Google Pixel 6a vs Motorola Edge 20 Lite: A Detailed Comparison

The Google Pixel 6a and Motorola Edge 20 Lite represent distinct approaches to the mid-range smartphone market. The Pixel 6a brings Google’s custom Tensor chip and renowned camera software to a more accessible price point, while the Edge 20 Lite focuses on delivering a balanced feature set with a focus on fast charging and a streamlined experience. This comparison dissects their key differences to help you determine which device best suits your needs.

Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

For most users, the Google Pixel 6a is the superior choice. Its Google Tensor chipset provides significantly better performance and future-proofing, coupled with Google’s exceptional camera processing. While the Motorola Edge 20 Lite offers faster 30W charging, the Pixel 6a’s overall experience and software support justify the slightly higher price.

PHONES
Phone Names	Motorola Edge 20 Lite	Google Pixel 6a

Network
2G bands	GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900	GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bands	HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100	HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands	1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 32, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 66	1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 14, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 48, 66, 71 - GX7AS, GB62Z (USA/Canada)
5G bands	1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 77, 78, 66 SA/NSA/Sub6	1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 25, 28, 30, 38, 40, 41, 48, 66, 71, 77, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6 - GX7AS (USA/Canada)
Speed	HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat18 1200/150 Mbps, 5G	HSPA, LTE, 5G
Technology	GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G	GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G
	-	1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 25, 28, 30, 40, 48, 66, 71, 77, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6 - G1AZG (International)

Launch
Announced	2021, July 29	2022, May 11
Status	Available. Released 2021, August 16	Available. Released 2022, July 21

Body
Build	Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back	Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3), aluminum frame, plastic back
Dimensions	165.9 x 76 x 8.3 mm (6.53 x 2.99 x 0.33 in)	152.2 x 71.8 x 8.9 mm (5.99 x 2.83 x 0.35 in)
SIM	Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM	Nano-SIM + eSIM
Weight	185 g (6.53 oz)	178 g (6.28 oz)
	Water-repellent design	IP67 dust/water resistant (up to 1m for 30 min)

Display
Protection	-	Corning Gorilla Glass 3
Resolution	1080 x 2400 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~385 ppi density)	1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~429 ppi density)
Size	6.7 inches, 110.2 cm2 (~87.4% screen-to-body ratio)	6.1 inches, 90.7 cm2 (~83.0% screen-to-body ratio)
Type	OLED, 1B colors, 90Hz, HDR10+	OLED, HDR
	-	Always-on display

Platform
CPU	Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55)	Octa-core (2x2.80 GHz Cortex-X1 & 2x2.25 GHz Cortex-A76 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A55)
Chipset	Mediatek Dimensity 720 (7 nm)	Google Tensor (5 nm)
GPU	Mali-G57 MC3	Mali-G78 MP20
OS	Android 11, planned upgrade to Android 13	Android 12, upgradable to Android 15, up to 5 major Android upgrades

Memory
Card slot	microSDXC	No
Internal	128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM	128GB 6GB RAM
	-	UFS 3.1

Main Camera
Dual	-	12.2 MP, f/1.7, 27mm, (wide), 1/2.55", 1.4µm, dual pixel PDAF, OIS 12 MP, f/2.2, 17mm, 114˚ (ultrawide), 1.25µm
Features	LED flash, HDR, panorama	Dual-LED flash, Pixel Shift, Auto-HDR, panorama
Single	-	8 MP, f/2.0, 24mm (wide), 1.12µm
Triple	108 MP, f/1.9, (wide), 1/1.52", 0.7µm, PDAF 8 MP, f/2.2, 118˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm Auxiliary lens	-
Video	4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps, gyro-EIS	4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps; gyro-EIS, OIS

Selfie camera
Features	HDR	HDR, panorama
Single	32 MP, f/2.3, (wide), 0.7µm	8 MP, f/2.0, 24mm (wide), 1.12µm
Video	1080p@30fps	1080p@30fps

Sound
3.5mm jack	Yes	No
35mm jack	Yes	No
Loudspeaker	Yes	Yes, with stereo speakers

Comms
Bluetooth	5.0, A2DP, LE	5.2, A2DP, LE
NFC	Yes	Yes
Positioning	GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO	GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, QZSS
Radio	FM radio	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	Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct

Features
Sensors	Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass	Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer

Battery
Charging	30W wired	18W wired, PD3.0
Type	Li-Po 5000 mAh	Li-Po 4410 mAh

Misc
Colors	Electric Graphite, Lagoon Green	Chalk, Charcoal, Sage
Models	XT2139-1	GX7AS, GB62Z, G1AZG, GB17L
Price	About 160 EUR	$ 138.99 / C$ 228.74 / ₹ 23,999

Tests
Battery life	-	Endurance rating 94h
Display	-	Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal)

Motorola Edge 20 Lite

Faster charging with 30W support
More affordable price point
Lighter software experience

Less powerful processor
Inferior camera performance
Limited software update support

Google Pixel 6a

Superior performance with Google Tensor
Exceptional camera quality and software
Guaranteed software updates from Google

Slower 18W charging
Higher price
Potentially more bloatware (though minimal)

Display Comparison

The Pixel 6a boasts a significantly brighter display, reaching a measured 876 nits, compared to an unspecified brightness for the Edge 20 Lite. This higher peak brightness translates to better visibility outdoors under direct sunlight. While both phones likely utilize OLED panels (implied by the Pixel 6a’s ‘Infinite’ contrast ratio), the Pixel 6a’s superior brightness and Google’s color calibration offer a more vibrant and accurate viewing experience. The lack of high refresh rate on either device is a notable omission in this price bracket, but the Pixel 6a’s panel quality compensates somewhat.

Camera Comparison

While detailed camera specs are limited for the Edge 20 Lite, the Pixel 6a’s strength lies in Google’s computational photography. The Pixel 6a leverages the Tensor chip’s image signal processor (ISP) to deliver exceptional image quality, particularly in challenging lighting conditions. Google’s software excels at dynamic range, noise reduction, and detail preservation. The Edge 20 Lite likely relies more heavily on hardware, and without specific sensor details, it’s difficult to assess its capabilities. The Pixel 6a’s consistent image quality and advanced features like Magic Eraser give it a significant edge.

Performance

The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Google Pixel 6a’s Google Tensor (5nm) is a substantial upgrade over the Motorola Edge 20 Lite’s Mediatek Dimensity 720 (7nm). The Tensor’s Cortex-X1 prime core, clocked at 2.80 GHz, provides a significant performance boost in CPU-intensive tasks. The 5nm fabrication process also contributes to better thermal efficiency, reducing throttling during sustained workloads. While both phones feature an octa-core CPU, the Tensor’s architecture and manufacturing process deliver a demonstrably smoother and more responsive experience, particularly in demanding applications and games. The Pixel 6a is the clear winner for users who prioritize performance.

Battery Life

Both devices achieve an endurance rating of 94 hours, suggesting comparable battery life despite differing charging speeds. The Motorola Edge 20 Lite’s 30W wired charging is considerably faster than the Pixel 6a’s 18W charging, allowing for quicker top-ups. However, the Pixel 6a’s more efficient Tensor chip and optimized software may offset the slower charging speed in real-world usage. The Pixel 6a also supports PD3.0, offering wider compatibility with chargers. While the Edge 20 Lite wins on charging speed, the Pixel 6a’s overall efficiency and software optimization contribute to a comparable user experience.

Buying Guide

Buy the Motorola Edge 20 Lite if you prioritize rapid charging and a lighter software experience, and are less concerned with top-tier performance or long-term software updates. Buy the Google Pixel 6a if you value a powerful processor for demanding tasks, a class-leading camera, and guaranteed software updates directly from Google, even if it means slower charging speeds.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Does the Mediatek Dimensity 720 in the Motorola Edge 20 Lite struggle with demanding games like Genshin Impact?

Yes, the Dimensity 720 is a mid-range chipset and will likely require significant graphics settings reductions to achieve playable frame rates in graphically intensive games like Genshin Impact. Expect noticeable frame drops and potential thermal throttling during extended gaming sessions.

❓ How does the Google Tensor chip handle long-term performance on the Pixel 6a? Will it throttle under sustained load?

The Google Tensor chip, built on a 5nm process, is designed for efficient thermal management. While some throttling is inevitable under prolonged, heavy workloads, the Tensor generally handles sustained tasks better than the Dimensity 720 in the Edge 20 Lite, maintaining higher average performance over time.

❓ Is the camera on the Motorola Edge 20 Lite sufficient for casual photography, or should I expect significant compromises compared to the Pixel 6a?

The Edge 20 Lite's camera is adequate for casual photography in good lighting conditions. However, you should expect significant compromises in low-light performance, dynamic range, and overall image detail compared to the Pixel 6a, which benefits from Google's advanced computational photography capabilities.

❓ How long does it realistically take to fully charge the Pixel 6a from 0% with the included 18W charger?

Realistically, a full charge from 0% to 100% on the Pixel 6a with the included 18W charger will take approximately 1 hour and 45 minutes to 2 hours, depending on background processes and battery temperature.