Sony Xperia L3 vs Google Pixel 6a: A Clash of Titans (Budget Edition)

The smartphone market is overflowing with options, but choosing the right one can be overwhelming. Today, we're pitting two contenders against each other: the budget-friendly Sony Xperia L3 and the mid-range Google Pixel 6a. Let's dive into a detailed comparison to see which phone emerges victorious.
Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

The Google Pixel 6a decisively wins this comparison. While the Xperia L3 boasts impressive battery life on paper, the Pixel 6a's superior performance, camera, and display make it the clear choice for most users seeking a well-rounded Android experience.

PHONES
Phone Names Sony Xperia L3 Google Pixel 6a
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 - I3312, I4312, I4332HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 38 - I3312, I43121, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 14, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 48, 66, 71 - GX7AS, GB62Z (USA/Canada)
5G bands-1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 25, 28, 30, 38, 40, 41, 48, 66, 71, 77, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6 - GX7AS (USA/Canada)
SpeedHSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (2CA) Cat6 300/50 MbpsHSPA, LTE, 5G
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTEGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G
 1, 2, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 28, 29 - I33221, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 25, 28, 30, 40, 48, 66, 71, 77, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6 - G1AZG (International)
Launch
Announced2019, February. Released 2019, February2022, May 11
StatusDiscontinuedAvailable. Released 2022, July 21
Body
BuildGlass front (Gorilla Glass 5), plastic back, plastic frameGlass front (Gorilla Glass 3), aluminum frame, plastic back
Dimensions154 x 72 x 8.9 mm (6.06 x 2.83 x 0.35 in)152.2 x 71.8 x 8.9 mm (5.99 x 2.83 x 0.35 in)
SIM· Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM + eSIM
Weight156 g (5.50 oz)178 g (6.28 oz)
 -IP67 dust/water resistant (up to 1m for 30 min)
Display
ProtectionCorning Gorilla Glass 5Corning Gorilla Glass 3
Resolution720 x 1440 pixels, 18:9 ratio (~282 ppi density)1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~429 ppi density)
Size5.7 inches, 83.8 cm2 (~75.6% screen-to-body ratio)6.1 inches, 90.7 cm2 (~83.0% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeIPS LCDOLED, HDR
 -Always-on display
Platform
CPUOcta-core 2.0 GHz Cortex-A53Octa-core (2x2.80 GHz Cortex-X1 & 2x2.25 GHz Cortex-A76 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A55)
ChipsetMediatek MT6762 Helio P22 (12 nm)Google Tensor (5 nm)
GPUPowerVR GE8320Mali-G78 MP20
OSAndroid 8.0 (Oreo)Android 12, upgradable to Android 15, up to 5 major Android upgrades
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)No
Internal32GB 3GB RAM128GB 6GB RAM
 eMMC 5.1UFS 3.1
Main Camera
Dual13 MP, f/2.2, 26mm (wide), 1/3.0", PDAF Auxiliary lens12.2 MP, f/1.7, 27mm, (wide), 1/2.55", 1.4µm, dual pixel PDAF, OIS 12 MP, f/2.2, 17mm, 114˚ (ultrawide), 1.25µm
FeaturesLED flash, HDR, panoramaDual-LED flash, Pixel Shift, Auto-HDR, panorama
Single-8 MP, f/2.0, 24mm (wide), 1.12µm
Video1080p@30fps4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps; gyro-EIS, OIS
Selfie camera
Features-HDR, panorama
Single8 MP, f/2.0, 24mm (wide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm8 MP, f/2.0, 24mm (wide), 1.12µm
Video1080p@30fps1080p@30fps
Sound
3.5mm jack YesNo
35mm jackYesNo
Loudspeaker YesYes, with stereo speakers
Comms
Bluetooth5.0, A2DP, LE5.2, A2DP, LE
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS, GLONASSGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, QZSS
RadioFM radioNo
USBUSB Type-C 2.0USB Type-C 3.1
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n, dual-band, Wi-Fi DirectWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compassFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer
Battery
ChargingUSB Power Delivery18W wired, PD3.0
TypeLi-Ion 3300 mAh, non-removableLi-Po 4410 mAh
Misc
ColorsBlack, Gold, SilverChalk, Charcoal, Sage
ModelsI3312, I4312, I4332, I3322GX7AS, GB62Z, G1AZG, GB17L
PriceAbout 230 EUR$ 138.99 / C$ 228.74 / ₹ 23,999
Tests
Audio quality Noise -91.9dB / Crosstalk -89.3dB-
Battery life Endurance rating 80h Endurance rating 94h
Camera Photo / Video-
Display Contrast ratio: 1818:1 (nominal) Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal)
Loudspeaker Voice 70dB / Noise 73dB / Ring 81dB -
Performance AnTuTu: 78894 (v7) GFXBench: 5fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)-

Sony Xperia L3

  • Excellent battery life
  • Very affordable
  • Decent display contrast

  • Outdated chipset
  • Slow performance
  • Mediocre camera
  • Lower screen brightness

Google Pixel 6a

  • Powerful Google Tensor chip
  • Outstanding camera
  • Bright and vibrant display
  • Guaranteed software updates
  • Smooth performance

  • Slower charging speed (18W)
  • Higher price than Xperia L3

Display Comparison

The Pixel 6a's display is a significant upgrade. Its 876 nits of peak brightness makes it easily viewable outdoors, a feature the Xperia L3 lacks. The 'infinite' contrast ratio (though nominal) suggests deeper blacks and better overall image quality compared to the Xperia L3's 1818:1 ratio. The Pixel 6a also likely has a higher resolution, contributing to sharper visuals.

Camera Comparison

Google's Pixel phones are renowned for their camera prowess, and the 6a is no exception. Expect superior image quality, better low-light performance, and advanced computational photography features. The Xperia L3's camera is adequate but lacks the sophistication and image processing capabilities of the Pixel 6a.

Performance

The Google Tensor chip in the Pixel 6a is in a completely different league than the Mediatek Helio P22 in the Xperia L3. The Tensor's Cortex-X1 core delivers significantly faster processing speeds, resulting in smoother multitasking, quicker app loading, and a more responsive user experience. The Xperia L3 will feel sluggish by comparison.

Battery Life

While the Xperia L3 has a slightly higher endurance rating (80h vs 94h), real-world usage often favors the Pixel 6a due to its more efficient processor. Both offer excellent battery life, but the Pixel 6a's optimization gives it a slight edge.

Buying Guide

Who should buy the Sony Xperia L3? Users prioritizing extreme battery life and a very budget-friendly price point might consider it. Who should buy the Google Pixel 6a? Anyone wanting a smooth, fast experience with a fantastic camera and guaranteed software updates.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Is the Xperia L3 still worth buying in 2024?
Only if you're on an extremely tight budget and prioritize battery life above all else. Otherwise, the Pixel 6a offers significantly better value.
❓ Does the Pixel 6a get software updates?
Yes, the Pixel 6a is guaranteed to receive timely Android updates and security patches directly from Google for several years.