Google Pixel 4a 5G and Pixel 5a 5G were released 9 months apart, the former in November 2020 and the latter in August 2021. Yet, they are not really different creatures. They have more in common than apart.
The first thing you will notice when comparing the two phones side-by-side, is that they look alike – Pixel 4a 5G and Pixel 5a 5G are almost identical twins.
Visually, the key difference is in the colours. The Pixel 5a 5G is greenish, despite the colour scheme being named, Mostly Black. The 4a 5G is black. That aside, you’d be hard-pressed to tell them apart.
But colour is skin-deep. In the next section, I walk you through the main differences between these two smartphones.
Pixel 4a 5G and Pixel 5a 5G Comparison Table
I am not listing all the specs of the Pixel 4a 5G and 5a 5G here. What you are after are the differences, and those are the items I am listing below. Have a look.
| Google Pixel 4a 5G | Google Pixel 5a 5G |
| 6.2 inches screen size | 6.43 inches screen size |
| Plastic frame, plastic body | Aluminium frame, aluminium body, IP67 dust/water resistance (up to 1minute for 30 minutes) |
| 168 g | 183g |
| 3885 mAh battery | 4680 mAh battery |
Pixel 4a 5G and Pixel 5a 5G: Differences explained
In simple terms, you get better battery life with the 5a 5G. You also get a waterproof and dust-proof aluminium body, instead of a plastic body with no ingress protection. This means the 5a 5G is a cooler device that looks better and feels better in the hand. You also get a slightly bigger screen. Note that despite the bigger screen, the Pixel 5a 5G is slightly more compact than its older sibling. It is also heavier (thanks to the aluminium body and bigger battery, I guess).
The biggest difference, from where I stand, is the much beefier battery and the extra battery life that the 5a 5G brings to the table. That may not matter so much to you or to some other persons. Our wants and needs differ. For example, lots of people love bigger screens; I prefer more compact ones.
Everything else is the same – front and rear cameras, processor, RAM, built-in storage, Bluetooth connectivity, Wi-Fi, hotspot, stereo speakers, etc. Everything else.
Pixel 4a 5G and Pixel 5a 5G: Which is your choice?
The 4a 5G presently costs $488 on Amazon, while the 5a 5G sells for $549. That’s a $61 difference. The question is, do you think that the $61 price difference is worth paying to get a slightly bigger screen, IP67 water and dust resistance, and a bigger battery? Only you can decide, depending on your financial muscle.
At the end of the day though, regardless of which model you choose, you will get the same Qualcomm Snapdragon 765G 5G processor and 5G wireless connectivity, same 6 GB RAM, same 128 GB built-in storage, same 18W fast charging speed, same stereo speakers, same Gorilla Glass 3 protection for the screen, and the same 1080 x 2340 pixels OLED display with Always-on display.
As already mentioned earlier, Google Pixel 4a 5G and Pixel 5a 5G are pretty much identical twins with a few differences. The differences are sweet, if you can afford the extra cash to get the 5a 5G, but not so vital that you are missing out on much if you opt for the cheaper model. Over to you: the ball is now in your court.