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Google launches Pixel 4A in limited-edition 'Barely Blue' color

When it launched in August, the phone was only available in black.

Lynn La Senior Editor / Reviews - Phones
Lynn La covers mobile reviews and news. She previously wrote for The Sacramento Bee, Macworld and The Global Post.
Lynn La
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The Pixel 4A in its new pale blue hue.

Google

Google's midtier Pixel 4A phone, which it introduced back in August, will now come in a limited-edition color called "Barely Blue." Initially sold only in black, the blue variant will be available beginning Monday in the US for the same $349 price. Once it sells out, it will be not be restocked. Besides the US, the color will be available in Japan later this year. 

The Pixel 4A features a single 12.2-megapixel camera on the back, the same one that last year's Pixel 4 had. In my original review of the phone, I noted how it takes superb low-light and portrait photos and records steady video. Because of its excellent camera, long-lasting battery and low price, the Pixel 4A is one of CNET's favorite Android phones of 2020, second to its 5G counterpart, the larger Pixel 4A 5G .

Watch this: Pixel 4A review: Impressive camera and a battery that beats the iPhone SE

Other Pixel 4A features include a headphone jack, an 8-megapixel front-facing camera, and Qualcomm 's Snapdragon 730G chipset. Compared to the $699  Pixel 5 flagship, however, the Pixel 4A does lack a few other goodies besides 5G. It isn't water resistant, for instance, it does not have a 90Hz display or wireless charging and it cannot directly charge other accessories wirelessly.

Pixel 4A: Plain looks, but a great price and camera

See all photos

Pixel 5 vs. Pixel 4A 5G, 4A and 4


Google Pixel 5Google Pixel 4A 5GGoogle Pixel 4AGoogle Pixel 4
Display size, resolution 6-inch OLED; 2,340x1,080 pixels6.2-inch OLED; 2,340x1,080 pixels5.81-inch OLED; 2,340x1,080 pixels5.7-inch OLED; 2,280x1,080 pixels
Pixel density 432 ppi413 ppi443 ppi444 ppi
Dimensions (Inches) 5.7 x 2.8 x 0.3 in6.1 x 2.9 x 0.3 in5.7 x 2.7 x 0.3 in2.7 x 5.7 x 0.3 in
Dimensions (Millimeters) 144.7 x 70.4 x 8.0 mm153.9 x 74 x 8.2 mm (Sub-6 only) 153.9 x 74 x 8.5 mm (mmWave + Sub-6)144 x 69.4 x 8.2 mm68.8 x 147.1 x 8.2 mm
Weight (Ounces, Grams) 5.33 oz; 151g5.93 oz; 168g (Sub-6 only) 6.03 oz; 171g (mmWave + Sub-6)5.04 oz; 143g5.7 oz; 162g
Mobile software Android 11Android 11Android 10Android 10
Camera 12.2-megapixel (standard), 16-megapixel (ultrawide)12.2-megapixel (standard), 16-megapixel (ultrawide)12.2-megapixel12.2-megapixel (standard), 16-megapixel (telephoto)
Front-facing camera 8-megapixel8-megapixel8-megapixel8-megapixel
Video capture 4K4K4K4K
Processor Qualcomm Snapdragon 765GQualcomm Snapdragon 765GQualcomm Snapdragon 730GQualcomm Snapdragon 855
Storage 128GB128GB128GB64GB, 128GB
RAM 8GB6GB6GB6GB
Expandable storage NoNoNoNo
Battery 4,000 mAh3,800 mAh3,140 mAh2,800 mAh
Fingerprint sensor RearRearRearNo
Connector USB-CUSB-CUSB-CUSB-C
Headphone jack NoYesYesNo
Special features 5G enabled; water resistant (IP68); 90Hz refresh rate display; dual-SIM capabilities (nano-SIM and e-SIM); reverse wireless charging; fast charging5G enabled; dual-SIM capabilities (nano-SIM and e-SIM); fast chargingDual-SIM capabilities (nano-SIM and e-SIM); fast chargingSoli motion sensing and touchless gestures; 90Hz display; water resistant (IP68); dual-SIM capabilities (nano-SIM and e-SIM); wireless charging
Price off-contract (USD) $699$499$349$799 (64GB), $899 (128GB)
Price (GBP) £599£499£349£669 (64GB), £769 (128GB)
Price (AUD) AU$999AU$799AU$599AU$1,049 (64GB), AU$1,199 (128GB)

Prices listed are at launch.