A comparison of specs, key information, reviews, and best pricing from top retailers
Last updated -- hours ago | Report incorrect information
Company ProductName Specs
Company ProductName Specs
What we think
The PerfectRec phone team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
If you prioritize a newer phone with plastic body construction that may feel less premium but is potentially more durable, choose the Google Pixel 7a. It offers solid photo and video quality with the added bonus of 5G compatibility. If, on the other hand, you're looking for a phone with a glass body, which generally looks and feels more high-end, the Xperia 5 III could be your pick, along with a slightly longer battery life and a dedicated shutter button for photography. Both phones have comparable screen sizes and storage capacity, but the Xperia has a higher screen refresh rate which can make scrolling and animations smooth. The final decision should balance newer technology and build materials with specific features like photo capabilities and battery life that match your daily use. 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 7a
- Very good for taking photos
- Good for recording videos
Advantages of the Sony Xperia 5 III
- Good battery life
Key differences
Overall Camera Quality
8.0
6.0
The Google Pixel 7a has very good overall camera quality, while the Sony Xperia 5 III has only fair overall camera quality.
The Google Pixel 7a boasts a very good selfie camera quality while the Sony Xperia 5 III settles for a fair quality in this aspect. The Pixel 7a offers a better combination of photo software experience, dynamic range, low light performance, and camera versatility, all contributing to its superior selfie capture compared to the Xperia 5 III.
Photo Quality
8.0
5.9
The Google Pixel 7a takes very good photos, while the Sony Xperia 5 III takes poor photos.
The Google Pixel 7a provides a superior photo experience due to its highly-rated photo software and good selfie performance, ensuring detailed and well-processed images, especially in low light conditions and for selfies. In contrast, the Sony Xperia 5 III has a lower selfie performance and although its overall photo software is rated as very good, it may not deliver the same level of image quality and user experience as the Pixel 7a, particularly for selfies.
Video Quality
7.3
6.0
The Google Pixel 7a takes good videos, while the Sony Xperia 5 III takes only fair videos.
The Google Pixel 7a delivers a very good video experience with excellent stabilization, dynamic range, and low light performance, in addition to offering Pixel-exclusive video software features, all contributing to a robust video capture capability. In contrast, while the Sony Xperia 5 III maintains good stabilization, it falls short in dynamic range and low light performance for videos, resulting in fair overall video quality.
Cost
$499
$450
$200
$300
$400
$500
$600
$700
$800
The Google Pixel 7a has a price of $499 and the Sony Xperia 5 III costs $450.
Let Us Help Find Your Perfect Phone
Find your new phone
Key similarities
Battery
6.9 Hours
7.3 Hours
The Google Pixel 7a has 6.9 hours of battery life. The Sony Xperia 5 III has 7.3 hours of battery life.
Screen Size
The Google Pixel 7a has a screen size of 6.1 inches and the Sony Xperia 5 III is 6.1 inches.
Give feedback
We’re constantly working to improve.
How the Google Pixel 7a and the Sony Xperia 5 III compare to other phones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Google Pixel 7a | Sony Xperia 5 III |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$499 | $450 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Sony | ||
Operating System | |||
Operating System | Android | Android | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | May 10, 2023 | 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 | Yes | No | |
Pixels Per Inch | |||
Pixels Per Inch | 429 | 449 | |
Display Type | |||
Display Type | OLED | OLED | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | TensorG2 | SD888 | |
Internal Storage | |||
Internal Storage | 128 GB | 128 GB | |
RAM | |||
RAM | 8 GB | 8 GB | |
CAMERA | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Overall Camera Quality Score | |||
Overall Camera Quality Score | 8/10 | 6/10 | |
Photos Score | |||
Photos Score | 8.1/10 | 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 | 64 megapixels + OIS | 12 megapixels + OIS | |
BATTERY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery Life | |||
Battery Life | 6.9 Hours | 7.3 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 4385 mAh | 4500 mAh | |
Wireless Charging | |||
Wireless Charging | Yes | No | |
Wireless charging Speed | |||
Wireless charging Speed | 7.5 W | 0 W | |
Reverse wireless charging | |||
Reverse wireless charging | No | No | |
PHYSICAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Size | |||
Size | 5.98" x 2.87" | 6.18" x 2.68" | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 6.84 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 | 5.3 | 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 | Face unlock, Fingerprint sensor: Under Display | Face unlock, Fingerprint sensor: Side | |
Unlockable Bootloader | |||
Unlockable Bootloader | Yes (Except Verizon Models) | No | |
Color | |||
Color | Sea, Snow, Coral, Charcoal | Black, Green | |
Stock Android | |||
Stock Android | Yes | Yes | |
SD Card | |||
SD Card | No | Yes | |
Shopping
Google Pixel 7a
See more
Dig into reviews and images
The Verge
Allison Johnson | May 2023
"The Pixel 7a is the best midrange Android phone — period. The camera doesn’t always nail it, but it’s impressively capable for this class. And even though it’s pricier than last year’s model, it comes with some serious upgrades not often seen in this class, like wireless charging."
Sony Xperia 5 III
See more
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 7a 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.
Give feedback
We're constantly perfecting our model
Phone guides you might be interested in
More comparisons for you
FAQs
FAQs about phones
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
68
Phones evaluated
7,820
Phones stats compiled
8
Proprietary Phones ratings developed
153,000
Recommendations made
86,700
Consumer hours saved
About the phone team
Joe Golden, Ph.D
CEO and Phones Editor
Joe is an entrepreneur and lifelong electronics enthusiast with a Ph.D in Economics from the University of Michigan.
Jason Lew
Staff Expert & Software Engineer
Jason is a staff expert and software engineer that has been making laptop recommendations for 7 years and moderates one of the largest laptop subreddits.
Chandradeep Chowdhury
Staff Expert & Software Engineer
Chandradeep is a staff expert and software engineer and expert in televisions and monitors. He’s been making monitor recommendations for ten years.
Seth Peoples
Phones Expert
Seth is a US-based product expert focusing on smartphones and he is a moderator of one of the largest smartphone subreddits. His tailored recommendations have helped him earn over 87k comment karma, putting him in the top 1% of Redditors.
Efthimis Kotanidis
Phones Expert
Efthimis is a Greece-based product expert focusing on smartphones. He has been recommending phones for 4 years and his recommendations on Reddit have earned him over 35k karma.
Featured in
