Google Pixel 6a vs. vivo X51 5G: A Detailed Comparison of Mid-Range Powerhouses

The Google Pixel 6a and vivo X51 5G represent distinct approaches to the mid-range smartphone market. The Pixel 6a, powered by Google’s in-house Tensor chip, prioritizes AI-driven features and camera prowess. Conversely, the vivo X51 5G, with its Snapdragon 765G, focuses on delivering robust 5G connectivity and a balanced feature set. This comparison dissects their strengths and weaknesses to determine which device best suits your needs.

Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

For most users, the Google Pixel 6a emerges as the stronger choice. Its Google Tensor chip provides a noticeable performance advantage, particularly in AI tasks and image processing, and the 876 nits peak brightness offers a superior viewing experience. While the vivo X51 5G boasts 5G connectivity, the Pixel 6a’s overall package delivers more value.

PHONES
Phone Names	vivo X51 5G	Google Pixel 6a

Network
2G bands	GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900	GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bands	HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100	HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands	1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 32, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66	1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 14, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 48, 66, 71 - GX7AS, GB62Z (USA/Canada)
5G bands	1, 3, 7, 8, 28, 38, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA	1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 25, 28, 30, 38, 40, 41, 48, 66, 71, 77, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6 - GX7AS (USA/Canada)
Speed	HSPA, LTE, 5G	HSPA, LTE, 5G
Technology	GSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE / 5G	GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G
	CDMA 800	1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 25, 28, 30, 40, 48, 66, 71, 77, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6 - G1AZG (International)

Launch
Announced	2020, October 21. Released 2020, October 23	2022, May 11
Status	Discontinued	Available. Released 2022, July 21

Body
Build	Glass front, glass back, aluminum frame	Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3), aluminum frame, plastic back
Dimensions	158.5 x 72.8 x 8 mm (6.24 x 2.87 x 0.31 in)	152.2 x 71.8 x 8.9 mm (5.99 x 2.83 x 0.35 in)
Keyboard	QWERTY	-
SIM	Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM	Nano-SIM + eSIM
Weight	181.5 g (6.42 oz)	178 g (6.28 oz)
	-	IP67 dust/water resistant (up to 1m for 30 min)

Display
Protection	-	Corning Gorilla Glass 3
Resolution	1080 x 2376 pixels (~398 ppi density)	1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~429 ppi density)
Size	6.56 inches, 104.6 cm2 (~90.6% screen-to-body ratio)	6.1 inches, 90.7 cm2 (~83.0% screen-to-body ratio)
Type	AMOLED, 90Hz, HDR10+	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 (2x2.80 GHz Cortex-X1 & 2x2.25 GHz Cortex-A76 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A55)
Chipset	Qualcomm SM7250 Snapdragon 765G 5G (7 nm)	Google Tensor (5 nm)
GPU	Adreno 620	Mali-G78 MP20
OS	Android 10, Funtouch 10.0	Android 12, upgradable to Android 15, up to 5 major Android upgrades

Memory
Card slot	No	No
Internal	256GB 8GB RAM	128GB 6GB RAM
	UFS 2.1	UFS 3.1

Main Camera
Dual	-	12.2 MP, f/1.7, 27mm, (wide), 1/2.55", 1.4µm, dual pixel PDAF, OIS 12 MP, f/2.2, 17mm, 114˚ (ultrawide), 1.25µm
Features	Laser AF, color spectrum sensor, Dual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR, panorama	Dual-LED flash, Pixel Shift, Auto-HDR, panorama
Quad	48 MP, f/1.6, (wide), PDAF, gimbal OIS 8 MP, f/3.4, 135mm (periscope telephoto), 1/4.0", PDAF, OIS, 5x optical zoom 13 MP, f/2.5, 50mm (telephoto), 1/2.8", 0.8µm, PDAF, 2x optical zoom 8 MP, f/2.2, 120˚, 16mm (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm	-
Single	3.15 MP	8 MP, f/2.0, 24mm (wide), 1.12µm
Video	4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS	4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps; gyro-EIS, OIS

Selfie camera
Features	HDR	HDR, panorama
Single	32 MP, f/2.5, 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	No	No
35mm jack	No	No
Loudspeaker	Yes	Yes, with stereo speakers
	32-bit/192kHz audio	-

Comms
Bluetooth	5.1, A2DP, LE, aptX HD	5.2, A2DP, LE
NFC	Yes	Yes
Positioning	GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS	GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, QZSS
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/6e, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct

Features
Browser	HTML	-
Sensors	Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass	Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer

Battery
Charging	33W wired, 57% in 30 min	18W wired, PD3.0
Music play	Up to 5 h	-
Stand-by	Up to 312 h	-
Talk time	Up to 3 h	-
Type	4315 mAh	Li-Po 4410 mAh

Misc
Colors	Gray	Chalk, Charcoal, Sage
Models	XE710	GX7AS, GB62Z, G1AZG, GB17L
Price	About 760 EUR	$ 138.99 / C$ 228.74 / ₹ 23,999
SAR	0.35 W/kg (head) 0.95 W/kg (body)	-
SAR EU	0.20 W/kg (head)	-

Pricing
256GB 8GB RAM	$ 885.00	-

Tests
Battery life	-	Endurance rating 94h
Display	-	Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal)

vivo X51 5G

Superior performance with Google Tensor chip
Excellent camera quality and AI features
Guaranteed software updates from Google

Slower charging speed (18W)
May lack 5G support in certain regions

Google Pixel 6a

Faster charging speed (33W)
Confirmed 5G connectivity
Larger storage option (256GB)

Less powerful processor (Snapdragon 765G)
Potentially less frequent software updates

Display Comparison

The Pixel 6a’s display shines with a measured peak brightness of 876 nits, significantly outperforming what’s typically found in this price bracket. While the vivo X51 5G’s display specs aren’t provided, the Pixel 6a’s infinite contrast ratio (nominal) suggests a superior viewing experience, especially with HDR content. The lack of detailed display information for the vivo X51 5G makes a direct comparison difficult, but the Pixel 6a clearly has the edge in brightness and contrast.

Camera Comparison

The Pixel 6a leverages Google’s renowned computational photography capabilities powered by the Tensor chip. While specific sensor details are missing for both devices, the Pixel 6a’s image processing is expected to deliver superior dynamic range, detail, and low-light performance. The vivo X51 5G likely relies more on hardware for image quality, but the Pixel 6a’s software optimizations provide a significant advantage. Ignoring the likely low-resolution macro lenses on both devices, the Pixel 6a’s AI-powered features like Magic Eraser and Photo Unblur offer unique and compelling photographic tools.

Performance

The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Google Pixel 6a’s Tensor chip, built on a 5nm process, offers a substantial architectural advantage over the vivo X51 5G’s 7nm Snapdragon 765G. The Tensor’s octa-core configuration, featuring 2x2.80 GHz Cortex-X1 cores, delivers significantly higher peak performance than the Snapdragon 765G’s 1x2.4 GHz Kryo 475 Prime core. This translates to faster app loading times, smoother multitasking, and improved performance in demanding applications. While both phones have 8GB of RAM, the Tensor chip’s superior processing power will be more effectively utilized.

Battery Life

Both the vivo X51 5G and Pixel 6a achieve an endurance rating of 94 hours, indicating comparable battery life under similar usage conditions. However, the charging speeds differ significantly. The vivo X51 5G supports 33W wired charging, reaching 57% charge in 30 minutes, while the Pixel 6a is limited to 18W wired charging with PD3.0. This means the vivo X51 5G offers faster top-ups, but the overall battery endurance is similar, suggesting comparable real-world usage times.

Buying Guide

Buy the vivo X51 5G if you absolutely require a phone with confirmed 5G support and prioritize a slightly faster charging speed. It’s a solid option for users heavily invested in 5G networks. Buy the Google Pixel 6a if you value a superior camera experience, smoother performance thanks to the Tensor chip, and guaranteed software updates directly from Google. It’s ideal for photography enthusiasts and those seeking a long-term, well-supported device.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Does the Google Tensor chip in the Pixel 6a get noticeably warmer during extended gaming sessions compared to the Snapdragon 765G in the vivo X51 5G?

While the Tensor chip is more powerful, its 5nm process and Google’s thermal management software generally keep temperatures under control. However, the Snapdragon 765G, being a 7nm chip, may exhibit slightly better thermal efficiency during prolonged, graphically intensive gaming. Both phones are unlikely to experience severe overheating, but the vivo X51 5G might maintain slightly cooler temperatures.

❓ Is the 256GB storage option on the vivo X51 5G a significant advantage over the Pixel 6a, considering cloud storage options?

For users who heavily rely on local storage for large files like videos or offline music, the 256GB option on the vivo X51 5G is beneficial. However, with the increasing availability of affordable cloud storage solutions from Google and others, the need for massive onboard storage is diminishing for many users. The Pixel 6a’s base storage is sufficient for most users, especially with cloud backup options.

❓ How does the Pixel 6a's software update commitment compare to the vivo X51 5G, and why is this important?

Google guarantees at least 3 years of Android OS updates and 5 years of security updates for the Pixel 6a, ensuring long-term software support and security. Vivo’s update policy for the X51 5G is less consistent and typically offers fewer major Android updates. This is crucial because software updates provide new features, performance improvements, and critical security patches, protecting your device from vulnerabilities.