Looking for a budget-friendly smartphone or a reliable 5G experience? The Tecno Spark 5 Pro and Google Pixel 4a 5G offer compelling options, but cater to different needs. This comprehensive comparison will help you determine which device best suits your priorities.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Google Pixel 4a 5G is the clear winner, offering significantly better performance, a superior camera, and 5G connectivity. While the Tecno Spark 5 Pro provides a more affordable entry point, the Pixel 4a 5G delivers a vastly improved overall experience.
| 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 | 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, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2020, July 13. Released 2020, July 13 | 2020, September 30 |
| Status | Discontinued | Available. Released 2020, November 05 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3), plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 164.7 x 76.3 x 8.8 mm (6.48 x 3.00 x 0.35 in) | 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 + eSIM |
| Weight | - | 168 g (5G Sub-6); 171 g ( 5G Sub-6 and mmWave) (5.93 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 |
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~266 ppi density) | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~413 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.6 inches, 105.2 cm2 (~83.7% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.2 inches, 95.7 cm2 (~84.1% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | OLED, HDR |
| | - | Always-on display |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.5 GHz Cortex-A53) | Octa-core (1x2.4 GHz Kryo 475 Prime & 1x2.2 GHz Kryo 475 Gold & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 475 Silver) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6762D Helio A25 (12 nm) | Qualcomm SM7250 Snapdragon 765G 5G (7 nm) |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8320 | Adreno 620 |
| OS | Android 10, HIOS 6.1 | Android 11, upgradable to Android 14 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | No |
| Internal | 64GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM | 128GB 6GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | 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 | Quad-LED flash, panorama, HDR | LED flash, Pixel Shift, Auto-HDR, panorama |
| Quad | 16 MP, f/1.8, PDAF
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lenses | - |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps; gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | Dual-LED flash, HDR | HDR |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.0, (wide) | 8 MP, f/2.0, 24mm (wide), 1/4.0", 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 | Yes | 5.0, A2DP, LE, aptX HD |
| NFC | No | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, QZSS, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio | No |
| USB | microUSB 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 3.1 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | - | 18W wired, PD2.0 |
| Type | 5000 mAh | Li-Po 3885 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Ice Jadeite, Spark Orange, Seabed Blue, Cloud White | Just Black, Clearly White |
| Models | - | GD1YQ, G025I, G025E, G025H, G6QU3 |
| Price | About 120 EUR | About 140 EUR |
Tecno Spark 5 pro
- Affordable
- Large display
- Decent battery life
- Expandable storage (microSD)
- Weak performance
- Mediocre camera
- Slow charging
- Outdated chipset
Google Pixel 4a 5G
- Excellent camera
- Powerful performance
- 5G connectivity
- Clean Android experience
- Fast charging
- Higher price
- No expandable storage
- Design can be considered plain
Display Comparison
The Pixel 4a 5G boasts a larger 6.2-inch OLED display with a 60Hz refresh rate, offering vibrant colors and deep blacks. The Spark 5 Pro features a smaller 6.5-inch IPS LCD display. While both are adequate, the Pixel 4a 5G's OLED technology provides a noticeably better viewing experience.
Camera Comparison
Google's computational photography shines in the Pixel 4a 5G, delivering exceptional image quality, especially in low light. The Spark 5 Pro's camera is adequate for basic shots but lacks the dynamic range and detail of the Pixel. The Pixel also offers better video recording capabilities.
Performance
The Snapdragon 765G in the Pixel 4a 5G is a powerhouse compared to the Helio A25 in the Spark 5 Pro. Expect significantly faster app loading times, smoother multitasking, and better gaming performance on the Pixel. The Spark 5 Pro struggles with demanding tasks.
Battery Life
Both phones offer decent battery life, typically lasting a full day with moderate use. The Pixel 4a 5G's 18W fast charging (PD2.0) provides a quicker top-up compared to the Spark 5 Pro's slower charging.
Buying Guide
The Tecno Spark 5 Pro is ideal for users on a tight budget who prioritize affordability and basic functionality. The Google Pixel 4a 5G is perfect for those seeking a reliable, feature-rich phone with excellent camera capabilities and 5G connectivity, even if it means spending a bit more.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Tecno Spark 5 Pro good for gaming?
The Tecno Spark 5 Pro's chipset struggles with demanding games. Casual games are playable, but expect low settings and potential lag.
❓ Does the Google Pixel 4a 5G have expandable storage?
No, the Google Pixel 4a 5G does not offer expandable storage via microSD card.
❓ Which phone has better software support?
The Google Pixel 4a 5G receives faster and more frequent software updates directly from Google, ensuring a more secure and up-to-date experience.