The Google Pixel 4a 5G and LG Q51 represent different approaches to the budget smartphone market. The Q51 aims for affordability, while the Pixel 4a 5G brings 5G connectivity and Google’s renowned camera experience to a more accessible price point. This comparison dissects their core components to determine which device delivers the best value for your money.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Google Pixel 4a 5G is the superior choice. Its Snapdragon 765G chipset offers significantly faster performance and 5G capabilities, justifying the price premium over the LG Q51’s Helio P22. While the Q51 provides basic functionality, the Pixel 4a 5G delivers a smoother, more future-proof experience.
| 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 | 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 300/75 Mbps | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2020, February 25. Released 2020, February 26 | 2020, September 30 |
| Status | Discontinued | Available. Released 2020, November 05 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3), plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 164.5 x 77.5 x 8.4 mm (6.48 x 3.05 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 + eSIM |
| Weight | - | 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 | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 |
| Resolution | 720 x 1520 pixels, 19:9 ratio (~259 ppi density) | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~413 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.5 inches, 105.5 cm2 (~82.7% 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 2.0 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 MT6762 Helio P22 (12 nm) | Qualcomm SM7250 Snapdragon 765G 5G (7 nm) |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8320 | Adreno 620 |
| OS | Android 10 | Android 11, upgradable to Android 14 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | No |
| Internal | 32GB 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 |
| Triple | 13 MP, (wide), PDAF
5 MP, 13mm (ultrawide)
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps; gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | - | HDR |
| Single | 13 MP, (wide), 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, with stereo speakers | 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 | USB Type-C 3.1 |
| 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, 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 | Frozen White, Moonlight Titanium | Just Black, Clearly White |
| Models | LM-Q510N | GD1YQ, G025I, G025E, G025H, G6QU3 |
| Price | About 240 EUR | About 140 EUR |
LG Q51
- Extremely affordable price point
- Acceptable for basic smartphone tasks
- Potentially longer battery life in light use
- Outdated and slow Helio P22 chipset
- Limited performance for demanding apps
- Likely inferior camera quality
Google Pixel 4a 5G
- Powerful Snapdragon 765G processor
- 5G connectivity for faster data speeds
- Excellent camera with Google’s image processing
- Higher price than the LG Q51
- LCD display isn't as vibrant as OLED
- May require more frequent charging with heavy use
Display Comparison
Neither device boasts a standout display. The LG Q51’s display specifications are not provided, but given its market segment, it likely features a 720p+ LCD panel. The Pixel 4a 5G, while also utilizing an LCD, benefits from a larger 6.57-inch size and a higher resolution. The Snapdragon 765G’s image signal processor also contributes to better display calibration. The Q51’s panel is likely to exhibit lower brightness and narrower color gamut, impacting outdoor visibility and media consumption.
Camera Comparison
The Pixel 4a 5G’s camera system is a clear advantage. While specific sensor details for the LG Q51 are unavailable, its price point suggests a basic camera setup. The Pixel 4a 5G benefits from Google’s renowned computational photography, leveraging the Snapdragon 765G’s ISP for superior image processing. The 4a 5G’s image processing excels in dynamic range and low-light performance, delivering consistently high-quality photos. The Q51 will likely produce acceptable images in good lighting conditions, but will fall short in challenging scenarios.
Performance
The performance gap between these two devices is substantial. The Google Pixel 4a 5G’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 765G (7nm) is a far more advanced chipset than the LG Q51’s MediaTek Helio P22 (12nm). The Snapdragon 765G’s octa-core CPU, with its Kryo 475 cores (Prime, Gold, and Silver), offers significantly faster processing speeds – 2.4GHz peak vs. 2.0GHz on the Q51. The 7nm process node also translates to better power efficiency and reduced thermal throttling. This means the Pixel 4a 5G will handle demanding apps and multitasking with ease, while the Q51 will struggle with anything beyond basic usage.
Battery Life
Battery life is a complex equation. The LG Q51’s battery capacity is not specified, but its less powerful chipset and lower-resolution display may result in comparable, or even slightly better, battery endurance in light usage scenarios. However, the Pixel 4a 5G’s 18W fast charging with PD2.0 support significantly reduces downtime. While the Q51’s charging speed is unknown, it’s unlikely to match the Pixel’s efficiency. The Snapdragon 765G’s power efficiency also contributes to overall battery management, even with 5G enabled.
Buying Guide
Buy the LG Q51 if you prioritize extreme affordability and only need a smartphone for basic tasks like calls, texts, and light social media use. You’re willing to compromise on performance and future-proofing. Buy the Google Pixel 4a 5G if you want a responsive user experience, 5G connectivity, a significantly better camera, and guaranteed software updates – even if it means spending a bit more upfront.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the LG Q51 struggle with modern mobile games like PUBG or Call of Duty?
Yes, the MediaTek Helio P22 is a low-end chipset that will likely struggle to run demanding games like PUBG or Call of Duty smoothly, even on low settings. Expect significant frame rate drops and potential lag. The Pixel 4a 5G’s Snapdragon 765G is far better equipped for gaming.
❓ How much faster is the Pixel 4a 5G's 5G connectivity compared to 4G on the LG Q51?
5G speeds on the Pixel 4a 5G can be significantly faster than 4G on the LG Q51, potentially offering download speeds several times higher depending on network availability. However, 5G coverage is still limited, so the real-world benefit will vary based on your location.
❓ Does the Pixel 4a 5G receive regular software updates and security patches?
Yes, the Google Pixel 4a 5G is guaranteed to receive regular software updates and security patches directly from Google for several years. This is a major advantage over the LG Q51, which may receive limited or no updates from LG.
