Google Pixel 5a

So, no, Google doesn’t “own the midrange” any more. The Pixel 5a is almost aggressively boring, but it’s not bad. If you want the Pixel experience and don’t want to break the bank, this is the way to go. But if you’re just looking for the best bang for your buck, the choice is far less clear.

For the third year in a row, Google proves you don't need to drop anything close to $1,000 for a great smartphone. Sure, the Pixel 5A isn't exciting. It doesn't fold, there are no flashy colors, and it doesn't bring anything new to the table. I'd have liked to see the company push the bar. But if what you get is an exceptionally reliable phone that still leads the pack, then that's priceless.

The Google Pixel 5a isn’t much different than its predecessor aside from a bigger battery and a rating for water and dust resistance, making it an underwhelming upgrade, but still a solid mid-range phone with fantastic cameras. If you don't mind going without the Pixel 5's zoom camera, it’s a good if unexciting choice.

The Pixel 5A isn't just a cheaper version of the Pixel 5. In a lot of ways, it offers more than the Pixel 5, thanks to a larger display and the addition of a 3.5mm headphone jack. Indeed, it lacks wireless charging and mmWave, but that's more or less where the differences end.

The larger (taller and narrower) screen and metal build are also nice bonuses. But, most importantly, the Pixel 5a nails the basics by offering excellent shooters, great audio features, and solid performance, not to mention Google’s ultra-polished Android experience. In all, we highly recommend the Pixel 5a -- it’s simply greater than the sum of its parts. And once you consider the price, it makes even more sense.

The Google Pixel 5a is a whole lot of the same old thing. It’s still rocking a Snapdragon 765G, doesn’t meaningfully alter the cameras, and has modest tweaks to the screen, battery, and design. The few changes are good, but what matters most is they come alongside a lowered price that seats the Pixel 5a as a budget smartphone option to be reckoned with.

Water resistance and much longer battery life help last year's overlooked model turn into the belle of the mid-range ball. Google has finally listened to what users want and given us practical upgrades rather than pretty colors and shiny surfaces.

Powerful performance, an immersive OLED display, a large battery, and an incredible camera stack make the Google Pixel 5a with 5G the best midrange phone you can buy.