Everything you need to know about the Pixel 4a and Pixel 4a 5G

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To put things nicely, the road to the Pixel 4a has been a long one. The phone was originally slated to launch back in May during the Google I/O developer conference, but thanks to everything going on in the world, Google had to hit the 4a with delay after delay.

It's now late into 2020, and at long last, the Pixel 4a has arrived. It's a lot like the Pixel 3a before it, but it upgrades a few key specs, gets a more modern design, and costs even less. That's a recipe for success if we've ever heard one, and it means there's a lot to talk about.

From full device specs, our review, and to learn more about the upcoming Pixel 4a 5G, here's everything you need to know!

Latest Pixel

Google Pixel 4a


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An outstanding camera, and then some

The Pixel 3a was hailed as one of the best affordable phones of 2019, and for 2020, we have its successor in the form of the Pixel 4a. The camera is better than ever, performance is plenty fast, the battery is reliable, and there's even a headphone jack. Assuming you're a fan of smaller phones and don't mind the boring design, the Pixel 4a is one of the best deals out there.

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How much does the Pixel 4a cost?


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Let's start with the most important thing of all — price.
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, and for the Pixel 4a, Google was able to hit an even lower number.

If you want to buy a Pixel 4a for yourself, you'll pay just $350. That makes it considerably cheaper than flagships such as the Galaxy S20 and OnePlus 8 Pro, and just a little bit more expensive than the Moto G Stylus.

Google's once again offering just a single storage option, but that also comes with a nice tweak compared to last year. Instead of being limited to 64GB of space, the Pixel 4a ships with 128GB. There's still no microSD support for further expanding how much room you have, but 128GB should be more than enough for the vast majority of users.

No matter what you think of the Pixel line, you have to give Google credit
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. We seldom see companies offer lower prices for new smartphone releases, and the Pixel 4a is a wonderful exception to that rule.

The forthcoming Pixel 4a 5G will be a bit more expensive at $499, though it'll also come packing a few notable spec upgrades (more on that below).

When is the Pixel 4a being released?


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As of right now,
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in the United States on Google's own web store, along with Google Fi, Verizon, Amazon, and Best Buy.

Outside of the U.S., you can also get the Pixel 4a in:

  • Canada
  • Australia
  • Singapore
  • Taiwan
  • United Kingdom
  • Ireland
  • France
  • Germany
  • Italy
  • Spain

That's a pretty small launch for Google, especially when you consider that some key markets — like India — are completely missing. This could be due to the pandemic resulting in production issues, or be related to something else entirely. In any case, all we can do is hope that the Pixel 5 sees a much broader release.

If you're waiting to get your hands on the Pixel 4a 5G, Google is holding an event on September 30 where we expect it to be unveiled. We're almost there!

What's this I hear about the Pixel 4a 5G?


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This year's Pixel lineup is a bit confusing, so here's a quick summarization of what's going on. The Pixel 4a is the first of three devices launching, and it stands out as the most affordable Pixel of the year. September 30 should see the announcement of the Pixel 5, which is the flagship Pixel for 2020. In between those two devices is the Pixel 4a 5G.

The Pixel 4a 5G will offer a few spec upgrades over the regular Pixel 4a, though it won't be as premium as the Pixel 5. It's a way for Google to offer a 5G-capable smartphone at as low of a price as it can hit, which should make it rather popular with carriers throughout the U.S.

It's far from the best product name we've ever come across, but branding aside, the Pixel 4a 5G has a lot of potential.

Have we reviewed the Pixel 4a?


The Pixel 4a has a great price and is available for purchase, but is it any good? Yes, yes it is. Here's our
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: we gave it four stars out of five. The Pixel 3a left the 4a with big shoes to fill, and for the most part, Google pulled it off with great success.

Just like its older sibling, the Pixel 4a sets a new standard for camera performance in this price range. Equipped with the same primary camera as the Pixel 4 and Google's magical image processing, the Pixel 4a takes incredible photos. Take out the phone, press the shutter button, and you're treated to a fantastic image every single time.

The camera isn't the only talking point, however, as the rest of the Pixel 4a experience is every bit as good. The AMOLED display looks very nice, the Snapdragon 730 processor is plenty fast for virtually any task, and battery life is wonderfully reliable. Add all of that together with a form factor that's easy to use in one hand and Google's unmatched software, and the end result is one of the very best phones you can buy for under $400.

All of that said, we don't blame you if you find the 4a to be a tad boring. The design is uninspired, the lack of any ultra-wide or telephoto cameras is a bummer, and not having a larger XL model could turn big phone-lovers away. If none of those things are an issue for you, though, the Pixel 4a is a darn good choice for your next Android.

What specs does the Pixel 4a have?


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Given the price of the Pixel 4a, you shouldn't go in expecting top-of-the-line specs. That wasn't the point of the 3a, and that's not the point here. What you do get is a
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. Here's a look at everything the phone is packing, along with
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from the Pixel 4a 5G.

CategoryGoogle Pixel 4aGoogle Pixel 4a 5G
Operating SystemAndroid 11Android 11
Display5.8-inch
OLED
2340 x 1080
60Hz refresh rate
6.2-inch
OLED
2340 x 1080
60Hz
ProcessorQualcomm Snapdragon 730Qualcomm Snapdragon 765G
Memory6GB RAM6GB RAM
Storage128GB128GB
Expandable Storage❌❌
Rear Camera 112.2MP dual-pixel
1.4-micron
ƒ/1.7
OIS
Phase detect auto focus
12.2MP dual-pixel
1.4-micron
ƒ/1.7
OIS
Phase detect auto focus
Rear Camera 2❌16MP ultra-wide
1.0-micron
f/2.2
107-degree FoV
Front Camera8MP
1.12-micron
ƒ/2.0
Fixed focus
84-degree FoV
8MP
1.12-micron
ƒ/2.0
Fixed focus
84-degree FoV
SecurityRear capacitive fingerprint sensorRear capacitive fingerprint sensor
AudioDual speakers
3.5mm headphone jack
Dual speakers
3.5mm headphone jack
Battery3,140 mAh3,800 mAh
Charging18W wired charging
USB-C
18W wired charging
USB-C
Water Resistance❌❌
Dimensions144 x 69.4 x 8.2mm153.9 x 74.0 x 8.2mm
Weight143g168g
ColorsJust BlackJust Black

The Snapdragon 730 for the regular Pixel 4a isn't the most technically impressive chipset that Qualcomm currently offers, but paired with the same amount of RAM found in the flagship Pixel 4, you'd be hard-pressed to be upset with the performance offered by the 4a. It's responsive, handles virtually every app with ease, and can even power you through graphically-intense games like Call of Duty: Mobile. The Snapdragon 765G in the Pixel 4a 5G offers more wiggle room for especially demanding tasks, so depending on how you use your phone, it may be worth waiting for the 5G model for that reason alone.

It's also great that Google is sticking with OLED panels, ensuring that colors are vibrant and blacks are as deep as can be. Viewing angles aren't the very best on the 4a, but that's a minor complaint in the grand scheme of things.

There's also the Pixel 4a's battery, which weighs in at 3,140 mAh. That doesn't sound all that impressive at first glance, but in our testing, the Pixel 4a proved to easily get through a full day of heavy use with plenty of gas left in the tank. Given how good its performance has been, we can't wait to see what kind of endurance we get out of the Pixel 4a 5G's 3,800 mAh unit.

How many cameras are on the Pixel 4a?


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In a world where phones are shipping with two, three, or even four rear cameras, the lone sensor on the Pixel 4a might look disappointing. Thankfully, we're pleased to say that it's anything but. The 12.2MP camera on the Pixel 4a is the exact same one found on the flagship Pixel 4, and simply put, it is outstanding.


Images are detailed, exposure levels are handled nicely, and even low-light shots look great. Above all else, the Pixel 4a does these things consistently. Just about every single time you press the shutter button to take a picture, it comes out looking fantastic.

If you can wait a little longer for the Pixel 4a 5G, it'll give you a bit more functionality. We're expecting it to ship with the exact same 12.2MP primary camera, but in addition to that, it'll also offer a 16MP ultra-wide camera — a first for any Pixel phone. The quality of the sensor has yet to be seen, but given all of Google's past camera performance, it has potential to be the best ultra-wide sensor we've ever seen.

Is it worth upgrading to the Pixel 4a from the Pixel 3a?


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There's no denying that the Pixel 4a is an outstanding phone, but it didn't magically get here on its own. Prior to the 4a, Google took the smartphone market by storm a year earlier with the Pixel 3a. That phone was built on a very similar foundation, and as a result of that, is still chugging along just fine here in 2020.

So, that begs the question —
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That depends.

If your Pixel 3a is starting to feel a little long in the tooth and you're itching for something new, the Pixel 4a comes with a few nice upgrades. It has smaller display bezels, a newer processor, more RAM and storage, and is even a bit cheaper than the Pixel 3a's retail price.

That said, if the Pixel 3a is still serving you just fine and you don't feel compelled to upgrade, you can keep on using it without any issues. It may not be the flashiest phone these days, but the Pixel 3a still has plenty of kick left in it for existing owners.

How does the Pixel 4a compare to other phones?


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As great as the Pixel 4a is, it's far from the only budget phone you can buy in 2020. It's going up against a lot of competition, with one of those competing devices being the
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. The Moto G Power doesn't have as nice of a display, its cameras are less capable, and there's no NFC for Google Pay. However, it costs a fair amount less and still provides a pretty good user experience. The big draw to the phone is its 5,000 mAh battery, which allows for up to three days on a single charge — something you'll never be able to do on the Pixel 4a.

There's also the
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, which has proven to be one of the most popular affordable phones of the year. The A51 is a pretty exciting phone for the price, delivering a larger AMOLED display, really excellent battery life, and a much more interesting design. The Pixel 4a still has it beat with its camera and more capable chipset, but these are two really interesting phones that do a lot right.

And, of course, we have the
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. Assuming you're OK using iOS, the iPhone SE is hard to argue with. The design may be outdated by 2020 standards, but everything else is top-notch. It has an insanely fast processor, a great camera, Qi wireless charging, and is backed by at least five years of updates.

Should I get any accessories for the Pixel 4a?


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Thanks to its plastic construction, the Pixel 4a is a phone that you don't have to baby nearly as much as ones made out of glass. That said, you should still consider getting some accessories to go with it.

First thing's first,
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It takes just one drop to damage the back plastic or frame of the Pixel 4a, and a case is an easy and inexpensive way to prevent that from happening. There are a ton of excellent options out there, including the official fabric case from Google and a myriad of third-party ones. Whether you want something slim and discrete or protective and bulky, there's a case out there for you.

Similarly,
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. Whether it's TPU film or tempered glass, a screen protector is the best way to keep your Pixel 4a'a display looking as good as can be. No one likes a shattered or scratched screen, and a screen protector keeps those things at bay.

Should I wait for the Pixel 5?


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Along with the Pixel 4a 5G, this Fall is also when we'll see the
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. The Pixel 5 will be the highest-end Pixel that's offered for 2020, though it should have a lot in common with the Pixel 4a 5G — namely the Snapdragon 765G processor.

The big draws to the Pixel 5 will likely include things along the lines of wireless charging, an IP68 dust/water resistance rating, and a more premium aluminum design.

2020 has proved to be a bizarre year for a lot of the tech industry, but especially so for Google. The Pixel 4a is just the start of more to come, so if it's not catching your fancy, rest assured that Google isn't done quite yet. The Pixel 5 and 4a 5G will be announced on September 30, meaning we don't have too much longer to wait to see what the new phones are packing.

Latest Pixel

Google Pixel 4a


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An outstanding camera, and then some

The Pixel 3a was hailed as one of the best affordable phones of 2019, and for 2020, we have its successor in the form of the Pixel 4a. The camera is better than ever, performance is plenty fast, the battery is reliable, and there's even a headphone jack. Assuming you're a fan of smaller phones and don't mind the boring design, the Pixel 4a is one of the best deals out there.

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