Google Pixel 5a 5G vs Pixel 6: A Head-to-Head Comparison
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🏆 Quick Verdict
The Pixel 6 is the clear winner overall, boasting a significantly faster processor, improved camera capabilities, and faster charging. However, the Pixel 5a 5G remains a compelling choice for budget-conscious buyers who prioritize battery life and a proven, reliable design.
| PHONES | ||
|---|---|---|
| Phone Names | Google Pixel 5a 5G | Google Pixel 6 |
| 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, 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, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 32, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 46, 48, 66, 71 - GB7N6, G9S9B16 |
| 5G bands | 1, 2, 5, 12, 25, 28, 41, 66, 71, 77, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6 | 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 14, 20, 25, 28, 30, 38, 40, 41, 48, 66, 71, 77, 78, 257, 258, 260, 261 SA/NSA/Sub6/mmWave - G9S9B |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G |
| CDMA2000 1xEV-DO | 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 14, 20, 25, 28, 30, 38, 40, 41, 48, 66, 71, 77, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6 - GB7N6 | |
| Launch | ||
|---|---|---|
| Announced | 2021, August 17 | 2021, October 19 |
| Status | Available. Released 2021, August 26 | Available. Released 2021, October 28 |
| Body | ||
|---|---|---|
| Build | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3), aluminum frame, aluminum back | Glass front (Gorilla Glass Victus), glass back (Gorilla Glass 6), aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | 156.2 x 73.2 x 8.8 mm (6.15 x 2.88 x 0.35 in) | 158.6 x 74.8 x 8.9 mm (6.24 x 2.94 x 0.35 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + eSIM | Nano-SIM + eSIM |
| Weight | 183 g (6.46 oz) | 207 g (7.30 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 Victus |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~415 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~411 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.34 inches, 97.0 cm2 (~84.9% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.4 inches, 98.9 cm2 (~83.4% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | OLED, HDR | AMOLED, 90Hz, HDR10+ |
| 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 (2x2.80 GHz Cortex-X1 & 2x2.25 GHz Cortex-A76 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM7250 Snapdragon 765G 5G (7 nm) | Google Tensor (5 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 620 | Mali-G78 MP20 |
| OS | Android 11, upgradable to Android 14 | Android 12, upgradable to Android 15, up to 5 major Android upgrades |
| Memory | ||
|---|---|---|
| Card slot | No | No |
| Internal | 128GB 6GB RAM | 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM |
| - | UFS 3.1 | |
| 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 | 50 MP, f/1.9, 25mm (wide), 1/1.31", 1.2µm, dual pixel PDAF, OIS 12 MP, f/2.2, 17mm, 114˚ (ultrawide), 1.25µm |
| Features | LED flash, Pixel Shift, Auto-HDR, panorama | Laser AF, Dual-LED flash, Pixel Shift, Auto-HDR, panorama |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.0, 24mm (wide), 1.12µm | 8 MP, f/2.0, 24mm (wide), 1.12µm |
| Video | 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps; gyro-EIS | 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps; gyro-EIS, OIS |
| Selfie camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Features | HDR | HDR, panorama |
| 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 | No |
| 35mm jack | Yes | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| Comms | ||
|---|---|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE, aptX HD | 5.2, A2DP, LE, aptX HD |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, QZSS, BDS | GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (G1), BDS (B1I+B1c+B2a), GALILEO (E1+E5a), QZSS (L1+L5) |
| 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/6e, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features | ||
|---|---|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer |
| Battery | ||
|---|---|---|
| Charging | 18W wired, PD2.0 | Wired (based on 30W charger), PD3.0, 50% in 30 min 21W wireless Reverse wireless |
| Type | Li-Po 4680 mAh | Li-Ion 4614 mAh |
| Misc | ||
|---|---|---|
| Colors | Mostly Black | Sorta Seafoam, Kinda Coral, Stormy Black |
| Models | G1F8F, G4S1M | GB7N6, G9S9B16, G9S9B, GR1YH |
| Price | $ 189.00 / C$ 249.99 | $ 172.48 / C$ 238.84 / £ 169.99 / € 191.89 / ₹ 23,719 |
| Tests | ||
|---|---|---|
| Battery life | Endurance rating 122h | Endurance rating 86h |
| Camera | - | Photo / Video |
| Display | Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) | Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker | - | -26.9 LUFS (Good) |
| Performance | AnTuTu: 291303 (v8) GeekBench: 1337 (v5.1) GFXBench: 19fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) | AnTuTu: 676831 (v9) GeekBench: 2899 (v5.1) GFXBench: 57fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
Google Pixel 5a 5G
- Excellent battery life
- More affordable
- Reliable design
- Good camera performance
- Older chipset
- Lower refresh rate display
- Slower charging
- Less advanced camera features
Google Pixel 6
- Flagship performance (Google Tensor)
- Superior camera system
- Faster charging (wired & wireless)
- 90Hz display
- Reverse wireless charging
- Higher price
- Slightly shorter battery life than 5a 5G
- Tensor chip still maturing
Display Comparison
The Pixel 6 features a larger 6.4-inch OLED display with a 90Hz refresh rate, offering smoother scrolling and a more vibrant visual experience compared to the Pixel 5a 5G's 6.1-inch OLED display with a standard 60Hz refresh rate. Both have excellent contrast thanks to their 'Infinite' contrast ratio, but the Pixel 6's brightness (estimated around 800 nits) is noticeably higher, making it easier to see outdoors. The Pixel 5a 5G's measured 861 nits is impressive, but the 6's overall display experience is superior.
Camera Comparison
While both Pixels excel in computational photography, the Pixel 6's camera system is a significant upgrade. It features a 50MP main sensor (vs. 12MP on the 5a 5G) and a wider ultrawide lens, capturing more detail and offering improved low-light performance. The Pixel 6 also benefits from Google's advanced image processing capabilities powered by the Tensor chip, resulting in more accurate colors and better dynamic range. Both offer excellent video recording, but the 6 has more advanced features.
Performance
The Pixel 6's Google Tensor chip provides a substantial performance boost over the Pixel 5a 5G's Snapdragon 765G. The Tensor chip's Cortex-X1 core delivers significantly faster processing speeds, making multitasking, gaming, and demanding apps run much smoother. The 5a 5G is still capable for everyday tasks, but the 6 offers a noticeably more responsive and fluid experience.
Battery Life
The Pixel 5a 5G holds a slight edge in battery endurance, boasting an impressive 122h rating. However, the Pixel 6's battery life (86h) is still very good, and its faster 21W wireless charging and 30W wired charging (with a compatible charger) make up for the slightly shorter endurance. The reverse wireless charging on the 6 is also a useful addition.
Buying Guide
Who should buy the Google Pixel 5a 5G? Those on a tighter budget, prioritizing excellent battery life, and wanting a dependable, no-frills experience. Who should buy the Google Pixel 6? Users seeking flagship performance, a more advanced camera system, and the latest Google features, even at a higher price point.