Xiaomi Mi 10T 5G vs Google Pixel 5a 5G: Which 5G Phone Reigns Supreme?
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🏆 Quick Verdict
For users prioritizing raw performance and faster charging, the Xiaomi Mi 10T 5G is the clear winner. However, the Google Pixel 5a 5G offers a more refined software experience, excellent camera processing, and comparable battery life, making it ideal for everyday users and photography enthusiasts.
| PHONES | ||
|---|---|---|
| Phone Names | Xiaomi Mi 10T 5G | 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, 20, 28, 32, 38, 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, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 41, 77, 78 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 | 2020, September 30. Released 2020, October 13 | 2021, August 17 |
| Status | Discontinued | Available. Released 2021, August 26 |
| Body | ||
|---|---|---|
| Build | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), glass back (Gorilla Glass 5), aluminum frame | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3), aluminum frame, aluminum back |
| Dimensions | 165.1 x 76.4 x 9.3 mm (6.5 x 3.01 x 0.37 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 | 216 g (7.62 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 (~395 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~415 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.67 inches, 107.4 cm2 (~85.2% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.34 inches, 97.0 cm2 (~84.9% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 144Hz, HDR10+, 500 nits (typ), 650 nits (peak) | OLED, HDR |
| - | Always-on display | |
| Platform | ||
|---|---|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (1x2.84 GHz Cortex-A77 & 3x2.42 GHz Cortex-A77 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (1x2.4 GHz Kryo 475 Prime & 1x2.2 GHz Kryo 475 Gold & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 475 Silver) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM8250 Snapdragon 865 5G (7 nm+) | Qualcomm SM7250 Snapdragon 765G 5G (7 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 650 | Adreno 620 |
| OS | Android 10, upgradable to Android 11, MIUI 12.5 | Android 11, upgradable to Android 14 |
| Memory | ||
|---|---|---|
| Card slot | No | No |
| Internal | 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 6GB RAM | 128GB 6GB RAM |
| UFS 3.1 | - | |
| 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 | LED 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), 1/1.73", 0.8µm, PDAF 13 MP, f/2.4, 123˚ (ultrawide), 1/3.06", 1.12µm 5 MP (macro), AF | - |
| Video | 8K@30fps, 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240/960fps; gyro-EIS | 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps; gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Features | HDR | HDR |
| Single | 20 MP, f/2.2, 27mm (wide), 1/3.4", 0.8µm | 8 MP, f/2.0, 24mm (wide), 1.12µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps, 720p@120fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound | ||
|---|---|---|
| 3.5mm jack | No | Yes |
| 35mm jack | No | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| 24-bit/192kHz audio | - | |
| Comms | ||
|---|---|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.1, A2DP, LE, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive | 5.0, A2DP, LE, aptX HD |
| Infrared port | Yes | - |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (G1), BDS (B1), GALILEO (E1+E5a) | 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, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features | ||
|---|---|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer |
| Battery | ||
|---|---|---|
| Charging | 33W wired, PD3.0 | 18W wired, PD2.0 |
| Type | Li-Po 5000 mAh | Li-Po 4680 mAh |
| Misc | ||
|---|---|---|
| Colors | Cosmic Black, Lunar Silver | Mostly Black |
| Models | M2007J3SY | G1F8F, G4S1M |
| Price | About 240 EUR | $ 189.00 / C$ 249.99 |
| SAR | 0.97 W/kg (head) 0.98 W/kg (body) | - |
| SAR EU | 0.57 W/kg (head) 1.00 W/kg (body) | - |
| 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 10T 5G
- Significantly faster processor for demanding tasks
- Faster 33W charging with PD3.0 support
- Potentially higher refresh rate display (based on model line)
- Software experience may not be as refined as Pixel
- Camera performance relies more on hardware than software
Google Pixel 5a 5G
- Exceptional camera image quality thanks to Google’s software
- Clean and streamlined Android experience with guaranteed updates
- Bright display with excellent contrast
- Less powerful processor compared to the Snapdragon 865
- Slower 18W charging
Display Comparison
The Pixel 5a 5G boasts a brighter display, reaching a measured 861 nits, compared to the Mi 10T 5G (brightness data unavailable). While the Mi 10T 5G likely has a higher refresh rate (typically 120Hz for this model line, though not specified), the Pixel 5a 5G’s infinite contrast ratio suggests a superior viewing experience with deeper blacks. The lack of refresh rate data for the Mi 10T 5G makes a direct comparison difficult, but the Pixel 5a’s brightness is a definitive advantage in outdoor visibility.
Camera Comparison
While both phones are capable, the Pixel 5a 5G leverages Google’s computational photography expertise. Although sensor sizes aren’t provided, the Pixel’s image processing is renowned for its dynamic range and accurate color reproduction. The Mi 10T 5G likely has higher megapixel counts, but megapixels aren’t everything. The Pixel 5a 5G’s strength lies in its software algorithms, delivering consistently excellent results in various lighting conditions. The absence of detailed camera specs for the Mi 10T 5G makes a precise comparison challenging, but the Pixel’s software advantage is substantial.
Performance
The Xiaomi Mi 10T 5G’s Snapdragon 865, built on a 7nm+ process, significantly outperforms the Pixel 5a 5G’s Snapdragon 765G (7nm). The 865 features a more powerful CPU configuration – an octa-core setup with a prime Cortex-A77 clocked at 2.84 GHz – versus the 765G’s 2.4 GHz Kryo 475 Prime. This translates to faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and superior gaming performance. While both support 5G, the 865’s more advanced modem offers potentially faster speeds and broader network compatibility. The Mi 10T 5G will handle graphically intensive tasks with greater ease.
Battery Life
Both the Xiaomi Mi 10T 5G and Google Pixel 5a 5G achieve an endurance rating of 122 hours, indicating similar overall battery life. However, the Mi 10T 5G’s 33W wired charging (PD3.0) is significantly faster than the Pixel 5a 5G’s 18W charging (PD2.0). This means the Mi 10T 5G can replenish its battery much quicker, minimizing downtime. While both offer comparable longevity, the Mi 10T 5G’s charging speed provides a practical advantage for users who frequently need to top up their battery.
Buying Guide
Buy the Xiaomi Mi 10T 5G if you need uncompromising performance for gaming and demanding applications, and value faster 33W charging. Buy the Google Pixel 5a 5G if you prefer a streamlined Android experience, exceptional camera image quality, and long-term software support, even if it means sacrificing some processing power.