The Lenovo K13 Pro and Google Pixel 5a 5G represent distinct approaches to the affordable 5G smartphone market. The K13 Pro aims for maximum value, while the Pixel 5a 5G prioritizes Google’s software experience and camera prowess. This comparison dissects their key differences to determine which device best suits your needs.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Google Pixel 5a 5G is the superior choice. While the Lenovo K13 Pro offers a lower price point, the Pixel 5a 5G’s more powerful Snapdragon 765G chipset, brighter display, and Google’s software support provide a significantly better overall experience.
| 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 | LTE | 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, 5, 12, 25, 28, 41, 66, 71, 77, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6 |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G |
| | - | CDMA2000 1xEV-DO |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2021, September | 2021, August 17 |
| Status | Available. Released 2021, September 29 | Available. Released 2021, August 26 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3), aluminum frame, aluminum back |
| Dimensions | - | 156.2 x 73.2 x 8.8 mm (6.15 x 2.88 x 0.35 in) |
| SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + eSIM |
| Weight | 200 g (7.05 oz) | 183 g (6.46 oz) |
| | - | IP67 dust/water resistant (up to 1m for 30 min) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 |
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~270 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~415 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.51 inches, 102.3 cm2 | 6.34 inches, 97.0 cm2 (~84.9% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 90Hz | OLED, HDR |
| | - | Always-on display |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.0 GHz Kryo 260 Gold & 4x1.8 GHz Kryo 260 Silver) | Octa-core (1x2.4 GHz Kryo 475 Prime & 1x2.2 GHz Kryo 475 Gold & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 475 Silver) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM6115 Snapdragon 662 (11 nm) | Qualcomm SM7250 Snapdragon 765G 5G (7 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 610 | Adreno 620 |
| OS | Android 11 | Android 11, upgradable to Android 14 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | No |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM | 128GB 6GB 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, HDR, panorama | LED flash, Pixel Shift, Auto-HDR, panorama |
| Quad | 64 MP, f/1.7, 26mm (wide), 1/1.97", 0.7µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.2, 118˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Single | - | 8 MP, f/2.0, 24mm (wide), 1.12µm |
| Video | 1080p@30/60fps | 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps; gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | HDR |
| Single | 13 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1/3.1", 1.12µm | 8 MP, f/2.0, 24mm (wide), 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 | Unspecified | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, QZSS, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio, RDS, recording | 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 (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 15W wired | 18W wired, PD2.0 |
| Type | Li-Po 5000 mAh | Li-Po 4680 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black | Mostly Black |
| Models | XT2129-3 | G1F8F, G4S1M |
| Price | About 150 EUR | $ 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) |
Lenovo K13 Pro
- Lower price point makes it accessible.
- Comparable battery endurance to the Pixel 5a 5G.
- Supports 5G connectivity for future-proofed data speeds.
- Less powerful Snapdragon 662 chipset.
- Display quality likely inferior to the Pixel 5a 5G.
- Limited software update support compared to Google.
Google Pixel 5a 5G
- More powerful Snapdragon 765G chipset for smoother performance.
- Brighter display for better outdoor visibility.
- Superior camera system with Google’s computational photography.
- Guaranteed software updates and security patches.
- Higher price point than the Lenovo K13 Pro.
- Charging speed, while faster, isn't class-leading.
Display Comparison
The Google Pixel 5a 5G boasts a significantly brighter display, reaching a measured 861 nits, compared to the Lenovo K13 Pro’s unspecified brightness. This difference is crucial for outdoor visibility. While both offer an 'infinite' (nominal) contrast ratio, the Pixel 5a 5G’s panel quality likely delivers richer blacks and more vibrant colors. The K13 Pro’s display specs are less defined, suggesting a more basic LCD panel, potentially impacting viewing angles and color accuracy.
Camera Comparison
The Pixel 5a 5G’s camera system is a clear advantage, leveraging Google’s renowned computational photography. While specific sensor details aren’t provided in the context data, the Pixel’s image processing algorithms consistently deliver excellent dynamic range and detail. The K13 Pro’s camera specs are not detailed enough to make a meaningful comparison, but given its price point, it likely relies on more basic sensors and image processing. The Pixel 5a 5G’s focus on software optimization will likely result in superior image quality across various lighting conditions.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets: the Lenovo K13 Pro utilizes the Qualcomm Snapdragon 662 (11nm), while the Pixel 5a 5G features the Snapdragon 765G (7nm). The 7nm process node of the 765G offers superior power efficiency and thermal performance, translating to sustained performance during demanding tasks. The 765G’s CPU configuration – a 1x2.4 GHz Kryo 475 Prime core alongside 1x2.2 GHz Kryo 475 Gold and 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 475 Silver – provides a noticeable performance uplift over the K13 Pro’s 4x2.0 GHz Kryo 260 Gold and 4x1.8 GHz Kryo 260 Silver configuration. This means faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and better gaming performance on the Pixel 5a 5G.
Battery Life
Both devices achieve an endurance rating of 122 hours, indicating comparable battery life under similar usage scenarios. However, the Pixel 5a 5G’s 18W charging with PD2.0 support offers faster charging speeds compared to the K13 Pro’s 15W wired charging. This means less time tethered to a wall outlet. While the mAh capacity isn’t specified for either device, the more efficient Snapdragon 765G in the Pixel 5a 5G likely contributes to its comparable endurance despite potentially having a smaller battery.
Buying Guide
Buy the Lenovo K13 Pro if you need a functional 5G phone on an extremely tight budget and prioritize battery longevity over raw performance. Buy the Google Pixel 5a 5G if you value a smoother user experience, a superior camera system, and guaranteed software updates, even if it means spending a bit more.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Snapdragon 662 in the Lenovo K13 Pro struggle with demanding games like PUBG Mobile?
Yes, the Snapdragon 662 is a budget-oriented chipset. While it can run PUBG Mobile, you’ll likely need to lower graphics settings to achieve a playable frame rate. Expect occasional stuttering and longer loading times compared to the Snapdragon 765G in the Pixel 5a 5G.
❓ How long will the Pixel 5a 5G receive software updates and security patches?
Google typically provides at least 3 years of Android OS updates and 5 years of security patches for its Pixel devices. This is a significant advantage over the Lenovo K13 Pro, which will likely receive limited software support.
❓ Is the 18W charging on the Pixel 5a 5G significantly faster than the 15W charging on the K13 Pro?
Yes, while not a massive difference, the 18W charging with PD2.0 on the Pixel 5a 5G will noticeably reduce charging times. Expect a faster 0-100% charge compared to the K13 Pro, especially when using a compatible PD charger.
