Google Pixel 4a 5G: Everything You Need To Know - Updated November 2022

The Google Pixel 4a 5G is here as the company'due south "budget" 5G smartphone for 2020. It was announced on September 30 in a virtual event. And went on sale on November xix.

Google made certain that its Pixel lineup was very disruptive this year, with the Pixel 4a, 4a 5G and Pixel 5. Essentially, the Pixel 4a 5G was the Pixel 5, and the Pixel five was going to be the Pixel 5S. Simply then the pandemic happened and Google made some changes. Giving us the Pixel 4a, Pixel 4a 5G and Pixel 5. All of which are very like in specs, build and features. So we are here to assist y'all with your purchasing decision and to discover you the all-time Pixel for your needs. And that might only be the Pixel 4a 5G.

Y'all'll find everything that yous need to know about the Google Pixel 4a 5G hither. Including the price, where to buy the Pixel 4a 5G, release appointment, new features and much more.

How much does the Pixel 4a 5G cost?

The Pixel 4a 5G costs $499 in the US.

There is a second variant of the Pixel 4a 5G for Verizon, which costs $599, and we'll talk a fleck more about that later.

The Pixel 4a 5G went upward for pre-order on October 29, and volition be bachelor for purchase on November xix.

This cost pits the Pixel 4a 5G in the sub-$500 smartphone range, which has go very skillful over the terminal few years. And also makes it one of the cheapest 5G smartphones on the market today.

Purchase Google Pixel 4a 5G

Where tin I purchase the Pixel 4a 5G?

As of right now, you lot can simply pre-order the Pixel 4a 5G from the Google Store.

That volition modify in the about hereafter, however, as the device becomes available from other carriers including Verizon and AT&T.

Subsequently November 19, when the Pixel 4a 5G becomes bachelor everywhere, it'll be available from the Google Store, Amazon, Verizon, AT&T and Best Purchase.

What carriers back up the Pixel 4a 5G?

All three United states of america carriers support the Pixel 4a 5G. That includes AT&T, T-Mobile and Verizon.

MVNOs similar Xfinity Mobile, Mint Mobile, Google Fi, Straight Talk and others will also support the Pixel 4a 5G – every bit long as yous buy the unlocked model.

Similar to previous years, even though every carrier might not be selling the Pixel 4a 5G (nosotros know AT&T and Verizon will be), information technology will still piece of work with them all.

Does it support 5G on my carrier?

The Pixel 4a 5G comes in 2 variants. There'south an unlocked variant that supports Sub-half dozen 5G from all iii carriers. And there is a second model, the Pixel 4a 5G UW. Which is almost exclusive to Verizon, as it supports its mmWave network.

The Pixel 4a 5G UW is too $100 more than, because it supports mmWave. This is a tendency that we have seen with other smartphones that were fabricated specifically for Verizon'south 5G network. And dissimilar the Pixel 5, anybody won't accept to pay that "5G taxation" for Verizon customers.

For nearly people, the regular, unlocked Pixel 4a 5G will exist plenty fine. Since mmWave 5G is pretty tough to find these days. That is because mmWave does non cover as much area as low ring 5G does. But that is what gives y'all those crazy fast speeds.

Practise I need a 5G phone in 2020?

The simple answer is no.

We've been pretty house in every review we have published in 2020, that you shouldn't purchase a phone for 5G. Y'all should buy it for other reasons, like the camera, battery life, etc. And if information technology is a 5G phone, and so that's an added bonus.

5G is non built out that well in the The states. And for most people, fifty-fifty if they have 5G coverage, it may not be faster than 4G LTE. And that's because most people take access to low-ring 5G, which is slower simply covers more than surface area. And not mmWave, which covers very little expanse, but provides crazy fast speeds – we've seen upwards to 3Gbps on mmWave networks.

Basically, don't buy the Pixel 4a 5G for 5G, purchase it for the other features it boasts.

What colors is information technology available in?

Much similar the Pixel 4a, the Pixel 4a 5G is only available in i color – Simply Black.

Google decided to keep it simple this twelvemonth with its Pixel 4a models, sticking with i storage and ane color variant. Which is besides what helps go along the price down on the Pixel 4a 5G. And that is always appreciated.

Unlike the Pixel 4a, the 4a 5G model has a white power button. Instead of a faint mint colored ability push. Information technology's still unique, but not as fun as the cheaper Pixel 4a.

What comes in the box?

In the box with the Pixel 4a 5G, you'll notice the Pixel 4a 5G right on top of course.

Followed by the USB-C charging brick and a USB-C to USB-C cable for charging. In that location is also the usual assortment of paperwork and a SIM ejection tool. Unfortunately there are no more Team Pixel stickers. Google seems to have stopped offer those after the Pixel 3 series in 2018.

Thankfully, there is a charger in the box with this i. It'southward an 18W charger, so not quite as fast equally some of the contest, just still fast enough. And at least it comes with a charger, unlike the $999 iPhone 12 Pro.

What are the specs of the Pixel 4a 5G?

	Google Pixel 5
Screen size	6.2-inch FHD+ OLED
Processor	Qualcomm Snapdragon 765G
RAM	6GB
Storage	128GB
Cameras	12.2MP main sensor, 16MP ultra-wide sensor 8MP front end-facing sensor
Battery	3800mAh
Price	$499
Release Date	November 19

Where'south the Pixel 4a 5G review?

You tin read our review of the Pixel 4a 5G right here.

Just the TL;DR of the review is that this is a really impressive phone for $500. Google stock-still a lot of the things we complained about with the Pixel iv series last year. Which was mainly battery life. Information technology tin can last you a mean solar day and a half, if not a bit longer. Which is truly impressive.

We called information technology "The best Pixel for the money", and nosotros believe it is the best Pixel for most people. Out of the three models that Google unveiled this twelvemonth.

Buy Google Pixel 4a 5G

What new features does this smartphone accept?

Google was actually pretty repose nearly new features on the Pixel 4a 5G (and Pixel 5) this year. There are plenty of new features, but not nearly as much equally the Pixel 3 and Pixel 4 had when they were announced. This could partly be due to the fact that the Pixel 4a 5G is much more affordable this year.

Dark Sight Portrait Mode

Every bit e'er, the biggest new features are within the camera. And this year, it has a few new camera features bachelor, similar Night Sight Portrait Mode. Google has substantially taken 2 of its near popular camera modes and combined them into a unmarried style. That's Dark Sight and Portrait Manner. Allowing you to become some bully selfies, at nighttime. And with most of usa doing bonfires now that information technology is starting to go cold, y'all can go some actually absurd looking dark selfies out of the Pixel 4a 5G photographic camera.

Though, the images that Google released to bear witness off this feature, don't look all that bang-up. And then these may non be stunning. But notwithstanding absurd that information technology tin be done.

Cinematic Pans

Google is finally taking video seriously this year with the Pixel 4a 5G. It has added Cinematic Pans, so creators tin can really utilise this phone to brand videos.

The Pixel team took a feature that creators utilise quite a bit in their videos and built it into the phone. Something that would normally need a gimbal to be done properly. Basically, Google is taking its OIS to a whole new level with the Pixel 4a 5G, and this Cinematic Pans characteristic. Information technology is slowing downward your video to 2X, so that it tin can become those smooth and crisp shots.

4K60 video recording

Speaking of video, Google also added a much requested feature for video. And that's 4K60. Terminal year with the Pixel 4, many were shocked that it was not included. Afterward all, the sensor and the processor were both capable of 4K60, but Google had a few reasons why it was left off. Stating that no one wanted information technology, it took up to much storage (remember Pixel 4 came in 64GB and 128GB models), etc.

Merely this year, 4K60 is here. Allowing you to get some really shine video in 4K on this smartphone, making for an interesting way to brand videos. Of grade, information technology will use up more storage, but since the Pixel 4a 5G comes with 128GB of storage, that shouldn't be a big issue. You can also offload these to Google Photos to make more than room.

Agree for Me with Google Assistant

Outside of the camera features, there are a few others included. Like the new "Hold for Me" feature with Google Assistant. If you've ever called your Isp, wireless carrier, or really any other company, you've probably been put on hold for a while until someone can reply your call.

Well, now instead of having to sit down in that location and heed to their terrible concord music, Google Assistant can practise that for you. It'll sit on concord for y'all, and let you lot know when someone is on the line to speak with yous. And then y'all tin can go along going about your 24-hour interval. Information technology'southward a fairly unproblematic characteristic, but a very useful one.

At that place are plenty of other features available on the Pixel 4a 5G every bit well. Some of which will be coming to older Pixel devices via a feature drib in the coming months.

Does it have a headphone jack?

In 2020, this is a question that has kind of run its course. About smartphones don't have a headphone jack.

But the Pixel 4a 5G isn't most smartphones. The Pixel 4a 5G does indeed take a headphone jack. Information technology is located on the acme of the phone, and you can plug in your favorite pair of wired earbuds into this phone. For many, that's better than using Bluetooth earbuds – equally that is some other battery yous demand to charge.

Thankfully, Google has decided to continue the headphone jack on the cheaper, Pixel 4a models.

Is the Pixel 4a 5G environmentally friendly?

Much like the other hardware products that Google released this year, the Pixel 4a 5G is also environmentally friendly. It is fabricated nigh entirely from recycled plastic. And the fabric cases for the Pixel 4a 5G are also made entirely from recycled plastic and textile.

That makes information technology a lot easier to buy the Pixel 4a 5G and non worry well-nigh it being bad for the environs. For those that are environmentally-witting, that is definitely a good thing. It besides continues Google'southward tendency of moving to a more than environmentally friendly company.

Should I buy this over the other Pixels launched this year?

The three Pixel smartphones that Google launched this year are very similar in specs, build quality and features. Only range from $349 to $699. We believe that the Pixel 4a 5G is the best Pixel for the coin.

This is because it boasts about of the features from the Pixel 5, minus the wireless charging and the aluminum backside. And you're also getting a slightly larger display, with great bombardment life. Now you do lose out on the 90Hz display, which for nearly people that isn't going to matter. Even the new iPhones don't have a high-refresh charge per unit display, and they are far more expensive.

At that place is a lot of competition in this space at present though, with OnePlus launching its Nord serial of smartphones. Like the Nord, Nord N10 and fifty-fifty the Nord N100 (which is really well-nigh one-half the price of the Pixel 4a 5G). Of course, we also accept plenty of Motorola phones in this price range too. However, from a value proposition, the Pixel 4a 5G is the best Pixel to buy in 2020. And possibly even the best phone to buy this year. Because all of the features it has, at this cost point.