As battles between $700 phones go, there is none other worth its salt than the ascending Google Pixel 5 and Samsung Galaxy S20 FE phones rivalry. Samsung managed to pull off a rather incredible value for money proposition this time around, while Google found a way to finally lower the price of its Pixel phones to a level that will undoubtedly be more popular with users.
Google Pixel 5 vs Samsung Galaxy S20 FE price and specifications
- Black and Sage Green colors vs Navy, Red, Lavender, Orange, White, and Mint
- Snapdragon 765 vs Snapdragon 865 processor
- 4000mAh vs 4500mAh battery
- 18W vs 15W charging
- $699 vs $699 ($599 promo price)
- 12MP main/ultrawide vs 12MP main/ultrawide/8MP telephoto cameras
Google Pixel 5 and Samsung Galaxy S20 FE colors and display
At just 5.70 x 2.77 x 0.33 inches (144.7 x 70.4 x 8.5 mm) and 5.71 oz (162.0 g), the 6″ Pixel 5 would be the lighter, narrower, and more comfortable to use with one hand phone. The 6.5″ display of the Galaxy S20 FE, punch-hole design or not, presupposes the 6.29 x 2.93 x 0.33 inches (159.8 x 74.5 x 8.4 mm) dimensions and above average heft despite the lighter “Glasstic” body material.
As for the OLED displays quality, the only compromise Google and Samsung have made is lowering the resolution to 1080p from the 1440p of the S20 series or the Pixel 4 XL, and, again, it’s all the better for it, as the battery life is much, much better with no pixel density sacrifice discoverable with a naked eye unless you look at it from very close, even on the 6.5″ S20 FE.
The S20 FE display has a 120Hz refresh rate mode, though, that makes scrolling and interface animations appear smoother and easier on the eyes, while Google counters with a 90Hz refresh which is still better than the 60Hz panels of yesteryear.
Google Pixel 5 and Samsung Galaxy S20 FE specs, charging and battery life
The S20 FE has another significant specs advantage over the Pixel 5, a much larger, 4500mAh battery, against the 4000mAh unit in Google’s darling. Both charge fast, though, at 18W for the Pixel 5, and 15W for the Galaxy S20 FE, and the battery size gains of the S20 FE may be offset by the smaller Pixel 5 screen and the integrated 5G modem in the midrange 765 chipset of Google’s phone.
Google Pixel 5 and Samsung Galaxy S20 FE cameras
Say what you will about Google’s excellent camera algorithms, it rarely has the hardware to match it, and the Pixel 5 would be no exception, with just a main and ultrawide 12MP cameras.
It will again count on digital trickery for its admittedly very good zooming efforts, while Samsung has equipped the S20 FE with flagship-grade 12MP setup that includes am 8MP 3x telephoto optical zoom camera as well.
The front camera setup – 32MP vs 8MP – is also in favor of the Galaxy, with the important caveat that Google does wonders in the camera software department and extracts the most out of the basic hardware it equips its Pixels with. Which one would you pick?
