Samsung Galaxy A34 vs Google Pixel 6a: Which is the better buy?

Two contenders in the mid-range smartphone category, the Samsung Galaxy A34 and the Google Pixel 6a, offer their own unique set of advantages. Determining which one is the superior choice can be a challenging decision and it really mostly depends on your preferences.

We delve into the key aspects of these smartphones, from display quality and security features to performance, battery life, and camera capabilities to help you decide which one is the better buy for your needs.

Differences between Samsung Galaxy A34 and Google Pixel 6a

With the Samsung Galaxy A34 we’re getting a 6.6in 120Hz Super AMOLED display, while the Google Pixel 6a features a 6.1in 60Hz OLED display. In general, both phones have really good displays. If you find yourself consuming a lot of content, such as watching videos and desiring a visually pleasing experience, you can’t really go wrong with either phone.

That being said, the Galaxy A34 does offer a couple of advantages. Firstly, it has a larger screen, making it a better choice for those who prefer more space. In contrast, the Pixel 6a leans towards a more compact form factor compared to the A34.

Additionally, the Galaxy A34 boasts a 120Hz refresh rate, whereas the Pixel 6a is limited to just 60Hz. This means that the A34’s screen offers smoother and faster motion.

Both phones come equipped with Android 13, and in terms of Android phones, Samsung and Google provide some of the best software support available. With either phone, you can expect to receive several major updates in the future. The Pixel 6a offers three years of Android updates and five years of security updates, while the A34 provides four years of Android updates and five years of security updates. It means that both phones will get Android 14.

Regarding security features, both phones have fingerprint scanners within the display. They are both fast and responsive and you won’t see much difference between them. However, the Galaxy A34 goes a step further by offering face unlock, a feature absent in the Pixel 6a. While most people tend to prefer fingerprint scanners, having a secondary option like face unlock gives the A34 an edge in this aspect.

Both phones also support NFC, allowing you to use Google Pay or Samsung Pay. Unfortunately, neither phone includes a headphone jack, so if you don’t already have a pair of the best true wireless earbuds or use standard wired headphones, you will need an adapter.

They both come with an IP67 dust and waterproof rating.

Moving on to memory and performance, the Galaxy A34 offers 6GB of RAM with the MediaTek Dimensity 1080 chipset, whereas the Pixel 6a also features 6GB of RAM but with the Google Tensor chipset.

In our Geekbench 5 Multi-core test, the Pixel 6a outperformed the Galaxy A34, scoring 2745 points compared to the A34’s 2312 points. This makes the Pixel 6a the clear winner in terms of performance. Overall, both phones provide good performance for everyday tasks, but the Pixel 6a holds a slight advantage here if we’re going to nitpick.

Both phones offer 128GB of internal storage, but the key difference is that the Galaxy A34 supports microSD card expansion, while the Pixel 6a does not. The Galaxy A34 also has an 8/256GB version. If expandable storage is important to you, the A34 is the better choice.

Moving on to battery life, the Pixel 6a boasts excellent battery life but charges relatively slowly, with a maximum of 18W. In 15 minutes, it charges to 22%, 42% in 30 minutes, and reaches a full charge in one hour and 50 minutes.

On the other hand, the Galaxy A34, when used with a 25W charger, supports “fast charging” using the provided cable. However, it won’t get you as far as the 6a with its larger battery, offering around 15-20% charge in 15 minutes, roughly a third in 30 minutes, and a full charge in about two hours.

Both phones provide solid, all-day battery life, but if you need rapid charging or the best battery life phone out of these two, the Pixel 6a is the better choice despite having a smaller battery.

Finally, in terms of camera setups, the Galaxy A34 features a 13Mp selfie camera and a triple camera setup on the back with a 48Mp main camera, an 8Mp ultrawide camera, and a 5Mp macro camera. It can record 4K video with both the rear and front cameras.

On the Pixel 6a, you’ll find an 8Mp selfie camera and a dual camera setup on the back, consisting of a 12.2Mp main camera and a 12Mp ultrawide camera. It can record 4K videos with the rear camera but only 1080p with the front camera.

Both phones offer excellent camera setups, and for the average user, there may not be a significant difference. However, each phone has its own advantages. The Galaxy A34 has a dedicated macro camera for close-up shots, a feature absent in the Pixel 6a. Conversely, the Pixel 6a excels in photo and video quality, making it noticeably better in this regard.

Price & Availability

The Pixel 6a costs at $349/£349/€409. You can purchase it directly from Google in the US, UK, and Europe. Additionally, it is also available for unlocked purchase in the US on Amazon.

In the UK, you can find the Pixel 6a for sale at various retailers, including Amazon, Carphone Warehouse, Mobiles.co.uk, EE, Vodafone, and John Lewis.

Check out our full where to buy the Pixel 6a article for the US and UK.

The 6/128GB version of the Galaxy A34 costs £349 and is available to buy directly from Samsung as well as other places such as Amazon, Argos and Currys. There is also an alternative 8/256GB model of the Galaxy A34 available for an extra £50.

However, it’s worth noting that the Galaxy A34 is not currently available for purchase in the US, limiting the options for consumers interested in that specific model.

Here are the best contract deals for both phones in the UK.

If you’re in the US, the top contract deals for the Pixel 6a with at least 3GB of data are displayed below.

Be sure to check our best mid-range phone and best budget phone charts for more options.

Verdict

If you prioritise a larger, high-refresh-rate display, versatile security options, and expandable storage, the Samsung Galaxy A34 is the better choice for you.

However, the Pixel 6a outperforms the Galaxy A34 in terms of battery life, charging and benchmark performance, but this advantage may not be as significant for everyday tasks. If performance is crucial and you value the Pixel’s camera quality, the Pixel 6a might be a more suitable option.

Specs

Samsung Galaxy A34:

• Android 13 with One UI 5.1
• 6.6in AMOLED, 2340 x 1080, 120Hz, 19.5:9 aspect ratio
• MediaTek Dimensity 1080 chipset
• 6/8GB RAM
• 128/256GB of storage (expandable via microSDXC)
• Cameras:
  • 48Mp f/1.8 OIS main camera
  • 8Mp f/2.2 ultrawide
  • 5Mp f/2.4 macro
  • 13Mp f/2.2 selfie camera
• Dual-SIM (microSDXC shares second slot)
• Stereo speakers
• NFC
• GPS
• Bluetooth 5.3
• Wi-Fi 6
• Under-display fingerprint sensor
• 5000mAh battery
• 25W wired charging
• USB-C charging port
• IP67
• 161.3 x 78.1 x 8.2mm
• 199g

Google Pixel 6a:

• Android 13
• 6.1in 60Hz gOLED display
• Google Tensor chip
• 6GB RAM
• 128GB storage
• Rear cameras:
  • 12Mp IMX363 main lens with OIS
  • 12Mp IMX386 ultrawide lens
• 8Mp IMX355 selfie camera
• 4400mAh battery
• 18W wired charging
• 5G
• Stereo speakers
• Wi-Fi 6
• Bluetooth 5.2
• NFC
• IP67
• Gorilla Glass 3 display
• 71.8 x 152.16 x 8.85mm
• 178g