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Pixel 4A 5G review: If you want affordable 5G, you’ll want this phone

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Pixel 4A 5G review: If you want affordable 5G, you’ll want this phone

Back in August, Google unveiled the Pixel 4A, an inexpensive $349 (£349, AU$599) cellphone with a superb digicam. Fast-forward to right now and the corporate has launched its essential flagship, the Pixel 5, and a 5G model of the Pixel 4A, aptly referred to as the Pixel 4A 5G. This cellphone not solely connects to the next-gen cellular community; it additionally has a second, ultrawide digicam, a much bigger show and battery and a barely extra highly effective processor. Naturally, the additional {hardware} goodies imply the cellphone prices extra, at $499 (£499, AU$799).The worth bump is price it, particularly if 5G is accessible in your space otherwise you’re making ready for its arrival. The Pixel 4A 5G’s stable battery life, implausible twin rear cameras, dependable efficiency and sturdy software program assist from Google additionally make it a worthy selection amongst different 5G telephones, just like the Motorola One 5G ($445 at Best Buy), which can obtain just one main OS replace.

Like5G-enabledAffordable priceGreat battery life to this pointHeadphone jack

And whereas it is simple to be tempted by the $699 (£599, AU$999) Pixel 5, I’d nonetheless lean towards the Pixel 4A 5G. True, Google’s marquee handset does have engaging options like a 90Hz show, wi-fi charging and reverse wi-fi charging. But outdoors of these variations (plus a number of extra that I’ll describe under), the 2 Pixel telephones share the identical cameras, processor and common feel and look. If you are wanting to save cash, the Pixel 4A 5G is not fairly price that additional $200.  Because of the similarities between the Pixel 4A 5G and the Pixel 5, remember to try CNET’s Pixel 5 evaluation for extra particulars on each telephones’ cameras and Android 11 software program. Otherwise, learn on to know in regards to the Pixel 4A’s key spec variations, design and efficiency.
Pixel 4A 5G serves up a much bigger display and a well-known look
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Pixel 4A 5G vs. Pixel 5: What’s the distinction? To see what makes the entire 2020 Pixel telephones and the Pixel 4 ($390 at Back Market) totally different from one another, try this full spec-by-spec rundown. You can watch CNET’s video, a Pixel 4A 5G and Pixel 5 spec comparability, for a deep dive on simply the 2 new Pixel telephones, too. In any case, the primary takeaways in regards to the Pixel 4A 5G and the Pixel 5 are:

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Pixel 5 and Pixel 4A 5G spec comparability

8:04

Pixel 4A 5G and Pixel 5 variations

Pixel 4A 5G

Pixel 5

Display

6.2 inches

6 inches

Headphone jack

Yes

No

Battery

3,800mAh

4,000mAh

Refresh fee

60Hz

90Hz

Water-resistant

No

Yes (IP68)

Wireless charging

No

Yes

Reverse wi-fi charging

No

Yes

RAM

6GB

8GB

Pixel 4A 5G’s greater display and price range seems Aside from the Pixel 4A 5G’s barely greater measurement, it seems almost equivalent to the Pixel 4A. They each have a easy, matte design made out of polycarbonate, or plastic. While I do like that it has a hole-punch digicam show and thinner bezels than final yr’s Pixel 4, total the Pixel 4A 5G nonetheless feels as “budget” because the Pixel 4A. It positively lacks the high-gloss, elevated seems of its rivals, just like the Motorola One 5G and the lustrous LG Velvet ($600 at AT&T). The cellphone’s show is sharp and brilliant, and straightforward to view in direct daylight. Like most telephones, the Pixel 4A 5G’s show refreshes at 60 frames per second. If you need a greater refresh fee, which makes scrolling via information feeds and webpages really feel smoother and peppier, the Pixel 5 and the Motorola One have 90Hz shows. And nonetheless different telephones have 120Hz screens, just like the OnePlus 8 ($699 at Amazon) and Galaxy S20, however they price far more.  The Pixel 5 (left) and the bigger Pixel 4A 5G.
Angela Lang/CNET
Pixel 4A 5G efficiency and battery The Pixel 5 and 4A 5G have a Snapdragon 765G processor. It’s a slight improve from the Pixel 4A’s Snapdragon 730G chipset, however not as highly effective as many different high-end telephones, together with the Pixel 4’s Snapdragon 855 processor. Still, the Pixel 4A 5G is speedy and scored comparable benchmark numbers to different gadgets with the identical chipset, just like the Motorola One and LG Velvet. Keep in thoughts the Pixel 4A 5G additionally has much less RAM than the Pixel 5 (6GB in contrast with 8GB), however between the 2 I did not discover any distinction in efficiency for each day duties like launching the digicam and opening apps. 3DMark Slingshot Unlimited

Note:
Longer bars point out higher efficiency

Geekbench v.5.0 single-core

Note:
Longer bars point out higher efficiency

Geekbench v.5.0 multicore

Note:
Longer bars point out higher efficiency

The Pixel 4A 5G has a 3,800-mAh battery, which has been observably nice to this point. It lasted greater than 24 hours with no cost with delicate utilization. I bear in mind again in 2019, the Pixel 4’s battery drained noticeably quick via the day. Thankfully, that is not taking place with this cellphone. Battery exams on the Pixel 4A 5G for steady video playback on Airplane mode clocked a median of 22 hours, 30 minutes. That’s almost the identical because the LG Velvet, which has a 4,300-mAh battery. The Motorola One’s huge 5,000-mAh battery outlasted each telephones, nevertheless, with almost 25 hours. If you are actually apprehensive about battery life, although, the Pixel 4A 5G has a brand new Extreme Battery Saver mode that severely limits app utilization to increase battery life.  Pixel 4A 5G spec comparability

Google Pixel 4A 5G

Google Pixel 4A

Motorola One 5G

LG Velvet

Google Pixel 5

Display measurement, decision

6.2-inch FHD+ OLED; 2,340×1,080 pixels

5.81-inch OLED; 2,340×1,080 pixels

6.7-inch LCD; 2,520×1,080 pixels

6.8-inch OLED; 2,460×1,080 pixels

6-inch FHD+ OLED; 2,340×1,080 pixels

Pixel density

413ppi

443ppi

409ppi

395ppi

432ppi

Dimensions (inches)

6.1×2.9×0.3 in

5.7×2.7×0.3 in

6.61×2.91×0.35 in

6.58×2.92×0.31 in

5.7×2.8×0.3 in

Dimensions (millimeters)

153.9x74x8.2mm (Sub-6 solely) 153.9x74x8.5mm (mmWave + Sub-6)

144×69.4×8.2mm

168x74x9mm

167.2×74.1×7.9mm

144.7×70.4x8mm

Weight (ounces, grams)

5.93 oz; 168g (Sub-6 solely) 6.03 oz; 171g (mmWave + Sub-6)

5.04 oz; 143g

7.41 oz; 210g

6.35 oz; 180g

5.33 oz; 151g

Mobile software program

Android 11

Android 10

Android 10

Android 10

Android 11

Camera

12.2-megapixel (commonplace), 16-megapixel (ultrawide)

12.2-megapixel

48-megapixel (essential), 5-megapixel (macro), 8-megapixel (ultrawide), 2-megapixel (depth digicam)

48-megapixel (commonplace), 8-megapixel (wide-angle), 5-megapixel (depth-sensing)

12.2-megapixel (commonplace), 16-megapixel (ultrawide)

Front-facing digicam

8-megapixel

8-megapixel

16-megapixel (essential), 8-megapixel (ultrawide)

16-megapixel

8-megapixel

Video seize

4K

4K

4K

4K

4K

Processor

Qualcomm Snapdragon 765G

Qualcomm Snapdragon 730G

Qualcomm Snapdragon 765

Qualcomm Snapdragon 765G

Qualcomm Snapdragon 765G

Storage

128GB

128GB

128GB

128GB

128GB

RAM

6GB

6GB

4GB

6GB, 8GB

8GB

Expandable storage

No

No

Up to 1TB

Up to 2TB

No

Battery

3,800mAh

3,140mAh

5,000 mAh

4,300mAh

4,000mAh

Fingerprint sensor

Rear

Rear

Side

In-screen

Rear

Connector

USB-C

USB-C

USB-C

USB-C

USB-C

Headphone jack

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

No

Special options

5G-enabled; dual-SIM capabilities (nano-SIM and e-SIM); quick charging

Dual-SIM capabilities (nano-SIM and e-SIM); quick charging

5G-enabled, TubroPower charging, Macro digicam ring flash, HDR 10, 90Hz-refresh-rate show

5G-enabled; water resistant (IP68); wi-fi charging, Fast Charging 4.0

5G-enabled; water resistant (IP68); 90Hz-refresh-rate show; dual-SIM capabilities (nano-SIM and e-SIM); reverse wi-fi charging; quick charging

Price off-contract (USD)

$499

$349

$445 (AT&T), TBD (Verizon)

$600 (AT&T), $700 (Verizon)

$699

Price (GBP)

£499

£349

Converts to about £341

Converts to about £460

£599

Price (AUD)

AU$799

AU$599

Converts to about AU$618

Converts to about AU$830

AU$999

*costs are at launch

Discover the newest information and greatest opinions in smartphones and carriers from CNET’s cellular consultants.

First revealed Oct. 14