The Google Pixel 4a 5G and LG K51S represent different approaches to the budget-conscious smartphone market. The Pixel 4a 5G aims to deliver a flagship-adjacent experience with 5G connectivity, while the LG K51S focuses on affordability. This comparison dissects their core components to determine which device best suits your needs.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Google Pixel 4a 5G is the clear winner. Its Snapdragon 765G chipset provides significantly superior performance and 5G capabilities, justifying the price difference. While the LG K51S offers a lower entry point, its Helio P35 struggles with demanding tasks and lacks future-proofing.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38 | 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 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (2CA) Cat6 300/50 Mbps | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2020, February 18. Released 2020, April 27 | 2020, September 30 |
| Status | Discontinued | Available. Released 2020, November 05 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3), plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 165.2 x 76.7 x 8.3 mm (6.50 x 3.02 x 0.33 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 | Nano-SIM + eSIM |
| Weight | 194.5 g (6.88 oz) | 168 g (5G Sub-6); 171 g ( 5G Sub-6 and mmWave) (5.93 oz) |
| | MIL-STD-810G compliant*
*does not guarantee ruggedness or use in extreme conditions | - |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Scratch-resistant glass | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 |
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~282 ppi density) | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~413 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.55 inches, 93.6 cm2 (~73.8% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.2 inches, 95.7 cm2 (~84.1% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | OLED, HDR |
| | - | Always-on display |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.3 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A53) | Octa-core (1x2.4 GHz Kryo 475 Prime & 1x2.2 GHz Kryo 475 Gold & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 475 Silver) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6765 Helio P35 (12 nm) | Qualcomm SM7250 Snapdragon 765G 5G (7 nm) |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8320 | Adreno 620 |
| OS | Android 9.0 (Pie) | Android 11, upgradable to Android 14 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | No |
| Internal | 64GB 3GB RAM | 128GB 6GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | 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, panorama, HDR | LED flash, Pixel Shift, Auto-HDR, panorama |
| Quad | 32 MP, (wide), PDAF
5 MP, f/2.2, 115˚, (ultrawide)
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps; gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | - | HDR |
| Single | 13 MP, 1/3.1", 1.12µm | 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 | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, QZSS, BDS |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 3.1 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct, DLNAorWi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct, DLNA | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | - | 18W wired, PD2.0 |
| Type | Li-Po 4000 mAh | Li-Po 3885 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Titanium, Pink, Blue, Red | Just Black, Clearly White |
| Models | LMK510EMW, LM-K510EMW, LM-K510 | GD1YQ, G025I, G025E, G025H, G6QU3 |
| Price | About 200 EUR | About 140 EUR |
LG K51S
- Significantly faster performance with Snapdragon 765G
- 5G connectivity for faster data speeds
- Superior camera quality thanks to Google's image processing
- Faster charging with 18W PD2.0
- Higher price point
- LCD display isn't as vibrant as OLED alternatives
Google Pixel 4a 5G
- More affordable price
- Potentially larger battery capacity (unconfirmed)
- Acceptable for basic smartphone tasks
- Simple and straightforward user experience
- Slow performance with Helio P35
- Lacks 5G connectivity
- Inferior camera quality
- May struggle with demanding apps and games
Display Comparison
Neither device boasts a particularly standout display. While specific display specs (resolution, panel type) are missing for the LG K51S, its market positioning suggests a standard LCD panel. The Pixel 4a 5G also utilizes an LCD, but the focus is on color accuracy and viewing angles, typical of Google's software optimization. The real differentiator lies in processing power to drive the display; the Helio P35 will struggle with smooth animations compared to the Pixel's Snapdragon.
Camera Comparison
The Pixel 4a 5G benefits from Google’s renowned computational photography. While sensor sizes aren't specified, the Pixel's image processing algorithms are a major advantage. The Snapdragon 765G’s ISP (Image Signal Processor) is also more capable than the Helio P35’s, resulting in better dynamic range, noise reduction, and overall image quality. The LG K51S likely relies heavily on software enhancements to compensate for its less powerful hardware, which often leads to over-sharpening and artificial-looking results. The Pixel 4a 5G's 5G connectivity also enables faster uploads for sharing photos and videos.
Performance
The performance gap is substantial. The Google Pixel 4a 5G’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 765G (7nm) is a far more advanced chipset than the LG K51S’s MediaTek Helio P35 (12nm). The Snapdragon 765G features a tri-cluster CPU configuration (1x2.4 GHz Kryo 475 Prime, 1x2.2 GHz Kryo 475 Gold, 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 475 Silver) designed for efficient task allocation, while the Helio P35 relies on a homogenous octa-core (4x2.3 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A53) which is less efficient. The 7nm process node of the Snapdragon 765G also translates to better thermal efficiency, reducing throttling during sustained workloads. This means the Pixel 4a 5G will handle demanding games and applications with significantly less lag and stutter.
Battery Life
Battery capacity isn't specified for the LG K51S, but its less powerful chipset and likely lower-resolution display will contribute to reasonable battery life. The Pixel 4a 5G, with its 18W wired charging and PD2.0 support, offers faster charging speeds. While the K51S may have a larger battery, the Snapdragon 765G’s efficiency means the Pixel 4a 5G can achieve comparable or even better real-world battery performance, especially when utilizing 5G networks.
Buying Guide
Buy the LG K51S if you prioritize absolute affordability and only need a phone for basic tasks like calls, texts, and light social media. You're willing to compromise on performance and 5G connectivity. Buy the Google Pixel 4a 5G if you value a smoother user experience, faster performance for gaming and multitasking, and the benefits of 5G, even if it means spending a bit more. You want a phone that will remain usable for years to come.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Helio P35 in the LG K51S struggle with modern mobile games like PUBG or Call of Duty?
Yes, the MediaTek Helio P35 is a relatively weak chipset and will likely struggle to run demanding games like PUBG or Call of Duty at high settings. You'll likely experience significant frame rate drops and lag, even on lower graphics settings. The Pixel 4a 5G's Snapdragon 765G is far better equipped for mobile gaming.
❓ Does the Pixel 4a 5G's 5G connectivity actually make a noticeable difference in everyday use?
The benefit of 5G depends on your location and carrier coverage. If you live in an area with robust 5G infrastructure, you'll experience significantly faster download and upload speeds, especially for streaming video, downloading large files, and online gaming. However, if 5G coverage is limited, the difference may be minimal.
❓ Is the LG K51S a good option for someone who primarily uses their phone for calls, texts, and basic social media?
Yes, the LG K51S is a suitable option for users with very basic smartphone needs. Its Helio P35 chipset is sufficient for handling calls, texts, and light social media browsing. However, if you anticipate using your phone for anything more demanding, the Pixel 4a 5G is a better investment.
