Google Pixel 4a Goes Official: Flagship-Grade Camera & Snapdragon 730G

After multiple rumors and leaks, Google's mid-range smartphone, the Google Pixel 4a, was officially released. The handset is the direct successor to last year's Pixel 3a and a watered-down model of the high-end Pixel 4.

Besides Pixel 4a, Google also revealed the Pixel 4a 5G. As the name implies, the phone will support the new-gen 5G network and will cost $499 (around Rs. 37,500) more. Although details of the Pixel 4a 5G have yet to be revealed, this device is expected to feature a more powerful chipset (most likely Snapdragon 765G) and a larger display. It will likely be announced this fall, but the exact launch date is still under wraps.

Google Pixel 4a: Price & Availability

The Pixel 4a price is $349 (around Rs. 26,200) in the US. At this price, the handset becomes a direct competitor of the iPhone SE ($399) or OnePlus Nord (399 EUR ~ 470 USD). Users in the US can now pre-order the phone and shipments will start on 20th August.

As for the Google Pixel 4a release date in India, the phone will officially make its debut in the country in October. You can check out more Google Pixel 4a news in our mobile section. We will update as soon as we hear more about its launch date in India.

Google Pixel 4a: Specifications & Features

Similar to Pixel 3a, Google also uses plastic on the Pixel 4a to lower the cost and the device comes in a single colour variant, Just Black. On the front, the Pixel 4a features the punch-hole style with a single selfie camera housed inside the cut-out. Because there is only one selfie camera and no "Soli" sensor, this new Pixel phone does not support 3D face unlocking and gesture commands like the Pixel 4. Instead, users can rely on a rear-mounted fingerprint reader for biometrics security.

In addition, the Pixel 4a retains the handy 3.5mm headphone jack on the top edge. This is an element that even the Pixel 4 doesn't have. Under the hood, the phone is powerful by a Snapdragon 730G chipset, 6GB of RAM, 128GB UFS 2.1 storage. On the front, there is a 5.8-inch OLED screen that supports FHD+ resolution and 60Hz refresh rate. 3,140mAh is the capacity of the Pixel 4a’s battery, which is quite low considering the fact that the standard is now around 4,000mAh. For photography, Pixel 4a is only equipped with a single camera at the back, which is a Sony IMX363 sensor with 12MP resolution, f / 1.7 lens, Dual Pixel focus support, and optical image stabilization.

Although there are no three or four cameras like many other smartphones, the image quality of the Pixel 4a is still at the top of its price point. Some might even say that the Pixel 4a will deliver the same image quality as the current flagship phones because the Pixel 4 also uses the Sony IMX373 sensor and similar f / 1.7 lens. Being a mid-range smartphone, the Pixel 4a doesn’t have a telephoto lens like its premium sibling Pixel 4a. Moreover, without the ultra-wide-angle lens, the handset will also lack the ability to take wide-angle photos.

Google Pixel 4a vs iPhone SE (2020)

1. Pixel 4a vs iPhone SE (2020): Price

The Pixel 4a is priced at around Rs. 26,000, and we expect to see the Pixel 4a price in India stay higher than that price point due to the current GST rate. According to Google, the handset will arrive in India in October. 

The iPhone SE 2020 price in India is Rs. 42,500 for the 64GB storage option while the 128GB and 256GB models are retailed at Rs. 46,800 and Rs. 53,300, respectively. 

You can clearly see that the iPhone SE 2020 is much more expensive than Google's new mid-range smartphone, but it is better? Let’s compare their specs.

2. Pixel 4a vs iPhone SE (2020): Specifications

Google's new phone features a 5.8-inch OLED screen with Full-HD+ resolution and a 60Hz refresh rate. It is equipped with a mid-range Snapdragon 730G chipset, aided by 6GB of RAM and 128GB of storage. In terms of camera, there are only a single 12MP camera on the rear with OIS and an 8MP camera on the front for picturing selfies and video calling. Camera features of this phone include dual exposure controls, Portrait Mode, Super Res Zoom, Night Sight with astrophotography, and Live HRD+. The device is packed with a 3,140 mAh battery with 18W fast charging support via a USB-C port and pre-installed with stock Android 10. 

Moving to the iPhone SE 2020 specs, the device features a 4.7-inch Retina display with HD resolution and a 60Hz refresh rate. Powering the phone is Apple’s A13 Bionic chipset, which is also used on the flagship iPhone 11 series. For photography, it is equipped with a 12MP camera at the back with OIS, dual-pixel PDAF, and dual-LED flash. For selfies, it gets a 7MP shooter on the front. The handset runs on the latest iOS 13 and packs a 1,821 mAh battery with support for 18W fast charging technology. However, Apple only includes a 5W charger in the box, so you need to pay for a compatible charger and a Lightning to Type C cable if you want to fast charge the phone.

Overall, the Google Pixel 4a has a larger display and a beefier battery as well. In the performance department, the iPhone SE (2020) should be far ahead of the Pixel 4a since it gets the flagship A13 chipset, which is comparable to Qualcomm’s flagship chipset, Snapdragon 855. Therefore, if you want to get a powerful smartphone, the iPhone SE (2020) is a better choice. The Pixel 4a is a great option if you need a solid all-around phone.

Google Pixel 4a price: around Rs. 26,000

Google Pixel 4a price in India: Unavailable

>>> Lenovo Legion Duel Is Here: SND865+, 144Hz Display, Low Price Tag