Oppo A94 5G vs Google Pixel 5a 5G: A Detailed Comparison

The Oppo A94 5G and Google Pixel 5a 5G represent compelling options in the mid-range 5G smartphone market. While both aim to deliver a smooth experience without breaking the bank, they take different approaches to achieving this goal. The Pixel 5a 5G leverages Google’s renowned software and camera expertise, while the Oppo A94 5G focuses on fast charging and a competitive chipset. This comparison dives deep into the specifics to determine which phone best suits your needs.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For the average user prioritizing software experience and consistent camera performance, the Google Pixel 5a 5G is the better choice. However, the Oppo A94 5G offers significantly faster 30W charging and a potentially more powerful processor for demanding tasks, making it ideal for power users on a budget.

PHONES
Phone Names Oppo A94 5G Google Pixel 5a 5G
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 38, 40, 411, 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 bands1, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA1, 2, 5, 12, 25, 28, 41, 66, 71, 77, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6
SpeedHSPA, LTE, 5GHSPA, LTE, 5G
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5GGSM / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G
 -CDMA2000 1xEV-DO
Launch
Announced2021, April 162021, August 17
StatusAvailable. Released 2021, May 03Available. Released 2021, August 26
Body
Build-Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3), aluminum frame, aluminum back
Dimensions160.1 x 73.4 x 7.8 mm (6.30 x 2.89 x 0.31 in)156.2 x 73.2 x 8.8 mm (6.15 x 2.88 x 0.35 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM + eSIM
Weight173 g (6.10 oz)183 g (6.46 oz)
 -IP67 dust/water resistant (up to 1m for 30 min)
Display
Protection-Corning Gorilla Glass 3
Resolution1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~409 ppi density)1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~415 ppi density)
Size6.43 inches, 99.8 cm2 (~84.9% screen-to-body ratio)6.34 inches, 97.0 cm2 (~84.9% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeSuper AMOLED, 430 nits (typ), 800 nits (peak)OLED, HDR
 -Always-on display
Platform
CPUOcta-core (2x2.4 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55)Octa-core (1x2.4 GHz Kryo 475 Prime & 1x2.2 GHz Kryo 475 Gold & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 475 Silver)
ChipsetMediatek Dimensity 800U (7 nm)Qualcomm SM7250 Snapdragon 765G 5G (7 nm)
GPUMali-G57 MC3Adreno 620
OSAndroid 11, ColorOS 11.1Android 11, upgradable to Android 14
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXCNo
Internal128GB 8GB RAM128GB 6GB RAM
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
FeaturesLED flash, HDR, panoramaLED flash, Pixel Shift, Auto-HDR, panorama
Quad48 MP, f/1.7, 25mm (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF 8 MP, f/2.2, 16mm, 119˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm 2 MP (macro) Auxiliary lens-
Single16 MP, f/2.4, 26mm (wide), 1/3.09", 1.0µm8 MP, f/2.0, 24mm (wide), 1.12µm
Video4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps; gyro-EIS, HDR4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps; gyro-EIS
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDRHDR
Single16 MP, f/2.4, 26mm (wide), 1/3.09", 1.0µm8 MP, f/2.0, 24mm (wide), 1.12µm
Video1080p@30fps1080p@30fps
Sound
3.5mm jack YesYes
35mm jackYesYes
Loudspeaker YesYes, with stereo speakers
Comms
Bluetooth5.1, A2DP, LE, aptX HD5.0, A2DP, LE, aptX HD
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDSGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, QZSS, BDS
RadioUnspecifiedNo
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 (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compassFingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer
Battery
Charging30W wired, PD, QC18W wired, PD2.0
TypeLi-Po 4310 mAhLi-Po 4680 mAh
Misc
ColorsFluid Black, Space Silver, Cosmo BlueMostly Black
ModelsCPH2211G1F8F, G4S1M
PriceAbout 280 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)

Oppo A94 5G

  • 30W Fast Charging with PD/QC
  • Potentially stronger multi-core CPU performance
  • Competitive chipset for the price

  • Software updates may be less frequent
  • Camera performance likely trails the Pixel 5a 5G

Google Pixel 5a 5G

  • Excellent camera quality and image processing
  • Clean Android experience with guaranteed updates
  • Brighter display for outdoor visibility

  • Slower 18W charging
  • Potentially less raw processing power for demanding tasks

Display Comparison

The Google Pixel 5a 5G boasts a notably brighter display, reaching a measured peak of 861 nits, which translates to superior visibility in direct sunlight compared to the Oppo A94 5G (brightness data unavailable). Both phones offer an 'infinite' contrast ratio, typical of OLED panels. While the A94 5G’s panel characteristics are unknown, the Pixel 5a 5G’s brightness advantage is a significant benefit for outdoor use. The lack of high refresh rate on either device is a common trade-off in this price segment.

Camera Comparison

The Pixel 5a 5G is expected to excel in camera performance due to Google’s computational photography prowess. While specific sensor details are missing for both devices, the Pixel’s reputation for image processing and dynamic range is a significant advantage. The Oppo A94 5G likely relies more on hardware specifications, but without knowing sensor size or aperture, it’s difficult to assess its capabilities. The absence of information regarding Optical Image Stabilization (OIS) on either device suggests a reliance on software stabilization, potentially impacting low-light performance. The Pixel 5a 5G’s strength lies in its consistent, high-quality images across various conditions.

Performance

Both the Oppo A94 5G and Google Pixel 5a 5G utilize 7nm process nodes, but employ different chipsets: the Mediatek Dimensity 800U and the Qualcomm Snapdragon 765G, respectively. The Dimensity 800U features a dual-cluster CPU configuration (2x2.4 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55), while the Snapdragon 765G uses a tri-cluster setup (1x2.4 GHz Kryo 475 Prime, 1x2.2 GHz Kryo 475 Gold, & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 475 Silver). While peak clock speeds are similar, the Snapdragon 765G’s Kryo architecture is generally considered more efficient. The A94 5G may exhibit slightly better multi-core performance, but the Pixel 5a 5G’s optimized software and potentially superior thermal management could lead to more sustained performance under load. RAM specifications are not provided, but both likely utilize LPDDR4X to balance performance and power consumption.

Battery Life

Both the Oppo A94 5G and Google Pixel 5a 5G achieve an endurance rating of 122 hours, suggesting comparable battery life under similar usage patterns. However, the charging speeds differ dramatically. The Oppo A94 5G supports 30W wired charging with PD and QC, allowing for significantly faster top-ups compared to the Pixel 5a 5G’s 18W charging with PD2.0. This means the A94 5G can replenish its battery much quicker, a crucial advantage for users who frequently need to recharge. While battery capacity isn't specified, the faster charging of the Oppo A94 5G offsets any potential capacity differences.

Buying Guide

Buy the Oppo A94 5G if you need rapid charging capabilities and prioritize raw processing power for gaming or multitasking. Its 30W charging with PD and QC support will minimize downtime. Buy the Google Pixel 5a 5G if you prefer a clean Android experience, exceptional camera quality, and guaranteed software updates, even if it means sacrificing charging speed and potentially some raw performance.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Does the Mediatek Dimensity 800U in the Oppo A94 5G throttle under sustained gaming loads?
While the Dimensity 800U is a capable chipset, throttling is possible during extended gaming sessions. The Oppo A94 5G’s thermal management capabilities are unknown, but the Snapdragon 765G in the Pixel 5a 5G is generally considered more thermally efficient, potentially leading to less performance degradation over time.
❓ How does the Pixel 5a 5G's software update policy compare to Oppo's?
Google guarantees at least 3 years of Android OS updates and 5 years of security updates for the Pixel 5a 5G. Oppo’s update policy is typically less extensive, often providing 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.
❓ Is the 18W charging on the Pixel 5a 5G sufficient for daily use?
While 18W charging isn't slow, it's considerably slower than the Oppo A94 5G's 30W charging. It will take longer to fully recharge the Pixel 5a 5G, potentially requiring overnight charging for users who heavily utilize their device. However, the Pixel 5a 5G's efficient chipset and software optimization help mitigate the impact of slower charging.