Google Pixel 5 vs Samsung Galaxy A71 5G UW: A Detailed Comparison

Both the Google Pixel 5 and the Samsung Galaxy A71 5G UW represent compelling options in the sub-$200 5G smartphone market, but cater to different priorities. The Pixel 5, despite its age, remains a benchmark for software and camera experience, while the A71 5G UW aims to deliver a larger screen and faster charging at a competitive price. This comparison dissects their similarities and differences to determine which device best suits your needs.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For the average user prioritizing software experience and camera quality, the Google Pixel 5 is the clear winner. While the Samsung Galaxy A71 5G UW offers faster 25W charging, the Pixel 5’s superior endurance rating of 95 hours and clean software make it the more refined and long-lasting choice.

PHONES
Phone Names Google Pixel 5 Samsung Galaxy A71 5G UW
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 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, 712, 3, 4, 5, 7, 12, 13, 20, 28, 66
5G bands1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 28, 41, 66, 71, 77, 78, 258, 260, 261 Sub6/mmWave - GD1YQ260, 261 SA/NSA/mmWave
SpeedHSPA, LTE, 5GHSPA, LTE, 5G
TechnologyGSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5GGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G
 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 28, 41, 66, 71, 77, 78 Sub6 - GTT9Q-
Launch
Announced2020, September 302020, July 07
StatusAvailable. Released 2020, October 15Available. Released 2020, July 16
Body
BuildGlass front (Gorilla Glass 6), aluminum back, aluminum frameGlass front (Gorilla Glass 3), plastic back, aluminum frame
Dimensions144.7 x 70.4 x 8 mm (5.70 x 2.77 x 0.31 in)162.8 x 75.7 x 8.4 mm (6.41 x 2.98 x 0.33 in)
SIMNano-SIM + eSIMNano-SIM (pre-installed)
Weight151 g (5.33 oz)188 g (6.63 oz)
 IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 min)-
Display
ProtectionCorning Gorilla Glass 6Corning Gorilla Glass 3
Resolution1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~432 ppi density)1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~393 ppi density)
Size6.0 inches, 87.6 cm2 (~85.9% screen-to-body ratio)6.7 inches, 108.4 cm2 (~87.9% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeOLED, 90Hz, HDR10+Super AMOLED Plus
 Always-on display-
Platform
CPUOcta-core (1x2.4 GHz Kryo 475 Prime & 1x2.2 GHz Kryo 475 Gold & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 475 Silver)Octa-core (1x2.4 GHz Kryo 475 Prime & 1x2.2 GHz Kryo 475 Gold & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 475 Silver)
ChipsetQualcomm SM7250 Snapdragon 765G 5G (7 nm)Qualcomm SM7250 Snapdragon 765G 5G (7 nm)
GPUAdreno 620Adreno 620
OSAndroid 11, upgradable to Android 14Android 10, One UI 2.1
Memory
Card slotNomicroSDXC (dedicated slot)
Internal128GB 8GB RAM128GB 8GB RAM
 UFS 2.1UFS 2.1
Main Camera
Dual12.2 MP, f/1.7, 27mm (wide), 1/2.55", 1.4µm, dual pixel PDAF, OIS 16 MP, f/2.2, 117˚ (ultrawide), 1.0µm-
FeaturesLED flash, Pixel Shift, Auto-HDR, panoramaLED flash, panorama, HDR
Quad-64 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/1.72", 0.8µm, PDAF 12 MP, f/2.2, 123˚ (ultrawide) 5 MP (macro) Auxiliary lens
Video4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps; gyro-EIS4K@30fps, 1080p@30/240fps, 1080p@960fps; gyro-EIS
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDRHDR
Single8 MP, f/2.0, 24mm (wide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm32 MP, f/2.2, 26mm (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm
Video1080p@30fps4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps
Sound
3.5mm jack NoYes
35mm jackNoYes
Loudspeaker Yes, with stereo speakersYes
Comms
Bluetooth5.0, A2DP, LE, aptX HD5.0, A2DP, LE
NFCYesNo
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, QZSS, BDSGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS
RadioNoNo
USBUSB Type-C 3.1USB Type-C 2.0, OTG
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi DirectWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsFingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometerFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass
 -ANT+
Battery
Charging18W wired, PD2.0 12W wireless 5W reverse wired25W wired
TypeLi-Po 4080 mAhLi-Po 4500 mAh
Misc
ColorsJust Black, Sorta SagePrism Bricks Black
ModelsGD1YQ, GTT9Q, G5NZ6SM-A716V
Price€ 181.31 / $ 272.44 / £ 136.00-
SAR-0.50 W/kg (head)     0.78 W/kg (body)
Pricing
128GB 8GB RAM$ 194.84-
RENEWED$ 253.00-
Tests
Battery life Endurance rating 95h -
Display Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal)-

Google Pixel 5

  • Exceptional camera quality and software processing
  • Long-lasting battery life (95h endurance)
  • Clean and smooth Android experience with guaranteed updates

  • Slower 18W charging
  • Smaller display size may not appeal to all users

Samsung Galaxy A71 5G UW

  • Faster 25W wired charging
  • Potentially larger display for immersive viewing
  • Competitive price point

  • Samsung’s One UI software may not be preferred by all
  • Likely inferior camera performance compared to Pixel 5

Display Comparison

Both devices utilize the Qualcomm Snapdragon 765G chipset, but diverge significantly in display characteristics. The Pixel 5 boasts a measured peak brightness of 699 nits, offering excellent visibility outdoors, while the A71 5G UW’s brightness is not specified, suggesting it may be less vibrant in direct sunlight. Both displays have an 'Infinite' (nominal) contrast ratio, typical of OLED panels. The Pixel 5’s smaller size contributes to a more compact form factor, potentially appealing to users who prefer one-handed operation. The A71 5G UW likely has a larger display, but without specific details, it's difficult to assess its impact on viewing experience.

Camera Comparison

While both phones share the same chipset, their camera systems are likely to differ significantly in image processing. The Pixel 5 is renowned for its computational photography prowess, leveraging Google’s software algorithms to produce stunning images, particularly in low light. The A71 5G UW’s camera specifications are not detailed enough to make a direct comparison, but Samsung typically emphasizes vibrant colors and scene optimization. Without sensor size or aperture information for the A71 5G UW, it’s difficult to assess its low-light capabilities relative to the Pixel 5. The Pixel 5’s strength lies in its consistent image quality across all scenarios, while the A71 5G UW may excel in specific conditions.

Performance

The core performance is identical: both the Pixel 5 and Galaxy A71 5G UW are powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 765G (7 nm) with the same CPU configuration – an octa-core setup featuring 1x2.4 GHz Kryo 475 Prime, 1x2.2 GHz Kryo 475 Gold, and 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 475 Silver cores. This means comparable performance in everyday tasks and moderate gaming. However, thermal management could differ. The Pixel 5’s smaller chassis might lead to more aggressive throttling under sustained load, while the A71 5G UW’s larger size could offer slightly better heat dissipation. Both devices feature 8GB of RAM, ensuring smooth multitasking.

Battery Life

The Pixel 5 achieves an impressive endurance rating of 95 hours, indicating excellent battery life despite its relatively modest capacity. The A71 5G UW, however, compensates for a potentially smaller battery with significantly faster 25W wired charging compared to the Pixel 5’s 18W charging. This means the A71 5G UW can replenish its battery much quicker, a crucial advantage for users who frequently run low on power. The Pixel 5 also supports 12W wireless charging and 5W reverse wired charging, features absent in the A71 5G UW.

Buying Guide

Buy the Google Pixel 5 if you need a consistently smooth software experience, exceptional camera performance in all lighting conditions, and value long-term software support. Buy the Samsung Galaxy A71 5G UW if you prioritize faster charging speeds and a larger display, and are comfortable with Samsung’s One UI software experience.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Does the Snapdragon 765G in either phone struggle with demanding games like Genshin Impact?
Both the Pixel 5 and Galaxy A71 5G UW, equipped with the Snapdragon 765G, can run Genshin Impact, but expect to make compromises on graphics settings. You'll likely need to play at medium or low settings to maintain a stable frame rate and avoid excessive throttling, especially during extended gaming sessions. The A71 5G UW’s potentially better thermal dissipation might offer a slight edge in sustained performance.
❓ How does the Pixel 5’s software support compare to the Galaxy A71 5G UW?
The Pixel 5 benefits from Google’s direct software support, guaranteeing timely Android updates and security patches for several years. Samsung’s update schedule for the A71 5G UW is less predictable and typically slower. This means the Pixel 5 will remain secure and feature-rich for a longer period, enhancing its long-term value.
❓ Is the 5W reverse wireless charging on the Pixel 5 useful for charging accessories?
The 5W reverse wireless charging on the Pixel 5 is primarily useful for topping up small accessories like wireless earbuds or a smartwatch in a pinch. It's a slow charging method and not suitable for quickly charging a phone or other larger devices. It's a convenient feature to have, but not a primary reason to choose the Pixel 5.