Google Pixel 3a
- zilky
- Y}$
- 09 Oct 2020
Hey Pixel 3a owners! Should I buy this? Pixel 4a is REALLY expensive here, like 80,000 PKR, while 3a is near 30,000 PKR. That's why I'm considering this. I really want this compared to Redmi 9, which I was thinking of getting.
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- Anonymous
- vxC
- 26 Sep 2020
Few weeks in, some minor bugs to report.
Notification drawer is mixing up message threads. The music player here is also not present around 50% of the time (Google's own Play Music as well). The app drawer (rarely but definitely) lags and freezes for a second or so. Not a deal breaker, but indicates the OS (or the optimisation on the 3a) isn't great.
More generic complaint is Google's just killed their Play Music. I can't open it and points me to download YT Music. I can somewhat operate Play Music with the widget buttons, but opening the app just bars me from doing anything. Workaround is to uninstall all app-updates and that gives me full access to all the settings (and playlists). For now...
My 3a replaced an old Galaxy S6 128GB. I opted for a Pixel because, being a Google device, the expectation it would be optimized and supported for a long period. While I am happy with the frequent updates, they don't really seem to be optimizing / fixing the general bugginess the phone has. While none of the bugs have been critical, they're noticeable enough to be annoying.
Phone is perfectly usable, the camera is relatively good (though I miss manual controls), but the lack of optimizations irks me somewhat.
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- Anonymous
- vxC
- 10 Sep 2020
Just updated mine. Looks and feels like Android 10 with some minor visual differences:
- Music player in the notification drawer. Personally I like the old design.
- Messages now 'threading' in the notification drawer.
- The app drawer now has a black background (no longer semi-transparent)
- I have four apps on the bottom home-page row. The fifth position was filled by a 'recommended app'. Disabled immediately from the home settings.
- The home screen pages move slightly differently (they now 'bounce' a bit at the left and right pages).
- I've not noticed the privacy settings (but probably because I've turned off all of Google's trackable settings).
- The default Files app (blue icon) has been replaced by Google's other Files app (the red/green/blue/yellow icon).
- Screen record is now available (from the Quick Access panel up top). Haven't tried, but I'm sure there's a use case for some people.
- Chrome reactivated after the update (I had it disabled as I use Vivaldi). I re-disabled it from the App settings.
- Some of the preinstalled Google apps showed tips-and-tricks that I had disabled on Android 10. Easily disabled again.
My biggest complaint at the moment is Google's default Dialer (the Phone app). The dial tones are max volume, regardless of the system volume. The dial tones can be disabled (deep in the settings), however the volume of it cannot be controlled at all. It's either loud or silent. The concern is someone might be hiding / running away from somebody, and trying to call emergency services results in the phone loudly emitting the dial tones. This is a critical safety issue which Google must fix.
Performance-wise, no difference. Looks and feels like Android 10, and reading more and more indicates the update is more under-the-hood.
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- Emy
- 6v0
- 09 Sep 2020
Anonymous, 09 Sep 2020Any genuine users (because the past few posts here seem to ... moreI just updated my Pixel 3a to Android 11, all good so far, no problems at all.
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- Anonymous
- vxC
- 09 Sep 2020
Any genuine users (because the past few posts here seem to be wannabes / spam). Has anyone updated to Android 11 on their 3a? I'd be keen on feedback in terms of performance (speed increase / decrease / no-change), and big changes from 10 that you might consider to be a learning curve. My 3a (G020G) just advised that 11 is available for updating, but I'm holding off and waiting for some reviews.
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- Anonymous
- n2n
- 09 Sep 2020
I purchased my phones less than a month ago, and it worked well up until two days ago.
battery drain is crazy even when the phone is on idle without wifi or location or anything.
applications always get stuck. camera app won't open up. I didn't even update the adnroid version, so what's the deal? i barely have any apps on it. brand new, clean device.
what the ??? I just switched from iPhone and already have bad experience. Had similar problems with a previous android phone.
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- Someone
- bJb
- 31 Aug 2020
My phone has slowed down tremendously within usage of less than one year. Even worse, now I can no longer even use it, the fingerprint sensor is still working, but even after using it the screen still doesn't turn on. I've tried factory resetting it but all efforts are futile.
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- Paca Delivery
- PTG
- 28 Aug 2020
Never regret buying this phone. Only RM900 at Shopee. 2nd obviously but great condition. Superb camera. Battery lasts whole day. My previous Redmi 4 Prime got 4000mAh but cannot last whole day. Planning to buy another one for my wife since she loves to take photos. Recommend to all of you that tight on budget but still wants to experience vanilla android.
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- Anonymous
- n2n
- 21 Aug 2020
chicoliver717, 14 Jul 2020For the price, the Pixel 3a is a fantastic phone. If you li... moreI second that. I wanted a decent all around phone, and honestly, this phone shines next to the expensive flagships. camera is amazing ! video is less good, but still decent. battery is decent, better than apple phones that's for sure. 4gb ram enough for general purposes (probably not gaming).
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- Haad
- 39n
- 12 Aug 2020
Chris, 09 Jul 2020In my experience, no.No google like software company is one of best bu hardware is so bad . i had 3 pixel phones only problems with them. Quality control is bad my opinion
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- Anonymous
- vV5
- 29 Jul 2020
Luke, 28 Jul 2020Omg I've been thinking to buy one from Shopee Malaysia... moreYes and I'm from Malaysia too.
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- Alex
- 8w4
- 28 Jul 2020
anshath1, 01 Jul 2020Is buying a second hand pixel a good option?No.
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- Luke
- KZK
- 28 Jul 2020
Pixel 3a Owner, 14 May 2020Bought a used Pixel 3a from Shopee Malaysia. My life had ne... moreOmg I've been thinking to buy one from Shopee Malaysia too! Is it reliable and how has it been working for you until now?
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- Deanie
- Tki
- 26 Jul 2020
It's getting worse and worse. 80% of the time Chrome won't open, and that's with all updates applied. So slow. Piece of crap. Selling
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- Anonymous
- K6X
- 19 Jul 2020
why google phones have so many repairs?? should be top qaulity.
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- chicoliver717
- R$H
- 14 Jul 2020
For the price, the Pixel 3a is a fantastic phone. If you like Android, but you don't have a fortune to spend on a smartphone, then this is the phone for you! The battery life is decent, and despite the mid-range Snapdragon 670, it still preforms great for this price. The part of this phone that stands out the most to me though is the camera. It's hands down the best camera that you can get in a budget Android smartphone, possibly the best for any budget phone. the new iPhone SE can take good shots too, but the night sight feature on the Pixel 3a blows the iPhone out of the water in terms of night time photos. If you're looking for a good budget Android phone and you want good battery life, decent performance, and a spectacular camera for the price, then definitely get this phone!
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- Pixel3A unsatisfied
- q22
- 14 Jul 2020
I purchased from Bestbuy, Nov 2019, the phone did not start in Jan 2020, after trying to get it repaired, Google replaced it three weeks later In June 2020, the replacement went in for repairs. Apparently screen was replaced. In 8 months I asked for refund as the product has some issues.
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- Anonymous
- B{b
- 10 Jul 2020
I've had mine for 9 months and not had one problem with it until now, my only gripe is I've noticed the battery gets eaten when ever I make a video call, This didn't use to be a problem. I love this phone and will deffo be getting the 4a when it's finally released.
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- da95
- 4RN
- 09 Jul 2020
Raj Kumar Arora, 19 Jun 2020Hey everyone,
I want to buy pixel 3a but confused about t... moreMy experience was not good as it stopped working after a bit over a year. Repair shop said it was a motherboard issue.
While it worked it was fine. Maybe I got a lemon or google has build quality issues. Good luck
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- da95
- 4RN
- 09 Jul 2020
My pixel 3a stopped working on Google Fi; it on works on wifi. There is no phone access to Google Fi, and their website failed to help so I brought it to a repair shop and they tested it with their sim and carrier and said it was a motherboard issue.
While the phone worked it was great but for it to have a motherboard issue within a year or two says build quality or I was just $400 unlucky.
I would be cautious about buying a Google phone.