The Google Pixel 4a marks the second generation of Google’s affordable smartphone line, offering a seductive combination of affordability and premium camera smarts. If you’re a current Pixel owner considering an upgrade or just out hunting, the value for money for Pixel 4a is impossible to overstate, even if you currently own an older flagship tier handset prove.
Need to upgrade to the Pixel 4a from an older Google phone? Here’s an overview of how Google’s latest mid-ranger is stacking up against its predecessors to see if it’s worth the upgrade.
Our full judgment: Google Pixel 4a Review: Google’s Best Phone in Years
Google Pixel 4a vs Nexus phones
Google’s smartphone ambitions did not begin with the Pixel series. For that came the Nexus range and, honestly, great kudos if you still use a fully functioning Nexus-era device.
Focused more on developers, while also displaying Google’s vision for stock Android, the latest entries in the series, the Nexus 6P and 5X, launched back in 2015. Unfortunately, Nexus smartphones were perhaps not the most reliable. Given the very age of the hardware at this point, they are well past a replacement.
Related: Was the Nexus series really that good, or are they just rose-tinted glasses?
The Google Pixel 4a offers an affordable upgrade route with more powerful processing hardware than those old flagship chips, the latest and greatest version of Android without the hassle of manual installations and industry-leading camera capabilities. There’s really no reason to stick to a bad-graying Nexus handset any longer, except for pure nostalgia.
Google Pixel 4a vs Pixel 1
The original Google Pixel debuted in 2016, featuring flagship hardware in a 5-inch package and 5.5-inch screen size for the XL variant. However, the Pixel’s hardware looks a bit dated from the current standard, even compared to the mid-range Pixel 4a.
The quad-core Snapdragon 821 processor is also slower than the mid-range octa-core Snapdragon 730G within the Pixel 4a. This is thanks to modern CPU core designs in Google’s affordable phone. The two are also pretty similar to the upcoming graphics, but you will probably get the best results from the more modern optimized Pixel 4a.
See also: Google Pixel Redux Review: Proof of Software Power
Google’s latest camera package may have its roots all the way back to the original Pixel, but the newer model benefits from autofocus with dual-pixel phase detection, optical image stabilization and Google’s latest approach to processing. The first-gen Pixel also does not have fancy features like an IP rating or wireless charging, so there is nothing to miss to go for the Pixel 4a. They also sport both headphone jackets!
The original Pixel actually looks pretty dated due to the thick edges. But, perhaps most importantly, with October 2019, Google stopped the Pixel and Pixel XL with security updates.
With a marginally more modern camera package, better performance, and Android updates guaranteed until August 2023, the Pixel 4a is a solid update on Pixel’s original flagship.
Google Pixel 4a vs Pixel 2
The 5-inch Google Pixel 2 and 6-inch Google Pixel 2 XL limit the hardware gap with the newer 4a. But due to the age of the Pixel 2 series, it comes at the end of its time on Google’s support plan. Android and security updates officially end in October 2020, which means that the upgrade to Android 11 will be the last.
The phones’ octa-core Snapdragon 835 processor is slightly faster than the Snapdragon 730G when it comes to gaming, but we have no complaints about the current performance of Pixel 4a. The same cannot be said for the Pixel 2, which is notoriously hampered by its 4GB of RAM (the Pixel 4a has 6GB of RAM) and results in forced app closures. The newer model also offers superior battery life, making it a better phone to use daily.
The Pixel 2’s support cycle is coming to an end.
The camera package is almost identical on paper. However, the Pixel 4a benefits from built-in support for Google’s astrophotography and other latest features. The Pixel 4a also has 18W fast charging versus 10W charging, as well as thinner edges. However, the Pixel 4a lacks the IP67 rating of Pixel 2 and speakers up front.
The Pixel 2 series was controversial for smashing the headphone jack, which retains the Pixel 4a. The older phones also encountered display issues. Overall, the Pixel 4a is a more refined package that is more practical to actually use against the Pixel 2. Plus, it’s time to switch from the Pixel 2 for long-term Android updates.
Google Pixel 4a vs Pixel 3
The Google Pixel 3 and 3 XL are still fairly modern flagships. They have an IP68 rating, fast Snapdragon 845 processor, and Qi wireless charging that you just can’t find on the Pixel 4a. The Pixel 3 also supports Google’s latest camera features and has a secondary wide-angle selfie camera, a feature where we were disappointed that the Pixel 4a did not copy (especially after the rival OnePlus Nord included one). The flagship of the latest gen of Google is definitely the more feature-rich and powerful handset. Plus, the building materials are a remarkable step up from the more basic feel of Pixel 4a.
However, the Pixel 3 is not perfect. It experienced similar issues with the battery life as the Pixel 2, but its display is, fortunately, much better and the design of the phone is also not as voluminous. Well, except for the Pixel 3 XL’s gargantuan and invisible “bathtub” notch. Both phones also came with just 4GB of RAM, which in turn resulted in apps closing in the background at an alarming rate for a flagship phone. The Pixel 4a does not have this problem.
Do not miss: These 7 phones are the best alternatives of Google Pixel 4a
Aside from iffy memory management (if the jump from 64 GB to 128 GB basic storage) is a complete deal-breaker, there is no compelling reason for Pixel 3 owners to jump to the Pixel 4a. The Pixel 3 also has more than half a year of software updates there. You can take advantage of a switch if you have issues with the battery life of the Pixel 3, but if that’s a big bugbear, it might be worth leaving Google’s ecosystem completely.
Google Pixel 4a vs Pixel 3a
This brings us to Google’s first and most successful mid-range handset – the Pixel 3a. We’ve already given these two a much deeper comparison, but let’s recap the main pros and cons of upgrading.
The Pixel 4a has a handful of improved features, an always slightly larger display than the standard Pixel 3a (so we did not get a Pixel 4a XL, and a punch-hole front camera. However, the core experience is similar between the two that Pixel 3a owners probably will not feel the itch to upgrade any time soon.Especially because they have two identical camera packages, which remains one of the main reasons to buy the affordable Pixel.
Related: Google Pixel 4a vs Pixel 3a Camera Shootout: Is It Worth The Upgrade?
That said, the Google Pixel 4a benefits from 128GB UFS 2.1 storage versus the slower 64GB eMMC 5.1 from Pixel 3a. The newer Snapdragon 730G SoC also delivers more CPU and GPU performance over the Snapdragon 670, and the phone sports 2GB more RAM. Combined, this may be the difference that this mid-range experience makes that bit smooth. With more memory, the Pixel 4a should also age a little better.
But unless you’re in for a bit more performance, the Pixel 3a / Pixel 3a XL and Pixel 4a are unusually similar. For that reason, most Pixel 3a users will still feel very happy with last year’s phone.
Google Pixel 4a vs Older Google Phones: The Judgment
Smartphone tech continues to move at a rapid pace, even in more affordable market segments. Upgrading to the Google Pixel 4a is a no-brainer if you stick to a 2016 handset or older – Google phone or otherwise. Today’s medium tech is just superior. Google’s latest affordable phone is also a ridiculous improvement over the still relatively recent Pixel 2, especially considering the well-documented flaws of the handset.
Upgrading from last year’s Pixel 3a is less valuable, but perhaps justifiable if you want a modest storage and / or performance upgrade. As you would probably expect, the modern flagship Pixel 3 and, expanding, the newer Pixel 4 offer enough bells and whistles that switching to the Pixel 4a would be a remarkable downgrade. That said, it’s a bit more difficult picking between the Pixel 4 series and the Pixel 4a if you choose between the two for a brand new phone – check out our comparison for more.
Google Pixel 4a The best of Google for $ 349
Gaining the Google experience has never been more accessible. A compact phone that is easy to use, a beautiful screen, and one of the best cameras in this price range. The Pixel 4a is hard to beat.
Will you be upgrading from an older Google device to the new Pixel phone? Let us know in the comments!
