Would you rather have the Galaxy S21 or Pixel 5?

By Joe Maring
published

Samsung Galaxy S21 in Phantom Violet
Samsung Galaxy S21 in Phantom Violet (Image credit: Hayato Huseman / Android Central)

The Galaxy S21 and Pixel 5 shine bright as two of the best Android phones currently on the market. Looking at the specs and features both phones have to offer at their respective price points — it's difficult to not like either one.

This shared success brings up some competition, though. Given that the S21 and Pixel 5 are competing at similar price tags and both bring different things to the table, which is ultimately the better buy? A few of our AC forum members recently got to talking about this, saying:

Hey dude, Excellent find on that article! After all, ALL of his reasons for Pixel 5 over S21 is why you guy a Google Pixel phone at the end of the day vs a well-marketed Samsung Galaxy phone. S/W optimization, no bloat-ware etc. Practical & realistic s/w features that people will actually want to use!

eric002

Thanks for sharing. That article is on point. I had a P5 after switching from iphone a few weeks ago, then thought it was too boring and shipped it back while getting an S21. I couldn't stand it and ordered another P5 and I am happy with it. I like the pure Android experience and the software is wonderful and very intuitive, I think more so than Apple and I was with them for years.

technutcounselor

I actually own both and switch my Sim back and forth, as both have their advantages and disadvantages IMO. Can't believe I'm saying this, but the cameras and video are pretty much on par with each other. Other than that, P5 - better battery, pure Android, and smaller form factor. S21- Display, display (lol), features, and customization (if you're into that).... Definitely keeping both

The_Woo

The main reason I eventually abandoned Samsung was the weight an shere size, I just wanted a simpler smaller lighter phone than did everything without a fuss and didn't pull your shorts down in summer . And then can the Pixel 5. Perfect , almost The launcher could do with some work

Daveya

What about you? Would you rather have the Galaxy S21 or Pixel 5?

Join the conversation in the forums!

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Joe Maring
Joe Maring

Joe Maring was a Senior Editor for Android Central between 2017 and 2021. You can reach him on Twitter at @JoeMaring1.

9 Comments
  • I'd rather have an S10 than a pixel 5 lol.
  • My S21+, no contest! The 765processer ain't cutt-in it. It's time for Google to start upgrading their 📷's? Plus Samsung just announced 4yrs of updates & security patches? Not too shabby!
  • They only announced four years of security updates OS updates not included.
  • I'm still rocking my 3XL. lol!
  • OneUI is terrible. I'll take the Pixel 5.
  • My Essential PH-1
  • S21 Hands down. No contest.
  • The S21 is a superior phone. Not even in the same class. So yeah thats the one I'd pick.
  • I’d rather have the S21,(if I wasn’t already have with my S20 FE) better software, more options for customisations and Samsung brings features that are way ahead of their time which Google eventuality copies and isn’t as good. In fact the only reason anyone would get a Pixel now is for the day one updates and nothing else because monthly security updates are no longer an advantage because Samsung is now as good as Google in that regard now even beating them to releasing the latest security updates.