Google Pixel 5 vs Google Pixel 5a
A spec-by-spec comparison of the Google Pixel 5 and the Google Pixel 5a, taken from their full specification sheets. Green marks the better value in each measured row.
Head to head
| Google Pixel 5 | Google Pixel 5a |
|---|
| Price | $149 | $150 |
| Our rating | 8/10 | 8/10 |
| Battery | 4,080 mAh | 4,680 mAh |
| Wired charging | 18W | 18W |
| Storage (max) | 128 GB | 128 GB |
| Screen size | 6 in | 6.34 in |
| Refresh rate | 90 Hz | — |
| Main camera | 16 MP | 16 MP |
| Weight (lower is lighter) | 151 g | 183 g |
| Released | Oct 2020 | Aug 2021 |
Summary: Google Pixel 5 is ahead on weight (lower is lighter). Google Pixel 5a is ahead on battery, screen size.
★ Which should you buy? Google Pixel 5a is the stronger overall pick on the measured specs. If budget matters more than the extra capability, Google Pixel 5 is the cheaper option.
Reviewed by the infozme.com Editorial Team — see how we research & rate phones.
Display
| Google Pixel 5 | Google Pixel 5a |
|---|
| Type | OLED, 90Hz, HDR10+ | OLED, HDR |
| Size | 6.0 inches, 85.9 cm2 (~83.1% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.34 inches |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~432 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~415 ppi density) |
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 6 | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 |
Platform
| Google Pixel 5 | Google Pixel 5a |
|---|
| OS | Android 11, upgradable to Android 14 | Android 11, upgradable to Android 14 |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM7250 Snapdragon 765G 5G (7 nm) | Qualcomm Snapdragon 765G 5G (7 nm) |
| CPU | Octa-core (1x2.4 GHz Kryo 475 Prime & 1x2.2 GHz Kryo 475 Gold & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 475 Silver) | Octa-core (1x2.4 GHz Kryo 475 Prime & 1x2.2 GHz Kryo 475 Gold & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 475 Silver) |
| GPU | Adreno 620 | Adreno 620 |
Memory
| Google Pixel 5 | Google Pixel 5a |
|---|
| RAM | 8GB LPDDR4x | 6GB LPDDR4X |
| Internal Storage | 128GB UFS 2.1 | 128GB UFS 2.1 |
| Card slot | No | — |
| Card Slot | — | No |
Main Camera
| Google Pixel 5 | Google Pixel 5a |
|---|
| Dual | 12.2 MP, f/1.7, 27mm (wide), 1/2.55", 1.4µm, dual pixel PDAF, OIS | 12.2 MP, f/1.7, 27mm (wide), 1/2.8", 1.4µm, dual pixel PDAF, OIS; 16 MP, f/2.2, 107˚ (ultrawide), 1.0µm |
| Ultrawide | 16 MP, f/2.2, 107˚ (ultrawide), 1.0µm | — |
| Features | LED flash, Auto-HDR, panorama, Live HDR+ | Dual-LED flash, Pixel Shift, Auto-HDR, panorama |
| Video | 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps; OIS | 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps, OIS |
Selfie Camera
| Google Pixel 5 | Google Pixel 5a |
|---|
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.0, 24mm (wide), 1.12µm | 8 MP, f/2.0, 24mm (wide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm |
| Features | Auto-HDR | Auto-HDR |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
Battery
| Google Pixel 5 | Google Pixel 5a |
|---|
| Type | Li-Po 4080 mAh, non-removable | Li-Po 4680 mAh, non-removable |
| Charging | 18W wired, PD2.0 | 18W wired, PD2.0 |
Body
| Google Pixel 5 | Google Pixel 5a |
|---|
| Dimensions | 144.7 x 70.4 x 8 mm (5.70 x 2.77 x 0.31 in) | 154.9 x 73.7 x 7.6 mm (6.10 x 2.90 x 0.30 in) |
| Weight | 151 g (5.33 oz) | 183 g (6.46 oz) |
| Build | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 6), aluminum back, aluminum frame (100% recycled aluminum enclosure with bio-resin finish) | Aluminum unibody with a thick plastic coating, Gorilla Glass 3 front |
| SIM | Nano-SIM and/or eSIM | Nano-SIM and eSIM |
| Water & Dust Resistance | IP68 (up to 1.5m for 30 min) | IP67 (up to 1m for 30 min) |
Comms
| Google Pixel 5 | Google Pixel 5a |
|---|
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct, hotspot | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct, hotspot |
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE, aptX HD | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO, QZSS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, QZSS |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Radio | No | — |
| USB | USB Type-C 3.1 | USB Type-C 3.1 |
Launch
| Google Pixel 5 | Google Pixel 5a |
|---|
| Announced | 2020, September 30 | August 17, 2021 |
| Status | Available. Released 2020, October 15 | Released August 26, 2021 |
Frequently asked questions
Which has the better battery, Google Pixel 5 or Google Pixel 5a?
Google Pixel 5a — 4,080 mAh for the Google Pixel 5 versus 4,680 mAh for the Google Pixel 5a.
Which is lighter, Google Pixel 5 or Google Pixel 5a?
Google Pixel 5 — 151 g for the Google Pixel 5 versus 183 g for the Google Pixel 5a.
Which is newer, Google Pixel 5 or Google Pixel 5a?
Google Pixel 5a — Oct 2020 for the Google Pixel 5 versus Aug 2021 for the Google Pixel 5a.
Is the Google Pixel 5 or the Google Pixel 5a rated higher?
We rate the Google Pixel 5 8/10 and the Google Pixel 5a 8/10.
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