Google Pixel 5a 5G vs Oppo Reno4 Pro: A Deep Dive into Battery, Performance, and Value

The Oppo Reno4 Pro and Google Pixel 5a 5G represent compelling options in the mid-range smartphone space, but cater to different priorities. The Reno4 Pro initially aimed for a premium feel with blazing-fast charging, while the Pixel 5a 5G focuses on delivering a clean Android experience and exceptional battery life at a competitive price. This comparison dissects their key differences to help you choose the right device.
Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

For the average user prioritizing longevity and a streamlined software experience, the Google Pixel 5a 5G emerges as the winner. Its significantly superior battery endurance (122h vs 96h) and efficient Snapdragon 765G chipset outweigh the Reno4 Pro’s faster charging, making it the more practical daily driver.

PHONES
Phone Names Oppo Reno4 Pro Google Pixel 5a 5G
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 - InternationalHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 38, 39, 40, 41 - International1, 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, 5, 12, 25, 28, 41, 66, 71, 77, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6
SpeedHSPA, LTEHSPA, LTE, 5G
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTEGSM / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G
 1, 3, 5, 8, 38, 40, 41 - Asia PacificCDMA2000 1xEV-DO
Launch
Announced2020, July 31. Released 2020, August 052021, August 17
StatusDiscontinuedAvailable. Released 2021, August 26
Body
BuildGlass front (Gorilla Glass 5), plastic frame, plastic backGlass front (Gorilla Glass 3), aluminum frame, aluminum back
Dimensions160.2 x 73.2 x 7.7 mm (6.31 x 2.88 x 0.30 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
Weight161 g (5.68 oz)183 g (6.46 oz)
 -IP67 dust/water resistant (up to 1m for 30 min)
Display
ProtectionCorning Gorilla Glass 5Corning Gorilla Glass 3
Resolution1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~402 ppi density)1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~415 ppi density)
Size6.5 inches, 103.5 cm2 (~88.3% screen-to-body ratio)6.34 inches, 97.0 cm2 (~84.9% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeSuper AMOLED, 90Hz, HDR10, 500 nits (typ)OLED, HDR
 -Always-on display
Platform
CPUOcta-core (2x2.3 GHz Kryo 465 Gold & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 465 Silver)Octa-core (1x2.4 GHz Kryo 475 Prime & 1x2.2 GHz Kryo 475 Gold & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 475 Silver)
ChipsetQualcomm SM7125 Snapdragon 720G (8 nm)Qualcomm SM7250 Snapdragon 765G 5G (7 nm)
GPUAdreno 618Adreno 620
OSAndroid 10, ColorOS 7.2Android 11, upgradable to Android 14
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXC (dedicated slot)No
Internal128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM128GB 6GB RAM
 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, 119˚ (ultrawide), 1.0µm
FeaturesLED flash, HDR, panoramaLED flash, Pixel Shift, Auto-HDR, panorama
Quad48 MP, f/1.7, 26mm (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF 8 MP, f/2.2, 119˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm 2 MP (macro) Auxiliary lens-
Single-8 MP, f/2.0, 24mm (wide), 1.12µm
Video4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps, gyro-EIS4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps; gyro-EIS
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDRHDR
Single32 MP, f/2.4, 26mm (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm8 MP, f/2.0, 24mm (wide), 1.12µm
Video1080p@30/120fps, gyro-EIS1080p@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
NFCYes (market/region dependent)Yes
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSS, GNSSGPS, 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 (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compassFingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer
Battery
Charging65W wired, 60% in 15 min, 100% in 36 min18W wired, PD2.0
TypeLi-Po 4000 mAhLi-Po 4680 mAh
Misc
ColorsStarry Night, Silky WhiteMostly Black
ModelsCPH2109G1F8F, G4S1M
PriceAbout 390 EUR$ 189.00 / C$ 249.99
Tests
Battery life Endurance rating 96h Endurance rating 122h
Camera Photo / Video-
Display Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal)
Loudspeaker -28.8 LUFS (Average) -
Performance AnTuTu: 261359 (v8) GeekBench: 1781 (v5.1) GFXBench: 15fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) AnTuTu: 291303 (v8) GeekBench: 1337 (v5.1) GFXBench: 19fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)

Oppo Reno4 Pro

  • Blazing-fast 65W wired charging
  • Slightly brighter display (843 nits)
  • Sleek design (based on brand reputation)

  • Inferior battery life (96h endurance)
  • Less efficient Snapdragon 720G chipset
  • Lacks 5G connectivity

Google Pixel 5a 5G

  • Exceptional battery life (122h endurance)
  • More efficient Snapdragon 765G chipset
  • Clean and updated Android experience
  • 5G connectivity

  • Slower 18W wired charging
  • Slightly less bright display (861 nits)
  • Less emphasis on design flair

Display Comparison

Both the Oppo Reno4 Pro and Google Pixel 5a 5G feature displays with an 'Infinite' (nominal) contrast ratio, typical of OLED panels. However, the Pixel 5a 5G edges out the Reno4 Pro with a measured peak brightness of 861 nits compared to the Reno4 Pro’s 843 nits, offering slightly better visibility in direct sunlight. While the difference is subtle, it’s noticeable. Both phones lack high refresh rate displays, focusing instead on power efficiency. The Reno4 Pro’s display, while bright, doesn’t benefit from any advanced panel technology like LTPO, which the Pixel 5a 5G also lacks, meaning neither offers adaptive refresh rate capabilities.

Camera Comparison

Both phones offer capable camera systems, but Google’s computational photography prowess gives the Pixel 5a 5G an edge. While detailed sensor specs are not provided, Google’s image processing algorithms are renowned for their dynamic range and accurate color reproduction. The Reno4 Pro likely focuses on a more vibrant, potentially oversaturated look, typical of Oppo’s image processing style. The absence of information regarding sensor size makes a direct comparison difficult, but Google’s software optimizations often compensate for hardware limitations. The Reno4 Pro’s camera is described as capable for both photo and video, but without specifics, it’s hard to assess its strengths beyond that.

Performance

The Google Pixel 5a 5G’s Snapdragon 765G (7nm) represents a step up in process technology compared to the Oppo Reno4 Pro’s Snapdragon 720G (8nm). The 7nm node generally translates to improved power efficiency and thermal performance. While both CPUs feature octa-core configurations with similar Kryo Silver cores clocked at 1.8 GHz, the Pixel 5a 5G boasts a Kryo 475 Prime core clocked at 2.4 GHz, offering a performance advantage in single-core tasks. The Reno4 Pro has two Kryo 465 Gold cores at 2.3 GHz. This difference, combined with the more efficient process node, means the Pixel 5a 5G will likely sustain performance for longer under load, reducing the risk of throttling during extended gaming sessions. The Pixel 5a 5G also benefits from 5G connectivity, absent in the Reno4 Pro.

Battery Life

The most significant difference lies in battery endurance. The Google Pixel 5a 5G achieves an impressive 122-hour endurance rating, significantly surpassing the Oppo Reno4 Pro’s 96-hour rating. This translates to a substantial real-world advantage for the Pixel 5a 5G, allowing for multi-day usage on a single charge. While the Reno4 Pro boasts incredibly fast 65W wired charging (60% in 15 minutes, 100% in 36 minutes), the Pixel 5a 5G’s 18W charging, while slower, is less critical given its superior battery life. The Pixel 5a 5G’s efficiency minimizes the need for frequent top-ups, making the slower charging speed less of a drawback.

Buying Guide

Buy the Oppo Reno4 Pro if you absolutely need the fastest possible wired charging and prioritize a slightly brighter display for outdoor visibility. This phone is ideal for users who frequently find themselves needing a quick power boost. Buy the Google Pixel 5a 5G if you value exceptional battery life, a clean and consistently updated Android experience, and a more efficient processor that balances performance with power consumption. This is the phone for users who want to minimize charging frequency and enjoy Google’s software features.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Does the Snapdragon 765G in the Pixel 5a 5G struggle with demanding games like Genshin Impact?
While not a flagship chipset, the Snapdragon 765G in the Pixel 5a 5G is capable of running Genshin Impact at medium settings with reasonable frame rates. The efficient 7nm process helps mitigate thermal throttling, allowing for sustained performance during gaming sessions. However, users seeking the absolute highest graphical fidelity may need to lower settings further.
❓ How does the software experience differ between the Pixel 5a 5G and the Oppo Reno4 Pro?
The Pixel 5a 5G offers a stock Android experience with guaranteed timely updates directly from Google. This means a clean interface, minimal bloatware, and access to the latest Android features. The Oppo Reno4 Pro, on the other hand, runs ColorOS, which is heavily customized with its own features and aesthetic. While ColorOS is feature-rich, it can feel cluttered to some users and updates are typically slower to arrive.
❓ Is the 65W charging on the Reno4 Pro worth sacrificing battery life for?
The Reno4 Pro's 65W charging is undeniably fast, but the Pixel 5a 5G's superior battery life offers a more practical benefit for most users. The convenience of not needing to charge your phone daily often outweighs the speed of a quick top-up. Unless you consistently find yourself in situations where you need a significant charge in a very short amount of time, the Pixel 5a 5G's endurance is more valuable.