Jimmy Westenberg / Android Authority
From left to right: Google Pixel 5, Pixel 5a, Pixel 4a 5G
The Pixel 5a is Google’s latest phone, and considering its price is only $449, it comes with excellent specifications. However, if you know where to look, you can still pick up the older Pixel 5. It provides more overall, but it also costs more. So what is the difference between these two phones and which one is better? This is what we will find in this Google Pixel 5a and Pixel 5 comparison.
Our verdict: Google Pixel 5a review
Google Pixel 5a and Pixel 5
Glasses
| Pixel 5a (2021) | Pixel 5 (2020) |
|---|---|
| 6.34 inch OLED display 2,400 x 1,080 resolution 413ppi 20:9 aspect ratio 60Hz refresh rate Corning Gorilla Glass 3 |
6-inch OLED display 2,340 x 1,080 resolution 432ppi 19.5:9 aspect ratio 90Hz refresh rate Corning Gorilla Glass 6 |
| 6GB RAM (LPDDR4x) | 8GB RAM (LPDDR4x) |
| USB-C 3.1 Gen 1 volume control 3.5 mm headphone jack |
USB-C 3.1 Gen 1 volume control No headphone jack |
| 4,680mAh 18W fast charge USB-C 18W adapter with USB-PD 2.0 |
4,080mAh 18W fast charge 12W wireless charging 5W reverse wireless charging USB-C 18W adapter with USB-PD 2.0 |
| 4G LTE Sub6 5G |
4G LTE Millimeter wave 5G Sub6 5G |
| IP67 | IP68 |
| 156.2 x 73.2 x 8.8 mm 183 grams |
144.7 x 70.4 x 8 mm 151 grams |
| Metal construction | Plastic construction |
| Mostly black | Just Black, Sorta Sage |
Design and display
In terms of appearance, Pixel 5 and Pixel 5a are almost the same. Both have the same circular design and have been the main product of the Pixel phone series for some time. Both have the same square camera bump on the back, and there is a fingerprint scanner underneath. You will find a punch hole in the upper left corner of the display that houses the selfie camera. Both phones have a metal back cover, but the “bioresin” on the Pixel 5 gives it a better feel.
Protect your phone: The best Google Pixel 5a protective case | The best Google Pixel 5 mobile phone case
The Pixel 5a also has a larger display. Its size is 6.34 inches, while the size on the Pixel 5 is 6 inches. Both are OLED and have Full HD+ resolution, but the Pixel 5’s display has a higher refresh rate (90Hz and 60Hz), which provides a smoother scrolling experience. It is also protected by the newer Gorilla Glass 6, while 5a uses Gorilla Glass 3.
In addition, the Pixel 5 has an IP68 rating for water and dust resistance, while the Pixel 5a has a slightly lower IP67 rating-please see the difference between the two here.
Hardware and camera
Jimmy Westenberg / Android Authority
Pixel 5a and Pixel 5 share many of the same hardware. Both use Qualcomm Snapdragon 765G processor and are equipped with 128GB of non-expandable storage space. However, the Pixel 5 has 8GB of RAM, while the Pixel 5a has only 6GB, although this is still sufficient for most people.
Snapdragon SoC guide: All Qualcomm’s smartphone processors explained
In terms of battery, compared with the 4,080mAh battery in Pixel 5, Pixel 5a has a larger battery capacity of 4,680mAh. It also has a headphone jack. However, if you want wireless charging, you can choose Pixel 5, because Pixel 5a does not support this feature. Both are devices that support 5G, but only Pixel 5 supports millimeter waves.
If you want wireless charging, Pixel 5 is your best choice.
The camera hardware of the two phones is the same, with 12.2MP main rear sensor, 16MP ultra-wide-angle rear camera and 8MP front camera. Both phones are equipped with Android 11 out of the box, and Google promised to update at least three operating systems.
Price and color
- Google Pixel 5a: 449 USD
- Google Pixel 5: 699 USD / 599 GBP / 629 Euro
Google Pixel 5a is currently available for pre-order, priced at $449. It only has black options.It is also only available in the United States and Japan, and will not be sold by any major U.S. operators, although you can get it through the company’s own MVNO operator Google Network. It started shipping on August 27th.
When the Pixel 5 was launched in October 2020, it retailed for $699 and came in Just Black and Sorta Sage colors. Currently, it is out of stock on both the Google Store and Verizon.You can still buy it to unlock Amazon Or in American Telephone and Telegraph Company, But be prepared to spend more than its original published price. It seems that Google has eliminated the Pixel 5 in preparation for the launch of the Pixel 6 mobile phone later this fall.
Google Pixel 5a
Pixel A series are waterproof
Compared with previous devices, Google’s Pixel 5a offers some quality of life upgrades, which may make you want to join Team Pixel. It adopts a metal one-piece molding design, dustproof and waterproof grade is IP67, and the battery will not cut off.
Google Pixel 5
Google’s first 5G smartphone
Google Pixel 5 may not be the high-end Pixel we are looking forward to, but it is a very eye-catching mid-range choice. Google is returning to the basics with Pixel 5, abandoning higher-end features such as facial recognition and weird Motion Sense gestures.
Google Pixel 5a and Pixel 5: Which should you buy?
Jimmy Westenberg / Android Authority
The Google Pixel 5a is an excellent phone, offering excellent specifications at a fairly low price. It is similar to Pixel 5, but also equipped with a larger battery and larger display.
Google Pixel 5a is a better choice.
On the other hand, Pixel 5 has more RAM, a higher refresh rate display, and wireless and reverse wireless charging. It also has better waterproof protection with IP68 rating and supports millimeter wave 5G technology. However, due to its higher cost and difficult to obtain, we believe that Pixel 5a is the best choice at the moment. However, the final decision depends on which extra features of each phone are more important to you.
Needless to say, those who already own the Pixel 5 should not get the Pixel 5a because the two phones are too similar. If you are looking for an upgrade, it is best to wait for the Pixel 6 which will be launched later this year.