Jimmy Westenberg / Android Authority
Left to right: Google Pixel 5, Pixel 5a, Pixel 4a 5G
The Pixel 5a is Google’s newest phone and has great specs considering it is only $ 449. However, you can still pick up the older Pixel 5 if you know where to look. Overall, it offers a little more, but it also costs more. So what are the differences between these two phones and which is the better buy? That’s what we’ll find out in this Google Pixel 5a vs Pixel 5 comparison.
Our verdict: Google Pixel 5a review
Google Pixel 5a vs. Pixel 5
Specifications
| Pixel 5a (2021) | Pixel 5 (2020) |
|---|---|
| 6.34 inch OLED display 2,400 x 1,080 resolution 413 ppi 20: 9 aspect ratio 60 Hz refresh rate Corning Gorilla Glass 3 |
6 inch OLED display 2,340 x 1,080 resolution 432 ppi 19.5: 9 aspect ratio 90Hz refresh rate Corning Gorilla Glass 6 |
| 6 GB RAM (LPDDR4x) | 8 GB RAM (LPDDR4x) |
| USB-C 3.1 Gen 1 Volume control 3.5mm 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 mmWave 5G Sub6 5G |
| IP67 | IP68 |
| 156.2 x 73.2 x 8.8 mm 183g |
144.7 x 70.4 x 8 mm 151g |
| Metal construction | Plastic construction |
| Mostly black | Just Black, Sorta Sage |
Design and display
Optically, Pixel 5 and Pixel 5a are almost identical. Both share the same rounded design that has been a staple of the Pixel phone range for a while. Both also have the same square camera hump on the back, with a fingerprint scanner underneath. There is a hole in the upper left corner of the display where the selfie camera is located. Both phones have metal backs, although the Pixel 5’s “bio-resin” gives it a higher quality feel in the hand.
Protect your phone: The best Google Pixel 5a cases | The best Google Pixel 5 cases
The Pixel 5a also has a larger display. It’s 6.34 inches while the Pixel 5 measures 6 inches. Both are OLED and have Full HD + resolution, but the Pixel 5’s display has a higher refresh rate (90Hz vs 60Hz) for a smoother scrolling experience. It’s also protected by the newer Gorilla Glass 6 while the 5a uses Gorilla Glass 3.
Plus, the Pixel 5 has an IP68 water and dust resistance rating, while the Pixel 5a has a slightly lower IP67 rating – see the difference between the two here.
Hardware and cameras
Jimmy Westenberg / Android Authority
For the most part, the Pixel 5a and Pixel 5 share the same hardware. Both have a Qualcomm Snapdragon 765G processor and come with 128 GB of non-expandable memory. However, the Pixel 5 has 8GB of RAM compared to just 6GB on the Pixel 5a, although that’s still good enough for most people.
Snapdragon SoC Guide: All Qualcomm smartphone processors explained
When it comes to batteries, the Pixel 5a, at 4,680 mAh, has a larger battery than the 4,080 mAh cell of the Pixel 5. It also comes with a headphone jack. However, if you want wireless charging then the Pixel 5 is for you as the Pixel 5a doesn’t support this feature. Both are 5G enabled devices, but only the Pixel 5 supports mmWave.
If you want wireless charging, the Pixel 5 is for you.
The camera hardware is the same on both phones, with a 12.2 MP main sensor on the back, a 16 MP ultra-wide rear camera and an 8 MP front camera. Both phones come with Android 11, with Google promising at least three operating system updates.
Price and colors
- Google Pixel 5a: $ 449
- Google Pixel 5: $ 699 / £ 599 / € 629
The Google Pixel 5a is currently available for pre-order and costs $ 449. It is only available in the Just Black color option. It’s also only available in the US and Japan, and isn’t sold by any major US carriers, though you can get it through the company’s own MVNO carrier, Google Fi. Shipping starts on August 27th.
When the Pixel 5 launched in October 2020, it was $ 699 and was available in Just Black and Sorta Sage colors. It is currently out of stock on the Google Store and Verizon. You can still get it unlocked on Amazon or buy it from AT&T, but be prepared to spend more than the original introductory price. It looks like Google discontinued the Pixel 5 in preparation for the launch of the Pixel 6 phones this fall.
Google Pixel 5a
Water resistance comes to the Pixel A series
Google’s Pixel 5a has some quality of life improvements over its previous devices that might make you want to join Team Pixel. It features a metal unibody design, an IP67 rating for dust and water resistance, and a battery that just won’t stop.
Google Pixel 5
Google’s first 5G smartphone
The Google Pixel 5 might not be the high-end Pixel we expected, but it’s a pretty compelling mid-range option. Google is going back to basics with the Pixel 5 and foregoing high-end features like face recognition and the bizarre Motion Sense gestures.
Google Pixel 5a vs Pixel 5: Which Should You Buy?
Jimmy Westenberg / Android Authority
The Google Pixel 5a is an excellent phone that has great specs for a relatively low price. It’s similar to the Pixel 5 but has a bigger battery and display.
The Google Pixel 5a is a better buy.
On the downside, the Pixel 5 has more RAM, a display with a higher refresh rate, and both wireless and reverse wireless charging. It also offers better water protection with its IP68 rating and supports mmWave 5G technology. However, since it costs more and is hard to get our hands on, we think the Pixel 5a is the better buy right now. The final decision, however, will depend on which additional features of each phone you value more.
It also goes without saying that those who already own the Pixel 5 shouldn’t get the Pixel 5a because the two phones are too similar. If you’re looking for an upgrade, it’s better to wait for the Pixel 6 to hit the market later this year.