The Samsung Galaxy A91 and Google Pixel 4a 5G represent different approaches to the mid-range 5G market. The A91, released with a flagship-level Snapdragon 855, aimed for raw performance. The Pixel 4a 5G, leveraging the Snapdragon 765G, focused on a balanced experience with Google’s renowned software and 5G connectivity. This comparison dissects their key differences to determine which phone delivers the best value.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For users prioritizing raw processing power and faster charging, the Samsung Galaxy A91 is the better choice. However, the Google Pixel 4a 5G offers a more refined software experience, reliable camera performance, and 5G connectivity at a potentially lower price point, making it ideal for everyday users.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | LTE | 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, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 28, 41, 66, 71, 77, 78 Sub6, mmWave (market dependant) |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | Not announced yet | 2020, September 30 |
| Status | Cancelled | Available. Released 2020, November 05 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3), plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | - | 153.9 x 74 x 8.2 mm (Sub-6) or 8.5 mm (Sub-6 and mmWave) |
| SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + eSIM |
| Weight | - | 168 g (5G Sub-6); 171 g ( 5G Sub-6 and mmWave) (5.93 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~393 ppi density) | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~413 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.7 inches, 108.4 cm2 | 6.2 inches, 95.7 cm2 (~84.1% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | Super AMOLED | OLED, HDR |
| | Always-on display | Always-on display |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (1x2.84 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 | Adreno 620 |
| OS | Android 10, One UI | Android 11, upgradable to Android 14 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC | No |
| Internal | 128GB 8GB RAM | 128GB 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, 107˚ (ultrawide), 1.0µm |
| Features | LED flash, panorama, HDR | LED flash, Pixel Shift, Auto-HDR, panorama |
| Triple | 48 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF, OIS
12 MP, f/2.2, 12mm (ultrawide), 1.12µm
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps (gyro-EIS), 720p@960fps | 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps; gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | HDR |
| Single | 32 MP, f/2.2, 25mm (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm | 8 MP, f/2.0, 24mm (wide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | No | Yes |
| 35mm jack | No | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE, aptX HD |
| NFC | No | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, QZSS, BDS |
| Radio | - | 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 (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer |
| | Samsung DeX (desktop experience support)
ANT+ | - |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 45W wired | 18W wired, PD2.0 |
| Type | Li-Po 4500 mAh, non-removable | Li-Po 3885 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | White, Black | Just Black, Clearly White |
| Models | SM-A915F | GD1YQ, G025I, G025E, G025H, G6QU3 |
| Price | - | About 140 EUR |
Samsung Galaxy A91
- Significantly faster processor (Snapdragon 855)
- 45W Super Fast Charging for rapid replenishment
- Potentially larger display for immersive media consumption
- Likely less optimized software experience compared to Pixel
- May experience more thermal throttling under sustained load
Google Pixel 4a 5G
- Clean and optimized Android experience with timely updates
- Excellent camera image processing and computational photography
- Integrated 5G modem for efficient 5G connectivity
- Less powerful processor compared to the Snapdragon 855
- Slower 18W charging
Display Comparison
While display specifications aren't provided, the Galaxy A91, positioned as a higher-tier device, likely features a larger and potentially higher-resolution display. However, the Pixel 4a 5G benefits from Google’s image processing expertise, potentially delivering more accurate colors. Both devices utilize 7nm chipsets, suggesting similar power efficiency considerations in display panel selection. The Pixel 4a 5G's display is known to have a 6.2-inch OLED panel, while the A91's is 6.7 inches. The A91's larger size may be preferable for media consumption.
Camera Comparison
Camera details are limited, but the Pixel 4a 5G is renowned for its computational photography prowess. Google’s image processing algorithms excel at dynamic range and low-light performance, even with a potentially smaller sensor. The A91, while likely having a higher megapixel count, relies more on hardware. The Pixel 4a 5G’s strength lies in its software optimization, consistently delivering excellent results. The A91's camera system, while capable, may not match the Pixel's consistency and ease of use. The Pixel 4a 5G's camera is known for its excellent portrait mode and Night Sight capabilities.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Samsung Galaxy A91’s Snapdragon 855 (7nm) boasts a more powerful CPU configuration – an octa-core setup with a 2.84 GHz Kryo 485 prime core – compared to the Pixel 4a 5G’s Snapdragon 765G (7nm) which tops out at 2.4 GHz. This translates to noticeably faster performance in CPU-intensive tasks and gaming. The 855’s Adreno 640 GPU also significantly outperforms the 765G’s Adreno 620. However, the 765G integrates a 5G modem directly, simplifying the design and potentially improving power efficiency for 5G usage. The A91's performance advantage will be most apparent in sustained workloads where thermal throttling becomes a factor.
Battery Life
Battery capacity isn't specified, but the Galaxy A91’s 45W wired charging is a significant advantage over the Pixel 4a 5G’s 18W charging with PD2.0. This means the A91 can replenish its battery much faster. While the Pixel 4a 5G’s power-efficient Snapdragon 765G and software optimizations may contribute to longer battery life under light usage, the A91’s faster charging mitigates any potential capacity disadvantage. The A91 can likely achieve a full charge in under an hour, while the Pixel 4a 5G will take considerably longer.
Buying Guide
Buy the Samsung Galaxy A91 if you need uncompromising performance for demanding tasks like gaming or video editing, and value the speed of 45W charging. Buy the Google Pixel 4a 5G if you prioritize a clean Android experience, excellent camera image processing, and reliable 5G connectivity without breaking the bank. The Pixel is the better option for those who value software and camera over sheer horsepower.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Snapdragon 855 in the Galaxy A91 get noticeably hotter than the Snapdragon 765G during extended gaming sessions?
Yes, the Snapdragon 855 is a more powerful chip and generates more heat under sustained load. While the A91 likely has cooling mechanisms, it's more prone to thermal throttling during prolonged gaming compared to the more efficient Snapdragon 765G in the Pixel 4a 5G. This means performance may dip slightly over time.
❓ How does the 5G performance differ between the Galaxy A91 and the Pixel 4a 5G, considering the A91 doesn't have an integrated 5G modem?
The Pixel 4a 5G’s integrated Snapdragon 765G modem offers a more streamlined and potentially power-efficient 5G experience. The Galaxy A91 relies on an external 5G modem, which can consume more power and potentially impact battery life when connected to 5G networks. While both phones support 5G, the Pixel 4a 5G has a slight advantage in efficiency.
❓ Is the 45W charging on the Galaxy A91 compatible with Power Delivery (PD) chargers from other brands?
While the Galaxy A91 supports 45W charging, it utilizes Samsung's Super Fast Charging protocol. While it *may* work with some PD chargers, it's not guaranteed to reach the full 45W speed. Using a Samsung-certified 45W charger is recommended for optimal charging performance.
