For the people wanting to debate specs or own something visually noteworthy, the Pixel 6 will be coming in fall 2021. Even after the new flagship smartphone from Google arrives, I think a lot of people will still be attracted to what the Pixel 5a has to offer. While it’s a very modest spec bump over previous Pixel phones, it is better. It’s price might be the most compelling element of it, however, and makes it a tremendous value.
TL;DR
Pros:
5GAttractive priceLarger screen than Pixel 5
Cons:
No wireless chargingOnly one bland color choice
Buy at Google.
Pixel 5a With 5G Features
The killer feature of the Pixel 5a is its price. All platforms being equal, its money-to-features value is the reason you would pick it over an iPhone or a Samsung. It has enough perks and modern specs to keep it useful for years, plus it comes at an attractive enough price that you feel good about the purchase.
The phone has a large, 6.34-inch display, impressive battery capacity, 5G cellular connectivity and a newer Qualcomm processor. It also includes a fingerprint sensor on the back, a headphone jack on the top and a USB-C wall charger in the box.
It basically matches or exceeds the features of Apple’s iPhone SE for the same $449 price, when comparing the phones’ 128GB storage models. (The iPhone SE starts at $399 with 64GB of storage space, while the Pixel 5a is only available with 128GB of space.) Some people may prefer the smaller size, but bigger screens tend to be more popular in general.
If the Pixel 5a seems appealing to you for the stuff it has, you likely won’t be bothered by the things it lacks. Most notably, it does not have wireless Qi charging or a face unlock feature.
Saving money by cutting these features makes sense. If you value a 3.5 mm headphone jack, there’s a good chance you don’t mind using a cable to charge the phone. Similarly, as long as a phone has at least one biometric sensor, the familiar fingerprint authentication may be more than adequate. Plus, it works with masks every time.
It’s never fun to decide between features and which ones you may or may not want at some point, but I do think the trade-offs here are in line with the consumer this phone is aimed at. The camera on the device is excellent, thanks to Google’s software processing, and could even get better over time because of that. Plus, feature-wise, the Pixel 5a does largely align with what you would get from the current iPhone SE—a fingerprint sensor but no face authentication.
The phone has a metal unibody design, and the build quality of my test unit seemed solid. The speakers were loud, and the buttons were clicky. The battery lasted throughout a day that included playing games, listening to music and watching a few videos. It worked as advertised. Of course, that means the phone is slightly boring. That does include its neutral and uninspired “mostly black” exterior color, which has a dark green look to it in some lighting conditions.
Overall I enjoyed my time with the Pixel 5a. But if it’s not exactly what you want, there are other Pixel phones available.
Comparing Pixel Phones
Anyone excited about a top of the line, flagship mobile device should wait for the Pixel 6 Pro sometime in fall 2021. Alternatively, if you want a different Pixel phone, you’ll need to hurry. The current range of Pixel phones is transitioning right now, so things could change rapidly.
The Pixel 5 has a 90 Hz display refresh rate, wireless charging and battery share charging—to allow things like wireless earbuds to recharge on the back of the phone. Even though the Pixel 5 is better in some ways, the 5a still matches most of its specs. The Pixel 5 is also $150 more than the 5a.
The best value for people really looking to save money is the Pixel 4a for $349. This phone retains things like the primary rear camera, 128GB of storage and a display very similar to the other phones in the lineup.
Should You Buy a Pixel 5a With 5G?
The only quibbles I had with the Pixel 5a were around hardware design preference and Android software. For example, I’m not crazy about the volume button being on the right side, halfway between the top and bottom. I click it by accident too often. I also don’t care for a few software things like the Google search bar not being easily removable on the home screen.
Those minor issues may matter to you, as well, but I don’t think they are flaws that will affect everyone equally. The screen looks crisp and vibrant, the cameras capture impressive shots, and the phone keeps pace with all general activities. It’s a very pocket-worthy phone. Even if it is a bit forgettable.
Buy at Google.
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