Google Pixel 5a 5G vs Pixel 4a: The Ultimate Showdown
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🏆 Quick Verdict
The Pixel 5a 5G offers a significant battery life upgrade and 5G connectivity, alongside a slightly brighter display. However, the Pixel 4a remains a compelling option due to its smaller size and often lower price. For most, the 5a 5G is the better choice, but budget-conscious users might still prefer the 4a.
| PHONES | ||
|---|---|---|
| Phone Names | Google Pixel 5a 5G | Google Pixel 4a |
| 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, 14, 17, 18, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66, 71 |
| 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 (3CA) Cat12 600/75 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| CDMA2000 1xEV-DO | - | |
| Launch | ||
|---|---|---|
| Announced | 2021, August 17 | 2020, August 03 |
| Status | Available. Released 2021, August 26 | Available. Released 2020, August 20 |
| Body | ||
|---|---|---|
| Build | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3), aluminum frame, aluminum back | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3), plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 156.2 x 73.2 x 8.8 mm (6.15 x 2.88 x 0.35 in) | 144 x 69.4 x 8.2 mm (5.67 x 2.73 x 0.32 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + eSIM | Nano-SIM + eSIM |
| Weight | 183 g (6.46 oz) | 143 g (5.04 oz) |
| IP67 dust/water resistant (up to 1m for 30 min) | - | |
| Display | ||
|---|---|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~415 ppi density) | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~443 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.34 inches, 97.0 cm2 (~84.9% screen-to-body ratio) | 5.81 inches, 83.2 cm2 (~83.3% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | OLED, HDR | OLED, 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 (2x2.2 GHz Kryo 470 Gold & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 470 Silver) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM7250 Snapdragon 765G 5G (7 nm) | Qualcomm SDM730 Snapdragon 730G (8 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 620 | Adreno 618 |
| OS | Android 11, upgradable to Android 14 | Android 10, upgradable to Android 13 |
| Memory | ||
|---|---|---|
| Card slot | No | No |
| Internal | 128GB 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 | - |
| Features | LED flash, Pixel Shift, Auto-HDR, panorama | LED flash, Pixel Shift, Auto-HDR, panorama |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.0, 24mm (wide), 1.12µm | 12.2 MP, f/1.7, 27mm (wide), 1/2.55", 1.4µm, dual pixel PDAF, OIS |
| Video | 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps; gyro-EIS | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps; gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Features | HDR | HDR |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.0, 24mm (wide), 1.12µm | 8 MP, f/2.0, 24mm (wide), 1.12µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound | ||
|---|---|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 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, GALILEO, QZSS, BDS |
| 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 | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer |
| Battery | ||
|---|---|---|
| Charging | 18W wired, PD2.0 | 18W wired, PD2.0 |
| Type | Li-Po 4680 mAh | Li-Po 3140 mAh |
| Misc | ||
|---|---|---|
| Colors | Mostly Black | Just Black, Barely Blue |
| Models | G1F8F, G4S1M | G025J, GA02099, G025N |
| Price | $ 189.00 / C$ 249.99 | $ 139.99 / C$ 159.99 |
| Tests | ||
|---|---|---|
| Battery life | Endurance rating 122h | Endurance rating 76h |
| Display | Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) | Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) |
| Performance | AnTuTu: 291303 (v8) GeekBench: 1337 (v5.1) GFXBench: 19fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) | AnTuTu: 268714 (v8) GeekBench: 6426 (v4.4), 1626 (v5.1) GFXBench: 17fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
Google Pixel 5a 5G
- Excellent battery life
- 5G connectivity
- Slightly brighter display
- Ultrawide camera lens
- Clean Android experience
- Larger size compared to Pixel 4a
- Slightly higher price
Google Pixel 4a
- Compact and portable
- Excellent camera quality
- Clean Android experience
- Often more affordable
- Shorter battery life
- No 5G connectivity
- Less powerful chipset
Display Comparison
The Pixel 5a 5G boasts a peak brightness of 861 nits, slightly edging out the Pixel 4a's 803 nits. Both phones feature OLED displays with excellent contrast (nominally infinite) and vibrant colors, providing a pleasant viewing experience. The 5a 5G's larger size allows for a more immersive experience, while the 4a's smaller form factor enhances portability.
Camera Comparison
Both Pixels are renowned for their exceptional camera capabilities. The Pixel 5a 5G features a dual-camera system (12.2MP main + 12MP ultrawide), while the Pixel 4a has a single 12.2MP main camera. While the 4a's single lens is impressive, the 5a 5G's ultrawide lens provides greater versatility. Google's computational photography shines on both devices, delivering excellent image quality in various conditions.
Performance
The Pixel 5a 5G utilizes the Snapdragon 765G, a more powerful chipset than the Pixel 4a's Snapdragon 730G. While both offer smooth performance for everyday tasks, the 5a 5G handles more demanding games and applications with greater ease. The 765G also supports 5G connectivity, a feature absent in the 4a.
Battery Life
This is where the Pixel 5a 5G truly shines. Its endurance rating of 122h significantly surpasses the Pixel 4a's 76h. The 5a 5G's larger battery ensures all-day battery life, even with heavy usage. The Pixel 4a requires more frequent charging, especially for power users.
Buying Guide
The Google Pixel 5a 5G is ideal for users who prioritize battery life, 5G connectivity, and a slightly larger display. It's a great choice for those who want a reliable, long-lasting phone without breaking the bank. The Pixel 4a is best suited for users who prefer a more compact phone, value portability, and are comfortable with shorter battery life. It's a fantastic option for those on a tighter budget.