TCL 10 5G UW vs Google Pixel 5a 5G: Which 5G Phone Wins?
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🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing camera quality and guaranteed software updates, the Google Pixel 5a 5G is the superior choice. While both phones share the same Snapdragon 765G chipset, the Pixel’s image processing and longer support lifecycle justify the price difference. However, the TCL 10 5G UW remains a strong contender for budget-conscious buyers.
| PHONES | ||
|---|---|---|
| Phone Names | TCL 10 5G UW | 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 | 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 12, 13, 20, 28, 46, 48, 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 | 2, 5, 66, 260, 261 mmWave | 1, 2, 5, 12, 25, 28, 41, 66, 71, 77, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G | GSM / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G |
| - | CDMA2000 1xEV-DO | |
| Launch | ||
|---|---|---|
| Announced | 2020, October 27. Released 2020, October 29 | 2021, August 17 |
| Status | Discontinued | Available. Released 2021, August 26 |
| Body | ||
|---|---|---|
| Build | Glass front, glass back, aluminum frame | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3), aluminum frame, aluminum back |
| Dimensions | 163.6 x 76.5 x 9.4 mm (6.44 x 3.01 x 0.37 in) | 156.2 x 73.2 x 8.8 mm (6.15 x 2.88 x 0.35 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + eSIM |
| Weight | 210 g (7.41 oz) | 183 g (6.46 oz) |
| - | IP67 dust/water resistant (up to 1m for 30 min) | |
| Display | ||
|---|---|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~395 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~415 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.53 inches, 104.7 cm2 (~83.6% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.34 inches, 97.0 cm2 (~84.9% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, HDR10, 450 nits (typ) | OLED, HDR |
| - | Always-on display | |
| Platform | ||
|---|---|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (1x2.4 GHz Kryo 475 Prime & 1x2.2 GHz Kryo 475 Gold & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 475 Silver) | Octa-core (1x2.4 GHz Kryo 475 Prime & 1x2.2 GHz Kryo 475 Gold & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 475 Silver) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM7250 Snapdragon 765G 5G (7 nm) | Qualcomm SM7250 Snapdragon 765G 5G (7 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 620 | Adreno 620 |
| OS | Android 10 | Android 11, upgradable to Android 14 |
| Memory | ||
|---|---|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | No |
| Internal | 128GB 6GB 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, 119˚ (ultrawide), 1.0µm |
| Features | Dual-LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, Pixel Shift, Auto-HDR, panorama |
| Single | - | 8 MP, f/2.0, 24mm (wide), 1.12µm |
| Triple | 48 MP, 26mm (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF 8 MP, f/2.2, 13mm (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm 5 MP (macro), AF | - |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps, gyro-EIS | 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps; gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Features | - | HDR |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.2, 26mm (wide), 1/3.06", 1.0µm | 8 MP, f/2.0, 24mm (wide), 1.12µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound | ||
|---|---|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| Comms | ||
|---|---|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE, aptX HD |
| NFC | - | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, GALILEO | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, QZSS, BDS |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | 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 (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer |
| Battery | ||
|---|---|---|
| Charging | 18W wired, QC3 | 18W wired, PD2.0 |
| Type | Li-Po 4500 mAh | Li-Po 4680 mAh |
| Misc | ||
|---|---|---|
| Colors | Diamond Gray | Mostly Black |
| Models | - | G1F8F, G4S1M |
| Price | About 340 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) |
TCL 10 5G UW
- Potentially lower price point
- 5G connectivity
- QC3 fast charging
- Inferior camera performance
- Less frequent software updates
- Display likely less bright and vibrant
Google Pixel 5a 5G
- Excellent camera quality
- Guaranteed software updates from Google
- Brighter, higher-contrast display
- Higher price
- Similar chipset to TCL 10 5G UW
- 18W charging isn't the fastest available
Display Comparison
Both devices utilize LCD panels, but the Pixel 5a 5G boasts a significantly brighter display, reaching a measured 861 nits. This higher peak brightness translates to improved visibility outdoors under direct sunlight, a clear advantage for users frequently using their phones in bright environments. While both lack high refresh rate panels, the Pixel’s ‘infinite’ contrast ratio (nominal) suggests better black levels, enhancing overall image quality. The TCL’s display specifications are not provided, making a direct comparison of color accuracy and viewing angles difficult, but it’s likely to be less vibrant than the Pixel.
Camera Comparison
While both phones are capable of capturing decent images, the Google Pixel 5a 5G holds a substantial advantage in camera performance. This isn’t necessarily due to superior hardware (sensor sizes are not specified for either), but rather Google’s industry-leading computational photography. The Pixel’s image processing excels in dynamic range, noise reduction, and detail preservation, particularly in challenging lighting conditions. The TCL 10 5G UW likely relies more on hardware capabilities, and without Google’s software magic, will likely produce less refined images. The absence of details regarding OIS or lens apertures on the TCL further reinforces the Pixel’s camera superiority.
Performance
Both the TCL 10 5G UW and the Google Pixel 5a 5G are powered by the Qualcomm SM7250 Snapdragon 765G 5G (7 nm) chipset, featuring the same octa-core CPU configuration. This means raw processing power will be nearly identical for everyday tasks and most games. However, the Pixel 5a 5G benefits from Google’s software optimizations, potentially leading to smoother performance and better resource management. Neither phone utilizes the latest LPDDR5x RAM, suggesting a focus on cost optimization over bleeding-edge performance. Thermal throttling, while not explicitly detailed, is likely to be a similar concern on both devices under sustained heavy load.
Battery Life
Both the TCL 10 5G UW and the Google Pixel 5a 5G achieve an endurance rating of 122 hours, indicating comparable battery life under typical usage. Both support 18W wired charging, but the Pixel 5a 5G utilizes PD2.0, while the TCL employs QC3. While both standards deliver similar charging speeds, PD2.0 is a more universal standard, offering broader compatibility with chargers. The lack of detailed battery capacity information for the TCL makes it difficult to assess whether its endurance is achieved through larger battery size or more efficient power management.
Buying Guide
Buy the TCL 10 5G UW if you need a functional 5G phone at the lowest possible price and aren't heavily invested in the Google ecosystem. Buy the Google Pixel 5a 5G if you prioritize camera performance, clean software, timely updates, and a more refined user experience, even if it means spending a bit more.