Pixel 4a extensive photo shoot shows off the skills of a phone that still isn't official

04 May 2020
The Pixel 4a's single camera was put through its paces, including testing out its zooming capabilities and bokeh rendering.

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  • PYess
  • rxi
  • 21 May 2020

Greatwhite, 20 May 2020im still using the Pixel 1 and my battery is almost done.Same here and that's the only reason I'm looking to swap that with a Pixel 4A.

    • G
    • Greatwhite
    • NG1
    • 20 May 2020

    abigfanoftechs, 04 May 2020Yeah, my battery is doing the same. That's why I think the ... moreim still using the Pixel 1 and my battery is almost done.

      abigfanoftechs, 04 May 2020Yeah, my battery is doing the same. That's why I think the ... moreWhoops, definitely meant to reply to the person you did about it not being better camera-wise than the P2!

        • ?
        • Anonymous
        • gBV
        • 05 May 2020

        "but as always with Google, it’s the image processing that counts."
        Google was far ahead with the Nexus 5x in HDR+ On mode, but since then it only got worse. For example the Pixel 3a has much worse white balance and color reproduction than the Nexus 5x. Pixel 4's white balance seems to be even worse due to machine learning. Google also uses machine learning for correcting perspective distortion when you use the selfie camera. So they guess (!) how your face really looks, in my opinion that's unacceptable.
        The 3a also has more daylight (without touching the screen) autofocus issues than the Nexus 5x. Occasionally Pixel 3a landscape photos are not perfectly sharp due to inaccurate autofocus. This never happens with the Nexus 5x in good light conditions.
        Furthermore they rely more and more on marketing tricks. For example Google's Pixel 3a software zoom is nearly useless in perfect light conditions (without shadow areas), barely a difference when compared with the Nexus 5x machine learning zoom.
        Night Sight isn't that great either: On a Pixel 3a, Night Sight can take up to 7(!) seconds and you often get slightly blurry photos due to a too long exposure time per frame.
        When you use the default HDR+, the low light performance isn't better than the low-light performance of the Nexus 5x, actually the images are even slightly darker with the same amount of noise.
        Pixel 3a's HDR+ enhanced is faster and nearly as good as Night Sight, but the Pixel 4 doesn't have HDR+ enhanced.

          Quote, "Pixel 4a extensive...skills of a phone..."

          Pixel 4a extensive skills of a phone that is well-versed in data siphoning an ad-stuffing.

            • ?
            • Anonymous
            • vwa
            • 05 May 2020

            "Of course, there’s another high profile 2020 smartphone that will rely on a single camera, the new iPhone SE. It will be interesting to see those two go head to head and how well they can fend off the multi-camera competition."

            As a whole, SE might be a good option for some people. However, from still camera's perspective, i don't think SE can compete with 4a.

              • b
              • bzammeli
              • f0Z
              • 05 May 2020

              there is no way those photos were taken by the latest pixel device they look pale asf either google has downgraded the camera or something else is not right I have seen better pics taken with older pixels and cheaper phones too so wth

                Heh, only a matter of time before Moment would make a lens phone case for Pixel 4a.

                  • M
                  • ManoNano
                  • mcx
                  • 04 May 2020

                  Just having a beer, 04 May 2020I would wish the phone was small. But it may not be rhe cas... moreThere are "leaks" or "rumours" stating it will be 144mm tall, which would make it rather compact in todays standards. Other rumours claim 158mm, although that sounds highly unlikely with the 5.8" screen.

                  I'm with you, I'd love to have a more compact phone from Android.

                    StuiWooi, 04 May 2020I agree with you but my Pixel 2 is starting to show tell-ta... moreYeah, my battery is doing the same. That's why I think the 4a will be a good replacement.

                      The 3a had a noticeably weak front camera. I wonder if the 4a will have an improvement.

                        abigfanoftechs, 04 May 2020This offers modern design & long software support. Plus... moreI agree with you but my Pixel 2 is starting to show tell-tale signs of battery degradation so I'll happily take the same again at a reduced price compared to full-fat 4 (or 5 later in the year).

                          Just having a beer, 04 May 2020I would wish the phone was small. But it may not be rhe cas... moreBoth the 3a and 4a have 1080p screens at about the same PPI. That makes me think that they will be similarly sized.

                          I agree about the camera bump. Rectangular bumps are for when you have multiple cameras -- which this one doesn't. It looks like someone is faking. It looks cheap!
                          I also detest the punch-hole in the screen.

                          Long-term Android updates, long-life screen and "small" (for 2020) size: sounds good though. But the devil is in the details, and we'll know first after proper reviews.

                            • P
                            • Please Plixel
                            • XR@
                            • 04 May 2020

                            Bring me Pixel 4a with Pixel 2 design..I don't like this new design for a single camera. PIxel 2 design was the best design for a google smartphone

                              VectorR, 04 May 2020Regarding the photos, I see nothing that old good Pixel 2 c... moreThis offers modern design & long software support. Plus, the camera quality.
                              I own the Pixel 2 & Pixel 2 XL ... the designs are really dated.

                                • F
                                • FinlandMan
                                • nmM
                                • 04 May 2020

                                Too bad apple/Google tax is roughly 100-150€ where I live so these "cheap phones" become midrange phones.

                                  VectorR, 04 May 2020Regarding the photos, I see nothing that old good Pixel 2 c... moreThat's because Google's image result is highly dependant on their software processing. Even my old Nexus 6p could take breathtaking photos with a custom modded gcam app (the original gcam app is very limited for that model).

                                  On all my phones, i always install gcam whenever supported. It really enhances the result of the stock images.

                                    Regarding the photos, I see nothing that old good Pixel 2 can't deliver. Certainly no obvious difference in camera quality with older models.

                                      I would wish the phone was small. But it may not be rhe case.. still waiting for a small phone ://

                                      Anyway, so far so good for Pixel 4a. Just the back area of the camera could have better design..

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                                        • IMHNI
                                        • teq
                                        • 04 May 2020

                                        Sure...this will be a huge competitor for the iPhone SE 2020.

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