Intro

Introduction

The Pixel 4a has arrived in the crowded mid range smartphone space this month (Aug 2020). While most brands are pushing out 5G phones, Google Pixel 4a, being a 4G smartphone will have to priced attractively to lure customers to the Pixel 4a.

Priced at S$499, it is the cheaper mid ranger compared to the Pixel 3a which was officially priced at $659. It is also definitely way cheaper than the flagship Pixel 4 at S$1119 which we reviewed.

So, what are the major differences between these few models – Pixel 4a, Pixel 3a and Pixel 4 ?

Basically Pixel 4a can be considered an upgrade of the Pixel 3a and a reduced specification version of the Pixel 4.

All 3 models uses OLED display but the Pixel 4a has a 5.8″ display abut it shorter in height whhen compared to the Pixel 3a.

In terms of battery, the Pixel 4a is still using a barely 3000mAh battery at 3140mAh. The Pixel 3a and Pixel 4 were using battery rated at 3000 mAh and 2800 mAH. This is something most Pixel users hope that future models will throw in at least a 4000mAh or even 5000mAh.

The Pixel 4a comes with more storage with 6 GB + 128 GB as default. The Pixel 3 only has 4 GM RAM and 64 GB storage. The Pixel 4 has 6 GB RAM and 64GB or 128GB storage space.

In terms of processor, the Pixel 4a uses the Snapdragon 730G (Pixel 4a) vs 670 (Pixel 3a) vs 855 (Pixel 4). Comparatively, the Pixel 4a based on the 730G will be comparable to the speed of a Snapdragon 845 which was used on the Pixel 3/3XL models.

Camera wise, the Pixel 4a and Pixel 3a only has a front camera and a back camera. The back camera is a 12.2 MP f/1.7 vs a f/1.8. The Pixel 4a has a 8 MP wide angle camera while the Pixel 3a is a normal 8 MP camera. The Pixel 4 on the other hand has what the Pixel 4a but it also add in a 16 MP telephone camera at f/2.4.

All three models supports Pixel’s computational photography like Night Sight, Top Shot, HDR+. Pixel 4a inherits Dual exposure controls which is not available on the Pixel 3 series.

The Pixel 4a and 3a has 3.5mm audio jack and do not have IP68 certification (non waterproof).

All three models support a Physical SIM slot and eSIM on Dual SIM Dual Standby (DSDS). Currently, M1 and Circles.Life eSIM is supported on Google Pixel 3, 4 series of phones.

Basically, that sums up the differences between the 3 models, Pixel 4a vs Pixel 3a vs Pixel 3.

By Harry