Google Pixel 4a in for review

05 August 2020
The Google Pixel 4a makes the mid-range Pixel offering greater.

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  • ?
  • Anonymous
  • eVT
  • 06 Aug 2020

AdamF, 06 Aug 2020Struggling to see how this can beat the Feb 2019 Galaxy S10... moreThe SD855 for gaming for sure, and the microSD is nice to have. Everything else though, this phone will for sure outlast even this year's Samsungs unless Samsung finally updates their phones. This will launch with Android 10 and will go until at LEAST Android 13, where that Samsung S10e launched with Android 9 Pie, and will stop at ANdroid 10 most likely, 11 TOPS. The S10e does have a nice compact feel, but all reviewers say that about this too so waiting until Best Buy puts it on display to feel it. I don't care about wireless charging, IP68 is a nice "peace of mind" feature, but I have yet to drop my phone in water, let alone at all, so those omissions aren't worth me paying more for flagships, or getting in a previous flagship that won't last with software and be slower in time (Samsung after year 2 is a buggy mess and bloated; I had an S7 on Android 8 Oreo and it was so laggy).

    • ?
    • Anonymous
    • eVT
    • 06 Aug 2020

    Can't wait for your lab tests. Another review I read highlighted that this Pixel phone DOES have an auto brightness feature that tops off at 681 nits, which is great because before the March 2020 update, no Pixel phone had this feature and maxed out at aroudn 420-440 nits no matter what which in direct sunlight isn't great. Hope this is confirmed with your tests, and please highlight compared to the Pixel 4 how much longer it takes to process HDR photos, as this is also missing the Pixel Visual Core or Neural Core, whatever they call it.

      • J
      • John Reese
      • xg0
      • 06 Aug 2020

      Hi, could you please confirm if the screen is flat, and, if possible, comment on its suitability for a proper edge-to-edge glass screen protector?

        Could we get a test on the Audio. Not the external speakers, who listens to music through them anyway?. I'm looking to update my old Sony XZs but the Audio needs to be on par. I can't find any info on the Audio Bitrate for the 4a.

          • g
          • golub
          • JF4
          • 06 Aug 2020

          finally, plastic, not gonna break as soon as it falls. at least - smaller phone.
          I want to know about battery and does it break :)

            • A
            • AdamF
            • vtx
            • 06 Aug 2020

            Struggling to see how this can beat the Feb 2019 Galaxy S10e. Lacking SD card, IP68, wireless charging, SD855; upside is software (camera and updates). I guess you really have to want the Pixel software.

              • ?
              • Anonymous
              • pQr
              • 06 Aug 2020

              "but we're expecting comparable camera performance"
              The camera will likely perform worse than the 3a. Compare the zero shutter lag HDR+ mode of the Pixel 4a with the HDR+ enhanced mode of the 3a in low light conditions with exposure compensation (in order to get a bright photo), the 3a will surely outperform the 4a. The Pixel 4 doesn't have HDR+ enhanced anymore. HDR+ enhanced is a fast Night Sight mode. It is faster than Night Sight, produces more consistent results than Night Sight (less blurry photos) and achieves a similar noise performance as Night Sight. HDR+ enhanced takes up to 2.5 seconds, if you don't zoom. Night Sight takes up to 7s and often produces a slightly blurry photo (especially if you don't want to hold your breath for 7 seconds...) , so you have to take the photo again, so it's 14s vs 2.5s

                Eagerly waiting for this awesome phone

                  • g
                  • gringo
                  • EgY
                  • 06 Aug 2020

                  very poor battery capacity ... shame on you Google. Pixel 3a XL with the dame screen size got better ! no respect for your users ...

                    • ?
                    • Anonymous
                    • mxN
                    • 06 Aug 2020

                    What an ugly-ass phone, and only one color choice. I know it's a cheap midranger but still... Eyuuck!

                      • ?
                      • Anonymous
                      • T2y
                      • 06 Aug 2020

                      Thank you for the update. Could you please review the ambient display and the reach to wake function for Pixel 4a?

                      I am very interested in looking outside of Motorola, but I can't get away from Motorola's Peek Display, which is so good...

                        • N
                        • Noah
                        • iWx
                        • 06 Aug 2020

                        I have an iPhone SE, but I wonder if this phone will be better. I may want to switch 😂