Google’s $ 449 Pixel 5a is the second major news item for the Pixel lineup this year, right after the Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro pre-announced earlier this month. It has a Qualcomm Snapdragon 765G processor that powers a 6.34 inch OLED display. This 5G smartphone is also IP67 certified, therefore resistant to water and dust.
The device shares many similarities with its big brother, the Pixel 5, launched last year. According to Google, it will unfortunately only be marketed in the United States and Japan.
| PROS | CONS |
| Smooth performance from 765G | Same old design |
| Improved battery life | Mediocre speakers |
| IP67 water resistance rating | |
| Crisp OLED display |
Key Specification
| | Google Pixel 5a |
| Released | 2021, August 17 |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM7250 Snapdragon 765G 5G (7 nm) |
| Display | 6.34 inches, Corning Gorilla Glass 3 |
| Fingerprint Sensor | Fingerprint (rear-mounted) |
The smartphone measures 154.9 x 73.7 x 7.6 mm and weighs 183 g. It has a 6.34 “inch OLED screen. Unique 8 MP camera is responsible for selfies and video calls. The device Main Double is 12.2 MP. The device incorporates an Octa-core processor (1×2.4 GHz Kryo 475 Prime & 1×2.2 GHz Kryo 475 Gold & 6×1.8 GHz Kryo 475 Silver) and memory 128GB 6GB RAM. The battery is 4680 mAh For more details, keep reading.
The only “real” differences are subtle. So the Pixel 5a is slightly larger than the Pixel 5, with the screen size dropping from 6 to 6.34 inches. The OLED panel, which opts for a Full HD + definition, rises to “only” 60 Hz against 90 Hz for the Pixel 5. In parallel, the amount of RAM is slightly lower (6 GB against 8 GB).
To see more clearly, Google has even been kind enough to provide a comparison table:
Design
| Dimensions | 154.9 x 73.7 x 7.6 mm |
| Weight | 183 grams |
| Display Type | OLED, HDR |
| Screen Size | 6.34 inches |
| Pixel Density | 415 PPI |
| Screen Resolution | 1080 x 2400 pixels |
| Colors | Mostly Black |
Compromises are rare. Except for its 60 Hz screen – not 90 Hz – protected by Gorilla Glass 3 – and not 6 -its slightly more sparse RAM, it’s only wired charging, and its waterproof certification passing from IP68 to IP67, the Pixel 5a is a lower-cost Pixel 5.
Performance
| Processor | Qualcomm SM7250 Snapdragon 765G 5G (7 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 620 |
| Internal | 128GB 6GB RAM |
| Storage expansion | No |
| OS | Android 11 |
Camera
| Rear | 12.2 MP, Double |
| Front | 8 MP, Single |
| Video recording | 4K@30/60fps |
Likewise, the Pixel 5a’s photo module does not (at all) revolutionize the genre. Indeed, it uses the same duo of sensors as the Pixel 5 . We can therefore reasonably expect an equivalent photo quality. Concretely, the Pixel 5a has:
- A main photo sensor of 12.2 Mpx , type 1 / 2.55 inch , surmounted by a 27 mm equivalent lens opening at f / 1.7 ;
- A 16MP secondary photo sensor, 1 / 3.09-inch type, fitted with an ultra-wide-angle lens equivalent to 16.3mm with an aperture at f / 2.2.
Already present on the Pixel 4 and Pixel 4 XL of 2019, the primary sensor is neither the largest nor the most advanced on the market – which has not stopped the Pixel 5 from becoming one of the best cameras, all categories combined.
Indeed, progress in terms of image quality comes from Google algorithms, a past master of “computational photography.”
As on the Pixel 5, no need to look for the telephoto lens. True to its principles, Google uses its “algorithmic” zoom, called ProRes Zoom. A technical decision was ultimately quite logical. Google considers its zooming technology sufficiently advanced, while ultra-wide-angle cannot be “imitated” with an algorithm.
Finally, it benefits from the same video modes as the Pixel 5. The latter stood out with awe-inspiring stabilization options.
Multimedia
| Headphone jack 3.5 mm | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers |
Battery Life
| Capacity | 4680 mAh |
| Type | Li-Po |
| User-Replaceable | No |
| Charging | Fast charging 18W |
| Wireless Charging | Yes |
The Pixel 5a has a larger battery (4680 mAh against 4080 mAh) in terms of autonomy. But he loses the wireless charging allowed by his elder brother. Finally, if the terminal is water-resistant, it changes from IPx8 to IPx7. Finally, we will note the arrival of a 3.5 mm jack, already present on the Pixel 4a but absent on the Pixel 5.
Connectivity
| SIM | Nano-SIM, eSIM |
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE, aptX HD |
| Wifi | Wi-Fi 802.11 |
| NFC | Yes |
| USB | USB Type-C 3.1 |
| Sensors | Accelerometer, Gyro, Proximity, Compass, Barometer |
Price
Google indicates that the Pixel 5a will only be available in the United States and Japan. Its price is somewhat reasonable: count $ 449. What a pity that it is not available in our regions.
Conclusion!
If the Pixel 5a is actually priced at $ 449, it means the phone is too expensive to be on our list of the best cheap phones. (We’re cutting the number of applicants by $ 400.) While phone contracts may make a small difference in price between devices due to monthly fees, Google’s decision to offer one more expensive budget model this year is still disappointing because the Pixel is rumored to be 5a isn’t all that different. from Pixel 4a 5G.
There is no doubt that the Pixel 5a will still run flawless Android without a problem and offer great regular and ultra-wide photos. However, using the same display, bezel, and camera sensors is a big disappointment. Worst of all, though, we expect Google to use the same Snapdragon 765G chip from a year ago in the Pixel 5a. Of course, performance won’t get worse, but it will mean that the performance gap between it and its competitors will only widen in the future.
Fortunately, one big update along with the August 17 release date is a 4,860mAh battery, much larger than any previous Pixel cell. While processing power is vital to phones.
