The Google Pixel 6a and the Samsung Galaxy A53 5G are two of the hottest mid-range phones of 2022. And what makes comparing these devices so much more exciting is that both of them start at the exact same price—$449.

In this in-depth comparison, we'll be looking at several aspects of the devices such as camera, battery life, performance, build quality, and more to figure out which one offers more value for money. Let's get started.

Dimensions and Build Quality

Galaxy A53 5G in Awesome Blue and Awesome Peach colors
Image Credit: Samsung Mobile Press
  • Google Pixel 6a: 152.2 x 71.8 x 8.9 mm; 178 grams; IP67 dust and water-resistant
  • Samsung Galaxy A53: 159.6 x 74.8 x 8.1 mm; 189 grams; IP67 dust and water-resistant

The Galaxy A53 is slightly taller, wider, thinner, and heavier than the Pixel 6a. Both devices come with a plastic back which is the standard at this price point, but the former comes with a smooth matte finish while the latter opts for a reflective glossy finish and is therefore prone to fingerprints.

Both the devices have the same IP67 rating for water and dust resistance which means they can survive for 30 minutes submerged in up to one meter of water. On the front, the Galaxy A53 has Gorilla Glass 5 protection while the Pixel 6a resorts to the weaker Gorilla Glass 3, so you can confidently assume that the former is more likely to survive an accidental drop.

Display

  • Google Pixel 6a: 6.1 inches; OLED; 60Hz refresh rate; 1080 x 2400 resolution; 20:9 aspect ratio; 429 PPI; 83% screen-to-body ratio
  • Samsung Galaxy A53: 6.5 inches; Super AMOLED; 120Hz refresh rate; 1080 x 2400 resolution; 20:9 aspect ratio; 405 PPI; 85.4% screen-to-body ratio

The Galaxy A53 has a better display than the Pixel 6a in almost every aspect: it's got AMOLED colors, a 120Hz refresh rate, and a slightly higher screen-to-body ratio. It's also got a bigger screen, but that can be a pro or a con depending on what you find more comfortable to hold.

It wasn't that big a deal a couple of years ago, but to see a 60Hz refresh rate on a 2022 phone is truly heartbreaking. You can easily find phones that cost much less than the Pixel 6a and still have a high refresh rate screen, like the Galaxy A33 5G.

One more thing to note here is that although AMOLED panels do have better colors and are more vibrant and pleasing to look at, OLED panels consume less energy and therefore help increase the battery life of your device.

Camera

Google Pixel 6a front and back view
Image Credit: Made by Google
  • Google Pixel 6a: 12.2MP f/1.7 primary with OIS, PDAF, and 4K video at 60fps; 12 MP f/2.2 ultra-wide (114-degree FoV); Front: 8 MP f/2.0 with 1080p@30fps
  • Samsung Galaxy A53: 64MP f/1.8 primary with OIS, PDAF, and 4K video at 30fps; 12MP f/2.2 ultra-wide (123-degree FoV); 5MP f/2.4 macro; 5MP f/2.4 depth; Front: 32MP f/2.2 with 4K video at 30fps

The Galaxy A53 comes with a total of five cameras while the Pixel 6a comes with three, meaning no macro and depth lens on the latter. Both devices have optical image stabilization (OIS) and phase detection autofocus (PDAF) to help mitigate camera shakes and take sharper shots. The ultra-wide lens on the Galaxy A53 has a slightly wider field of view, so you can fit more of the scene in your photos.

Both devices support 4K video on the back camera, but the Pixel 6a has 60fps support for more fluid videos. The Galaxy A53 supports 4K video on the front as well whereas the Pixel 6a is limited to 1080p video, meaning the Samsung is likely to be a better pick if you are a content creator or love taking high-res selfies.

Since the Pixel 6a has the same main camera lens as the Pixel 4, you can expect it to deliver similar output, meaning you're getting that classic Pixel look with high contrast, accurate colors, and great edge detection for portrait shots. With the Galaxy A53, you're getting Samsung's cooler tones, playful colors, and great dynamic range that fans have come to adore.

Battery

  • Google Pixel 6a: 4410mAh battery; 18W fast wired charging
  • Samsung Galaxy A53: 5000mAh battery; 25W fast wired charging

The beefy 5000mAh cell on the Galaxy A53 outlasts the 4410mAh cell on the Pixel 6a. Of course, both devices have a power-saving mode to extend battery life for when you are running low and don't have immediate access to a power outlet.

The Galaxy A53 supports 25W fast wired charging while the Pixel 6a supports 18W. None of the devices support wireless charging, and sadly, they also don't come with a charger in the box.

Processor

Google Tensor chip
Image Credit: Google
  • Google Pixel 6a: Google Tensor; 5nm fabrication; Mali-G78 GPU
  • Samsung Galaxy A53: Exynos 1280; 5nm fabrication; Mali-G68 GPU

The Pixel 6a is way more powerful than the Galaxy A53 since it houses the same Google Tensor chip used in the Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro phones. Conversely, the Galaxy A53 has a mid-range Exynos 1280 chip which scores around 379313 on AnTuTu (v9).

We don't have benchmark scores for the Pixel 6a at the time of writing, but for reference, the Pixel 6 has an AnTuTu score of roughly 700K, so it's safe to assume that the former will have similar scores as well. If you're a power user or gamer, the Pixel 6a is a better option as it'll allow you to multitask with ease and run graphics-intensive mobile games. An AnTuTu score of 300K–500K is better suited for casual users.

RAM and Storage

  • Google Pixel 6a: 6GB RAM; 128GB
  • Samsung Galaxy A53: 6/8GB RAM; 128GB/256GB storage

The Pixel 6a only comes in one model with 6GB RAM and 128GB internal storage. It also doesn't have a microSD slot for additional storage, so if you're someone who stores a lot of movies or games on their phone, the Pixel 6a might not be the best option for you.

On the other hand, the Galaxy A53 comes with 6 or 8GB RAM and 128 or 256GB internal storage as well as support for a microSD card up to 1TB. This is more than enough storage no matter what kind of user you are.

The Galaxy A53 Is a More Well-Rounded Phone

The Pixel 6a and the Galaxy A53 are both well-specced mid-range devices. But if we were to recommend one, it'd be the A53 simply because it's a more well-rounded device and appropriate for most people. Plus, it offers four years of major Android updates and five years of security updates (the 6a also gets five years of security updates, and an unspecified number of Android updates).

Don't get us wrong, the Pixel 6a offers amazing value if you want that iconic Pixel software experience, amazing picture quality, better performance, no bloatware, and Pixel-exclusive features.

But the compromises it makes are too obvious to ignore: the 60Hz refresh rate, the weaker Gorilla Glass 3 protection, the poorer battery life, and more. Simply put, the Pixel 6a still looks more like an enthusiast phone than one made for the masses.