5 phones you should consider

The Google Pixel 5a is finally official and serves as a continuation of the Pixel 4a 5G (confusingly not the Pixel 4a). And it looks like the new phone brings some meaningful upgrades from last year’s device, such as: B. an IP67 rating, a larger battery and a price reduction of $ 50.

Do you like the idea of ​​this phone but curious what else is out there? Maybe Google’s middle class isn’t quite what you want to start with? Or maybe you live outside of the two launch markets – the US and Japan – and want to see what other great budget phones are out there? Anyway, we’ve got you covered with some of the best Google Pixel 5a alternatives.

Our verdict: Google Pixel 5a review

Now that the Pixel 5a is official, its predecessor is one of the more obvious alternatives. Yes, the Pixel 4a 5G is still a great mid-range player if you can find a good deal on it. In fact, it has the same Snapdragon 765G chipset and dual rear camera system (12 MP main, 16 MP ultra-wide) as the new Pixel device.

What is the difference? Google Pixel 5a vs. Pixel 4a 5G

However, the pixel 4a 5G lags behind the pixel 5a in some areas, e.g. Even so, you still get a clean view of Android, some Pixel-exclusive software features, and three years of OS updates.

Other notable specs include a 3,885 mAh battery, 6 GB of RAM, 128 GB of storage, and a rear-mounted fingerprint scanner. Perhaps the biggest obstacle is that the Pixel 4a 5G is hard to find.

Samsung’s mid-range phones used to lag far behind the competition, but the last few generations have been good devices in and of themselves. In fact, we would say that the Galaxy A52 5G is one of the better mid-range phones in general.

What we thought: Samsung Galaxy A52 5G review

The A52 5G doesn’t have the most horsepower, but the Snapdragon 750G just outperforms the Pixel 5a’s Snapdragon 765G chipset. It also meets the Pixel phone’s IP67 rating and features a 120Hz OLED screen that should be smoother than the 5a’s 60Hz OLED panel.

Samsung’s phone also offers a quad camera system (64 MP main, 12 MP ultra-wide, 5 MP macro, 5 MP depth), a 4,500 mAh battery with 25 W charge, and a 32 MP selfie snapper. Throw in three years of OS updates and you have one of the best Google Pixel 5a alternatives on the list.

The OnePlus Nord 2 isn’t available in the US, but it’s a great alternative for consumers who can’t get their hands on the Pixel 5a at all. After all, the new Pixel is only available in two markets. Either way, OnePlus has brought a number of welcome additions and changes to its second main North phone.

Our verdict: OnePlus Nord 2 review

Probably the biggest upgrade is the switch to a MediaTek Dimensity 1200 chipset, whereby our own Speed ​​Test G comparison shows a significant improvement over the Snapdragon 765G in the Pixel 5a. So if you are looking for more horsepower, you should consider this device. Other notable features of the Nord 2 include a 6.43-inch 90 Hz OLED panel, 4,500 mAh battery, and 65 W wired charge.

OnePlus has taken a less than more approach when it comes to cameras as well, offering a 50 MP main camera, an 8 MP ultra wide-angle lens, and a 2 MP monochrome sensor. But our own reviewers found that the results from these snappers weren’t exactly amazing. So you should either get a Gcam port or consider the Pixel 5a if you absolutely must have a great camera experience.

The Redmi K40 was launched in China in early 2021, but the device hit global markets as the Poco F3. True to the Redmi and Poco ethos, this offers a lot of cash for your mid-range budget, making it one of the better Pixel 5a alternatives in global markets.

Cash: Poco F3 review

Some of the more notable Poco F3 specs include a Snapdragon 870 chipset, 120Hz OLED screen, IP53 splash protection, and a 4,520mAh battery with a 33W charge. As for photography, you have a 48 MP main camera, an 8 MP ultra-wide snapper, and a 5 MP tele macro shooter.

However, the Poco cell phone is not perfect, as we found the software to be extremely flawed and unpolished in our test. However, if you can’t get your hands on the Pixel 5a, you should add this device to your wish list.

Don’t mind leaving the Android ecosystem? Then one device worth a look is last year’s iPhone SE. The cheapest iPhone from Apple costs $ 400 and generally focuses on the essentials. That means you have an A12 Bionic chipset that is still extremely nimble, IP67 water resistance like the Pixel 5a, and good image quality via the rear camera system. You even get wireless charging that Google’s mid-range devices lack.

What we thought: iPhone SE 2020 in the test

Unfortunately, the iPhone SE 2020 makes a lot of compromises elsewhere. There’s the iPhone 8-style design, which is getting on in years, with a single rear camera (no ultra-wide or telephoto option here), an LCD panel instead of an OLED screen, and a small battery.

However, if you are looking for a good mid-range device, the iPhone SE 2020 does the job well enough. Plus, it’s the cheapest way to get into the Apple Services ecosystem if you’re curious about it.

Recognitions

• Google Pixel 5 ($ 699): The Pixel 5a has a lot in common with the Pixel 5, namely the rear view camera system, the chipset and the water resistance. But the flagship at the end of 2020 offers a few extras such as a 90 Hz screen, wireless charging, a sophisticated rear panel with “bio-resin” (plastic) on metal and unlimited high-quality Google Photos storage. The new Google phone actually has a much larger battery and is $ 250 cheaper. But the flagship is still worth considering if you can find a good deal on it.
• Samsung Galaxy S20 FE ($ 549): Google’s mid-range seems like a bargain, but we’d argue that the Galaxy S20 FE is an equally big bargain today, as it often falls well below its MSRP of $ 700. For the money, you get tons of flagship extras. There’s a Snapdragon 865 chipset, 120Hz OLED screen, versatile triple rearview camera system, water resistance, and wireless charging. So Samsung’s device is worth considering if you want a high-end experience at a cheaper price.
• Moto G100 ($ 499): The US doesn’t have Realme and Xiaomi, but Motorola is one of the more notable alternatives out there. And the G100 is a pretty solid Pixel 5a alternative for $ 499. For the money, you get a more powerful Snapdragon 870 chipset, a 90 Hz display, a 5,000 mAh battery, a solid triple camera setup (64MP main, 16MP ultra wide, 2MP depth, 3D ToF) and a nifty dual -Selfie camera system. However, when compared to the Pixel 5a, the device has drawbacks such as the lack of an OLED panel and an extremely questionable commitment to updates. But if you value horsepower, you should keep an eye on this one.

That’s it for our look at the best Google Pixel 5a alternatives. Are there any notable devices that you think should be on the list? Let us know via the comments below!