Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G Vs Google Pixel 8

The Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G (2021) and the Google Pixel 8 (2023) are both flagship Android smartphones, though they were released with a significant gap of almost three years between them. The Galaxy S21 Ultra arrived as a premium offering from Samsung, focusing on a versatile camera system and a large, high-resolution display, while the Pixel 8, a more recent device from Google, emphasizes advanced computational photography and long-term software support. Both operate on the Android platform, but their core philosophies and hardware age present distinct differences.

When considering the longevity of these devices, their respective release dates and software support policies are key.

• Release Timeline and OS Support: The Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G, released in January 2021, originally ran on Android 11. Samsung typically offers four major Android OS upgrades and five years of security updates. Given its age, it is likely nearing the end of its official software support window by late 2025. In contrast, the Google Pixel 8, released in October 2023 with Android 14, comes with an industry-leading commitment of seven years of OS upgrades, security updates, and feature drops, extending its support until October 2030.
• Software Longevity: Users prioritizing the absolute longest period of official software updates and new features will find the Pixel 8 a more future-proof choice, offering an additional five years of guaranteed updates compared to the S21 Ultra.
• Durability and Repairability: Both devices feature an IP68 rating for dust and water resistance, indicating good protection against environmental elements. The S21 Ultra uses Gorilla Glass Victus on both its front and back for enhanced scratch and drop resistance. While specific repairability scores vary, both represent premium builds designed for everyday use.

The performance capabilities of these smartphones reflect their respective generations, impacting overall speed and handling of demanding applications.

• Processor Capabilities: The Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G is powered by either the Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 or Samsung's Exynos 2100 chipset, both 5nm octa-core processors that provided flagship-level speed at its launch. The Google Pixel 8 features Google's Tensor G3 chipset, a newer 4nm nona-core processor designed to optimize AI-driven tasks and overall system efficiency. The Tensor G3 offers a more current architecture, which generally translates to improved handling of modern applications and more efficient power management.
• System Responsiveness and Multitasking: The S21 Ultra was available with 12GB or 16GB of RAM, allowing for robust multitasking and smooth app switching. The Pixel 8 comes with 8GB of RAM. While both offer a responsive user experience for daily tasks, the Pixel 8's newer processor can often compensate for a lower RAM count in practical usage, especially with Google's software optimizations.
• Storage Options: Both devices offer various internal storage options. The Galaxy S21 Ultra was available in 128GB, 256GB, and 512GB configurations. The Pixel 8 offers 128GB and 256GB storage variants. Neither device supports expandable storage via a microSD card.

Both smartphones offer high-quality displays, but with differences in size, resolution, and brightness that affect the viewing experience.

• Display Technology and Resolution: The Galaxy S21 Ultra features a larger 6.8-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display with a Quad HD+ resolution of 1440 x 3200 pixels, resulting in a very sharp image. The Pixel 8 has a more compact 6.2-inch OLED display with a Full HD+ resolution of 1080 x 2400 pixels. The larger, higher-resolution screen of the S21 Ultra provides more screen real estate and finer detail, which can be beneficial for media consumption and productivity.
• Brightness and Refresh Rate: Both phones offer a smooth visual experience with a 120Hz adaptive refresh rate. The Galaxy S21 Ultra can reach a peak brightness of 1500 nits. The Pixel 8, being a newer device, can achieve a higher peak brightness of up to 2000 nits outdoors, with HDR content reaching 1400 nits, which improves visibility in bright conditions.
• Viewing Experience: The S21 Ultra's larger screen is well-suited for users who prefer an expansive display for gaming, watching videos, or reading. The Pixel 8's smaller display makes it more comfortable for one-handed use and carrying, while still offering excellent clarity and vibrant colors.

The camera systems on both devices are a major selling point, though they approach photography with different hardware configurations and processing strengths.

• Camera System Capabilities: The Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G boasts a comprehensive quad-camera setup, including a 108MP main sensor, a 12MP ultrawide, and two 10MP telephoto lenses (3x and 10x optical zoom), offering exceptional versatility for various shooting scenarios, including impressive long-range zoom capabilities. The Pixel 8 features a dual-camera system with a 50MP main sensor and a 12MP ultrawide lens. It relies on its advanced computational photography and AI for zoom and image enhancements, rather than a dedicated telephoto lens.
• Photography Performance: The S21 Ultra's dual telephoto lenses provide true optical zoom, beneficial for capturing distant subjects with clarity. The Pixel 8 excels in consistent image quality across different lighting conditions, with its software-driven features like Magic Eraser and Best Take enhancing post-capture editing. Both offer strong low-light performance, with the Pixel 8's newer sensor and software often delivering bright and detailed night shots.
• Video Recording and Audio: Both phones are capable of high-quality video recording. The S21 Ultra supports 8K video at 24fps and 4K at 30/60fps. The Pixel 8 records 4K video at 24, 30, or 60fps. Both deliver clear audio recording, with the S21 Ultra featuring a high AOP mic for minimizing distortion.