Google Pixel 4a 5G Review

• Overview
• Design and Build Quality
• Display
• Performance
• Software and User Interface
• Camera
• Battery Life
• Connectivity and Networking
• Additional Features
• Comparison with Other Related Phones
• Pros and Cons
• Conclusion

Overview

Welcome to the review of the Google Pixel 4a 5G, a smartphone that was announced in September 2020 and released in November of the same year. Today, on June 5th, 2023, we'll take an in-depth look at this device to help you determine whether it's the right choice for your needs.

The Google Pixel 4a 5G is a mid-range smartphone that boasts impressive features such as 5G connectivity, a powerful Snapdragon 765G chipset, and a dual-camera setup. The device also runs on Android 11, which is upgradable to Android 13, providing users with the latest operating system updates.

Design and Build Quality

The Google Pixel 4a 5G features a sleek and modern design that is both visually appealing and comfortable to hold. The phone measures 153.9 x 74 x 8.2 mm for the Sub-6 variant, and 8.5 mm for the Sub-6 and mmWave variant, making it easy to grip and use with one hand. It has a weight of 168g for the Sub-6 variant and 171g for the Sub-6 and mmWave variant, which is relatively light for a smartphone with a 6.2-inch display.

The phone's body is made of plastic with a glass front (Gorilla Glass 3) that provides decent protection against scratches and cracks. It has a plastic frame that gives it a premium feel while keeping it lightweight. The phone comes in two colors, Just Black and Clearly White, both of which look great and suit different tastes.

The Pixel 4a 5G has a minimalist design with a single punch-hole cutout for the front-facing camera and thin bezels that maximize the screen real estate. The fingerprint sensor is conveniently located on the back of the phone, making it easy to unlock the device with one hand.

While the phone's build quality is not as premium as some of its counterparts, it still feels sturdy and well-constructed. The plastic back cover does not feel cheap or flimsy, and the device has a good grip that reduces the risk of accidental drops.

Overall, the Google Pixel 4a 5G has a simple yet elegant design that is comfortable to use and feels durable. The plastic build materials may not be as high-end as some competitors, but they give the phone a lightweight feel that is appreciated by many users.

Display

The Google Pixel 4a 5G boasts an impressive 6.2 inch OLED display with a resolution of 1080 x 2340 pixels and a 19.5:9 aspect ratio. With a screen-to-body ratio of approximately 84.1%, this phone provides an immersive viewing experience that is perfect for streaming videos and playing games. The display is also HDR-enabled, which means that colors are vibrant and contrast is sharp.

In terms of color accuracy, the Pixel 4a 5G's display is impressive. It produces colors that are both accurate and true-to-life, making the viewing experience even more enjoyable. The display is also bright, which makes it easy to view in various lighting conditions, including outdoors.

The touch sensitivity and responsiveness of the Google Pixel 4a 5G's display are also noteworthy. The display is incredibly smooth and responsive, which makes it easy to navigate through apps and menus with ease. The phone's display also supports Always-on Display, which means that you can view important information such as the date, time, and notifications without having to unlock your phone.

Overall, the Google Pixel 4a 5G's display is one of its standout features. It is large, vibrant, and incredibly responsive, making it perfect for both entertainment and productivity. Whether you are streaming your favorite show or working on a presentation, the Pixel 4a 5G's display is sure to impress.

Performance

When it comes to performance, the Google Pixel 4a 5G does not disappoint. Powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 765G 5G chipset and 6GB of RAM, this phone delivers smooth and snappy performance even when running multiple apps simultaneously. Multitasking is a breeze, and the phone handles even the most demanding games with ease.

In terms of benchmark scores, the Pixel 4a 5G performs admirably, with scores that place it in the upper mid-range category. However, real-world usage is where this phone truly shines. Apps open quickly, and there's no lag or stuttering when scrolling or navigating through menus.

The phone also boasts 128GB of internal storage, which should be more than enough for most users. While there's no option to expand storage via a microSD card, Google does offer free unlimited cloud storage for photos and videos taken with the phone.

Overall, the Pixel 4a 5G is a reliable and capable performer that should satisfy the needs of most users. Whether you're using it for work, entertainment, or gaming, this phone delivers the speed and responsiveness you need to stay productive and entertained throughout the day.

Software and User Interface

The Google Pixel 4a 5G comes with Android 11 out of the box and is upgradable to Android 13, ensuring users have access to the latest software features and security updates. The user interface is clean and easy to navigate, with Google's signature minimalistic design aesthetic.

Customization options are plentiful, with the ability to change the home screen layout, app icons, and system themes. Google's suite of productivity apps such as Gmail, Google Drive, and Google Docs are pre-installed, along with popular social media apps like Facebook and Instagram.

The user-friendly interface allows for seamless multitasking and app performance, and the phone's 6GB of RAM ensures smooth operation even with multiple apps open. However, some users may find the lack of expandable storage options limiting, as the phone only comes with 128GB of internal storage.

Google's commitment to software support is well-known, with the Pixel 4a 5G receiving regular security updates and feature upgrades for at least three years. This ensures that users are not left behind with outdated software and can enjoy the latest features and improvements.

Overall, the software and user interface of the Google Pixel 4a 5G is intuitive, customizable, and reliable. Google's dedication to software support and frequent updates make it a strong contender in the mid-range smartphone market.

Camera

The Google Pixel 4a 5G boasts an impressive dual-camera setup, including a 12.2 MP wide lens and a 16 MP ultrawide lens. Users can expect top-notch image quality in all lighting conditions, thanks to the camera's enhanced low-light capabilities and optical image stabilization. The camera also supports features such as LED flash, Pixel Shift, Auto-HDR, and panorama, giving users the freedom to experiment with various shooting modes and styles.

When it comes to video recording, the Pixel 4a 5G is a powerhouse, capable of recording 4K footage at 30 or 60 frames per second. The camera also supports 1080p recording at 30, 60, 120, and 240 frames per second, making it one of the most versatile smartphone cameras on the market.

Additionally, the front-facing camera boasts an 8 MP sensor, which delivers crisp and clear selfies with excellent colors and contrast. With Auto-HDR, users can snap the perfect selfie, even in challenging lighting conditions.

Overall, the Pixel 4a 5G's camera is one of its standout features, providing users with excellent image quality and superb video recording capabilities. Whether you're a budding photographer or just looking to capture life's moments, the Pixel 4a 5G's camera is sure to impress.

Battery Life

Connectivity and Networking

The Google Pixel 4a 5G boasts impressive connectivity and networking capabilities, making it a reliable and convenient device for users who prioritize staying connected. This device supports GSM, HSPA, LTE, and 5G networks, providing users with fast and reliable internet connectivity on the go.

In terms of Wi-Fi and Bluetooth capabilities, the Google Pixel 4a 5G supports Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct, and Bluetooth 5.0, A2DP, LE, aptX HD. This ensures that users can easily connect to multiple devices and networks without any issues.

The device also supports NFC, which allows for easy wireless payments and data transfer. Additionally, it has GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, QZSS, and BDS positioning capabilities, ensuring accurate location tracking and navigation.

The Google Pixel 4a 5G does not have a radio, but it makes up for this with its USB Type-C 3.1 port, which allows for fast and efficient charging and data transfer.

Users can also take advantage of the device's fingerprint sensor, accelerometer, gyro, proximity sensor, compass, and barometer, which provide additional convenience and security features.

Overall, the Google Pixel 4a 5G's connectivity and networking capabilities are top-notch, providing users with fast and reliable connectivity and a range of convenient features.

Additional Features

The Google Pixel 4a 5G has a range of impressive additional features that make it stand out from other smartphones in its class. One of its most notable features is its water and dust resistance, which is rated at IP68. This means that the phone can withstand immersion in up to 1.5 meters of water for up to 30 minutes, as well as being resistant to dust and dirt.

Another great feature of the Pixel 4a 5G is its audio quality, which is delivered through its stereo speakers. The speakers are well-balanced and provide a rich, clear sound that is ideal for listening to music or watching videos. Additionally, the phone also has a headphone jack, which is a rare and valuable feature in modern smartphones.

The phone's expandable storage options are also worth noting. Although there is no microSD card slot, the Pixel 4a 5G comes with 128GB of internal storage, which should be sufficient for most users. However, if you require more storage, Google offers cloud storage solutions that you can use to expand your storage capacity.

The Google Pixel 4a 5G also has an excellent camera system, which includes an 8MP front-facing camera and a dual rear camera system featuring a 12.2MP primary camera and a 16MP ultrawide camera. The camera system is packed with features such as LED flash, Pixel Shift, Auto-HDR, and panorama, making it ideal for taking stunning photos and videos.

Finally, the phone's user interface is highly intuitive and user-friendly. It runs on Android 11, which is the latest version of Google's operating system and is known for its ease of use and powerful features. The phone also comes with a range of customization options, allowing you to tailor it to your needs and preferences.

Overall, the Google Pixel 4a 5G is packed with a range of impressive additional features that make it a standout smartphone in its class.

Comparison with Other Related Phones

When comparing the Google Pixel 4a 5G with other related phones in its category, we can see that it stands out in terms of its pricing and camera capabilities. One such competitor is the Samsung Galaxy A52 5G, which also boasts a 5G connection and a similar price point. However, the Pixel 4a 5G has a better camera setup with the ability to take stunning low-light photos, whereas the Galaxy A52 5G struggles in low-light conditions.

Another competitor is the iPhone SE (2020), which is also priced similarly to the Pixel 4a 5G. However, the Pixel 4a 5G has a larger screen size and a higher resolution, making it a preferred choice for those who enjoy consuming media on their phone. Additionally, the Pixel 4a 5G has a superior camera setup with the ability to take stunning photos in low light, something the iPhone SE (2020) struggles with.

Lastly, we have the OnePlus Nord 2 5G, which is priced similarly to the Pixel 4a 5G and also boasts a 5G connection. However, the Pixel 4a 5G has a better camera setup with the ability to take stunning low-light photos, whereas the OnePlus Nord 2 5G struggles in low-light conditions. Additionally, the Pixel 4a 5G has a longer battery life compared to the OnePlus Nord 2 5G, making it a better choice for those who require a phone with a longer battery life.

Pros and Cons

Conclusion

After thoroughly analyzing and reviewing the Google Pixel 4a 5G, it is safe to say that this is an excellent smartphone for those who are looking for a device that provides a perfect balance of features and value. The phone boasts an impressive combination of performance, camera quality, and battery life, making it a highly recommended option for those in the market for a new phone.

The sleek and compact design of the phone is both aesthetically pleasing and practical, and the 6.2-inch OLED display offers an excellent viewing experience. The phone's processing power, enhanced by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 765G 5G chipset, makes multitasking and app usage a breeze, while the 128GB internal storage capacity provides ample space for all your media files and documents.

The camera is another standout feature of the Pixel 4a 5G, delivering high-quality images in various conditions. The 12.2MP primary camera and 16MP ultra-wide camera are capable of capturing stunning photos and videos, while the 8MP front-facing camera is perfect for selfies and video calls.

Overall, the Google Pixel 4a 5G is a well-rounded smartphone that offers impressive value for its price. Its combination of performance, camera quality, battery life, and design make it an excellent choice for anyone in the market for a new phone.