Google Pixel 4a vs Pixel 4

Google Pixel 4a vs Pixel 4 - Which should you buy - Android

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Can Google's affordable phone take the fight to its premium flagship?

After months of delays, Google has finally revealed the Pixel 4a. Google’s new budget phone is primed to take on the likes of the iPhone SE and the OnePlus Nord. But is it good enough to be a classed as a worthy alternative to its far more expensive flagship counterpart, the Pixel 4? Let’s find out as we take a quick look at the Google Pixel 4a vs Pixel 4!

Editor’s note: We’ll mainly be referring to the standard Pixel 4 for the sake of this comparison. We’ll also mention the larger Pixel 4 XL when the specs and features differ. Unfortunately, Google hasn’t released a Pixel 4a XL. Those after a larger cheap phone from Google will have to wait for the Pixel 4a 5G coming later this year.

Our verdict: Google Pixel 4a review — Google’s best phone in years!

Specs

	Google Pixel 4a	Pixel 4	Pixel 4 XL
Display	5.81-inch OLED 2,340 x 1,080 resolution 19.5:9 aspect ratio Gorilla Glass 3	5.7-inch P-OLED 2,280 x 1,080 resolution 19.9:9 aspect ratio Gorilla Glass 5 90Hz refresh rate	6.3-inch P-OLED 3,040 x 1,440 resolution 19.9:9 aspect ratio Gorilla Glass 5 90Hz refresh rate
Processor	Qualcomm Snapdragon 730G Adreno 618 GPU	Qualcomm Snapdragon 855 Adreno 640 GPU	Qualcomm Snapdragon 855 Adreno 640 GPU
RAM	6GB RAM	6GB RAM	6GB RAM
Storage	128GB No microSD slot	64GB/128GB No microSD slot	64GB/128GB No microSD slot
Cameras	Rear: 12.2MP, f/1.7 OIS + EIS Front: 8MP, f/2.0	Rear: 12.2MP, f/1.7 + 16MP telephoto f/2.4 OIS Front: 8MP, f/2.0	Rear: 12.2MP, f/1.7 + 16MP telephoto f/2.4 OIS Front: 8MP, f/2.0
Battery	3,140mAh 18W fast charging No wireless charging	2,800mAh 18W fast charging Qi wireless	3,700mAh 18W fast charging Qi wireless
IP Rating	No IP rating	IP68	IP68
Software	Android 10	Android 10	Android 10
Colors	Just Black	Just Black, Clearly White, Oh So Orange	Just Black, Clearly White, Oh So Orange
Dimensions and weight	144 x 69.4 x 8.2mm 143g	147.1 x 68.8 x 8.2mm 162g	160.4 x 75.1 x 8.2mm 193g

Design

: Google Pixel 4a

: Google Pixel 4

The Pixel 4 and the 4a are quite different, which is understandable since there’s a huge price difference between the two. You get a metal and glass build, dust and water resistance, and wireless charging with the flagship Pixel 4, while the Pixel 4a skips all these premium features to keep the price as low as possible.

The Pixel 4a’s polycarbonate body doesn’t feel cheap by any means though. Many may even prefer its near bezel-less front when compared to the large forehead of the Pixel 4 which houses the Soli chip and other sensors. These sensors are essential for the Pixel 4’s hardware-based face unlock feature. The Pixel 4a instead opts for a physical fingerprint scanner, which isn’t as high-tech but is a tried-and-tested security option.

The headphone jack continues to be a major selling point of the budget-friendly smartphone as well. The Pixel 4 doesn’t have a 3.5mm port. Conversely, the Pixel 4 series offers Active Edge so you can squeeze to summon Google Assistant. This feature also appeared on the Pixel 3a, but has been dropped for the Pixel 4a.

Related: Google Pixel 4a vs Pixel 3a: Should you upgrade?

Credit: David Imel/ Android Authority

The 4a might have the more “modern” design, and the Pixel 4’s look is certainly polarizing, but there’s something quintessentially “Pixel” about both smartphones. Whether it’s the square camera bump, the contrasting power button, or the unique orange colorway of the Pixel 4, both phones are easily recognizable in a world where smartphone designs tend to blend into one another.

See also: Google Pixel 4 XL revisited: The good and bad

Design is a personal preference, but the flagship has more to offer with regards to the display. Both screens are of the OLED, Full HD variety, however, the Pixel 4 has the benefit of a 90Hz refresh rate that makes everything seem that much smoother. That said, the Pixel 4a has one of the best displays we’ve seen in this price range, so you’re definitely not going to have a bad time with it. The 6.3-inch Pixel 4 XL’s display also bumps the resolution up to Quad HD, just in case you want the very best Pixel display out there.

Features

The Pixel 4 series is powered by the 2019 flagship processor of choice, the Snapdragon 855. On the other hand, the 4a comes with the decidedly mid-range Snapdragon 730G. The Pixel 4 and 4 XL will handily beat the 4a in an all-out sprint, or with processor-intensive gaming, but we found no issues with everyday performance with the latter.

The fact that both come with 6GB of RAM and an identical software experience — thanks to the ultra-clean Pixel UI — makes it a little closer. It wouldn’t be fair to expect similar performance given the significantly different processing packages, but the Pixel 4a doesn’t disappoint.

Related: The best Google Pixel 4a cases you can get

Credit: David Imel/ Android Authority

Where the Pixel 4a has the definite advantage is in battery life. A screen on-time of 6.5 hours may not be as impressive when compared to a lot of other phones out there, but that’s still a big improvement over the around 4-hour screen-on time of the Pixel 4. The Pixel 4 XL fares a little better due to its larger cell, but you’ll still be reaching for a charger by the end of the day, or in some cases even earlier. Google’s decision to go with relatively small batteries with the Pixel 4 series is still baffling, and it’s good to see the Pixel 4a bucking that trend.

Both phones come with the same 12.2MP primary shooter. The Pixel 4 series gets the added benefit of a secondary telephoto lens though. However, the Pixel 4a does get all the fantastic camera software enhancements available with its flagship counterpart, like astrophotography mode and dual exposure sliders.