Huawei P Smart S vs. Google Pixel 4a 5G: Which Budget 5G Phone Reigns Supreme?
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🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Google Pixel 4a 5G is the superior choice. Its Snapdragon 765G chipset provides a significantly faster and more efficient experience than the Huawei P Smart S’s Kirin 710F. While the P Smart S may appeal to those on a tighter budget, the Pixel 4a 5G’s performance and software support justify the price difference.
| PHONES | ||
|---|---|---|
| Phone Names | Huawei P Smart S | Google Pixel 4a 5G |
| Network | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 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, 26, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 | 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 |
| 5G bands | - | 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 28, 41, 66, 71, 77, 78 Sub6, mmWave (market dependant) |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| Launch | ||
|---|---|---|
| Announced | 2020, June 09. Released 2020, June 09 | 2020, September 30 |
| Status | Discontinued | Available. Released 2020, November 05 |
| Body | ||
|---|---|---|
| Build | - | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3), plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 157.4 x 73.2 x 7.8 mm (6.20 x 2.88 x 0.31 in) | 153.9 x 74 x 8.2 mm (Sub-6) or 8.5 mm (Sub-6 and mmWave) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + eSIM |
| Weight | 163 g (5.75 oz) | 168 g (5G Sub-6); 171 g ( 5G Sub-6 and mmWave) (5.93 oz) |
| Display | ||
|---|---|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~418 ppi density) | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~413 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.3 inches, 95.8 cm2 (~83.2% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.2 inches, 95.7 cm2 (~84.1% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | OLED | OLED, HDR |
| - | Always-on display | |
| Platform | ||
|---|---|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.2 GHz Cortex-A73 & 4x1.7 GHz Cortex-A53) | Octa-core (1x2.4 GHz Kryo 475 Prime & 1x2.2 GHz Kryo 475 Gold & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 475 Silver) |
| Chipset | Kirin 710F (12 nm) | Qualcomm SM7250 Snapdragon 765G 5G (7 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G51 MP4 | Adreno 620 |
| OS | Android 10, EMUI 10.1, no Google Play Services | Android 11, upgradable to Android 14 |
| Memory | ||
|---|---|---|
| Card slot | Nano Memory (uses shared SIM slot) | No |
| Internal | 128GB 4GB 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, 107˚ (ultrawide), 1.0µm |
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, Pixel Shift, Auto-HDR, panorama |
| Triple | 48 MP, f/1.8, 27mm (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF 8 MP, f/2.4, 120˚ (ultrawide) Auxiliary lens | - |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps; gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Features | HDR | HDR |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.0 | 8 MP, f/2.0, 24mm (wide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound | ||
|---|---|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| Comms | ||
|---|---|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE, aptX HD |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, QZSS, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | 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 |
| Features | ||
|---|---|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer |
| Battery | ||
|---|---|---|
| Charging | 10W wired | 18W wired, PD2.0 |
| Type | Li-Po 4000 mAh | Li-Po 3885 mAh |
| Misc | ||
|---|---|---|
| Colors | Breathing Crystal, Midnight Black | Just Black, Clearly White |
| Models | - | GD1YQ, G025I, G025E, G025H, G6QU3 |
| Price | About 260 EUR | About 140 EUR |
Huawei P Smart S
- Lower price point makes it accessible to budget-conscious buyers.
- Simple and straightforward user interface.
- Potentially longer battery life with light usage due to less powerful processor.
- Significantly slower performance compared to the Pixel 4a 5G.
- Outdated chipset and less efficient manufacturing process.
- Limited software support and updates.
Google Pixel 4a 5G
- Faster and more efficient Snapdragon 765G processor.
- Superior camera performance thanks to Google’s computational photography.
- Guaranteed Android updates and a clean software experience.
- Higher price point than the Huawei P Smart S.
- May experience slightly shorter battery life with heavy usage.
- LCD display isn't as vibrant as OLED alternatives.
Display Comparison
Neither device boasts a particularly standout display. While specific panel details (like peak brightness or color gamut coverage) are unavailable for the P Smart S, its market positioning suggests a standard LCD panel. The Pixel 4a 5G also utilizes an LCD, but benefits from Google’s image processing to deliver accurate colors. The key difference lies in charging; the Pixel 4a 5G supports 18W charging with PD2.0, a faster and more versatile standard than the P Smart S’s 10W wired charging.
Camera Comparison
While both phones feature multiple rear cameras, the Pixel 4a 5G’s camera system is expected to deliver superior image quality. Google’s computational photography prowess, combined with the Snapdragon 765G’s image signal processor (ISP), allows for excellent dynamic range, detail, and low-light performance. The P Smart S likely relies more heavily on hardware, and without detailed sensor information, it’s difficult to assess its capabilities beyond basic photography. The Pixel 4a 5G’s software processing will likely compensate for any hardware limitations.
Performance
The performance gap is the most significant differentiator. The Google Pixel 4a 5G’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 765G (7nm) is a substantial upgrade over the Huawei P Smart S’s Kirin 710F (12nm). The 7nm process node allows for greater transistor density and improved power efficiency, translating to better sustained performance and less heat generation. The Snapdragon 765G’s CPU configuration – a prime core, gold core, and silver cores – is designed for optimized task allocation, while the Kirin 710F’s Cortex-A73/A53 combination feels dated in comparison. This difference will be most noticeable in demanding applications, multitasking, and gaming.
Battery Life
Battery life will depend heavily on usage patterns. While specific battery capacities are not provided, the Snapdragon 765G’s superior power efficiency gives the Pixel 4a 5G an advantage. Furthermore, the Pixel 4a 5G’s 18W charging with PD2.0 will significantly reduce charging times compared to the P Smart S’s slower 10W charging. This means less downtime and more time using the device.
Buying Guide
Buy the Huawei P Smart S if you prioritize absolute affordability and a simple, if limited, smartphone experience. It’s a viable option for basic tasks like calling, texting, and light social media use. Buy the Google Pixel 4a 5G if you value performance, a clean Android experience with guaranteed updates, and a more capable camera system. It’s ideal for users who multitask, game occasionally, and want a phone that will remain supported for years to come.