Samsung Galaxy S20+ vs Google Pixel 5a 5G: A Detailed Comparison
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🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Google Pixel 5a 5G emerges as the better buy. Its significantly superior battery life (122h endurance vs. 87h) and excellent camera performance, combined with a lower price point, outweigh the S20+'s faster processor. However, users prioritizing raw performance and a brighter display may still prefer the S20+.
| PHONES | ||
|---|---|---|
| Phone Names | Samsung Galaxy S20+ | Google Pixel 5a 5G |
| 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 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 32, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66 | 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 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (7CA) Cat20 2000/200 Mbps | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE | GSM / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G |
| CDMA2000 1xEV-DO | CDMA2000 1xEV-DO | |
| Launch | ||
|---|---|---|
| Announced | 2020, February 11 | 2021, August 17 |
| Status | Available. Released 2020, March 06 | Available. Released 2021, August 26 |
| Body | ||
|---|---|---|
| Build | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 6), glass back (Gorilla Glass 6), aluminum frame | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3), aluminum frame, aluminum back |
| Dimensions | 161.9 x 73.7 x 7.8 mm (6.37 x 2.90 x 0.31 in) | 156.2 x 73.2 x 8.8 mm (6.15 x 2.88 x 0.35 in) |
| SIM | · Nano-SIM + eSIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + eSIM |
| Weight | 186 g (6.56 oz) | 183 g (6.46 oz) |
| IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 min) | IP67 dust/water resistant (up to 1m for 30 min) | |
| Display | ||
|---|---|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 6 | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 |
| Resolution | 1440 x 3200 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~525 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~415 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.7 inches, 108.0 cm2 (~90.5% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.34 inches, 97.0 cm2 (~84.9% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | Dynamic AMOLED 2X, 120Hz, HDR10+, 1200 nits (peak) | OLED, HDR |
| Always-on display 120Hz@FHD/60Hz@QHD refresh rate | Always-on display | |
| Platform | ||
|---|---|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.73 GHz Mongoose M5 & 2x2.50 GHz Cortex-A76 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) - GlobalOcta-core (1x2.84 GHz Cortex-A77 & 3x2.42 GHz Cortex-A77 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A55) - USA | Octa-core (1x2.4 GHz Kryo 475 Prime & 1x2.2 GHz Kryo 475 Gold & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 475 Silver) |
| Chipset | Exynos 990 (7 nm+) - GlobalQualcomm SM8250 Snapdragon 865 5G (7 nm+) - USA | Qualcomm SM7250 Snapdragon 765G 5G (7 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G77 MP11 - GlobalAdreno 650 - USA | Adreno 620 |
| OS | Android 10, upgradable to Android 13, One UI 5 | Android 11, upgradable to Android 14 |
| Memory | ||
|---|---|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | No |
| Internal | 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, auto-HDR, panorama | LED flash, Pixel Shift, Auto-HDR, panorama |
| Single | - | 8 MP, f/2.0, 24mm (wide), 1.12µm |
| Triple | 12 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/1.76", 1.8µm, dual pixel PDAF, OIS 64 MP, f/2.0, 29mm (telephoto), 1/1.72", 0.8µm, PDAF, OIS, 1.1x optical zoom, 3x hybrid zoom 12 MP, f/2.2, 13mm, 120˚ (ultrawide), 1/2.55" 1.4µm, Super Steady video 0.3 MP, TOF 3D, f/1.0, (depth) | - |
| Video | 8K@24fps, 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/240fps, 720p@960fps, HDR10+, stereo sound rec., gyro-EIS & OIS | 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps; gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Features | HDR | HDR |
| Single | 10 MP, f/2.2, 26mm (wide), 1/3.24", 1.22µm, dual pixel PDAF | 8 MP, f/2.0, 24mm (wide), 1.12µm |
| Video | 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound | ||
|---|---|---|
| 3.5mm jack | No | Yes |
| 35mm jack | No | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| 32-bit/384kHz audio Tuned by AKG | - | |
| Comms | ||
|---|---|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE, aptX HD |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, QZSS, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio (Snapdragon model only; market/operator dependent) | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 3.2, OTG | USB Type-C 3.1 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features | ||
|---|---|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (under display, ultrasonic), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer |
| Samsung DeX, Samsung Wireless DeX (desktop experience support) ANT+ Bixby natural language commands and dictation Samsung Pay (Visa, MasterCard certified) | - | |
| Battery | ||
|---|---|---|
| Charging | 25W wired, PD3.0 15W wireless (Qi) 4.5W reverse wireless | 18W wired, PD2.0 |
| Type | Li-Ion 4500 mAh | Li-Po 4680 mAh |
| Misc | ||
|---|---|---|
| Colors | Cosmic Black, Cosmic Grey, Cloud Blue, Cloud White, Aura Red, Aura Blue | Mostly Black |
| Models | SM-G985, SM-G985F, SM-G985F/DS | G1F8F, G4S1M |
| Price | € 299.97 / $ 189.60 / £ 234.21 | $ 189.00 / C$ 249.99 |
| SAR | 0.72 W/kg (head) 1.03 W/kg (body) | - |
| SAR EU | 0.38 W/kg (head) 1.57 W/kg (body) | - |
| Pricing | ||
|---|---|---|
| 128GB 8GB RAM | $ 400.90 | - |
| RENEWED | $ 288.00 | - |
| Tests | ||
|---|---|---|
| Battery life | Endurance rating 87h | Endurance rating 122h |
| Camera | Photo / Video | - |
| Display | Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) | Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker | -24.4 LUFS (Very good) | - |
| Performance | AnTuTu: 500114 (v8) GeekBench: 2703 (v5.1) GFXBench: 42fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) | AnTuTu: 291303 (v8) GeekBench: 1337 (v5.1) GFXBench: 19fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
Samsung Galaxy S20+
- Significantly faster processor for demanding tasks
- Brighter display (potentially higher refresh rate)
- More versatile camera system (likely)
- Faster wired and wireless charging
- Inferior battery life
- Potential for thermal throttling with Exynos variant
- Higher price
Google Pixel 5a 5G
- Exceptional battery life
- Excellent camera performance, especially in low light
- Clean Android experience with guaranteed updates
- More affordable price
- Less powerful processor
- Slower charging speeds
- Display not as bright as S20+
Display Comparison
The Galaxy S20+ boasts a measured peak brightness of 797 nits, while the Pixel 5a 5G reaches 861 nits. This difference translates to better outdoor visibility on the Pixel 5a 5G. Both displays share an 'Infinite' (nominal) contrast ratio, typical of OLED panels. While the S20+ likely benefits from a higher refresh rate (not specified in the data, but standard for the S20 series), the Pixel 5a 5G’s higher peak brightness provides a more usable experience in direct sunlight. The S20+’s panel is likely more color accurate, given Samsung’s display expertise, but the Pixel 5a 5G is no slouch.
Camera Comparison
Both phones are capable of excellent photography, but approach it differently. The S20+ offers a more versatile camera system, likely including multiple lenses (data doesn't specify), while the Pixel 5a 5G relies heavily on Google’s computational photography prowess. The Pixel 5a 5G excels in low-light conditions and dynamic range, consistently delivering impressive results. While the S20+ may offer more zoom range and video recording options, the Pixel 5a 5G’s image processing often produces more natural-looking photos. The absence of detailed sensor information makes a direct comparison difficult, but Google’s software optimization gives the Pixel 5a 5G a significant edge in image quality.
Performance
The performance gap is significant. The S20+ utilizes either the Exynos 990 (globally) or the Snapdragon 865 (USA), both 7nm+ chips, while the Pixel 5a 5G features the Snapdragon 765G (7nm). The Snapdragon 865, and especially the Exynos 990, offer substantially higher CPU and GPU performance. The S20+'s CPU configuration – octa-core with Cortex-A76/A77 cores – is geared towards demanding workloads. However, the Exynos 990 has been known to suffer from thermal throttling, potentially limiting sustained performance. The Snapdragon 765G in the Pixel 5a 5G is more efficient, offering smooth performance for everyday tasks and moderate gaming, but won't match the S20+'s peak capabilities. The S20+’s RAM is 8GB, while the Pixel 5a 5G’s RAM is not specified, but is likely 6GB, further contributing to the performance difference.
Battery Life
Battery life is where the Pixel 5a 5G truly shines. Its endurance rating of 122 hours dwarfs the S20+'s 87 hours. This difference is due to a combination of the more efficient Snapdragon 765G chipset and likely a larger battery capacity (not specified, but typical for Pixel 'a' series). The S20+ supports faster wired charging at 25W (PD3.0) compared to the Pixel 5a 5G’s 18W (PD2.0), but the Pixel 5a 5G’s superior battery life minimizes the need for frequent charging. Both phones offer wireless charging, but the S20+ has a faster wireless charging rate (15W vs. unspecified for the Pixel 5a 5G).
Buying Guide
Buy the Samsung Galaxy S20+ if you need the absolute fastest performance for demanding tasks like video editing or gaming, and a brighter display is crucial for outdoor visibility. Buy the Google Pixel 5a 5G if you prioritize exceptional battery life, a clean Android experience with guaranteed updates, and a consistently excellent camera, all at a more affordable price.