Review of the Google Pixel 3a – Get the experience at half the price
6/6/2019
Pricing of Pixel 3a at Amazon USD 399, Pixel 3a XL at USD 479
Last October, we reviewed the Pixel 3 XL and was impressed by it’s powerful night photography.
Although the Pixel 3 XL has impressed many, it’s high price tag might have turned away many potential users of this excellent phone.
Google probably sensed that as sales figures reflected the slow adoption of the Pixel 3 series, based on the Snapdragon 845.
Last month, Google finally launched a mid priced model which will appeal to the first time buyers of Pixel phones. Priced at S$ for the Pixel 3a and S$ for the Pixel 3a XL, the big price difference will attract more users to give it a try.
In fact, the differences between the two, the older Pixel 3 and Pixel 3a are the lower processor speed, lack of wide angle selfie camera, no wireless charging just to name a few. The detail differences are here
The differences between Pixel 3 and Pixel 3a
The camera specifications did not change from the original Pixel 3 series. It still take impressive pictures, be it in day or night. With just a single camera, Google defy the traditional of having multiple cameras to take impressive photos. At night, using the Night Sight, it turns night into day. Pictures still looks sharp and clear under dim light.
In the subsequent pages, we will take a look at the performance, pictures and some features added to the Pixel line launched together with Pixel 3a.
[nextpage title=”Unboxing the Pixel 3a”]Unboxing the Pixel 3a
[nextpage title=”Antutu, PCMark and Speedtest benchmarks”]
Benchmarks of Pixel 3a
Antutu Benchmark
In Antutu, the device is ranked number 45, in between Mi 8 SE (Snapdragon 712), Honor 10 (Kirin 970) and OPPO F11 Pro (Helio P70). Although all these processors including the Snapdraon 670 are not the fastest, the software that runs on it are optimized and run very smoothly on the Pixel 3a.
PCMARK results
PCMark 2.0 scores 7423 which is on par with the Google Pixel 2 XL, Samsung Galaxy A70 according to PC Mark ranking services.
Speedtest, Fast Benchmark, Network Cell Info
Using Starhub’s giga+ SIM, the phone is tested for signal and speed.
Depending on locations, the signal strength will vary. In town area on within MRT stations, the signal are exceptionally strong. In terms of speed, we are able to get around 139 Mbps using Speedtest and 120 Mbps for Netflix fast benchmark test.
This are very good results considering that the mvno is pretty new.
[nextpage title=”Photos shots taken by Google Pixel 3a”]PIctures taken with Google Pixel 3a
The Google Pixel 3a lets you take stunning photos using HDR+, potrait mode, Super Res Zoom, Night Sight. Pixel 3a is launching with Time Lapse feature. which is first in the pixel line to have that. The best thing is that you can save them in high quality with free unlimited storage
[nextpage title=”Google Maps with AR”]Google Maps with AR
A preview of the Google Maps with AR is also available on the Pixel 3a.
You can see be able to see walking directions overlaid on the world itself rather than looking at a blue dot on the map.
Instead of viewing the map, you can now see though the actual landscape while navigating by AR. With AR, it will display “road signs” and direction signs to lead you to your destination.
As AR is still in preview, there are bound to be some issues. Currently, it only works in “WALK” mode.
[nextpage title=”Conclusion”]
Conclusion
Google’s Pixel 3a inherits the best of Google Pixel experience from the older Pixel 3 series. It demonstrates the technology behind Google which is capable of optimising hardware and software for the best photography with a single camera.
Although Google chose the Qualcomm Snapdragon 670 processor for the 3a series of smartphones, the phone is still snappy and do not have any lagging issues. In fact, ther smoothness is as a good as the older Pixel 3 based on Snapdragon 845.
Just like the previous 3 series, the Pixel 3a didn’t come with many new features but more on software enhancements to it’s suite of applications. Night Sight now comes preinstalled and Google introduced the Time Laspe in it’s camera app. It also maintained the single back camera but removed the wide angle selfie camera. Hopefully, we will see a wide angle and telephoto camera on a Pixel 4.
Similar to the Pixel 3, the Pixel 3a lacks a manual mode option in the software. If you love doing light painting, you may be disappointed as there are no manual adjustments to ISO and exposure available in the camera app. Third party applications may help have such options.
The Pixel 3a comes with front firing stereo speakers which sounded loud and clear. It is difficult to explain the stereo surrounding effect you get playing even online Radio.
Pixel 3a also comes first with the Now Playing app which will listen and show you the song title of a track from your background. You can switch it off the same way as Google Assistant.
Google Assistant is now available in Simplified Chinese and Mandarin
When it comes to a smartphone, battery life is utmost importance. The slightly larger battery took almost 1 hr half to fully charge up. Looks like Google has to find ways to improve on it’s quick charge for future phones. A full charge lasted me an entire day playing youtube, streaming radio, answering calls and doing speedtest on 4G.
eSIM is the way to go for Google Pixel but most of the telcos do not support it. You still have to use the nano sim. Even though you have a telco that supports eSIM and you slot in another SIM card, you can choose which line to use at a time. There is no dual standby. It is strange because on Android Q beta 2, this feature was enabled but removed in Beta 3 and 4.
One of the nicest feature of Pixel 3 or Pixel 3 XL is the Call Screening function. Unfortunately, it doesn’t work here in Singapore as it only works in US, English language (changing the assistant language doesn’t work, I tried it!).
Well, basically Pixel 3a is a handy smartphone and has a smaller screen than the Pixel 3 XL we reviewed last October. The software features are the same after the software update. The hardware difference may not affect usage as it has a lower clock processor. Night Sight still takes wonderful night scenes. The Pixel 3a is more affordable and is definitely worth owning one.
Pricing of Pixel 3a at Amazon USD 399, Pixel 3a XL at USD 479
Singapore Pricing of Pixel 3 is priced SGD 659 and Pixel 3a XL at SGD 749. Both models are available on Google Store Singapore.
Pros:
- Night photography
- Performance
- Front facing stereo speakers
- Ear phone jack
- More affordable
Cons:
- No IP rating
- Performance
- Single SIM slot + eSIM
- No VoLTE / VoWIFI support for local telcos
Ratings
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