Why You Can Trust CNET Pixel 4A vs. Pixel 3A vs. Pixel 4 vs. Pixel 4 XL: All the specs you should care about
Google's newest budget phone is here. Here's how it stacks up against the rest of the Pixel range.
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Google's Pixel 4 XL phone.
Update, Aug. 17, 2021: Google has unveiled the Pixel 5A with 5G, which we have reviewed. Original story follows.
After a delayed launch and months of leaked teasers, Google's Pixel 4A finally arrived in August. The second-gen budget Pixel was officially unveiled for $349 (£349, AU$599). This year, however, Google didn't launch a 4A XL, which would have been a direct successor to the Pixel 3A XL. Instead the 4A sits alongside the Pixel 4A 5G and upcoming Pixel 5.
Read more: How Google's Pixel 4A specs compares to its rivals: iPhone SE 2020, Galaxy A51
The Pixel 4A features a 5.8-inch OLED screen and a sizable 3,140-mAh battery. Its star feature is the camera, which is the same one found on the pricier Pixel 4. There isn't a second telephoto lens, like you'll find on the Pixel 4, but it'll let you zoom in up to 7x. Apart from being hundreds of dollars cheaper, the Pixel 4A also includes a headphone jack and lacks both water-resistance and wireless charging. For specific numbers, scroll down for a look at CNET's specs chart or read our in-depth review of the Google Pixel 4A.
Compared to the Pixel 3A, which was launched last May as an offshoot to the flagship Pixel line, the Pixel 4A has a stronger processor (Snapdragon 730G versus Snapdragon 670) and twice as much storage (128GB versus 64GB). Despite those improvements, it starts at $50 less than its predecessor at launch.
Pixel 4A specs vs. 3A vs. Pixel 4 vs. 4XL
| Google Pixel 4A | Google Pixel 3A | Google Pixel 4 | Google Pixel 4 XL | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Display size, resolution | 5.81-inch OLED; 2,340x1,080 pixels | 5.6-inch OLED; 2,220x1,080-pixels | 5.7-inch OLED; 1,080x2,280 pixels | 6.3-inch OLED; 1,440x3,040 pixels |
| Pixel density | 443ppi | 441ppi | 444ppi | 537ppi |
| Dimensions (Inches) | 5.7x2.7x0.3 inches | 6.0x2.8x0.3 inches | 2.7x5.7x0.3 inches | 2.9x6.3x0.3 inches |
| Dimensions (Millimeters) | 144x69.4x8.2 mm | 151.3x70.1x8.2 mm | 68.8x147.1x8.2 mm | 75.1x160.4x8.2 mm |
| Weight (Ounces, Grams) | 5.04 oz; 143g | 5.19 oz; 147g | 5.7 oz; 162g | 6.8 oz; 193g |
| Mobile software | Android 10 | Android 9.0 | Android 10 | Android 10 |
| Camera | 12.2-megapixel (standard) | 12.2-megapixel (standard) | 12.2-megapixel (standard), 16-megapixel (telephoto) | 12.2-megapixel (standard), 16-megapixel (telephoto) |
| Front-facing camera | 8-megapixel | 8-megapixel | 8-megapixel | 8-megapixel |
| Video capture | 4K | 4K | 4K | 4K |
| Processor | Qualcomm Snapdragon 730G | Qualcomm Snapdragon 670 | Qualcomm Snapdragon 855 | Qualcomm Snapdragon 855 |
| Storage | 128GB | 64GB | 64GB, 128GB | 64GB, 128GB |
| RAM | 6GB | 4GB | 6GB | 6GB |
| Expandable storage | No | No | No | No |
| Battery | 3,140 mAh | 3,000 mAh | 2,800 mAh | 3,700 mAh |
| Fingerprint sensor | Back | Back | No | No |
| Connector | USB-C | USB-C | USB-C | USB-C |
| Headphone jack | Yes | Yes | No | No |
| Special features | Dual-SIM capabilities (nano-SIM and e-SIM) | AR in Google Maps, Timelapse video shooting | Soli motion sensing and touchless gestures; 90Hz display; water resistant (IP68); dual-SIM capabilities (nano-SIM and e-SIM); wireless charging | Soli motion sensing and touchless gestures; 90Hz display; water resistant (IP68); dual-SIM capabilities (nano-SIM and e-SIM); wireless charging |
| Price at launch (USD) | $349 | $399 | $799 (64GB), $899 (128GB) | $899 (64GB), $999 (128GB) |
| Price (GBP) | £349 | £399 | £669 (64GB), £769 (128GB) | £829 (64GB), £929 (128GB) |
| Price (AUD) | AU$599 | AU$649 | AU$1,049 (64GB), AU$1,199 (128GB) | AU$1,279 (64GB), AU$1,429 (128GB) |