Huawei P40 lite vs Google Pixel 4a 5G: A Detailed Comparison

The Huawei P40 lite and Google Pixel 4a 5G represent compelling options in the increasingly competitive mid-range 5G smartphone market. The P40 lite, released earlier, offers a focus on fast charging and endurance, while the Pixel 4a 5G leverages Google’s computational photography and a newer Snapdragon chipset. This comparison dissects their key differences to determine which device delivers the best value.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For most users, the Google Pixel 4a 5G emerges as the stronger choice. While the Huawei P40 lite boasts faster 40W charging and impressive battery endurance, the Pixel 4a 5G’s Snapdragon 765G chipset and superior camera processing provide a smoother, more refined user experience.

PHONES
Phone Names Huawei P40 lite Google Pixel 4a 5G
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 2100HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 18, 19, 20, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 - JNY-L21A, JNY-L01A, JNY-L21B1, 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)
SpeedHSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (2CA) Cat13 400/75 MbpsHSPA, LTE, 5G
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTEGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G
 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 18, 19, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 - JNY-L22A, JNY-L02A, JNY-L22B-
Launch
Announced2020, February 27. Released 2020, March 022020, September 30
StatusDiscontinuedAvailable. Released 2020, November 05
Body
BuildGlass front, plastic back, plastic frameGlass front (Gorilla Glass 3), plastic back, plastic frame
Dimensions159.2 x 76.3 x 8.7 mm (6.27 x 3.00 x 0.34 in)153.9 x 74 x 8.2 mm (Sub-6) or 8.5 mm (Sub-6 and mmWave)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM + eSIM
Weight183 g (6.46 oz)168 g (5G Sub-6); 171 g ( 5G Sub-6 and mmWave) (5.93 oz)
Display
Protection-Corning Gorilla Glass 3
Resolution1080 x 2310 pixels (~398 ppi density)1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~413 ppi density)
Size6.4 inches, 101.4 cm2 (~83.5% screen-to-body ratio)6.2 inches, 95.7 cm2 (~84.1% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeIPS LCDOLED, HDR
 -Always-on display
Platform
CPUOcta-core (2x2.27 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x1.88 GHz Cortex-A55)Octa-core (1x2.4 GHz Kryo 475 Prime & 1x2.2 GHz Kryo 475 Gold & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 475 Silver)
ChipsetKirin 810 (7 nm)Qualcomm SM7250 Snapdragon 765G 5G (7 nm)
GPUMali-G52 MP6Adreno 620
OSAndroid 10, EMUI 10, no Google Play ServicesAndroid 11, upgradable to Android 14
Memory
Card slotNano Memory (uses shared SIM slot)No
Internal128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM128GB 6GB RAM
 UFS 2.1UFS 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
FeaturesLED flash, HDR, panoramaLED flash, Pixel Shift, Auto-HDR, panorama
Quad48 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF 8 MP, f/2.4, (ultrawide) 2 MP (macro) Auxiliary lens-
Video1080p@30fps4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps; gyro-EIS
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDRHDR
Single16 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1/3.06", 1.0µm8 MP, f/2.0, 24mm (wide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
Video1080p@30fps1080p@30fps
Sound
3.5mm jack YesYes
35mm jackYesYes
Loudspeaker YesYes, with stereo speakers
Comms
Bluetooth5.0, A2DP, LE5.0, A2DP, LE, aptX HD
NFCYes (market/region dependent): JNY-L21A, JNY-L01A, JNY-L21BYes
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSSGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, QZSS, BDS
RadioFM radioNo
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, proximity, compassFingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer
Battery
Charging40W wired, 70% in 30 min18W wired, PD2.0
TypeLi-Po 4200 mAh, non-removableLi-Po 3885 mAh
Misc
ColorsBlack, Emerald Green, Light Pink/Blue, Skyline GrayJust Black, Clearly White
ModelsJNY-L21A, JNY-L01A, JNY-L21B, JNY-L22A, JNY-L02A, JNY-L22B, JNY-LX1GD1YQ, G025I, G025E, G025H, G6QU3
PriceAbout 170 EURAbout 140 EUR
Tests
Battery life Endurance rating 121h -
Camera Photo / Video-
Display Contrast ratio: 1085:1 (nominal)-
Loudspeaker -27.0 LUFS (Good) -
Performance AnTuTu: 325777 (v8) GeekBench: 7846 (v4.4), 1862 (v5.1) GFXBench: 18fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)-

Huawei P40 lite

  • Exceptional 121-hour battery endurance
  • Ultra-fast 40W wired charging
  • Competitive price point

  • Kirin 810 chipset is less powerful than Snapdragon 765G
  • Display likely lacks the vibrancy of OLED

Google Pixel 4a 5G

  • Superior performance with Snapdragon 765G
  • Excellent camera quality thanks to Google’s software
  • Clean Android experience with guaranteed updates

  • Slower 18W charging
  • Potentially shorter battery life compared to P40 lite

Display Comparison

The Huawei P40 lite features a display capable of 515 nits of peak brightness and a 1085:1 contrast ratio. While respectable, this is likely an LCD panel, lacking the vibrant colors and deeper blacks of OLED displays. The Pixel 4a 5G, while specs are not provided, typically features an OLED panel in this price range, offering superior contrast and viewing angles. The P40 lite’s brightness is adequate for indoor use, but may struggle in direct sunlight. The contrast ratio suggests a standard LCD experience, lacking the dynamic range of more advanced display technologies.

Camera Comparison

Both phones offer photo and video capabilities, but the Pixel 4a 5G is expected to excel due to Google’s renowned computational photography. While sensor sizes and apertures aren’t specified for the P40 lite, the Pixel 4a 5G benefits from Google’s image processing algorithms, which compensate for potentially smaller sensors. The P40 lite likely relies more on hardware for image quality, while the Pixel prioritizes software optimization. The absence of detailed camera specs for the P40 lite makes a direct comparison difficult, but the Pixel’s software advantage is significant.

Performance

The core of the P40 lite is the Kirin 810 (7nm), an octa-core processor with a dual-cluster configuration: 2x2.27 GHz Cortex-A76 and 6x1.88 GHz Cortex-A55. This is paired against the Qualcomm Snapdragon 765G (7nm) in the Pixel 4a 5G, featuring a tri-cluster setup: 1x2.4 GHz Kryo 475 Prime, 1x2.2 GHz Kryo 475 Gold, and 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 475 Silver. While both are 7nm chips, the Snapdragon 765G generally exhibits better sustained performance and GPU capabilities, making it more suitable for gaming and demanding applications. The Kryo 475 Prime core in the Pixel offers a performance advantage over the Cortex-A76 in the P40 lite.

Battery Life

The Huawei P40 lite boasts an impressive endurance rating of 121 hours, indicating excellent battery life. This is further enhanced by its 40W wired charging, capable of reaching 70% charge in just 30 minutes. The Pixel 4a 5G, with 18W wired charging and PD2.0 support, charges significantly slower. However, the Pixel’s more efficient Snapdragon 765G chipset may partially offset the slower charging speed. The P40 lite is the clear winner for users who prioritize rapid charging and extended battery life.

Buying Guide

Buy the Huawei P40 lite if you prioritize all-day battery life and extremely fast charging speeds, and are comfortable with the Huawei ecosystem. Buy the Google Pixel 4a 5G if you value a clean Android experience, excellent camera performance, and a more modern chipset with 5G connectivity, even if it means sacrificing some charging speed and overall endurance.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Does the Kirin 810 chipset in the P40 lite struggle with demanding games?
While the Kirin 810 is a capable chipset, the Snapdragon 765G in the Pixel 4a 5G generally offers better GPU performance. The P40 lite can handle most games, but you may need to lower graphics settings for smoother gameplay in more demanding titles.
❓ How does the Pixel 4a 5G's camera perform in low-light conditions?
The Pixel 4a 5G excels in low-light photography thanks to Google's Night Sight mode. It utilizes computational photography to capture bright, detailed images with minimal noise, even in very dark environments. This is a key strength of the Pixel series.
❓ Is the 18W charging on the Pixel 4a 5G slow compared to the P40 lite's 40W?
Yes, the Pixel 4a 5G charges significantly slower. While 18W is adequate, the P40 lite's 40W charging can add a substantial amount of battery life in a short period. If fast charging is a priority, the P40 lite is the better choice.