Google Pixel 5 vs 4a 5G
Here we compared two smartphones: the 6-inch Google Pixel 5 (with Qualcomm Snapdragon 765G) that was released on September 30, 2020, against the Google Pixel 4a 5G, which is powered by the same chip. On this page, you will find tests, full specs, strengths, and weaknesses of each of the gadgets.
Key differences
Reasons to consider the Google Pixel 5
- Waterproof body (IP68 classification)
- Higher display refresh rate – 90 Hz
- Supports wireless charging up to 12W
- Has 33% more RAM: 8GB versus 6GB
- Reverse charging feature
- Weighs 17 grams less
Reasons to consider the Google Pixel 4a 5G
- Newer Bluetooth version (v5.1)
- Has 2 SIM card slots
- Supports Dolby Atmos sound technology
- Includes a 3.5 mm headphone audio jack port
We may receive a commission from Amazon for purchases made using the links below, but this has no bearing on our assessment methodology.
Review
Display
Screen quality, color accuracy, brightness
Performance
CPU/GPU performance in apps and games
Battery
Battery life, charging type and speed
Camera
Photo and video recording quality
Connectivity
Networks, ports, data transmission
NanoReview score
Final comparison evaluation
Value for money
You can enter your local price of these phones (in USD or any other currency) and click on the "Calculate" button to see which one has a better value for money.
Tests and specifications
Comparison table of technical specifications and testsDisplay
| Type | OLED | OLED |
| Size | 6 inches | 6.2 inches |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2340 pixels | 1080 x 2340 pixels |
| Aspect ratio | 19.5:9 | 19.5:9 |
| PPI | 432 ppi | 413 ppi |
| Refresh rate | 90 Hz | 60 Hz |
| Max rated brightness | 700 nits | 700 nits |
| HDR support | Yes, HDR10+ | Yes, HDR10 |
| Screen protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 6 | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 |
| Screen-to-body ratio | 85.9% | 84.1% |
| Display features | - Always-On Display | - Always-On Display |
| RGB color space | 97.4% | 96.9% |
| PWM | 367 Hz | 250 Hz |
| Response time | 5 ms | 6.4 ms |
| Contrast | ∞ Infinity | ∞ Infinity |
Peak brightness test (auto)
Design and build
| Height | 144.7 mm (5.7 inches) | 153.9 mm (6.06 inches) |
| Width | 70.4 mm (2.77 inches) | 74 mm (2.91 inches) |
| Thickness | 8 mm (0.31 inches) | 8.2 mm (0.32 inches) |
| Weight | 151 g (5.33 oz) | 168 g (5.93 oz) |
| Waterproof | IP68 | No |
| Rear material | Metal | Plastic |
| Frame material | Metal | Plastic |
| Colors | Black, Green | Black |
| Fingerprint scanner | Yes, rear | Yes, rear |
Screen-to-body ratio
Performance
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 765G | Qualcomm Snapdragon 765G |
| Max. clock | 2400 MHz | 2400 MHz |
| CPU cores | 8 (1 + 1 + 6) | 8 (1 + 1 + 6) |
| Architecture | - 6 cores at 1.8 GHz: Kryo 475 Silver (Cortex-A55) - 1 core at 2.2 GHz: Kryo 475 Gold (Cortex-A76) - 1 core at 2.4 GHz: Kryo 475 Prime (Cortex-A76) |
- 6 cores at 1.8 GHz: Kryo 475 Silver (Cortex-A55) - 1 core at 2.2 GHz: Kryo 475 Gold (Cortex-A76) - 1 core at 2.4 GHz: Kryo 475 Prime (Cortex-A76) |
| Lithography process | 7 nanometers | 7 nanometers |
| Graphics | Adreno 620 | Adreno 620 |
| GPU clock | 750 MHz | 750 MHz |
| FLOPS | ~700 GFLOPS | ~700 GFLOPS |
Benchmarks
Geekbench 5 (Single-Core)
Geekbench 5 (Multi-Core)
AnTuTu Benchmark 9
| CPU | 102395 | 110393 |
| GPU | 105316 | 94787 |
| Memory | 74762 | 69352 |
| UX | 106676 | 97659 |
| Total score | 390553 | 375659 |
3DMark Wild Life Performance
| Stability | 89% | 89% |
| Graphics test | 6 FPS | 6 FPS |
| Graphics score | 1084 | 1104 |
Memory
| RAM size | 8 GB | 6 GB |
| Memory type | LPDDR4X | LPDDR4X |
| Memory clock | 2133 MHz | 2133 MHz |
| Channels | 2 | 2 |
| Storage size | 128 GB | 128 GB |
| Storage type | UFS 2.1 | UFS 2.1 |
| Memory card | No | No |
Software
| Operating system | Android 11 (Can be upgraded to Android 13) | Android 11 (Can be upgraded to Android 13) |
| ROM | Stock Android | Stock Android |
| OS size | 16.6 GB | 14.8 GB |
Battery
| Capacity | 4080 mAh | 3885 mAh |
| Charge power | 18 W | 18 W |
| Battery type | Li-Po | Li-Po |
| Replaceable | No | No |
| Wireless charging | Yes (12 W) | No |
| Reverse charging | Yes | No |
| Fast charging | Yes (30% in 30 min) | Yes (45% in 30 min) |
| Full charging time | 1:45 hr | 1:40 hr |
| Web browsing | 10:13 hr | - |
| Watching video | 15:02 hr | - |
| Gaming | 05:40 hr | - |
| Standby | 104 hr | - |
General battery life
Camera
| Matrix | 12.2 megapixels | 12.2 megapixels |
| Image resolution | 4290 x 2800 | 4000 x 3000 |
| Zoom | Digital | Digital |
| Flash | LED | Dual LED |
| Stabilization | Optical | Optical |
| 8K video recording | No | No |
| 4K video recording | Up to 60FPS | Up to 60FPS |
| 1080p video recording | Up to 60FPS | Up to 60FPS |
| Slow motion | 240 FPS (1080p) | 240 FPS (1080p) |
| Angle of widest lens | 107° | 107° |
| Lenses | 2 (12.2 MP + 16 MP) | 2 (12.2 MP + 16 MP) |
| Wide (main) lens | - 12.2 MP - Aperture: f/1.7 - Focal length: 27 mm - Sensor: 1/2.55", Sony IMX363 (CMOS) - Phase autofocus (Dual Pixel) - Optical stabilization |
- 12.2 MP - Aperture: f/1.7 - Focal length: 27 mm - Pixel size: 1.4 micron - Sensor: 1/2.55", Sony IMX363 (Exmor-RS CMOS) - Phase autofocus (Dual Pixel) - Optical stabilization |
| Ultra-wide lens | - 16 MP - Aperture: f/2.2 - Focal length: 24 mm - Pixel size: 1 micron |
- 16 MP - Aperture: f/2.2 - Pixel size: 1 micron |
| Camera features | - Bokeh mode - Pro mode - RAW support |
- Bokeh mode - Pro mode - RAW support |
| Samples | Photo samples of Google Pixel 5 from DxOMark | - |
| Megapixels | 8 megapixels | 8 megapixels |
| Image resolution | 3264 x 2448 | 3264 x 2448 |
| Aperture | f/2.0 | f/2.0 |
| Focal length | 24 mm | 24 mm |
| Pixel size | 1.12 microns | 1.12 microns |
| Sensor type | CMOS | CMOS |
| Sensor size | 1/4.0" | 1/4" |
| Video resolution | 1080p (Full HD) at 30 FPS | 1080p (Full HD) at 30 FPS |
DxOMark camera tests
Photo quality
Video quality
Generic camera score
Connectivity
| Wi-Fi standard | Wi-Fi 5 (802.11 a/b/g/n/ac) | Wi-Fi 5 (802.11 a/b/g/n/ac) |
| Wi-Fi features | - Dual Band - Wi-Fi MiMO - Wi-Fi Direct - Wi-Fi Hotspot - Wi-Fi Display |
- Dual Band - Wi-Fi Direct - Wi-Fi Hotspot - Wi-Fi Display |
| Bluetooth version | 5 | 5.1 |
| Bluetooth features | LE, A2DP | LE, A2DP |
| USB type | USB Type-C | USB Type-C |
| USB version | 3.1 | 3.1 |
| USB features | - Charging - USB-Storage mode |
- Charging - USB-Storage mode - OTG |
| GPS | GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo, QZSS | GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo, QZSS |
| NFC* | Yes | Yes |
| Infrared port | No | No |
| Number of SIM* | 1 | 2 |
| Type of SIM card | Nano | Nano |
| Multi SIM mode | - | Standby |
| eSIM support* | Yes | Yes |
| Hybrid slot | No | No |
| LTE Cat* | 15 | 24 |
| 5G support | Yes | Yes |
Sound
| Speakers | Stereo | Stereo |
| Headphone audio jack | No | Yes |
| FM radio | No | No |
| Dolby Atmos | No | Yes |
Speakers test
Max. loudness
Other
| Category | Flagship | Mid-range |
| Announced | September 2020 | September 2020 |
| Release date | October 2020 | November 2020 |
| SAR (head) | 0.96 W/kg | - |
| SAR (body) | 1.39 W/kg | - |
| Sensors | - Barometer - Proximity sensor - Gyroscope - Accelerometer - Ambient light sensor - Compass - Fingerprint |
- Barometer - Proximity sensor - Gyroscope - Accelerometer - Ambient light sensor - Compass - Fingerprint |
*Disclaimer! NFC, GSM network support, and some other specs can be different depending on the country.
Conclusion
If the display, battery life, camera, and design are more important to you, then choose the Google Pixel 5. But if the connectivity and sound are more of a priority – go for the Google Pixel 4a 5G.
Cast your vote
Total votes: 170