HTC Desire 530 vs Google Pixel 6a: A Generational Leap?
| Phones Images | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Google Pixel 6a utterly dominates the HTC Desire 530. Its superior chipset, camera, display, and battery life make it the clear winner. The Desire 530's only advantage is potentially a lower price point, but the Pixel 6a offers significantly more value.
| PHONES | ||
|---|---|---|
| Phone Names | HTC Desire 530 | Google Pixel 6a |
| Network | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 14, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 48, 66, 71 - GX7AS, GB62Z (USA/Canada) |
| 5G bands | - | 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 25, 28, 30, 38, 40, 41, 48, 66, 71, 77, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6 - GX7AS (USA/Canada) |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| 2, 4, 5, 7, 12, 13 - USA | 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 25, 28, 30, 40, 48, 66, 71, 77, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6 - G1AZG (International) | |
| Launch | ||
|---|---|---|
| Announced | 2016, February. Released 2016, March | 2022, May 11 |
| Status | Discontinued | Available. Released 2022, July 21 |
| Body | ||
|---|---|---|
| Build | - | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3), aluminum frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 146.9 x 70.9 x 8.3 mm (5.78 x 2.79 x 0.33 in) | 152.2 x 71.8 x 8.9 mm (5.99 x 2.83 x 0.35 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + eSIM |
| Weight | 140 g (4.94 oz) | 178 g (6.28 oz) |
| - | IP67 dust/water resistant (up to 1m for 30 min) | |
| Display | ||
|---|---|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 |
| Resolution | 720 x 1280 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~294 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~429 ppi density) |
| Size | 5.0 inches, 68.9 cm2 (~66.2% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.1 inches, 90.7 cm2 (~83.0% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | Super LCD | OLED, HDR |
| - | Always-on display | |
| Platform | ||
|---|---|---|
| CPU | Quad-core 1.1 GHz Cortex-A7 | Octa-core (2x2.80 GHz Cortex-X1 & 2x2.25 GHz Cortex-A76 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm MSM8909 Snapdragon 210 (28 nm) | Google Tensor (5 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 304 | Mali-G78 MP20 |
| OS | Android 6.0 (Marshmallow) | Android 12, upgradable to Android 15, up to 5 major Android upgrades |
| Memory | ||
|---|---|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | No |
| Internal | 16GB 1.5GB RAM | 128GB 6GB RAM |
| eMMC 4.5 | UFS 3.1 | |
| Main Camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Dual | - | 12.2 MP, f/1.7, 27mm, (wide), 1/2.55", 1.4µm, dual pixel PDAF, OIS 12 MP, f/2.2, 17mm, 114˚ (ultrawide), 1.25µm |
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | Dual-LED flash, Pixel Shift, Auto-HDR, panorama |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.4, AF | 8 MP, f/2.0, 24mm (wide), 1.12µm |
| Video | 720p@30fps | 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps; gyro-EIS, OIS |
| Selfie camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Features | - | HDR, panorama |
| Single | 5 MP, f/2.8 | 8 MP, f/2.0, 24mm (wide), 1.12µm |
| Video | - | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound | ||
|---|---|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | No |
| 35mm jack | Yes | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| Comms | ||
|---|---|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.1, A2DP | 5.2, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Yes (market dependant) | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, QZSS |
| Radio | FM radio | No |
| USB | microUSB 2.0 | USB Type-C 3.1 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/nWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, Wi-Fi Direct - USA version | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features | ||
|---|---|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, proximity | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer |
| Battery | ||
|---|---|---|
| Charging | - | 18W wired, PD3.0 |
| Type | Li-Ion 2200 mAh, non-removable | Li-Po 4410 mAh |
| Misc | ||
|---|---|---|
| Colors | Black, White | Chalk, Charcoal, Sage |
| Models | Desire 530, D530u, HTCD160LVW | GX7AS, GB62Z, G1AZG, GB17L |
| Price | About 170 EUR | $ 138.99 / C$ 228.74 / ₹ 23,999 |
| Tests | ||
|---|---|---|
| Battery life | - | Endurance rating 94h |
| Display | - | Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) |
| OUR TESTS | ||
|---|---|---|
| Battery (old) | - | Endurance rating 94h |
| Display | - | 876 nits max brightness (measured) |
HTC Desire 530
- Very affordable
- Compact size
- Simple interface
- Extremely slow performance
- Poor camera quality
- Low-resolution display
- Short battery life
- Outdated software
Google Pixel 6a
- Excellent camera
- Smooth performance
- Vibrant display
- Long battery life
- Clean Android experience
- Regular software updates
- Charging speed could be faster
- Design is somewhat understated
Display Comparison
The Pixel 6a boasts a vibrant OLED display with a peak brightness of 876 nits and an infinite contrast ratio, offering stunning visuals. The Desire 530 has a basic LCD display with lower resolution and brightness, resulting in a noticeably inferior viewing experience. The Pixel 6a's display is significantly better for media consumption and outdoor visibility.
Camera Comparison
The Pixel 6a's camera is renowned for its image processing and quality, delivering excellent photos and videos in various conditions. The Desire 530's camera is basic and produces mediocre results, especially in low light. The Pixel 6a's camera is a major upgrade.
Performance
The Google Tensor chipset in the Pixel 6a is a powerhouse compared to the Snapdragon 210 in the Desire 530. The Pixel 6a handles demanding apps and games with ease, while the Desire 530 struggles with even basic multitasking. The Tensor's octa-core architecture provides a massive performance advantage.
Battery Life
The Pixel 6a offers exceptional battery life, achieving an endurance rating of 94 hours. The Desire 530's battery life is considerably shorter, requiring more frequent charging. The Pixel 6a's larger battery and efficient chipset contribute to its superior endurance.
Buying Guide
The HTC Desire 530 is for someone needing a basic phone for calls and texts on an extremely tight budget, and who doesn't care about performance or features. The Google Pixel 6a is for anyone wanting a reliable, feature-rich Android phone with a great camera and smooth performance, even at a slightly higher price.