Here's how the Pixel 5 and 4a 5G compare to 2019's Pixel 4 series

Google has finally officially unveiled the Pixel 4a 5G and the Pixel 5.

These two smartphones are the latest the company has to offer, but they differ a lot compared to what Google has launched in the past.

Here’s how the Pixel 4a 5G compares to the Pixel 5 and Pixel 4 series.

Below are some notable differences, followed by a spec sheet comparison:

The Pixel 5 lacks an XL size variant.
The Pixel 5 and 4a 5G have smaller bezels than any other Pixel smartphone in the past (other than the Pixel 4a).
The Pixel 5 and Pixel 4a 5G lack ‘Active Edge.’ Every Pixel smartphone since the Pixel 2 series has included this feature.
The Pixel 5 and 4a 5G both have a Snapdragon 765G processor compared to the flagship chipsets available in the Pixel 4 series.
The Pixel 5 only comes in two colour variants, ‘Subtle Sage’ and ‘Just Black,’ compared to previous Pixel smartphones (except for the Pixel 4a) that typically are available in three different colour variants.
The Pixel 5 and 4a 5G don’t have different colour power buttons. Previous Pixel handsets have featured an accented power button.
Google ditched the Soli radar sensor in its new Pixel smartphones, which means they don’t feature face unlock and the Pixel 5 and 4a 5G only use a rear-facing fingerprint scanner.
The Pixel 5 and 4a 5G only come in one storage variant, 128GB.
The Pixel 5 and 4a 5G now have a wide-angle camera, compared to the Pixel 4 series that featured a telephoto shooter.
The Pixel 5 now has reverse-wireless charging.

When the Pixel 4 launched in 2019, it cost $999 and the larger 128GB model cost $1,129. Google priced the 64GB 4 XL at $1,129 and the 128GB Pixel 4 XL cost $1,259. Whereas the new Pixel 5 costs $799 and the Pixel 4a 5G is available for $679. This year’s Pixel smartphone is a lot more affordable, likely due to its 5G-capable Snapdragon 765G processor.

Specs

Pixel 5

Pixel 4a 5G

Google Pixel 4 XL

Google Pixel 4

Display

6.0-inch FHD+ (1080 x 2340) OLED display, 432 ppi, 19.5:9 aspect ratio

6.24-inch FHD+ (1080 x 2340) OLED display, 413 ppi, 19.5:9 aspect ratio

6.3-inch, OLED display, 1440 x 3040 pixels, 90Hz refresh rate, 19:9 aspect ratio

5.7-inch, OLED display, 1080 x 2160 pixels, 90Hz refresh rate, 19:9 aspect ratio

Processor

Snapdragon 765G

Snapdragon 855

RAM

8GB of RAM

6GB of RAM

Storage

128GB

64GB, 128GB

Dimensions

144.7 x 70.4 x 8.0mm

153.9 x 74 x 8.2mm (Sub-6 only), 153.9 x 74 x 8.5mm (mmWave + Sub-6)

160.4 x 75.1 x 8..2mm

147.1 x 68.8 x 8.2mm

Weight

151g

168g (Sub-6 only), 171g (mmWave + Sub-6)

193g

162g

Rear Facing Camera

12.2-megapixel (f/1.7) + 16-megapixel (f/2.2, ultrawide)

12.2-megapixel (f/1.7) + 16-megapixel (f/2.2) ultra-wide

16-megapixel (f/2.4, OIS, wide angle) + 12.2-megapixel (f/1.7, OIS, telephoto)

Front Facing Camera

8-megapixel (f//2.0)

8-megapixel (f/2.0)

8-megapixel (f/2.0, ultra-wide)

Android 11

Android 10

Battery

4,000mAh

3,800mAh

3700mAh

2,800mAh

Network Connectivity

GSM/HSPA/LTE/5G

GSM/HSPA/LTE

Sensors

Fingerprint (rear), accelerometor, gyro, proximity, compass`

Fingerprint (rear), accelerometor, gyro, proximity, compass

face unlock, accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer

SIM Type

Nano SIM

Nano SIM, eSIM

Launch Date

September 30, 2020

October 15, 2019

Misc

Colours: Just Black | Subtle Sage, 90Hz refresh rate

Colours: Just Black

Colours: Just Black, Oh So Orange, Clearly White | Motion Sense, face unlock, New Assistant (coming to Canada), Active Edge

Here’s how the Pixel 5 and 4a 5G compare to 2019’s Pixel 4 series

Related Articles

B.C. teen stranded on cliff after having AI plan his route

Cohere rolls out Enterprise AI platform North 2

Google limits free and AI Plus access to some Gemini models

Asus Googlebook 14 first thoughts: Great hardware, meh software

The top technology news, delivered to your inbox every Friday.