The Google Pixel 4a is Google’s latest attempt to secure a slice of the mid-range market, following the success of last year’s Pixel 3a. But we all know the new Pixel has competition in its price range, so how does it stack up against a member of its own stable? The Google Pixel 4 may have been discontinued in the US Google Store, but it’s still available at a number of stores like Best Buy — and at a bargain price.
With that in mind, should you buy the new Pixel 4a or spend a few hundred extra dollars and grab the Pixel 4 while you still can? It’s a difficult question to answer, but we’re here to help. We’ve taken an in-depth look at both phones to help you decide which phone is the better choice for you.
Glasses
| Pixel 4a | Pixel 4 | |
| Size | 144 x 69.4 x 8.2 mm (5.67 x 2.73 x 0.32 inches) | 147.1 × 68.8 × 8.2 mm (5.7 × 2.7 × 0.3 inches) |
| Weight | 143 grams (5.04 ounces) | 162 grams (5.71 ounces) |
| Screen size | 5.8-inch AMOLED | 5.7-inch AMOLED |
| Screen resolution | 2340 x 1080 pixels (443 pixels per inch) | 2280 × 1080 pixels (444 ppi) |
| Operation system | Android 10 | Android 10 |
| Storage | 128 GB | |
| microSD card slot | Not | Not |
| Tap to pay services | Google Pay | Google Pay |
| Processor | Snapdragon 730 | Qualcomm Snapdragon 855 |
| working memory | 6 GB | 6 GB |
| Camera | 12.2 megapixel rear, 8 MP front | Dual 12MP and 16MP telephoto rear, 8MP front |
| Video | 4K at 30 frames per second, 1080p at 120 fps | 4K at 30 fps, 1080p at 120 fps, 720p at 240 fps |
| Bluetooth version | 5.1 | 5.0 |
| port | USB-C, headphone jack | USB-C |
| Fingerprint sensor | Yes, rear | Not |
| Water resistance | Not | IP68 |
| Battery | 3,140 mAh
Fast charging (18W) |
2,800 mAh
Fast charging (18 W) Qi wireless charging |
| Application market | Google Play Store | Google Play Store |
| Network support | Most major US carriers | Most major US carriers |
| Colors | Black only | Just black, crisp white, oh so orange |
| Prices | 349 dollars | 550 dollars |
| Buy from | Google, Verizon, US Cellular | Best Buy |
| Review rating | 4 out of 5 stars | 4 out of 5 stars |
Design, screen and durability
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These phones may not be too far apart in release date, but their designs are big. Oddly, the cheaper phone is initially more pleasing to the eye, as the Pixel 4a embraces the design ethos of 2020 with a punch-hole display and thin bezels. By contrast, the Pixel 4 has relatively large bezels at the top and bottom of the screen, and while they’re needed for radar-like beam movements, it’s still a design you can describe as “retro” if you’re kind and “outdated” if you’re not.
Still, the feel of the device puts the Pixel 4 back on top. It is made of glass, while the Pixel 4a is made of plastic. This gives the Pixel 4a an edge in durability, but it still feels cheap and, frankly, a bit boring. Be careful with the Pixel 4a near water too, as it doesn’t have the Pixel 4’s IP68 rating for water and dust resistance.
The displays are also similar, with both devices sporting a 1080p resolution. The Pixel 4a’s display is larger, but has an increased resolution to compensate, so both AMOLED displays should look just as sharp. The Pixel 4 has a 90Hz refresh rate, and while it’s somewhat inconsistent, it’s still a point in favor of the more expensive phone.
The Pixel 4 may not be as stylish as many other flagships, but the plastic build of the Pixel 4a is definitely a bigger advantage over it. The Pixel 4 wins here.
Winner: Google Pixel 4
Performance, battery life and charging
Julian Chokkattu/Digital Trends
There’s a pretty big processor gap here. The Pixel 4 uses last year’s Snapdragon 855 chip, while the Pixel 4a uses a Snapdragon 730 chip. Performance on the Pixel 4a is good, but it won’t be able to chew through demanding games and apps in the same way as the Pixel 4. However, the Pixel 4a holds its own in other ways, with 6GB of RAM and 128GB of storage as standard.
The Pixel 4’s biggest weakness is undoubtedly the battery. The 2800 mAh cell is tiny in this day and age and just doesn’t hold up well enough. In our review, the Pixel 4 barely survived a full day, and that’s before the battery naturally begins to weaken over time. During a busy day, expect to have to charge it more than once. In contrast, the Pixel 4a has a long-lasting battery, and moderate use got it to two days on a single charge during our review period. Both have 18W fast charging, but only the Pixel 4 has access to wireless charging.
Battery life may be bad, but the faster processor and access to wireless charging only beats that for the Pixel 4. But it’s close, and if you value battery life, feel free to mentally give it to the Pixel 4a.
Winner: Google Pixel 4
Cameras
Andy Boxall/Digital Trends
Google’s Pixel range has traditionally been home to some of the best smartphone cameras around, and this year is no exception. The camera package on the Pixel 4 consists of a 12MP main lens and a 16MP telephoto lens, and it’s stunning. Google’s software has proven to be a winner time and time again, and the Pixel 4 takes great-looking photos in a range of situations. However, the star of the show is the low-light performance, and you’ll get incredible shots, even at night.
The Pixel 4a is a small step down and does away with the second lens, but it takes some absolutely stunning photos. Camera quality is one of the key reasons to buy this phone, and the Pixel 4a consistently turned out amazing photos that needed little editing before sharing.
The extra lens and versatility give the Pixel 4 the win, but it’s a much tighter fight than the price makes it seem.
Winner: Google Pixel 4
Software and updates
Julian Chokkattu/Digital Trends
Android 10 running on Pixel 4 and 4a is the best. It’s smooth, fast, and comes with a bunch of features that aren’t available on your regular Android device. However, this means that both devices run the exact same software, so there isn’t much difference between them here. It’s the same story when it comes to updates and you can expect security updates and new versions of Android on both devices around the same time, so expect Android 11 on both. There’s almost no difference here, so it’s a tie.
Winner: Undecided
Special features
Julian Chokkattu/Digital Trends
Despite its mid-range price, the Pixel 4a has access to a good amount of special features. It has an AI call view in the US, a Now Playing feature that identifies nearby songs, an augmented reality mode in Google Maps, and more. But the Pixel 4 has access to them and more, thanks to the Motion Sense air gesture powered by the Project Soli chip. While it’s certainly gimmicky, the ability to skip tracks or pause alarms by waving over the phone and unlocking the phone with a secure face scan pushes the Pixel 4 ahead of its cheaper sibling in this round.
Winner: Google Pixel 4
Price and availability
The Google Pixel 4a is currently available in the US for $349. The Pixel 4 has officially been discontinued in the US, but you can still find it on sale for as little as $550 at third parties like Best Buy. But you should be quick because supplies won’t last forever.
Check out some of the best Google Pixel and smartphone deals we’ve found ahead of Cyber Monday.
Overall winner: Google Pixel 4
With such a big difference in price and hardware, only the Google Pixel 4 could be better in this fight. The extra camera lens, faster hardware, and fun air gestures were key to its victory, and that’s why we can say that the Pixel 4 is the better of the two on offer.
But we already knew that — a mid-range phone will always struggle to beat a flagship. The real question here was how big the difference is between the two phones, and, well, it’s not as big as you might imagine. The Pixel 4a is a good mid-range option, and while the design lets it down, the battery life is good and the camera is excellent, which is really one of the reasons to buy the phone. If you’re looking for a great camera phone, the Pixel 4a is a worthy competitor to the Pixel 4, and if you’re looking to save a few hundred dollars, buying the Pixel 4a over the Pixel 4 is definitely worth considering.
Editor’s recommendations
Categories: GAMING
Source: newstars.edu.vn