Google Pixel 6 vs Pixel 5a: preliminary comparison

This article will compare both 2021 Pixel phones, the mid-range one and the premium one, to set the picture of what you might expect when the Pixel 6 and the Pixel 5a. So, if you’re curious about these two phones, read on!

Google Pixel 6 vs Pixel 5a: Design

Pixel 6 official image

Google has recently unveiled the Pixel 6 design, confirming what we were expecting from leaked renders. This time, unlike the previous year, we observe major differences in Google’s approach to design with the premium phone. 

On one hand, we have the expected Pixel 6 flagship with an interesting new three-color design. We see from the renders that the camera bump of the phone stretches alongside the rear panel in a new, unorthodox look. Google calls this the ‘camera bar’, housing the camera sensors. It has a metal ridge that protects the sensors from scratches. The lower part of the rear panel is painted in one color; and the top part in another.

Pixel 5a

Turning both phones around, we again see some differences in the design. First off, the selfie camera on the Pixel 6 is centered, while the Pixel 5a has a left-hand corner punch-hole. One thing the Pixel 6 will have here is an under-display fingerprint sensor.

Google Pixel 6 vs Pixel 5a: Display

Pixel 6 render

The Pixel 5a sports a 6.34-inch FHD+ OLED panel, while the Pixel 6’s display will be around 6.4-inches, so in terms of display sizes, these two phones are ending up really close to each other in terms of display size.

Of course, the Pixel 6 will have some features that make it stand out from the more affordable Pixel 5a. For example, we know the vanilla Pixel 6 will sport 90Hz refresh rate. Although this isn’t as fast as the more premium Pixel 6 Pro’s 120Hz refresh rate, it is still smooth and fast, ensuring great user experience.

Pixel 5a

Another thing worth mentioning here is that the difference between 120Hz and 90Hz is hardly visible to the naked eye, so the Pixel 6 will indeed feel buttery-smooth. For reference, the Pixel 5 has the same 90Hz refresh rate for its display.

Talking about refresh rate, the more affordable Pixel won’t be sporting a high-refresh rate and unfortunately will be stuck at 60Hz.

Google Pixel 6 vs Pixel 5a: Hardware and performance

Google has announced its new custom-made chip, the Google Tensor

Well, the hardware and performance department is where things get interesting, mainly because of the new Google-made chip that’s going to power the Pixel 6. Google has now revealed its name: Google Tensor. This name does sound almighty, and it seems Google will be going all-in with the new Pixel 6. The new custom-made chip will be rivaling Qualcomm’s premium Snapdragon 888.

The main advertising point of the new chip is the improved AI capabilities. However, Google did not give any specs or benchmarks for the SoC yet, so we are left to wait for the fall’s release for actual real-life tests and benchmarks.

Earlier though, reputable industry insider Max Weinbach stated in a podcast this new chip won’t be as fast as the flagship Snapdragon 888 or Exynos 2100. In the podcast, he stated it would fall somewhere between the Snapdragon 865 and the 888 in terms of performance. Of course, there’s another aspect of performance that we need to address. The chip’s raw speed is not the only thing that matters for a great experience with the phone. The software optimization is also key, and we are inclined to believe that Google may have something in store there, given the fact it decided to ditch the flagship Snapdragon for a custom-made silicon.

The situation with the Pixel 5a is a bit different. The phone is powered by the slightly older Snapdragon 765. We find the same chip in the Pixel 5, and it is not a flagship chip, but an upper-midrange one. In our Pixel 5 review, we came to the conclusion that a midrange chip is quite good for your everyday tasks.

For reference, look at these benchmarks: we have here the Exynos 2100 in the Galaxy S21 and the Pixel 5’s Snapdragon 765 in terms of performance. We expect the Pixel 5a to perform similarly to the Pixel 5, while the Pixel 6 might be better, but a bit slower than the Galaxy S21:

Performance Benchmarks (for reference):

*Please note that we have the Exynos version of the Galaxy S21.

Google Pixel 6 vs Pixel 5a: Cameras

Pixel 6 official image

Well, well, two Pixel phones against each other in the camera department: we might expect surprises, of course, but right off the bat, even without photo samples taken, we can say that we expect both phones to deliver great photo quality. After all, Google does some miracles with its image-processing capabilities, and there’s no reason to doubt the company on that.

The Pixel 5a has a dual-camera setup with a 12.2MP main camera and a 16MP ultra-wide, the same as the Pixel 4a 5G. Although, according to Google, it should bring multiple improvements, for example improvements in Night Sight portrait mode and less distortion on ultra-wide shots, as well as more of the scene taken in the ultra-wide photo.

We know the Pixel 6 will have a dual camera on its back and now Google has confirmed there is an upgrade coming in the camera department, without giving us any camera specs yet. Currently, at least according to leaks, the Pixel 6 will reportedly sport a 50MP main camera and a 12MP ultra wide camera. For reference, its predecessor had a 12.2MP main and a 16MP ultra-wide camera, and photos generally turned out well detailed, with good dynamic range and lifelike colors.

Reportedly, the Pixel 6 should be able to use advanced AI, coupled with the Tensor chip, that will ensure better image quality. Google claims we should be expecting a revamped camera system with the Pixel 6, with new features and updated old features. However, the tech giant has not announced yet exactly what features we should expect apart from the possibility to take a clear and not blurred image of your kid “that won’t stay still” for your family photo.

You can look at some Pixel 5 image samples here, we expect the Pixel 6 to bring notable improvements, while the Pixel 5a’s image quality may be quite similar to those here:

Google Pixel 6 vs Pixel 5a: Price

If Google is aiming at the flagship market scene, and it seems that it is, we expect the Pixel 6 to be priced at around $799 or even $899, while the Pixel 5a is an affordable phone. It comes with 5G at the quite affordable $450 price and will be hitting the shelves on August 26. However, the Pixel 5a is reserved for the US and Japan only, and it is unknown whether it will be released in other countries at all.

Google has not revealed the Pixel 6’s announcement or release dates, but we do hope it will be available globally.