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What we think
The PerfectRec phone team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
If you value camera quality and unique software features and are willing to pay slightly less, the Google Pixel 6a is a solid option with its higher overall camera performance and Pixel-exclusive features. However, the Samsung Galaxy A53 offers a larger screen and a better battery life, which might be more appealing if you prefer longer usage times and more screen real estate. Both devices have the same amount of storage, run on Android, and are built with plastic bodies, but if cost is a significant factor, the Pixel 6a being less expensive could sway your decision. 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
- Good performance
Advantages of the Samsung Galaxy A53
- Very good battery life
Key differences
Overall Camera Quality
7.6
5.9
The Google Pixel 6a has good overall camera quality, while the Samsung Galaxy A53 has poor overall camera quality.
The Google Pixel 6a is known for its superior selfie camera quality and versatile photography software, including unique features like Magic Eraser which make it a strong choice for selfie enthusiasts and those who value photo editing capabilities.
Photo Quality
7.4
6.2
The Google Pixel 6a takes good photos, while the Samsung Galaxy A53 takes only fair photos.
The Google Pixel 6a takes very good photos with its strengths in software, dynamic range, and low light performance, delivering a good overall photo experience and selfie quality. Conversely, while the Samsung Galaxy A53 offers a respectable photo experience, it falls short in dynamic range and low light performance, affecting its overall photo and selfie quality.
Video Quality
7.2
5.2
The Google Pixel 6a takes good videos, while the Samsung Galaxy A53 takes poor videos.
The Google Pixel 6a has a very good video resolution and framerate, which is beneficial for smooth and clear videos, along with excellent video software experience for easier control and better results; add to that, it provides very good video stabilization, dynamic range, and low light performance, as well as good microphone quality for clear audio capture. On the other hand, the Samsung Galaxy A53, while providing a fair video resolution and framerate, has good video software and stabilization but only fair dynamic range and low light performance, though it shares the same level of microphone quality as the Pixel 6a.
Screen Size
The Google Pixel 6a has a screen size of 6.1 inches and the Samsung Galaxy A53 is 6.5 inches.
Cost
$400
$367
$200
$300
$400
$500
$600
The Google Pixel 6a has a price of $400 and the Samsung Galaxy A53 costs $367.
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Key similarities
Battery
7.6 Hours
8.0 Hours
The Google Pixel 6a has 7.6 hours of battery life. The Samsung Galaxy A53 has 8 hours of battery life.
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How the Google Pixel 6a and the Samsung Galaxy A53 compare to other phones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Google Pixel 6a | Samsung Galaxy A53 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$400 | $367 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Samsung | ||
Operating System | |||
Operating System | Android | Android | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | July 21, 2022 | March 24, 2022 | |
SCREEN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Screen Size | |||
Screen Size | 6.1" | 6.5" | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 2400 x 1080 | 2400 x 1080 | |
Variable refresh rate | |||
Variable refresh rate | No | No | |
Pixels Per Inch | |||
Pixels Per Inch | 429 | 405 | |
Display Type | |||
Display Type | OLED | OLED | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | Tensor | E1280 | |
Internal Storage | |||
Internal Storage | 128 GB | 128 GB | |
RAM | |||
RAM | 6 GB | 4 GB | |
CAMERA | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Overall Camera Quality Score | |||
Overall Camera Quality Score | 7.6/10 | 6/10 | |
Photos Score | |||
Photos Score | 7.5/10 | 6.3/10 | |
Videos Score | |||
Videos Score | 7.3/10 | 5.3/10 | |
Rear Cameras | |||
Rear Cameras | Main, Ultrawide | Main, Ultrawide, Macro | |
Main Camera | |||
Main Camera | 12.2 megapixels + OIS | 64 megapixels + OIS | |
BATTERY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery Life | |||
Battery Life | 7.6 Hours | 8 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 4410 mAh | 5000 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" | 6.28" x 2.94" | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 6.28 oz | 6.67 oz | |
Back Material | |||
Back Material | Plastic | Plastic | |
Stereo Speakers | |||
Stereo Speakers | No | No | |
CONNECTIVITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Dual SIM | |||
Dual SIM | Yes | No | |
Bluetooth Version | |||
Bluetooth Version | 5.2 | 5.1 | |
A2DP | |||
A2DP | Yes | Yes | |
WiFi Version | |||
WiFi Version | 6e | 5 | |
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/mmWave)2, 5, 48, 66, 77, 78, 260, 261 | |
OTHER FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Biometric unlock | |||
Biometric unlock | Fingerprint sensor: Under Display | Face unlock, Fingerprint sensor: Under Display | |
Unlockable Bootloader | |||
Unlockable Bootloader | Yes (Except Verizon Models) | No | |
Color | |||
Color | Chalk, Sage, Charcoal | Blue, White, Black | |
Stock Android | |||
Stock Android | Yes | No | |
SD Card | |||
SD Card | No | Yes | |
Shopping
Google Pixel 6a
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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?"
Samsung Galaxy A53
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Dig into reviews and images
Android Authority
Ryan Haines | May 2023
"Samsung’s quartet of rear cameras delivers the goods, both day and night, with the only blemish being the lack of 4K/60fps video recording. The large, 6.5-inch, 120Hz AMOLED display is crisp and smooth, making video streaming enjoyable. You should have no issues pushing the 5,000mAh battery to its limits and it’s not too slow to charge relative to its competitors in the US."
Get a great deal on the Google Pixel 6a or the Samsung Galaxy A53
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 Samsung
Samsung is one of the most recognizable names in the smartphone industry, standing as the undisputed best-selling brand of Android smartphones in the United States for many years now. Samsung is known for offering a variety of smartphones in all available price points, as well as for implementing cutting-edge technology and innovative features in their flagship devices, ones that often shape the market going forward. The company offers its own unique spin on Android, called One UI, which focuses on offering a multitude of features and is heavily customizable, according to user preference.
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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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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.
Nick Landia, Ph.D
Chief Data Scientist
Nick is a machine learning expert with a Ph.D in recommendation systems from the University of Warwick.
Aaron Koller, Ph.D
Head of Product
Aaron is a product leader and recommendation enthusiast with a Ph.D in philosophy from Syracuse University.
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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.
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