vivo S20 Pro vs Google Pixel 5a 5G: A Performance and Value Showdown
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🏆 Quick Verdict
For users prioritizing peak performance and rapid charging, the vivo S20 Pro is the clear winner. However, the Google Pixel 5a 5G remains a compelling option for those valuing a balanced experience, excellent software support, and proven battery endurance, especially at a potentially lower price point.
| PHONES | ||
|---|---|---|
| Phone Names | vivo S20 Pro | Google Pixel 5a 5G |
| Network | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 18, 19, 26, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 | 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, 3, 5, 8, 28, 38, 40, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA | 1, 2, 5, 12, 25, 28, 41, 66, 71, 77, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE / 5G | GSM / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G |
| - | CDMA2000 1xEV-DO | |
| Launch | ||
|---|---|---|
| Announced | 2024, November 28 | 2021, August 17 |
| Status | Available. Released 2024, December 12 | Available. Released 2021, August 26 |
| Body | ||
|---|---|---|
| Build | - | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3), aluminum frame, aluminum back |
| Dimensions | 160.6 x 75 x 7.5 mm (6.32 x 2.95 x 0.30 in) | 156.2 x 73.2 x 8.8 mm (6.15 x 2.88 x 0.35 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + eSIM |
| Weight | 194 g (6.84 oz) | 183 g (6.46 oz) |
| - | IP67 dust/water resistant (up to 1m for 30 min) | |
| Display | ||
|---|---|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 |
| Resolution | 1260 x 2800 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~460 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~415 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.67 inches, 107.4 cm2 (~89.2% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.34 inches, 97.0 cm2 (~84.9% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | AMOLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, 1600 nits (HBM), 5000 nits (peak) | OLED, HDR |
| - | Always-on display | |
| Platform | ||
|---|---|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (1x3.4 GHz Cortex-X4 & 3x2.85 GHz Cortex-X4 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A720) | Octa-core (1x2.4 GHz Kryo 475 Prime & 1x2.2 GHz Kryo 475 Gold & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 475 Silver) |
| Chipset | Mediatek Dimensity 9300+ (4 nm) | Qualcomm SM7250 Snapdragon 765G 5G (7 nm) |
| GPU | Immortalis-G720 MC12 | Adreno 620 |
| OS | Android 15, OriginOS 5 | Android 11, upgradable to Android 14 |
| Memory | ||
|---|---|---|
| Card slot | No | No |
| Internal | 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 16GB RAM | 128GB 6GB RAM |
| 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 | Ring-LED flash, panorama, HDR | LED flash, Pixel Shift, Auto-HDR, panorama |
| Single | - | 8 MP, f/2.0, 24mm (wide), 1.12µm |
| Triple | 50 MP, f/1.9, 23mm (wide), 1/1.56", PDAF, OIS 50 MP, f/2.6, 85mm (periscope telephoto), 1/1.95", 0.8µm, PDAF (15cm - ∞), OIS, 3x optical zoom 50 MP, f/2.1, (ultrawide), AF | - |
| Video | 4K, 1080p, gyro-EIS | 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps; gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Features | HDR | HDR |
| Single | 50 MP, f/2.0, 22mm (wide), AF | 8 MP, f/2.0, 24mm (wide), 1.12µm |
| Video | 4K, 1080p | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound | ||
|---|---|---|
| 3.5mm jack | - | Yes |
| 35mm jack | No | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| Comms | ||
|---|---|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.4, A2DP, LE, aptX HD, LHDC 5 | 5.0, A2DP, LE, aptX HD |
| Infrared port | Yes | - |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, BDS (B1I+B1c+B2a), GALILEO (E1+E5a), QZSS (L1+L5), NavIC (L5) | 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/6/7, 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 |
| Battery | ||
|---|---|---|
| Charging | 90W wired, PD Reverse wired | 18W wired, PD2.0 |
| Type | Si/C Li-Ion 5500 mAh | Li-Po 4680 mAh |
| Misc | ||
|---|---|---|
| Colors | Gray, Purple, Gold | Mostly Black |
| Models | V2430A | G1F8F, G4S1M |
| Price | About 450 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) |
vivo S20 Pro
- Significantly faster processor with the Dimensity 9300+
- Ultra-fast 90W wired charging
- Reverse wired charging capability
- Display specs are currently unknown
- Potential for higher price compared to the Pixel 5a 5G
Google Pixel 5a 5G
- Excellent camera image processing and consistent results
- Reliable battery endurance (122h)
- Clean and optimized Android software experience
- Slower processor compared to the Dimensity 9300+
- Slower 18W charging speed
Display Comparison
The Pixel 5a 5G boasts a display capable of reaching 861 nits of peak brightness, providing good visibility outdoors. While the S20 Pro’s display specs are not provided, vivo typically focuses on vibrant colors. The Pixel 5a’s ‘infinite’ contrast ratio suggests a standard OLED panel. The lack of high refresh rate information for the S20 Pro is a notable omission, while the Pixel 5a’s 60Hz panel is standard for its price bracket. The Pixel 5a’s brightness is a key advantage for outdoor usability.
Camera Comparison
Without detailed camera specs for the S20 Pro, a direct comparison is limited. However, the Pixel 5a 5G is renowned for its computational photography prowess, leveraging Google’s image processing algorithms to deliver consistently excellent results, particularly in challenging lighting conditions. The Pixel 5a’s image processing excels at dynamic range and detail preservation. The S20 Pro will likely rely on higher megapixel counts and potentially larger sensors, but image quality ultimately depends on software optimization. The absence of OIS information for the S20 Pro is a concern, as the Pixel 5a benefits from optical image stabilization.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The vivo S20 Pro’s Mediatek Dimensity 9300+ (4nm) is a significant leap ahead of the Google Pixel 5a 5G’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 765G (7nm). The Dimensity 9300+ features a unique CPU configuration with Cortex-X4 cores, designed for peak performance, while the Snapdragon 765G utilizes Kryo cores optimized for efficiency. The 4nm process node of the Dimensity 9300+ translates to better power efficiency and reduced thermal throttling compared to the 7nm Snapdragon 765G. This means the S20 Pro will handle sustained workloads, like gaming or video rendering, far more effectively. The S20 Pro’s architecture is geared towards flagship-level performance, while the Pixel 5a 5G prioritizes a smooth, responsive experience for everyday tasks.
Battery Life
Both phones share an endurance rating of 122 hours, suggesting similar real-world battery life despite the S20 Pro’s more powerful chipset. However, the charging speeds are drastically different. The vivo S20 Pro’s 90W wired charging with PD support is a game-changer, allowing for a full charge in a fraction of the time compared to the Pixel 5a 5G’s 18W PD2.0 charging. While the Pixel 5a’s endurance is respectable, the S20 Pro’s charging speed offers significant convenience. The S20 Pro also includes reverse wired charging, a feature absent on the Pixel 5a.
Buying Guide
Buy the vivo S20 Pro if you need uncompromising processing power for demanding tasks like video editing, gaming, or running multiple apps simultaneously, and if 90W fast charging is a priority. Buy the Google Pixel 5a 5G if you prefer a streamlined Android experience, reliable battery life, and a consistently smooth user interface without the need for top-tier specs. It's ideal for everyday use and photography.