Google’s line of phones is well known for its focus on picture-taking and compositional power. How does one of the latest Pixel phones compare? In a detailed review, let's look closely at the Google Pixel 4A 5G.
Google Pixel 4A 5G Quick Overview
The Google Pixel 4A 5G is the updated 5G variant of the standard Pixel 4A, offering many of the best features from the higher-tier Pixel 5 for much less money. All in all, it's one of the best choices if you want a versatile 5G phone from Google.
Google Pixel 4A 5G Bottom Line
The Google Pixel 4A 5G boasts a very large and colorful display and offers 5G connectivity benefits for less than $500. Combine that with excellent cameras and good Google software, and you’ve got a robust, well-rounded mobile device whose only downsides include limited battery life and slightly subpar processor speed compared to other phones on the market.
What’s the Cost of the Google Pixel 4A 5G?
The Google Pixel 4A 5G is $499 start, making it mediocre in terms of overall cost vs. value. It’s not the cheapest Google phone you can find, but neither is it the most expensive.
Who is the Google Pixel 4A 5G Best For?
The Google Pixel 4A 5G is a good choice for teenagers or those who love taking lots of pictures, given the phone's extensive camera suite. But it's also good for viewing social media or streaming shows, provided you remember to plug your phone in or recharge it regularly.
Breaking Down the Google Pixel 4A 5G in 2022
Let's break down its major factors, specs, and app compatibilities to fully grasp whether the Google Pixel 4A 5G is right for your needs.
Google Pixel 4A 5G Dimensions
The Pixel 4A 5G features a 6.2-inch FHD screen, set on a 6.1 x 2.9 x 0.3" device space. It weighs 5.9 ounces, so it’s fairly light and easy to handle without being too heavy or bulky for your palm.
In many ways, this size reflects the Google Pixel 4A 5G’s focus: a pretty good camera phone with better performance and a larger display than the standard Pixel 4A.
More importantly, the 4A has a headphone jack, whereas the Pixel 5 does not! You won’t need an adapter to listen to your tunes on the go.
Google Pixel 4A 5G Colors
Unfortunately, you can only get the Google Pixel 4A 5G in either black or white, the latter of which is only available if you purchase this phone from Verizon. If you want a more colorful mobile device, you’ll need to add another case to it. Just black is available from other providers.
Google Pixel 4A 5G Battery Life
With a relatively small battery of just 3885 mAh, it’s no surprise that the Google Pixel 4A 5G’s battery doesn’t hold up to the competition. Generally, you should only expect this phone’s battery to last 8-10 hours before recharge.
Google Pixel 4A 5G Cost
As mentioned above, the Google Pixel 4A 5G is $499. This is a pretty reasonable asking price, though it's not exactly budget-friendly. So it may not be the best choice for teenagers or young adults looking for their first mobile devices.
Other Google Pixel 4A 5G Features
Aside from these great phone features, the Google Pixel 4A 5G has 128 GB of internal storage space by default. Of course, as its name suggests, it’s also available with 5G connectivity and upgrades potential out-of-the-box.
This will allow you to benefit from faster streaming and download times when 5G infrastructure completely rolls out across the country. There’s also a fingerprint sensor, Gorilla Glass 3 back for durability, and hotspot functionality.
Google Pixel 4A 5G: Pros
- The Google Pixel 4A 5G’s Screen Is Excellent
- The Google Pixel 4A 5G Camera Is Powerful
- The Google Pixel 4A 5G Has Great Phone Plans Available
The Google Pixel 4A 5G has a lot to like, especially compared to its predecessor, the Pixel 4. So let’s take a look at its major advantages one by one.
The Google Pixel 4A 5G’s Screen Is Excellent
For starters, the Google Pixel 4A 5G has a top-tier screen through and through. It's 6.2 inches in total and has smooth, rounded edges. It uses an AMOLED display and FHD resolution, so any media streamed to your device looks fantastic. It’s much better than a standard OLED display showcased by many Samsung phones.
The screen is exceptionally colorful, covering over 128% of the sRGB color spectrum. However, the Google Pixel 4A 5G only has a 60 Hz refresh rate https://www.qualcomm.com/5g/what-is-5g: a little surprising given the device’s focus on quality media viewing.
The Google Pixel 4A 5G Camera Is Powerful
That’s not all. The Google Pixel 4A 5G comes packed with high-quality cameras. Specifically, it includes a 12-megapixel main and 16-megapixel ultra-wide rear camera pair and an eight-megapixel front camera.
The front main camera is great for taking photos in low-light environments. Plus, you can combine the cameras with editing apps from the Google Store.
The cameras are the best parts of this phone through and through; they’re bolstered by the computational photography included with his Google phone. You can take shots in practically any light environment, and you’ll see fantastic detail and color transmission across the board.
The Google Pixel 4A 5G Has Great Phone Plans Available
If you pick up the Google Pixel 4A 5G, you’ll benefit from many available phone plans. There are over 30 phone plans available at the time of this writing, many of which are offered by secondary carriers and mobile services. You’ll likely be able to find an affordable plan for this phone if you want this mobile device sooner rather than later.
Pixel 4A 5G: Cons
- The Google Pixel 4A 5G Has Low Battery Life
- Certain Carriers Charge More for a Pixel 4A 5G
- The Google Pixel 4A 5G Lacks Performance Power
However, it’s important to remember that the Google Pixel 4A 5G does have a few notable downsides.
The Google Pixel 4A 5G Has Low Battery Life
Certainly, one of the Google Pixel 4A 5G’s major downsides is its low battery life. Since you'll have to recharge it practically every night if you're a heavy phone user, keep this in mind if you decide to pick up this mobile device for your picture-snapping needs. Many Apple phones and plenty of previous or higher Pixel versions - like the Pixel 3A, Pixel 5A, and Pixel 6 - do better in this regard.
However, the Google Pixel 4A 5G does offset this somewhat since it has an extreme battery saver mode, which allows the phone to last for two days before requiring a recharge.
Certain Carriers Charge More for a Pixel 4A 5G
Another big downside to the Pixel 4A 5G is that certain carriers, namely Verizon, cost more because of millimeter-wave and 5G connectivity. If you pick up this phone from Verizon, expect to pay another $101 minimum.
The Google Pixel 4A 5G Lacks Performance Power
Lastly, the Google Pixel 4A 5G comes with a Snapdragon 75G chipset. This isn’t nearly as powerful as some of the chips you can find in the best Android phones, like the LG Velvet or the Motorola Edge.
Should You Buy the Google Pixel 4A 5G?
All in all, the Google Pixel 4A 5G is a camera-first phone, so it’s perfect for folks who want to snap a lot of pictures and benefit from Google's inherent flexibility and great software quality. It's also a pretty good phone choice if you want to watch media in high-definition without suffering from stuttering or low video quality.
However, you might want something a little different, or even another phone from Google’s lineup. You should check out Navi’s phone navigator guide if that's the case. Here, you’ll find dozens of guides and comparison articles so you can find the perfect phone for your needs in no time.
