Both the Google Pixel 5a 5G and the Xiaomi Mi 10 Lite Zoom represent compelling options in the mid-range 5G smartphone space, particularly as their prices have fallen post-launch. While both are powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 765G, their approaches to camera, display, and software diverge significantly, creating distinct user experiences. This comparison dissects these differences to determine which phone delivers the best value.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing camera quality, software support, and a bright, easily viewable display, the Google Pixel 5a 5G is the superior choice. While the Mi 10 Lite Zoom offers faster charging, the Pixel 5a’s optimized software and superior display brightness outweigh this advantage.
| 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 | 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 | SA/NSA | 1, 2, 5, 12, 25, 28, 41, 66, 71, 77, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G (2+ Gbps DL) | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G | GSM / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G |
| | - | CDMA2000 1xEV-DO |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | Not announced yet | 2021, August 17 |
| Status | Cancelled | Available. Released 2021, August 26 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3), aluminum frame, aluminum back |
| Dimensions | 164 x 74.8 x 7.9 mm (6.46 x 2.94 x 0.31 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 | 192 g (6.77 oz) | 183 g (6.46 oz) |
| | - | IP67 dust/water resistant (up to 1m for 30 min) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~401 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~415 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.57 inches, 104.2 cm2 (~85.0% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.34 inches, 97.0 cm2 (~84.9% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | Super AMOLED, HDR10+, 600 nits (typ) | 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 (1x2.4 GHz Kryo 475 Prime & 1x2.2 GHz Kryo 475 Gold & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 475 Silver) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM7250 Snapdragon 765G 5G (7 nm) | Qualcomm SM7250 Snapdragon 765G 5G (7 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 620 | Adreno 620 |
| OS | Android 10, MIUI 11 | Android 11, upgradable to Android 14 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | No | No |
| Internal | 128GB 6GB RAM, 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 | Dual-LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, Pixel Shift, Auto-HDR, panorama |
| Quad | 48 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/3.4, 122mm (periscope telephoto), PDAF, OIS, 5x optical zoom
8 MP, f/2.2, 15mm, 120˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
2 MP (macro) | - |
| Single | - | 8 MP, f/2.0, 24mm (wide), 1.12µm |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps, 720p@960fps; gyro-EIS | 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps; gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | HDR |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.5, (wide), 1/3.06", 1.0µm | 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 |
| | 24-bit/192kHz audio | - |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.1, A2DP, LE, aptX Adaptive | 5.0, A2DP, LE, aptX HD |
| Infrared port | Yes | - |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS | 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, 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 | 22.5W wired, PD3.0, QC4 | 18W wired, PD2.0 |
| Type | Li-Po 4160 mAh | Li-Po 4680 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Blue, White, Black, Green, Orange/Peach | Mostly Black |
| Models | - | G1F8F, G4S1M |
| Price | About 270 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) |
Xiaomi Mi 10 Lite Zoom
- Superior camera performance thanks to Google’s software.
- Brighter display for excellent outdoor visibility.
- Clean Android experience with guaranteed updates.
- Slower charging speed (18W).
- Potentially less efficient thermal management due to software demands.
Google Pixel 5a 5G
- Faster 22.5W charging with PD3.0 and QC4.
- Lighter and potentially more comfortable to hold.
- MIUI offers extensive customization options.
- Inferior camera performance compared to the Pixel 5a.
- MIUI can be bloated with pre-installed apps and ads.
Display Comparison
The Pixel 5a 5G boasts a significantly brighter display, reaching a measured 861 nits, compared to the Mi 10 Lite Zoom’s unspecified peak brightness. This difference is crucial for outdoor visibility, giving the Pixel 5a a clear advantage in sunny conditions. Both displays offer an 'infinite' (nominal) contrast ratio, typical of OLED panels, but the Pixel 5a’s higher brightness translates to a more vibrant and punchy image. While the Mi 10 Lite Zoom may have a slightly more saturated color profile – a common Xiaomi trait – the Pixel 5a’s color accuracy is likely superior, aligning with Google’s emphasis on realistic image reproduction.
Camera Comparison
The Pixel 5a 5G’s camera system is its standout feature. While specific sensor details aren’t provided in the context data, Google’s computational photography prowess elevates image quality significantly. The Pixel’s image processing excels in dynamic range, detail preservation, and low-light performance. The Mi 10 Lite Zoom, while capable, relies more on hardware specifications and less on software optimization. The absence of OIS details for the Mi 10 Lite Zoom suggests the Pixel 5a likely has superior image stabilization. Ignoring the typical 2MP macro lens found on both devices, the Pixel 5a’s overall image quality will be preferred by most users.
Performance
Both devices utilize the Qualcomm SM7250 Snapdragon 765G 5G (7 nm) chipset, featuring an octa-core CPU configuration with the same Kryo 475 core arrangement (1x2.4 GHz Prime, 1x2.2 GHz Gold, and 6x1.8 GHz Silver). This means raw processing power will be nearly identical for most tasks. However, Google’s optimized software and potentially more efficient thermal design could allow the Pixel 5a to sustain peak performance for longer periods. The Mi 10 Lite Zoom’s lighter weight might offer slightly better cooling, but the software optimization on the Pixel 5a is a significant factor. RAM configurations are not specified, but any difference here would be a minor performance differentiator.
Battery Life
Both the Pixel 5a 5G and the Mi 10 Lite Zoom achieve an endurance rating of 122 hours, indicating similar overall battery life. However, the charging speeds differ considerably. The Mi 10 Lite Zoom supports 22.5W wired charging with PD3.0 and QC4, while the Pixel 5a 5G is limited to 18W with PD2.0. This means the Mi 10 Lite Zoom will charge significantly faster – likely reaching 100% in under an hour, compared to the Pixel 5a’s longer charging time. Despite the slower charging, the Pixel 5a’s software optimizations likely contribute to efficient power management, offsetting some of the charging speed disadvantage.
Buying Guide
Buy the Xiaomi Mi 10 Lite Zoom if you prioritize rapid charging and a lighter design, and are comfortable with Xiaomi’s MIUI software. Buy the Google Pixel 5a 5G if you value a clean Android experience, exceptional camera performance, and a display that remains visible even in direct sunlight. The Pixel 5a is the better choice for photography enthusiasts and those seeking long-term software support.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Snapdragon 765G in the Pixel 5a 5G throttle under sustained load, like during extended gaming sessions?
While the Snapdragon 765G isn't a flagship chip, the Pixel 5a 5G's software optimizations and thermal design aim to mitigate throttling. Expect some performance reduction after prolonged gaming, but it should remain playable. The Mi 10 Lite Zoom's lighter build *might* offer slightly better cooling, but Google's software is a key factor in maintaining consistent performance.
❓ How does the software update commitment differ between the Pixel 5a 5G and the Mi 10 Lite Zoom?
Google guarantees at least 3 years of Android OS updates and 5 years of security patches for the Pixel 5a 5G, ensuring long-term software support and security. Xiaomi’s update policy for the Mi 10 Lite Zoom is less consistent, typically offering 2 major Android updates and a shorter period of security patches. This makes the Pixel 5a a better choice for users who prioritize long-term software support.
❓ Is the 18W charging on the Pixel 5a 5G a significant drawback compared to the Mi 10 Lite Zoom's 22.5W?
While 22.5W is faster, the Pixel 5a’s software optimizations contribute to efficient power management. The difference in charging time isn’t drastic for daily use, and the Pixel 5a’s longer software support and superior camera arguably outweigh the charging speed advantage of the Mi 10 Lite Zoom.
