Google Pixel 6a vs. Motorola Moto G82: A Detailed Comparison

The Google Pixel 6a and Motorola Moto G82 represent distinct approaches to the mid-range smartphone market. The Pixel 6a brings Google’s renowned computational photography and the Tensor chip to a more affordable price point, while the Moto G82 prioritizes battery life and a bright display. This comparison dives deep into the specifications and real-world implications of each device to determine which one best suits your needs.
Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

For most users, the Google Pixel 6a is the superior choice. While the Moto G82 boasts impressive battery endurance, the Pixel 6a’s significantly more powerful Tensor chip and superior camera capabilities justify the price difference, offering a smoother and more versatile experience.

PHONES
Phone Names Motorola Moto G82 Google Pixel 6a
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 32, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 661, 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 bands1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 77, 78, 78 SA/NSA1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 25, 28, 30, 38, 40, 41, 48, 66, 71, 77, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6 - GX7AS (USA/Canada)
SpeedHSPA, LTE, 5GHSPA, LTE, 5G
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5GGSM / 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
Announced2022, May 122022, May 11
StatusAvailable. Released 2022, June 07Available. Released 2022, July 21
Body
BuildGlass front, plastic frame, plastic backGlass front (Gorilla Glass 3), aluminum frame, plastic back
Dimensions160.9 x 74.5 x 8 mm (6.33 x 2.93 x 0.31 in)152.2 x 71.8 x 8.9 mm (5.99 x 2.83 x 0.35 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM + eSIM
Weight173 g (6.10 oz)178 g (6.28 oz)
 Water-repellent designIP67 dust/water resistant (up to 1m for 30 min)
Display
Protection-Corning Gorilla Glass 3
Resolution1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~402 ppi density)1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~429 ppi density)
Size6.6 inches, 103.6 cm2 (~86.4% screen-to-body ratio)6.1 inches, 90.7 cm2 (~83.0% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeAMOLED, 120HzOLED, HDR
 -Always-on display
Platform
CPUOcta-core (2x2.2 GHz Kryo 660 Gold & 6x1.7 GHz Kryo 660 Silver)Octa-core (2x2.80 GHz Cortex-X1 & 2x2.25 GHz Cortex-A76 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A55)
ChipsetQualcomm SM6375 Snapdragon 695 5G (6 nm)Google Tensor (5 nm)
GPUAdreno 619Mali-G78 MP20
OSAndroid 12, upgradable to Android 13Android 12, upgradable to Android 15, up to 5 major Android upgrades
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)No
Internal128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM128GB 6GB RAM
 UFSUFS 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
FeaturesLED flash, HDR, panoramaDual-LED flash, Pixel Shift, Auto-HDR, panorama
Single-8 MP, f/2.0, 24mm (wide), 1.12µm
Triple50 MP, f/1.8 (wide), 1/2.76", 0.64µm, PDAF, OIS 8 MP, f/2.2, 118˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm 2 MP (macro)-
Video1080p@30/60fps4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps; gyro-EIS, OIS
Selfie camera
Features-HDR, panorama
Single16 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1.0µm8 MP, f/2.0, 24mm (wide), 1.12µm
Video1080p@30fps1080p@30fps
Sound
3.5mm jack YesNo
35mm jackYesNo
Loudspeaker Yes, with stereo speakersYes, with stereo speakers
Comms
Bluetooth5.1, A2DP, LE5.2, A2DP, LE
NFCYes (market/region dependent)Yes
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, GALILEOGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, QZSS
RadioFM radio (market/region dependent)No
USBUSB Type-C 2.0USB Type-C 3.1
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi DirectWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compassFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer
Battery
Charging30W wired18W wired, PD3.0
TypeLi-Po 5000 mAhLi-Po 4410 mAh
Misc
ColorsMeteorite Gray, White LilyChalk, Charcoal, Sage
ModelsXT2225-1GX7AS, GB62Z, G1AZG, GB17L
PriceAbout 290 EUR$ 138.99 / C$ 228.74 / ₹ 23,999
Tests
Battery life Endurance rating 130h Endurance rating 94h
Camera Photo / Video-
Display Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal)
Loudspeaker -26.4 LUFS (Good) -
Performance AnTuTu: 380812 (v9) GeekBench: 1977 (v5.1) GFXBench: 16fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)-

Motorola Moto G82

  • Superior performance with Google Tensor chip
  • Exceptional camera quality and image processing
  • Guaranteed software updates and features

  • Shorter battery life compared to Moto G82
  • Slower charging speed than some competitors

Google Pixel 6a

  • Excellent battery endurance (130h rating)
  • Very bright display (690 nits)
  • More affordable price point

  • Less powerful processor (Snapdragon 695)
  • Inferior camera performance compared to Pixel 6a

Display Comparison

The Pixel 6a’s display significantly outshines the Moto G82 in terms of brightness, reaching 876 nits compared to the G82’s 690 nits. This makes the Pixel 6a much more usable in direct sunlight. Both phones feature an 'Infinite' (nominal) contrast ratio, typical of OLED panels, but the Pixel 6a’s higher peak brightness translates to a more vibrant and punchy image. While neither phone boasts a high refresh rate, the Pixel 6a’s superior color accuracy and brightness provide a better viewing experience overall.

Camera Comparison

While both phones offer photo and video capabilities, the Pixel 6a holds a clear advantage. Google’s computational photography prowess, combined with the Tensor chip’s image signal processor (ISP), delivers consistently excellent image quality, particularly in challenging lighting conditions. The Moto G82’s camera system, while capable, lacks the sophisticated processing algorithms found in the Pixel 6a. Details regarding sensor sizes are missing, but the Pixel 6a’s image processing is known to excel at dynamic range and noise reduction. The Moto G82 likely relies more on hardware, and will show its limitations more quickly.

Performance

The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Google Pixel 6a is powered by Google’s in-house Tensor chip (5nm), while the Moto G82 utilizes the Qualcomm Snapdragon 695 5G (6nm). The Tensor chip’s octa-core configuration, featuring 2x2.80 GHz Cortex-X1 cores, delivers substantially higher performance than the Snapdragon 695’s 2x2.2 GHz Kryo 660 Gold cores. This translates to faster app loading times, smoother multitasking, and a more responsive overall experience on the Pixel 6a. The 5nm process node of the Tensor chip also contributes to better thermal efficiency, potentially reducing throttling during sustained workloads. The Snapdragon 695 is adequate for everyday tasks, but will struggle with demanding games and applications.

Battery Life

The Moto G82 boasts an endurance rating of 130 hours, significantly exceeding the Pixel 6a’s 94 hours. This suggests the Moto G82 will last considerably longer on a single charge, especially for users with moderate usage patterns. However, the Pixel 6a supports faster charging with PD3.0, while the Moto G82 is limited to 30W wired charging. While the Pixel 6a’s battery life isn’t poor, the Moto G82 is the clear winner for users who prioritize longevity and infrequent charging.

Buying Guide

Buy the Motorola Moto G82 if you prioritize all-day battery life and a very bright display for outdoor use, and are willing to compromise on processing power and camera quality. Buy the Google Pixel 6a if you value a fast and responsive user experience, exceptional camera performance, and guaranteed software updates, even if it means more frequent charging.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Does the Snapdragon 695 in the Moto G82 struggle with graphically intensive games like Genshin Impact?
Yes, the Snapdragon 695 is a mid-range chip and will likely require significant graphics settings reductions to achieve playable frame rates in demanding titles like Genshin Impact. Expect noticeable frame drops and potential stuttering, especially during intense combat sequences. The Pixel 6a’s Tensor chip offers a much smoother gaming experience.
❓ How does the Pixel 6a's software update policy compare to Motorola's?
Google guarantees at least 3 years of Android OS updates and 5 years of security updates for the Pixel 6a. Motorola’s update commitment is typically shorter, often limited to 2 years of OS updates and 3 years of security patches. This means the Pixel 6a will remain secure and benefit from new features for a longer period.
❓ Is the 30W charging on the Moto G82 significantly faster in real-world use than the Pixel 6a's 18W charging?
While 30W is higher on paper, the difference in charging speed isn't dramatic. The Moto G82 will likely charge slightly faster, but the Pixel 6a’s PD3.0 support allows for optimized charging. Expect both phones to take around 1.5-2 hours for a full charge from 0%.