Google Pixel 4a smartphone review with key features

It became known that Google plans to release an updated line of budget smartphones Pixel 4a. Little is known about the new smartphone yet. If you believe the information on the network, then the start of sales has already begun in Cuba (a review in Spanish was released on YouTube). How true this information is is unknown.

As for the official announcement, due to the spread of the coronavirus, the annual Google I/O conference has been cancelled. According to some reports, the concern urgently transfers production to Vietnam. So, it is quite possible that the first sales will begin at the end of May - mid-June.

Overview of key features

Design

Slightly different from the previous version. The body glass was replaced with cheaper plastic. The wide frame at the top has disappeared, but at the same time, the side frames are narrow - almost invisible. This is not bad - the picture on the display is complete. The lack of a top bezel is a sign that Google has abandoned facial recognition. Most likely, this is due to cheaper production, and, as a result, the release of the budget version of the Pixel.

In the upper left frame of the part there is a round cutout for the camera. By the way, many users liked this solution - it does not interfere with watching the video and is practically not striking.

But the design of the back panel raises many questions. A massive square block with one camera lens is located in the upper right corner, it looks, to put it mildly, strange. At the bottom is the manufacturer's logo.
The phone itself turned out to be quite wide, if you add the thickness of the protective case (if the user, for example, wants to close the plain back panel), then it will not be very convenient to control the gadget with one hand.
A headphone jack has been added (located at the top of the device), which will undoubtedly please users who, for some reason, do not use a wireless headset.

SIM cards - 2 (nano-format), there is no dedicated slot for a memory card. On the right side are the power and volume buttons.

In terms of colors, it is known for sure that the gadget will be available in black, and also (according to blogger Dave Lee) in white, blue and bright orange colors. Which, in principle, is expected and corresponds to the standard Google approach to design.

Display

Pixel 4a will receive an AMOLED display with a refresh rate of 60 Hz (unlike the previous model at 90 Hz), a resolution of 1080x2340 pixels, and a diagonal of 5.81 inches. You should not expect special brightness and clarity of the image. Compared to the displays of flagship gadgets from Samsung, it looks pale. With the readability of information in bright light (in the sun, for example, there are no problems). Many were confused by the indicator of 60 Hz. But, considering the announced price of $500 (by comparison, the Pixel 3a started at $800), it looks like Google is planning to release a budget gadget.

Software and additional features

Android 10.0 with Snapdragon 730 chipset, which is Qualcomm's previous generation processor for mid-range smartphones.

Additional features include a proximity sensor and an accelerometer.

Camera

Google's Pixel Line has excellent camera performance.The novelty is equipped with 2 cameras - main and front with indicators of 12.2 and 8 megapixels, respectively.
It is known that the Pixel 4a will not receive all the camera features that are available on its predecessors. Let's hope that the main ones, such as Night Sight, will remain for night shooting.

As for shooting video, the main characteristics are 2160p / 30 frames per second, an auto-stabilization function.

Wireless capabilities

Everything is predictable here, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth plus navigator services.
To determine the location, the gadget uses GPS, Glonass, Galileo systems. The error is quite low regardless of where the user is (indoors or outdoors).

Battery capacity

Many users of the previous version noted the low battery capacity and short battery life of the gadget. According to buyers, charging was enough for at best 1 day, subject to active use. For comparison, the flagship Samsung Galaxy Note 10 "live" much longer.
The Pixel 4a is nothing new in this regard, the same 3080 mAh battery, 18W fast charging, plus wireless charging (not included).

Memory

The 4a is expected to ship with 6GB of RAM and 64GB of internal storage. It is possible that the entire line, regardless of the market, will be presented with this configuration (judging by the Pixel 3a smartphones).

Performance

Most likely, the novelty will have UFS 2.1 storage, which implies high read speeds and a decent performance boost, especially noticeable when downloading applications or downloading files. Plus more efficient battery usage.

There should be no problems when switching between applications. The same goes for games.The only problem is the small capacity of the battery, so you can’t play for a long time without recharging.
How the issue with slow file transfer via USB-C will be solved is unknown. Problems in smartphones of the previous generation are most likely related to the implementation of the Media Transfer protocol. It is he who is responsible for the speed of file exchange. Another possible reason is firmware bugs. It is hoped that in the new smartphone all problems will be eliminated.

Security and interface

Fingerprint reader on the back. According to rumors, the installation of Face Unlock, a face recognition system, was originally planned. But according to the photos of the new gadget leaked to the network, it can be seen that the upper frame, unlike the previous Pixel 4, is noticeably narrower, which means that the manufacturer has abandoned such technology. This is understandable, since the use of such technologies will affect the price.

The new smartphone, most likely, will not support the Motion Sense function, which Pixel 4 users have appreciated. Apps will have to be controlled the old fashioned way - using the buttons on the touch screen.
As for applications, they will be updated almost instantly.

release date

So far unknown. This is due to the coronavirus epidemic and the suspension of production in China. According to one of the online publications, Google is going to start production of a new gadget in Vietnam in mid-April. So, it is quite possible that the Pixel 4a will be available for pre-order by the end of May.

Price

The announced cost of the smartphone is about $500. Not cheap, considering the small battery capacity and plastic case.

Also, images of billboards appeared on the network, with a listed cost of $ 399.According to a company representative, these are just pictures.
In general, the price turned out to be an interesting situation. Someone told users that the smartphone will support 5G technology. In this case, the cost can significantly exceed the declared $ 500. But it is quite possible that we are talking about the 5th generation of the Pixel line. Representatives of the manufacturing company remain intriguing and do not comment on the rumors.

On the advantages and disadvantages

The new smartphone does not offer users anything new. Small changes in design and reduced cost. Many experts believe that after the start of sales, the price may fall, or for the same cost, users will receive additional devices such as headphones or wireless charging.
In general, many users note excellent technical characteristics, camera functions that are comparable to good cameras. But with all the merits, it is not clear what Google is guided by, packing a good, in general, stuffing into a rather strange “packaging”.

• increased performance compared to previous models;
• functionality;
• good camera performance;
• possibility of wireless charging;
• there was a headphone jack.

• price - budget models of Chinese and Korean manufacturers boast more advanced features for the same price;
• small battery capacity;
• low battery life;
• removed some camera functions;
• strange design.

The new line will not feature facial recognition, as the manufacturer decided to create a budget gadget, plus a display with a refresh rate of 60Hz instead of 90Hz.Not critical, but unpleasant, given that previous versions with higher rates were not particularly bright. So how popular the new smartphone will be is still unknown. By the way, many users criticized the Pixel 4 in advance. In general, we are waiting for the start of sales.