Realme GT5 vs. Google Pixel 8a: A Deep Dive into Performance and Value
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🏆 Quick Verdict
For users prioritizing unadulterated speed and gaming prowess, the Realme GT5 is the clear winner. Its Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 delivers significantly higher performance. However, the Google Pixel 8a excels in battery endurance and offers a superior camera experience thanks to Google’s image processing, making it ideal for everyday users and photography enthusiasts.
| PHONES | ||
|---|---|---|
| Phone Names | Realme GT5 | Google Pixel 8a |
| Network | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 32, 38, 40, 41, 42, 66 - G6GPR (International) |
| 5G bands | 1, 3, 5, 8, 28, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA | 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 26, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 75, 76, 77, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6 - G6GPR (International) |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| Launch | ||
|---|---|---|
| Announced | 2023, August 28 | 2024, May 07 |
| Status | Available. Released 2023, September 04 | Available. Released 2024, May 14 |
| Body | ||
|---|---|---|
| Build | Glass front, aluminum frame, glass back | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3), aluminum frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 163.1 x 75.4 x 8.9 mm (6.42 x 2.97 x 0.35 in) | 152.1 x 72.7 x 8.9 mm (5.99 x 2.86 x 0.35 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + eSIM |
| Weight | 205 g (7.23 oz) | 188 g (6.63 oz) |
| Display | ||
|---|---|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 3, Mohs level 5 |
| Resolution | 1240 x 2772 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~451 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~430 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.74 inches, 109.2 cm2 (~88.8% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.1 inches, 90.3 cm2 (~81.6% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | AMOLED, 1B colors, 144Hz, HDR10+, 1400 nits (peak) | OLED, HDR, 120Hz, 2000 nits (peak) |
| Platform | ||
|---|---|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (1x3.2 GHz Cortex-X3 & 2x2.8 GHz Cortex-A715 & 2x2.8 GHz Cortex-A710 & 3x2.0 GHz Cortex-A510) | Nona-core (1x3.0 GHz Cortex-X3 & 4x2.45 GHz Cortex-A715 & 4x2.15 GHz Cortex-A510) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM8550-AB Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 (4 nm) | Google Tensor G3 (4 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 740 | Immortalis-G715s MC10 |
| OS | Android 13, Realme UI 4.0 | Android 14, upgradable to Android 16, up to 7 major Android upgrades |
| Memory | ||
|---|---|---|
| Card slot | No | No |
| Internal | 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 16GB RAM | 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM |
| Main Camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Dual | - | 64 MP (16 MP eff.), f/1.9, 26mm (wide), 1/1.73", 0.8µm, dual pixel PDAF, OIS 13 MP, f/2.2, 120˚ (ultrawide), 1.12µm |
| Features | Dual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR, panorama | Dual-LED flash, Pixel Shift, Ultra HDR, panorama, Best Take |
| Triple | 50 MP, f/1.9, 24mm (wide), 1/1.56", 1.0µm, PDAF, OIS 8 MP, f/2.2, 16mm, 112˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm 2 MP (macro) | - |
| Video | 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60fps, gyro-EIS | 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps, OIS |
| Selfie camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Features | HDR, panorama | HDR, panorama |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.5, 25mm (wide), 1/3.09", 1.0µm | 13 MP, f/2.2, 20mm (ultrawide), 1.12µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps |
| Sound | ||
|---|---|---|
| 35mm jack | No | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| Comms | ||
|---|---|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.3, A2DP, LE, aptX HD | 5.3, A2DP, LE |
| Infrared port | Yes | - |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS (L1+L2+L5), GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO, QZSS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSS, NavIC |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0 | USB Type-C 3.2 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6/7, tri-band, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e, dual/tri-band (market/region dependent) |
| Features | ||
|---|---|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer |
| Battery | ||
|---|---|---|
| Charging | 150W wired, PD, 50% in 7 min | 18W wired, PD3.0 7.5W wireless Bypass charging |
| Type | 5240 mAh | Li-Po 4492 mAh |
| Misc | ||
|---|---|---|
| Colors | Flowing Silver, Starry Oasis | Obsidian, Porcelain, Bay, Aloe |
| Models | RMX3820 | GKV4X, G6GPR, G8HHN, G576D |
| Price | About 380 EUR | $ 229.98 / C$ 417.99 / £ 279.00 / € 299.99 / ₹ 33,300 |
| EU LABEL | ||
|---|---|---|
| Battery | - | 40:06h endurance, 1000 cycles |
| Energy | - | Class B |
| Free fall | - | Class A (270 falls) |
| Repairability | - | Class B |
Realme GT5
- Significantly faster processor with Snapdragon 8 Gen 2
- Ultra-fast 150W wired charging
- Likely higher peak gaming performance
- Battery life likely shorter than Pixel 8a
- Camera performance is unknown and potentially inferior
Google Pixel 8a
- Exceptional battery life and endurance
- Superior camera quality and image processing
- Clean and streamlined software experience
- Slower processor compared to Snapdragon 8 Gen 2
- Slower 18W wired charging
Display Comparison
The Pixel 8a boasts a peak brightness of 1508 nits, measured, offering excellent visibility in direct sunlight. While the Realme GT5’s display specs aren’t provided, it’s likely lower. The Pixel 8a’s display is crucial for outdoor usability. The Pixel 8a’s display technology is likely OLED, providing excellent contrast, while the GT5’s panel type is unknown. The Pixel 8a’s display is a key advantage for media consumption and outdoor use.
Camera Comparison
The Pixel 8a’s camera prowess is driven by Google’s renowned computational photography. While sensor sizes and apertures aren’t specified, the Pixel’s image processing algorithms consistently deliver excellent dynamic range and detail. The Realme GT5’s camera specs are unknown, but Realme often focuses on high megapixel counts rather than image quality. The Pixel 8a’s strength lies in its ability to produce consistently good photos in various lighting conditions, while the GT5’s camera performance is more speculative without detailed specifications. The Pixel 8a’s software features like Magic Eraser and Photo Unblur add significant value.
Performance
The Realme GT5’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 (4nm) is a powerhouse, featuring an octa-core configuration with a prime Cortex-X3 core clocked at 3.2 GHz. This contrasts with the Google Pixel 8a’s Tensor G3 (4nm) nona-core setup, topped by a 3.0 GHz Cortex-X3. While both chips are built on a 4nm process, the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 generally offers superior CPU and GPU performance. The GT5’s LPDDR5x RAM (spec not provided, but expected) further enhances its multitasking capabilities. The Tensor G3 prioritizes AI and machine learning tasks, but falls behind in raw processing power. Gamers and power users will see a noticeable difference in the GT5’s responsiveness.
Battery Life
The Google Pixel 8a shines in battery endurance, achieving a remarkable 40:06h endurance rating and 11:25h of active use. This is significantly better than what’s typically seen in performance-focused phones. The Realme GT5, while featuring incredibly fast 150W wired charging (50% in 7 minutes), likely has a smaller battery capacity to accommodate this charging speed and maintain a competitive price point. The Pixel 8a’s 18W charging is slower, but its exceptional battery life minimizes the need for frequent top-ups. The Pixel 8a’s 1000 cycle battery life also suggests long-term reliability.
Buying Guide
Buy the Realme GT5 if you need a phone for demanding mobile gaming, frequent video editing, or any task requiring maximum processing power. Its 150W charging is also a boon for those who hate waiting. Buy the Google Pixel 8a if you prefer a streamlined software experience, exceptional camera quality, and all-day battery life. It’s the better choice for users who value simplicity and consistent performance over peak benchmarks.