If you're looking for a smartphone made by Google, you now have three to pick from: the Pixel 4a, the Pixel 4a 5G, and the Pixel 5. The Pixel 5 is clearly Google's hero device, but it gets a little tricky when it comes to the Pixel 4a and Pixel 4a 5G.
Given the names, you'd expect the pair to be pretty similar. A Pixel 4a with 5G. That's not quite the case however. While the pair of devices share the same DNA, they're actually pretty different phones.
To help you pick, we're taking a look how Google's 2020 Pixels compare.
Before we start, here's a look at how the trio of phones stack up in terms of hardware:
2020 Pixel specifications
| Pixel 5 | Pixel 4a 5G | Pixel 4a | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Display | 6-inch | 6.2-inch | 5.81-inch |
| Resolution | 1080p at 90Hz | 1080p at 60Hz | 1080p at 60Hz |
| Rear Cameras | 12MP + 16MP | 12MP + 16MP | 12MP |
| Front Camera | 8MP | 8MP | 8MP |
| Processor | Snapdragon 765G | Snapdragon 765G | Snapdragon 730 |
| RAM | 8GB | 6GB | 6GB |
| Storage | 128GB | 128GB | 128GB |
| Battery | 4,080mAh | 3,885mAh | 3,140mAh |
| Water-Resistance | IPX8 | N/A | N/A |
| Wireless Charging | Yes | N/A | N/A |
| 5G | Yes | Yes | No |
| Material | Aluminium | Plastic | Plastic |
| Headphone Jack | No | Yes | Yes |
| Price | $999 | $799 | $599 |
Pixel 4a vs. Pixel 4a 5G vs. Pixel 5 price
Unsurprisingly, price is a key difference between the trio of Pixels, with the 4G-only model setting you back less. Outright, you'll pay the following:
- Google Pixel 4a: $599
- Google Pixel 4a 5G: $799
- Google Pixel 5: $999
This pricing is also reflected in phone plan pricing. When you buy a phone on a plan, the outright price of the device is simply divided by 12, 24, or 36 (depending on how many months you'd like to pay your phone off over) and added on to the price of your base plan.
Telcos can occasionally offer a discount on phones, such as a $100 saving over the life of your contract, but the higher the outright price of your phone, the higher your monthly bill. There's no cheeky way to get the Pixel 5 for the same price as Pixel 4a.
Not every telco is ranging every Pixel however. Telstra has all three 2020 Pixels, Vodafone has the Pixel 4a and Pixel 5, while Optus only has the Pixel 5.
Pixel 4a vs. Pixel 4a 5G vs. Pixel 5 camera
The Pixel 4a, the Pixel 4a 5G, and the Pixel 5 share the same primary camera, but the Pixel 4a 5G and Pixel 5 benefit from a secondary ultra-wide angle lens. The Pixel 4a's primary camera is excellent, so that's a big tick in the favour of the Pixel 4a 5G and Pixel 5, but we'll need to wait until we get our hands on one with the ultra-wide lens to see if it's a worthy addition.
Pixel 4a vs. Pixel 4a 5G vs. Pixel 5 design
The Pixel 4a 5G is a somewhat larger phone than the Pixel 4a, measuring in at 6.2-inches, versus the Pixel 4a's more diminutive 5.81-inch screen. Otherwise, the Pixel 4a and Pixel 4a 5G share the same design language. They both have a hole-punch camera in the top-left-hand corner, they're both made from plastic, and they both have a headphone jack.
The Pixel 5 is a different story. It's the middle-child in terms of size, with a 6-inch display. It’s built from aluminium rather than plastic, and has a few extra flourishes like IPX8 water-resistance and wireless charging. The Pixel 5 doesn't have a headphone jack, however.
Pixel 4a vs. Pixel 4a 5G vs. Pixel 5 performance
The Pixel 4a 5G and Pixel 5 technically have a faster processor than the Pixel 4a, but it shouldn't make a huge difference in terms of day-to-day performance. In our review, we found the Pixel 4a was more than zippy enough. Where the Pixel 4a 5G should have more of an edge is in gaming performance based on benchmarks. If you're regularly gaming on your phone - especially 3D games - the Pixel 4a 5G or Pixel 5 might be a better choice. Otherwise, it should be a much of a muchness.
Of course, the other part of the equation is 5G. The Pixel 4a doesn't have 5G connectivity, the Pixel 4a 5G does, as the name might suggest. The Pixel 5 does too. At this stage of the rollout, 5G is far from essentially given the limited coverage and use cases. But if you're planning on keeping a phone for three or four years, 5G could certainly be nice to have from a future-proofing perspective. It's hard to predict the future, but as it stands, you almost certainly won't be missing out on much by not having a 5G phone - at least for the next year or two.
Pixel 4a vs. Pixel 4a 5G vs. Pixel 5 battery
The Pixel 4a has a 3,140mAh battery, the Pixel 4a 5G has a larger 3,885mAh cell, and the Pixel 5 tops out with a 4,080mAh cell. This suggests the Pixel 5 should last the longest, but its display also has a higher refresh rate which could reduce battery. Both the Pixel 4a 5G and Pixel 5 also have a larger display, more powerful processor, and 5G connectivity, which also impact how long a phone can last. We'll need to wait until we get our hands on the pair to see just how they fare in terms of longevity.
Which Pixel should I buy?
Picking what Pixel can be a little tricky, but it's made easier by the fact they all share the same excellent primary camera. Even if you go with the $599 Pixel 4a, you're still going to get photos that rival a phone that costs three times as much. The Pixel 4a isn't just a fantastic budget phone, it's a fantastic all round device.
The main reason you'd consider the Pixel 4a 5G over the Pixel 4a is if you want a bigger display. 5.81-inch is pretty small for 2020 standards, so the extra screen real-estate on the Pixel 4a 5G will definitely be welcome by many.
The Pixel 5 is a great choice if you're looking for a few extra trimmings, like a 90Hz refresh rate display, water-resistance, wireless charging, and a more premium build.
Alex Choros
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