LG Nexus 5X vs Google Pixel 7a: A Generational Showdown
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🏆 Quick Verdict
The Google Pixel 7a is the clear winner. While the Nexus 5X holds a nostalgic charm, the Pixel 7a boasts a significantly faster processor, vastly improved camera, brighter display, and longer battery life, all at a competitive price point.
| PHONES | ||
|---|---|---|
| Phone Names | LG Nexus 5X | Google Pixel 7a |
| Network | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - all models | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700 / 1900 / 2100 - American model | HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 12, 13, 17, 20, 25, 26, 29 - American model | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 14, 17, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 38, 40, 41, 48, 66, 71 - GWKK3, G0DZQ |
| 5G bands | - | 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 14, 20, 25, 28, 30, 38, 41, 48, 66, 71, 77, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6 - GWKK3 |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat6 300/50 Mbps | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 9, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 38, 40, 41 - Global model | 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 25, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 75, 76, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA/Sub6 - GHL1X, G82U8 | |
| Launch | ||
|---|---|---|
| Announced | 2015, September. Released 2015, October | 2023, May 10 |
| Status | Discontinued | Available. Released 2023, May 10 |
| Body | ||
|---|---|---|
| Build | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3), plastic back, plastic frame | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3), aluminum frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 147 x 72.6 x 7.9 mm (5.79 x 2.86 x 0.31 in) | 152 x 72.9 x 9 mm (5.98 x 2.87 x 0.35 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + eSIM |
| Weight | 136 g (4.80 oz) | 193.5 g (6.84 oz) |
| - | IP67 dust/water resistant (up to 1m for 30 min) | |
| Display | ||
|---|---|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 3, oleophobic coating | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 |
| Resolution | 1080 x 1920 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~423 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~429 ppi density) |
| Size | 5.2 inches, 74.9 cm2 (~70.2% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.1 inches, 90.7 cm2 (~81.8% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | OLED, HDR, 90Hz |
| - | Always-on display | |
| Platform | ||
|---|---|---|
| CPU | Hexa-core (4x1.4 GHz Cortex-A53 & 2x1.8 GHz Cortex-A57) | Octa-core (2x2.85 GHz Cortex-X1 & 2x2.35 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm MSM8992 Snapdragon 808 (20 nm) | Google Tensor G2 (5 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 418 | Mali-G710 MP7 |
| OS | Android 6.0 (Marshmallow), upgradable to Android 8.0 (Oreo) | Android 13, upgradable to Android 15, up to 5 major Android upgrades |
| Memory | ||
|---|---|---|
| Card slot | No | No |
| Internal | 16GB 2GB RAM, 32GB 2GB RAM | 128GB 8GB RAM |
| eMMC 5.0 | UFS 3.1 | |
| Main Camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Dual | - | 64 MP, f/1.9, 26mm (wide), 1/1.73", 0.8µm, dual pixel PDAF, OIS 13 MP, f/2.2, 120˚ (ultrawide), 1.12µm |
| Features | Laser AF, Dual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR, panorama | Dual-LED flash, Pixel Shift, Auto-HDR, panorama |
| Single | 12.3 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/2.3", 1.55µm | - |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps, 720p@120fps, HDR | 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps, OIS |
| Selfie camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Features | HDR | HDR, panorama |
| Single | 5 MP, f/2.0, 1/4.0", 1.4µm | 13 MP, f/2.2, 20mm (ultrawide), 1.12µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps |
| Sound | ||
|---|---|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | No |
| 35mm jack | Yes | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| Comms | ||
|---|---|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.2, A2DP | 5.3, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSS, NavIC |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0 | USB Type-C 3.2 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct, DLNA | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e, tri-band |
| Features | ||
|---|---|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer |
| Battery | ||
|---|---|---|
| Charging | - | 18W wired, PD3.0 7.5W wireless |
| Type | Li-Po 2700 mAh, non-removable | Li-Po 4385 mAh |
| Misc | ||
|---|---|---|
| Colors | Carbon, Quartz, Ice | Charcoal, Snow, Sea, Coral |
| Models | Nexus 5X, H791 | GWKK3, GHL1X, G0DZQ, G82U8 |
| Price | About 270 EUR | € 179.90 / $ 150.00 / £ 170.00 / ₹ 25,980 |
| Tests | ||
|---|---|---|
| Audio quality | Noise -92.2dB / Crosstalk -90.9dB | - |
| Battery life | Endurance rating 60h | - |
| Camera | Photo / Video | - |
| Display | Contrast ratio: 1542 (nominal), 3.092 (sunlight) | - |
| Loudspeaker | Voice 61dB / Noise 65dB / Ring 61dB | - |
| Performance | Basemark OS II 2.0: 1591Basemark X: 16609 | - |
LG Nexus 5X
- Compact size
- Clean Android experience (at launch)
- Affordable (used)
- Outdated processor
- Poor battery life
- Low-resolution display
- Slow charging
- No software updates
Google Pixel 7a
- Excellent camera
- Fast performance
- Bright and vibrant display
- Long battery life
- Regular software updates
- Wireless charging
- Can be slightly expensive
- Tensor G2 can get warm under heavy load
Display Comparison
The Pixel 7a's display is a major upgrade. Its 1070 nits max brightness makes it easily viewable outdoors, a stark contrast to the Nexus 5X's lower brightness and contrast. While the Nexus 5X's contrast ratio is decent (1542 nominal), the Pixel 7a's overall visual experience is superior.
Camera Comparison
The Pixel 7a's camera is a generation ahead. Expect sharper images, better low-light performance, and more advanced features like Magic Eraser and Photo Unblur. The Nexus 5X's camera is adequate for basic photography but lacks the detail and versatility of the Pixel 7a.
Performance
The Google Tensor G2 in the Pixel 7a blows the Snapdragon 808 in the Nexus 5X out of the water. The Pixel 7a offers significantly faster processing speeds, smoother multitasking, and better gaming performance. The Nexus 5X, while capable for its time, struggles with modern apps and demanding tasks.
Battery Life
The Pixel 7a provides significantly longer battery life, achieving an endurance rating of 76h compared to the Nexus 5X's 60h. The Pixel 7a also supports faster wired (18W) and wireless (7.5W) charging, further enhancing its convenience.
Buying Guide
The LG Nexus 5X is best suited for users seeking a very budget-friendly, basic Android experience for light tasks. The Google Pixel 7a is ideal for anyone wanting a modern Android phone with a great camera, smooth performance, and reliable software updates.