There are two things you can count on when it comes to smartphones: They keep getting better and more expensive. When Apple introduced the first 1000 euro iPhone, the excitement was great. Today such prices for luxury devices are normal. Samsung and Huawei foldable phones will cost double (if they ever come out, which is not a bet on Samsung right now).
The new Google Pixel 3a reverses this trend. For the normal version, Google charges 399 euros, the XL edition with a larger screen is 70 euros more expensive. Google is trying to tie in with the Nexus series, which garnered many fans five years ago. To anticipate: This could succeed.
The expensive Pixel devices are among the best Android smartphones. The Pixel 3a costs about half as much but offers well over 50 percent of the performance. The camera in particular stands out. No other mid-range device delivers comparable photos.
What you get for 400 euros, what you have to do without and for whom the Pixel 3a is suitable at a glance.
What’s missing compared to the Pixel 3:
- processor: The Snapdragon 670 is slower than the chip in current top-of-the-line models. However, this is hardly noticeable in everyday use. Some apps start with a delay, and animations occasionally falter. The performance should be sufficient for most users, and the operating system can be operated smoothly.
- screen: The screen is less bright and brilliant. Nevertheless, Google installed an Oled display, which is usually reserved for the upper class. The contrasts are therefore high and colors look natural. Instead of the notch for the camera, there is a flat black stripe at the top edge of the screen.
- material: The Pixel 3a lacks the aluminum frame and glass back. Instead, plastic is used. Nevertheless, the phone feels good in the hand and doesn’t feel cheap. Most people will hide it in a case anyway, so the difference is hardly noticeable.
- wireless charging: The Pixel 3 is the first smartphone in the range to offer wireless charging. With the Pixel 3a, Google does without the technology. After all, the Power Delivery standard is used, which quickly charges the battery via USB-C.
- Second front camera: The big brother has a dual camera on the front with an additional wide-angle lens. Anyone who regularly takes group selfies in which several people should find space will regret it – everyone else can probably get over the loss.
- Second speaker: The speaker on the underside is sufficient for occasionally watching videos. In any case, smartphones are not suitable for listening to music in decent quality or playing music at parties. The additional front speaker of the Pixel 3 doesn’t change that much.
- VisualCore: The Pixel 3a lacks the extra chip that Google developed to process photos. The normal processor takes care of the calculation. This takes a little longer, but has no visible effect on the finished image.
- photo storage space: The regular Pixel models offer unlimited cloud storage for original quality photos and videos. With the Pixel 3a, the uncompressed recordings count against the 15 gigabyte limit that Google sets for emails, documents and photos. If you want more, you have to pay or reduce the quality. Compressed photos and videos do not count against the quota.
That is new:
- Better battery life: The display is a bit smaller and the processor is a bit slower – so the cheap pixel consumes less power. The XL version also has a battery with more capacity (3700 instead of 3430 mAh). This is noticeable: the smartphone lasts noticeably longer than its big brother, which is twice as expensive.
- weight: Here, too, the savings have a positive side effect. Plastic weighs less than aluminum and glass, the Pixel 3a is lighter.
- headphone jack: At the top edge is a round hole – an analog jack connector. Those who have not yet switched to Bluetooth can continue to use their old headphones. But that’s no reason to hope for a renaissance of the good old jack: Google is only adapting it to the standard of mid-range smartphones and large markets like India. Luxury devices like the upcoming Pixel 4 will come without a headphone jack.
That stays the same:
- camera: The image quality can almost keep up with the Pixel 3 – and thus with almost all other smartphone cameras. Manufacturers like Apple, Samsung and Huawei use better hardware, but Google makes up for that with its software. Other devices with telephoto lenses can only zoom much better. Overall, the photos are outstanding for a 400 euro device.
- software: Less is more. Many manufacturers of Android smartphones improve the operating system with additional functions or their own design. Google relies on an untinkered Android. This is not only faster and fancier than most customized versions, but also more secure and future-proof: Pixel devices receive all updates without delay and for at least three years. Other manufacturers often need many months for this or discontinue support altogether at an early stage.
Conclusion
The Pixel 3a is a compromise in almost every area – but a pretty good one. If you only look at the hardware, you get more for the money with other mid-range cell phones. With the top camera and the reliable software, however, Google delivers the best overall package currently available.
However, it is still worth comparing the prices thoroughly: the Pixel 3 costs 849 euros in the Google store, but the street price is significantly lower. Again and again Google offers a discount of 200 euros, other dealers sell the mobile phone for less than 550 euros. The Pixel 3a is still significantly cheaper, but then loses in value for money.
