With the introduction of the Pixel 5 and Pixel 4a 5G, we finally have our eye on the entire 2020 smartphone range from Google. Google did without the traditional flagship this year. The two have joined the Pixel 4a to dominate the mid-range. While these aren’t as powerful as phones like the Galaxy Note 20 Ultra, you don’t have to worry about a thousand dollar price tag either. But which pixel is right for you? We’re taking a quick look at Pixel 5 versus Pixel 4a 5G versus Pixel 4a!
Google Pixel 5 versus Pixel 4a 5G versus Pixel 4a
Technical specifications
| Pixel 5 | Pixel 4a 5G | Pixel 4a | |
|---|---|---|---|
| display | 5.81 inch OLED Resolution 2,340 x 1080 90Hz refresh rate | 6.2 inch OLED Resolution 2,340 x 1080 90Hz refresh rate | 5.81 inch OLED Resolution 2,340 x 1080 |
| processor | Qualcomm Snapdragon 765G | Qualcomm Snapdragon 765G | Qualcomm Snapdragon 730 |
| R.A.M. | 8 GB | 6 GB | 6 GB |
| warehouse | 128 GB No microSD card slot | 128 GB No microSD card slot | 128 GB No microSD card slot |
| camera | Back: Main: Secondary: Front: | Back: Main: Secondary: Front: | Back: 12.2 MP, 1: 1.7, 1.4 µm pixels, optical + electronic image stabilization Front: |
| battery | 4,080 mAh | 3,885mAh | 3,140 mAh |
| software | Android 11 | Android 11 | Android 11 |
| price | $ 629 | $ 499 | $ 349 |
design
Pixel 4a 5G pictured above.
The Pixel 4a was an excellent precursor to what was to come. All three phones look the same, and Google manages to modernize their designs while getting back to basics. There’s a perforated notch in the corner and the bezels around the display are much thinner than previous generations. Many will also love the fact that all three come with a capacitive fingerprint scanner on the back.
The Pixel 4a and Pixel 4a 5G have more in common when it comes to build quality. The polycarbonate shell gives two otherwise medium-sized smartphones a first-class feel. The two cheaper pixels also come with a headphone jack.
With the Pixel 5, things are starting to lean towards the high end. You get a metal and glass construction, an IP68 degree of protection for dust and water resistance, and wireless charging. Unfortunately, for some reason, high-end also means “no headphone jack” so the Pixel 5 skips it.
All three have full HD OLED displays. The Pixel 4a 5G has the largest display in the world, but even its 6.2-inch screen is barely feeling compared to most other Android phones. The Pixel 4a and Pixel 5 are the way to go if you want a small phone, as both offer more modest 5.8-inch displays. However, the latter has the advantage of a refresh rate of 90 Hz and offers an even smoother experience.
The Pixel 4a has one of the best displays we’ve seen on a mid-range device. So there is no reason to believe that Pixel 5 and Pixel 4a will not catch up with 5G.
characteristics
The budget-friendly Pixel 4a is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 730. It’s solid performance, but not enough when compared to the under-hood Snapdragon 765G on the Pixel 4a 5G and Pixel 5. The processor also makes the two phones 5G-ready.
Google keeps things simple in terms of the other specs. You don’t have multiple combinations of RAM and storage to choose from. All three phones have 128 GB of built-in memory. The Pixel 4a and 4a 5G have 6 GB of RAM, while that increases to 8 GB with the Pixel 5.
The Pixel 5 has the advantage of battery life, at least on paper. It packs a large 4,080 mAh battery for a relatively small display and a less power hungry processing package. The Pixel 4a 5G has a 3,880mAh unit and should be impressive too. The Pixel 4a comfortably lasts an entire day and beyond, and we can expect similar things from the other two. Hopefully, Pixel phone battery life concerns are a thing of the past.
We expect Google’s incredible smartphone photography skills to come to fruition again. The Pixel 4a’s primary 12.2-megapixel shooter can take some fantastic shots, and you get the same unit as the Pixel 5 and 4a 5G. The more expensive devices get the added benefit of a secondary ultra-wide camera, similar to the Pixel 4. All three come with 8MP selfie shooters.
Google’s smartphones have featured some of the best cameras for a few years now, and we can’t wait to put the new devices through their paces.
On the software side, things are of course identical. The Pixels run Android 11 and will be among the first to receive future software updates. Standard Android is usually fine for a smooth software experience anyway, but things get even better on the Pixel 5’s display with its higher refresh rate.
Price and availability
- Google Pixel 4a: $ 349
- Pixel 4a 5G: $ 499
- Google Pixel 5: $ 629
Since there are no variants to fear, the pricing scheme is straightforward. The 4a is the cheapest of them all and offers incredible value at $ 349. The Pixel 4a 5G has a bigger display, better processor, arguably better camera setup, bigger battery, and 5G support for an additional $ 150.
The Pixel 5 deserves its price tag of $ 629. Top-notch build quality, dust and water resistance, wireless charging, more RAM, a better secondary rear camera, and higher refresh rate are well worth the extra $ 130 to pay for the Pixel 4a 5G.
The Pixel 5 and Pixel 4a 5G are available for pre-order today and will ship in mid-October. Google confirmed that both will launch in Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Ireland, Japan, Taiwan, the UK, and the US this year.
Unfortunately, the company previously confirmed that neither Singapore nor India will see the Pixel 4a 5G or the Pixel 5. Already available elsewhere, the Pixel 4a will be available in both countries sometime in October.
Google Pixel 5 Vs Pixel 4a 5G Vs Pixel 4a: Which Should You Buy?
Google tried to keep things as simple as possible and give people an easy choice. If you are looking for an affordable smartphone, the Pixel 4a is one of the best mid-rangers you can buy. The 4a 5G will set you back a lot more, but it brings a lot more to the table. The larger display, the larger battery and 5G are selling points.
The Pixel 5 is for those who want the high-end pixel. It’s by no means a true flagship, but it does have the flagship features that users want. It will be interesting to see how the Pixel 5 performs in direct comparison with the latest and greatest models currently available. But the $ 629 price tag will always be a significant asset.