These 7 phones are the best Google Pixel 4a alternatives - Android

The Google Pixel 4a is finally official, coming almost three months after we first expected to see it unveiled. The Pixel 3a successor doesn’t deliver a ton of upgrades on paper, but as we noted in our review, it’s far more than the sum of its parts and is a steal for $349 (or £349 in the UK and €349-€389 across Europe).

But what if you don’t like the look of the new Google phone? Maybe you want more bang for your buck or more impressive specs? We’ve got you covered with a breakdown of the best Google Pixel 4a alternatives on the global market.

1. OnePlus Nord

The first mid-range OnePlus phone in roughly five years looks like one of the best Android devices in 2020, ticking loads of boxes. 90Hz OLED screen? Yep. Powerful Snapdragon 765G processor with 5G? Indeed. A decently sized 4,115mAh battery with 30W wired charging? Of course.

Read more: Google Pixel 4a vs OnePlus Nord: Which is better?

OnePlus also delivered a grand total of six cameras, featuring two up-front (32MP+8MP ultra-wide) and four on the rear. These cameras include a 48MP main shooter, 8MP ultra-wide camera, 5MP depth sensor, and 2MP macro lens.

The biggest downside to the OnePlus Nord is that it isn’t available in North America, which is a massive blow for budget phone fans in the West. The price also varies wildly in each region you can buy it. India gets a 64GB option for Rs 24,999 (~$335). Meanwhile, Europeans have to pay €399 (~$472) for the 128GB option, or £379 in the UK (just £30 more than the Pixel 4a).

2. Google Pixel 3a

The Pixel 4a is already $50 cheaper than the Pixel 3a’s $400 launch price, but we’d nevertheless suggest looking at the Pixel 3a if you can find a good deal for it. The biggest differences between the two phones are in the processor and storage fields, as the older phone has a less capable Snapdragon 670 SoC and 64GB of storage versus the new phone’s Snapdragon 730G chipset and 128GB of storage.

Our review: Google Pixel 3a review: The phone made for everyone

Otherwise, the first cheap Pixel phone gives you a virtually identical camera experience (bar Dual Exposure Controls and Live HDR), a similar-sized battery, a similar size in general, and the same 18W wired charging. Google’s older Pixel also offers Active Edge functionality which the Pixel 4a lacks, allowing you to squeeze the phone to activate Google Assistant or silence alarms.

3. Samsung Galaxy A51

Looking for a solid mid-range phone from Samsung? The Galaxy A51 is one of its better affordable phones and a decent Pixel 4a alternative. You’re getting a 6.5-inch FHD+ OLED screen, a 4,000mAh battery, and a 48MP quad-camera setup (including a 12MP ultra-wide snapper and two 5MP sensors).

Our review: Samsung Galaxy A51 review: Great screen, bad performance

It’s not all good though, as our own David Imel thought the phone’s performance was “slow” and “sub-par” in his review (see above). This was easily the worst thing about the device, and we’d expect the Pixel 4a’s Snapdragon 730G and 6GB RAM combo to deliver a smoother experience.

4. Apple iPhone SE