Google Pixel 5a 5G vs Samsung Galaxy A54: The Ultimate Showdown

Choosing a new Android phone can be overwhelming. The Google Pixel 5a 5G and Samsung Galaxy A54 are both strong contenders in the mid-range market, offering compelling features at competitive prices. But which one reigns supreme? Let's dive into a detailed comparison.

Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

The Samsung Galaxy A54 edges out the Pixel 5a 5G thanks to its brighter display, more modern chipset, faster charging, and generally more polished software experience. While the Pixel offers a clean Android experience, the A54 provides a more well-rounded package for most users.

PHONES
Phone Names	Google Pixel 5a 5G	Samsung Galaxy A54

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, 17, 20, 26, 28, 32, 38, 40, 41, 66 - International
5G bands	1, 2, 5, 12, 25, 28, 41, 66, 71, 77, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6	1, 3, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6 - International
Speed	HSPA, LTE, 5G	HSPA, LTE, 5G
Technology	GSM / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G	GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G
	CDMA2000 1xEV-DO	25, 41, 66, 71 SA/NSA/Sub6/mmWave - USA

Launch
Announced	2021, August 17	2023, March 15
Status	Available. Released 2021, August 26	Available. Released 2023, March 24

Body
Build	Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3), aluminum frame, aluminum back	Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), glass back (Gorilla Glass 5), plastic frame
Dimensions	156.2 x 73.2 x 8.8 mm (6.15 x 2.88 x 0.35 in)	158.2 x 76.7 x 8.2 mm (6.23 x 3.02 x 0.32 in)
SIM	Nano-SIM + eSIM	· Nano-SIM + eSIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight	183 g (6.46 oz)	202 g (7.13 oz)
	IP67 dust/water resistant (up to 1m for 30 min)	IP67 dust/water resistant (up to 1m 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 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~403 ppi density)
Size	6.34 inches, 97.0 cm2 (~84.9% screen-to-body ratio)	6.4 inches, 100.5 cm2 (~82.9% screen-to-body ratio)
Type	OLED, HDR	Super AMOLED, 120Hz, HDR10+, 1000 nits (HBM)
	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 (4x2.4 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55)
Chipset	Qualcomm SM7250 Snapdragon 765G 5G (7 nm)	Exynos 1380 (5 nm)
GPU	Adreno 620	Mali-G68 MP5
OS	Android 11, upgradable to Android 14	Android 13, up to 4 major Android upgrades, One UI 7

Memory
Card slot	No	microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)
Internal	128GB 6GB RAM	128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM

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, panorama, HDR
Single	8 MP, f/2.0, 24mm (wide), 1.12µm	32 MP, f/2.2, 26mm (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm
Triple	-	50 MP, f/1.8, 23mm (wide), 1/1.56", 1.0µm, PDAF, OIS 12 MP, f/2.2, 13mm, 123˚ (ultrawide), 1/3.X", 1.12µm 5 MP (macro)
Video	4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps; gyro-EIS	4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps, 720p@480fps, gyro-EIS

Selfie camera
Features	HDR	-
Single	8 MP, f/2.0, 24mm (wide), 1.12µm	32 MP, f/2.2, 26mm (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm
Video	1080p@30fps	4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps

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	5.3, A2DP, LE
NFC	Yes	Yes (market/region dependent)
Positioning	GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, QZSS, BDS	GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS
Radio	No	No
USB	USB Type-C 3.1	USB Type-C 2.0, OTG
WLAN	Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct	Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct

Features
Sensors	Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer	Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, compass, barometer (USA only)
	-	Virtual proximity sensing

Battery
Charging	18W wired, PD2.0	25W wired
Type	Li-Po 4680 mAh	5000 mAh

Misc
Colors	Mostly Black	Lime, Graphite, Violet, White
Models	G1F8F, G4S1M	SM-A546V, SM-A546U, SM-A546U1, SM-A546B, SM-A546B/DS, SM-A546E, SM-A546E/DS, SM-A5460, SM-A546M, SM-A546M/DS, SM-A546W
Price	$ 189.00 / C$ 249.99	€ 210.00 / $ 119.11 / £ 169.95 / ₹ 28,999
SAR	-	0.81 W/kg (head) 0.67 W/kg (body)
SAR EU	-	0.69 W/kg (head) 1.34 W/kg (body)

Tests
Battery life	Endurance rating 122h	Endurance rating 119h
Camera	-	Photo / Video
Display	Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal)	Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal)
Loudspeaker	-	-26.6 LUFS (Good)
Performance	AnTuTu: 291303 (v8) GeekBench: 1337 (v5.1) GFXBench: 19fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)	AnTuTu: 506678 (v9) GeekBench: 2703 (v5.1), 2797 (v6) GFXBench: 25fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)

Google Pixel 5a 5G

Clean Android experience
Guaranteed software updates
Compact size
Excellent image processing

Older chipset
Slower charging
Less versatile camera
Lower brightness display

Samsung Galaxy A54

Brighter display
More powerful processor
Faster charging
Versatile camera system
Modern design

Samsung's One UI (can be polarizing)
Potentially shorter software update commitment compared to Pixel

Display Comparison

The Samsung Galaxy A54 boasts a significantly brighter display at 980 nits compared to the Pixel 5a 5G's 861 nits. Both offer excellent contrast ratios (infinite nominal), but the A54's higher brightness makes it more usable outdoors. The A54 also likely has a more modern panel technology (likely AMOLED vs OLED on the Pixel 5a 5G), offering richer colors and deeper blacks.

Camera Comparison

The Galaxy A54 is expected to have a more versatile camera system. While the Pixel 5a 5G is known for its excellent image processing thanks to Google's computational photography, the A54 likely offers more flexibility with its multiple lenses (wide, ultrawide, macro). Samsung's camera software is also generally more feature-rich.

Performance

The Galaxy A54's Exynos 1380 (5nm) generally outperforms the Pixel 5a 5G's Snapdragon 765G 5G (7nm). The Exynos 1380's newer architecture and smaller process node contribute to better efficiency and performance. While the Pixel 5a 5G is still capable for everyday tasks, the A54 handles demanding apps and games more smoothly.

Battery Life

Both phones have similar endurance ratings (119h vs 122h), suggesting comparable battery life in real-world usage. However, the Galaxy A54 supports 25W wired charging, which is faster than the Pixel 5a 5G's 18W charging.

Buying Guide

Who should buy the Google Pixel 5a 5G? Those prioritizing a pure Android experience, guaranteed software updates for a longer period, and a slightly more compact form factor. Who should buy the Samsung Galaxy A54? Users seeking a vibrant display, a more powerful processor, faster charging, and a versatile camera system with longer-term software support.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Which phone has better software support?

The Google Pixel 5a 5G typically receives longer software update support directly from Google, ensuring timely security patches and feature updates.

❓ Is the Pixel 5a 5G still a good phone in 2024?

Yes, the Pixel 5a 5G remains a capable phone, especially for those who value a clean Android experience. However, the Galaxy A54 offers more modern features and performance.