Pixel 4a

  • Pixel 4a
  • Pixel 4a (5G)
A diagram of the Pixel 4a's front side, showing its hole-punch camera on the top left side
BrandGoogle
ManufacturerFoxconn
Type
SloganA lot of help, for less.
SeriesPixel
First released
  • Pixel 4a: August 20, 2020; 4 years ago (2020-08-20)
  • Pixel 4a (5G): November 5, 2020; 3 years ago (2020-11-05)
Availability by region
  • Pixel 4a:
    August 20, 2020
    • United States
    • Canada
    • Australia
    • Singapore
    • Taiwan
    October 1, 2020
    • United Kingdom
    • France
    October 13, 2020
    • India
  • Pixel 4a (5G):
    October 15, 2020
    • Japan
Discontinued
  • Pixel 4a: January 31, 2022; 2 years ago (2022-01-31)[1]
  • Pixel 4a (5G): August 20, 2021; 3 years ago (2021-08-20)[2]
PredecessorPixel 3a
SuccessorPixel 5a
RelatedPixel 4
Compatible networksGSM/EDGE, UMTS/HSPA+, CDMA EVDO Rev A, WCDMA, LTE, LTE Advanced, 5G
Form factorSlate
Dimensions
  • Pixel 4a:
    H: 144 mm (5.7 in)
    W: 69.4 mm (2.73 in)
    D: 8.2 mm (0.32 in)
  • Pixel 4a (5G):
    H 153.9 mm (6.06 in)
    W: 74 mm (2.9 in)
    D 8.2–8.5 mm (0.32–0.33 in)
Weight
  • Pixel 4a: 143 g (5.0 oz)
  • Pixel 4a (5G): 168–171 g (5.9–6.0 oz)
Operating system
System-on-chip
CPUOcta-core
  • Pixel 4a: (2×2.2 GHz Kryo 470 Gold & 6×1.8 GHz Kryo 470 Silver)
  • Pixel 4a (5G): (1×2.4 GHz Kryo 475 Prime & 1×2.2 GHz Kryo 475 Gold & 6×1.8 GHz Kryo 475 Silver)
GPU
  • Pixel 4a: Adreno 618
  • Pixel 4a (5G): Adreno 620
Memory6 GB LPDDR4X
Storage128 GB UFS 2.1
Removable storageNone
SIMNano-SIM and eSIM
Battery
  • Pixel 4a: 3140 mAh
  • Pixel 4a (5G): 3885 mAh
Rear camera
  • Pixel 4a:
    12.2 MP, 1.4 μm with f/1.7 lens (wide), Dual Pixel Phase autofocus and optical image stabilization, Electronic image stabilization
    4K at 30 fps, 1080p at 30/60/120 fps, 720p at 30/60/240 fps
  • Pixel 4a (5G):
    12.2 MP, 1.4 μm with f/1.7 lens (wide), Dual Pixel Phase autofocus and optical image stabilization + 16 MP (ultrawide), 1.0 μm with f/2.2 lens, 107°, Electronic image stabilization
    4K at 30/60 fps, 1080p at 30/60/120/240 fps, 720p at 30/60/240 fps
Front camera8 MP with f/2.0 lens and 84° lens, fixed focus, 1080p at 30 fps, 720p at 30 fps, 480p at 30 fps
DisplayFHD+ OLED, 2340 × 1080 resolution (19.5:9 aspect ratio)
Gorilla Glass 3
  • Pixel 4a:
    5.8 in (147.3 mm), 443 ppi
  • Pixel 4a (5G):
    6.2 in (157.5 mm), 413 ppi
SoundStereo speakers, 3.5 mm headphone jack
ConnectivityWi-Fi 5 (ac/n/g/b/a) 2.4 + 5.0 GHz, Bluetooth 5.0 + LE, NFC, GPS (GLONASS, Galileo, QZSS)
Data inputsUSB-C
Codename
  • Sunfish (Pixel 4a)[3]
  • Bramble (Pixel 4a (5G))[3]
Other
  • 18 W fast charging
  • Titan M security module
WebsiteGoogle Pixel 4a
Google Pixel 4a (5G)
References[4]

The Pixel 4a and Pixel 4a (5G) are a pair of Android smartphones designed, developed, and marketed by Google as part of the Google Pixel product line. They collectively serve as mid-range variants of the Pixel 4 and Pixel 4 XL. The Pixel 4a was announced on August 3, 2020 via a press release,[5][6] while the Pixel 4a (5G) was announced on September 30, 2020 at the "Launch Night In" event.[7][8]

Specifications

Design and hardware

Schematic of Pixel 4a's back, showing camera module and fingerprint sensor in upper left and upper center, respectively

The Pixel 4a and 4a (5G) resemble the Pixel 4, but have a polycarbonate unibody construction and Gorilla Glass 3 for the screen. Both devices are available in 'Just Black'. 'Clearly White' is exclusive to the Pixel 4a (5G), only on Verizon with millimeter-wave (mmWave) support at launch.[9] A limited edition 'Barely Blue' color for the Pixel 4a was later added to the Google Store.[10] The back houses a capacitive fingerprint sensor centered below the camera lens. Both have stereo loudspeakers, one located on the bottom edge and the other doubling as the earpiece, and a 3.5 mm headphone jack. A USB-C port is used for charging and connecting other accessories.[11]

The Pixel 4a is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 730G[12] system-on-chip / Adreno 618 GPU, while the Pixel 4a (5G) is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 765G[13] system-on-chip / Adreno 620 GPU. Both have 6 GB of RAM, with 128 GB of non-expandable internal storage. They lack wireless charging, water resistance, Active Edge and the Pixel Neural Core (PNC), all of which are standard on the Pixel 4. The battery capacity is 3140 mAh for the Pixel 4a and 3885 mAh for the Pixel 4a (5G); fast charging is supported at up to 18 W (USB Power Delivery, using in-box adapter).[14]

The Pixel 4a and Pixel 4a (5G) feature a 1080p OLED display with HDR support measuring 5.8-inches and 6.2-inches respectively. The display has slim uniform bezels, and a circular cutout in the upper left hand corner for the front-facing camera, with a 19.5:9 aspect ratio.

The Pixel 4a and Pixel 4a (5G) have a raised square module housing the camera. The Pixel 4a has a single rear-facing camera, with the same 12.2-megapixel sensor found on the Pixel 4; the Pixel 4a (5G) adds a secondary 16-megapixel ultrawide sensor. The front-facing camera has an 8-megapixel sensor. Both phones can record video at 4K resolution; the Pixel 4a is limited to 30 fps when recording at a resolution greater than 1080p, and the Pixel 4a (5G) supports 60 fps. They have Google Camera 7.4 with software enhancements, including Live HDR+ with dual exposure controls, improved Night Sight with Astrophotography mode, and improved Portrait Mode with more realistic bokeh. Google also offers unlimited cloud photo storage at "high quality"; original resolution storage requires users to pay for Google One.

Software

The Pixel 4a shipped with Android 10 and version 7.4 of the Google Camera app at launch, while the Pixel 4a (5G) shipped with Android 11 and version 8.0 of the Google Camera app at launch. Both are expected to receive 3 years of major OS upgrades with support extending until 2023, and have features such as Call Screen and a Personal Safety app.[15]

Reception

The Pixel 4a was released to generally positive reviews with many reviewers praising the camera quality and overall value for money. CNET's Lynn La gave the Pixel 4a a score of 8.4/10, considering it to have the best photo quality among phones in the same price range. Dieter Bohn of The Verge praised the phone for its excellent camera and acceptable battery life, but criticized the mediocre video recording performance and lack of wireless charging and water resistance. Brian Chen of The New York Times compared the Pixel 4a with the second-generation iPhone SE, remarking that the Pixel had superior low light photos, and a better display and battery life, but the iPhone had better performance. Samuel Gibbs of The Guardian stated that the phone operated smoothly and had better battery life than the Pixel 3a XL and the iPhone SE.[16][17][18]

Known issues

Fixed issues

  • Some Pixel 4a (5G) users reported touchscreen problems. Google addressed this in a February 2021 security update.[19]

References

  1. ^ Li, Abner (January 31, 2022). "Pixel 4a removed from the Google Store after being out of stock for months". 9to5Google. Retrieved February 1, 2022.
  2. ^ Johnson, Allison (August 20, 2021). "Google has already discontinued the Pixel 5". The Verge. Retrieved August 21, 2021.
  3. ^ a b Bradshaw, Kyle (July 29, 2020). "Google Camera 7.5 preps motion blur, audio zoom, flash intensity, reconfirms Pixel 4a (5G)". 9to5Google. Retrieved August 4, 2020.
  4. ^ "Pixel 4a Hardware Specs - Google Store". Google Store. Retrieved May 11, 2019.
  5. ^ Bohn, Dieter (August 3, 2020). "Google announces Pixel 5, Pixel 4A 5G, and Pixel 4A all at once". The Verge. Retrieved August 3, 2020.
  6. ^ Haselton, Todd (August 3, 2020). "Google's new $350 phone packs a killer camera". CNBC. Retrieved August 3, 2020.
  7. ^ Statt, Nick (September 30, 2020). "Google announces Pixel 4A 5G with larger 6.2-inch display for $499". The Verge. Retrieved October 1, 2020.
  8. ^ Tibken, Shara (September 30, 2020). "Google's Pixel 4A 5G gives you 5G and other high-end specs at a $499 budget price". CNET. Retrieved October 1, 2020.
  9. ^ Kastrenakes, Jacob (September 30, 2020). "Verizon has an exclusive Pixel 4A 5G that's $100 more expensive". The Verge. Retrieved October 1, 2020.
  10. ^ Hollister, Sean (November 16, 2020). "The baby blue Google Pixel 4A is real, and you can buy one right now". The Verge. Retrieved November 16, 2020.
  11. ^ "The Google Pixel 4a vs. the competition: The midrange heats up". Engadget. August 3, 2020. Retrieved August 3, 2020.
  12. ^ Rakowski, Brian (August 3, 2020). "New Pixels—and new prices—are here". Google Blog. Retrieved August 8, 2020.
  13. ^ Rakowski, Brian (September 30, 2020). "Pixel 4a (5G) and Pixel 5 pack 5G speeds and so much more". Google Blog. Retrieved October 1, 2020.
  14. ^ Ruddock, David (August 3, 2020). "My Google Pixel 4a battery life impressions after two weeks using the phone". Android Police. Retrieved August 4, 2020.
  15. ^ Ruddock, David (August 3, 2020). "Pixel 4a review". Android Police. Retrieved August 4, 2020.
  16. ^ La, Lynn. "Pixel 4A review: If you want a budget phone, this is the one for you". CNET. Retrieved August 4, 2020.
  17. ^ "Pixel 4a review: the best phone Google has made in years". The Guardian. August 4, 2020. Archived from the original on August 4, 2020. Retrieved August 10, 2020.
  18. ^ "Google Pixel 4A Review: At $350, a Win for Those on a Budget". The New York Times. August 3, 2020. Archived from the original on August 4, 2020. Retrieved August 10, 2020.
  19. ^ Johnson, Allison (January 13, 2021). "Google will address Pixel 4A 5G touchscreen woes in February update". The Verge. Retrieved August 30, 2021.