Google might struggle to sell the Pixel 5a

Google is the world's most reputable software company. Over time, they have made a few of the most prominent offerings. Take Google Search as an example. Nowadays, we cannot think of the internet without Google Search. Then, there is YouTube, Google Chrome, Android, etc. Android has the most market share in the smartphone industry. It is occupying almost 72% of the whole smartphone world. 

Unfortunately, Google is not doing well in the hardware industry. They might make good software but, selling hardware products is becoming difficult. Especially, their smartphone brand Pixel is struggling to compete with other rivals. Even with the cleanest Android experience, Pixel phones do not have enough to offer. As a result, Google is falling back every year in the smartphone world as a hardware manufacturer. 

The ne Google Pixel 5a 5G (Image : Google)

Yesterday on August 17th, 2021, Google unveiled a new model called the Pixel 5a. Although it is a mid-range device, it might still fail to sell well. We will find out what this latest iteration of Google's mid-range smartphone has to offer. Let's see if anything is compelling enough is present in the 5a to make you buy your first or next or first Pixel.

Design

Google started its Pixel lineup with the 3a and 3a XL back in 2019. Those phones followed the design language of the Pixel 3 and 3 XL. Looking from the back, the difference between the Pixel 3 lineup and the Pixel 3a lineup was vague. 

Pixel 3a XL (left) and Pixel 3 XL (right) (Image :Digital Trend)

Both flagships and the mid-range had a two-toned back design with a capacitive fingerprint sensor in the middle. The only difference was in material choices. The Pixel 3 and 3 Xl had a metal and glass body. Tempered glass covered the back part and the displays upfront. 

The Pixel 3a and 3a XL owners had to look at a plastic backing. It reduced the premium-ness of those phones. But, Google could offer a compelling package for cheap.

In 2020, Google released the successive iterations of the mid-range Pixel lineup. This time google followed the trend by releasing two brand new mid-ranges. They were called the Pixel 4a and 4a 5G. They had the same design language as their elder siblings, the Pixel 4 and 4 XL. 

This time, Google followed the same design principle. They introduced a similar design to the Pixel 4 with a plastic backing. But, this year, the strategy is changing. We are getting a metal back frame in the Pixel 5a. Although the design is similar to the Pixel 5, Google is not reducing costs with cheaper material. 

Google Pixel 5a Back (Image : @Josh_Quinonez)

You will find a metal back with a bio-resin coating. It feels soft and has a better grip than all those slippery glass-backed phones. So, even with a lower starting price than the Pixel 4a, the 5a offers a more premium feel with its design. Unfortunately, the aesthetic is not changing from last year. Google could design the 5a similar to the unannounced Pixel 6 and 6 Pro.

Camera

When you talk about Pixels, you cannot forget their camera. Google's algorithm has taken its Pixel phones at the top level. Last year the Pixel 4a competed with Apple's iPhone 12 and won in some scenarios. Due to a narrower aperture, the Pixel 4a could not perform in the dark. Still, Google's night mode and auto HDR pulled off some stunning pictures from a 12MP camera.

Pixel 5a's back camera (Image : @Josh_Quinonez)

The Pixel 4a did pale in the video comparison. Although it could record 4K video at 30fps, the video quality was not compelling as the photos. Google might be changing its video quality with the Tensor chip this year. Unfortunately, the Pixel 5a does not offer Tensor SoC. So, you can forget about stunning video quality recorded from a Pixel 5a. Compared to the Pixel 5, 5a lacks the laser focus system. So, you can presume that the focusing would not be as good as the last year's flagship.

The front camera is the same 8MP front camera from Pixel 4a. It is housed in a punch-hole setup. But it has the ability to capture the best selfies through Google's camera software.

The Pixel 5a's camera setup (Image : Google)

The performance

Along with the cheaper body materials, Google cut costs by lower spaced internals in the mid-range Pixel lineup. When the Pixel 3 lineup got Snapdragon 845 from Qualcomm, Google put the Snapdragon 670 in the 3a lineup.

The Pixel 4a lineup also differed from the Pixel 4 lineup in the spec department. Google used the Snapdragon 730G in the regular Pixel 4a. In the 4a 5G, they used Snapdragon 765G due to 5G connectivity. Those who bought the flagship Pixel 4 or 4 XL got the performance benefit of the Snapdragon 855.

This year, Google is offering the same chipset with their Pixel 5a. Although it is a worthy performer in the midrange department, you are still getting last year's technology. This year, we have exciting new offerings from Qualcomm, Snapdragon 780, 778, 768, etc. Google could have used any of those chipsets to power the Pixel 5a.

As the screen has only 60Hz, they might get away with a last year's SoC. Still, you will get a 6Gb RAM configuration with the Pixel 5a. It is plenty for stock Android as it is free of any bloatware. Moreover, Google optimizes the Pixel software for their phones. Therefore, a last year's chipset will not bother to perform for you.

Display

The Google Pixel 5a is getting a decent screen. It is 6.2 inches diagonally with a small chin on the bottom. As mentioned earlier, you are only getting a 60Hz refresh rate with this phone. Other smartphone makers are putting 90Hz or even 120Hz displays in their mid-range phones. But, Google seems careless about its offering.

Stunning punch-hole display of the Pixel 5a (Image :Google)

In Google's defense, not every smartphone user takes benefit of a high refresh rate. Some are casual users who like to spend a decent amount of time on their phones browsing the internet or watching online content. It does not require a 90Hz or a 120Hz refresh display. So, one way, Google might be right with their Pixel 5a screen.

Uninterrupted viewing experience of the Pixel 5a 5G (Image : @Josh_Quinonez)

Other standout features

Google has changed the battery capacity of the Pixel 5a. Compared to the Pixel 5's mere 4080mAh battery, the 5A is getting a 4680mAh unit. Getting a higher battery backup is always beneficial for consumers. At least the bigger size difference compared to the Pixel 5 is paying off. 

Pixel 5a 5G has IP-67 water and dust resistance (Image : Google)

Along with a larger battery, Pixel 5a is bringing back the headphone jack. Unfortunately, Google is not offering the wireless charging feature this time. 5a also offers a IP-67 water and dust resistance. It is also an improvement as the Pixel 4a and 4a 5G did not come with an official water and dust resistance rating. And of course, you are getting 5g connectivity with the new Pixel 5a 5G.

The pricing

Aside from the minor improvements, Google has done something right this year with their mid-range smartphone. They had reduced the launch price of the Pixel 5a compared to last year's Pixel 4a. It is now $449 instead of the Pixel 4a's $499. 

There are cheaper alternatives from other Android manufacturers with better specifications. You can find a good-performing device with a better SoC and a higher refresh rate display for only $300. But, no other manufacturer can offer a well build a phone with the optimization of stock Android.

Conclusion

It seems like Google's engineers were confused during the development of Pixel 5a. They are releasing this phone just for the sake of it. 

What do you think of the Pixel 5a? Are you impressed with the specification it offering? Does the metal body construction make you interested in this phone? Or are you a fan of stock Android in general? Let us know your thoughts in the comments.