Google Pixel 5a vs Pixel 5: What's different?
So read on to find out the key differences between these two phones in terms of design, specs, performance, camera, and battery life.
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Without further ado, let’s dive in!
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Google Pixel 5a vs Pixel 5: design and display
- 6.34-inch vs 6.0-inch
- 60Hz refresh rate on the Pixel 5a, 90Hz for the Pixel 5
5.7 x 2.77 x 0.31 inches
144.7 x 70.4 x 8 mm
5.33 oz (151 g)
6.15 x 2.88 x 0.35 inches
156.2 x 73.2 x 8.8 mm
6.46 oz (183 g)
5.7 x 2.77 x 0.31 inches
144.7 x 70.4 x 8 mm
5.33 oz (151 g)
6.15 x 2.88 x 0.35 inches
156.2 x 73.2 x 8.8 mm
6.46 oz (183 g)
See the full Google Pixel 5 vs Google Pixel 5a size comparison or compare them to other phones using our Size Comparison tool.
From afar, the two phones look quite similar in terms, with a minimalist design typical for Google Pixel phones. However, once you actually touch and use them, you would notice the more premium feel of the Pixel 5 which has this nice texture to it, while the 5a has a more simplistic finish that almost seems like plastic. It's actually not: both phones are made of metal covered in a fancy bioresin material that kind of hides that cold metal feel.
In terms of material, the Pixel 5, rocks a metal build with a tiny cutout, invisible to the eye, on the back, that allows the phone to charge wirelessly despite its metal body. The Pixel 5a also rocks a metal unibody, but does not support wireless charging, plus it's worth noting that both phones are water sealed: you get an IP68 rating for the Pixel 5 and a slightly lower IP67 rating for the 5a. This slight difference probably isn't too important to most people and the IP68 number only means that the Pixel 5 can be submerged in slightly deeper water for a bit longer.
Google Pixel 5a vs Pixel 5: hardware and performance
Well, comparing these two phones’ hardware and performance is an easy task as both phones sport the Snapdragon 765G. Basically, with the same processor, their performance is identical.
Here's some benchmarks detailing how the Snapdragon 765G performs. You can use the tool below to put in a phone you want to compare it with:
Google Pixel 5a vs Pixel 5: cameras
- 12.2 MP main, 16MP ultrawide, 8MP selfie
We all know camera performance and photo quality is a place with a lot of competition, where Google manages to keep its position among the best, thanks to its excellent AI-powered image processing. The Pixel 5 comes with an unassuming 12.2MP main sensor and a 16MP ultrawide camera, but the photos it produces are close to perfect. The Pixel 5 delivers sharp details, realistic colors, and excellent dynamic range.
One area that both phones will have a harder time matching the competition is the zoom: neither of them has any telephoto lens and the maximum zoom level both can go is 7x.
As for selfies, the Pixel 5a comes with the same 8MP selfie cam that the Pixel 5 rocks. Luckily, Google’s image processing software does wonders in the selfie department as well.
Apart from some tiny differences, it really seems like the cameras on the Pixel 5a and the Pixel 5 are identical.
On this second shot, you notice the color reproduction and dynamic range are pretty much the same on both phones.
There is a slight difference in the selfies between the two, but that's probably because I moved a bit between these two shots.
And in low light you can again see that the differences are so minuscule that you can attribute them to the slightly different composition between the shots. These are really practically identical cameras that give you about the same photo quality no matter the conditions.
Portrait Mode
Both phones also support portrait mode that blurs the background. Pixel phones apply the effect after you've captured the photo, so you cannot see it in your viewfinder, and that applies to both these phones. The 5a and 5 again do a very similar job and you'd be hard pressed to find any differences between these cameras.
Video Quality
We were really curiously to see if the Pixel 5a has introduced something new and probably better than the Pixel 5, but it seems that these two phones are pretty much identical in their video recording capabilities. You get 4K60 and 4K30, as well as a 1080p recording option on both.
At 4K resolution, you get identical colors, great stabilization on both and very good dynamic range. Take a loot at the sample video above, shot on both phones at the same time, to get an idea about the video quality.
Google Pixel 5a vs Pixel 5: battery life
The Pixel 5 comes with a 4,000mAh battery cell, which is an upgrade over the previous Google Pixel flagships and comfortably lasts up to a day and a half with moderate usage. Light users may even get up to 48h on one single charge, which is pretty admirable. On the other hand, the Pixel 5a comes with the biggest battery on a Pixel phone yet: the generous 4,860mAh. This means the phone will comfortably last for a day and have some more juice, and if you are not pushing it, we can see the 5a being a 2-day phone. Truly impressive.
The Pixel 5a supports the same wired charging speeds as the Pixel 5: 18W fast charging. However, the Pixel 5 also sports wireless charging, a convenience that the Pixel 5a lacks.
Google Pixel 5a vs Pixel 5: price and availability
- $700 vs $450
Conclusion
The Pixel 5a is no longer the cute compact phone such as Pixels of last year. It's bigger and bulkier, but it's also got a mightier battery that can often get you through 2 days on a single charge. If that's a priority, you'd enjoy it a lot, despite its shortcomings like the missing fast refresh rate option and the uninspiring design. But if you want a compact phone, well this new budget Pixel is not it, and the Pixel 5 still seems more than adequate, especially if you can find a good deal.
We'd say both have about the same camera quality, same software, and even same performance, so those aren't really something that should affect your decision.
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