For as long as high-end Android phones have existed, we’ve been trained to believe that we need the biggest battery and best processor to get the best experience. You don’t get waterproofing, wireless charging, or premium glass, but you do still get a solid all-around package. But to get the Pixel 3a’s price point low enough to make a significant impact on the market, Google had to remove some niceties. The Pixel 3a, left, actually captured better distance detail than the iPhone XR in this shot. Not taking into account the lack of a wide-angle lens, the 3a’s selfie shooter has this weird flat feel to it. Google Pixel 3a cases: Here are the best ones. The trademark two-tone Pixel design, combining matte and glossy surfaces on the back, has been kept intact for the Pixel 3a; although this device is technically made of plastic, it honestly feels almost as sturdy and strong as glass. That's especially true for those interested in the Pixel 3a XL for its larger display, as Google skipped making a 4a XL variant for the latest generation. This phone is also very light and compact, measuring 6 x 2.8 x 0.3 inches and weighing just 5.2 ounces. Portraits were equally impressive, with crisp edges and impressive definition even when dealing with objects instead of people. The 4a has rendered the 3a obsolete, sadly, especially because you can't buy a new Pixel 3a from most official retail channels anymore. Google has discontinued the Pixel 3a. We recommend those in search of a low-cost phone to consider its successor, the, The Google Pixel 3a is an excellent, affordable mid-ranger that remains a great option even today. As you can see from the photos, the phone only shows a slight tint of purple. The company says the real value for customers is in the software department. Get instant access to breaking news, the hottest reviews, great deals and helpful tips. © Visit our corporate site. Since the advent of Google’s first smartphone, the Pixel branding has been reserved for premium flagships. It continues to be a solid value, but the Pixel 4a is widely expected to debut soon. The handsets needed to be close to their older siblings in terms of features and performance. No phone in the Pixel 3a’s class comes close to capturing as nice of photos or matching its update schedule. As such, handsets have crossed the thousand-dollar threshold to give us the specs they’ve convinced us we need, as premium phones have all sought to outdo each other with cameras, RAM, storage, and pixels. This low price makes it a no-brainer, particularly if you need a low-cost replacement. The jack will likely be reserved for the budget phones. I am excited for Android Q. I was only able to run the beta firmware for a couple of days, but the overall experience was fantastic. While the news is still good, Google’s official reasoning is …, In a world where high-end Android smartphones can cost $1,000 or more, many consumers want something that won't break the bank. As mentioned, the Pixel 3a is the spitting image of the Pixel 3 series. The most significant difference is the bigger battery and larger display. Really, the best thing you can say about the Pixel 3a’s software experience is that there isn’t much to say about it; this is the same great flavor of Android that people buy $800 Pixel flagships for, but now it’s running on hardware that costs half that. This is near the bottom of the expected battery size in modern smartphones. If you’re in the market for a budget phone, this is as good as the next. The Pixel phone’s design has never challenged the iPhones and Galaxies of the world, so the Pixel 3a’s big bezels and plastic back don’t really feel out of place. That ship has now sailed, as the Silicon Valley giant is making affordable handsets in the Pixel 3a and 3a XL and selling them through almost every retailer it can. As the handset is made out of plastic, there should be nothing holding Google back from including wireless charging other than price.