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Google Pixel 4a review

8.5/10 AVG.
RATING
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Google Pixel 4a
Google Pixel 4a
Google Pixel 4a
Google Pixel 4a
...


8.5/10
Informr score
The Google Pixel 4a currently has an Informr score of 8.5 out of 10. This score is based on our evaluation of 74 sources including reviews from users and the web's most trusted critics.

What's good

  • Inexpensive
  • Great display
  • Great camera

What's bad

  • Not Waterproof
  • Battery life
  • No Micro SD support

The Google Pixel 4a is Google’s latest mid-tier release. But as competition in the mid-tier market picks up, a good phone is all about cutting costs in smart places. Did Google make the right choices with their latest Pixel release?

Design

The Google Pixel 4a’s design is simple but effective. It has a matte black finish and a one-piece shell that’s almost bezel-less. It comes in looking small but has a surprising amount of screen real estate.

Display

The OLED screen is one of the sharpest and most color accurate in its price range. Reviewers had no issues with dim screens or muddy graphics. They loved the immersion of the sharp, bright screen.

Tom’s Guide says, “The 5.81-inch, full-HD panel in Google’s new midrange phone delivers bold yet realistic color, and gets surprisingly bright as well.”

Performance

While the device’s specs might indicate slowness or frame drops, reviewers raved about the phone’s performance. No, it won't keep up with a smartphone twice its price. But for the price, it was alarmingly good. Some gamers might be disappointed as it seems to struggle with more beefy games but it’s plenty of phone for those everyday tasks such as checking email, scrolling through social media, or chatting with friends.

Tech Radar states, “It can handle any app or game that you run, but you may find that some take a second or two longer to load than you'd like, especially big online games or intensive applications.”

Software & Storage

Google Pixel 4a runs on Android 10. As a Pixel phone, it also comes at least 3 years of extra updates. So it will be at the leading edge of Android releases for some time. 128GB of storage also offers more than enough room for most people. However, the phone doesn’t include a Micro SD option.

Cameras

The cameras for this phone have been hailed one of the best in a mid-budget phone. Deeper shadows and brighter highlights make it very eye-catching. You may find some noise when zooming into a photo but overall, reviewers praised the phone’s camera for its color and sharpness.

Battery Life

Battery life for the phone was middling. It wasn’t good, nor was it awful. You won’t find any fancy features -- like wireless charging -- but the battery should last the day in most cases.

Audio

The audio was also lacking, but that’s kind of expected of a mid-range smartphone. On the upside, the phone includes a headphone jack. So whether you prefer a more intimate listening experience or you’re in a noisy room, you can plug in headphones and fix most of the issues reviewers had with the speakers.

Wired said, “The dual speakers are sufficient if you're in a quiet room, but introduce some ambient noise and you'll quickly be reaching for your headphones. Watching a video in the noisy outdoors of New York, I had to crank the volume up to the max, and it still wasn't too easy to discern dialog.”

Specs at a Glance

  • Plastic chassis
  • 5.81-inch, full-HD panel display
  • Octa-core 2.2 GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon 730 processor
  • 6GB of RAM
  • Android 10
  • 128GB of storage
  • 12.2MP camera/ 8MP selfie lens
  • 3140mAh battery

Bottom Line

While it’s not likely that this phone will be the one to conquer them all. It’s still impressive for a mid-range smartphone. What the phone does, it does extremely well. With a camera that takes great shots and a beautifully sharp screen, there’s not a lot to be disappointed in.

Wired says, “At a time when millions of people are out of a job, this phone is a third the price of many high-end models, yet it will do everything you need. If you need a new phone, save some money and get on with more important things in your life.”

Android Authority states, “The Google Pixel 4a doesn’t have a 120Hz display. It doesn’t have the latest Snapdragon processor or multiple rear cameras, but with the Pixel 4a, none of that matters. The Pixel 4a is an affordable way to access one of the best versions of Android, with support and features that you can only get from Google.”

Tech Radar remarks, “The compact size, clean interface and great point-and-shoot camera of the Pixel 4a will appeal to those looking for an affordable, reasonably sized handset with enough grunt to handle the basics, plus the ability to capture some excellent pictures.”


Android
Operating system
Operating system
Android
2.2 GHz
Processor
Processor
2.2 GHz
5.81"
Screen Size
Screen Size
5.81"
12+ MP, f/1.7
Camera
Camera
12+ MP, f/1.7
3140 mAh
Battery


What the Critics Are Saying...


The Wirecutter
The Wirecutter

The best version of Android with guaranteed updates through August 2023 plus a fantastic camera make the Pixel 4a better than phones that cost several times as much.

- Andrew Cunningham, Nick Guy, The Wirecutter
Android Authority
Android Authority

Getting the Google experience has never been more accessible. A compact phone that's easy to use, a beautiful screen, and one of the best cameras in this price range. The Pixel 4a is hard to beat.

- C. Scott Brown, Android Authority
BGR
BGR

Google doesn’t bluff when it says the Pixel 4a is “packed with all the things you want most in a phone.” It looks like a highly compromised package on paper but it does everything I would expect a fairly expensive smartphone to do in 2020. The Android experience is simply “muah” — there’s no other A...

- Amritanshu Mukherjee, BGR
Gadgets Now
Gadgets Now

The Pixel 4a has a lot going for it. But compare it with other phones — OnePlus Nord for starters — in the same price segment and you will see that it falls short in specs. Having said that, the Pixel 4a is the ideal phone for those who don’t want big phones. It’s also great for those who want a gre...

- Aabhas Sharma, Gadgets Now
Fone Arena
Fone Arena

Google Pixel 4a lived up to the expectations and also impressed with its camera capabilities despite featuring a single camera setup. Also being a polycarbonate/plastic phone, it can be used without a case. But I would recommend using case and tempered glass for long-term use.

- Siva Bharani, Fone Arena


Prices (Where to Buy)




Common Questions


Google backs up the Pixel 4a with a 1 Year parts & labour warranty.


If your Pixel 4a has problems and is still within its warranty period, you could contact Google support or the retailer you purchased the phone from. You'll find Google's contact information here. If your phone is off warranty and needs repair for a physical problem such as a broken screen or bad battery, you should visit an authorized service centre or a local phone repair shop. You can also connect with others in The Informr Community Forum to find and share answers to questions.



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Quick view

Screen Size
5.81"

The Google Pixel 4a's screen size is 5.81 inches with 1080 x 2340 pixels resolution.

Processor
2.2 GHz

There is a Qualcomm SDM730 Snapdragon 730 (8 nm) Octa-core 2.2 GHz processor (CPU).

OS

The phone runs on the Android 10 (Update Available: 12) operating system (OS).

Camera
12+ MP

You can take photos or capture video with the phone's onboard 12+ MP, f/1.7 camera.

There is also a secondary front facing camera with 8+ megapixels resolution.

Storage
128 GB

Internal memory is 128 GB. No external card slot is available for expansion.

Battery
3140mAh

The phone is powered by a Lithium Polymer (Li-Pol), 3140 mAh battery.

Pixel 4a Specs

Overview
Release Date August 20, 2020
Regions Available USA, Canada, United Kingdom
Operating System Android 10 (Update Available: 12)

Compare Android Smartphones

Processor Qualcomm SDM730 Snapdragon 730 (8 nm) Octa-core 2.2 GHz
Internal Storage 128 GB
RAM 6 GB
Hearing Aid Compatible Yes
TTY/TDD Yes
Noise Cancellation Yes
SAR Unknown
Manufacturer Warranty 1 Year
Accessories Included USB Power Adapter, Manual, Data Cable
Cellular
Networks
HSUPA, HSPA+, LTE
Mobile / Cellular Data
4G/LTE
Push-to-talk (PTT) No
Wi-Fi Calling Yes
Voice over LTE (VoLTE) Yes
SIM card size
Nano-SIM
Dual SIM Yes
Connectivity
USB USB Type-C
USB OTG Support Yes
GPS Type A-GPS
Infrared No
Bluetooth 5.0
Bluetooth Profiles A2DP, AVRCP, OPP/FTP, HID, HFP, HSP, PAN
Bluetooth Audio Codecs SBC, AAC, aptX, aptX HD, LDAC
Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac
Mobile Hotspot Yes
Memory Expansion Slot No
NFC Yes
Data Tethering Compatibility Yes
Camera
Main Camera
Resolution / Aperture
12+ Megapixels, f/1.7
Zoom
Yes
Flash
Yes (LED)
Additional Rear Camera Info
Auto focus, Effects, Face detection, Geotagging, Image stabilization, Multi-shot, Night mode, Panorama, Self-timer, HDR
Video Recording Formats
MPEG-4
Video Recording Parameters
Ultra HD (3840 x 2160 pixels), 30 fps
Front Camera
Resolution / Aperture
8+ Megapixels
Additional Front Camera Info
Aperture F2.0
Video Recording Parameters
Full HD (1920 x 1080 pixels), 30 fps
Display / Screen
Type Color
Technology OLED
Colors 16.7 million
Resolution 1080 x 2340 pixels
Pixel Density 443 pixels
Size 5.81 inches
Secondary Display No
Sensors Ambient Light, Proximity, Motion / Accelerometer, Gyroscope, Digital Compass
Multi-Touch Yes
Fingerprint-Resistant Coating No
Additional Display Features Capacitive touchscreen, HDR, Corning Gorilla Glass 3
Power & Battery
Battery Type Lithium Polymer (Li-Pol)
Battery Capacity 3140 mAh
Removable Battery No
Wireless Charging No
Fast Charging Yes
Video Playback Time Unknown
Internet Use (Wi-Fi) Unknown
Internet Use (Cellular) Unknown
Talk Time Unknown
Standby Time Unknown
Mixed Usage
Physical Characteristics
Design Type Bar
Material Plastic
Colors Just Black, Barely Blue
Dimensions [H x W x D] 14.4 x 6.94 x 0.82 cm (5.7 x 2.7 x 0.3 in)
Weight 143 grams
Water Resistant / Waterproof No
Rugged design No
IP Rating No
Headset Jack 3.5mm
External Speakers Stereo
Input / Navigation
Sleep / Wake Key Yes
Home Key No
Input / Keyboard Type Touchscreen
Navigation Type Touchscreen
External Volume Control Yes
Fingerprint Sensor Yes
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Additional Information Other Names (AKA): Google G025J
Related Links Google Pixel 4a Reviews
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