This year, for the first time ever, all the phones released by Google are mid-rangers. But despite that, two of them support 5G networks. The affordable Pixel with 5G support is the Google Pixel 4a 5G, which is essentially a 5G variant of the Pixel 4a with a different processor. But is its value for money high enough to make it the best choice for everyone or you can get better phones at a similar price? Discover it by checking this comparison between Google Pixel 4a 5G, Xiaomi Mi 10T Lite, and OnePlus Nord, all mid-rangers, all with 5G and upper-midrange chipsets.
Xiaomi Mi 10T Lite vs Google Pixel 4a 5G vs OnePlus Nord
| Xiaomi Mi 10T Lite 5G | OnePlus Nord | Google Pixel 4a 5G | |
|---|---|---|---|
| DIMENSIONS AND WEIGHT | 165.4 x 76.8 x 9 mm, 214.5 g | 158.3 x 73.3 x 8.2 mm, 184 grams | 153.9 x 74 x 8.2 mm, 168 grams |
| DISPLAY | 6.67 inches, 1080 x 2400p (Full HD+), IPS LCD | 6.44 inches, 1080 x 2400p (Full HD+), 408 ppi, 20:9 ratio, Fluid AMOLED | 6.2 inches, 1080 x 2340p (Full HD+), 413 ppi, 19.5:9 ratio, OLED |
| PROCESSOR | Qualcomm Snapdragon 750G, octa-core 2.2 GHz | Qualcomm Snapdragon 765G, octa-core 2.4 GHz | Qualcomm Snapdragon 765G, octa-core 2.4 GHz |
| MEMORY | 6 GB RAM, 64 GB – 6 GB RAM, 128 GB – 8 GB RAM, 128 GB | 6 GB RAM, 64 GB – 8 GB RAM, 128 GB – 12 GB RAM, 256 GB | 6 GB RAM, 128 GB |
| SOFTWARE | Android 10, MIUI | Android 10, Oxygen OS | Android 11 |
| CONNECTIVITY | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, Bluetooth, GPS | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, Bluetooth 5.1, GPS | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, Bluetooth 5, GPS |
| CAMERA | Quad 64 + 8 + 2 + 2 MP, f/1.9 + f/2.2 + f/2.4 + f/2.4 16 MP f/2.5 front camera |
Quad 48 + 8 MP + 5 + 2 MP f/1.8, f/2.3, f/2.4 and f/2.4 Dual 32 + 8 MP f/2.5 and f/2.5 front camera |
Dual 12.2 + 16 MP f/1.7 and f/2.2 8 MP f/2.0 front camera |
| BATTERY | 4820 mAh, fast charging 33W | 4115 mAh Fast charging 30W |
3885 mAh, Fast charging 18W |
| ADDITIONAL FEATURES | Dual SIM slot, 5G | Dual SIM slot, 5G | Dual SIM slot, 5G |
Design
Xiaomi Mi 10T Lite and OnePlus Nord look more elegant than Google Pixel 4a 5G because they come with a glass back, while Google Pixel 4a 5G is the most compact thanks to its smaller display. Between Xiaomi Mi 10T Lite and OnePlus Nord, my choice would be the latter because it has a sleeker back cover, it is thinner and lighter than its rival. The huge and rectangle-shaped camera module of the Xiaomi Mi 10T Lite does not make it so beautiful. The glasses on Xiaomi Mi 10T Lite and OnePlus Nord are protected by Gorilla Glass 5. With the Mi 10T Lite you get a single punch hole placed in the middle, OnePlus Nord has a dual punch hole on the upper left corner, and Google Pixel 4a 5G has a single punch hole on the upper left corner too.
Display
The most convincing display belongs to the OnePlus Nord. First of all, it is an AMOLED panel; further, it has a 90 Hz refresh rate and the HDR10+ certification for a smooth viewing experience and a great image quality. The Xiaomi Mi 10T Lite has a higher 120 Hz refresh rate, but it comes with an inferior IPS panel. The Google Pixel 4a 5G is OLED and HDR but it lacks a 90 Hz refresh rate. All the phones feature a Full HD+ resolution (1080p), but the Google Pixel 4a 5G has a smaller panel with just 6.2 inches. With Mi 10T Lite and Google Pixel 4a 5G, you get stereo speakers too.
Hardware/Software
Despite the Xiaomi Mi 10T Lite has a different chipset from OnePlus Nord and Google Pixel 4a 5G, it provides similar performance because the Snapdragon 750G and the Snapdragon 765G are more or less at the same level. What really makes the difference in this hardware comparison is the memory configuration: OnePlus Nord offers up to 12 GB of RAM and up to 256 GB of internal storage, while Mi 10T Lite and Google Pixel 4a 5G have just 6 GB of RAM and up to 128 GB of native storage. So, OnePlus Nord wins the hardware comparison. If we talk about the software, Google Pixel 4a 5G is actually superior not only because it runs Android 11 out of the box, but also because it will be constantly updated for a longer time.
Camera
OnePlus Nord and Google Pixel 4a 5G are equipped with superior camera departments to the Xiaomi Mi 10T Lite, including the main sensor with OIS. My favorite camera phone is the OnePlus Nord not only for its rear camera department but also because of its dual front camera including an ultrawide sensor. On the other hand, the rear cameras of the Google Pixel 4a 5G and its camera algorithm are more interesting.
Battery
Xiaomi Mi 10T Lite is able to provide a way longer battery life than OnePlus Nord and Google Pixel 4a 5G thanks to its bigger 4820 mAh battery. But this does not mean that OnePlus Nord and Google Pixel 4a 5G are not good battery phones.
Price
Xiaomi Mi 10T Lite has a €280/$330 starting price globally, OnePlus Nord costs €399/$470 in its base variant, and Google Pixel 4a 5G is priced at €499/$499. On paper, OnePlus Nord is the best. Mi 10T Lite has the highest value for money. But the software differences would let a lot of people go for the Google Pixel 4a 5G.
Xiaomi Mi 10T Lite vs Google Pixel 4a 5G vs OnePlus Nord: PRO and CONS
Xiaomi Mi 10T Lite 5G
PROS
- More affordable
- IR blaster
- 120 Hz display
- Bigger battery
CONS
- IPS display
OnePlus Nord
PROS
- More internal storage
- Best display
- Dual 32 MP ultrawide front camera
- Up to 12 GB of RAM
CONS
- No audio jack
Google Pixel 4a 5G
PROS
- Android 11 out of the box
- Compact
- Great cameras
- Stereo speakers
CONS
- Smaller battery
