Google’s impressive single-camera smartphone photography arrives in a affordable, one-hand-friendly design
OUR VERDICT
The compact size, clear interface and great point-and-shoot camera of the Pixel 4a will attraction to these in search of a reasonably priced, reasonably sized handset with enough grunt to deal with the basics, plus the power to seize some excellent pictures.
FOR
- One-handed use possible
- Powerful single camera
- Headphone jack
AGAINST
- Mediocre battery life
- No 5G (yet) or wireless charging
- Cheaper-feeling design
Two minute review
The Google Pixel 4a gives you the best of Google in a reasonably priced, one-hand-friendly package.
There’s slick Google Assistant integration, a clean Android interface with three years of assured updates, and a seriously spectacular pictures experience contemplating the Pixel 4a has just one rear camera.
Google Pixel 4a release date and price
- Google Pixel 4a launch date: Aug 20 (US), Sep 10 (AU), Oct 1 (UK)
- Google Pixel 4a price: $349 / £349 / AU$599
- Just one configuration, one colour and no larger Pixel 4a XL
The Google Pixel 4a price is $349 / £349 / AU$599. There are no configuration choices, there is not any, bigger Pixel 4a XL, and there is just one color: Just Black. If you need the Pixel 4a, you will must sacrifice an alternative for that low price ticket.
That is an aggressive price level, and one that’s $50 / £50 / AU$50 cheaper than the launch worth of its predecessor, the Google Pixel 3a. You also get more RAM (6GB vs 4GB) and more storage (128GB vs 64GB) with the Pixel 4a, so Google is giving you an honest quantity of bang-for-your-buck, at least inside its personal ecosystem. Compared to the Google Pixel 4a 5G, which has higher specs however prices extra at $499 / £499 (around AU$695), the standard Pixel 4a stays a bargain.
Weight: 143g
Dimensions: 144 x 69.4 x 8.2 mm
Display size: 5.81-inch
Resolution: FullHD+ (1080 x 2340)
Pixel density: 443ppi
Chipset: Snapdragon 730G
RAM: 6GB
Storage: 128GB
Rear camera: 12.2MP
Front camera: 8MP
Battery: 3,140mAh
It’s also comfortably cheaper than its flagship namesakes, the Pixel 4 and Pixel 4 XL.
Bother is, the Google Pixel 4a is enjoying in a highly-competitive center market, and is up in opposition to some handsets with way more spectacular spec sheets – the likes of the OnePlus Nord, Realme X50 5G, Moto G 5G Plus and Mi Note 10 Lite can dazzle customers with their a number of cameras, larger screens and 5G connectivity.
Design
- Cute, minimalist design can easily be used one-handed
- Headphone jack included, plus stereo speakers
- Lacks a premium finish
Cute. That’s the one-word answer to ‘describe the Google Pixel 4a design’.
It is one of many extra compact Android smartphones you may get maintain of nowadays, measuring 144 x 69.four x 8.2mm, which makes it smaller than the Pixel 3a while boasting a bigger screen.
A characteristic the Google Pixel 4a has carried over from its predecessor – and one thing the flagship four collection does not have – is a 3.5mm headphone jack. It is located on the highest fringe of the handset, permitting you to plug in your wired headphones.
Display
- 5.81-inch OLED display with Full HD+ resolution and HDR support
- First all-screen, bezel-less Pixel phone
- It is bright, clear and responsive
Speaking of the Google Pixel 4a show, let’s take a closer look at it. As we have already established, it is bigger (by 0.2 inches) than the Pixel 3a’s screen, however, Google has taken issues a step additional with the Pixel 4a, and done away with the bezels virtually fully.
This is the first Pixel smartphone to come with an all-screen, bezel-less display, with the screen flowing around the punch-hole that homes the front-facing camera in the top-left.
Whereas Google says it has removed the bezels on the Pixel 4a, should you look intently there’s nonetheless a sliver on the base of the show and the edging around the rest of the show is thicker than we’ve seen on some rivals?
Nonetheless, it gives for an aesthetically pleasing end, and whereas the selfie camera does sit within the notification bar, it doesn’t actually scale back the variety of icons that may be displayed, which is sweet.
Digicam
- Simply two cameras: 12.2MP on rear, 8MP on entrance
- Spectacular picture processing produces high-quality snaps
- Evening Sight produces first rate low-light pictures
The Google Pixel 4a is within the minority in terms of cameras, having simply two: one on the again and one on the entrance.
Digicam samples
Battery life
- Ought to last a full day with common use
- No wi-fi charging, however quick 18W charger within the field
- Gaming and video playback considerably drain battery
The Google Pixel 4a comes with a 3,140mAh non-removable battery, which is bigger than the power pack in its predecessor, and far bigger than the 1,812mAh battery within the new iPhone SE.
Efficiency and software program
- Snapdragon 730, 6GB of RAM, 128GB of storage
- Inventory Android 10 is clear and simple to make use of
- Google Assistant features prominently
The Google Pixel 4a comes with sufficient power to make sure you are able to do all the things you need on the phone. You get a Snapdragon 730 chipset, 6GB of RAM and 128GB of storage (of which around 108GB is definitely accessible to you).
Ought to I purchase the Google Pixel 4a?
Purchase it if…
You need a phone you need to use one-handed
There aren’t too many smartphones around nowadays which you’ll comfortably use one-handed, however the Google Pixel 4a is one in every of them. Its compact (by 2020 requirements) kind issue, rounded edges and soft-touch polycarbonate physique make it simple to carry and use.
You are invested within the Google ecosystem and need an reasonably priced gadget
In case you’re totally invested in Google’s ecosystem, embracing Google Assistant and utilizing the agency’s smart audio system in your house – and maybe you even have Android Auto in your automotive – the Pixel 4a will match into your setup fairly seamlessly. For these conversant in ‘Okay Google’ instructions, the Pixel 4a is simply an extension of what you already know.
You need an reasonably priced phone that takes nice, fuss-free pictures
The 2 cameras on the Google Pixel 4a could not supply the best flexibility at this worth level, however they do supply a simple point-and-shoot expertise which, as a rule, means you may take high quality pictures with little or no effort.
Do not buy it if…
You are in search of the very best bang in your buck
The Google Pixel 4a finds itself in a aggressive discipline, and on paper it may well’t compete with the spec sheets of lots of its rivals. Rival handsets boast 5G connectivity, a number of cameras, greater screens, extra power, bigger storage choices and premium designs – issues the Pixel 4a merely does not have.
You wish to do plenty of gaming in your phone
Whereas the Google Pixel 4a is completely able to working games, it comes with a number of compromises. The smaller display screen (though it is nonetheless 5.Eight inches) means there’s much less actual property in your eyes to lock onto – and your thumbs will cowl a few of it – whereas battery life takes a little bit of a beating, and the phone doesn’t have the identical power as its rivals, that means barely longer load occasions.
You need a long-lasting battery
The Google Pixel 4a will get by a day on a single cost – simply. In case you have a penchant for gaming, otherwise you’re a heavy camera and social media person, you will be reaching for the charger come mid-afternoon/early night. Briefly, for those who get the Pixel 4a, you will must cost it each night time, minimal.