Google Pixel 5a 5G vs. vivo V20: A Detailed Comparison of Mid-Range Contenders
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🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing camera quality, software experience, and future-proofing with 5G, the Google Pixel 5a 5G is the stronger choice. While the vivo V20 offers faster charging and a stylish design, the Pixel 5a 5G’s superior display and chipset performance provide a more well-rounded experience.
| PHONES | ||
|---|---|---|
| Phone Names | vivo V20 | Google Pixel 5a 5G |
| 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 | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 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, 2, 5, 12, 25, 28, 41, 66, 71, 77, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G |
| - | CDMA2000 1xEV-DO | |
| Launch | ||
|---|---|---|
| Announced | 2020, September 30. Released 2020, October 19 | 2021, August 17 |
| Status | Discontinued | Available. Released 2021, August 26 |
| Body | ||
|---|---|---|
| Build | Glass front, glass back | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3), aluminum frame, aluminum back |
| Dimensions | 161.3 x 74.2 x 7.4 mm (6.35 x 2.92 x 0.29 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 | 171 g (6.03 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 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~409 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~415 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.44 inches, 100.1 cm2 (~83.7% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.34 inches, 97.0 cm2 (~84.9% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | AMOLED | OLED, HDR |
| - | Always-on display | |
| Platform | ||
|---|---|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.3 GHz Kryo 465 Gold & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 465 Silver) | Octa-core (1x2.4 GHz Kryo 475 Prime & 1x2.2 GHz Kryo 475 Gold & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 475 Silver) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM7125 Snapdragon 720G (8 nm) | Qualcomm SM7250 Snapdragon 765G 5G (7 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 618 | Adreno 620 |
| OS | Android 11, Funtouch 11 | Android 11, upgradable to Android 14 |
| Memory | ||
|---|---|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | No |
| Internal | 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB 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 | Dual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, Pixel Shift, Auto-HDR, panorama |
| Single | - | 8 MP, f/2.0, 24mm (wide), 1.12µm |
| Triple | 64 MP, f/1.9, 26mm (wide), 1/1.72", 0.8µm, PDAF 8 MP, f/2.2, 120˚, 16mm (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm, AF Auxiliary lens | - |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps, gyro-EIS | 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps; gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Features | HDR | HDR |
| Single | 44 MP, f/2.0, (wide), AF | 8 MP, f/2.0, 24mm (wide), 1.12µm |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound | ||
|---|---|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| 24-bit/192kHz audio | - | |
| Comms | ||
|---|---|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.1, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE, aptX HD |
| NFC | Yes (market/region dependent) | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, QZSS, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio | 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 (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer |
| Battery | ||
|---|---|---|
| Charging | 33W wired | 18W wired, PD2.0 |
| Type | 4000 mAh | Li-Po 4680 mAh |
| Misc | ||
|---|---|---|
| Colors | Sunset Melody, Midnight Jazz, Moonlight Sonata | Mostly Black |
| Models | V2025, V2024 | G1F8F, G4S1M |
| Price | About 290 EUR | $ 189.00 / C$ 249.99 |
| Tests | ||
|---|---|---|
| Battery life | Endurance rating 111h | Endurance rating 122h |
| Camera | Photo / Video | - |
| Display | Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) | Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker | -28.3 LUFS (Average) | - |
| Performance | AnTuTu: 276006(v8) GeekBench: 1686 (v5.1) GFXBench: 15fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) | AnTuTu: 291303 (v8) GeekBench: 1337 (v5.1) GFXBench: 19fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
vivo V20
- Superior display brightness for outdoor visibility
- More powerful Snapdragon 765G chipset
- 5G connectivity for faster data speeds
- Google’s industry-leading camera software
- Slower 18W charging
- Less stylish design compared to the vivo V20
Google Pixel 5a 5G
- Faster 33W wired charging
- Sleek and stylish design
- Competitive battery endurance
- Potentially more vibrant image processing
- Less powerful Snapdragon 720G chipset
- Lower display brightness
- Lacks 5G connectivity
Display Comparison
The Pixel 5a 5G boasts a significantly brighter display, reaching 861 nits compared to the vivo V20’s 621 nits. This translates to much better visibility outdoors under direct sunlight. Both displays share an 'infinite' contrast ratio, a common marketing term, but the higher brightness of the Pixel 5a 5G is a tangible advantage. While both are likely OLED panels (though not explicitly stated), the Pixel’s superior brightness makes it the clear winner for media consumption and everyday use. The lack of high refresh rate information on either device suggests a standard 60Hz experience.
Camera Comparison
While both phones are listed as having 'Photo / Video' capabilities, the Pixel 5a 5G benefits from Google’s exceptional computational photography. Although sensor sizes and apertures aren’t specified, Google’s software processing consistently delivers excellent image quality, particularly in challenging lighting conditions. The vivo V20 likely focuses on a more saturated, aesthetically pleasing image profile, common for the brand. Without detailed camera specs, it’s difficult to make a definitive judgment, but Google’s track record strongly favors the Pixel 5a 5G in overall image quality and consistency.
Performance
Under the hood, the Google Pixel 5a 5G’s Snapdragon 765G (7nm) holds a performance edge over the vivo V20’s Snapdragon 720G (8nm). The 7nm process node generally allows for greater transistor density and improved efficiency. The Pixel 5a 5G’s CPU configuration – a 1x2.4 GHz Kryo 475 Prime core alongside a 1x2.2 GHz Kryo 475 Gold core and 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 475 Silver cores – offers a more robust single-core performance than the vivo V20’s 2x2.3 GHz Kryo 465 Gold and 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 465 Silver setup. This difference will be noticeable in demanding applications and multitasking scenarios. The 5G modem integrated into the 765G is a key differentiator, providing access to faster network speeds where available.
Battery Life
Both devices achieve similar endurance ratings – 122 hours for the Pixel 5a 5G and 111 hours for the vivo V20. However, this doesn’t tell the whole story. The Pixel 5a 5G’s more efficient chipset and potentially optimized software contribute to its longer endurance despite a slower 18W charging speed (with PD2.0 support). The vivo V20’s 33W charging is significantly faster, allowing for a quicker top-up, but the Pixel 5a 5G’s slightly larger battery and efficiency gains offset the charging speed difference in real-world usage.
Buying Guide
Buy the vivo V20 if you prioritize a slim, stylish design and exceptionally fast 33W charging, and don't heavily rely on 5G connectivity. You'll appreciate its aesthetics and quick top-ups. Buy the Google Pixel 5a 5G if you value a superior display, a more powerful processor for smoother multitasking and gaming, and Google’s industry-leading camera software, alongside the benefits of 5G network access.