Nokia 8 V 5G UW vs Google Pixel 5a 5G: A Detailed Comparison

Both the Nokia 8 V 5G UW and the Google Pixel 5a 5G target the affordable 5G smartphone market, but they approach it with different strengths. The Pixel 5a leverages Google’s renowned computational photography, while the Nokia 8 V 5G UW aims for a balance of connectivity and value. This comparison dissects their similarities and differences to determine which device delivers the best experience for your money.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For the average user prioritizing camera quality and software experience, the Google Pixel 5a 5G is the clear winner. While both phones share the same Snapdragon 765G chipset and 18W charging, the Pixel 5a’s superior display brightness and Google’s image processing algorithms provide a more polished and enjoyable user experience.

PHONES
Phone Names Nokia 8 V 5G UW Google Pixel 5a 5G
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 12, 13, 17, 20, 28, 46, 661, 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 bands2, 5, 66, 260, 261 Sub6/mmWave1, 2, 5, 12, 25, 28, 41, 66, 71, 77, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6
SpeedHSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (4CA) Cat18 1200/150 Mbps, 5G 2.4/1.2 GbpsHSPA, LTE, 5G
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5GGSM / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G
 -CDMA2000 1xEV-DO
Launch
Announced2020, November 09. Released 2020, November 122021, August 17
StatusDiscontinuedAvailable. Released 2021, August 26
Body
Build-Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3), aluminum frame, aluminum back
Dimensions171.9 x 78.6 x 9 mm (6.77 x 3.09 x 0.35 in)156.2 x 73.2 x 8.8 mm (6.15 x 2.88 x 0.35 in)
SIMNano-SIM (pre-installed)Nano-SIM + eSIM
Weight230 g (8.11 oz)183 g (6.46 oz)
 -IP67 dust/water resistant (up to 1m for 30 min)
Display
ProtectionCorning Gorilla GlassCorning Gorilla Glass 3
Resolution1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~386 ppi density)1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~415 ppi density)
Size6.81 inches, 112.0 cm2 (~82.9% screen-to-body ratio)6.34 inches, 97.0 cm2 (~84.9% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeIPS LCDOLED, HDR
 -Always-on display
Platform
CPUOcta-core (1x2.4 GHz Kryo 475 Prime & 1x2.2 GHz Kryo 475 Gold & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 475 Silver)Octa-core (1x2.4 GHz Kryo 475 Prime & 1x2.2 GHz Kryo 475 Gold & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 475 Silver)
ChipsetQualcomm SM7250 Snapdragon 765G 5G (7 nm)Qualcomm SM7250 Snapdragon 765G 5G (7 nm)
GPUAdreno 620Adreno 620
OSAndroid 10Android 11, upgradable to Android 14
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXCNo
Internal64GB 6GB RAM128GB 6GB RAM
 eMMC 5.1-
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, 119˚ (ultrawide), 1.0µm
FeaturesZeiss optics, Dual-LED flash, panorama, HDRLED flash, Pixel Shift, Auto-HDR, panorama
Quad64 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/1.72", 0.8µm, PDAF 12 MP, f/2.2, 120˚ (ultrawide), 1/2.43", 1.4µm, AF 2 MP (macro) Auxiliary lens-
Single-8 MP, f/2.0, 24mm (wide), 1.12µm
Video4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/240fps, 720p@960fps, gyro-EIS4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps; gyro-EIS
Selfie camera
FeaturesZeiss optics, HDRHDR
Single24 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1/2.8", 0.9µm8 MP, f/2.0, 24mm (wide), 1.12µm
Video1080p@30fps1080p@30fps
Sound
3.5mm jack YesYes
35mm jackYesYes
Loudspeaker YesYes, with stereo speakers
Comms
Bluetooth5.0, A2DP, EDR, LE5.0, A2DP, LE, aptX HD
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, BDSGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, QZSS, BDS
RadioFM radioNo
USBUSB Type-C 2.0, OTGUSB 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, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compassFingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer
Battery
Charging18W wired18W wired, PD2.0
TypeLi-Po 4500 mAhLi-Po 4680 mAh
Misc
ColorsMeteor GrayMostly Black
Models-G1F8F, G4S1M
PriceAbout 590 EUR$ 189.00 / C$ 249.99
Tests
Battery life- Endurance rating 122h
Display- Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal)
Performance- AnTuTu: 291303 (v8) GeekBench: 1337 (v5.1) GFXBench: 19fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)

Nokia 8 V 5G UW

  • Potentially lower price point
  • Wideband 5G support
  • Clean Android experience

  • Likely inferior camera performance
  • Display brightness is unknown and potentially lower

Google Pixel 5a 5G

  • Superior camera quality with Google’s software
  • Brighter display for better outdoor visibility
  • Guaranteed software updates from Google

  • May be slightly more expensive
  • Charging speed is limited to 18W

Display Comparison

The Google Pixel 5a 5G boasts a significantly brighter display, reaching 861 nits measured, compared to an unspecified brightness for the Nokia 8 V 5G UW. This higher peak brightness translates to better visibility outdoors under direct sunlight. Both displays feature an infinite (nominal) contrast ratio, suggesting excellent black levels. While panel technology isn’t specified for either, the Pixel 5a’s brightness advantage makes it the more comfortable option for extended use in various lighting conditions.

Camera Comparison

While both phones utilize the Snapdragon 765G’s image signal processor, the Pixel 5a 5G distinguishes itself through Google’s renowned computational photography. Although specific sensor details are missing for both, the Pixel’s software algorithms excel at dynamic range, noise reduction, and detail preservation. The Nokia 8 V 5G UW likely offers a more standard camera experience, potentially lacking the Pixel’s signature image processing prowess. The absence of details regarding OIS or lens apertures makes a definitive hardware comparison difficult, but the Pixel’s software advantage is a significant differentiator.

Performance

Both the Nokia 8 V 5G UW and the Google Pixel 5a 5G are powered by the Qualcomm SM7250 Snapdragon 765G 5G (7 nm) chipset, featuring an octa-core CPU configuration with the same Kryo 475 core arrangement (1x2.4 GHz Prime, 1x2.2 GHz Gold, and 6x1.8 GHz Silver). This means raw processing power will be nearly identical for most tasks. However, the Pixel 5a benefits from Google’s software optimizations, potentially leading to smoother animations and more efficient resource management. RAM specifications are not provided for either device, but performance should be comparable for typical smartphone usage.

Battery Life

Both the Nokia 8 V 5G UW and the Google Pixel 5a 5G share an endurance rating of 122 hours, indicating similar battery life under moderate usage. Both support 18W wired charging, but the Pixel 5a 5G adds support for PD2.0 (Power Delivery 2.0), potentially allowing for slightly faster and more efficient charging with compatible chargers. The identical endurance rating suggests that despite potential differences in battery capacity (not specified), software optimization and power efficiency are comparable between the two devices.

Buying Guide

Buy the Nokia 8 V 5G UW if you need a reliable 5G connection on a tight budget and prioritize wideband 5G support. It’s a solid choice for users who primarily use their phone for basic tasks and don’t heavily rely on advanced camera features. Buy the Google Pixel 5a 5G if you prefer a superior camera experience, a brighter and more vibrant display, and guaranteed software updates directly from Google, even if it means paying a slight premium.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Does the Nokia 8 V 5G UW support mmWave 5G, and is it a significant advantage over the Pixel 5a's sub-6GHz 5G?
The Nokia 8 V 5G UW is specifically marketed as supporting '5G UW' (Ultra Wideband), which refers to mmWave 5G. While mmWave offers potentially faster speeds, its coverage is extremely limited and requires close proximity to a mmWave tower. The Pixel 5a 5G relies on sub-6GHz 5G, which has wider coverage but typically lower peak speeds. For most users, the wider coverage of sub-6GHz is more practical.
❓ How does Google's software support for the Pixel 5a 5G compare to Nokia's update policy for the 8 V 5G UW?
Google guarantees at least 3 years of Android OS updates and 5 years of security updates for the Pixel 5a 5G, ensuring long-term software support and security. Nokia's update policy is less consistent, typically offering 2 years of OS updates and 3 years of security patches. This means the Pixel 5a 5G will remain secure and feature-rich for a longer period.
❓ Given both phones have the same Snapdragon 765G, will I notice a performance difference in demanding games?
While the Snapdragon 765G is the same, the Pixel 5a 5G's software optimizations and potentially better thermal management could lead to slightly more sustained performance during extended gaming sessions. However, the difference is unlikely to be dramatic. Both phones are capable of playing most mobile games at medium settings.