It’s a steal! Google revealed the $699 USD Pixel 5 this week, their first phone with 5G wireless capabilities and most of the important higher end features one would expect in 2020. The company also announced a new $499 Pixel 4a 5G, and despite a few differences in RAM, screen size, extra features and design, the phones look the same and both have everything that really matters in a smartphone. Both feature a Snapdragon 765G processor, 128GB of storage and nearly identical camera setups.
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The new Pixel 5 does have a few unique features to push it up to flagship status and compete with those of Apple and Samsung, including longer battery life, 2GB more RAM (8GB total), a smooth 6″ 90Hz refresh rate display, IP68 rating for water and dust resistance and the ability to charge other devices wirelessly.

The Pixel 4a and 4a 5G on the other hand are still very capable devices. In fact, the 4a 5G and 5 are physically indiscernible. What’s even more surprising is that you get a larger 6.2″ display on the 4a 5G and a headphone jack on both the 4a 5G and 4a for those who may still be rocking a solid set of non-wireless headphones. Coming in at $200 USD cheaper for the 4a 5G and $350 USD cheaper for the 4a, these are excellent choices if you can do without the extra features the 5 has, especially in the year 2020!
Below is a full comparison of all three new Pixel devices.
Google Pixel 5 | Google Pixel 4A 5G | Google Pixel 4A | |
Display size, resolution | 6-inch OLED; 2,340×1,080 pixels | 6.2-inch OLED; 2,340×1,080 pixels | 5.81-inch OLED; 2,340×1,080 pixels |
Pixel density | 432 ppi | 413 ppi | 443 ppi |
Mobile software | Android 11 | Android 11 | Android 10 |
Camera | 12.2-megapixel (standard), 16-megapixel (ultrawide) | 12.2-megapixel (standard), 16-megapixel (ultrawide) | 12.2-megapixel |
Front-facing camera | 8-megapixel | 8-megapixel | 8-megapixel |
Video capture | 4K | 4K | 4K |
Processor | Qualcomm Snapdragon 765G | Qualcomm Snapdragon 765G | Qualcomm Snapdragon 730G |
Storage | 128GB | 128GB | 128GB |
RAM | 8GB | 6GB | 6GB |
Expandable storage | No | No | No |
Battery | 4,000 mAh | 3,800 mAh | 3,140 mAh |
Fingerprint sensor | Rear | Rear | Rear |
Connector | USB-C | USB-C | USB-C |
Headphone jack | No | Yes | Yes |
5G enabled | Yes | Yes | No |
Dual SIM (non-SIM and e-SIM) | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Fast charging | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Special features | Water resistant (IP68) 90Hz refresh rate display reverse wireless charging | ||
Price off-contract (USD)* | $699 | $499 | $349 |
Price (GBP)* | £599 | £499 | £349 |
Price (AUD)* | AU$999 | AU$799 | AU$599 |
Dimensions (Inches) | 5.7 x 2.8 x 0.3 in | 6.1 x 2.9 x 0.3 in | 5.7 x 2.7 x 0.3 in |
Dimensions (Millimeters) | 144.7 x 70.4 x 8.0 mm | 153.9 x 74 x 8.2 mm (Sub-6 only) 153.9 x 74 x 8.5 mm (mmWave + Sub-6) | 144 x 69.4 x 8.2 mm |
Weight (Ounces, Grams) | 5.33 oz; 151g | 5.93 oz; 168g (Sub-6 only) 6.03 oz; 171g (mmWave + Sub-6) | 5.04 oz; 143g |