Google Pixel 5a 1

Google Pixel 5a With 5G: Fabulous Phone

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.

Google Pixel 5a Side

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.

PROSCONS
Smooth performance from 765GSame old design
Improved battery lifeMediocre speakers
IP67 water resistance rating
Crisp OLED display

Key Specification

Google Pixel 5a
Released2021, August 17
ChipsetQualcomm SM7250 Snapdragon 765G 5G (7 nm)
Display6.34 inches, Corning Gorilla Glass 3
Fingerprint Sensor Fingerprint (rear-mounted)

Google Pixel 5a

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).

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To see more clearly, Google has even been kind enough to provide a comparison table:

Google Pixel 5A

Design

Dimensions154.9 x 73.7 x 7.6 mm
Weight183 grams
Display TypeOLED, HDR
Screen Size6.34 inches
Pixel Density415 PPI
Screen Resolution1080 x 2400 pixels
ColorsMostly Black

Google Pixel 5a Display

Google Pixel 5a Headphone jack

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

ProcessorQualcomm SM7250 Snapdragon 765G 5G (7 nm)
GPUAdreno 620
Internal128GB 6GB RAM
Storage expansionNo
OSAndroid 11

Camera

Rear12.2 MP, Double
Front8 MP, Single
Video recording4K@30/60fps

Google Pixel 5a Camera

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.”

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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 mmYes
LoudspeakerYes, with stereo speakers

Google Pixel 5a Charging port

Google Pixel 5a Headphone jack

Google Pixel 5a Side

Battery Life

Capacity4680 mAh
TypeLi-Po
User-ReplaceableNo
ChargingFast charging 18W
Wireless Charging Yes

Google Pixel 5a Battery

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

SIMNano-SIM, eSIM
Bluetooth5.0, A2DP, LE, aptX HD
WifiWi-Fi 802.11
NFCYes
USBUSB Type-C 3.1
SensorsAccelerometer, 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.

Google Pixel 5a 5 Display

Google Pixel 5a 5

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.

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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.