Released last August 26, 2021, the Google Pixel 5a is the successor to the highly popular Google Pixel 4a 5G. The Google Pixel 5a boasts new features such as an IP67 waterproof rating, a larger screen and a higher battery capacity. But is it worth it to upgrade to it if you already have the Pixel 4a? We compare the two below.
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Google Pixel 5a vs 4a Comparison Chart
| Model | Google Pixel 5a | Google Pixel 4a 5G |
 | Amazon product | |
| Price | to be updated | Amazon product |
| Dimensions | 6.10 x 2.9 x 0.30 inches | 6.1 x 2.9 x 0.30 inches |
| Weight | 0.40lbs | 0.37lbs |
| Materials | Aluminum frame, aluminum back, glass front | Plastic frame, plastic back, glass front |
| Display | 6.34 inches OLED 1080 x 2400 pixels 20.9:1 aspect ratio HDR Gorilla Glass 3 | 6.2 inches OLED 1080 x 2340 pixels 19.5:1 aspect ratio HDR Gorilla Glass 3 |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM7250 Snapdragon 765G 5G Adreno 620 | Qualcomm SM7250 Snapdragon 765G 5G Adreno 620 |
| RAM & Storage | 6GB RAM 128GB | 6GB RAM 128GB |
| Camera | 12.2MP wide 16MP ultrawide LED flash, Pixel Shift, Auto-HDR, panorama Video [email protected]/60fps, [email protected]/60/120/240fps 8MP wide (selfie) Auto-HDR [email protected] | 12.2MP wide 16MP ultrawide LED flash, Pixel Shift, Auto-HDR, panorama Video [email protected]/60fps, [email protected]/60/120/240fps 8MP wide (selfie) Auto-HDR [email protected] |
| Audio | 3.5mm jack Stereo speakers | 3.5mm jack Stereo speakers |
| Connectivity | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac Bluetooth 5.0, A2DP, LE, aptX HD GPS NFC USB-C 3.1 | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac Bluetooth 5.0, A2DP, LE, aptX HD GPS NFC USB-C 3.1 |
| Sensors | Fingerprint (rear) Accelerometer Gyro Proximity Barometer Compass | Fingerprint (rear) Accelerometer Gyro Proximity Barometer Compass |
| Battery | 4860mAh 18W fast charging | 3885mAh 18W fast charging |
| Colors | Mostly Black | Just Black, Cleary White |
Design
The Google Pixel 5a is better built than the Pixel 4a.
In terms of looks and design, the Google Pixel 5a and 4a are similar. Their physical dimensions are the same, at 6.10 x 2.9 x 0.30 inches, and they weigh almost the same as well (0.4lbs vs 0.37lbs). They both come with a notch at the upper left side of the screen, and at the back, they also have the same camera configuration.
However, they do differ when it comes to materials used. While they both have a glass front, their frames are different. The Google Pixel 5a is much improved in this area, sporting an aluminum frame and an aluminum back. In contrast, the older Google Pixel 4a uses a plastic frame and back. Needless to say, the Google Pixel 5a has a better build quality than the Pixel 4a.
A nice new feature on the Google Pixel 5a is its IP67 rating. With an IP67 rating, the phone is resistant to dust and dirt, and it can still function without a hitch even if it is submerged under water for up to 30 minutes.
Display
The screen of the Google Pixel 5a is slightly bigger and has a higher resolution than the Pixel 4a’s display.
The Google Pixel 5a comes with a slightly bigger screen and a higher pixel count. It has a 6.34-inch OLED display with a resolution of 1080 x 2400, for a ppi of 415. They reduced the borders around the screen in order to accommodate the increase in resolution without affecting the overall size of the phone.
Meanwhile, the Google Pixel 4a has a 6.2-inch OLED display with a resolution of 1080 x 2340 that results in a 413 ppi. Its screen is slightly smaller and has less pixels, but ultimately, the difference between the two is not that significant. The screen of the Google Pixel 5a, similar to that of the 4a, has HDR support and is protected by Corning Gorilla Glass 3.
Features
The Google Pixel 5a and 4a have identical features.
The two phones come with the same camera configuration. They both have a 12.2MP wide and 16MP ultrawide camera at the back that comes with features such as LED flash, Pixel Shift, panorama view and Auto-HDR. The two phones are capable of capturing video at 4K 30/60fps or at 1080p 30/60/120/240 fps. At the front, they both have an 8MP camera module that has Auto-HDR. You can record at a maximum resolution of 1080p at 30fps.
In terms of connectivity, they both come with Bluetooth 5.0, WiFi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac and they are already 5G enabled. They also have NFC. As for sensors, the two phones have a rear-mounted fingerprint scanner, an accelerometer and various other sensors that include gyro, proximity and more.
Performance and Hardware
The Google Pixel 5a and 4a 5G have the same chipset, but the former has a bigger capacity battery.
When it comes to performance, the two phones are similar. That’s because they have the same Qualcomm SM7250 Snapdragon 765G 5G chipset that features an octa-core CPU and Adreno 620 GPU. Both phones also have the same RAM and storage configuration—6GB RAM and 128GB storage. Unfortunately, they still don’t have an expansion slot for an SD card, so you’re stuck with 128GB storage.
One major improvement with the Google Pixel 5a is its battery capacity. It is equipped with a 4680mAh Li-Po battery that can last longer than the mediocre 3885mAh battery of the Pixel 4a 5G. Out of all Pixel phones, the 4680mAh capacity of the Pixel 5a is the biggest.
Verdict
The Google Pixel 5a is an excellent phone, but if you already have a Pixel 4a, you shouldn’t upgrade just yet.
Google Pixel 5a
Slight upgrade over the Pixel 4a
The Google Pixel 5a offers few improvements over the Pixel 4a 5G, such as its waterproofing, a slightly bigger screen and an improved battery life. However, that’s all that it offers. In everything else, they are the same. They have the same chipset, RAM and memory configuration, camera modules and features. If you already own a Google Pixel 4a 5G, there’s no reason to upgrade to the Pixel 5a since they offer the same level of performance. However, if you are buying a new phone, then you should pick the Google Pixel 5a as it is newer and it will have better support in the future.
FAQs
Yes, it has an IP67 rating that means it is resistant to dust and waterproof.
Unfortunately, the Google Pixel 5a does not support wireless charging.
Yes, the Google Pixel 5a will work with 5G networks.
The Pixel 4a will be supported until November 2023. After that, there’s no guarantee that the phone will receive more updates.