Google Pixel 3a
#1110
Xiaomi Mi 8 Explorer
#1345Category Breakdown
Google Pixel 3a
Xiaomi Mi 8 Explorer
Performance
74.288.2
Camera
93.486.7
Display
78.381.7
Battery
24.224.2
Build
71.781.2
Connectivity
72.972.0
Audio
87.68.9
Overall
63.159.7
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
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, 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
Main Camera Features
Dual-LED flash, Pixel Shift, HDR, panorama
Dual-LED flash, HDR, panorama
Front Camera
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)
Front Camera Features
HDR
N/A
Video Recording
4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps
4K@60fps, 1080p@30/240fps, 720p@960fps
Selfie Video
1080p@30fps
1080p@30fps
Optical Stabilization
✓
✓
Night Mode
✗
✗
Raw Photo 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 & Safety
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)
Colors
Just Black, Clearly White, Purple-ish
Black (transparent back)
Foldable
✗
✗
SAR
N/A
N/A
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)
Audio
Stereo Speakers
✓
✗
Loudspeaker
Yes, with stereo speakers
Yes
Audio Jack
Yes
No
Software & Security
Operating System
Android 9.0 (Pie), upgradable to Android 12
Android 8.1 (Oreo), upgradable to Android 10, MIUI 12
Fingerprint
✓
✓
Face Unlock
✗
✓
Sensors
Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer
Face ID, fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, barometer, compass