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We’ve compared Google’s latest mid-ranger with the Pixel 4a recently. Well, it’s time to do something similar now, but instead of the Pixel 4a, we’ll throw the Pixel 4a 5G into the mix. So, in this article, we’ll compare the Google Pixel 6a vs Google Pixel 4a 5G. 5G connectivity is not the only difference between the two 4a devices, not at all, not even close. In fact, quite a few of you are probably thinking of upgrading one of these days, and if you’re upgrading from the Pixel 4a 5G, the Pixel 6a may seem like a logical choice.
The thing is, the Pixel 6a is not only a great phone at its regular price tag of $449, but it’s now available for only $299, at the time of writing this article. That is an amazing deal for this smartphone, and if you’re thinking of upgrading, now is the time to do it. This is a major $149 discount, and it won’t go lower than that. Having said that, the Pixel 6a is a better phone than the Pixel 4a 5G, but let’s break things down, and compare them. That way, you can get all the necessary information.
Specs
| Google Pixel 6a | Google Pixel 4a | |
| Screen size | 6.1-inch fullHD+ OLED HDR display (60Hz) | 6.2-inch fullHD+ OLED display (60Hz) |
| Screen resolution | 2400 x 1080 | 2340 x 1080 |
| SoC | Google Tensor | Qualcomm Snapdragon 765G |
| RAM | 6GB (LPDDR5) | 6GB (LPDDR4X) |
| Storage | 128GB (UFS 3.1), non-expandable | 128GB, non-expandable (UFS 2.1) |
| Rear cameras | 12.2MP (f/1.7 aperture, 27mm lens, 1.4um pixel size, dual pixel PDAF, OIS) 12MP (f/2.2 aperture, 17mm lens, 114-degree FoV, 1.25um pixel size) |
12.2MP (f/1.7 aperture, 27mm lens, 1.4um pixel size, dual pixel PDAF, OIS) 16MP (ultra-wide, f/2.2 aperture, 1.0um pixel size, 107-degree FoV) |
| Front cameras | 8MP (f/2.0 aperture, 24mm lens, 1.12um pixel size) | 8MP (f/2.0 aperture, 24mm lens, 1.12um pixel size) |
| Battery | 4,410mAh, non-removable, 18W wired charging Charger not included |
3,885mAh, non-removable, 18W fast battery charging Charger included |
| Dimensions | 152.2 x 71.8 x 8.9mm | 153.9 x 74 x 8.2mm |
| Weight | 178 grams | 168 grams |
| Connectivity | 5G, LTE, NFC, Bluetooth 5.2, Wi-Fi, USB Type-C | 5G, LTE, NFC, Bluetooth 5.0, Wi-Fi, USB Type-C |
| Security | In-display fingerprint scanner (optical) | Rear-facing fingerprint scanner |
| OS | Android 12 (upgradable to Android 13) | Android 11 (upgradable to Android 13) |
| Price | $299 (discounted from $449) | $189 (discounted from $399) |
| Buy | Amazon |
Google Pixel 6a vs Google Pixel 4a 5G: Design
These two phones do differ quite a bit in the design domain. The Pixel 6a represents Google’s new design language, while the Pixel 4a 5G represents the old one. The Pixel 6a definitely looks more appealing with its two-tone design. If you do prefer a truly understated, simple design, the Pixel 4a 5G may appeal to you more. The Pixel 6a has slightly sharper corners, and both include thin bezels. The display camera hole is placed on both phones, but in different spots. It is centered on the Pixel 6a, while it sits in the top-left corner of the Pixel 4a 5G’s display.
The back sides of the phone look even more different than their front sides. The Pixel 6a has a camera visor on the back, which goes from one side of the phone, to the other. There is also an understated Google logo on the back. The Pixel 4a 5G includes a single camera island in the top-left corner, and it’s quite compact. There are two cameras in there. A capacitive fingerprint scanner is also included on the back, and a Google logo, which is smaller than the one on the Pixel 6a.
The Pixel 6a comes with a frame made out of metal, and a plastic backplate. The Pixel 4a 5G offers a plastic unibody design. Neither phone is particularly grippy, but they do offer more grip than glass-made phones, that’s for sure. The Pixel 6a is slightly shorter, and considerably more narrow, while being slightly thicker. The Pixel 6a is also a little bit heavier at 178 grams, compared to the 168 grams of its sibling. Google’s latest mid-ranger is IP67 certified for water and dust resistance, while the Pixel 4a 5G is not.
These are two completely different designs, and your personal preference does play a huge role here. The Pixel 6a does look more unique, and it also feels a bit more premium in the hand. On top of that, it’s a bit easier to use with one hand.
Google Pixel 6a vs Google Pixel 4a 5G: Display
The Pixel 6a has a slightly smaller display than the Pixel 4a 5G, and also a different aspect ratio. It includes a 6.1-inch fullHD+ (2400 x 1080) OLED display which supports HDR content. This panel is flat, and it offers a 60Hz refresh rate. So, it does not offer a high refresh rate. This panel is protected by the Gorilla Glass 3, and it offers a 20:9 aspect ratio.
The Pixel 4a 5G, on the flip side, includes a 6.2-inch fullHD+ (2340 x 1080) OLED display. This panel also supports HDR content, and it’s also flat. It offers a 60Hz refresh rate, just like the Pixel 6a. The Gorilla Glass 3 sits on top of this display too, and quite frankly it’s not the best display protection out there, not even close. You may want to consider using a screen protector with both phones. The Pixel 4a 5G offers a 19.5:9 display aspect ratio.
Both of these displays are good, but nowhere near the best out there. It’s a shame they offer only a 60Hz refresh rate, but it’s understandable, as these are budget phones. Google had to cut costs somewhere. Both panels do look really nice, though, the colors are vivid, the viewing angles are good, and blacks are deep. The panel on the Pixel 6a does feel less stuttery, though that’s probably due to the performance itself. Neither display is immensely bright, but it does seem like the Pixel 6a is a bit brighter in comparison. For most people, both of these will do just fine.
Google Pixel 6a vs Google Pixel 4a 5G: Performance
The Google Pixel 6a is the more powerful handset. It is fueled by the Google Tensor, Google’s very first processor. It also includes 6GB of LPDDR5 RAM and 128GB of UFS 3.1 flash storage. The Pixel 4a 5G, on the other hand, comes with the Snapdragon 765G SoC, 6GB of LPDDR4X RAM, and 128GB of UFS 2.1 storage. Is that noticeably in day-to-day performance? Well, yes, but not as much as you may think.
The Pixel 4a 5G still works perfectly fine, actually. It does stutter a bit more than the Pixel 6a at times, but that’s rather rare. The performance is actually quite good. You will notice some differences in gaming, but the Pixel 6a is not the best phone for gaming either. It can handle pretty much anything with ease, until you get to games like Genshin Impact, where it heats up quite a bit, and you may need to lower the details a bit.
In day-to-day performance, the Pixel 6a is the faster phone, and more reliable in terms of performance. That’s not surprising at all. The Pixel 4a 5G does a good job as well, though, and if you’re happy with its performance, you won’t really get a major difference with the Pixel 6a. That Snapdragon 765G SoC is still holding up really well. The Pixel 6a is smoother, though, no doubt about that. It is also more future-proof, in a way.
Google Pixel 6a vs Google Pixel 4a 5G: Battery
The Pixel 6a comes with a 4,410mAh battery. The Pixel 4a 5G, on the flip side, has a 3,885mAh battery on the inside. Now, the Pixel 4a 5G battery life has been really good for us since launch, basically. We were constantly able to get over 7 hours of screen-on-time, and still have some juice left. Having said that, the Pixel 6a matches that, actually. It can go over the 7-hour screen-on-time mark, and even over 8 hours at times.
Do note that these are only our numbers with the two devices. There are a ton of aspects that affect battery life. Your mileage may vary. You use different apps, use them in a different way, have different signal strengths, and so on. One thing is for sure, though, both phones do offer really good battery life.
When it comes to charging, the speed is the same. 18W charging is supported on both phones, but the Pixel 6a does not come with a charger in the box. One thing to note is that the Pixel 6a does have support for USB Power Delivery 3.0, while the Pixel 4a 5G is limited to Power Delivery 3.0. Wireless charging is not supported on either phone, and that goes for reverse wireless charging as well.
Google Pixel 6a vs Google Pixel 4a 5G: Cameras
The camera performance between the two is not much different. That’s not surprising considering that they have the same main camera, and use Google’s image processing. You’re getting a 12.2-megapixel main camera on both smartphones. Google is relying on the camera sensor it used since the Pixel 2, actually. The company’s flagships upgraded to a new camera sensor, but this one still does the job.
The thing is, the Pixel 6a will perform better in some scenes. Barely, but still. It can, sometimes, pull out more details in low light. During the day, both phones have the same performance, pretty much. Both can capture a lot of detail, and the images have a colder tint to them. Both phones handle HDR situations like champs, as is usually the case with Pixel smartphones. The Ultrawide camera on the Pixel 6a does a better job than the one on the Pixel 4a 5G. Not by much, but still. Neither is great for low light, but the Pixel 6a’s has a wider field of view.
Audio
Both of these smartphones include stereo speakers. Those speakers are good on both phones, but not the best we’ve heard, not even close. The Pixel 6a’s setup is a bit louder, and a bit clearer. The difference is not that noticeable, though. For the vast majority of people, both phones will do a great job.
Now, if you need an audio jack, the Pixel 6a does not offer it. You will have to use its Type-C USB port for wired connections. Bluetooth 5.2 is supported on the phone, though, while the Pixel 4a 5G comes with Bluetooth 5.0 support.