Google Pixel 5a vs Samsung Galaxy Note 10+
The Verdict
Comparing these phones reveals a significant generational and price gap. The Galaxy Note 10+ launched at $1099 with flagship specs from 2019: Snapdragon 855 processor, 12GB RAM, Dynamic AMOLED display at 1440p with 1200 nits brightness, and a quad-camera setup including 2x telephoto zoom. Battery capacity sits at 4300mAh with 45W fast charging and wireless charging. The Pixel 5a, released a year later at $449, uses the more modest Snapdragon 765G with 6GB RAM and OLED display at 1080p with 700 nits. However, it adds 5G connectivity, keeps the same core 12.2MP camera philosophy, and delivers a larger 4680mAh battery. The Note 10+ excels in raw display quality, processing power, RAM, and charging speed, making it better for gaming and multitasking. The Pixel 5a wins on value proposition, battery life, 5G support, and Google's superior computational photography despite lower specs. Your choice depends on budget: the Note 10+ justifies its cost only if you need premium performance and premium display quality; otherwise, the Pixel 5a offers compelling everyday performance at less than half the price with a more practical feature set for 2020.
Who Should Buy
Buy the Google Pixel 5a if…
- →Large 4680 mAh battery for excellent endurance
- →IP67 water resistance (first a-series with it)
- →Great computational photography at $449
Buy the Samsung Galaxy Note 10+ if…
- →S Pen with air gesture controls and Bluetooth LE
- →Gorgeous 6.8-inch QHD+ Dynamic AMOLED display
- →45W super fast charging for rapid top-ups
Category Scores
Pros & Cons
Google Pixel 5a
Pros
- Large 4680 mAh battery for excellent endurance
- IP67 water resistance (first a-series with it)
- Great computational photography at $449
- Headphone jack retained
- Clean stock Android experience
Cons
- 60Hz display
- Slow 18W charging
- No wireless charging
- Only available in the US and Japan
- Snapdragon 765G is mid-range
Samsung Galaxy Note 10+
Pros
- S Pen with air gesture controls and Bluetooth LE
- Gorgeous 6.8-inch QHD+ Dynamic AMOLED display
- 45W super fast charging for rapid top-ups
- 12 GB RAM handles multitasking effortlessly
- Versatile quad-camera system with ToF depth sensor
Cons
- 60Hz display when competitors were moving to high refresh rates
- No headphone jack — a first for the Note series
- Exynos variant has weaker GPU performance than Snapdragon
- Glass back is slippery and fragile without a case
- Samsung software updates have ended
Full Specifications
| Spec | Google Pixel 5a | Samsung Galaxy Note 10+ |
|---|---|---|
| Software | Android 11 | Android 9 (One UI 1.5) |
| Body | ||
| Weight | 183 g | 196 g |
| Material | Aluminum unibody, polycarbonate coating | Aluminum frame, Gorilla Glass front and back |
| IP rating | IP67 | IP68 |
| Dimensions | 156.2 x 73.2 x 8.8 mm | 162.3 x 77.2 x 7.9 mm |
| Camera | ||
| Main camera | 12.2 MP, f/1.7, OIS | 12 MP, f/1.5-2.4, Dual Pixel PDAF, OIS |
| Front camera | 8 MP, f/2.0 | 10 MP, f/2.2 |
| Video | 4K@60fps | 4K@60fps, Super Steady |
| Ultrawide | 16 MP, f/2.2 | 16 MP, f/2.2 |
| Depth | — | VGA ToF 3D sensor |
| Telephoto | — | 12 MP, f/2.1, 2x optical zoom |
| Memory | ||
| RAM | 6 GB | 12 GB |
| Storage options | 128 GB | 256 GB, 512 GB |
| Battery | ||
| Capacity | 4680 mAh | 4300 mAh |
| Charging | 18W wired | 45W wired |
| Wireless charging | No | 15W, Wireless PowerShare |
| Display | ||
| Size | 6.34 inches | 6.8 inches |
| Type | OLED | Dynamic AMOLED |
| Resolution | 2400 x 1080 | 3040 x 1440 |
| Refresh rate | 60Hz | 60Hz |
| Brightness (nits) | 700 | 1200 |
| Processor | ||
| CPU | Octa-core (1x2.4 GHz + 1x2.2 GHz + 6x1.8 GHz) | Octa-core |
| GPU | Adreno 620 | Adreno 640 / Mali-G76 MP12 |
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 765G | Qualcomm Snapdragon 855 / Exynos 9825 |
| Connectivity | ||
| 5G | ||
| NFC | ||
| USB | USB-C 3.1 | USB-C 3.1 |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac) | Wi-Fi 6 |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 | 5.0 |
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This comparison is based on verified manufacturer specifications covering display, performance, camera, battery, and build quality. Scores are generated by analyzing specs across weighted categories on a 10-point scale. Learn more about our methodology.
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