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Updated January 10, 2024·
If a better camera is a priority for you, the Sony Xperia 5 III will deliver superior quality in still photos and videos compared to the Google Pixel 6a, and it has an additional telephoto lens for zoomed-in shots. However, the Pixel 6a also takes good photos and might be sufficient if you're looking for a more budget-friendly option. The Xperia also boasts a higher screen refresh rate for smoother visuals, which might appeal to you if you watch a lot of videos or play games on your phone. On the other hand, the Pixel 6a should provide longer battery life if that's more important for your daily use. Both have similar-sized screens and neither offers a headphone jack. The Sony model includes expandable storage via an SD card, which is absent in the Pixel. Lastly, the Pixel uses plastic in its body construction which could influence durability compared to the Xperia's glass design. Both run on Android, so the operating system experience will be relatively similar. Give Feedback
this description is based on the product variant with some specs and product variant with some specs. At the time of writing, the variant with some specs cost some dollars and the variant with some specs cost some dollars.
Advantages of the Google Pixel 6a
- Good for taking photos
- Good for recording videos
Advantages of the Sony Xperia 5 III
- The Sony Xperia 5 III has no clear advantages over the Google Pixel 6a.
Key differences
Overall Camera Quality
7.6
6.0
The Google Pixel 6a has good overall camera quality, while the Sony Xperia 5 III has only fair overall camera quality.
The Google Pixel 6a boasts better perceived camera performance due to advanced features like Magic Eraser, contributing significantly to a strong photos software experience, which is superior to the fair camera versatility of the Sony Xperia 5 III. Additionally, the Google Pixel 6a stands out with a 'very good' selfie quality, outpacing the Sony Xperia 5 III, which offers just a 'fair' rating for selfie photos, indicating the Pixel may capture more detailed and appealing self-portraits.
Photo Quality
7.4
5.9
The Google Pixel 6a takes good photos, while the Sony Xperia 5 III takes poor photos.
The Google Pixel 6a excels in selfie photos thanks to its better software experience and selfie quality, while the Sony Xperia 5 III has fair selfie performance and a less robust photos software experience. This difference could influence your preference if selfie photo quality is a priority for you.
Video Quality
7.2
6.0
The Google Pixel 6a takes good videos, while the Sony Xperia 5 III takes only fair videos.
The Google Pixel 6a delivers good video quality due to a very good video software experience, stabilization, dynamic range, and low light performance, as well as good microphone quality. The Sony Xperia 5 III, on the other hand, has a very good video stabilization and software experience but only fair dynamic range and low light performance, and the microphone quality is just good, affecting its overall video-taking capabilities.
Cost
$400
$450
$200
$300
$400
$500
$600
$700
The Google Pixel 6a has a price of $400 and the Sony Xperia 5 III costs $450.
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Key similarities
Battery
7.6 Hours
7.3 Hours
The Google Pixel 6a has 7.6 hours of battery life. The Sony Xperia 5 III has 7.3 hours of battery life.
Screen Size
The Google Pixel 6a has a screen size of 6.1 inches and the Sony Xperia 5 III is 6.1 inches.
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How the Google Pixel 6a and the Sony Xperia 5 III compare to other phones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Google Pixel 6a | Sony Xperia 5 III |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$400 | $450 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Sony | ||
Operating System | |||
Operating System | Android | Android | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | July 21, 2022 | October 8, 2021 | |
SCREEN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Screen Size | |||
Screen Size | 6.1" | 6.1" | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 2400 x 1080 | 2520 x 1080 | |
Variable refresh rate | |||
Variable refresh rate | No | No | |
Pixels Per Inch | |||
Pixels Per Inch | 429 | 449 | |
Display Type | |||
Display Type | OLED | OLED | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | Tensor | SD888 | |
Internal Storage | |||
Internal Storage | 128 GB | 128 GB | |
RAM | |||
RAM | 6 GB | 8 GB | |
CAMERA | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Overall Camera Quality Score | |||
Overall Camera Quality Score | 7.6/10 | 6/10 | |
Photos Score | |||
Photos Score | 7.5/10 | 5.9/10 | |
Videos Score | |||
Videos Score | 7.3/10 | 6/10 | |
Rear Cameras | |||
Rear Cameras | Main, Ultrawide | Main, Ultrawide, Telephoto | |
Main Camera | |||
Main Camera | 12.2 megapixels + OIS | 12 megapixels + OIS | |
BATTERY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery Life | |||
Battery Life | 7.6 Hours | 7.3 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 4410 mAh | 4500 mAh | |
Wireless Charging | |||
Wireless Charging | No | No | |
Wireless charging Speed | |||
Wireless charging Speed | 0 W | 0 W | |
Reverse wireless charging | |||
Reverse wireless charging | No | No | |
PHYSICAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Size | |||
Size | 5.99" x 2.83" | 6.18" x 2.68" | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 6.28 oz | 5.93 oz | |
Back Material | |||
Back Material | Plastic | Glass | |
Stereo Speakers | |||
Stereo Speakers | No | Yes | |
CONNECTIVITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Dual SIM | |||
Dual SIM | Yes | Yes | |
Bluetooth Version | |||
Bluetooth Version | 5.2 | 5.2 | |
A2DP | |||
A2DP | Yes | Yes | |
WiFi Version | |||
WiFi Version | 6e | 6 | |
NFC | |||
NFC | Yes | Yes | |
US 5G Bands | |||
US 5G Bands | (SA/NSA/Sub6/mmWave) 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 14, 20, 25, 28, 30, 38, 40, 41, 48, 66, 71, 77, 78, 257, 258, 260, 261 (SA/NSA/Sub6) 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 14, 20, 25, 28, 30, 38, 40, 41, 48, 66, 71, 77, 78 | (SA/NSA/Sub6)1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 71, 77, 78 | |
OTHER FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Biometric unlock | |||
Biometric unlock | Fingerprint sensor: Under Display | Face unlock, Fingerprint sensor: Side | |
Unlockable Bootloader | |||
Unlockable Bootloader | Yes (Except Verizon Models) | No | |
Color | |||
Color | Chalk, Sage, Charcoal | Black, Green | |
Stock Android | |||
Stock Android | Yes | Yes | |
SD Card | |||
SD Card | No | Yes | |
Shopping
Google Pixel 6a
See more
Dig into reviews and images
Ars Technica
Ron Amadeo | July 2022
"it's very hard to find fault with the Pixel 6a. It has a processor that, in the US at least, blows away other Android phones in this price range. The design is great, the camera is fine, and the price is right. What's not to like?"
Sony Xperia 5 III
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Dig into reviews and images
Android Authority
Robert Triggs | October 2022
"The Sony Xperia 5 III excels when it comes to rear camera photography, its display and multi-media features, and all-day battery life. Buy the Xperia 5 III if you’re looking for a fun but imperfect camera setup, customizable gaming features, all-day battery life, and all the best multimedia capabilities that Sony has to offer"
Get a great deal on the Google Pixel 6a or the Sony Xperia 5 III
About Google
Google can be considered a relatively new player in the smartphone industry, joining as late as 2016 with their phone, the Google Pixel. Since then, the Pixel lineup has undergone many changes, but it has always been characterized by a focus on photography and clean software, by providing a pure Android experience. By virtue of Google being the creator of the Android operating system, Pixels are known for receiving timely software updates and for being supported with updates for a long time. Additionally, over the past few generations of devices, Google started designing their own processors. This allowed for the implementation of unique software features that are not present in any other phone, such as automatic call screening and unique voice transcribing capabilities.
About Sony
Sony has had a long history in the mobile market, entering the scene all the way back in 1993 with its first commercially available phone, the CM-H333. Nowadays, their Xperia line of phones provide well-rounded and sometimes expensive devices with a focus on camera software that includes extensive support for manual tweaking of settings. Sony's dedication to audio quality is also evident in its smartphones, which often feature high-resolution audio support while also being one of the few remaining manufacturers that consistently provide headphone jacks in their phones. The company's version of Android is also considered to be close to stock, enabling a bloatware-free experience for its users.
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Why trust us
This information was produced and vetted by the PerfectRec phones team. We are a product research and recommendation organization that meticulously reviews and evaluates the latest phone information and makes it digestible for you.
By the numbers
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Joe is an entrepreneur and lifelong electronics enthusiast with a Ph.D in Economics from the University of Michigan.
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