Anticipation has been building since Google announced it’d be releasing a more affordable version of the Google Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL. Well, they’re here, and there’s only one thing to say: The Pixel 3a and Pixel 3a XL deliver an industry-leading Android user experience.
You may already expect that from Google, but at a price of only $399 and $479 respectively, it’s certainly a feat to deliver this type of performance in the same instantly recognizable design as their pricier relatives.
I spent a week testing the Google Pixel 3a XL and found it to be the perfect cheap Android smartphone. So much so that if you’re shopping for a new, affordable Android device, I’d say you don’t have to look further than Google’s latest Pixel 3a and Pixel 3a XL.
Here’s why!
It Delivers the Best Android Experience in the Industry
We’re not going to bury the lede on you; we know this is the main reason why you’d consider the Pixel 3a and Pixel 3a XL as your next Android smartphone. Just like their pricier relatives, these smartphones will always run the latest iteration of Android out of the box. The OS will be free of unnecessary bloatware, looking and performing just as its creator intended.
The phones will also get new Android iterations, as well as important security updates ahead of all other devices in their price range and beyond. Google will support them with firmware and security updates for at least 3 years.
It Has a Phenomenal Camera
The Pixel 3a and Pixel 3a XL have the same, industry-leading 12 MP camera as their predecessors. They can capture vastly superior photos and video than any similarly priced competitor.
It Has an Excellent Display
The Pixel 3a has a 5.6-inch OLED display, while the bigger XL model packs a 6-inch display panel of the same kind. The display panel is sharp, vibrant, and overall excellent, especially considering the price point. There are several color modes you can pick from — natural, boosted, and adaptive. I found the last one to be the most useful.
The Pixel 3a XL is particularly noteworthy because unlike the screen of the Google Pixel 3 XL, it lacks a notch. As a result, the newcomer looks much better than its considerably pricier sibling.
It’s great that Google has equipped both Pixel 3a variants with stereo speakers. They complement the devices’ high-quality displays perfectly, making them ideal for gamingand watching video on the go.
It Is Plenty Fast
During my testing, I found the Pixel 3a to deliver a fast and fluid experience regardless of the task on hand. The midrange Qualcomm-made chipset is even up for graphic-intensive gaming if you wish.
The Pixel 3a XL I tested had superb battery life. The phone easily made it through a full day of heavy use, which included web browsing, sending out multiple emails, constantly keeping an eye on Twitter and Instagram, and gaming.
Wrap-Up
Compared to the Pixel 3 and the Pixel 3 XL, which are crafted from glass and metal, the Pixel 3a and 3a XL have a polycarbonate body that’s not rated for water and dust resistance. But the cheap Pixel phones do have a built-in standard audio jack — a feature that’s been lacking in the range-topping Pixel phones for years.
Like the pricier Pixel phones, the 3a and 3a XL also allow you to summon the Google Assistant by squeezing their frame.
The Pixel 3a and Pixel 3a XL are available to order from Google’s own online store, as well as T-Mobile, Sprint, and Verizon Wireless. There are three colors to pick from: Just Black, Clearly White, and Purple-ish.
Overall, Google deserves a hat tip for making its affordable smartphones available from so many retailers.