Honor View30 Pro vs. Google Pixel 5a 5G: A Detailed Comparison of Mid-Range 5G Powerhouses

The Honor View30 Pro and Google Pixel 5a 5G represent distinct approaches to the mid-range 5G market. The View30 Pro, released with a flagship-adjacent Kirin 990 5G chipset, aimed for near-premium performance. The Pixel 5a 5G, leveraging the Snapdragon 765G, prioritizes Google’s computational photography and long-term software support. This comparison dissects their strengths and weaknesses to determine which phone delivers the best value.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For users prioritizing raw performance and faster charging, the Honor View30 Pro is the clear winner. However, the Google Pixel 5a 5G excels in camera consistency, software experience, and battery endurance, making it the better choice for everyday users who value reliability and photographic simplicity.

PHONES
Phone Names Honor View30 Pro Google Pixel 5a 5G
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 18, 19, 26, 34, 38, 39, 40, 411, 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
5G bands1, 3, 41, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA1, 2, 5, 12, 25, 28, 41, 66, 71, 77, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6
SpeedHSPA, LTE, 5G (2+ Gbps DL)HSPA, LTE, 5G
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5GGSM / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G
 -CDMA2000 1xEV-DO
Launch
Announced2020, February 24. Released 2020, April 272021, August 17
StatusDiscontinuedAvailable. Released 2021, August 26
Body
BuildGlass front, glass back, aluminum frameGlass front (Gorilla Glass 3), aluminum frame, aluminum back
Dimensions162.7 x 75.8 x 8.8 mm (6.41 x 2.98 x 0.35 in)156.2 x 73.2 x 8.8 mm (6.15 x 2.88 x 0.35 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM + eSIM
Weight206 g (7.27 oz)183 g (6.46 oz)
 -IP67 dust/water resistant (up to 1m for 30 min)
Display
ProtectionYesCorning Gorilla Glass 3
Resolution1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~400 ppi density)1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~415 ppi density)
Size6.57 inches, 104.7 cm2 (~84.9% screen-to-body ratio)6.34 inches, 97.0 cm2 (~84.9% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeIPS LCDOLED, HDR
 -Always-on display
Platform
CPUOcta-core (2x2.86 GHz Cortex-A76 & 2x2.36 GHz Cortex-A76 & 4x1.95 GHz Cortex-A55)Octa-core (1x2.4 GHz Kryo 475 Prime & 1x2.2 GHz Kryo 475 Gold & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 475 Silver)
ChipsetKirin 990 5G (7 nm+)Qualcomm SM7250 Snapdragon 765G 5G (7 nm)
GPUMali-G76 MP16Adreno 620
OSAndroid 10, Magic UI 3, no Google Play ServicesAndroid 11, upgradable to Android 14
Memory
Card slotNoNo
Internal128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM128GB 6GB RAM
 UFS 3.0-
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
FeaturesLaser AF, LED flash, HDR, panoramaLED flash, Pixel Shift, Auto-HDR, panorama
Single-8 MP, f/2.0, 24mm (wide), 1.12µm
Triple40 MP, f/1.6, 27mm (wide), 1/1.7", PDAF, OIS 8 MP, f/2.4, 80mm (telephoto), 1/4.0", PDAF, OIS, 3x optical zoom 12 MP, f/2.2, 16mm (ultrawide), 1.4µm, AF-
Video4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps, 720p@960fps, (gyro-EIS)4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps; gyro-EIS
Selfie camera
Dual32 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm 8 MP, f/2.2, 17mm (ultrawide)-
FeaturesHDRHDR
Single-8 MP, f/2.0, 24mm (wide), 1.12µm
Video4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps1080p@30fps
Sound
3.5mm jack NoYes
35mm jackNoYes
Loudspeaker YesYes, with stereo speakers
Comms
Bluetooth5.1, A2DP, LE5.0, A2DP, LE, aptX HD
Infrared portYes-
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO, QZSSGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, QZSS, BDS
RadioNoNo
USBUSB Type-C 2.0, OTGUSB Type-C 3.1
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 (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compassFingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer
Battery
Charging40W wired, 70% in 30 min 27W wireless, 52% in 30 min Reverse wireless18W wired, PD2.0
TypeLi-Po 4100 mAhLi-Po 4680 mAh
Misc
ColorsOcean Blue, Midnight Black, Icelandic frost, Sunrise OrangeMostly Black
Models-G1F8F, G4S1M
Price-$ 189.00 / C$ 249.99
Tests
Battery life- Endurance rating 122h
Display- Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal)
Performance- AnTuTu: 291303 (v8) GeekBench: 1337 (v5.1) GFXBench: 19fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)

Honor View30 Pro

  • Significantly faster processor for demanding tasks
  • Faster wired and wireless charging speeds
  • Reverse wireless charging capability

  • Software support may be limited compared to Pixel
  • Camera performance may be inconsistent without strong software optimization

Google Pixel 5a 5G

  • Exceptional camera quality with Google’s computational photography
  • Guaranteed software updates and long-term support
  • Excellent battery life and efficiency

  • Slower charging speeds compared to the View30 Pro
  • Less powerful processor for intensive gaming and editing

Display Comparison

The Google Pixel 5a 5G boasts a brighter display, reaching a measured peak of 861 nits, which translates to better visibility outdoors compared to the Honor View30 Pro (brightness data unavailable). Both phones offer an 'infinite' contrast ratio, typical of OLED panels. While the View30 Pro’s panel specifications are unknown, the Pixel 5a’s display prioritizes usability in bright environments. The lack of high refresh rate on either device is a notable omission, focusing instead on power efficiency.

Camera Comparison

The Pixel 5a 5G leverages Google’s renowned computational photography expertise, consistently delivering excellent image quality, particularly in challenging lighting conditions. While specific sensor sizes are not provided, the Pixel’s image processing algorithms excel at dynamic range and noise reduction. The Honor View30 Pro’s camera system, while likely featuring higher megapixel counts, relies more on hardware specifications than software optimization. The Pixel 5a 5G’s focus on consistent, reliable results makes it the more appealing option for casual photographers. The absence of detailed camera specs for the View30 Pro makes a direct sensor comparison difficult, but Google’s software advantage is undeniable.

Performance

The Honor View30 Pro’s Kirin 990 5G (7nm+) demonstrably outperforms the Pixel 5a 5G’s Snapdragon 765G (7nm) in raw processing power. The Kirin 990’s octa-core configuration, with two high-performance Cortex-A76 cores clocked at 2.86 GHz, provides a significant advantage in CPU-intensive tasks. While the Snapdragon 765G’s Kryo 475 Prime core at 2.4 GHz is capable, it cannot match the Kirin’s peak speeds. The Kirin 990 also benefits from a more powerful GPU, making the View30 Pro the superior choice for mobile gaming. However, the Snapdragon 765G’s 7nm process offers good efficiency, and the Pixel 5a 5G’s software optimization helps mitigate the performance gap.

Battery Life

Both the Honor View30 Pro and Google Pixel 5a 5G achieve an endurance rating of 122 hours, indicating comparable overall battery life. However, their charging capabilities differ significantly. The View30 Pro supports 40W wired charging, achieving 70% charge in 30 minutes, and 27W wireless charging, reaching 52% in the same timeframe, alongside reverse wireless charging. The Pixel 5a 5G is limited to 18W wired charging with PD2.0, a slower charging speed. While both phones offer similar battery endurance, the View30 Pro’s faster charging options provide greater convenience for users who frequently need to top up their battery.

Buying Guide

Buy the Honor View30 Pro if you need a phone capable of handling demanding tasks like gaming and video editing, and if fast wired and wireless charging are essential. Buy the Google Pixel 5a 5G if you prefer a streamlined Android experience, exceptional camera performance in various lighting conditions, and a phone that consistently delivers all-day battery life without compromise.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Does the Kirin 990 5G in the Honor View30 Pro overheat during prolonged gaming sessions?
While the Kirin 990 5G is a powerful chip, thermal throttling can occur during extended gaming. The View30 Pro’s cooling system may struggle to dissipate heat effectively under sustained load, potentially leading to performance drops. However, the phone generally manages heat well for typical usage.
❓ How does the Pixel 5a 5G’s camera perform in low-light conditions compared to the Honor View30 Pro?
The Pixel 5a 5G excels in low-light photography due to Google’s Night Sight mode and advanced image processing. It captures brighter, more detailed images with less noise than most competitors, including the Honor View30 Pro, which relies more on hardware and less on computational techniques. The Pixel consistently delivers superior low-light results.
❓ Is the 18W charging speed on the Pixel 5a 5G sufficient for daily use?
While 18W charging is slower than the Honor View30 Pro’s 40W charging, it’s generally sufficient for overnight charging or topping up the battery during downtime. The Pixel 5a 5G’s efficient power management and long battery life minimize the need for frequent charging.