Pixel 5a (5G)

Released August 2021

Sold in the US and Japan, the Pixel 5a adds IP67 protection and a larger battery to Google's dual-camera A-series design.

Model history · 2 models, 2020–2021

2020Pixel 4a (5G)Compare
2021Pixel 5a (5G)

Screen: 6.34″
Display: OLED, 60 Hz
Chip: Qualcomm Snapdragon 765G
Memory: 6 GB
Storage: 128 GB
Main camera: 12.2 MP
Zoom: –
Battery: 4,680 mAh
Weight: 183 g

What reviewers say

Reviewers praised the cameras, display and clean software, with useful battery improvements over earlier Pixels. Both found the hardware a modest update and charging slow. Tom's Guide also highlighted reliable fingerprint unlocking and the limited US/Japan availability.

From techradar.com and tomsguide.com

Specifications

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Display

Screen size: 6.34″
Resolution: 2400 × 1080
Sharpness: 415 pixels per inch
Panel: OLED
Refresh rate: 60 Hz
Display type: Full-screen OLED; 20:9 aspect ratio; hole-punch front camera
Pixel density: 413 ppi
Always-on display: Now Playing
Screen protection: Corning Gorilla Glass 3
Display features: HDR support; more than 100,000:1 contrast ratio; 24-bit colour; 60 Hz refresh rate confirmed by TechRadar and Tom's Guide

Performance

Chip: Qualcomm Snapdragon 765G
Memory: 6 GB
Storage: 128 GB
CPU: 64-bit octa-core CPU; 2.4/2.2/1.8 GHz; Titan M security module
GPU: Adreno 620
Storage type: 128 GB storage; 6 GB LPDDR4x RAM; no microSD slot

Cameras

Main camera: 12.2 MP
Ultra wide camera: 16 MP
Telephoto camera: None
Optical zoom: None
Front camera: 8 MP
Main camera: Dual-pixel phase-detection autofocus; f/1.7; 1.4 μm pixels; 77° field of view; optical and electronic image stabilisation
Ultra wide camera: f/2.2; 1.0 μm pixels; 118.7° field of view with RAW image capture enabled
Front camera: f/2.0; 1.12 μm pixels; fixed focus; 83° field of view
Video recording: Rear 4K at 30/60 fps; 1080p at 30/60/120/240 fps
Front video: 1080p at 30 fps
Camera features: Night Sight with astrophotography; Portrait Light; Cinematic Pan

Battery and charging

Battery: 4,680 mAh
Wired charging: Up to 18 W
Wireless charging: None
Battery life detail: Typical 4,680 mAh, minimum 4,620 mAh; maker claims all-day use or up to 48 hours with Extreme Battery Saver
Wired charging: Up to 18 W with the supplied USB-C adaptor; USB-PD 2.0; actual rates may vary

Design

Type: Standard
Weight: 183 g
Thickness: 8.8 mm
Height × width: 156.2 × 73.2 mm
Water and dust resistance: IP67
Materials: Metal unibody
Colours: Mostly Black with forest green undertones and olive-coloured power button
Buttons: Power button and volume controls
Water resistance detail: IP67; charger and accessories are not water or dust resistant; protection can diminish with wear, repair or damage
Biometrics: Pixel Imprint rear fingerprint sensor
Sensors: Proximity and ambient light; accelerometer; gyrometer; magnetometer; barometer
Speakers: Stereo speakers
Microphones: Two microphones with noise suppression

Software

Operating system: Android
Software at launch: Android 11
Software updates: No longer receives Android version or security updates according to Google's current support policy; original promise was at least three years
In the box: 18 W USB-C power adaptor; USB-C to USB-C cable (1 m, USB 2.0); Quick Switch adaptor; SIM tool; quick start guide

Connectivity

Mobile network: US G1F8F and Japanese G4S1M variants support sub-6 GHz 5G and LTE; no mmWave variant or official UK version; regional bands differ
SIM: One nano-SIM and eSIM; operator dependent
Wi-Fi: Dual-band 2.4/5 GHz 802.11a/b/g/n/ac; 2x2 MIMO
Bluetooth: Bluetooth 5.0 + LE; A2DP; aptX, aptX HD, LDAC and AAC
NFC: NFC; Google Cast; Japanese model also supports FeliCa
USB: USB-C 3.1 Gen 1; 3.5 mm headphone jack; supplied cable runs at USB 2.0
Positioning: US GPS, GLONASS, Galileo and QZSS; other-region list adds BeiDou

Storage options

Storage
128 GB

Pros and cons

Pros

Main and ultra wide cameras with Night Sight
IP67 protection and a 4,680 mAh typical battery
Headphone jack and rear fingerprint sensor

Cons

Sold officially only in the US and Japan
60 Hz display and 18 W charging
No wireless charging or expandable storage

Closest rivals

Model	Screen	Display	Chip	Memory	Storage	Main camera	Zoom	Battery	Weight	Released
SamsungGalaxy A52	6.5″	OLED, 90 Hz	Snapdragon 720G	6 GB	128 GB	64 MP	–	4,500 mAh	189 g	Mar 2021
SamsungGalaxy A52 5G	6.5″	OLED, 120 Hz	Snapdragon 750G	6 GB	128 GB	64 MP	–	4,500 mAh	189 g	Mar 2021
SamsungGalaxy A52s 5G	6.5″	OLED, 120 Hz	Snapdragon 778G	6 GB	128 GB	64 MP	–	4,500 mAh	189 g	Sept 2021

Previous model: Pixel 4a (5G). Newer model: Pixel 6a.

Sources

Photo: storage.googleapis.com

An owner of the new Pixel 5a with 5G phone pulls it out while waiting on the bus.: Google — official exact-model launch photograph, pixel5a-launch
The new Pixel 5a with 5G phone has water droplets on it, showcasing the first-ever IP67 rating for A-series phones, providing water and dust resistance.: Google — official exact-model launch photograph, pixel5a-launch
A person holds their new Pixel 5a with 5G phone on top of their desk and an electric keyboard while it's charging via USB-C.: Google — official exact-model launch photograph, pixel5a-launch
Four Pixel 5a with 5G phones are shown, each equipped a case showing all four colors that are launching.: Google — official exact-model launch photograph, pixel5a-launch

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