Google Pixel 5a 5G vs 4a 5G
Here we compared two mid-range smartphones: the 6.34-inch Google Pixel 5a 5G (with Qualcomm Snapdragon 765G) that was released on August 17, 2021, against the Google Pixel 4a 5G, which is powered by the same chip and came out 11 months before. On this page, you will find tests, full specs, strengths, and weaknesses of each of the devices.
Key differences
Reasons to consider the Google Pixel 5a 5G
- Waterproof body (IP67 classification)
- Comes with 795 mAh larger battery capacity: 4680 vs 3885 mAh
- Delivers 24% higher peak brightness (854 against 690 nits)
- The phone is 11-months newer
- 11% faster in single-core GeekBench 5 test: 646 and 584 points
Reasons to consider the Google Pixel 4a 5G
- Newer Bluetooth version (v5.1)
- Supports Dolby Atmos sound technology
- Weighs 15 grams less
Review
Display
Screen quality, color accuracy, brightness
Camera
Photo and video recording quality
Performance
CPU and memory performance (apps, system)
Gaming
Capabilities for playing modern games
Battery
Battery life, charging type and speed
Connectivity
Networks, ports, data transmission
Scores with a red asterisk (*) are approximate and may change in the future as we gather more data.
Choose the importance of each parameter to more accurately identify the smartphone that best meets your particular needs.
Value for money
You can enter your local prices of these phones (in USD or 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 | 6.34 inches | 6.2 inches |
Resolution | 1080 x 2400 pixels | 1080 x 2340 pixels |
Aspect ratio | 19.5:9 | 19.5:9 |
PPI | 413 ppi | 413 ppi |
Refresh rate | 60 Hz | 60 Hz |
Adaptive refresh rate | No | No |
Max rated brightness | 500 nits | 700 nits |
Max rated brightness in HDR | 800 nits | - |
HDR support | Yes, HDR10 | Yes, HDR10 |
Screen protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 |
Screen-to-body ratio | 85% | 84.1% |
Display features | - DCI-P3 - Always-On Display |
- Always-On Display |
RGB color space | - | 96.9% |
PWM | - | 250 Hz |
Response time | - | 6.4 ms |
Contrast | - | ∞ Infinity |
Peak brightness test (auto)
Design and build
Height | 156.2 mm (6.15 inches) | 153.9 mm (6.06 inches) |
Width | 73.2 mm (2.88 inches) | 74 mm (2.91 inches) |
Thickness | 8.8 mm (0.35 inches) | 8.2 mm (0.32 inches) |
Weight | 183 g (6.46 oz) | 168 g (5.93 oz) |
Waterproof | IP67 | No |
Rear material | Metal | Plastic |
Frame material | Metal | Plastic |
Colors | Black | 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 | ~576 GFLOPS | ~576 GFLOPS |
Benchmarks
Geekbench 5 (Single-Core)
Geekbench 5 (Multi-Core)
AnTuTu Benchmark 9
CPU | 110920 | 110393 |
GPU | 105925 | 94787 |
Memory | 69517 | 69352 |
UX | 101463 | 97659 |
Total score | 384604 | 368850 |
3DMark Wild Life Performance
Stability | 99% | 89% |
Graphics test | 9 FPS | 6 FPS |
Graphics score | 1666 | 1104 |
PCMark 3.0
Web score | 6228 | - |
Video editing | 5773 | - |
Photo editing | 19363 | - |
Data manipulation | 7207 | - |
Writing score | 11652 | - |
Memory
RAM size | 6 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 | - | 14.8 GB |
Battery
Capacity | 4680 mAh | 3885 mAh |
Max charge power | 18 W | 18 W |
Battery type | Li-Po | Li-Po |
Replaceable | No | No |
Wireless charging | No | No |
Reverse charging | No | No |
Fast charging | Yes (42% in 30 min) | Yes (45% in 30 min) |
Full charging time | 1:40 hr | 1:40 hr |
Web browsing | 13:09 hr | - |
Watching video | 17:31 hr | - |
Gaming | 05:46 hr | - |
Standby | 112 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 | 119° | 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" (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 |
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 60 FPS | 1080p (Full HD) at 30 FPS |
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 - OTG |
- 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 | 1 |
Type of SIM card | Nano | Nano |
Multi SIM mode | - | Standby |
eSIM support* | Yes | Yes |
Hybrid slot | No | No |
LTE Cat* | 15 | 20 |
5G support | Yes | Yes |
Sound
Speakers | Stereo | Stereo |
Headphone audio jack | Yes | Yes |
FM radio | No | No |
Dolby Atmos | No | Yes |
Speakers test
Max loudness
Other
Category | Mid-range | Mid-range |
Announced | August 2021 | September 2020 |
Release date | October 2021 | November 2020 |
Sensors | - Barometer - Proximity sensor - Gyroscope - Accelerometer - Ambient light sensor - Compass - Fingerprint |
- Barometer - Proximity sensor - Gyroscope - Accelerometer - Ambient light sensor - Compass - Fingerprint |
Bundled charger | Yes, 18 W | - |
*Disclaimer! NFC, GSM network support, and some other specs can be different depending on the country.
Conclusion
If the performance, gaming, battery life, and design are more important to you, then choose the Google Pixel 5a 5G. But if the sound is more of a priority – go for the Google Pixel 4a 5G.
Cast your vote
Total votes: 163