Fairphone 4 vs Google Pixel 6a: A Clash of Values and Performance
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🏆 Quick Verdict
The Pixel 6a offers superior performance and a brighter display, alongside Google's excellent software experience. However, the Fairphone 4's commitment to sustainability, repairability, and longevity makes it a compelling choice for eco-conscious users willing to compromise slightly on raw power.
| PHONES | ||
|---|---|---|
| Phone Names | Fairphone 4 | Google Pixel 6a |
| Network | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 18, 19, 20, 28, 32, 38, 40, 41, 71 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 14, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 48, 66, 71 - GX7AS, GB62Z (USA/Canada) |
| 5G bands | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 41, 71, 77, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6 | 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 25, 28, 30, 38, 40, 41, 48, 66, 71, 77, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6 - GX7AS (USA/Canada) |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (4CA) Cat18 1200/150 Mbps, 5G 2.3 Gbps DL | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| - | 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 25, 28, 30, 40, 48, 66, 71, 77, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6 - G1AZG (International) | |
| Launch | ||
|---|---|---|
| Announced | 2021, September 30 | 2022, May 11 |
| Status | Available. Released 2021, October 25 | Available. Released 2022, July 21 |
| Body | ||
|---|---|---|
| Build | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), aluminum frame, plastic back | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3), aluminum frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 162 x 75.5 x 10.5 mm (6.38 x 2.97 x 0.41 in) | 152.2 x 71.8 x 8.9 mm (5.99 x 2.83 x 0.35 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + eSIM | Nano-SIM + eSIM |
| Weight | 225 g (7.94 oz) | 178 g (6.28 oz) |
| IP54, dust and water resistant MIL-STD-810G compliant | IP67 dust/water resistant (up to 1m for 30 min) | |
| Display | ||
|---|---|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~409 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~429 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.3 inches, 97.4 cm2 (~79.7% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.1 inches, 90.7 cm2 (~83.0% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | OLED, HDR |
| - | Always-on display | |
| Platform | ||
|---|---|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Kryo 570 & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 570) | Octa-core (2x2.80 GHz Cortex-X1 & 2x2.25 GHz Cortex-A76 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM7225 Snapdragon 750G 5G (8 nm) | Google Tensor (5 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 619 | Mali-G78 MP20 |
| OS | Android 11, upgradable to Android 15 | Android 12, upgradable to Android 15, up to 5 major Android upgrades |
| Memory | ||
|---|---|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | No |
| Internal | 128GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM | 128GB 6GB RAM |
| - | UFS 3.1 | |
| Main Camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Dual | 48 MP, f/1.6, (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF, OIS 48 MP, f/2.2, (ultrawide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF TOF 3D, (depth) | 12.2 MP, f/1.7, 27mm, (wide), 1/2.55", 1.4µm, dual pixel PDAF, OIS 12 MP, f/2.2, 17mm, 114˚ (ultrawide), 1.25µm |
| Features | Dual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR, panorama | Dual-LED flash, Pixel Shift, Auto-HDR, panorama |
| Single | 25 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1/2.78", 0.9µm | 8 MP, f/2.0, 24mm (wide), 1.12µm |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps, gyro-EIS | 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps; gyro-EIS, OIS |
| Selfie camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Features | HDR | HDR, panorama |
| Single | 25 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1/2.78", 0.9µm | 8 MP, f/2.0, 24mm (wide), 1.12µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound | ||
|---|---|---|
| 3.5mm jack | No | No |
| 35mm jack | No | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| Comms | ||
|---|---|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.1, A2DP, LE | 5.2, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, QZSS |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 3.0, OTG, DisplayPort | 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/6e, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features | ||
|---|---|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer |
| Standard 5-year warranty | - | |
| Battery | ||
|---|---|---|
| Charging | 20W wired, 50% in 30 min | 18W wired, PD3.0 |
| Type | Li-Ion 3905 mAh, removable | Li-Po 4410 mAh |
| Misc | ||
|---|---|---|
| Colors | Gray, Green, Speckled Green | Chalk, Charcoal, Sage |
| Models | - | GX7AS, GB62Z, G1AZG, GB17L |
| Price | About 400 EUR | $ 138.99 / C$ 228.74 / ₹ 23,999 |
| SAR EU | 0.49 W/kg (head) 0.99 W/kg (body) | - |
| Tests | ||
|---|---|---|
| Battery life | - | Endurance rating 94h |
| Display | - | Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) |
Fairphone 4
- Sustainable and ethical design
- Repairable and modular
- Long-term software support
- Good battery life
- Durable build quality
- Lower performance than Pixel 6a
- Less impressive camera
- Slower charging
- Less vibrant display
Google Pixel 6a
- Excellent performance with Google Tensor
- Outstanding camera quality
- Bright and vibrant display
- Smooth Android experience
- Competitive price
- Less sustainable than Fairphone 4
- Difficult to repair
- Slower charging than competitors
- Design can be polarizing
Display Comparison
The Pixel 6a boasts a significantly brighter display (876 nits) compared to the Fairphone 4, offering better outdoor visibility. The Pixel 6a's 'Infinite' contrast ratio (nominal) suggests excellent blacks and vibrant colors. While the Fairphone 4's display is adequate, it lacks the punch and brightness of the Pixel 6a.
Camera Comparison
The Pixel 6a's camera is a standout feature, leveraging Google's computational photography expertise for exceptional image quality, especially in low light. The Fairphone 4's camera is decent but doesn't match the Pixel 6a's dynamic range, detail, and overall image processing.
Performance
The Google Pixel 6a's Google Tensor chip provides a noticeable performance advantage over the Fairphone 4's Snapdragon 750G. Tensor's Cortex-X1 core delivers faster processing speeds, making the Pixel 6a smoother for demanding tasks and gaming. The Fairphone 4 is still capable for everyday use, but struggles with heavier workloads.
Battery Life
Both phones offer excellent battery life, with the Pixel 6a achieving an impressive endurance rating of 94 hours. The Fairphone 4's battery life is also very good, though slightly behind the Pixel 6a. Charging speeds are a disadvantage for both, with neither offering particularly fast charging.
Buying Guide
The Fairphone 4 is ideal for users prioritizing ethical consumption, long-term device lifespan, and the ability to repair their phone themselves. The Google Pixel 6a is best suited for those seeking a smooth Android experience, excellent camera capabilities, and strong performance at a competitive price.