Realme X3 vs Google Pixel 5a 5G: Which Mid-Range 5G Phone Reigns Supreme?
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🏆 Quick Verdict
For users prioritizing demanding tasks like gaming and quick rendering, the Realme X3 is the clear winner thanks to its Snapdragon 855+ chipset. However, the Google Pixel 5a 5G offers a more balanced experience with excellent camera capabilities and a refined software experience, making it ideal for everyday users and photography enthusiasts.
| PHONES | ||
|---|---|---|
| Phone Names | Realme X3 | Google Pixel 5a 5G |
| Network | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 8, 38, 39, 40, 41 | 1, 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 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G |
| - | CDMA2000 1xEV-DO | |
| Launch | ||
|---|---|---|
| Announced | 2020, June 25. Released 2020, June 30 | 2021, August 17 |
| Status | Discontinued | Available. Released 2021, August 26 |
| Body | ||
|---|---|---|
| Build | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), glass back, plastic frame | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3), aluminum frame, aluminum back |
| Dimensions | 163.8 x 75.8 x 8.9 mm (6.45 x 2.98 x 0.35 in) | 156.2 x 73.2 x 8.8 mm (6.15 x 2.88 x 0.35 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + eSIM |
| Weight | 202 g (7.13 oz) | 183 g (6.46 oz) |
| - | IP67 dust/water resistant (up to 1m for 30 min) | |
| Display | ||
|---|---|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~399 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~415 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.6 inches, 105.2 cm2 (~84.7% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.34 inches, 97.0 cm2 (~84.9% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 120Hz | OLED, HDR |
| - | Always-on display | |
| Platform | ||
|---|---|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (1x2.96 GHz Kryo 485 & 3x2.42 GHz Kryo 485 & 4x1.78 GHz Kryo 485) | Octa-core (1x2.4 GHz Kryo 475 Prime & 1x2.2 GHz Kryo 475 Gold & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 475 Silver) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM8150 Snapdragon 855+ (7 nm) | Qualcomm SM7250 Snapdragon 765G 5G (7 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 640 (700 MHz) | Adreno 620 |
| OS | Android 10, upgradable to Android 11, Realme UI 2.0 | Android 11, upgradable to Android 14 |
| Memory | ||
|---|---|---|
| Card slot | No | No |
| Internal | 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM | 128GB 6GB RAM |
| UFS 3.0 | - | |
| 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 |
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, Pixel Shift, Auto-HDR, panorama |
| Quad | 64 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/1.72", 0.8µm, PDAF 12 MP, f/2.5, 51mm (telephoto), PDAF, 2x optical zoom 8 MP, f/2.3, 119˚, 16mm (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm 2 MP (macro) | - |
| Single | - | 8 MP, f/2.0, 24mm (wide), 1.12µm |
| Video | 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60fps, 720p@960fps; gyro-EIS | 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps; gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Dual | 16 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/3.06", 1.0µm 8 MP, f/2.2, 105˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm | - |
| Features | Panorama | HDR |
| Single | - | 8 MP, f/2.0, 24mm (wide), 1.12µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound | ||
|---|---|---|
| 3.5mm jack | No | Yes |
| 35mm jack | No | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| 24-bit/192kHz audio | - | |
| Comms | ||
|---|---|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE, aptX HD |
| NFC | No | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO, QZSS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, QZSS, BDS |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0 | USB Type-C 3.1 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features | ||
|---|---|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer |
| Battery | ||
|---|---|---|
| Charging | 30W wired, 100% in 55 min | 18W wired, PD2.0 |
| Type | 4200 mAh | Li-Po 4680 mAh |
| Misc | ||
|---|---|---|
| Colors | Glacier Blue, Arctic White | Mostly Black |
| Models | RMX2142, RMX2081, RMX2085, RMX2083 | G1F8F, G4S1M |
| Price | About 290 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) |
Realme X3
- Significantly faster processor (Snapdragon 855+)
- Much faster charging (30W vs 18W)
- Potentially better gaming performance
- Likely less refined software experience
- Potentially higher power consumption
Google Pixel 5a 5G
- Excellent camera quality and image processing
- Clean and optimized Android experience
- Long-term software support from Google
- Slower processor (Snapdragon 765G)
- Slower charging speed (18W)
Display Comparison
The Pixel 5a 5G boasts a brighter display, reaching a measured 861 nits, compared to the Realme X3’s unspecified peak brightness. This translates to better outdoor visibility for the Pixel. While both offer an 'infinite' contrast ratio (typical for OLED panels), the Pixel’s superior brightness is a tangible advantage. The Realme X3’s display technology is not specified, but given its market positioning, it likely lacks features like adaptive refresh rates found in higher-end devices, potentially resulting in a less fluid visual experience than some competitors.
Camera Comparison
While detailed camera specs are limited, the Pixel 5a 5G is expected to excel in image processing due to Google’s computational photography expertise. The Realme X3’s camera system is less emphasized in available data, suggesting a more standard approach. The Pixel’s strength lies in its ability to produce consistently excellent photos in various lighting conditions, leveraging software algorithms to enhance detail and dynamic range. The absence of detailed sensor information for the Realme X3 makes a direct comparison difficult, but it’s unlikely to match the Pixel’s software-driven image quality.
Performance
The Realme X3’s Snapdragon 855+ is a significant step up in processing power compared to the Pixel 5a 5G’s Snapdragon 765G. The 855+ features a Kryo 485 core clocked at 2.96 GHz, while the 765G tops out at 2.4 GHz with its Kryo 475 Prime core. This difference is noticeable in benchmarks and real-world performance, particularly in demanding games. However, the 765G’s architecture is more efficient, potentially leading to better sustained performance under load, mitigating thermal throttling. The Realme X3’s performance advantage comes at the cost of potentially higher power consumption.
Battery Life
Both phones achieve an endurance rating of 122 hours, indicating similar overall battery life despite differing battery capacities (not specified for the X3). However, the charging speeds differ significantly. The Realme X3 supports 30W wired charging, reaching 100% in 55 minutes, while the Pixel 5a 5G is limited to 18W with PD2.0. This means the Realme X3 can be topped up much faster, a crucial advantage for users who frequently need a quick power boost. The Pixel’s efficiency may compensate for the slower charging, but the X3 offers greater convenience.
Buying Guide
Buy the Realme X3 if you need uncompromising performance for gaming, video editing, or other resource-intensive applications and are comfortable with a less polished software experience. Buy the Google Pixel 5a 5G if you prioritize a clean Android experience, exceptional camera quality, and long-term software support, even if it means sacrificing some raw processing power.