vivo X30 Pro vs. Google Pixel 5a 5G: A Detailed Comparison of Mid-Range 5G Contenders
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🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing consistent battery life and excellent camera software, the Google Pixel 5a 5G is the better choice. While the vivo X30 Pro boasts faster 33W charging, the Pixel 5a 5G’s Snapdragon 765G offers a more balanced and efficient experience, backed by Google’s software optimizations.
| PHONES | ||
|---|---|---|
| Phone Names | vivo X30 Pro | 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 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 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 | 41, 78 SA/NSA | 1, 2, 5, 12, 25, 28, 41, 66, 71, 77, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G (3.6+ Gbps DL) | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE / 5G | GSM / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G |
| CDMA 800 & TD-SCDMA | CDMA2000 1xEV-DO | |
| Launch | ||
|---|---|---|
| Announced | 2019, December. Released 2019, December | 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 | 158.5 x 74.1 x 8.8 mm (6.24 x 2.92 x 0.35 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 | 198.5 g (7.02 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 (~85.3% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.34 inches, 97.0 cm2 (~84.9% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | Super AMOLED, HDR, 800 nits (typ) | OLED, HDR |
| - | Always-on display | |
| Platform | ||
|---|---|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A77 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex A55) | Octa-core (1x2.4 GHz Kryo 475 Prime & 1x2.2 GHz Kryo 475 Gold & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 475 Silver) |
| Chipset | Exynos 980 (8 nm) | Qualcomm SM7250 Snapdragon 765G 5G (7 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G76 MP5 | Adreno 620 |
| OS | Android 9.0 (Pie), Funtouch 10.0 | Android 11, upgradable to Android 14 |
| Memory | ||
|---|---|---|
| Card slot | No | No |
| Internal | 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB 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 | Laser AF, Dual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, Pixel Shift, Auto-HDR, panorama |
| Quad | 64 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/1.72", 0.8µm, PDAF 13 MP, f/3.0, 135mm (periscope telephoto), 1/4.0", PDAF, OIS, 5x optical zoom 32 MP, f/2.0, 50mm (telephoto), 1/2.8", 0.8µm, PDAF, 2x optical zoom 8 MP, f/2.2, 112˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm | - |
| Single | - | 8 MP, f/2.0, 24mm (wide), 1.12µm |
| Video | 4K@30fps | 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps; gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Features | HDR | HDR |
| Single | 32 MP, f/2.4, 26mm (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm | 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 | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, QZSS, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio | No |
| USB | USB Type-C, 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 | 4350 mAh, non-removable | Li-Po 4680 mAh |
| Misc | ||
|---|---|---|
| Colors | Black, Peach, Light Blue | Mostly Black |
| Models | V1938T | G1F8F, G4S1M |
| Price | About 600 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 X30 Pro
- Faster 33W wired charging
- Potentially more versatile camera system (depending on lens configuration)
- Premium design and build quality (likely)
- Exynos 980 may exhibit thermal throttling
- Potentially less efficient power consumption
- Software support may be limited compared to Pixel
Google Pixel 5a 5G
- Excellent camera image processing
- Efficient Snapdragon 765G chipset
- Guaranteed software updates and long-term support
- Bright and vibrant OLED display
- Slower 18W charging
- Less flashy design
- May lack some of the hardware-focused camera features of the X30 Pro
Display Comparison
The Google Pixel 5a 5G’s display shines with a measured peak brightness of 861 nits, significantly exceeding what’s typically found in this price bracket. While the X30 Pro’s display specs aren’t provided, it’s likely lower. The Pixel 5a 5G’s ‘Infinite’ contrast ratio (nominal) suggests a strong OLED panel, delivering deep blacks and vibrant colors. The lack of high refresh rate on either device is noticeable in 2024, but the Pixel’s superior brightness makes it more usable outdoors.
Camera Comparison
The Pixel 5a 5G’s strength lies in its computational photography, leveraging Google’s image processing algorithms. While sensor sizes aren’t specified, the Pixel’s reputation for excellent dynamic range and low-light performance is well-established. The X30 Pro’s camera specs are unavailable for detailed analysis, but it’s likely to rely more on hardware specifications. The Pixel 5a 5G’s software optimizations consistently deliver impressive results, even with potentially smaller sensors. The X30 Pro may offer more versatility with additional lenses, but the Pixel’s image quality is generally more reliable.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets: the vivo X30 Pro utilizes the Exynos 980 (8nm) while the Pixel 5a 5G employs the Snapdragon 765G (7nm). The Snapdragon 765G’s 7nm process generally translates to better power efficiency compared to the Exynos 980’s 8nm node. The Snapdragon 765G’s CPU configuration – 1x2.4 GHz Kryo 475 Prime, 1x2.2 GHz Kryo 475 Gold, and 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 475 Silver – is designed for a balance of performance and efficiency. The Exynos 980’s 2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A77 and 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55 configuration is competitive, but may exhibit more thermal throttling during extended gaming sessions. Both utilize octa-core CPUs, but the architectural differences favor the Snapdragon in sustained performance.
Battery Life
Both devices achieve an endurance rating of 122 hours, indicating similar overall battery life. However, the charging speeds differ significantly. The vivo X30 Pro supports 33W wired charging, allowing for a much faster 0-100% charge compared to the Pixel 5a 5G’s 18W charging with PD2.0. The Snapdragon 765G’s efficiency in the Pixel 5a 5G contributes to consistent battery performance throughout the day, while the X30 Pro might require more frequent top-ups if heavily used. The faster charging of the X30 Pro is a clear advantage for users who prioritize quick power replenishment.
Buying Guide
Buy the vivo X30 Pro if you need exceptionally fast charging and are comfortable with potentially more aggressive thermal throttling under sustained load. Its 33W charging is a significant advantage for power users. Buy the Google Pixel 5a 5G if you prefer a consistently smooth experience, exceptional camera image processing, and long-term software support. The Snapdragon 765G provides a more stable performance profile and the Pixel’s software is a major draw.