You must be well aware of the long-awaited Google Pixel 4a smartphone, scheduled for launch in mid-May 2020 at Google I/O. If 2020 were an ordinary year, the Pixel 4a would have been launched by then, but the COVID-19 pandemic affected the launch of major devices, including the Pixel 4a.
Finally, after several months of waiting, the Pixel 4a was officially launched by Google. It’s reported to be one of the first Google smartphones to be produced in Vietnam instead of in China, according to the Nikkei Asian Review.
‘Helpful Google phone, at a helpful price’
These are the exact words used to advertise the Google Pixel 4a at the official product page of Australia’s JB Hi-Fi before its launch. It’s a serious contender against other mid-range smartphones in the market as it undercuts its rivals by at least $50. Below is a review of Google’s latest budget phone.
Colors
Sources had indicated that the phone might come in at least two colors; black and blue, as listed by French retailers. However, the pixel 4a is only available in Black color.
OS
The device runs on the new Android 10 OS out of the box and a Pixel UI. But it’s also set to receive the prompt update to the latest Android 11 OS. Oh, and the phone will receive software updates until August 2023, depending on Google’s update schedule for Pixel devices.
Although it doesn’t have Active Edge, it has the “new Google Assistant” feature that has been running on the Pixel series since the Pixel 4. The feature supports English, French, German, Italian, and Spanish. You’ll find a lot of pre-installed Google apps like Maps, Photos, among others.
Nevertheless, if you’re not a fan of bloatware, here’s a guide on how to uninstall pre-installed apps without root.
CPU
The device runs on a Qualcomm Snapdragon 730 processor. The processor has eight cores, six of them operating at 1.8GHz while two of them clock in at 2.2 GHz. It has the Adreno 618 GPU for graphics handling.
Memory
According to earlier leaks, there were to be different RAM and storage variants of this device. However, the device only has an allocated 6GB RAM + 128GB storage. It does not support microSD, so you can’t expand the inbuilt storage.
Camera
Pixel series smartphones are known to have excellent cameras, and the Pixel 4a does not disappoint. The phone comes with a 12.2 MP rear camera with autofocus and is a little bit brighter than the Pixel 3a. The front camera is identical to the one in Pixel 3a and has 8 MP resolution with an 84-degree field of view.
Camera features are slightly improved, and they include a Live HDR+ feature, Night Sight, and Portrait Mode. Pixel 4a is the first phone in the Pixel series to come with a punch-hole camera.
Video recording
When it comes to video recording, the Pixel 4a does not disappoint. The rear camera can capture videos maxed out at 4K @30fps while the front camera records videos maxed out at 1080p @30fps.
Display
The screen size of the Pixel 4a is about 5.81 inches. The Pixel 4a retains the OLED FHD+ panel with a 60Hz refresh rate that its predecessor the Pixel 3a had. Its resolution is 2340 x 1080 at 443 PPI, which is slightly better than the 3a.
Its OLED display will have Always-on Display options and other Now Playing features like its predecessor. Furthermore, it has a smaller display bezels compared to the Pixel 3a. The phone has a punch hole design that features the front-facing camera. The screen is enhanced by Corning Gorilla Glass 3 for damage protection.
Battery
Pixel 4a is powered by a 3080 mAh built-in rechargeable battery. Moreover, it features an 18W fast charging capability but does not support Qi wireless charging. It has a USB Type-C reversible connector port for all your charging and data transfer needs.
Dual Sim Capability/Connectivity
The phone uses Dual SIM Dual Standby (DSDS) for dual SIM support, one physical SIM card, and an eSIM. It also supports 4G/3G/2G network type and SIM VoLTE HD calling.
There’s a Google Pixel 4a 5G version smartphone that supports the 5G network, but it costs a lot more than the Pixel 4a. Other connectivity options that the phone offers include Bluetooth v5, Wi-Fi Direct, FM Radio, 4G VoLTE, GPS, and Wi-Fi 802.11.
Size and Weight
It measures 144 x 69.4 x 8.2mm and weighs about 143g. The phone’s design and size make it possible to use it with just one hand. It’s a light phone with a symmetrical chin and bezels. And we can’t forget the curvy polycarbonate body.
Pricing and Availability
This successor to the 3a is expected to sell at $349. Pixel 4a is only available in the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, Japan, Germany, Ireland, and Australia. Once it’s available for sale in your region, you can purchase it directly from the Google Store.
Other Specs
The phone has neither a face unlock nor a Soli sensor, but a fingerprint sensor at the back for biometric unlocks. It has its own Titan M security chip, just like the Pixel 3a for security updates, Car Crash detection, and keeping on-device information safe.
Moreover, it has a 3.5mm headphone jack and dual stereo speakers for audio. At the phone’s right edge, you’ll find the power button and volume rocker. Pixel 4a will be among the devices that have integrated Live Captions, which will offer real-time captioning in audio and video calls.
Verdict on the Google Pixel 4a
The phone offers a clean Android Interface and a powerful single camera that takes incredible photos. It has an AMOLED display that ensures vibrant colors, offering you an immersive experience and more clarity. The powerful Snapdragon 730G octa-core processor is capable of handling virtually any task.
However, the battery power is less compared to similarly priced devices. If you fully charge it, it can last a day on minimal use, but it won’t last for that long if you’re a heavy user.
Compared to other rival smartphones in the market, such as the recently released OnePlus Nord, iPhone SE, and Samsung Galaxy A51, the Pixel 4a doesn’t offer top-of-the-line specs. Nevertheless, it’s one of the best 2020 smartphones offering a lot of value that you can buy for less than $400.
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