Google’s newest smartphones look a lot alike on paper. The upcoming Google Pixel 5 and Google Pixel 4a 5G are both expected to have the same Qualcomm Snapdragon 765G processor, the same basic design (with fingerprint readers on the back and hole-punch selfie cameras on the front), and the same cameras.

But while the Pixel 4a 5G is priced at $499, the Pixel 5 costs $200 more. So what do you get for the extra money?

Among other things, a metal body, wireless charging, a slightly higher capacity battery, a higher screen refresh rate and an IP68 water resistance rating.

If you don’t need those features, you can probably save some money by opting for the Pixel 4a 5G… but you’ll end up with a slightly larger phone if you do that. On the bright side, you’ll also find a headphone jack on the cheaper model.

Or if you want to save even more money, there’s always the $349 Pixel 4a.

First launched in August, Google’s newest entry-level phone features a 5.81 inch, 2340 x 1080 pixel OLED display, a Qualcomm Snapdragon 730G processor, 6GB of RAM, 128GB of storage, and a single rear camera. It supports 4G LTE, but not 5G.

When introducing the Pixel 4a, Google confirmed that the Pixel 4a 5G and Pixel 5 would arrive  this fall, and that the Pixel 4a 5G would sell for $499. But the company didn’t have anything to say about the specs.

Here are specs for the complete 2020 Google Pixel lineup, including the entry-level Pixel 4a, which launched earlier this year.

Pixel 5Pixel 4a 5GPixel 4a
Display6″ AMOLED
2340×1080 (432ppi)
90 Hz refresh rate
Gorilla Glass 6
6.2″ AMOLED
2340×1080 (413ppi)
60 Hz refresh rate
Gorilla Glass 3
5.8 inch OLED
2340 x 1080 (443 ppi)
60 Hz refresh rate
Gorilla Glass 3
ProcessorQualcomm Snapdragon 765G
Adreno 620 GPU
Qualcomm Snapdragon 765G
Adreno 620 GPU
Qualcomm Snapdragon 730G
RAM8GB6GB6GB LPDDR4x
Storage128GB128GB128GB
Battery4080mAh3885mAh3140 mAh
Charging18W fast charging (wired)
12W Qi Wireless charging
Reverse wireless charging
18W fast charging (wired)18W fast charging (wired)
Rear Cameras
  • 12.2MP (f/1.7, OIS, EIS)
  • 16MP wide (f/2.2, 107-degree FOV)
  • 12.2MP (f/1.7, OIS, EIS)
  • 16MP wide (f/2.2, 107-degree FOV)
12.2MP (f/1.7, OIS, EIS)
Camera featuresNight Sight
Live HDR+
Cinematic Pan
Ultrawide Lens
Portrait Light
Night Sight
Live HDR+
Cinematic Pan
Ultrawide Lens
Portrait Light
Night Sight
Live HDR+
Portrait Light
Front Camera8MP (f2.0)8MP (f2.0)8MP (f2.0)
Connectivity5G, 4G LTE
WiFi 6
Bluetooth 5.0
NFC
5G, 4G LTE
WiFi 6
Bluetooth 5.0
NFC
4G LTE Cat 12 down, Cat 5 up
WiFi 6
Bluetooth 5.0
NFC
AudioStereo speakersStereo speakers
3.5mm headphone
Stereo speakers
3.5mm headphone
OtherFingerprint reader (rear)
USB 3.1 Type-C
IP68
Fingerprint reader (rear)
USB 3.1 Type-C
Fingerprint reader (rear)
USB 3.1 Type-C
FrameAluminumPolycarbonatePolycarbonate
Dimensions144.7 x 70.4 x 8.0mm153.9 x 74.0 x 8.2mm144.2 x 69.4 x 8.2mm
Weight151g168g143 grams
ColorsBlack, GreenBlack, WhiteBlack
Price$699$499$349

We don’t have long to wait to find out if the leaks are accurate though – Google is holding a hardware launch event on September 30, when the company is expected to officially launch its new phones, along with new smart speakers and media streaming products.

In the meantime, here are some of the latest pictures of Google’s 2020 Pixel smartphone lineup, courtesy of WinFuture, @evleaks, and Google:

Google Pixel 5

Google Pixel 4a 5G

Google Pixel 4a

This article was originally published on September 23, 2020 and last updated on September 30, 2020. 

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3 replies on “Google Pixel 4a, Pixel 4a 5G and Pixel 5 compared (updated)”

  1. I can’t wait to see the camera reviews. It had better beat iphone SE’s camera by a good margin or someone at Google needs to lose their job.

    1. Camera quality Google vs Apple is pretty much down to which type of image processing you like these days.

    2. The SE has had night sight mode removed so even the $100 cheaper Pixel 4a already beats the iPhone SE camera.
      The Pixel 5 will add 4k/60fps to that and come with a battery more than twice the size of the power starved SE.

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