~ MamakTalk ~: Google Pixel 5a With 5G Is A Budget Phone Done Bigger & Better

Google has now officially launched the latest handset in its ‘a’ series line-up, dubbed the Pixel 5a with 5G. The news follows on the company’s launch of the Google Pixel 6 and Google Pixel 6 Pro announced at the beginning of the month. For clarity, despite the naming conventions used by Google, the Pixel 5a with 5G serves as a budget or mid-range alternative to those pricier smartphones.

Now, the Google Pixel 5a with 5G does share some similarities to its predecessor — the Pixel 4a. Not least of all, Google built its newest budget-friendly gadget with security in mind. Including both its rear-mounted Pixel Imprint fingerprint scanner and a Titan M security chip. And the similarities extend beyond that as well.

Like the Pixel 4, Google is including a USB-C port, 3.5mm audio jack, and stereo speakers for its Pixel 5a with 5G. And it’s also keeping the 6GB RAM with 128GB of storage configuration. Dual-SIM support is part of the package as well, all encased in a frame that comes in a black color configuration. Albeit, a “Mostly Black” color configuration compared to last year’s “Just Black” color.

The color here is different too, of course, featuring hints of deep green.

The company opted to keep most of the camera features the same. So Night Sight, Live HDR+, Cinematic Pan, and Portrait Light modes are all still part of the bundle too. But that’s not to say that the underlying hardware is exactly the same either. Or this wouldn’t be much of an upgrade. And one of the biggest of those might also be on the camera front. Thanks, in part. to the addition of a 16-megapixel Ultrawide sensor. Google stacked that atop the already great 12-megapixel snapper from the Pixel 4a.

That, in turn, allows an additional camera feature, carried over from the Google Pixel 5. Effectively letting users capture more sweeping shots using Ultrawide mode.

What else is new with Google Pixel 5a with 5G?

Of course, there are some similarities on the software side of things too. Google Pixel 5a with 5G will, for example, support call screening, just as the Pixel 5 does. Among other top Pixel-only features found nowhere else. But there’s going to be a lot of differences for those who jump from the Pixel 4a to the Pixel 5a with 5G too.

Not least of all, Google has drastically beefed up the screen. Taking it up by a full half-inch to 6.34-inches with a 20:9 aspect ratio and an FHD+ resolution. That’s also an OLED panel with HDR and full 24-bit color depth support. All of which is certain to feel like a step up from the 5.8-inch panel on the Pixel 4a.

Google hasn’t specified whether or not this is a 60Hz display, as found in the Pixel 4a with 5G. Or if it’s opted to upgrade the screen to the 90Hz refresh rate found on the Pixel 5. That likely means this is a 60Hz panel, which should be more than enough for most budget buyers.

Driving the Android 11 experience, with a minimum of 3-year’s worth of OS and security updates from launch, according to Google, is a Snapdragon 765G SoC. That’s an octa-core chip placed well ahead of this phone’s predecessor. And, like last year’s model, that comes coupled with a Titan M Security Module. So users will be more protected than ever.

Additionally, like previous models, Google has confirmed that this phone will get better over time not only from the above-mentioned updates. It will also receive regular ‘Feature Drops’. In the past, Feature Drops have delivered everything from underwater photo-taking to Smart Compose and similar changes. With some previous updates bringing up to a dozen additions all at once. And that means this Google Pixel, like those before it, is going to keep feeling fresh even as it ages.

The Google Pixel 5a with 5G comes with near-flagship waterproofing and better durability than ever

But the topic of protection doesn’t stop at the internal hardware either. This time around, Google has opted to include water and dust resistance. And that’s going to set it well apart from its predecessor. Since both of which were lacking on the Pixel 4a.

The Pixel 5a with 5G is, conversely, rated at IP67. That means that, quite aside from splashes, the Pixel 5a can handle a meter of submersion for up to a half-hour. Putting this phone more in line with flagships than most budget phones. And all of that is without consideration for the new metal unibody design, topped with Corning Gorilla Glass 6.

With a metal frame and the latest Gorilla Glass in place, Pixel 5a with 5G should be able to better handle whatever life throws at it than previous models. For those who need extra protection still, Google’s also introducing a new protective case for this model. And that’s going to bring another level of personalization too.

As noted above, there’s only one color for Pixel 5a with 5G. That’s a new “Mostly Black” colorway that features “forest green undertones” and, in true Pixel fashion, accent color for the power button. Specifically, an olive-colored button. But there’s still going to be plenty of customizing available.

Google will sell four colorways for the official protective case. Including Likely Lime, Black Moss, Maybe Moon, and Partially Pink colorations. Those are, of course, light green, deep mossy green, white, and pink. Each with appropriately chosen accent colors for the buttons and Google “G” logo.

Specs

As for a full rundown of the specifications for the new Pixel 5a with 5G, Google has provided those in-depth, as included below for easier reading.

Display	Full-screen 6.34-inch (161 mm) display with transmissive hole – 20:9 aspect ratio FHD+ (2400 x 1080) OLED at 413 ppi >100,000:1 contrast ratio HDR support Full 24-bit depth for 16 million colors
Battery	Minimum 4620 mAh Typical 4680 mAh
Charging	USB-C 18W adapter with USB-PD 2.0 18W fast charging
SoC	Qualcomm Snapdragon 765G (Octa-Core) 2.4 GHz + 2.2 GHz + 1.8 GHz, 64-bit Adreno 620 Titan M Security Module
RAM	6GB LPDDR4x RAM
Storage	128GB storage
Rear Camera	12.2 MP dual-pixel 1.4 μm pixel width – ƒ/1.7 aperture – 77° field of view Autofocus with dual pixel phase detection Optical + electronic image stabilization 16 MP ultrawide 1.0 μm pixel width – ƒ/2.2 aperture – 117° field of view
Front Camera	8 MP 1.12 μm pixel width – ƒ/2.0 aperture – 83° field of view Fixed focus
Video	Rear camera: 1080p @ 30 FPS, 60 FPS, 120 FPS, 240 FPS – 4K @ 30 FPS, 60 FPS Front camera: 1080p @ 30 FPS
Sensors	Proximity / Ambient light sensor Accelerometer / Gyrometer Magnetometer Pixel Imprint – back-mounted fingerprint sensor for fast unlocking Barometer
I/O	USB Type-C 3.1 Gen 1 Power button Volume controls 3.5 mm headset jack
SIMs	Single Nano SIM eSIM
Media & Audio	Stereo speakers 2 microphones Noise suppression
Wireless & Location	Wi-Fi 2.4 GHz + 5 GHz 802.11a/b/g/n/ac 2×2 MIMO Bluetooth v5.0 + LE, A2DP (HD codecs: AptX, AptX HD, LDAC, AAC) NFC Google Cast[US] GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, QZSS[ROW] GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, QZSS, BeiDou
Networking	LTE: Up to 4CC (12 layers) DL & 2CC UL 5G Sub-6: TDD: Up to 1CC x 100MHz 4×4 MIMO DL & 1CC x 100MHz UL FDD: Up to 1CC x 20MHz 4×4 MIMO DL & 1CC x 20MHz UL[US/FI] Model G1F8F GSM/EDGE: Quad-band (850, 900, 1800, 1900 MHz) UMTS/HSPA+/HSDPA: Bands 1/2/4/5/8 CDMA EVDO Rev A: BC0/BC1/BC10 LTE: Bands B1/2/3/4/5/7/8/12/13/14/17/18/19/20/25/26/28/29/30/32/38/39/40/41/42/46/48/66/71 5G Sub-6: Bands n1/2/5/12/25/28/41/66/71/77/78 eSIM[Japan] Model G4S1M GSM/EDGE: Quad-band (850, 900, 1800, 1900 MHz) UMTS/HSPA+/HSDPA: Bands 1/2/4/5/6/8/19 LTE: Bands B1/2/3/4/5/7/8/12/13/14/17/18/19/20/25/26/28/29/30/32/38/39/40/41/42/46/48/66/71 5G Sub-6: Bands n1/3/5/7/8/28/40/77/78 eSIM FeliCa
Colors	Mostly Black
Materials & IP rating	Premium metal unibody Corning Gorilla Glass 6 cover glass IP67 water and dust resistance
In the box	18W USB-C power adapter 1 m USB-C to USB-C cable (USB 2.0) Quick Start Guide Quick Switch Adapter SIM tool
Hearing aid compatibility	M4/T3 HAC Rating
Security & OS Updates	The latest Android 11 Minimum 3 years of OS and security updates
VR/AR	AR Core
Warranty	1 year
Dimensions & Weight	6.1 height x 2.9 width x 0.3 depth (inches) 156.2 height x 73.2 width x 8.8 depth (mm) 183 g

Pricing and availability

In terms of availability, Pixel 5a with 5G is going to be sold in both the US and Japan. In both cases, that’ll be sold through the dedicated page for Pixel on the Google Store. And, of course, pre-orders start as of the announcement. So those who are interested in buying now, rather than waiting, are free to do so now.

For US buyers, specifically, buyers can also pick up the gadget at Google Fi. The search giant’s MVNO will feature the phone both at full price and on a monthly subscription of just $15 per month. The full price is set at $449. And, of course, the phone will work with all major carriers in the region.

The Pixel 5a with 5G will also work with every major carrier in Japan. And, in that region, will be sold via SoftBank and the Google Store. The company hasn’t said whether pricing will vary by much in the region.

As for when the Pixel 5a with 5G will arrive, regardless of where the new Google budget phone is purchased, it’s set to become available beyond pre-orders on August 26.

Better still, buyers get up to three months of free trials for YouTube Premium, Google Play Pass, and Google One. And, in the US, that comes with the additional benefit of a three-month trial of Google Fi. Specifically, a plan with unlimited calls and texts.

Google Pixel 5a with 5G - Google Store

Google Pixel 5a with 5G - Google Fi

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