Price and Specifications

The Google Pixel 5a 5G was released in August 2021 as an affordable 5G smartphone option with an emphasis on the camera experience, performance, and battery life. Positioned as a direct successor to the Pixel 4a 5G, it builds on the strengths of the Pixel lineup while offering solid upgrades in key areas like build quality, battery size, and 5G support. The Pixel 5a 5G is designed for users who want a premium experience without the high price tag of flagship devices.

This article provides an in-depth look at the price, specifications, and standout features of the Google Pixel 5a 5G, offering a comprehensive guide to what makes this smartphone a solid option in the mid-range segment.

Price

At launch, the Google Pixel 5a 5G was priced at:

• $449 USD for the 128 GB storage variant.

This pricing places the Pixel 5a 5G in a highly competitive spot in the mid-range market, offering 5G connectivity, an excellent camera, and a pure Android experience at a much lower price compared to flagship smartphones from brands like Apple, Samsung, and OnePlus. The Pixel 5a 5G aimed to be a more affordable alternative to Google’s higher-end Pixel models, like the Pixel 5.

Over time, the price of the Pixel 5a 5G may vary based on promotions, but it remains one of the most budget-friendly 5G phones from a major brand.

Key Specifications

1. Display

• Screen Size: 6.34 inches
• Type: OLED, Full HD+ (2400 x 1080 pixels)
• Pixel Density: 413 PPI (pixels per inch)
• Aspect Ratio: 20:9
• Refresh Rate: Standard 60Hz (no higher refresh rate)
• Brightness: Up to 700 nits peak brightness
• Corning Gorilla Glass 3 for protection

The Pixel 5a 5G boasts a 6.34-inch OLED display, offering sharp and vibrant visuals. The OLED panel provides deep blacks, rich contrast, and accurate color reproduction, making it ideal for media consumption, gaming, and everyday use. However, like its predecessor, the Pixel 5a does not support a higher refresh rate, sticking to the 60Hz standard, which means scrolling and animations will be less fluid compared to some competitors that offer 90Hz or 120Hz displays.

With a Full HD+ resolution (2400 x 1080 pixels), the Pixel 5a 5G provides a good pixel density of 413 PPI, ensuring crisp and clear visuals. While the brightness doesn’t reach the extreme levels of flagship models (up to 700 nits peak brightness), it still performs well under normal usage conditions, including outdoor environments.

2. Camera

Google’s computational photography has long been a defining feature of its Pixel smartphones, and the Pixel 5a 5G continues this tradition. The device features a dual-camera system on the rear, offering impressive capabilities, especially for its price point. The camera system is powered by Google’s advanced AI and software processing, resulting in stunning photos even in challenging lighting conditions.

• Rear Camera:
• 12.2 MP (f/1.7) – Main Camera (Wide Angle)
  • Dual Pixel Autofocus for fast and precise focusing
  • Optical Image Stabilization (OIS) for clearer shots
  • Electronic Image Stabilization (EIS) for smooth video recording
  • Night Sight for excellent low-light photography
  • HDR+ for dynamic range, improving both highlights and shadows
  • Super Res Zoom for high-quality zoomed-in images
  • Portrait Mode for professional-looking blurred backgrounds
• 16 MP (f/2.2) – Ultra-Wide Camera
  • Field of view: 119° for wider shots
  • Ideal for group photos, landscape shots, and architecture
• Front Camera:
• 8 MP (f/2.0) Camera
  • Wide-angle lens for group selfies
  • Supports HDR+ for better details and colors in selfies
  • Portrait Mode and video recording capabilities

The Pixel 5a 5G’s camera system is one of its most appealing aspects. The 12.2 MP main camera produces vibrant and detailed photos, thanks to Google’s HDR+ software and Night Sight mode. The inclusion of the 16 MP ultra-wide camera adds versatility, making it easier to capture wide-angle shots with minimal distortion.

On the front, the 8 MP selfie camera delivers good results in various lighting conditions and supports Google’s Portrait Mode for achieving a blurred background effect. Like the rear cameras, the front camera also benefits from HDR+ and Google’s AI-driven enhancements, ensuring clear and natural-looking selfies.

3. Performance

• Chipset: Qualcomm Snapdragon 765G (7nm, octa-core)
• CPU: 1x Kryo 475 Prime (2.4 GHz) + 1x Kryo 475 Gold (2.2 GHz) + 6x Kryo 475 Silver (1.8 GHz)
• GPU: Adreno 620
• RAM: 6 GB LPDDR4X RAM

The Snapdragon 765G chipset powers the Pixel 5a 5G, providing solid performance for everyday tasks, gaming, and multitasking. The 765G is a 5G-capable chip, offering fast mobile data speeds and optimized performance for gaming, video streaming, and AI-driven tasks. While it’s not as powerful as flagship chips like the Snapdragon 888, the 765G provides excellent value for mid-range smartphones.

With 6 GB of RAM, the device handles typical smartphone tasks like browsing, social media, and light gaming with ease. The performance is smooth and responsive, and the integration of Google’s clean Android interface ensures minimal lag and no unnecessary bloatware.

4. Battery

• Battery Capacity: 4680 mAh
• Charging:
• 18W USB Type-C fast charging
• No wireless charging
• Reverse wireless charging: Not supported

The 4680 mAh battery in the Pixel 5a 5G is one of the largest batteries in the Pixel lineup and provides excellent endurance. The phone comfortably lasts a full day of moderate use, including browsing, media consumption, and camera use. Google’s battery optimization software ensures that the battery is well-managed, even with 5G connectivity enabled.

The 18W USB Type-C fast charging allows you to recharge the battery quickly, with about 50% charge in 30 minutes. However, wireless charging is not supported, which might be a downside for some users who prefer that option. Similarly, reverse wireless charging is not available, meaning you cannot wirelessly charge other devices.

5. Storage

• Internal Storage: 128 GB (non-expandable via microSD card)

The Pixel 5a 5G comes with 128 GB of internal storage, which should be enough for most users to store apps, photos, videos, and music. However, expandable storage via a microSD card is not supported, so users will need to rely on cloud storage services like Google Drive and Google Photos for additional storage.

6. Software

• Operating System: Initially shipped with Android 11, and eligible for future updates, including Android 12 and beyond.
• Google’s Clean Android Experience: The Pixel 5a 5G runs the pure Android experience, with no bloatware and regular updates directly from Google.
• Google Assistant: Deep integration of Google Assistant, enabling hands-free voice control for numerous tasks, such as setting reminders, controlling smart home devices, and answering questions.
• Call Screening: Automatically screens incoming calls to help block spam and robocalls.
• Live Transcribe: Real-time transcription of conversations, a great accessibility feature.
• Security: Titan M security chip for advanced data protection and biometric authentication via the rear-mounted fingerprint scanner.

As with all Pixel devices, the Pixel 5a 5G offers timely Android updates and security patches directly from Google, ensuring that users have access to the latest features and security enhancements. The device will receive three years of OS updates and security patches, making it a future-proof choice in terms of software longevity.

7. Design and Build

• Dimensions: 156.2 x 73.2 x 8.8 mm
• Weight: 183 grams
• Material: Aluminum unibody with matte finish
• Colors: Mostly Black
• Water Resistance: IP67 (dust and water resistance up to 1 meter for 30 minutes)
• Fingerprint Sensor: Rear-mounted fingerprint scanner

The Pixel 5a 5G has a premium aluminum unibody design with a matte finish that gives the