Google Pixel 5a 5G vs Pixel 4: A Detailed Comparison
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🏆 Quick Verdict
The Pixel 5a 5G offers significantly better battery life and a brighter display, while the Pixel 4 boasts a more powerful processor and wireless charging. For most users prioritizing longevity and value, the 5a 5G is the winner, but power users might still prefer the 4.
| PHONES | ||
|---|---|---|
| Phone Names | Google Pixel 5a 5G | Google Pixel 4 |
| Network | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 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 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 20, 25, 26, 28, 32, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66, 71 - Global |
| 5G bands | 1, 2, 5, 12, 25, 28, 41, 66, 71, 77, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6 | - |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (5CA) Cat18 1200/150 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE |
| CDMA2000 1xEV-DO | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 14, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 38, 39, 40, 41, 46, 48, 66, 71 - USA | |
| Launch | ||
|---|---|---|
| Announced | 2021, August 17 | 2019, October 15 |
| Status | Available. Released 2021, August 26 | Available. Released 2019, October 22 |
| Body | ||
|---|---|---|
| Build | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3), aluminum frame, aluminum back | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), glass back (Gorilla Glass 5), aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | 156.2 x 73.2 x 8.8 mm (6.15 x 2.88 x 0.35 in) | 147.1 x 68.8 x 8.2 mm (5.79 x 2.71 x 0.32 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + eSIM | Nano-SIM + eSIM |
| Weight | 183 g (6.46 oz) | 162 g (5.71 oz) |
| IP67 dust/water resistant (up to 1m for 30 min) | IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 min) | |
| Display | ||
|---|---|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~415 ppi density) | 1080 x 2280 pixels, 19:9 ratio (~444 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.34 inches, 97.0 cm2 (~84.9% screen-to-body ratio) | 5.7 inches, 80.7 cm2 (~79.8% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | OLED, HDR | P-OLED, 90Hz, HDR |
| Always-on display | Always-on display | |
| Platform | ||
|---|---|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (1x2.4 GHz Kryo 475 Prime & 1x2.2 GHz Kryo 475 Gold & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 475 Silver) | Octa-core (1x2.84 GHz Kryo 485 & 3x2.42 GHz Kryo 485 & 4x1.78 GHz Kryo 485) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM7250 Snapdragon 765G 5G (7 nm) | Qualcomm SM8150 Snapdragon 855 (7 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 620 | Adreno 640 |
| OS | Android 11, upgradable to Android 14 | Android 10, upgradable to Android 13 |
| Memory | ||
|---|---|---|
| Card slot | No | No |
| Internal | 128GB 6GB RAM | 64GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM |
| - | UFS 2.1 | |
| Main Camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Dual | 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 | 12.2 MP, f/1.7, 27mm (wide), 1/2.55", 1.4µm, dual pixel PDAF, OIS 16 MP, f/2.4, 50mm (telephoto), 1/3.6", 1.0µm, PDAF, OIS, 2x optical zoom |
| Features | LED flash, Pixel Shift, Auto-HDR, panorama | Dual-LED flash, Pixel Shift, Auto-HDR, panorama |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.0, 24mm (wide), 1.12µm | - |
| Video | 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps; gyro-EIS | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps, 1080p@30fps (gyro-EIS) |
| Selfie camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Features | HDR | HDR |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.0, 24mm (wide), 1.12µm | 8 MP, f/2.0, 22mm (wide), 1.22µm, no AF TOF 3D, (depth/biometrics sensor) |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound | ||
|---|---|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | No |
| 35mm jack | Yes | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| Comms | ||
|---|---|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE, aptX HD | 5.0, A2DP, LE, aptX HD |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, QZSS, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 3.1 | 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, DLNA |
| Features | ||
|---|---|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer | Face ID, accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer |
| Battery | ||
|---|---|---|
| Charging | 18W wired, PD2.0 | 18W wired, PD2.0 Wireless |
| Type | Li-Po 4680 mAh | Li-Po 2800 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc | ||
|---|---|---|
| Colors | Mostly Black | Clearly White, Just Black, Oh So Orange |
| Models | G1F8F, G4S1M | G020M, G020I, GA01188-US, GA01187-US, GA01189-US, GA01191-US, GA01189-US |
| Price | $ 189.00 / C$ 249.99 | About 200 EUR |
| Tests | ||
|---|---|---|
| Audio quality | - | Noise -71.5dB / Crosstalk -69.8dB |
| Battery life | Endurance rating 122h | Endurance rating 62h |
| Camera | - | Photo / Video |
| Display | Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) | Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker | - | Voice 79dB / Noise 71dB / Ring 83dB |
| Performance | AnTuTu: 291303 (v8) GeekBench: 1337 (v5.1) GFXBench: 19fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) | AnTuTu: 395351 (v8) GeekBench: 2542 (v5.1) GFXBench: 31fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
Google Pixel 5a 5G
- Exceptional battery life
- Brighter display
- Excellent value
- 5G connectivity
- Clean Android experience
- Less powerful processor than Pixel 4
- No wireless charging
Google Pixel 4
- More powerful processor
- Wireless charging
- Slightly more compact design
- Excellent camera
- Significantly shorter battery life
- Dimmer display
- Older model
Display Comparison
The Pixel 5a 5G's display shines with a measured 861 nits of peak brightness, making it far more usable outdoors than the Pixel 4's 423 nits. Both offer excellent contrast ratios (Infinite, nominally), but the 5a 5G's brightness advantage is noticeable. The Pixel 4 has a slightly smaller form factor, which some may prefer.
Camera Comparison
Both Pixels are renowned for their camera capabilities. While both offer excellent photo and video capabilities, the Pixel 5a 5G benefits from Google's computational photography advancements. The Pixel 4's camera is still excellent, but the 5a 5G's image processing often produces slightly more pleasing results, especially in challenging lighting conditions. Both offer excellent portrait modes and Night Sight.
Performance
The Pixel 4, powered by the Snapdragon 855, holds a performance edge over the Pixel 5a 5G's Snapdragon 765G. While the 765G is capable, the 855 offers snappier responsiveness and better handling of demanding games and applications. However, for everyday tasks, both phones perform admirably.
Battery Life
This is where the Pixel 5a 5G truly shines. Its endurance rating of 122h significantly surpasses the Pixel 4's 62h. The 5a 5G will easily last a full day, even with heavy usage, while the Pixel 4 often requires a midday top-up.
Buying Guide
Who should buy the Google Pixel 5a 5G? Users seeking excellent value, long battery life, and a reliable camera experience. Who should buy the Google Pixel 4? Those prioritizing raw performance, wireless charging, and a slightly more compact design, and who don't mind shorter battery life.