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. If you believe the information on the network, then the start of sales has already begun in Cuba (the 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 canceled. According to some reports, the concern is urgently moving production to Vietnam. So, it is quite possible that the first sales will begin in late May - mid-June.

Overview of the main characteristics

Design

Slightly different from the previous version. The glass of the case was replaced with cheaper plastic. The wide frame in the upper part 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 border is a sign that Google has ditched its face recognition feature. Most likely, this is due to the reduction in the cost of production, and, as a consequence of the release of the budget version of Pixel.

In the upper left frame of the part there is a round cutout for the camera. By the way, this solution was liked by many users - 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 strange, to put it mildly. At the bottom - the manufacturer's logo.
The phone itself turned out to be wide enough, if you add the thickness of the protective case (if the user, for example, wants to close the unsightly back panel), then it will not be very convenient to operate 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 of the power and volume buttons.

By colors - it is known for sure that the gadget will be available in black, as well as (according to information from blogger Dave Lee) in white, blue and bright orange.Which, in principle, is expected and in line with the standard Google approach to design.

Display

The 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, a diagonal of 5.81 inches. You should not expect much brightness and clarity of the image. Compared to the displays of Samsung's flagship gadgets, it looks pale. With readability of information in bright light (in the sun, for example, there are no problems). Many were confused by the 60 Hz indicator. But if you consider the announced price of $ 500 (for comparison - sales of the Pixel 3a started with a price tag of $ 800), then it looks like Google is planning to release a budget gadget.

Software and additional functions

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

Additional functions include a proximity sensor, an accelerometer.

Camera

The Pixel Line from Google has excellent camera performance. The novelty is equipped with 2 cameras - main and front with 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. Hopefully, there will be basic ones, such as Night Sight - for night shooting.

As for video shooting, the main characteristics are 2160p / 30 frames per second, 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-lived battery life of the gadget. According to buyers' estimates, the charging was enough for 1 day at best, subject to active use. For comparison, the flagships of the Samsung Galaxy Note 10 "live" much longer.
The Pixel 4a is nothing new in this regard, the same 3080mAh battery, 18W fast charging, plus wireless charging (not included).

Memory

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

Performance

Most likely, the new product will have UFS 2.1 storage, which implies high read speed and a decent performance boost, especially when loading applications or downloading files. Plus more efficient use of battery power.

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 won't be able to play for a long time in standalone mode 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 associated with the implementation of the Media Transfer protocol. It is he who is responsible for the speed of file exchange. Another possible reason is firmware crashes. It is hoped that the new smartphone will fix all the problems.

Security and interface

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

The new smartphone will most likely not support the Motion Sense feature, which Pixel 4 users have appreciated at its true worth. Applications will have to be controlled in the old fashioned way - using buttons on the touchscreen.
As for the applications, they will be updated almost instantly.

release date

Not yet known. This is due to the coronavirus epidemic and the suspension of production in China. According to one of the Internet publications, Google is going to start production of a new gadget in Vietnam in mid-April.So it is possible that the Pixel 4 will be available for pre-order by the end of May.

Price

The announced cost of the smartphone is about $ 500. Not cheap when you consider the small battery capacity and plastic housing.

Also, images of billboards appeared online, with a specified value of $ 399. According to a company representative, these are just pictures.
In general, an interesting situation turned out with the price. 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.

About the advantages and disadvantages

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

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

• price - budget models from 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 face recognition as the manufacturer decided to create a budget gadget, plus a display with a refresh rate of 60 Hz instead of 90 Hz. Not critical, but unpleasant, considering that the previous versions with higher indicators did not differ much in brightness. So how popular the new smartphone will be is still unknown. By the way, many users have previously criticized the Pixel 4. In general, we are waiting for the start of sales.