Switching From Samsung S21 To Pixel 3 Is The Camera Really Worth It

Moving from a modern flagship like the Samsung Galaxy S21 to a device as old as the Google Pixel 3 might seem counterintuitive. The S21 boasts cutting-edge hardware: a triple-lens system, 64MP telephoto sensor, 8K video, and AI-powered scene optimization. The Pixel 3, released in 2018, has a single rear camera and maxes out at 4K recording. On paper, the S21 wins by a landslide. But in smartphone photography, hardware isn’t everything. Software, tuning, and image processing often matter more—especially when Google’s computational photography enters the equation.

Many users report that despite its age, the Pixel 3 still holds up remarkably well in everyday shooting scenarios. Some even claim they prefer its photos over newer flagships. So, is switching from the S21 to the Pixel 3 justified purely for the camera experience? The answer isn't straightforward, but it's worth exploring—especially if your priorities lean toward natural color science, reliable low-light performance, and minimalist design over raw specs.

The Camera Philosophy: Hardware vs. Software

Samsung and Google take fundamentally different approaches to mobile photography. Samsung equips its devices with multiple lenses and high-resolution sensors, emphasizing versatility. The S21 offers ultra-wide, wide, and telephoto options, enabling zoom, distortion correction, and depth effects through hardware diversity.

Google, on the other hand, historically relied on one primary lens and maximized output through advanced software algorithms. The Pixel 3 uses HDR+, Night Sight, Super Res Zoom, and machine learning models trained on millions of images to produce results that often punch above their hardware weight.

“Google proved early on that computational photography could rival—and sometimes surpass—multi-camera setups with superior tuning.” — David Imel, Mobile Imaging Analyst at DXOMARK

This philosophy means the Pixel 3 doesn’t need a telephoto lens to offer decent zoom; instead, it uses pixel binning and AI upscaling. It doesn’t have a dedicated night mode sensor—Night Sight simulates longer exposures using burst photography and stabilization. In many lighting conditions, especially daylight and moderate low light, this approach yields balanced, true-to-life images.

Image Quality Comparison: Real-World Scenarios

To assess whether the switch is worth it, consider how each phone performs across common use cases:

Scenario	Samsung S21	Google Pixel 3
Daylight Photos	Vibrant, contrast-heavy, slightly oversharpened. Great dynamic range.	Natural colors, accurate white balance, minimal post-processing artifacts.
Low Light / Night Mode	Bright but sometimes noisy. Tends to over-process shadows.	Consistently clean, detailed, with excellent noise suppression via Night Sight.
Zoom (2x–5x)	Hybrid zoom leverages telephoto lens; sharp up to 3x, usable at 5x.	Digital-only; softer beyond 2x, but surprisingly usable with Super Res Zoom.
Portrait Mode	Fast edge detection, aggressive background blur.	Precise subject separation, subtle bokeh simulation.
Video Recording	8K available, OIS+EIS, excellent stabilization.	Limited to 4K 30fps, stabilization good but not flagship-tier.

In head-to-head tests, the S21 captures more detail in ideal conditions and handles zoom better. However, the Pixel 3 frequently delivers more pleasing color accuracy and tonal gradation—particularly in skin tones and greens. Its HDR+ algorithm avoids the “overcooked” look that some Samsung shots exhibit, where skies are blown out or shadows crushed.

Tip: If you value natural-looking photos over dramatic enhancements, the Pixel 3’s software tuning may suit your aesthetic better—even with older hardware.

A Real User Experience: Why One Photographer Switched Back

Jamie Tran, a travel photographer based in Portland, used an S21 Ultra for two years before returning to a refurbished Pixel 3a (which shares the same camera system as the Pixel 3). “I was frustrated with how Samsung processed my landscape shots,” she explained. “Everything looked like it had a filter—too saturated, too sharp. I’d spend more time editing to tone it down than if I’d shot on something more neutral.”

After switching, she noticed her workflow improved. “The Pixel gives me a clean base. I can tweak exposure or contrast later without fighting against artificial sharpening or hue shifts. For social media and client previews, I’m often posting straight out of camera.”

While she misses the S21’s zoom and video capabilities, she says the trade-off is acceptable for her needs. “If I were doing professional videography or needed 10x optical zoom, I wouldn’t go back. But for storytelling through stills? The Pixel just feels more honest.”

Practical Considerations Before Making the Switch

Before trading a powerful, modern device like the S21 for a five-year-old phone, consider these factors:

• Battery Life: The Pixel 3 has a 2,915mAh battery—significantly smaller than the S21’s 4,000mAh. With Android updates and background app usage, all-day endurance is not guaranteed.
• Software Support: The Pixel 3 reached end-of-life in 2021. It no longer receives security patches or OS updates, making it potentially vulnerable and incompatible with future apps.
• Performance: The Snapdragon 845 processor and 4GB RAM struggle with multitasking and newer games or AR applications.
• Ecosystem Fit: If you’re deeply embedded in Samsung’s ecosystem (DeX, Knox, SmartThings), moving to Pixel breaks continuity.

That said, if your primary goal is photography simplicity and you don’t rely heavily on power-intensive tasks, the lightweight stock Android experience on the Pixel 3 can feel refreshingly fast and distraction-free.

Checklist: Is the Pixel 3 Right for You?

1. Do you prioritize photo authenticity over zoom and video specs?
2. Are you comfortable with outdated hardware and no future updates?
3. Do you mainly shoot in daylight or controlled lighting?
4. Will you use this as a secondary or backup device?
5. Are you okay carrying a second phone or camera for long zoom or 4K video?

If you answered “yes” to most of these, the camera-centric appeal of the Pixel 3 becomes more justifiable.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can the Pixel 3 compete with modern flagships in low light?

Surprisingly, yes—within limits. Night Sight on the Pixel 3 remains one of the best implementations of computational night photography. While newer Pixels (5 and up) have larger sensors and better noise handling, the original Night Sight algorithm debuted on the Pixel 3 and set the standard. In static scenes with steady hands or minor support, it produces cleaner, more natural low-light images than the S21’s more aggressive processing.

Is the lack of an ultra-wide lens a dealbreaker?

It depends on your shooting style. If you frequently capture architecture, group photos, or tight indoor spaces, missing the ultra-wide lens will be noticeable. However, Google introduced a digital ultra-wide mode via software update, though it sacrifices resolution and introduces edge distortion. For casual shooters, this limitation may not matter much.

Why do some people still prefer older Pixel cameras?

Because Google prioritized consistency and realism over spectacle. Starting with the Pixel 2, Google established a signature look: accurate colors, smooth HDR blending, and excellent texture preservation. Later Pixels refined this, but the core philosophy began with the Pixel 3 era. Many users feel that Samsung, while technically advanced, often pushes saturation and contrast too far, requiring manual correction.

Final Verdict: Is the Camera Worth the Trade-Off?

The Pixel 3’s camera isn’t objectively better than the S21’s. It lacks versatility, zoom capability, and modern video features. However, in terms of image character and processing philosophy, it offers something increasingly rare: restraint. Where the S21 enhances aggressively, the Pixel 3 aims for fidelity. If you appreciate photographs that look like what you saw—not what the phone thinks you should have seen—then the switch might be worthwhile.

But make no mistake: you’re trading convenience, longevity, and performance for a specific photographic temperament. This isn’t a practical upgrade—it’s a deliberate downgrade for artistic preference. For enthusiasts who value craft over convenience, that choice has merit. For most users, however, sticking with the S21 or upgrading to a newer Pixel (like the 6 or 7 series) would offer the best of both worlds: modern hardware with Google’s superior software.

💬 Have you switched from a modern flagship to an older Pixel for the camera? Share your experience—was the photo quality worth the compromise?