Oppo Reno4 Z 5G vs Google Pixel 4a 5G: Which Mid-Range 5G Phone Reigns Supreme?

The mid-range 5G market is fiercely competitive, and the Oppo Reno4 Z 5G and Google Pixel 4a 5G represent compelling options. The Reno4 Z 5G, with its Mediatek Dimensity 800 chipset, aims for raw performance, while the Pixel 4a 5G leverages Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 765G and Google’s renowned software experience. This comparison dissects their key differences to determine which phone delivers the best value.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For the average user prioritizing software support and camera consistency, the Google Pixel 4a 5G is the better choice. However, users who heavily utilize their phones for demanding tasks and value extended battery life will find the Oppo Reno4 Z 5G more appealing.

PHONES
Phone Names Oppo Reno4 Z 5G Google Pixel 4a 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, 8, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 38, 39, 40, 41, 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 bands1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 28, 41, 66, 71, 77, 78 Sub6, mmWave (market dependant)
SpeedHSPA, LTE, 5G 3.5 Gbps DLHSPA, LTE, 5G
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5GGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G
Launch
Announced2020, September 29. Released 2020, October 152020, September 30
StatusDiscontinuedAvailable. Released 2020, November 05
Body
Build-Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3), plastic back, plastic frame
Dimensions163.8 x 75.5 x 8.1 mm (6.45 x 2.97 x 0.32 in)153.9 x 74 x 8.2 mm (Sub-6) or 8.5 mm (Sub-6 and mmWave)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM + eSIM
Weight184 g (6.49 oz)168 g (5G Sub-6); 171 g ( 5G Sub-6 and mmWave) (5.93 oz)
Display
ProtectionCorning Gorilla Glass 3+Corning Gorilla Glass 3
Resolution1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~401 ppi density)1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~413 ppi density)
Size6.57 inches, 104.2 cm2 (~84.3% screen-to-body ratio)6.2 inches, 95.7 cm2 (~84.1% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeIPS LCD, 120Hz, 480 nits (typ)OLED, HDR
 -Always-on display
Platform
CPUOcta-core (4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A76 & 4x2.0 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 800 (7 nm)Qualcomm SM7250 Snapdragon 765G 5G (7 nm)
GPUMali-G57 MC4Adreno 620
OSAndroid 10, upgradable to Android 11, ColorOS 11.1Android 11, upgradable to Android 14
Memory
Card slotNoNo
Internal128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM128GB 6GB RAM
 UFS 2.1UFS 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, 107˚ (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 Auxiliary lens-
Single2 MP-
Video4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps; gyro-EIS
Selfie camera
Dual16 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/3.06", 1.0µm 2 MP, f/2.4, (depth)-
FeaturesHDRHDR
Single-8 MP, f/2.0, 24mm (wide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
Video1080p@30fps1080p@30fps
Sound
3.5mm jack YesYes
35mm jackYesYes
Loudspeaker YesYes, with stereo speakers
 24-bit/192kHz audio-
Comms
Bluetooth5.1, A2DP, LE, aptX HD5.0, A2DP, LE, aptX HD
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSSGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, QZSS, BDS
RadioNoNo
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 4000 mAhLi-Po 3885 mAh
Misc
ColorsInk Black, Dew WhiteJust Black, Clearly White
ModelsCPH2065GD1YQ, G025I, G025E, G025H, G6QU3
PriceAbout 260 EURAbout 140 EUR
Tests
Battery life Endurance rating 78h -
Camera Photo / Video-
Display Contrast ratio: 1284:1 (nominal)-
Loudspeaker -28.1 LUFS (Average) -
Performance AnTuTu: 295562 (v8) GeekBench: 2196 (v5.1) GFXBench: 16fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)-

Oppo Reno4 Z 5G

  • Exceptional battery endurance (78h rating)
  • Potentially stronger multi-core performance with Dimensity 800
  • Higher contrast ratio for immersive viewing

  • Software updates may be less frequent than Pixel
  • Camera performance relies heavily on Oppo’s processing

Google Pixel 4a 5G

  • Guaranteed software updates and clean Android experience
  • Excellent camera performance with Google’s computational photography
  • PD2.0 support for potentially faster charging

  • Battery life may be shorter than Reno4 Z 5G
  • Snapdragon 765G may throttle under sustained load

Display Comparison

Both phones offer adequate displays for their price points, but differ in key areas. The Oppo Reno4 Z 5G boasts a 1284:1 contrast ratio, suggesting deeper blacks, though this is a nominal figure. It achieves a measured peak brightness of 398 nits, which is acceptable for indoor use but may struggle in direct sunlight. The Pixel 4a 5G’s display specifications are less readily available, but Pixel displays generally prioritize color accuracy. The Reno4 Z’s contrast ratio gives it an edge in media consumption, while the Pixel likely excels in color fidelity.

Camera Comparison

Both phones offer capable cameras, but approach image processing differently. The Pixel 4a 5G is renowned for its computational photography prowess, leveraging Google’s algorithms to produce consistently excellent images with minimal user input. While specific sensor details for the Reno4 Z 5G are unavailable, Oppo typically focuses on high-resolution sensors and versatile camera modes. The Pixel’s strength lies in its dynamic range and low-light performance, while the Reno4 Z may offer more creative flexibility. The Pixel’s software processing is a significant advantage, consistently delivering pleasing results.

Performance

The core of the difference lies in the chipsets. The Oppo Reno4 Z 5G utilizes the Mediatek Dimensity 800 (7nm), featuring an octa-core CPU with a mix of Cortex-A76 and A55 cores clocked at 2.0 GHz. The Google Pixel 4a 5G employs the Qualcomm Snapdragon 765G (7nm), with a Kryo 475 CPU configuration – a prime core at 2.4 GHz, a gold core at 2.2 GHz, and six silver cores at 1.8 GHz. The Snapdragon 765G’s prime core offers a higher clock speed, potentially leading to snappier single-core performance. However, the Dimensity 800’s architecture is designed for efficient multi-core workloads. Real-world performance will depend on software optimization, but the Snapdragon 765G benefits from Qualcomm’s established gaming optimizations.

Battery Life

The Oppo Reno4 Z 5G claims an impressive endurance rating of 78 hours, suggesting superior battery life. While mAh capacity isn’t specified, this rating indicates efficient power management. Both phones support 18W wired charging, but the Pixel 4a 5G adds PD2.0 support for potentially faster charging with compatible chargers. The Reno4 Z’s higher endurance rating suggests it can comfortably last a full day of heavy use, while the Pixel 4a 5G may require a top-up depending on usage patterns.

Buying Guide

Buy the Oppo Reno4 Z 5G if you need exceptional battery endurance and prioritize raw processing power for tasks like video editing or demanding mobile games. Buy the Google Pixel 4a 5G if you prefer a clean, streamlined software experience with guaranteed updates, and a consistently excellent camera that requires minimal effort to achieve great results.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Does the Mediatek Dimensity 800 in the Reno4 Z 5G suffer from significant thermal throttling during prolonged gaming sessions?
While the Dimensity 800 is a capable chipset, it's known to generate more heat than the Snapdragon 765G under sustained load. This *could* lead to thermal throttling, reducing performance during extended gaming sessions. However, Oppo’s cooling solutions may mitigate this issue to some extent.
❓ How does Google’s software update commitment on the Pixel 4a 5G impact its long-term usability compared to the Oppo Reno4 Z 5G?
The Pixel 4a 5G is guaranteed to receive at least 3 years of Android OS updates and security patches, ensuring continued functionality and security. Oppo’s update policy is typically less extensive, meaning the Reno4 Z 5G may become outdated sooner, potentially impacting app compatibility and security.
❓ Is the 18W charging on both phones sufficient for quick top-ups, or is the lack of faster charging a significant drawback?
18W charging is adequate for a mid-range phone, but it's not particularly fast by today's standards. The Pixel 4a 5G’s PD2.0 support *may* allow for slightly faster charging with a compatible charger. Users who frequently need to quickly replenish their battery may find this a limitation.