Essential PH-1 vs Google Pixel 5a 5G: A Clash of Android Titans
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🏆 Quick Verdict
The Pixel 5a 5G wins overall due to its superior camera, longer software support, and 5G connectivity. While the PH-1 boasts a flagship Snapdragon 835, its age and lack of updates make it a less compelling choice in 2024. The Pixel offers a more modern and supported experience.
| PHONES | ||
|---|---|---|
| Phone Names | Essential PH-1 | Google Pixel 5a 5G |
| Network | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 & TD-SCDMA | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 11, 12, 13, 17, 20, 21, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 66 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 14, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 32, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 46, 48, 66, 71 |
| 5G bands | - | 1, 2, 5, 12, 25, 28, 41, 66, 71, 77, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6 |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE-A (4CA) Cat16 1024/150 Mbps, EV-DO Rev.A 3.1 Mbps | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE | GSM / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G |
| CDMA2000 1xEV-DO | CDMA2000 1xEV-DO | |
| Launch | ||
|---|---|---|
| Announced | 2017, May | 2021, August 17 |
| Status | Available. Released 2017, August | Available. Released 2021, August 26 |
| Body | ||
|---|---|---|
| Build | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), ceramic back, titanium frame | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3), aluminum frame, aluminum back |
| Dimensions | 141.5 x 71.1 x 7.8 mm (5.57 x 2.80 x 0.31 in) | 156.2 x 73.2 x 8.8 mm (6.15 x 2.88 x 0.35 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + eSIM |
| Weight | 185 g (6.53 oz) | 183 g (6.46 oz) |
| - | IP67 dust/water resistant (up to 1m for 30 min) | |
| Display | ||
|---|---|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 |
| Resolution | 1312 x 2560 pixels (~504 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~415 ppi density) |
| Size | 5.71 inches, 85.4 cm2 (~84.9% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.34 inches, 97.0 cm2 (~84.9% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | OLED, HDR |
| - | Always-on display | |
| Platform | ||
|---|---|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.45 GHz Kryo & 4x1.9 GHz Kryo) | Octa-core (1x2.4 GHz Kryo 475 Prime & 1x2.2 GHz Kryo 475 Gold & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 475 Silver) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm MSM8998 Snapdragon 835 (10 nm) | Qualcomm SM7250 Snapdragon 765G 5G (7 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 540 | Adreno 620 |
| OS | Android 7.1 (Nougat), upgradable to Android 10 | Android 11, upgradable to Android 14 |
| Memory | ||
|---|---|---|
| Card slot | No | No |
| Internal | 128GB 4GB RAM | 128GB 6GB RAM |
| Main Camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Dual | 13 MP, f/1.9, 1/3.1", PDAF, Laser AF 13 MP B/W, f/1.9, 1/3.1" | 12.2 MP, f/1.7, 27mm, (wide), 1/2.55", 1.4µm, dual pixel PDAF, OIS 16 MP, f/2.2, 119˚ (ultrawide), 1.0µm |
| Features | LED flash, HDR | LED flash, Pixel Shift, Auto-HDR, panorama |
| Single | - | 8 MP, f/2.0, 24mm (wide), 1.12µm |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@60fps, 720p@120fps | 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps; gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Features | - | HDR |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.2 | 8 MP, f/2.0, 24mm (wide), 1.12µm |
| Video | 4K@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound | ||
|---|---|---|
| 3.5mm jack | No | Yes |
| 35mm jack | - | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with dual speakers | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| Comms | ||
|---|---|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, EDR, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE, aptX HD |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, QZSS, BDS |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0 | USB Type-C 3.1 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features | ||
|---|---|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer |
| Snap-on accessories (optional) | - | |
| Battery | ||
|---|---|---|
| Charging | 27W wired, PD2.0 | 18W wired, PD2.0 |
| Type | Li-Ion 3040 mAh, non-removable | Li-Po 4680 mAh |
| Misc | ||
|---|---|---|
| Colors | Stellar Gray, Ocean Depths, Black Moon, Pure White | Mostly Black |
| Models | PH-1 | G1F8F, G4S1M |
| Price | About 330 EUR | $ 189.00 / C$ 249.99 |
| Tests | ||
|---|---|---|
| Battery life | - | Endurance rating 122h |
| Display | - | Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) |
| Performance | GeekBench: 6490 (v4.4) GFXBench: 16fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) | AnTuTu: 291303 (v8) GeekBench: 1337 (v5.1) GFXBench: 19fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
Essential PH-1
- Powerful Snapdragon 835
- Unique, nearly bezel-less design
- Fast charging (27W)
- Limited software updates
- Aging hardware
- Camera not as good as competitors
- Modular design not fully realized
Google Pixel 5a 5G
- Excellent camera with Google's computational photography
- Guaranteed software updates
- 5G connectivity
- Good battery life
- Bright display
- Slower charging (18W)
- Design is less distinctive
- Snapdragon 765G isn't flagship level
Display Comparison
The Pixel 5a 5G's 861 nits brightness provides significantly better outdoor visibility compared to the PH-1. While the PH-1 had a unique, nearly bezel-less design, the Pixel 5a 5G's OLED panel offers superior contrast and color accuracy. The 'infinite' contrast ratio of the Pixel 5a 5G is a nominal value, but indicative of its OLED quality.
Camera Comparison
The Pixel 5a 5G's camera is the clear winner. Google's computational photography is renowned, delivering consistently excellent images in various conditions. The PH-1's camera, while decent, lacks the software optimization and features of the Pixel. The Pixel also benefits from features like Night Sight.
Performance
The Essential PH-1's Snapdragon 835 was a flagship chipset in its time, offering strong performance. However, the Pixel 5a 5G's Snapdragon 765G 5G, built on a more efficient 7nm process, provides comparable performance with better power efficiency. The Pixel's CPU architecture is also more modern, leading to slightly better real-world responsiveness.
Battery Life
Both phones boast impressive endurance ratings (122h), suggesting excellent battery life. However, the Pixel 5a 5G's more efficient chipset likely contributes to slightly better real-world battery performance, especially with 5G usage.
Buying Guide
The Essential PH-1 is for enthusiasts seeking a unique design and powerful (though aging) hardware, willing to accept limited software support. The Google Pixel 5a 5G is ideal for users prioritizing a great camera, reliable performance, and guaranteed software updates within a mid-range budget.