Google Pixel 3a
#2169
Xiaomi Mi 8 Explorer
#1964Category Breakdown
Google Pixel 3a
Xiaomi Mi 8 Explorer
Performance
62.564.8
Camera
49.949.9
Display
79.579.5
Battery
43.543.5
Build
79.879.8
Overall
61.662.3
Summary
- The Google Pixel 3a features a plastic build with a glass front and is lighter at 147g, while the Xiaomi Mi 8 Explorer has a premium glass and aluminum construction, weighing 177g.
- The Pixel 3a has a 5.6-inch OLED display with a resolution of 1080 x 2220 pixels, whereas the Mi 8 Explorer offers a larger 6.21-inch Super AMOLED display with HDR10 support and a resolution of 1080 x 2248 pixels.
- In terms of performance, the Pixel 3a is powered by the Snapdragon 670, while the Mi 8 Explorer uses the more powerful Snapdragon 845, with the latter also offering more RAM at 8GB compared to the Pixel's 4GB.
- Both phones have capable cameras, but the Mi 8 Explorer has a dual rear camera setup and can record video at 4K@60fps, while the Pixel 3a excels in software processing for its single 12.2 MP camera.
- Both devices have a 3000mAh battery with 18W charging, but the Pixel 3a runs a cleaner Android experience with timely updates, while the Mi 8 Explorer runs MIUI, which may include additional features but can be less streamlined.
Side-by-side Specification Comparison
Google Pixel 3a
Xiaomi Mi 8 Explorer
General
Release Date
2019, May 07
2018
Announced
2019, May 07
2018
Description
Versions: G020A, G020E, G020B
For China
Display
Size
5.6"
6.21"
Type
OLED
Super AMOLED, HDR10
Resolution
1080 x 2220 pixels, 18.5:9 ratio (~441 ppi density)
1080 x 2248 pixels (~402 ppi density)
PPI
1080
1080
Refresh Rate
60Hz
60Hz
Peak Brightness
N/A
N/A
HDR Support
✗
✓
Protection
Asahi Dragontrail Glass
Corning Gorilla Glass 5
Performance
Chipset
Qualcomm SDM670 Snapdragon 670 (10 nm)
Qualcomm SDM845 Snapdragon 845 (10 nm)
CPU
Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz 360 Gold & 6x1.7 GHz Kryo 360 Silver)
Octa-core (4x2.8 GHz Kryo 385 Gold & 4x1.8 GHz Kryo 385 Silver)
GPU
Adreno 615
Adreno 630
Memory
64GB 4GB RAM
128GB 8GB RAM
Expandable Storage
✗
✗
Card Slot
No
No
Camera
Main Camera
12.2 MP
12 MP
Main Camera Details
12.2 MP, f/1.8, 28mm (wide), 1/2.55", 1.4µm, dual pixel PDAF, OIS
12 MP, f/1.8, 1/2.55", 1.4µm, dual pixel PDAF, 4-axis OIS12 MP, f/2.4, 1/3.4", 1.0µm, AF, 2x optical zoom
Front Camera
8 MP
20 MP
Front Camera Details
8 MP, f/2.0, 24mm (wide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
20 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1/3", 0.9µmTOF 3D, (depth/biometrics sensor)
Video Recording
4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps
4K@60fps, 1080p@30/240fps, 720p@960fps
Selfie Video
1080p@30fps
1080p@30fps
OIS
✓
✓
Night Mode
✗
✗
RAW Support
✗
✗
Battery
Capacity
3000 mAh
3000 mAh
Battery Details
Li-Po 3000 mAh, non-removable
Li-Po 3000 mAh, non-removable
Charging Details
18W wired, PD2.0
18W wired, QC4
Fast Charging
✗
✗
Wireless Charging
✗
✗
Build & Design
Dimensions
151.3 x 70.1 x 8.2 mm (5.96 x 2.76 x 0.32 in)
154.9 x 74.8 x 7.6 mm (6.10 x 2.94 x 0.30 in)
Weight
147 g
177 g
Materials
Glass front (Asahi Dragontrail), plastic back, plastic frame
Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), glass back, aluminum frame (7000 series)
Water Resistance
N/A
N/A
Colors
Just Black, Clearly White, Purple-ish
Black (transparent back)
Foldable
✗
✗
Connectivity
SIM
Nano-SIM +eSIM
Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Network
GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE
GSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE
Network Speed
HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (3CA) Cat11 600/75 Mbps
HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (4CA) Cat16 1024/150 Mbps
5G
✗
✗
4G
✓
✓
WiFi
Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct, DLNA
Bluetooth
5.0, A2DP, LE, aptX HD
5.0, A2DP, LE, aptX HD
NFC
✓
✓
USB
USB Type-C 2.0
USB Type-C
IR Blaster
✗
✗
Headphone Jack
✓
✗
Radio
✗
✗
Positioning
GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO
GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (L1), BDS (B1), GALILEO (E1+E5a), QZSS (L1+L5)
Software
Operating System
Android 9.0 (Pie), upgradable to Android 12
Android 8.1 (Oreo), upgradable to Android 10, MIUI 12
OS Version
Android 9.0 (Pie), upgradable to Android 12
Android 8.1 (Oreo), upgradable to Android 10, MIUI 12
Security
Fingerprint
✓
✓
Face Unlock
✗
✓
Sensors
Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer
Face ID, fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, barometer, compass
Audio
Stereo Speakers
✓
✗
Loudspeaker
Yes, with stereo speakers
Yes
Audio Jack
Yes
No