When Google released its Pixel 3a back in 2019, a lot of people loved that phone. The Google Pixel 3a started at $399 but packed a killer camera made by Google. Although the performance was not the best in class, it provided enough horsepower for day to day use. Then there comes the Google Pixel 4, a disappointment in almost every way, especially that laughable battery size in the smaller variant. From then on, the wait for a Pixel 4a had officially begun in my heart.
Well, after months of wait, Google has finally released Pixel 4a. As the successor of Google Pixel 3a, all Pixel 4a needs to do is bring in the same formula: a powerful enough phone that is cheap while, again, packing a flagship camera made by Google. Now let’s examine that formula.
Tech Specs
- CPU: Qualcomm Snapdragon 730
- Adreno 618
- 128 GB storage
- 6 GB RAM(LPDDR4x)
- 5.8-inch FHD+ (1080 x 2340) OLED at 443 ppi
This is definitely not the most powerful phone in the world by any means. People who are used to flagship devices from Apple and Samsung, should not expect the same performance from Pixel 4a. However, if you are on a budget, this phone may pack the best value for the price you are paying.
Camera
If you are a photo-taking enthusiast and you don’t want to pay north of $1000 on a smartphone, then the Pixel 4a is the right device for you. It’s got a 12.2 MP dual-pixel single camera with optical + electronic image stabilization, ƒ/1.7 aperture. But what transforms the phone is Google’s “computation photography”. Whatever Google is doing to its image processing in the background has turned the single-camera well in the competition against flagship devices. And that’s a good thing for all buyers.
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Battery
Remember that laughable Pixel 4 battery size? Well, let me remind you again, it was 2800 mAh, coupled with a flagship processor and a display can “occasionally” go up to a 90 Hz refresh rate. The result? A laughable battery life.
That is not the case with Google Pixel 4a. It’s got 3140 mAh, paired with a mid-range processor, 60 Hz 5.8-inch display, it shouldn’t be a surprise that this phone will have a strong battery life.
Price
The price of the Google Pixel 4a may be the most important factor for those people who are also considering the OnePlus Nord, iPhone SE. At $349, the Google Pixel 4a undercuts iPhone SE by $59 and OnePlus Nord by $220(after conversion) while offering 128GB as the only storage option. A 128GB iPhone SE would cost $449 which would make it $100 more expensive than Pixel 4a.
More To Consider
When it comes to the absolute value in terms of price to specs ratio, the Pixel 4a is the best in class. However, for non-frequent smartphone upgraders, longevity is also a factor to consider. Fast-forward to 2024, or maybe even 2025, a $399 iPhone SE will still be supported by Apple in terms of the software update while the Pixel 4a, running Android made by Google itself, would’ve lost software support.
Also, Qualcomm Snapdragon 730 isn’t helping when pitted against the flagship Apple A13 Bionic chip that is also found inside the iPhone 11 Pro.
This isn’t meant to discourage people from buying Pixel 4a, as it is one of the best phones to buy in terms of value. But the iPhone SE made choosing harder. Again, the more competition, the better for our consumers.
