 120Hz, which can help conserve battery life.

Both smartphones are equipped with advanced camera systems, but they excel in different areas, catering to varying photographic preferences.

• Rear Camera System: The Google Pixel 7 Pro features a versatile triple-camera setup, including a 50MP wide, a 48MP telephoto with 5x optical zoom, and a 12MP ultrawide lens with autofocus. Its telephoto lens offers a longer optical zoom compared to the Galaxy S21 5G. The Galaxy S21 5G also has a triple-camera system with a 12MP wide, a 64MP telephoto with 3x hybrid optical zoom, and a 12MP ultrawide lens.
• Photography Performance: The Pixel 7 Pro is highly regarded for its computational photography, delivering excellent detail and dynamic range, particularly in low-light conditions where it captures photos quickly. It also includes features like Macro Focus. The Galaxy S21 5G provides strong everyday photography performance with optical image stabilization on its main and telephoto lenses.
• Video Capabilities and Audio: The Galaxy S21 5G is capable of recording video in 8K. Both phones offer 4K video recording. The Pixel 7 Pro includes features like Cinematic Blur for videos. Both devices offer stereo speakers for media consumption.